Friday, 30 Jan 1914--The residence of John Rankin caught fire about 6 o' clock Tuesday evening, but fortunately it was discovered at once and the fire extinguished before any damage had been done. Mrs. Rankin with her daughter, Miss Vera, had gone to the home of Mrs. S. E. Marrs, next door, for a few minutes, and when they came out they noticed that the room used as a kitchen was apparently a solid mass of flames on the inside. The alarm was given and the engines telephoned for, but the fire was put out before the latter could be taken out of the city hall. Mrs. Rankins thinks the fire was caused by a blanket which she had hanging between the wall and the kitchen stove. Before going to town her brother, Raymond Edwards, had brought in some kindling and dumped it behind the stove, and in doing so quite likely shoved the blanket over against the stove. the blanket was consumed as well as some of the kindling, and several holes were burned in the linoleum. Aside from that and the blackening of the wall paper by smoke, no damage was done. Friday, 30 Jan 1914--Thos. Jones, who was accidentally shot early in December by Jesse Williams, and who has been in a hospital at Kirksville ever since, was able to come home Tuesday. He is but a shadow of his former self, having lost about 40 pounds in weight. During his stay in the hospital he left side was partially paralyzed, and he has not yet recovered the use of his arm. He left Wednesday evening with his wife for Centerville, IA, where he will take osteopath treatment. THE NEWS join his other friends in the hope that he will be able to return in a few weeks fully restored to health. Friday, 30 Jan 1914--SMALLPOX WARMING SOUNDED BY STATE--Jefferson City, Mo, Jan 26--Dr. J. A. B. Adcock, secretary of the State Board of Health, today issued a general warning to the people of Missouri to protect themselves against the epidemic of smallpox which is spreading over the state and is especially prevalent in many counties north of the Missouri River. Vaccination and isolation are the remedial measures suggested by Dr. Adcock. He says in the letter sent broadcast over the state today: "I deem it proper to warm residents of the Commonwealth to protect themselves against this loathsome disease by immediately submitting to vaccination, and re-vaccination where a few years have elapsed since former vaccination, if the scar is fading out. "This is the only true preventative and is available to all. quarantine and isolation is another safeguard which every health officer is hereby commanded to enforce to the end that this disease be completely wiped out. "I would further advise that the mildness of the disease, in any community, is not good reason for relaxing vigilance; as in this insidious form it is hardest to control and to prevent its spreading. "In an epidemic where doubts arise as to the true nature of the disease, treat as suspects and isolate until such time as the true nature of the disease may be clearly ascertained, but do not forget to vaccinate. Friday, 30 Jan 1914--JINKS TAYLOR DEAD--"Jinks" Taylor, one of Higbee's best known colored citizen's, died at his home in the west part of town Tuesday evening, Jan 27, 1914, aged 32 years. A public subscription had to be taken to defray the funeral expenses. He was buried Thursday in the cemetery south of town for people of his race. Friday, 30 Jan 1914--SMALLPOX RAGING NEAR CLIFTON HILL--Thirty persons attended a dance in the Clifton Hill neighborhood at James Dillman's a few days ago. In the proper time twenty-seven of the number who were at the party took smallpox. the disease is said to be in a light form--Huntsville Times. Friday, 30 Jan 1914--Born, on the 24th, to Jas. Rice and wife, a daughter. Friday, 30 Jan 1914--Born, on the 26th, to John Rockenfield and wife, a daughter. Friday, 30 Jan 1914--Born, on the 24th, to Irvin Fullington and wife, a daughter. Friday, 30 Jan 1914--Mrs. Perry Brooke of South Wilmington, Ill, was called here last week by the death of her grandchild, the infant daughter of John Smith and wife. Friday, 30 Jan 1914--Mrs. David Dunston died at her home two miles south of Armstrong on the 22nd, aged 51 years. She was born and reared in Howard county. She was a sister of J. K., John and Jas Warford of south of town. Friday, 30 Jan 1914--Dr. C. F. Burkhalter was called to Burton Tuesday to see Jas. Scott, who is seriously ill. Mr. Scott, who is a brother of the late Doctor Scott, of Burton, is 68 years of age and recently was stricken with paralysis. Friday, 30 Jan 1914--BEN SUMPTER DEAD--Benjamin Sumpter, aged 72 years, died at his home near Fairview, Saturday, Jan 24, 1914, after a short illness. Funeral services were held Sunday by Eld. J. H. Bradley and interment made in Fairview cemetery. He is survived by four children--Mrs. H. B. Duncan, Mrs. J. W. Bradley, and F. B. and L. R. Sumpter. Friday, 30 Jan 1914--Mrs. Mary A. Renfrow, who makes her home with her son-in-law, M. Murphy, and who has been dangerously ill for the past ten days, is gradually growing weaker, and all hope for her recovery has been abandoned. She has been unconscious most of the time for the past two or three days, and her death is a question of only a very short time. She is in her 90th year and is suffering from general debility. Friday, 30 Jan 1914--WHAT WAS IT?--A terrific explosion, such as had never been heard here, turned loose somewhere in this locality, presumably, at 6:10 o' clock last Tuesday evening. Some who were in their homes thought Marshal Cain had killed a dog in their front yard, as the explosion made the roar of a cannon and jarred the houses. those on the streets say the explosion was evidently north of here. One report had it that a boiler at mine No. 11 had blown up, and another that it was a blast put off on the Moniteau east of town where a new bridge is being put in. Others thought the heating plant at the new school house had let go, while some thought perhaps one of the mines, or one of their powder magazines had blown up. It was reported the next morning that a car of dynamite had exploded at Fulton, to the east of here about 50 miles, but all these rumors and guesses proved false, and the cause of the explosion remains a mystery. Some have advanced the theory that it was an explosion in an abandoned mine, but there are none such in the direction from which the sound seemed to come. If the explosion was from dynamite or powder there must have been a vast quantity of it, as the noise was deafening and every building in town shaken. Friday, 30 Jan 1914--IN MEMORY--Martha Romaine Smith, beloved infant daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Smith, was interred in the city cemetery Friday, Jan 23rd, 1914. Funeral services were held at the L. D. S. church. Sermon by Eld. Wm. Kelso, assisted by Eld. R. R. Jones. (poem followed) Friday, 30 Jan 1914--Mrs. John S. Rule spent Saturday and Sunday at Glasgow, with her sister Mrs. Wm. Dougherty. Friday, 30 Jan 1914--David Smith, of Gillespie, Ill, was called here by the death of his brother John's baby daughter. He returned home Sunday. Friday, 30 Jan 1914--GEORGE T. NEWMAN DEAD--Again is THE NEWS called upon to chronicle the death of another of the good men of this community--G. T. Newman, who died at his home just north of town last Saturday night, aged 68 years. His death came as a great shock to his family, as he was not considered in any immediate danger, although he had been failing very rapidly of late from general debility. He had not been himself since he was hurt in a runaway accident some ten years ago when he received almost fatal injuries, and which were perhaps the direct cause of his death. Funeral services were held at the home Monday by Eld. E. Y. Keiter and interment made in Oakland cemetery, Moberly. An extended obituary will appear next week. Friday, 30 Jan 1914--FILED AGAINST RENICK MAN--This morning Prosecuting Attorney Jerry M. Jeffries filed information in Circuit Clerk Aubrey Marshall's office against Poly Morton, of Renick, charging that on six counts he has violated the state law against permitting boys under the age of twenty-one years to play pool or billiards. The prosecution of the case is being urged by the members of the town board of Renick, who on their complaint have caused a warrant to be issued for the arrest of Morton. A bond of $500 has been fixed for his appearance in court after the warrant is served. Morton, it is alleged by the town board members has a drug store in the little town of Renick and in the back end of the store has a licensed pool hall, in which six of Renick's young men have been permitted to play by the proprietor, but without the permission of the boys' parents. the state has the names of seventeen persons who are state witnesses in the case--Moberly Democrat, Jan 21. Kathy Bowlin Additions, corrections, comments welcome.