21 Jan 1899 page 1 Death of Bunny Baldridge His Life Quietly Passed Out Early this Morning - Funeral this Eve. It was with much sorrow that the people on the streets learned this morning of the death of J. R. Baldridge, who passed quietly away at 12:45 o'clock this morning, after an attack of paralysis which was so severe he could only withstand the malady a few weeks. The body will be laid to rest in the City Cemetery at 4 o'clock this afternoon, the funeral to be under the auspices of the Knights of Pythias, from the residence of Dr. A. H. Ketchum. "Bunny" Baldridge, as he was known far and wide, was born in Washington county 52 years ago, and from infancy almost up to the time of his death led an active life. He was a man possessed of a high sense of justice and with whom a fellow feeling for all mankind was ever dominant, and it was reputed to be only the flimsiest "tales of woe" that could not draw pure charitable help from his free heart. With these characteristics he was endowed with a spirit that prompted him to do all he really could in an enterprising and progressive way, and by it made and retained staunch friends in all walks of life. He has been a merchant in Navasota for about ten years and leaves to mourn his loss a mother, brother and sister, who reside at Ennis. ******************* A Colored Man Killed John Melton, a negro man, was killed yesterday by Major and Jim Smoot, in the Navasota river bottom, near the mouth of Gibbon's creek. The trouble arose over some bogs, of which animals the Smoot boys have many roaming through the woods. Melton opened fire on the two brothers and they returned it from two Winchester rifles. In the operation the negro received nine bullets in his body. These are all the particulars that can now be gleaned. Justice Thomas, of Anderson, was called upon to hold the inquest. *************** Page 4 County Capital Notes Anderson, Jan. 21 - Following are the jurors for the first week of the county court, convening on Feb. 6th: E. W. Kerl, Wm. Fain, W. H. Fuqua, T. J. Cone, W. T. Martin, W. S. Neblett, J. B. Todd, J. H. Heil, R. A. Martin, Will Mabry, J. E. M. Reid, Alex White. The county commissioners meet on the second week. Third week, Feb. 20: J. T. Smith, J. W. Teague, Ed. Magee, R. W. Jeter, Charley Lee, Joe Sechelski, P. B. Jennings, Will McAlpine, Jno. M. Adkins, Heat Prescott, T. T. Prescott, W. C. Colson. Suit has been filed in Guadaloupe county, in district court, by Felix and Ceyloma Douglass vs. the Guarantee Life Association of Chicago. The parties in question are cousins of the late John B. Terrell, deceased, whose life was insured in said company for $1,000.00 in favor of Mr. and Mrs. Douglass. Citation was served on Dr. W. D. Littler, the company's local agent here. The company has refused to pay the policy. Sergeant-at-Arms of the house of representatives, Tip Jones, of Austin, reached our town last Thursday and created quite a stir by summoning quite a batch of witnesses in the W. T. Wasson vs. I. M. Bennett contest case, witnesses to appear before the election committee on Monday, January 23rd, 1899. The following is a list of the witnesses summoned in and near our town: C. B. Nichols, county clerk; W. W. Smith, deputy clerk; M. Gibney, J. H. Kennard, W. T. Neblett, M. S. Womack, H. C. Jones, G. L. Scott, W. G. Howard, Wm. Olliver, Claud Taylor, F. M. Childers. The witnesses are to meet the sergeant at Navasota Sunday evening at 5 o'clock p. m. to go south, via Hempstead. Mr. John N. Scott, of Longstreet, is in town visiting relatives. Sergeant-at-arms Tip Jones went from here Friday morning to Bedias to summon several witnesses near that place. Clay Jones went to Martins Prairie and Iola and Knox Howard to Prairie Plains for witnesses in the contest case. **************** Personal Mention Will Stone has returned home from Marlin. A. L. Gilliland is confined to his home by illness. Tom Terrell, of Apolonia, is in the city on business. Graham Baker, of Houston, is in the city, visiting Stratton Baker. Mrs. Finch, who lives on Fuqua Prairie, is reported to be very ill. L. M. Norman, of Roans Prairie, is in the city today, purchasing goods. L. C. Peacock, a merchant of Apolonia, is in the city today on business. Walter Salyer has been a very sick boy for a few days past, but is now some better. J. E. Cuthrell left today for Prairie Plains, to attend to some business on his farm. Jim Mayfield, a prominent merchant of Roans Prairie, is in the city today purchasing goods. Miss Gertrude Forrester returned from Calvert yesterday, after an extended visit to friends there. Mrs. L. S. Meekins returned to her home in Millican today, after spending several days here with her brother, Steele Steele. John Weatherford, of Roans Prairie, is in the city today, on his way home after a business trip to Dallas and Fort Worth. Boss Driscoll, of Prairie Plains, returned today from Houston, and reports having bought a large stock of drugs for his store out home. Mr. and Mrs. J. J. Mistrot, of Bryan, who have been visiting Capt. and Mrs. P. A. Smith for sometime returned home today, accompanied by Miss Zenobia Daunis. ******************* 25 Jan 1899 Page 4 Personal Mention Constable Forrester is ill. Chas. J. Kirk went to Bastrop yesterday evening. Jake Harris was in Navasota today; he is traveling now. Chas. Doerge has resigned his position with J. M. Callaway. Leal Wasson returned to Navasota yesterday from school at Austin. Mrs. M. A. Fisher went to Hempstead yesterday evening on business. Eleanor Colson