Volume 30, No 45, Friday, 9 Feb 1917--LON O'NEAL DEAD--The many Higbee friends of Lon O'Neal of Clark were shocked beyond expression when word came Friday evening of last week that he was dead at his home in that place, death occurring from pneumonia, which developed from a severe attack of lagrippe. Mr. O'Neal was born on a farm near Burton in 1869 where he resided until about twenty-five years ago when he moved to Higbee. After a residence here of several years he moved to Clark, where he was married in 1895 to Miss Eliza Butts, who died in 1904. He was married a second time in 1906 to Miss Dora Jarman, a sister of Mrs. Odus Bradley of this place, who with one child and a married daughter by his first wife, survives him. He also leaves a brother, Ed, of Fayette, and two sisters, Mrs. Jesse Dooley of Stoutsville, and Mrs. Thos. McCafferty of Hot Springs, Ark. Mr. O'Neal was a devout Christian gentleman and had been a member of the Baptist church since 1889, united with the church in that year. He was a member of the Masonic fraternity and was laid to rest in Chapel Grove cemetery near Clark with the honors of the order. In the death of this good man his family and community have suffered an irreparable loss, and the sympathy of a wide circle of friends goes out to his loved ones. Volume 30, No 45, Friday, 9 Feb 1917--MOST OF ROANOKE SOLD BY SHERIFF--The town of Roanoke which stands on the boundary line between Howard county and Randolph county was sold by the sheriff of Chariton county here Monday at the court house door. The property, including eight or ten lots and three buildings was sold for $410. Roanoke at one time was the busiest trading center in this part of the state. It was in a great tobacco producing section and its business reached overland into three or four counties. The building of the Chicago and Alton Railroad and the founding of the town of Armstrong which is three miles south of Roanoke on the railroad, spelled ruin for the thriving Roanoke, however. The town was famous for several reasons. It was settled by Virginians and at one time it had more slaves than any town its size in Missouri. It raised the first Confederate company in central Missouri when the war broke out. The negro population of the town has always been larger than the white population. Roanoke at one time had eleven big mercantile establishments and it was located on the old plank road from Glasgow, the shipping point on the Missouri river, to Huntsville in Randolph county. The sale here Monday was attended by a large number of people but there was little bidding and Roanoke has rapidly joined that class of deserted inland towns of Missouri. James Reiter bought two lots for $130. Burton and Marks bought lots for $150; J. M. Pemberton, 3 lots and old store building for $55; Mr. Hawkinsons half of the Hudson store for $55, and E. C. Gibson one lot for $20.--Fayette Advertiser. Volume 30, No 45, Friday, 9 Feb 1917--Chicken stealing has become so bad among Moberly children that the chief of police has requested produce and poultry dealers to discontinue buying chickens from children unless the latter have a note from their parents or the police department certifying that they came by the fouls honestly and have a right to sell them, and has issued a warning that unless the stealing is stopped those guilty will be arrested and severely dealt with. Now, the question is, why this wholesale stealing here of late, and what is done with the money thus obtained? Can it be that the high cost of living has put such a crimp in father's purse that the kids have to resort to chicken stealing in order to attend the movies? This would seem to be a condition of things worthy of the attention of the White Circle. Volume 30, No 45, Friday, 9 Feb 1917--PUBLIC SALE---I will sell at the Margaret Atkins farm, 6 miles southeast of Higbee and 2 1/2 miles northeast of Myers, on SATURDAY FEB 10TH, the following described property: Black cow 3 years old, with calf by her side; black cow 7 years old, fresh about Feb. 2; black cow 5 years old, fresh Feb 28; black heifer, coming 2, fresh Feb 10; black heifer, coming 2, will be fresh about April 9; thoroughbred black bull, 3 years old; black steer, 2 years old; 2 black yearling steers and 3 black yearling heifers. Two-horse wagon, 2 horse sulky rake, 1 horse corn planter, 12 inch breaking plow, harrow, double shovel; 5-shovel 1-horse cultivator, 2 horse break pin cultivator, displow, Georgia sweep plow, new post hole digger, 200 egg incubator, 12 gauge single barrel shotgun, 2 shoats, weight about 75 pounds and 4 stacks of good hay. Terms cash. Sale to begin at ten o'clock. MRS. HATTIE QUICK Volume 30, No 45, Friday, 9 Feb 1917--Roy Richards who went to Illinois about ten days ago, has located at Gillispie, where he is working at the barber's trade. Volume 30, No 45, Friday, 9 Feb 1917--J. C. CAIN IN SERIOUS CONDITION--J. C. Cain, who recently moved to Kansas City from Higbee, while at work Monday ruptured a blood vessel in his nose or throat, and as the hemorrhage could not be stopped, he was taken to a hospital for treatment. Tuesday it was not thought possible that he could recover, so weak was he from loss of blood, and it was the opinion that another hemorrhage would prove fatal. He is under the care of a special nurse and is receiving every attention. The latest news from him was that he was much better, but was by no means out of danger. His many friends join the NEWS in the hope that he will soon be able to be out. Volume 30, No 45, Friday, 9 Feb 1917--Born, on the 8th, to Will Reed and wife, a daughter. Volume 30, No 45, Friday, 9 Feb 1917--Dr. J. W. Winn this week traded his 120-acre farm near Yates to Judge J. H. Swetnam for a section of land in Texas. Volume 30, No 45, Friday, 9 Feb 1917--One of the most unique as well as pleasant affairs of the season was a surprise birthday party at the home of Dr. and Mrs. Walton Feb 5th. Unique, because it was planned and successfully carried out by their 13-year-old daughter, Nadine. It was Dr. Walton's thirty-seventh birthday, and as Mrs. Walton's came a few days later the little girlie celebrated both with one party, inviting her guests and arranging for them to meet at a near neighbor's and come in a body to their house. Mrs. Walton had previously invited two of them to come that same evening in honor of Doctor's birthday, making it easy for the little lady on the surety of their being at home. At 7:45 seventeen people quietly gathered on the Doctor's front porch and began a terrific stamping of feet, of which from the outside could not be accounted for. the daughter quickly opened the door and as they all rushed in one can imagine the noise and confusion causing Dr. and Mrs. Walton to just sit eyes and mouth wide open with astonishment. The merriment continued and with the ever popular "42," toasts, good wishes and speech making did not abate until the lights winked, warning time was flying. With some help from older lady friends the little lady served a delicious two-course lunch of sandwiches, salad, pickle, coffee, cake and peaches. Dr. and Mrs. Walton was the guest s of honor throughout the evening waited upon and loving attention shown them by the little maiden, sometimes causing them to be too full for utterance and each older guest realizing this would be a dull place to live without our children. those present: Dr. Winn, wife and son, Warren, Mr. and Mrs. Wisdom Burton and three children, Eugene, Aleen and Margery, Mr. and Mrs. Ben Wright, Mr. and Mrs. Elerd Baker, Mr. and Mrs. W. R. Pattrick, Mrs. Georgia Middleton, Miss Walker and Mr. Am Lambier. A GUEST. Volume 30, No 45, Friday, 9 Feb 1917--JAS BROCKMAN DEAD--Jas. Brockman, aged 65 years, died at the home of his brother, C. J. Brockman, at Clark Thursday of last week of cancer, with which he had been afflicted for several years. He was a brother of the late Thos. Brockman who died at his home in Renick about a year ago. He is survived by his widow and one daughter, and two brothers. Interment was made at Columbia, his old home. Volume 30, No 45, Friday, 9 Feb 1917--ROBERT MORLEE DEAD--The many Higbee friends of Robert Morlee, more familiarly known as "Nig", formerly of this place, will learn with regret of his death, which occurred in a Springfield, Ill, hospital on the 6th, from cancer, from which he had suffered for the past five or six years. Mr. Morlee, who was about 40 years old, is survived by his wife and two stepchildren, his mother, one brother, George, and two sisters, Mrs. Matt Evans of Springfield, Ill, and Mrs. Wm. Longdon of this place. The latter, accompanied by her son, Will, left Tuesday night to attend the funeral. While the news of Bob's death saddened his old friends in Higbee, they heard it with gladness, in a way, for they knew that his sufferings were almost beyond endurance and that for the past two years his life was but a living death. Volume 30, No 45, Friday, 9 Feb 1917--GETTING INTO WAR--That the severance of diplomatic relations with Germany will lead to a declaration of war is so probable as to be almost a certainty. The sinking of the Housatonic seems not sufficient to justify it, but the policy Germany has adopted can hardly fail to produce outrages that will necessitate a declaration, and that very soon. (Kathy's notes: the rest is a lengthy historical cause of the war, best rest in history books.) Kathy Bowlin, Additions, corrections, comments welcome.