Just to remind everyone -- Charlotte's "Pearls" are now archived permanently at http://www.rootsweb.com/~ote/usa_genealogy/mo_newspaper.htm -------------------------------- Jefferson Democrat Hillsboro,Jefferson county, Missouri WEDNESDAY, 17 FEBRUARY 1886 A.J. LUCKEY is now in his 54th year. While a young man he ran a blacksmith shop in Milwaukee, Wisc., and sharpened tools for the contractors, who were building the Milwaukee and Prairie Du Chien railroad, the first railroad built west of Lake Michigan. At an earlier date he worked on the building of the Ithica and Newego railroad, the second one built in the United States. As a memento of his blacksmithing days, he has his account book in which he charged for work, sharpening tools; and to remember the other by, he carries a stub finger, the end of it being mashed off while at work. Taking a glance at the railroad map of the present day, it seems almost incredible that men are now living, who are older than the oldest railroad; but such is the case. They had some fun, and not a little excitement at De Soto, one day last week. Miss LANE, one of the primary teachers in the public school, found it necessary to administer corporal punishment to Lawyer PARTIN's little girl. Mr. PARTIN went before 'Squire STONE and made an affidavit of assault and grievously battering and Miss LANE was arrested and taken before the 'Squire for trial. She secured the services of an attorney, but before the trial progressed far he got tired and had to rest, when John CUNNINGHAM volunteered to conduct the defence, and soon succeeded in securing the acquittal of his fair client. It appears that the child's insubordination was protracted and that she was encouraged in it by her father, and there was no evidence to show that she had been severely punished. We saw Miss LANE last Saturday. She is young and quite small, and we noticed nothing savage about her looks. Even her black eyes have an amiable expression. We shall have to decline securing her services as fighting editor or as bouncer in any department. OBITUARY - DIED - At his residence near Rush Tower, January 24, 1886, James M. BROOKS, aged 45 years, 10 months and 25 days. Mr. BROOKS was born February 29 '40, and was raised in this county. During life he engaged in farming. He always took a great interest in the welfare of his community, and was highly respected by all who knew him. In 1862 he was united in the holy bonds of wedlock to Miss Mary AuBUCHON who accompanied him till 1878, when it pleased an all-wise God to call her to an eternal resting place. The result of their marriage was three children, who still survive. In 1875 he married Miss Angeline PILLIARD, who is now mourning his loss. the result of this union was one child. Mr. BROOKS was not a member of any church, but favored all religious denominations. During his confinement he was deeply convicted, and frequently expressed himself as ready to meet his Creator. While dying he exclaimed, "O! I am so easy, now I am going, and I want to go." In a short time he made an effort to speak, but the grim reaper, Death, had too near reaped his harvest, and in a few moments he breathed his last. His remains were deposited in the Lebanon cemetery on the 26th ult. Mr. A.J. GREEN, pastor of the M.E. Church, conducted the services. Quite a large concourse of friends and relatives followed his remains to their last resting place. WEDNESDAY, 24 FEBRUARY 1886 Big River Township - February 14, 1886 - Mr. Editor - I have spent many pleasant hours and gathered much useful information reading your valuable paper, and as you seem anxious for communications touching the general welfare of the county, I wish to contribute my mite. On a recent visit to Hillsboro I was agreeably surprised at the substantial improvement I noticed there in Joseph J. HOEKEN's new store house. It reflects great credit on my HOEKEN, as well as the workmen who did the work, and I was glad to see he was getting the custom which he deserves. Such a store and stock of general merchandise is an advantage to any town. Mr. LACKAMP appears to be a No. 1 carpenter and builder, and while in his shop I observed that he is also a skilled cabinetmaker. While admiring a piece of walnut furniture he was putting up, I was reminded of the high price that lumber commanded when I was in New York, and began to compare it with the waste of walnut timber I have seen in Iowa and Western Missouri. Even in this county I have seen such good walnut timber decaying and burnt as firewood or used as fence rails. Would it not be possible for people who have walnut timber to put it to a better use? My advice to such is to not waste or destroy it when it commands such a good price, with furniture makers. RUSTICUS. John LUCAS, while cutting a limb from a tree which he had hauled to his house for firewood, caught his ax on the clothes line and cut an ugly gash on his head. At this writing it is not certain whether his skull was cut through or a piece chipped off. Mary LEE has been in poor health for several weeks, but is now slowly recovering. KIMMSWICK - G. RAUSCHENBACH has been confined to his room with rheumatism, for the last three weeks. WEDNESDAY, 24 FEBRUARY 1886 LICENSED TO WED - Ludwig RETTGER and Mrs. Sarah WILSON, Charles SCHEFLING and Matilda NELSON, Adolph BRUSH and Mary CHATT. William A. JACKSON of Richland, Pulaski county, says times are hard out there but sends along money for the J.D. till January 1, 1888. Mrs. LYNEL's children, at Victoria, are down with scarlet fever. While the neighbors should see that the afflicted family does not suffer for want of attention, we hope they will act prudently and not give the disease a chance to spread. Samuel BRADFIELD and Thomas CAGEL were brought to jail, last week by Dep. Sheriff MUELLER, being furnished with passports by Esq. WARNE of Crystal City. BRADFIELD is charged with assaulting Abe RICHARDSON with a knife, and CAGEL with forcibly entering Edward MARK's house. The widow of John GILLMAN died, at her residence at Horine Station, on the 21st inst., aged about 60 years. On the 5th inst. she went to the well for a bucket of water and fell on the ice, hurting herself so that she was since confined to her room, though her injuries were not considered of serious nature at first. Her death is attributed to injuries received by the fall. </HTML>