Friday, 11 Dec 1914--DEATH OF JAS. M. BURTON--It is with deep sorrow that the Times chronicles the death of Jas. M. Burton, one of Randolph's old, triumphant and most highly respected citizens, who died at his home three miles south of this city at 2 o'clock a. m. Dec 3, 1914, says the Huntsville Times. The passing away of this good and widely known citizen will be regretted generally, by his old friends throughout the county. Mr. Burton had not been well for more than a year, and most of the time confined to his room with lingering kidney trouble or Bright's disease, and the past fifteen months he came near dying. On the first of the week he took a change for the worse and Wednesday his absent children were notified of his sinking condition but those living at a distance did not arrive until after his death. For many years James M. Burton frequently called "Coonskin" by his many intimate friends, was a very prominent citizen of the county and perhaps at one time knew more people in the county than any one person ever did. He served for three years as deputy sheriff and collector of the county back in the early '70's. Later he served four years as deputy county assessor and in 1882 was elected assessor. He served the people in that capacity for several years, making a most efficient and popular officer. In later years he was appointed superintendent of the county farm. He held that position several years, making one of the most capable and satisfactory managers that institution ever had. While Mr. Burton served the people in an official capacity for many years and was prominent in public affairs, most of his life was spent in farming and stock raising. He was educated in the common schools of the county and before he was of mature age he was engaged to teach a country school. He followed school teaching in the fall and winter seasons for about ten years. The deceased was born in this county Feb 26, 1836, and was 78 years, 9 months and 7 days old at the time of his death. Burial took place late Saturday afternoon in the family graveyard near the old homestead. Friday, 11 Dec 1914--R. R. Magruder sold his farm of 80 acres near Sharon the first of the week to Aubrey Blakley for $5,200. Mr. Magruder will likely locate here permanently if he can buy suitable property. Friday, 11 Dec 1914--A daughter was born on the 4th at Kewanee, Ill, to Harvey Gooch and wife. Mrs. Gooch will be best remembered as Miss "Trixie" Dennis. Friday, 11 Dec 1914--FREE CHRISTMAS GIFTS--As will be seen by his ad elsewhere, M. Murphy is going to give away a 100-piece set of genuine French china, valued at $50, a 2-seated "Irish Mail" car, valued as $10, and a $5 character doll, the prizes going to the most popular lady, boy and girl, respectively, the customers of the store deciding by vote who the lucky ones may be. Read the ad for particulars. The prizes are worth striving for, especially the dishes, as they are the genuine article and of the latest and most beautiful pattern. We have made arrangements with Mr. Murphy to give votes in this contest, which ends December 31, and will give 100 votes for every dollar paid on subscription and 200 votes for every new subscription. By taking advantage of this offer and inducing their friends to renew their subscription or to subscribe for THE NEWS any lady, boy or girl who puts forth the proper effort can win. All who take advantage of this offer will also be given 1000 votes in the Yates Mercantile Co's, player piano contest. Friday, 11 Dec 1914--H. L. Thompson and wife returned Saturday from a visit with their adopted son, Elmer Hartman, of near Slater, who has been quite sick. Friday, 11 Dec 1914--W. C. Burton, who is on the road for a St. Louis shoe house, has been assigned a new territory and has moved to Mason City, Iowa, from Lincoln, Nebr. Friday, 11 Dec 1914--Frank Miles, a former citizen of this vicinity, is at the point of death at his home north of Huntsville from paralysis, with which he was stricken a week ago. He is a brother of John Miles of this place. Friday, 11 Dec 1914--Byrd Marshall, residing near Moberly, has sold his farm of 80 acres south of that place to Wm. Naylor and will engage in the butcher business in Elliott as soon as the mine there reopens, says the Moberly Monitor. Mr. Naylor sold his farm in the same vicinity to Wm. Hamilton of Renick who will move to it next spring. He is at present in the drug business. Friday, 11 Dec 1914--Born, on the 6th, to Matt Fisher and wife, a son. Friday, 11 Dec 1914--A DISTRESSING ACCIDENT--A very distressing accident which resulted in the death of Roy Hamilton, aged 22 years, and the serious injury of William Farris and son, Sterling, aged 45 and 18, respectively, occurred at McCune Bros,' mine about three miles west of Clark as the parties were going to work Monday morning, the cage falling to the bottom of the shaft with them, a distance of 70 feet. The hoisting of the cage was done by horsepower, a geared wheel lying horizontally, connecting with the drum, around which the rope was wound. When the cage was lowered, either loaded or empty, the engineer, or man in charge of the horse, rather, would disconnect the gearing by means of a lever, and lower the cage by means of a brake attached to the drum. The brake, we learn, had never failed to work before. The outfit is not under cover, and it is supposed that dampness accumulating on the brake, which is of iron, caused it to slip. The cage is only about half as high as the ones used at the mines here, the cross bar at the top being just a little below a man's chest. Mr. Farris was squatting down below this beam, while his son and Hamilton were standing up, their heads reaching a foot or two above it. It is presumed that when the cage hit the bottom the boys' chins struck this beam, as Hamilton's chin was lacerated and his neck broken. Young Farris evidently hit the beam a glancing blow, as his face was almost torn off. He also had his jaw and right leg broken and his left ankle badly injured. The elder Farris was more or less injured, and besides being badly bruised suffered several broken bones. Evan Jones, mine inspector, made an investigation of the accident, and ordered an old-fashioned gin built to take the place of the present hoisting apparatus, considering it less dangerous, and at the same time about as fast. The last heard from Mr. Farris and his son was to the effect that they were getting along as well as could be expected and that their recovery was looked for. Young Hamilton was the son of Henry Hamilton and grandson of "Uncle" Pet Hamilton, and is survived by his wife and one child. He had many relatives and friends here and they sympathy of all goes out to his loved ones. Friday, 11 Dec 1914--The little 6-year-old daughter of Arch Major was quite painfully burned Friday of last week, her clothing catching fire while she was playing about the stove. Fortunately the blaze was extinguished almost immediately. Friday, 11 Dec 1914--Born, on the 6th, to Wm. Whitmire and wife, a daughter. Kathy Bowlin Additions, corrections, comments welcome.