Friday, 9 August, 1918, Vol 32, No 17--A LETTER FROM DAVID SHARP--Mrs. Luke Sharp received the following letter dated July 19, from her son, David, which we are permitted to print: Somewhere in France--Dear Mother and All: I received your letter and cards the 17th. Mother, I am writing at least one letter a week. I don't have much time to write as I am busy pretty near all the time. Every third day I am on duty at the hospital. There I find a little time. When I am not on duty there I drill all day long then at night I help with the sick call. All I have to do is to take temperatures and put on dressings. I don't get through until 8 or 8:30 at night. Then I am too tired. Yes, all of the Higbee boys are here but Roy (Skinny) Richards, who was sent to the base hospital yesterday to be operated on for appendicitis. He told me to write to his parents but you can tell them. He was not suffering very much but he could not drill without it hurting him. We are preparing for another big field meet of athletics such as we had the Fourth of July. Well, there is nothing I can say so will close. DAVID E. SHARP, San. Dept. 356 Inf. Amer. Ex. Forces. Friday, 9 August, 1918, Vol 32, No 17--Chester, the 12-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. David Thomas, who has been suffering from appendicitis for the past ten days, was taken to Moberly late yesterday afternoon for an operation the next day, but it was thought best to operate at once, and it was performed about 8 o'clock, but we could learn nothing further than it was found that an abscess had formed, which would indicate that the operation was not performed an hour too soon. The NEWS joins the community in a prayer for the little fellow's recovery. Friday, 9 August, 1918, Vol 32, No 17--FIRST HOWARD COUNTIAN TO FALL--Geo. Weatherill, son of W. T. Weatherill of Fayette, is the first Howard county young man to give his life for his country, having been killed in action in France on July 25. He was 23 years old and is survived his father, four sisters and six brothers, one of the latter also being in France. Friday, 9 August, 1918, Vol 32, No 17--Mrs. Lizzie McVay of St. Joseph was the guest of her sister, Mrs. Mary Palfrey, and other relatives and friends the latter part of last week, leaving Sunday for North Braddock, Pa., where her son, George, has a fine position in one of the big mills in that city, and where she will spend the winter, should George not be called for military service. Friday, 9 August, 1918, Vol 32, No 17--Dorsey, the bright little son of Mr. and Mrs. Jas. W. Marshall, who generally manages to see everything going on, pulled one off the other day which convinced Mr. Marshall that he was also keeping up to the minute in slang as well. Dorsey had caught a big bumblebee in a morning glory or similar blossom, and while holding the bee a prisoner it broke through the side of its prison and landed on Dorsey's neck, the sting causing his neck to swell enormously. Noticing the swelling, Mr. Marshall inquired as to the cause of it and finally got the story out of Dorsey, who, seeing that he was not to be reprimanded, became enthusiastic, and relating how the bee broke its prison, concluded the story with the remark, "and he sure put the juice to me, daddy." Friday, 9 August, 1918, Vol 32, No 17--OLD FAYETTE CITIZEN DEAD--The funeral of William A. Dudgeon who died in the Masonic Home in St. Louis Friday was held here Sunday afternoon. Mr. Dudgeon was seventy-eight years of age. He was in business here many years and he had many friends in Fayette. He is survived by his wife and one sister. The funeral was conducted by Rev. H. A. Browning, under the auspices of the Masonic Lodge--Fayette Advertiser. Friday, 9 August, 1918, Vol 32, No 17--Born, at Marissa, Ill., on July 31, to Mr. and Mrs. Joe Stone, a son. Friday, 9 August, 1918, Vol 32, No 17--The Bottoms Hardware co. purchased the Ed. Shook property in the north part of town and have rented it to Walton Burton. Mr. Shook and family will move to Moberly. Friday, 9 August, 1918, Vol 32, No 17--A buggy being driven by Wm. Summers of near town was run into by an automobile Thursday night of last week and pretty well demolished. None of the occupants were hurt. We did not learn who was driving the car. Friday, 9 August, 1918, Vol 32, No 17--Mrs. L. Coleman and son George, Mr. and Mrs. Thos. Rees and Geo. T. Rees were called to Springfield, Ill., Wednesday by the death of the latter's grandson, Rees Young, the 17-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Will Young. Friday, 9 August, 1918, Vol 32, No 17--Sixty Randolph County negroes left Huntsville Monday for the several training camps. Those to go from Higbee were Arthur Richardson, more familiarly known as "Buster," Vester Townser, Bonnie Langhorn and Geo. Hughes. Friday, 9 August, 1918, Vol 32, No 17--Born, Aug 7, to Mr. and Mrs. Geo. Jones, a son. Friday, 9 August, 1918, Vol 32, No 17--Born, July 29, to Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Spicer, a son. Friday, 9 August, 1918, Vol 32, No 17--Born, July 29, to Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Hayden, a daughter. Friday, 9 August, 1918, Vol 32, No 17--E. A. Pickering who is expecting to be called to the army about the 15th, moved to Nelson yesterday. Friday, 9 August, 1918, Vol 32, No 17--Wm. Shafer was caught under a fall of rock at the Walton Wednesday but fortunately escaped with a few slight bruises. Friday, 9 August, 1918, Vol 32, No 17--Glen Walker returned to his duties at the training camp at Great Lakes, Ill., Thursday of last week after a ten-day visit with Armstrong and Higbee relatives and friends. It was the shortest ten-day period, he says, he ever spent in his life. Friday, 9 August, 1918, Vol 32, No 17--Mrs. Frank Rothwell, one of Moberly's most refined and cultured ladies, died at her home in that city on August 1st, after an illness of several months. She was the daughter of the late Henry Fort of Huntsville, in which place she was born in 1868. She is survived by her husband, two sons and two daughters, one sister, one brother and two half-brothers. Interment was made at Moberly. Friday, 9 August, 1918, Vol 32, No 17--MILLER PYLE WOUNDED--Miller Pyle, who has been in France for the past year as a member of the signal corps, and who has been advanced to the rank of sergeant, First Class, was wounded in June, but to what extent he does not state. His wounds were evidently severe if not dangerous, as he was taken to the base hospital at the rear. The first know of his injuries was in a letter under date of July 1, received Monday by his sister, Mrs. H. C. Eubanks. The letter follows: "Dear Sister: Fritz knocked me out a few nights ago, but no need to worry. I am getting along fine and will soon be back on the fighting line again. Made a long trip from the front on hospital train and stood the trip well. Have been in some very intense fighting for the past 6 weeks. I am well cared for here. Have the very best medical attention. Also American nurses and everything that would add to one's comfort. YMCA brings me cakes and gum every day. Do not feel much like writing now, so please let friends know how I am. Will write you again soon, so don't worry." Mrs. Eubanks received another letter from Miller yesterday in which he stated that he had been gassed, being badly burned from the waist down. His host of friends will be glad to know that his ever-smiling countenance escaped any burns, and also that his lungs were not injured by the accursed stuff, and all join the NEWS in the hope that before the war is over it will be Miller's good fortune to make the dirty Hun that fired the shell eat a similar one, gas and all. Friday, 9 August, 1918, Vol 32, No 17--A LETTER FROM CLAUDE STEVENSON--Claude Stevenson, who is with the American Army in Italy as an ambulance driver, writes us under date of July 6th: Dear Scott: I thought I would drop you a few lines today to let you know that I am well, and I hope these few lines will find you the same. We are having some awful hot weather here in the day time and awful cool of nights. We are getting all we want to eat, and get plenty of fruit. I have just come in from work. I have been putting up some tents but I am through for the day, and all I have to do for the rest of the day is to read until I get sleepy and then I will "saw" a few logs and entertain the flies, for they sure do like to play tag on your face. We have an American Y. M. C. A. here in camp. We go there and enjoy ourselves. We have plenty of good books to read and can buy American cigarettes and candy now. Well, we can buy almost anything we want. We can drink, wine, but it is not the wine you get in the dear gold old U. S. A. We haven't had any rain since I have been here. They say it don't rain here in the summer time. There is one thing we don't have here and that is the baseball score. I sure would like to know how St. Louis is coming out. We didn't have any excitement coming across at all, but we expect to see some most any time. I bought a paper this morning printed in English. We got a lot of good news out of it. I wish I could tell you the place I am at, but I can't. But I guess I can say that I am in a large city. I sure wish I had the paper today. I wouldn't play tag with the flies. I did a big washing yesterday, but I haven't done any ironing. The only ironing they get is with my hands. I got paid yesterday. I had a hat full of money. That's what makes a soldier happy--when he has got a little money in his pocket. I was reading in the paper before I left where Mr. Welch got sick. Hope these few lines will find him in the best of health. I would like to tell you a lot, but you know the reason. All the boys over here are happy. We have a good bunch of officers with us. That is one good thing. I suppose the old town is dead since they have taken so many of the boys. But I hope it won't be long until we can all return home. All the boys that come back home can appreciate a home when they have one. I know one that will, and I have heard a lot more say the same thing. We all think of home quite often. Well, I guess I have said enough for this time and I will try and write more next time. Give everybody my best regards. I am always glad to hear from anybody, as I don't think I have an enemy at home, and if they wish to write to me you will find my address at the bottom of the letter and if I get too many I will sit up at night and answer them if I don't get time in the day time. So I will close for this time, hoping to hear from you soon, as it has been over a month since I got a letter. I am sending my love to all. Hoping to remain, as ever your best friend, Private Claude Stevenson, section 565, U. S. Ambulance Service, With Italian Army. Friday, 9 August, 1918, Vol 32, No 17--REES YOUNG DEAD--The many Higbee friends of Mr. and Mrs. Will Young, formerly of this place, were shocked and surprised when a message came Wednesday announcing the death of their son, Rees, which occurred at a hospital in Springfield, Ill., on the night of August 6th from typhoid fever. Deceased was 17 years old and was the only son of Mr. and Mrs. Young, and a grandson of Mr. and Mrs. Geo. T. Rees of this place. The warmest sympathy of a host of friends in old Higbee goes out to the heart broken parents and to the sister. Friday, 9 August, 1918, Vol 32, No 17--HOWARD COUNTY OFFICIALS--According to unofficial returns, John M. Dougherty was elected Circuit Clerk and recorder of Howard county in Tuesday's primary, receiving 1135 votes to 958 for S. R. Quinley, 253 for Levy Markland and 68 for Sam Meyer. Wade Jackson was elected, presiding Judge, receiving 1306 votes to 1031 for C. J. Cloyd. David Bagby was re-elected probate Judge, receiving 1572 votes to 742 for G. J. Winn. Folk carried the county for senator, receiving 1189 to 1053 for Wilfley and 29 for Higdon. For congress Sam Major received 1638 votes to 705 for Hamlin, and is elected by a small majority. Friday, 9 August, 1918, Vol 32, No 17--MRS. MORGAN HUDSON DEAD--The many friends and acquaintances of Mrs. Morgan Hudson were greatly pained and saddened Tuesday afternoon to learn of her death at her home one mile east of town, death occurring about 2 o'clock that day. Mrs. Hudson had been in declining health for several years past, but about two weeks ago she became much worse. A physician was summoned, who pronounced her condition a very serious one with heart and stomach complications. Her son, John, and daughter, Mrs. Kirt Payne of Thornfield, Mo., were sent for, the latter reaching here Friday morning, the 19th. John could not be located, being somewhere in the harvest fields of Kansas. Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon at the residence after which the body was tenderly laid to rest in the Ebenezer cemetery. Mrs. Hudson, who was born in Kentucky, was 68 years of age, and leaves to mourn her death her husband Morgan Hudson, a son and daughter above mentioned, a sister, Mrs. Agnes Merrill, of Chatopa, Kan., and two brothers, Wm. Marrs, of San Francisco and S. E. Marrs of this place. The late Mrs. Wm. Whitmore of this place was also a sister to Mrs. Hudson. The NEWS extends its sympathy to the bereaved. Friday, 9 August, 1918, Vol 32, No 17--OZELLA GILES--Ozella Giles was born October 26, 1908, in Gillispie, Ill., where her parents were temporarily residing. when she was five months old they returned with her to Higbee and good old Missouri, where they have since lived. Ozella was the only daughter and the youngest child of her parents, Edgar and Mrs. Grace Ware Giles, who have one other child, a son, named Olen. Being the baby, Ozella was naturally the pet of the family and was idolized by her parents and by all her little friends. About two years ago it was discovered that Ozella had a weakness of the heart which proved to be a leakage. This trouble gradually became worse until last March, the parents were compelled to take her from school. The very best medical skill was secured, but the dear little girl continued to grow worse in spite of all the physicians and her devoted parents could do. All relief was but temporary. Finally the Great Physician of all took the case into his own hands and the poor little sufferer was forever relieved of all further pain and distress. At ten minutes to 5 o'clock on Thursday, July 25, 1918, little Ozella was taken to Him who said, "Suffer little children to come unto me, for of such is the kingdom of heaven." On October 26th next, little Ozella would have been ten years of age. During her long illness, the little girl suffered intensely at times, yet she never uttered a word or complaint. She was always cheerful and seemed to try to save her mother all the trouble she could. She was a faithful pupil of the Baptist Sunday school, and never missed her class when she was well enough to be there. On Sunday afternoon at three o' clock the little body was taken to the Baptist church where funeral services were conducted by the Rev. N. B. Green before a crowded house. The earthly form of the little one was then tenderly laid to rest in the Higbee cemetery. No one but a parents can know what it means to lose a child. Human words cannot console. But there is one who can console and sooth us in every sorrow--God the Father and Jesus the Savior and brother of men. He will wipe away all tears from our eyes if we are faithful and obedient to him. We shall see Ozella and our loved ones again. God has promised it. His promises are sure. (poem) Kathy Bowlin, Additions, corrections, comments welcome.