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 and owners were a wonderful man by the name of 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. It is because of my tremendous admiration for this father and son, that I am transcribing this paper and putting it in a more readable format, so that this work may again be brought to light, to entertain, and teach a whole new generation of the descendants of the inhabitants and neighbors of a little town called "Higbee." 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. I wouldn't want my own possible errors in transcription, blamed on the editors of the 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. When the Higbee Historical Society disbanded, their material was donated to the Randolph County Historical Society and is still available there. Friday, 20 Nov. 1925, Vol 39 No. 30, pg. 1, col. 1--A GOOD MAN CALLED HOME--Ben Robson Passes Away at Home of His Daughter in Springfield, Ill.--Though they had been expecting the news for several weeks, and especially for the past few days, the message informing friends and acquaintances of the death of Ben Robson at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Ed Rees, in Springfield, Ill. at an early hour yesterday morning, caused no surprise, but the deepest sorrow, for deceased had for years been one of our most beloved citizens and one for whom all, from the youngest to the oldest, had the highest esteem and most implicit confidence. From the sudden death of his beloved companion, who expired suddenly at their home in this place on Christmas Eve, some ten years or more ago, he had never been the same, going into a gradual decline and for most of the past year or two had been confined to his room, and to his bed a great deal of the time. We go to press too early to give any particulars as to the funeral arrangements, nor have we the data on which to base a proper obituary, but which will appear next week. The body arrived over the Alton on the early morning train, and will be taken to the home of Lon Coleman, an old friend and neighbor, and who arrived, with Mrs. Coleman, in advance of the funeral party, yesterday after noon. Funeral services will likely be held in the Methodist church, of which he had been a member since early manhood and with which congregation he cast his lot on first coming to Higbee thirty years or more ago. He was an honored member of the Higbee Masonic lodge and also of the Odd Fellows and likely will be laid to rest with the full honors of one of these fraternities. Realizing that his days were numbered, he asked that his old friend, John Race, with whom he had watched and prayed at the bedside of many who were about to pass on to the other side, and who were almost inseparable companions in the days of their vigor, be notified, and Mr. Race left on the first train for Springfield Sunday night, and was with his dear old friend to the very end. In the passing of this honest, kindly and God-fearing gentleman, it has been truly said that a just man has been called to his reward. The deepest sympathy of a legion of friends goes out to the surviving daughters, Mrs. Ed Rees and Mrs. Frank Goin. Friday, 20 Nov. 1925, Vol 39 No. 30, pg. 1, col. 1--Moberly Theater Destroyed by Fire.--The Grand, Moberly's best theater, was totally destroyed by fire Monday morning, the fire being discovered about 1:30 o'clock. Just what caused the fire is not known unless it was electric wiring. The interior was consumed, all that was left being some steel girders and the four walls. The front of the building was not injured in the least, and one passing along the street would not suspicion that a fire had occurred. The loss is placed at $150,000. The flames had not died down until George Sparks, the owner of the building, had a message on the wires calling to Moberly the best theater architect in St. Louis, and will begin rebuilding at once, or as soon as the ground can be cleared following an adjustment of the loss with the insurance companies. It is Mr. Sparks' intention, so we are advised, to erect a real theater building, the very best in all of North Missouri and much larger than the old one. The new building, we understand, will be fireproof. Friday, 20 Nov. 1925, Vol 39 No. 30, pg. 1, col. 2--D. W. DULANEY DEAD--D. W. Dulany, for many years a prominent farmer of Audrain county, and who later was engaged in business in Moberly, but who had made his home in Denver, Colo., for several years, died Friday of last week from paralysis, with which he was stricken for the third time several weeks ago. He was born in Audrain county and was 69 years old. He is survived by five sons and five daughters, viz: Emmett Dulany of this place; George, of Decatur, Ill.; and Omar, Virgil and Garl of Denver. Mrs. Mamie Latta, Mrs. Will Arnett, Mrs. Walter Niles, St. Louis, and Miss Lillian Dulany of Denver. He also leaves four brothers, Claude, Madison; Ben, St. Louis, James, Huntsville, and Edward of Clark. One sister, Mrs. Fannie Sharp, of Clark, also survives. Funeral services were held in Moberly Monday and interment made at Macedonia, Audrain county. Friday, 20 Nov. 1925, Vol 39 No. 30, pg. 1, col. 3--Bitten Through Hand By Dog--Joe Jones, son of Mr. and Mrs. Richard Jones, was badly bitten through the left hand Friday morning of last week while out with several other boys taking a stroll through the woods. While on the Hiram Land farm they heard a dog howling as if it were being eaten alive, and on investigating found a medium size yellow dog, presumably a shepherd, fastened in a fence. Joe released the dog, which immediately turned and bit him through the left hand, making a fearful looking wound and which began to pain him like several toothaches. He lost no time in getting to town and having the hand, which was much swollen, dressed, since which time he has been doing nicely. The dog was killed immediately, as it should have been for not having sense enough to know that Joe had done it a favor and perhaps saved his life. Friday, 20 Nov. 1925, Vol 39 No. 30, pg. 1, col. 3--J. B. Tymony Quite Sick--The many friends of J. B. Tymony, formerly of this place, will regret to learn that he is quite sick at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Chas. C. Hon, of Moberly. He had been employed in St. Louis for several months and taking sick last week was advised by his physician to go at once to the home of his daughter. We are not advised as to the nature of his illness, but understand that he is need of rest more than anything else. When last heard from he was better, we are pleased to state. Friday, 20 Nov. 1925, Vol 39 No. 30, pg. 1, col. 4--Double Birthday Dinner--Last Sunday, the 15th, was a pleasant and much enjoyed day in the home of Geo. W. Blansett in the south part of town, the occasion being a double birthday anniversary--that of Mrs. Martha Ann Robb and Mrs. Ruth True, the former thus celebrated her 77th birthday. The affair, however, was a complete surprise for Mrs. True. Mrs. Robb, her aunt, had signified her intention of coming that they might enjoy the day together, but she was not expecting the great inpouring of relatives and friends some time before the noon hour. There were some two dozen or more of these, several of them coming with baskets of fried chicken, pie, cake and other delicacies to tickle the palate. As is usual on such occasions, the day was thoroughly enjoyed by all present, each one regretting the parting hour, and hoping for the happy return of many such birthdays to both Mrs. Robb and Mrs. True. Those present outside of the home were: David Robb and wife, Reuben Reynolds and wife, Miller Robb and wife, Henry Blansett and wife, David Comstock and family, Wood Warford and family, Mrs. John Rule, Mrs. Sallie Winn, Misses Ruby Reynolds and Ruby Edwards, Messrs. Joe Reynolds, Fred Buckley and Wm. Knight. Friday, 20 Nov. 1925, Vol 39 No. 30, pg. 5, col. 1--Local and Personal--Born, on the 19th, to Mr. and Mrs. Edmond J. Carlsburg, a daughter. Friday, 20 Nov. 1925, Vol 39 No. 30, pg. 5, col. 1--Local and Personal--Robert Williams and Matthew Evans left Saturday for Chicago where they have secured employment. Friday, 20 Nov. 1925, Vol 39 No. 30, pg. 5, col. 1--Local and Personal--Mrs. W. D. Burke attended the funeral of Marcellus Lyle, an old friend of the family, at Clifton Hill Tuesday. Friday, 20 Nov. 1925, Vol 39 No. 30, pg. 5, col. 1--Local and Personal--Mrs. T. Norris and daughter, Bettie Jane, Mrs. W. B. Latta and Miss Lillian Dulany, Omar and Garl Dulaney, of Denver, Colo., were the guests of their brother, Emmett Dulany, and family, Sunday, they be called to Moberly by the death of their father. The ten children of the family were all together at the funeral Monday, for the first time in eighteen years. Friday, 20 Nov. 1925, Vol 39 No. 30, pg. 5, col. 1--Local and Personal--Willard Edwards was here yesterday from Brookfield, where he is engaged in the garage business, and moved his family to that city. They are most desirable people and are given up with genuine regret by a wide circle of friends, all of whom trust that they will return some day to remain. Mr. Edwards informs us that the car business is still at high tide, he being able to sell cars faster than he can deliver them. Friday, 20 Nov. 1925, Vol 39 No. 30, pg. 5, col. 3--In Memoriam--In loving remembrance of our dear son and brother, Russell Sumpter, who departed this life 7 years ago November 20, 1919. Just a line of sweet remembrance, Of a happy home we once enjoyed, Just a memory, fond and true, That our hearts still long for you. Sadly missed by the Family. (Kathy's notes: I included this notice, because there was no mention of this person's death, in the newspaper at the time of his death. It does at least, provide the date of death for researchers.) Friday, 20 Nov. 1925, Vol 39 No. 30, pg. 5, col. 4--Mrs. Chas. Sharp of Harrisonville, is the guest of her brother, Guy E. Morgan, and family. Friday, 20 Nov. 1925, Vol 39 No. 30, pg. 5, col. 4--Mrs. Ben Feland and daughter, Miss Bessie, visited Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Snell of near Rocheport, from Friday until Sunday. Friday, 20 Nov. 1925, Vol 39 No. 30, pg. 5, col. 4--J. S. Warford and daughter, Mrs. Carrie Perkins, who were called to Perry, Okla., last week by the serious illness of Mr. Warford's sister, Mrs. Emily Craig, returned home Wednesday, leaving her barely alive and with no hope of recovery. Friday, 20 Nov. 1925, Vol 39 No. 30, pg. 8, col. 4--Mt. Pleasant Items--Newman Swearengen of Fayette visited his mother and grandfather on the farm last week. Friday, 20 Nov. 1925, Vol 39 No. 30, pg. 8, col. 4--Mt. Pleasant Items--Aubrey Naylor and wife visited Mrs. Naylor's mother, Mrs. Nannie Wilhoit of near Woodlandville, Monday and Tuesday. Friday, 20 Nov. 1925, Vol 39 No. 30, pg. 8, col. 4--Mt. Pleasant Items--Archie Lyle and family, Warren Wilbanks and family and Everett and Eula Lyle, went to Columbia Saturday night, following a message stating that one of their cousins, a young man 18 years old, had accidentally burned to death. We did not learn the particulars. Friday, 20 Nov. 1925, Vol 39 No. 30, pg. 8, col. 4,5&6--As will be seen by bills, and an ad in this issue, Geo. E. Lessly, who has been living on the Oscar Fowler farm south of town, will hold a public sale on the 24th, and will move to town, he having been elected secretary and bookkeeper of the Moniteau Coal Co., a position he is eminently qualified in every respect to fill. Mr. Lessly, it will be remembered, was cashier of the Higbee Savings Bank many years ago, and despite all the work he has done on the farm since, he writes a hand that would put the average business man to shame, which means that his books, along with the perfect figures he makes, will be a delight to look upon. The NEWS welcomes Mr. Lessly and his family to town, and congratulates the coal company on being able to secure his services. 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.