Friday, 11 Apr 1913--The cyclone near Sturgeon last week did more damage than was at first reported. Wm. Mathis, aged 82 years, was killed at his home a few miles southwest of Sturgeon, and several members of his family severely injured. Mr. Mathis was a native of this county, being born at Huntsville in 1830. Sturgeon was not damaged, the storm passing to the east about a mile. All the people, however, thought their time had come, and all who had cellars hurried to them. The roaring of the storm it is said to have been terrible. J. W. Winn, a mail carrier out of this place, says he could hear the roaring very distinctly while southeast of town, and that it resembled the noise of a train crossing a long bridge. Friday, 11 Apr 1913--L. Gross, one of Moberly's oldest and best known business men, died at his home in that place Wednesday, aged 70 years. He was well known here, having made weekly trips to Higbee for years when he was in the wholesale business. He is survived by his widow and one daughter. Friday, 11 Apr 1913--We printed bills this week advertising the breeding stables of Thos. Brockman of near Renick, who is the owner of one of the best Shire stallions and two of the best jacks in this section. Mr. Brockman has handled only the best stock for years, and all lovers of good horses and mules should see his stock. Friday, 11 Apr 1913--W. R. Pattrick and wife returned Saturday from Corpus Christi, Texas, where they spent the winter. The trip greatly benefited Mr. Pattrick, who is looking as hale and hearty as he ever did in his life. He informs us that his son, J. H, will go to California. Friday, 11 Apr 1913--Elijah Dougherty, col, died at his home south of town yesterday, after a protracted illness, aged 62 years. He is survived by several children. Friday, 11 Apr 1913--Mrs. Robert Llewllyn was called to Centralia Sunday by the death of her grandmother, Mrs. Jas. McBride, who died at her home in that place that day, aged 79 years. Friday, 11 Apr 1913--L. P. Triplett, who moved from here to Oklahoma two or three years ago, was here Wednesday and informed us that he had had his fill of the new state and was on his way to Montana where he and his boys have entered about 1200 acres of land. It is located within a few miles of the Canadian line, and Mr. Triplett says is very rich and productive and will not have to be irrigated. Mr. Triplett's many friends join the NEWS in wishing him health and prosperity in his new home. Friday, 11 Apr 1913--Born, on the 9th, to Frank Star and wife, a son. Friday, 11 Apr 1913--Mrs. Robert Cooper died at her home near Steinmetz Monday night. She leaves a husband and six children. Friday, 11 Apr 1913--The 3-month-old son of Mrs. _________of Columbia, died at the home of Wm. Lee and wife, whom she was visiting, Sunday, after a short illness. Interment was made in the Tucker cemetery west of town. Friday, 11 Apr 1913--THE GRADUATING CLASS OF HIGBEE HIGH SCHOOL--Pearl Tymony, Nettie Shafer, Supt. J. E. Markland, Genelle Patterson, David Sharp, Elizabeth Duncan, James Webb, Charlotte Brown. (There was a fairly good photograph accompanying this caption. I'm sorry I can't print it.) Friday, 11 Apr 1913--F. H. JAMES DIES SUDDENLY--Expires Alone in Room Over Furniture Store Saturday Afternoon--His Past a Mystery--Interment at Moberly.---The people of Higbee were shocked Saturday afternoon last when word went over town that F. J. James, known to all as Brother James, was dead. It was not such a surprise to a few who realized his condition, but even they were unprepared for the suddenness of the call. He had been in failing health for the past year, and became much worse the past few weeks, his trouble being a dropsical affection of the heart. He had not been able to lie down for several weeks, and slept in his chair. As he had no family and no known relatives, and Mr. Duncan had disposed of his furniture business, it had been arranged to take him to the Baptist Sanitarium in St. Louis the next day that he might have proper care and attention. He had more or less company Saturday, Mr. Duncan remaining with him most all day. About 4 o'clock the latter came down stairs for a short time and returning about thirty minutes later on his way home, opened the door and asked Mr. James how he was feeling. The latter made no reply, being apparently asleep, and when Mr. Duncan tried to rouse him, found him cold in death, having apparently died without a struggle. Dr. Dinwiddie was called in and gave it as his opinion that death occurred about twenty minutes before. Funeral services were held at the Baptist church Sunday afternoon, by Rev. W. L. Halberstadt in the presence of a packed house. The body was then taken back to the undertaking parlors and next morning conveyed to Moberly, where interment was made in Oakland cemetery. Probably less was known about Bro. James than any man in town, but it was the opinion of all who knew him that there was some great secret in his life. In his naturalization papers, taken out in Moberly in 1900, he gave his birthplace as the British Isles and the date of his birth as August 2, 1841. He would never talk about his family, but we heard him say once, while speaking of some incident in his boyhood, that his father was away from home a great deal of the time. He was a highly educated man, Greek and Latin being as familiar to him as English. He also knew more or less French. He came to Higbee about twenty years ago from Texas driving a white pony. He was following the ministry at that time, and for some time had been a missionary of the Baptist church in Texas. Several years ago we met a man who had known Mr. James in Ft. Worth, Texas, where the latter ran a bakery for several years. We have also heard Bro. James speak of the business, but only incidentally. On coming to Higbee, he took charge of the furniture store of Chas. Walden, of Moberly, whom we have heard was his nephew, and on the failure of the latter took charge of the business which he conducted until a year of two ago when he sold out to Mr. Duncan. When the law was passed requiring embalmers to stand an examination and take out a license, he made such a good record before the board of examiners, and showed such a wonderful knowledge in general that he was made vice president at the organization of the State Funeral Director's association, and the following year was made president. His annual address as president was the talk of the association and was widely copied in the trade papers. He refused many good offers in St. Louis and elsewhere, preferring to remain in Higbee. He served the town as mayor one term. About a week prior to his death, Mr. Duncan told him that he was a very sick man, that his days were numbered, and that if he had any relatives or friends any where that he wished to send any message to, or if there was any one in town he wanted to talk to, to tell him and he would see to it that his wishes were complied with. He stated that the only relatives he had was a brother, but that he knew nothing about him, other than that he was connected in an official capacity with a railroad in some northern state some five or six years ago. He dismissed Mr. Duncan's suggestion about leaving word for relatives with the remark, "I'll see about it." From words dropped now and then to us and others we are led to believe that once he held a high official position in Ireland. Whatever his secret was, if any, he carried it to the grave with him. We are convinced, however, from the life he led here that his secret was perhaps a sorrow of the heart and had nothing criminal connected with it. He was deeply religious, was charitable far beyond his means and had the most kindly and forgiving spirit we ever knew. In his death the town has lost as good a citizen as it ever contained and every one who knew him has lost a friend. Peace to his ashes. Friday, 11 Apr 1913--LITTLE HERMAN GOIN DEAD--Herman, the 11 year old-son of Mr. and Mrs. M. F. (Bud) Goin, died at the home of his parents at about 1:30 p.m. Sunday, April 6, 1913, after a few days' illness from spinal trouble, caused by an abscess on the brain. The child while at play a few weeks ago, we understand, was struck on the head with a rock or brick and had since complained more or less of his head hurting him. He was given every attention, but grew gradually worse. He was born in Renick on April 27, 1901, being 11 years, 11 months 9 days of age. The remains were held until Wednesday awaiting the arrival of his grandmother, Mrs. _____Morton from Colorado. Funeral services were held at the home Wednesday by Rev. Ben Robson and interment made in the city cemetery. The bereaved parents have the warmest sympathy of all. Friday, 11 Apr 1913--MISS BERTHA REYNOLDS DEAD--The sad news was received here Wednesday that Miss Bertha, oldest daughter of Reuben Reynolds and wife, had died at the home of her parents in Inola, Ok, at 6 o'clock that morning. Her many relatives and friends here were greatly pained at the news, although they were prepared for it, as word came a few days before that she could live but a short time. Shortly after the removal of the family to Oklahoma, Miss Bertha had a severe attack of typhoid fever, which left her very weak, and from which she never recovered. Being of a naturally weak disposition, the disease left her lungs greatly impaired, and in the hope of bringing her back to health her father took her to New Mexico. The altitude was too high for her and she had to be brought home at once, and she grew gradually weaker until her death released her from her suffering. Deceased was the grand-daughter of J. D. Robb and wife and was born June 4, 1892. She was a sweet and lovable young lady and her departure is mourned not alone by a wide circle of relatives and friends, but by all who knew her. The body arrived yesterday and funeral services will be held at the Baptist church today at 1:30 p.m. and interment made in the Tucker cemetery. Kathy Bowlin, Additions, Corrections, Comments welcome.