Friday, 20 September, 1918, Vol 32, No 23--GRANDSON "FIGHTING HOLLANDS" IS HOME ON A VISIT--Raymond D. Edwards, a cadet at the U. S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md., arrived in McAlister Tuesday on a short leave of absence which he will spend with his father, Sam Edwards and family of North McAlister. The young man, who enjoys the distinction of being the only McAlester youth at Annapolis is in his second year at the naval academy, a member of class of 1921 which, by reason of the war, will be graduated in June, 1920. Young Edwards has just returned from a three months' summer cruise aboard the U. S. S. "Ohio" and at the close of his leave of absence will continue his academic studies. The young man is one of the seven soldiers and sailors grandsons of the late James Holland of Krebs who, before his death passed on to a grandson, Harry Hokey of that place, a sword which had been used by a member of the Holland family at Bunker Hill. After the revolutionary war the sword was taken back to England and was alter brought again to this country by the fifth successive James Holland, the grandfather of young Edwards, George Hokey, Frank Harley, Darius and Roy Varley, Frank Lawrence and Major H. H. Chaney, all of whom are at present in the service of their country, fighting to retain the luster of the Holland sword and to make the world safe for democracy--McAlester, Okla, Capital. Friday, 20 September, 1918, Vol 32, No 23--By saving peach seed and nut shells that you would otherwise throw away or burn, you may save a soldier's life--perhaps that of your own son or brother. It has been discovered that carbon made from peach stones and certain nut shells, when placed in gas masks will absorb the poison gas which would otherwise reach the soldier's lungs with fatal effects. The government is calling for all the peach stones and nut hulls it can get, and as will be seen from an announcement on the first page of this issue, Postmaster Spurling is asking the people of this vicinity to save all such and deliver them at the post office that he may forward same to the proper authorities. Friday, 20 September, 1918, Vol 32, No 23--LOST BOY FOUND--Samuel Brock, the 11-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. H. G. Brock, near Holliday, who disappeared from his home six weeks ago was found Saturday at Liberty, Mo., and in response to a message his brother went to the above city and brought the boy home Sunday. The boy says he was picked up by two men near his home and placed in an automobile and taken to Springfield, Ill., and later brought to Hannibal and given his freedom. He boarded an oil train at Hannibal and expected to get off at Holliday but could not and was carried to Kansas City. He walked to Randolph, Mo, and appealed to the police to help him get home. He was taken to Liberty, Mo., and his parents were notified that the lost boy had been found--Madison Times. Friday, 20 September, 1918, Vol 32, No 23--Earl Stallman, Chas. Robb and Pete Botinno came home from Camp Funston Saturday on a short furlough. Friday, 20 September, 1918, Vol 32, No 23--Mrs. Joe Stone left Thursday for Marissa, Ill., to join Mr. Stone, who has located there. Friday, 20 September, 1918, Vol 32, No 23--Will Lilly, who came home from Marissa, Ill., Thursday of last week to register, returned Saturday night. Friday, 20 September, 1918, Vol 32, No 23--John Roberts and family returned to their home in St. Louis Thursday after a short visit with Mr. Roberts' brother and sister, Jasper Roberts and Mrs. D. S. Hare. Friday, 20 September, 1918, Vol 32, No 23--Chester, the 12 year old son of Mr. and Mrs. David Thomas, who was operated on at a Moberly hospital for appendicitis five weeks ago, was able to come home Friday of last week. Friday, 20 September, 1918, Vol 32, No 23--Mrs. J. B. Terrill informs us that her brother, Ernest Hayden, of Hannibal, who offered his services to the shipping board, is now at work in the ship yards at Norfolk, Va. Friday, 20 September, 1918, Vol 32, No 23--Raymond Edwards returned Tuesday from a visit with relatives at McAlester, Ok., and left the next day for Annapolis to resume his studies in the Naval Academy, and from which he will graduate in 1920. Friday, 20 September, 1918, Vol 32, No 23--Emmett Barron was struck in the right eye Tuesday by a rusty nail he was driving and the ball more or less injured, but as to what extent can not be determined as yet. It is to be hoped that sight will not be affected. Friday, 20 September, 1918, Vol 32, No 23--H. H. Zugg, who has been in the aviation service at Antonio, Texas, for several months, spent the latter part of last week with Mrs. Zugg, leaving Saturday for Dayton, Ohio, to which place he had been transferred. Friday, 20 September, 1918, Vol 32, No 23--Jas. Palfrey, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Palfrey, one of Higbee's very best and most popular young men, and one of the high school graduates last year, left last week for Columbia, where he will take a medical course in the State University. Friday, 20 September, 1918, Vol 32, No 23--Mrs. E. J. Turner left for Paris Wednesday in response to a message that her little granddaughter, Ted Seibert, who has been suffering from typhoid, was worse. Mr. Turner had received no further word up to late yesterday afternoon, and the presumption is that the child is better. Friday, 20 September, 1918, Vol 32, No 23--Thursday of last week was a day long to be remembered by Joe Spurling and forty-five of his school mates, it being his 14th birthday, Mr. and Mrs. Spurling giving him a party on that date. He was the recipient of many nice presents. It is needless to add that the occasion was enjoyed by all. Friday, 20 September, 1918, Vol 32, No 23--MET A HORRIBLE DEATH--Tony Greslano Burned to Death From Powder Explosion--Tony Greslano, an Italian miner employed at mine No. 11, and residing near Elliott, died about 9 o'clock Sunday night from burns received about 5 that afternoon. Being bothered more or less by rats about the barn, he conceived the idea of running them out of their dens by the use of powder and accordingly took a keg of the explosive, which he had been using in the mine, to the barn and poured a lot of it in one of the many rat holes. When he struck the match on his trousers it broke the lighted head falling in the keg, which was open. The explosion set fire to Gresleno's clothing, and realizing that he would probably be fatally burned before he could disrobe, he ran at top speed to a pond in the barn lot, tearing at his clothing as he ran, and jumped in head first. He was able to walk out of the pond without assistance, although he was burned in such a horrible manner that charred flesh dropped from his arms and chest. He was taken to his home at once and Dr. G. M. Nichols called, who could do nothing further than to relieve, to some extend, the poor fellow's pain. He pronounced the case hopeless from the first, as the unfortunate man had inhaled the flames. The external burns, the doctor stated, were of themselves, sufficient to have caused death. Mr. Greslano, was about 40 years of age and was a hard working, industrious man, and was well liked by all who knew him. He purchased a small farm near Elliott a year or so ago, and had only recently made his last payment on it. He is survived by his widow and seven children, the youngest a baby about three weeks old. Interment was made Tuesday at Moberly. Friday, 20 September, 1918, Vol 32, No 23--Mrs. E. G. Morgan of Steinmetz was the guest of her mother, Mrs. David Chaney, the latter part of last week, leaving Friday for a visit with friends at Kansas City. Friday, 20 September, 1918, Vol 32, No 23--Mrs. D. A. Mayer, who has been visiting her brother, Dr. T. Dinwiddie, left Saturday for a visit with relatives in St. Joseph and Omaha before returning to her home in Orange, Texas. Friday, 20 September, 1918, Vol 32, No 23--At the regular meeting of the Masonic lodge Wednesday evening, J. Edgar Smith was elected Master to fill the vacancy caused by the resignation of May Shafer, who was called to the army. Friday, 20 September, 1918, Vol 32, No 23--Miss Nina Williams, after a visit of several weeks with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. I. Williams, returned Sunday to Kansas City where she has a good position with the Bell Telephone Co. Friday, 20 September, 1918, Vol 32, No 23--MRS. MARTHA J. SMITH DEAD--Mrs. Martha J. Smith, who made her home with her son-in-law, N. Blakely, of near Yates, was found dead in her bed Sunday morning by Mrs. Blakeley, death having occurred during the night, presumably from heart disease. Mrs. Smith was 71 years old and is survived by three sons and three daughters, thirty-two grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. Funeral services were held at the Yates Baptist church and interment made in Sharon cemetery. Friday, 20 September, 1918, Vol 32, No 23--ADAM YOUNG DEAD--The many Higbee friends and acquaintances of Adam Young, a former well known citizen, were pained to learn Monday of his death, which occurred at his home in Springfield, Ill., the day before. Mr. Young was about 75 years of age and had been in feeble health for several years, and his death did not come wholly as a surprise. He is survived by four sons and six daughters. Interment was made at O'Fallon, Ill. Friday, 20 September, 1918, Vol 32, No 23--A LETTER FROM JOSH LYNCH--Camp Pike, Ark., Sept. 14--Dear Friend Scott: The dead has come to life. Am at large this beautiful afternoon, so I thought I would write you a few lines as I promised I am almost ashamed to write now, I have put off so long. But the reason I haven't written soon is that I am not a very good scribe, and therefore hate to start in on a letter. Well, how is dear old Higbee, anyhow? I guess it is just the same. War talk, I guess, is most of the excitement now days. I have been in camp almost three months and it doesn't seem as if I had been here two, only I have wished for the paper at Higbee by the name of the Higbee Weekly News. I have missed the home paper more than anything since I came. So you will find enclosed a check for $1.50 for the paper, and if it costs any more let me known and I will make it good, for I want the paper from now on. Some of the boys that came down with me let me read their paper, but they are in France now and my eyes can not see that far. But I am hoping to meet them some sweet day soon. Seventeen thousand will leave here before long, and here is hoping that I will be one. I sure will be proud when I can set my foot on French soil and be one of the first to go over the top when my officer gives the command to give them hell. I want to be where they are the thickest and just see how many notches I can put on my gun stock. I feel lucky, whether I am or not. I am located close to the receiving station and depot, so I see every boy that comes in and goes out, and when a train load goes out yelling it makes me hate the boche worse every day. I was in hopes I would get over before the fall rains set in. I guess that all the men who were too old for the first draft have left Higbee now and have enlisted, as they have raised the age limit. They would gather in there at Miles Williams' and say "I wish they would take me: I would enlist before I would be drafted." Uncle Sam has given them a chance and I wonder how many Higbee has lost. I am afraid they are like myself--left the window up too long and the draft hit them. Uncle Sam is just as good to the drafted boy as he is to those who enlist. I wouldn't ask for better care than I have here, and the eats--we have them. I couldn't ask for more grub than we have here, and it is sure the very best. This is a good camp and you are not bothered by mud, but Oh, you rocks! They are plentiful. Well, what do you think about the war now? I believe it will come to a close the coming year. That is the way I feel about it. I have got to close and get my lessons. Lib Noel and I are going to the Mess Sergeant's school two hours every day and if we make good we will get to go over as Mess Sergeants and if we don't make it we will go as cooks. That is what we are now. Tell all the boys hello and for them not to have the blues, as the army life is O.K. and am expecting to meet them in France." Friday, 20 September, 1918, Vol 32, No 23--A BIRTHDAY SURPRISE--Although the roads were muddy and weather threatening, a jolly crowd, with well filled baskets, responded to invitations from Mr. and Mrs. Irvin Fullington Sunday September the fifteenth to surprise Mrs. Elizabeth Fullington in honor of her sixty-eighth birthday. The surprise was carried to its fullest extent as she was preparing lunch for all, when catching a glimpse of the dining table, saw her efforts were useless, and immediately sat down. She was presented with several nice and useful presents. Late in the evening all departed wishing her many more such occasions. Those present were, Mr. B. F. Bagby, wife and daughter, Louila, Edgar Fullington and wife, Mr. and Mrs. B. C. Wilson and children, X. M. O'Bryan and wife, Hubert Moore, and wife and baby, Walter Bagby, Jr., wife and son Leonard, Mrs. John Kimbrough, Elbert Stark and wife, Jasper, Edyth, Jewell and Thelma Fullington, Bernice and Wayne Bagby, Pat Thomas and Bryan Heflin. Kathy Bowlin, Additions, corrections, comments welcome.