Friday, 28 June 1912--CHANGE IN THE COUPONS--The coupon in this issue calling for votes in Murphy's piano contest bears a date, it will be seen, and must be taken to the store and exchanged for votes before the expiration of the date printed thereon. This change is made that coupons may not be collected by the thousands and voted at the last moment, thus perhaps giving the piano to some young lady who may have taken only a passive interest in the contest, and defeating those who have worked faithfully from the opening day. We think this is a wise move in Mr. Murphy, and we are sure it will meet with the approval of the contestants and their friends. Of the coupons thus far printed there are hundreds that are yet outstanding. They must be presented at the store by July 17th, after which date no coupon will be accepted in exchange for votes except those bearing the printed date. Many of our readers in other states are taking a lively interest in the contest and are sending their coupons to their favorite, and the new rule will not affect them in the least, as they are given ample time to return their coupons. Friday, 28 June 1912--A TRUE FISH STORY--Since it was discovered years ago that there were bass in the Alton lake, the NEWS has printed some pretty tall fish stories, but we have one for you this week that takes the lead, and what makes it all the more remarkable is the fact that it is as true as gospel, as Ora Farris and Rake Winn will make oath. Friday a gentleman from Moberly whom we will call Smith, because that isn't his name, desiring to go home with a big string, hired Ora to fish for him while he, Smith, rowed the boat. They had good luck, and soon had eight beauties, the smallest of which weighed two pounds. But the third fish they hooked is the one that made this story possible. It was the biggest one of the lot, and as it made a grab for the bait it missed it some way and caught its tail in the hooks. the fish put up a big fight as it was being hauled in and managed to break loose just as it was brought to the edge of the boat. They could see that the hooks made quite a wound in the fish as they tore loose and Ora remarked that it would be some time before it did any more biting. The next morning Ora and Rake Winn were out on the pond fishing, the latter rowing, and as they came to the spot where the fish got away Ora began telling Rake the particulars when he suddenly yelled to the latter to stop the boat as a big fish was headed directly for them and was only about six feet away. It was in chase of a smaller fish or some other food and had its mouth wide-open. As it shot past the side of the boat Ora ran his arm down in the water and his hand into its open mouth and in a twinkling had the fish in the boat. A deep fresh cut in its tail showed that it was the fish that got away the morning before. It weighed five pounds after being dressed. Friday, 28 June 1912--Mrs. H. L. Thompson informs us that the snake which gave her such a scare last week while she was gathering eggs, was a spread head viper and not a blacksnake, as stated. It was four feet long and three inches through the largest part of the body. It had eaten seven eggs and had the eighth one in its throat when Mrs. Thompson surprised it, which no doubt accounts for her not being bitten. She was worse frightened than ever when she found out what kindof a snake it was, and we don't blame her. Friday, 28 June 1912--PATTERSON-BOWEN--Mr. Geo. Patterson and Miss Maggie Bowen, two of Higbee's most popular young people, sprung a surprise on their friends Thursday of last week when they departed on the north bound Katy for Moberly where they were married, but by whom we could not learn. They left next morning on the Alton for a trip to New Mexico and other places in the West. The bride is the second daughter of Mr. D. W. Bowen and is one of Higbee's prettiest and most lovable young ladies and is a general favorite with all who know her. The groom is the son of Mrs. Tyre Patterson, and is one of our very best young men--sober, honest and industrious and has the confidence and respect of all who know him. He has for several years been an employee here on the Alton as telegraph operator. That their fondest hopes may be realized and that their path through life may be filled with nothing but sunshine and roses is the sincere wish of the NEWS and a host of friends. Friday 28 June 1912--(I had to print this, because it says much more eloquently than I can, what this paper is all about. And historically, it meant more than the editor could have possibly imagined!)--A local newspaper is absolutely necessary to any community. It is the home paper that keeps the people of the community in touch with each other by giving them all the news of their own neighborhood and county. For that alone they are of value and worth far more than the small subscription price. They keep the local pride and progressive spirit aroused and in various ways are worth far more to a community than a community ever spends on them. The daily paper, with its large news service and quicker facilities, may, in some instances overshadow the weekly, but the weekly home paper fills a place in the hearts of the people that a daily cannot fill. It comes to your home as an old and tried friend, while the daily enters as a stranger. Kathy Bowlin