Friday, 28 Mar 1913-A LETTER FROM JOHN BRADLEY--Colorado Springs, March 19, Mr. H. Scott Welch, Higbee, Mo. Dear Friend Scott: As you note I am again in the land of "turquoise sky." So please send my NEWS in care of the Marksheffel Motor Co. until receiving a permanent address. I am always glad to get the Higbee items. Hurrah for "the old town" and her new school project. I cannot keep from saying something on the subject, as I am sorry the new building could not have been voted while I was the "pedagogue." Many Missouri towns no larger--many not nearly so large--than Higbee have good brick, furnace-heated, sanitary school buildings. About two years ago I had an opportunity to see quite a number of Missouri school houses while on the road for a college. Among those towns which have excellent school buildings are Ashland, Armstrong, Corder, Odessa, Miami, Clifton Hill, Burlington Junction, King City and LaPlata. Many of these maintain a fully accredited four-year high school course. Why should not Higbee? In building the new school house all the friends of Higbee's educational interest would like to see an A No. 1 building, looking for ward to a better sanitation and equipment to maintain a good high school course, such as library and laboratory rooms. The school has never been equipped for a scientific course, and no modern school can hope to be up to the standard without a note book and laboratory course in some of the high school sciences. Let us hope that the final fund will be nearer $20,000 than $10,000, in order to insure adequate future advancement. Higbee within three or four years certainly ought to be able to maintain a fully accredited course, whereas in the past she has had no rating at all on account of length of term, number of high school teachers and lack of library and laboratory equipment. When such town as Corder and Armstrong, both smaller than Higbee, have first-class high schools, why should not Higbee? Why should not the boy or girl from the Higbee high school enter any college in the state direct and without examination if the pupils from the smaller towns can? With the proper building and equipment and term they can. Surely no Higbee citizen in the past has ever pointed with pride to the building where he sent his children to school. But 280 to 28 shows that they will be proud of it in the future. This is the modern age when at least a well heated, lighted and ventilated school building is the just due of every lad and lassie. Even a superficial examination of any school without proper room and sanitation will show that a large percentage of the pupils berated as "dull" are not weak mentally, but are indifferent and "blank minded" because their weak eyes, throat, lungs and other organs are suffering on account of improper facilities for given them "the best." Health is the prime asset of any boy or girl. And anyone who cares to look into the figures which represent the number physically deficient school children in the United States and the state of Missouri will be convinced of the vast importance of looking after the lives and health of future young Americans. May Higbee build the best building possible, equip it the best possible, and start on the road that will end with her school in the first ranks. Trusting you will pardon this well-meant flow of verbosity, I am Sincerely, Jno. W. Bradley. Friday, 28 Mar 1913--The Renick Enterprise says that J. H. Hardin, who moved to Sedalia two years ago where he has since conducted a feed and implement business, will move back to Renick in a short time. Mr. Hardin has many friends throughout the county who will welcome his return. Friday, 28 Mar 1913--B. F. COOK DEAD--B. F. Cook, one of the best known and most highly respected farmers in this community, died at home southwest of town on Monday, March 24, 1913, after an illness of about three months, aged about 60 years. His malady was a puzzle to his physicians. Until about three months ago he was as strong and vigorous as he ever was in his life, when he was suddenly seized with something similar to softening of the brain and became as helpless as a child, his mind becoming an entire blank. He became gradually worse and about three weeks ago an internal growth, about as large as a man's head, developed in his side. It is believed to have been the cause of mental trouble. Mr. Cook came from a well known and highly respected family and had resided in the community all of his life. He was a consecrated Christian gentleman and had the respect and esteem of all who knew him. Besides his wife and one daughter, he is survived by four brothers--John, Shelton, Wash and James Cook--and one sister--Mrs. Sallie Ketchum. Funeral services were held Wednesday and interment made in Old Log Chapel, Howard county. The sympathy of all goes out to the bereaved ones. Friday, 28 Mar 1913--WAYLAND LANDS--John T. Wayland, an old Howard county boy, who wanted to be Surveyor of Port, a fat Kansas City office, failed to land the plum, for the reason that the office was recently abolished, but landed something equally as good through the efforts of his friend, Senator Jas. A. Reed, being appointed first assistant sergeant-at-arms of the United States Senate. The position pays $2,200 a year, and will be a snap for John T., to whom we extend heartiest congratulations. Mr. Wayland tells us that he will leave Saturday with his family for Washington, and orders his paper sent to him there. Friday, 28 Mar 1913--MRS. VIANA WHITE DEAD--At 3 o'clock Sunday morning, Mrs. Viana White, 90 years old, died at her home, two miles east of Moberly, after a short illness. Mrs. White was born in Kentucky, but had lived the major portion of her life in Randolph county. She is survived by three sons: Greenburg White of near Moberly; Joseph White of Leavenworth, Kansas, and John H. White Osage county, Mo; two daughters, Mrs. Maggie Stone of near Renick and Mrs. Mary Pitney, of near Higbee, also survive her. Funeral services were held at 2 p.m. today, conducted by Rev. Henson at Oakland cemetery, where the body was laid to rest--Moberly Monitor. Friday, 28 Mar 1913--Mrs. Wheeler, a widow, living alone at Renick took an overdose of morphine Sunday and died from the effects of the drug. She is survived by a son who lives near Renick.--Moberly Monitor. Friday, 28 Mar 1913--Gordon Rankin, who has been in Arkansas for the past few months is at home, arriving Sunday night to attend the funeral of his father. A half dozen or more telegrams had to be sent before he could be located. Friday, 28 Mar 1913--While attending Sunday school last Sunday, Mrs. H. Land mislaid her bible and asks the one who has it to please return same. Friday, 28 Mar 1913--KILLED IN MINE--Frank Newton, Driver, Run Over by Trip and Killed--The community was greatly shocked Friday afternoon to learn that Frank Newton had been killed in Mine No. 11 of the Northern Central Coal Co. He was employed as a driver, being considered an expert, and when he failed to return to the hoisting shaft on time with his regular string of cars, a party was sent in search of him. They had not gone far when they came upon the mules and the string of cars standing at the foot of a small hill with Mr. Newton underneath the first car, face downward. His neck and the little finger of his left hand were found to be broken, and death was no doubt instantaneous. His breast was quite badly crushed, which would of itself have likely proved fatal. When found, the unfortunate man had his pipe in his left hand and his cap, to which his lamp was attached, in his right, which caused many to think that he had removed his cap to light his pipe with the lamp and either lost his balance or was knocked from the car by striking his head against the roof. The body was conveyed to his home and interment made Sunday in the Huntsville cemetery after funeral services at the Methodist church there. Mr. Newton was about 40 years of age and a former citizen of Renick and came to Higbee a few years ago from Macon county. He was a hard working man and popular with all who knew him. He is survived by his widow and five children, who have the warmest sympathy of all. Deceased was a member of the Knights of Pythias, and was laid to rest with the honors of the fraternity, the lodge here being well represented, as well as the United Mine Workers. Friday, 28 Mar 1913--Miss Margaret Wonders of Kalo, Iowa, is the guest of her sister, Mrs. Wm. Walton, and other relatives. Friday, 28 Mar 1913--Mrs. Effie M. Fox of Edina, Mo, arrived Wednesday for a few days' visit with the family of her brother, J. T. Randolph. Friday, 28 Mar 1913--Mrs. Jas. Luttrell died at her home in Renick Saturday. Interment was made at Moberly. She is survived by her husband. Friday, 28 Mar 1913--Mary Carter, an aged negress aged 84 years, died at her home in Renick Friday. Friday, 28 Mar 1913--George Owenby, one of the county's well known citizens, died at his home near Middle Grove on the 18th, aged 73 years. Friday, 28 Mar 1913--Judge Waller has granted a new trial to Roy Barnett, the Moberly Negro who was given two years in the pen in circuit court last week for carrying concealed weapons. Friday, 28 Mar 1913--"Kid" Eastley formerly of this place but now of Bevier, and "Red" Riley of Des Moines, are billed for 10-round boxing bout before the Lyric Athletic Club of Moberly next Monday night. Friday, 28 Mar 1913--S. M. Hirsch, who is always looking out for more business for the Bee Hive, went to Fayette Monday where he made arrangements to display a big lot of ready-to-wear garments at the hotel Howard on next Monday. While his ads in the Fayette papers have brought good returns, they failed to bring many buyers from the town itself, the people there evidently thinking it preposterous that they could find a larger and more up to date stock in Higbee than they could at home. this trip by Mr. Hirsch is solely for the purpose of showing them. He will not sell a single garment or even taken an order for one. Our prediction is that his line will cause a decided sensation among the ladies of Fayette, and that he will add many to his ever increasing number of permanent customers. Friday, 28 Mar 1913--Higbee, in the opinion of many, came rather close to having a cyclone Sunday night, as even the oldest inhabitant does not remember of having experienced such a strong straight wind. The wind had been blowing a gale all day, which increased in a fury about 8 o'clock. By midnight it seemed as if it had the strength of three or four gales combined, and many houses were rocked. M. Murphy informs us that just before retiring about midnight he went to the window to see what kind of clouds were in sight, and that while leaning against the brick wall he felt it give very perceptibly, which proves it to have been a wind of great force. Others report their houses as being badly shaken. the next morning the sides of the houses, windows and pavements were found to be covered with a think coating of red dirt or sand, entirely foreign to this section, which was no doubt conveyed by the wind from Oklahoma or Kansas. Friday, 28 Mar 1913--POSTMASTER J. P. RANKIN DEAD--Passes Away Unexpectedly at His Home Saturday Morning.--The people of Higbee were greatly shocked last Saturday morning when the word went over town that Postmaster Rankin was dead, as very few knew of his being sick. Even the few who knew of his sickness were entirely unprepared for the shock, as was also the members of his family, none of whom even dreamed that the end was so near. Being of a naturally weak constitution, peculiarly susceptible to pneumonia, he generally had a slight attack every winter, but was always able to throw it off in a week or two. When he had to go home last week from the old trouble, all were confident that he would be back at his post again in a short time. For the past few years, however, and especially since the death of his wife a year ago, for whom he grieved constantly, he had been troubled with an affection of the heart, which grew gradually worse. Friday he was seized with a sinking spell, but recovered, and again on Saturday morning. The most powerful stimulants known were given him, but to no avail and at 10:30 he passed peacefully away without a struggle. John Pollock Rankin was born in Kilsythe, Scotland, on August 13, 1846, and died in Higbee, Mo, on March 22, 1913, aged 66 years, 7 months and 9 days. He was one of a family of 13 children, five of whom--three brothers and two sisters--survive him and all of whom reside in Scotland with the exception of one brother, William, who lives in Rosedale, Kansas. He was married to Margaret Black in Scotland on December 31, 1869. They were the parents of seven children all of who, with the exception of one which died in infancy, survive, viz: William, James, John and Gordon Rankin, Mrs. W. J. Cox and Mrs. John Little all whom reside here but Mrs. Cox. He (is) also survived by seven grandchildren. He came to this country in 1881, locating in Rosedale, Kansas, but remained there but eighteen months, removing to Renick. From there he moved to Huntsville where he resided several years. He came to Higbee from the latter place in 1890, where he had since resided. In 1896 he was appointed Assistant Postmaster and upon the death of Postmaster Jarman, three years later, was made Postmaster, a position he held continuously since. And we want to say right her that no city or town in the entire country ever had a more courteous or accommodating official. In all his years of service we never heard any serious complaint of his administration of affairs, nor did we ever hear of his superiors in the service having to complain of any delinquency on his part. Had he lived to complete his present term, he would have been in the office nineteen years. He was a devout Christian gentleman, being a member of the Higbee Baptist church, with which he united many years ago. He was also a Freemason, being a member of Higbee Lodge No. 527, joining the order in Scotland 46 years ago. He also belonged to the A. O. U. W., holding his membership in Rosedale, Kansas. Funeral services were conducted at the home Tuesday afternoon by Rev. Ben Robson, during which every business house in town was closed. The immense crowd present, despite the mud, cold rain and snow, and the many floral offerings, spoke more eloquently than words of the respect in which he was held. The flowers were as profuse as we have ever seen on a similar occasion and were from the business men, lodges, those under him in the service, relatives and individuals. Following the services the remains were taken in charge by the Freemasons and laid to rest in the city cemetery by the side of his wife, whom he survived by a year and fifteen days, with the full honors of the fraternity. In his death Higbee has lost a most exemplary and upright citizen and his children a loving and indulgent father. The NEWS joins the community in warmest sympathy to them. Friday, 28 Mar 1913--The son born to Joseph Palfrey and wife on the 19th, lived but about 24 hours. Interment was made in the city cemetery. The parents have the sympathy of all. Friday, 28 Mar 1913--From the way the cyclone season is opening up, 1913 promises to be a year of deadly twisters. Already a dozen storms have been reported from different sections with a loss of life totaling about 500. Kathy Bowlin Additions, Corrects and Comments Welcome. This is my last post before I turn off my computer and head home to Illinois. I will be posting more upon my return on Monday.