31 May 1912--ADVERTISEMENT--How would you like to own this beautiful $400 piano? (The drawing was of an upright piano, by Upton of Chicago). We are going to give it to some one, and why may that some one not be you? For every cent spent at our store we will allow one vote, and at the end of the contest the person having the most votes gets the piano free of any cost whatever. It carries with it the manufacturer's ten year guarantee, so you can rest assured that it will be a present worth while. In every issue of the News until the end of the contest a coupon will be printed, good for 25 votes. Call at the store for full particulars. We will accept votes on Wednesdays of each week, only, and will print the standing of the candidates in THE NEWS each week. The contest is now on. Bring in your coupons and tickets (which we issue to every purchaser) Wednesday and vote for your favorite. The standing of the candidates will appear in THE NEWS next week and will also be posted in our windows. 31 May 1912--Misses Jennie and Nelle Honaker of Kansas City are the guest of their sister, Mrs. H. Scott Welch. 31 May 1912--Mrs. Shannon Jarman of Armstrong was the guest of her son, W. A. Sunderland, and wife during the week. 31 May 1912--W. H. Davis and wife of Bluejacket, Ok, who were called here Saturday by the death of his mother, Mrs. J. H. Davis, returned home Sunday. (Note: The card of thanks by the family identified her as Mrs. Sarah Davis.) 31 May 1912--J. Hibbard arrived from Pennsylvania Friday of last week and has taken charge as director of the Higbee Concert Band. Mr. Hibbard was a member of the band several months ago, and is a first class musician in every respect and has had several years' experience as a band leader. He was accompanied by his wife and will make this his home. The NEWS joins others in extending him a hearty welcome to a home among us. 31 May 1912--Wm. Chapman informed us Monday that the bridge across the Moniteau near his home gave away some time after 12 o'clock Sunday night and was in such shape that it could not be crossed. Some of the posts or piling supporting the bridge gave way on one side, allowing the bridge to stand on edge. A great many who had attended the debate in town had crossed the bridge just a short time before. An effort, we understand, will be made to have the county replace the bridge with a steel one. Friday, 31 May 1912--Dr. Turner Avery, who has been quite sick at the home of his mother, Mrs. Wm. Avery south of town for several weeks, was able to return to DeWitt Saturday. Friday, 31 May 1912--ADVERTISEMENT--Renew your subscription to the NEWS and get 1000 votes in Murphy's piano contest. Bring in a new subscriber or pay a year in advance and get 2000 votes. Friday, 31 May 1912--The residence of Mrs. Wm. Avery south of town was struck by lightning Monday evening. Aside from tearing a few shingles from the roof and one of the post from the portico, no damage was done. Friday, 31 May 1912--Wm. Burke, who accompanied his daughter, Miss Katie, to Colorado Springs last week, returned home Monday, leaving his daughter in one of the best sanitariums in that noted resort. The physicians thought her lungs only slightly affected, if at all, and were very optimistic as to her rapid and permanent recovery. This will certainly be good news to her many Higbee friends. Friday, 31 May 1912--WEDDINGS IN EARLY DAYS--Festivities Kept Up Sometimes for Weeks on Occasions of Backwoods Ceremonies Long Ago--For a long time after this country was settled folk married mighty young and at first chance. There was no sort of distinction of rank or title, and yet precious little money or worldly gear. A family backwoods palace cost only a little neighborly help and labor to get it ready for the sure-to-come, healthy, happy brood. In those olden, golden days in the south and west a wedding set the whole country circuit for miles around wild with talk, excitement and expectation for frolic. On wedding day everybody came together at the bridegroom's daddy's house so that all could go in one bunch to the bride's house before dinner (midday). Upon all this jolly lot could not be seen a thing that had ever been inside a store. the gentlemen dressed in moccasins, leather breeches or leggins, coonskin caps and homespun linsey or buckskin hunting shirts. Every whip, stitch and fibre genuine, simon-pure homespun and home-made. Ladies, as peerless as fearless, dressed in linsey petticoats, and under all a long linsey or linen bed gown, moccasins, yarn of flax stockings , handkerchiefs, and gauntleted buckskin gloves--if any. If there were any rings, buckles or other jewelry, they were relics from grandparents back beyond the Blue Ridge, on the shores of the sea. The march, Indian-file, through the woods to the bride's house was often stopped by mischief-makers tying grape-vines across the road. Or suddenly a false Indian ambush was laid and a dozen rifles covered the wedding company with smoke. The horses would rear and jump and cavort, and the girls, riding bareback, would shriek--of course, girl-like. And their sweethearts would get mighty brave and chivalrous and grab them around the waist to keep them from falling, even if most of these same girls could break and ride a two-year-old horse or steer. About a half-mile afore the wild wedding troop got to the bride's house came big times. Two young buddies who wanted to show off before their admiring sweethearts would single out to race to the bride's front door for "Sweet Black Betty," which was handed to the first fellow there. No sort of fox chase, English or Yankee, in point of danger and adventure, could hold a candle to the run of these mad Yonkers. One grand, hellish Indian yell, and away they would go, and the more logs and holes and brush the better. Racing returning, all bets were settled and the bridegroom and his best man took first swig from "Black Betty." Then so on to each pair in succession. Then came the marriage ceremony; then the feast of beef, pork, fowls, venison, bear meat, roasted and boiled potatoes and cabbage and corn pones. After dinner the fiddle was tuned and the dancing started and generally lasted all night until broad daylight. The figures were three and four-handed reels, square sets and jigs. If any tried to stall of sneak away late in the night they were grabbed and paraded on the floor while the fiddler was ordered to play "Hang Out Till Morning." Wedding carrying-ons lasted from two days to two weeks, and some guests stayed while others came and went. Some traveled for days, coming and going great distances. In the course of festivity, if any one wanted to do toasts he would holler. "Where is Black Betty? I want to kiss her sweet lips." "Betty" soon reached him; then holding her up in his right hand he would say, "Here's health to the groom, not forgetting myself, and here's to the bride, thumping luck and big children." This was the soul of the toast, for big children, especially sons, were of great importance, as they were few in number and engaged in wars the end of which no one could foresee. Every big son was therefore a big soldier. And such were the simple and hardy men from which some of the best and meanest folk in the world have sprung. Little as the simple, innocent backwoodsmen imagined, their marriage ceremonies were only carrying out some of the old, ancient, princely marriages of ancient Europe, particularly of Germany, Britain and Spain. Friday, 31 May 1912--Born, on the 28th, to Hollis Bradley and wife, a daughter. Friday, 31 May 1912--R. G. Duncan, who was in Marshall Wednesday, informs us that his son, Carl, who had charge of the play given by the students of Missouri Valley College, had one of his eyes quite badly powder burned by a blank cartridge fired by the villain. Carl scored a big success with the play and was highly praised by the faculty and student body as well as the Marshall papers. Friday, 31 May 1912--L. T. Burton for sheriff--Levy T. Burton, more familiarly known to his old Higbee friends and cronies as "Soc," was here from Moberly Wednesday, and asked us to announce him as a candidate for Sheriff. Mr. Burton was born and reared near Higbee and is too well known to our readers to need any introduction at our hands. He is also quite well known over the county, having been a citizen of Huntsville for several years, and having made the race for sheriff four years ago. He made one of the strongest races ever made in the county, going to Moberly with over 1000 majority. As he has since become a citizen of that place he will likely get a much stronger vote there than he did before, and if he proves as popular in the county as then, the man who beats him will be the sheriff. He is thoroughly qualified for the position and asks the people to give his candidacy careful consideration, and promises if honored with the office to give it his entire time and attention and that he will discharge the duties without fear or favor. Friday, 31 May 1912--Pat Crumpley of Yates, we learn, while digging a cellar near his house, unearthed some half a dozen or more skeletons, presumably of Indians or Mound Builders. There was a small mound on the cellar site and Mr. Crumpley had not gone far when he uncovered the skeletons, all of which were in a fair state of preservation. Several of the skulls were crushed, indicating that the dead had been slain in battle. Now think of going down in a cellar like that after dark for a jug of cider or buttermilk. Friday, 31 May 1912--A cyclone near Tulsa, Ok, Tuesday, killed eight people and injured many more. Friday, 31 May 1912--MRS. SUSAN DAVIS DEAD--After months of pain and suffering Mrs. Susan Davis died at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Johnson Thursday evening May 23, 1912, seventy-seven years, seven months nine days old. Three children, four grandchildren eleven great-grandchildren remain to mourn her. The husband and one daughter died several years before. William Davis, the eldest, and only son, moved to Oklahoma 19 years ago, but he and wife were into the mother's funeral. Since the husband's death, Nov 1907, the mother made her home with her two daughters, Mrs. Tom Johnson and Mrs. Oscar Fowler, who, with the help of their kind hearted husbands, made the declining years of the old mother most pleasant. One granddaughter, Mrs. Roy Hitt, and her daughter, Gladys, also made many an hour pleasant for the old grandmother by their presence, visiting and cheering her. After a short service at the home, by Rev. Notley Magruder Saturday morning, she was buried at City cemetery between husband and daughter. A FRIEND. Friday, 31 May 1912--Downey Baily, aged 26 years, died at his home in Moberly on the 27th, of spinal meningitis. Friday, 31 May 1912--Misses Frankie and Maggie Stone spent the week with their grandfather, John Stone, near Ryder. Friday, 31 May 1912--Mrs. Lindsey Wilson and Mrs. Erb Andrews returned to their home on Roodhouse, Ill, Monday after a pleasant visit with John Dennis and wife. Friday, 31 May 1912--Will Cave took Dr. G. M. Nichols, Jas. Rankin and Evan Jones over to the county farm at Huntsville Wednesday, Messrs. Rankin and Jones taking the doctor over to see Jodie Carter. They found him in a very bad condition. He had been wanting to see Dr. Nichols for some time, hoping he could give him relief from his affliction, and Messrs. Rankin and Jones, his old playmates, out of the goodness of their hearts, saw to it that his wish was complied with. Although entirely helpless and without any known relatives, Jodie is not without friends, and no man on earth ever had truer ones than the two above named. There is no hope for Jodie's recovery and death will no doubt come as a welcome relief. The boys left word with the superintendent that when the poor sufferer is called home that they be notified that he may be laid to rest in the cemetery at his old home. Such friendship as these young men have displayed for Jodie is seldom seen, and will not go unrewarded in this world or the next. Friday, 31 May 1912--Jas. O'Donnell had a narrow escape from serious injury in the Block mine Wednesday, a ton or more of rock falling and brushing against him, knocking him down. His back was slightly hurt and he received bruises on various parts of the body. Friday, 31 May 1912--Morgan Griffith of this place has been made foreman of mine No. 10 of the Northern Central Coal Co. at Yates, succeeding a Mr. Moss. Mr. Griffith is a practiced miner and should prove the right man in the right place. Friday, 31 May 1912--Sam Enochs went to Hannibal Monday as a witness in the suit of Roy Jones against the Northern Central Coal Co, which was to have come up in the U. S. district court in that city. The case was continued. Young Jones, it will be remembered, was hurt by a fall of rock or coal while at work with his father in mine No. 11 here several months ago. Friday, 31 May 1912--THE NEWS FROM BONNEFEMME--Mrs. Otis Skinner and daughter of Monroe county are the gusts of her parents, Mr. and Mrs. B. F. Frazier. Mrs. Romeo Dougherty of Moberly attended the funeral of her cousin, Martin Avery, Saturday. Mrs. Enoch Anderson of Washington is visiting her brother, Omer Andrews, near Myers. Mrs. Carrie E. Perkins and daughter Veneta of near Higbee spent the week with her sister, Mrs. L. Ancell, in the south part of this township. Miss Clara Ancell returned Sunday from Rucker where she spent the past month with her sister, Mrs. Ernest Gulick. MARTIN AVERY DEAD--Martin Avery, who was reported last week to be perhaps fatally injured, died Thursday evening, May 23, at 7:30 o'clock. All that medical attention and loving hands could do could not avail nor bring relief. He was the grandson of J. J. Avery of near Myers, and leaves a loving mother, Mrs. Thos. Bailey, and two brothers besides a host of relatives and friends to mourn his departure. To these we extend heartfelt sympathy. His mother and brothers reside at Rocky, Ok. One brother, Arch, arrived Sunday to attend the funeral. Deceased was 20 years of age, and in the full bloom of youth and vigor when struck down. Interment at Myers chapel Sunday after funeral services by C. S. Hargis. Friday, 31 May 1912--Chas Crews, the youngest son of the late Linden Crews, was seriously injured at Renick Saturday evening by a Wabash freight. He was riding on top of a box car that had been loaded with stock and was being switched to the main line, when he lost his footing and fell between it and another car. He grabbed a rod in his fall to which he probably owes his life. He was dragged quite a little distance and had both legs quite badly mashed. He was hurried to a hospital in Moberly where it was found that amputation, as had a first been feared, would not be necessary. Friday, 31 May 1912--BIRTHDAY DINNER--The happy occasion of another birthday dinner occurred May 24, when mother, brothers, sisters and children surprised David Magruder on his 60th birthday with a bountiful dinner. Mr. Magruder, who is night engineer at the Block mine, came home at the usual hour and went to bed and was so surprised when he was awakened a short time later by a house full of friends and relatives, among them his venerable mother, who is 81 years old, that he was some time coming to himself. The dinner consisted of everything good to eat in the way of meats, vegetables, salads, cakes, pies, etc, and it was thoroughly enjoyed by the guests, about forty in number. The only thing to mar the pleasure of the day was the departure of the son, Rev. Kellis Magruder, shortly after the dinner hour, to take up his work in another section of the state. At a late hour the other guests departed, wishing Mr. Magruder and his family many more happy birthdays. He was the recipient of many useful remembrances. Those present: Mrs. Amis Magruder, Walker Magruder and family, Dennis Magruder, Mrs. Sanford Davis, daughter and granddaughter, Alfred Dennis, wife and son, Travis Magruder and family, Mose Stevenson and family, Virgil Phillips and family, Kellis Magruder and family, Price Creson and wife, Mrs. Puss Nicholas and son, Travis, Mrs. Hattie Fray and two children, Mrs. Albert Robb, Mrs. Mary Reed, Mrs. Thos. Magruder, Mrs. Mary Creson, Miss Mollie White. L. R. Friday, 31 May 1912--James Evans and George Capes, farmers living near Chillicothe, were killed by lightning Tuesday, having taken shelter under a tree during a storm. Two others who remained out in the open were rendered unconscious by the bold that struck the tree. Kathy Bowlin