The following are selected articles from a Newspaper titled, "The Higbee News" which was issued out of the town of Higbee, in Randolph County, Missouri from the years 1888 through 1953. The editors were W. H. Welch and his son H. Scott Welch. This paper covered the Higbee area and also a great deal of the northeastern part of Howard county. The copyright notice at the end of this transcript is there for the sole purpose of keeping this work free to the public, and to ensure that it is not harvested by a fee-based corporate genealogy site, or published in any format for profit. If you decide to use the information from this transcription, PLEASE LIST ME AS THE SOURCE, rather than the paper. My transcription is another generation removed from the microfilm, and would thus be a third generation copy of the original paper. For proper documentation, a researcher should obtain a photocopy of the microfilm for their own permanent records, and use my transcript as a guide or index. The microfilm is available for interlibrary loan through the State Historical Society of Missouri, and a copy is also on file at the Moberly Public Library, generously donated by the Higbee Historical Society. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Thursday, 16 Dec 1926, Vol 40, No 33, Pg 2, Col. 4,5,6&7 cont. on pg 7, Col. 1--OUR HUNTSVILLE LETTER, By W. T. Dameron--(Kathy's notes: Although I edited sections of this letter, the information in this entry was taken exactly as written, with nothing left out of this old issue of the Randolph Citizen.)--71 years ago--Excerpts from the old Randolph Citizen, published at Huntsville in 1855. This issue, May 10, 1855, contains Gov. Sterling Price's Thanksgiving observed on the 31st day of May. Here it is in full: "Whereas, it is the duty of nations and states, as well as individuals, at stated times to gratefully return thanks for the many favors of a kind Providence, and at times to prostrate themselves at the throne of Divine Grace, and humbly petition the Giver of all Good for a continuance of His watchful care and that impending state or national calamity may be averted. Now, therefore, I, Sterling Price, Governor of the State of Missouri, under a full sense of obligation and duty, and at the urgent solicitation of many citizens, do by this proclamation, recommend to the people of this State, without distinction of denomination or creed, that they observe Thursday, the 31st day of May, as a day of Thanksgiving, humility and prayer, that they close their houses of business, assemble at their respective place of public worship and return thanks for the many blessings of Providence, and humbly beseech the Divine Ruler of the universe that our State may be blessed with health, plentifulness and prosperity, and that we may not be visited with famine, pestilence or civil strife." The Glasgow Times reports cholera raging on the "Upper Mississippi, and Western Rivers. The boat, Kate Casel, put off four dead bodies at Brunswick, and reported several deaths at Arrow Rock from cholera." The editor states that "farmers of Randolph county are gloomy over the continual dry weather and depredations of cinch bugs and other insects." In this issue of the Citizen, E. G. Clair, a pioneer printer of Huntsville announces the sale of his paper, "The Independent Missourian," to Francis M. Taylor, publisher of the Citizen. "Want of sufficient capital to conduct the Missourian," was the reason given for selling the paper and plant. The Independent Missourian was the second paper started in Huntsville. The old Randolph Recorder, I believe, was the first. James W. Foster advertises his 280-acre farm for sale, located on the Grand divide, 8 miles east of Huntsville, on the survey of the North Missouri Railroad. John W. W. Sears, administrator of the estate of John Elliott, deceased, gives notice of final settlement at the May term of the county court. St. Louis market, May 5, 1855: Tobacco, $9, to $12.60; flour, $9.50 to $12 bbl; wheat, $1.60 to $2.75 bu; corn, 80c to 95c; oats 56c to 58c; butter, 14c to 16c; cheese, .09c to 12 1/2c; whisky, 37 1/2c gallon; apples $2 bu; peaches, $2 bu; apples, green, $1.50 bbl; flax seed, $1.42 1/2 bu; hides, 5 1/2c to 9c; coffee, 11c to 11 3/8c; salt, $1.59 bbl; molasses, 30c. Patton & Samuel, Drygoods, Boots and Shoes, advertise their stock at cost. J. V. Hardy & Co, Druggists, "Just received a fresh line of drugs, paints, chemicals, dyes, etc." H. W. Miller, principal, Middle Grove High School, "Will spare no effort to render this institution inferior to none in the country." Rate of tuition for five-months term: For common English, $7; higher English, $10; classics, $15. Tracy & Chapman advertise foreign and domestic dry goods at the old stand of N. B. Tracy. James F. Goodman and B. McDavitt, administrators of the estate of Jane Monahan, deceased, give notice to all persons indebted to the estate to come forward and make payment of same. Peter M. Burris and Thos. B. Embree, give notice that they will make final settlement at the next term of the county court of the estate of Caleb Embree, deceased. The Huntsville district school opened April 3, 1855 with Jas. D. Head, A. M., as principal. A tuition fee of $6 to $10 was charged all students. Dr. Jas. J. Watts, physician, surgeon and accouter; offers his professional services to his friends and fellow citizens at the former residence of his brother, Wm. B. Watts, 8 miles south of Huntsville, on the plank road leading to Glasgow. Wm. D. Malone and W. R. Samuel, trustees, advertise the Huntsville Female School, in charge of Miss Ann Leland. Terms of tuition: Spelling and Reading, $6.50; Elementary Grammar, Geography, Writing and Mental Arithmetic, $8; English Grammar, Higher Arithmetic and History, $10; for Painting and Drawing, $5 extra. H. L. Rutherford and Wm. D. Malone advertise that they "keep on hand negro men, women, boys and girls, in Huntsville, for sale. All persons who wish to buy negroes can make it to their interest to call on or address us by letter, giving description of kind of slaves desired." The business and professional interests in Huntsville in May 1855, were: J. C. Shaefer, Tailor; G. c. Sauvinet, Sign Painter; Gerhard & Barado, Hardware merchants; A. J. Ferguson, Mfg. saddles, harness and trunks; S. W. Robertson, watch repairer and jewelry; Lewis Heether, proprietor Randolph House; g. H. Burckhartt, attorney-at-law; reed & Denny atty.'s-at-law; Dr. J. H. Miller, physician and surgeon; Patton & Samuel, merchants; J. V. Hardy, drugs; P. R. Hume, contractor and builder; Luther Collier, lawyer; W. G. Ruby & Co, drugs; W. C. Bohannon, physician and surgeon; Chas. H. Lewis & Co., hardware; J. B. and G. w. Taylor, merchants; Dr. Waldo Lewis, physician and surgeon; Dr. W. T. Dameron; J. F. Riley, gunsmith; H. M. Porter, attorney-at-law; R. H. Cunningham & Theodore Tedford, saw mill. George W. Hunt, a pioneer of the county, and liveryman of Huntsville in those days, thusly advertises his business. In part, he says: "Hear, Ye, Oh Friends, Hear! Again I have unfurled my flag to the breeze and it is proudly waving on my new stable, just below the Huntsville Hotel." Mr. Hunt was the father of Gov. Geo. W. P. Hunt of Arizona, who, at the State election there last month, was re-elected Governor for the sixth time. The Governor's father died on his farm, near Darksville, his county, about 30 years ago. Thursday, 16 Dec 1926, Vol 40, No 33, Pg 7, Col. 1--OUR HUNTSVILLE LETTER, By W. T. Dameron--(edited by compiler)--Another old citizen of the county has passed away. Thos. T. Towles died at his home about six miles north of Huntsville on the 10th, of a complication of diseases. Mr. Towles was born in Huntsville in 1847 and was nearly 80 years old when he died. He had been a successful farmer nearly all of his life. He entered the Confederate service in the spring of 1863 at the age of 15 years, and served through the remainder of the war, being in several hard-fought battles, but never received a scratch. At the age of 40 years, or in 1887, he married a Miss Hunt of this county. Of this union five children were born, three of whom are living, also his wife, who is quite feeble. Some 15 or 20 years ago Mr. Towles made a profession of religion and united with the Primitive Baptist denomination, placing his membership with Hickory Grove church, near Darksville. Thos. T. Towles was a quiet and inoffensive man, honest and true, and one who attended strictly to his own business. He was a true christian gentleman and a loyal citizen, just such a man as the county can ill afford to lose. Thursday, 16 Dec 1926, Vol 40, No 33, Pg 4, Col. 2--OAK GROVE ITEMS--Mrs. Alice Smith and mother, Mrs. Lyle spent Thursday in Moberly with Mrs. Thomas Woods, who is in a hospital. She is reported better, but is still in a very serious condition. Thursday, 16 Dec 1926, Vol 40, No 33, Pg 4, Col. 4--Mrs. Lousetta Dougherty went to Renick Saturday for a visit with her daughter-in-law, Mrs. Claude Lewis, and her two little grandchildren. Mrs. Lewis and children will leave this week for St. Louis where Mr. Lewis has a good position. Thursday, 16 Dec 1926, Vol 40, No 33, Pg 4, Col. 5--Mrs. Mary Burke is visiting her daughter, Mrs. Otha Robb, of Mexico. Thursday, 16 Dec 1926, Vol 40, No 33, Pg 4, Col. 5--Mrs. Ed Seibert of Paris was the guest of her mother, Mrs. Mabel Turner, Tuesday. Thursday, 16 Dec 1926, Vol 40, No 33, Pg 4, Col. 5&6--Mrs. Lizzie Bottoms spent Sunday in Moberly with her mother, Mrs. Sue Burton, and Mr. and Mrs. E. Y. Keiter, and her brother, May M. Burton. The latter, who has been traveling for the Brown Shoe Co. for twenty-five years, and who has been located in Council Bluff, Ia., will leave the first of the year for Sacramento, Calif, to join his family, and will make his home there. Needless to add that he will be retained by his company, as he has long since ranked as one of their foremost salesmen. Thursday, 16 Dec 1926, Vol 40, No 33, Pg 5, Col. 1--Mrs. B. F. Andrews, who recently returned from a Kansas City hospital, where she underwent an operation has not been quite so well for several days, we are sorry to learn. Thursday, 16 Dec 1926, Vol 40, No 33, Pg 5, Col. 2--Mrs. Joe Hackward and daughters, Misses Vera and Jennie, spent Sunday with relatives in Moberly. Thursday, 16 Dec 1926, Vol 40, No 33, Pg 5, Col. 2--Mrs. David Davis spent the first of the week in New Franklin with her daughter, Mrs. George Barnett. Thursday, 16 Dec 1926, Vol 40, No 33, Pg 5, Col. 2--Jas. Rice left yesterday for Clinton, Ind., where he has secured employment, and to which place he will later move his family. Thursday, 16 Dec 1926, Vol 40, No 33, Pg 8, Col. 2--IN MEMORIAM--In loving memory of our dear mother, Mrs. Margaret Comstock, who departed from this life one year ago, December 13, 1925. When we saw our mother drifting From this world of joy and woe, Our hearts were filled with sorrow To think she had to go. We asked our Heavenly Father To hear our tearful plea, That we might keep our darling mother But alas, it could not be. All our prayers were useless, And our pleadings were in vain, But what was our sad loss Was surely heaven's gain. Never more on earth will we her smiling face behold, But she is waiting now to meet us At those shining gates of gold.---Sadly missed by children and grandchildren. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copyright notice: All transcriptions in this email are copyrighted by their creator. They may not be reproduced on another site or on any printed or recorded media, CD, etc. without specific written permission from Kathy Bowlin. Although public information is not in and of itself copyrightable, the format in which it is presented, transcriptions, notes & comments, etc. is. It is however, quite permissible to print or save the files to a personal computer for personal use only. Permission is granted to public libraries, and genealogical and historical societies to print and bind for the use of their patrons. Kathy Bowlin Additions, corrections, comments welcome.