Friday, 22 Dec 1916--M. H. Meeker, a Wabash telegraph operator at LaPlata, who attempted to kill his wife, baby and himself at the Oliver hotel in Moberly last Saturday with a pocket knife, will recover, it is thought. His wife and baby were only slightly injured. Meeker had been acting strangely of late and had been brought to Moberly for observation by the Wabash officials. Friday, 22 Dec 1916--Armstrong had the worst fire in its history about 2 o' clock Tuesday morning, the Harvey & Snoddy and W. H. Yancey stores, a barbershop and residence being destroyed, the total loss being placed at $35,000. The total insurance carried was $22,250. Armstrong folks think the fire was of incendiary origin and some them are inclined to look upon it as a sequel to the robbery of the Harvey & Snoddy store the week before, their idea being that the store was burned by some of the friends of the captured burglars for revenge. It is said that an automobile came into the town from the north at high speed shortly before the fire went on south of town a mile, when it returned, making no stop. The supposition is that the auto contained the fire bug, who got in his work while the auto was making the trip south of town and back. The night-watchman, put on since the robbery, passed the building just a few minutes before the fire was discovered but saw nothing wrong. Only by the hardest work was several other business houses and residences saved. Friday, 22 Dec 1916--Clyde Giles arrived from Victor, Colo., Wednesday to be with his father, Thos. Giles, who was seriously hurt one day last week while returning home from work, being struck by an Alton passenger train. Mr. Giles, we are happy to state, is doing nicely, although a few days ago his family feared for his recovery. So far as can be ascertained he suffered no further injury than two broken ribs. Friday, 22 Dec 1916--Chas. Terrill, who has been employed at Gary, Ind., for the past year, came home Tuesday to spend the holidays, but will not likely return to Gary until early spring on account of the extreme cold weather. He tells us that there are 19,000 men employed in the steel mills at Gary and that more are being added daily, and that thousands more would be added could they be found. The great majority of the workers, he informs us, are Italians. Earl and Paul Murphy who are also at Gary, are expected home for the holidays. Friday, 22 Dec 1916--The other night when the mercury was hovering around the zero mark, Miss Amy Burke thought to make her bed nice and warm by placing an electric light under the covers at the foot of the bed. She succeeded most admirably but was not conscious of the fact until she detected the odor of burning cloth while at work in another room. She lost no time in investigating, when she found a hole a foot or more in diameter burned through the bed clothing, feather tick and mattress. It is needless to add that she will keep watch next time. Friday, 22 Dec 1916--Geo. Bryant, who is on the road for an Eastern clothing concern, came in Saturday to spend the holidays with his son, Ernest. Mr. Bryant is now making his trips through the country in a tin Lizzie, and says he finds it cheaper than riding on the cars, and a great deal more convenient, as he can come and go when he pleases, and can cover twice as much territory in the same length of time. He is looking the picture of perfect health and is enjoying a big business. Friday, 22 Dec 1916--Will Longdon is visiting relatives in Springfield, Ill. Friday, 22 Dec 1916--Sam Enochs and J. A. Lilly, who moved with their families to Springfield, Ill., a few months ago, returned to Higbee Saturday. It is needless to add that their old friends and neighbors extended the glad hand. The band boys were especially glad to see Mr. Lilly, as he has been sorely missed. Friday, 22 Dec 1916--NO PAPER NEXT WEEK--In order that we may take a much needed rest and enjoy Christmas like other folks, no paper will be issued from this office next week. The office will be open, however, and any printing you may want will be promptly attended to. Friday, 22 Dec 1916--The condition of Ira Cleeton, who was taken to a Kansas City hospital last week, suffering from pernicious anemia, was about the same when he was last heard from yesterday. He is under the care of the best specialists in the city, who hold out but little hope. Friday, 22 Dec 1916--Wm. Sunderland, employed on the night shift at the Walton mine, was quite seriously hurt shortly after going to work Wednesday, being caught under the cage. He was at work in the "sump" an excavation some three or four feet deep under the cage landing, when some one on top, forgetting or not knowing about Mr. Sunderland, gave the engineer the signal to lower the cage. We did not learn the extent of Mr. Sunderland's injuries, but understand that they are not serious. Friday, 22 Dec 1916--WIFE RAN AWAY--Mrs. Frank Barron, who moved with her husband to Clark some time ago, ran away, it is said, with Wilson Caldwell, a married man of that place, one day last week, and so far no trace of them has been found. The following is taken from the Moberly Monitor: "A gentleman named Barron, whose home is in Clark, came to Moberly last Thursday and Friday morning appealed to the police to aid him in search for his wife and a man named Wilson Caldwell with whom he says Mrs. Barron eloped. "According to Mr. Barron, he has been working on a pipe line at Clark. He had no idea that his wife and Caldwell were on intimate terms and he was shocked to learn that they had left their homes. He immediately came to Moberly and searched the local hotels for them but was unable to locate the elopers. Then he appealed to the police to aid him in the search. Barron says the couple left Clark accompanied by his step-child, his wife's daughter. He wants to regain possession of the child and to have the elopers arrested and prosecuted. "According to Barron, Caldwell has been married twice, his first wife being the daughter of a prominent farmer, who divorced Caldwell for indignities offered her. He is said to have deserted his second wife when he eloped with Mrs. Barron. "The local police were unable to locate the couple here, and Barron left for Hannibal where he believes they have gone. Caldwell, he says, had "better watch out" when he finds them." Friday, 22 Dec 1916--Thos. Clark, a former citizen of Higbee, is helping out at Cleeton's drug store during the holidays. Mr. Clark has been located at Weston for the past ten years, holding a position there as a prescription clerk with one of that town's leading firms. Friday, 22 Dec 1916--LETTERS TO SANTA CLAUS--Dear Santa Claus:--I know you are not going to forget me this Xmas as I have been a good little boy and go to school. I don't want much for Xmas as you have so many other little girls and boys to please with gifts. I want a train, sled, top, candies and nuts. Bring my little sister June Rese a doll and candy. Bring my teacher and my school mates something.--Eugene Kirby. Friday, 22 Dec 1916--SANTA CLAUS LETTERS--Dear Santa Claus:--I write to tell you my wants this time. I want a watch and chain, a little train and cars, with some candy, fruits and nuts. I am a small boy 4 years old and a very good boy at Xmas time. Don't forget the other children.--Vencent Woodrow Kirby. Friday, 22 Dec 1916--SANTA CLAUS LETTERS--Dear Santa Claus: I don't think you know what I want for Xmas so I will tell you. I want a doll with brown eyes and curls, pink dress and a doll buggy, some nuts and candy. I am a little school girls 6 years old. Bring my brother Raymond a watch and chain. Bring my teacher and friends many nice presents.--Clara Starkey. Friday, 22 Dec 1916--SANTA CLAUS LETTERS--Dear Santa Claus:--I am a little boy 4 years old but don't think I am too big to play with a little train, watch and top which I want you to bring me along with candy and nuts. Bring my little brother Wilfred a watch, candy and fruits--Bert Major. Friday, 22 Dec 1916--SANTA CLAUS LETTERS--Dear Santa Claus:--I am a little boy 2 years old, so I won't ask for very much. Please bring me a rocking chair, ball, horn, high chair, picture book and anything else you think I would like to play with. Leave some candy nuts and oranges and don't forget my great-grandma and bring her something nice too.--J. W. Key, Jr. Friday, 22 Dec 1916--SANTA CLAUS LETTERS--Dear Santa--I am a little girl 4 years old. I want you to bring me a doll and doll bed, a little trunk, dishes, set of furs, candy and nuts. Don't forget my little sister, Bernice.--Eleanor Jones. Friday, 22 Dec 1916--SANTA CLAUS LETTERS--Dear Santa--I am a little boy 6 years old. I want a sled, a pair of skates, a cap pistol, oranges and nuts. Don' t forget Jim. Bring him something nice too.--Lester Jones. Friday, 22 Dec 1916--SANTA CLAUS LETTERS--Dear Santa--I am a little girl 7 years old and go to school. I want you to bring me a doll buggy and a spelling board and candy and oranges and a little doll and please do not forget papa and mamma.--Alberta Phillips Friday, 22 Dec 1916--SANTA CLAUS LETTERS--Dear Santa--I am a very good little girl 4 years old and live a mile southwest of Yates. Please bring me a little broom, a doll, a little lamp, toy gun, candy and nuts and anything nice. Santa, you will have to come right by grandpa's to get to my house, so please stop to see him and grandma and please go to see Aunt Julie that lives away out in Arizona.--Virginia Goon. Friday, 22 Dec 1916--SANTA CLAUS LETTERS--Dear Santa--I am writing to tell you what I want for Christmas. I am a little boy that lives in the country and I want a gun that will shoot corks and make a big racket, some candy and chewing gum. Don't forget papa and mamma.--Lester Edwards. Friday, 22 Dec 1916--SANTA CLAUS LETTERS--Dear Old Santa--I am a good little boy and live a mile southwest of Yates. Please bring me a little broom, a doll, a little gun to shoot rabbits with, a lantern with a little handle, candy, nuts and anything nice, and don't forget daddy, mamma and grandpa and grandma.--Lawrence Goon. Friday, 22 Dec 1916--SANTA CLAUS LETTERS--Dear Santa--I will write and tell you what I want for Christmas. I do not want much this time. I want a ring, a bracelet, some candy and some colored pencils.--Beatrice Edwards. Kathy Bowlin, Additions, corrections, comments welcome.