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Archiver > MOHOWARD > 2001-08 > 0997214518


From: "Mike & Kathy Bowlin" <>
Subject: [MOHOWARD-L] Higbee News, Feb 1907
Date: Tue, 7 Aug 2001 15:04:13 -0500


1 Feb 1907--Hugh L. Thompson was called to Moberly Tuesday by the death of his
mother, Mrs. I. A. Thompson, who was stricken with paralysis Sunday. She was about
75 years of age.

1 Feb 1907--Henry Mallory and Miss Mattie Comstock, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse
Comstock, were married on Jan 22 by Squire W. K. Dougherty.

1 Feb 1907--Chas. W. Digges, a traveling man, and for 37 years one of Moberly's
foremost citizens, dropped dead at Cherokee, Kas, Saturday while waiting for a train.

1 Feb 1907--Joseph McKiernan, aged 17 years, was caught under a fall of rock while at
work in the Eagle coal mine near Moberly Monday and received injuries from which he
died the next day.

1 Feb 1907--Messrs. N. F. and Elmo Kirby spent several days last week visiting with
relatives and friends at Higbee and Huntsville. Mr. N. F. Kirby said that he had a brother,
Joe Kirby, over near Higbee that he had not visited but once in the past 37
years.--Armstrong Herald.

1 Feb 1907--KILLED IN MINE AT BEVIER--Chester Roberts Killed While Picking Up
Dinner bucket to Leave Mine--Premonition of Death?--Roy Chester Roberts, well known
here, was instantly killed in mine No. 10 at Bevier at 10:30 o'clock Friday morning of
last week.
He was working in a room with an older and thoroughly experienced miner, when
he conceived the idea that the roof was not safe and asked his partner to examine it. He
did so and pronounced it quite safe. Chester was not yet satisfied and said he would get
his brother-in-law, Ollie Haggard, to examine it. Accordingly he took his dinner bucket
and went to Haggard's room and asked him to come and make an examination. Haggard
was not then able to accompany him, and in the conversation that followed Chester said
that he did not like there and consulted Haggard about going to another mine. After
some further discussion, Chester said he would quit, and reached down for his bucket
when a small rock feel without any warning and broke his neck. The circumstances point
to a premonition of impending danger, and had a visible effect on his fellow workmen.
The body was brought to Renick and taken to the home of his sister, Mrs. Joe
Truby, four miles east of that place. Funeral services were held at Fairview church
Sunday Jan 27th, by F. H. James in the presence of a large crowd of relatives and friends
and who packed the edifice.
Chester was the youngest child of Mr. and Mrs. Dan. W. Roberts of Renick, and
was born May 15, 1891. Father, three brothers and four sisters survive him. His mother
and two sisters preceded him in death. He was converted in Renick four years ago and
was baptized by Rev. Rice into the fellowship of the Baptist church. He was a model
young man highly thought of by all his acquaintances and held up as an example to others
by their parents who besought them to do as Chester did. He was laid to rest in full and
certain hope of the first resurrection in the church cemetery. His family have the
sympathy of all who knew him. He was a cousin of Mrs. David Hare and Jasper Roberts,
and a nephew of Mrs. Sandford Pitney and Mrs. John Stone.

1 Feb 1907--MRS. HORTENSIE MARTIN DEAD--Mrs. Hortensie Martin died at 7
o'clock Tuesday morning, Jan 29, 1907, at the home of her brothers, Sidney Burge, four
miles southwest of Higbee, of a complication of diseases, yet was only confined to her
bed for about two weeks. Mrs. Martin was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Burge and
was born in Howard county on Oct 12, 1829, and consequently was in the 78th year of
her age. She married John Martin, who died many years ago. Three children were born
to their union, one of whom, Richard Martin is now living, and two girls who died at an
early age. One of them left 3 children--William, John and Julia Key who is married to
Wm. Morley--to the care of their grandmother, who tenderly and lovingly cared for them
as if they had been her own. In every respect she was even more than mother to them
and she had the satisfaction and pleasure of seeing that they were most grateful for all she
had done for them. Mrs. Martin was converted at Roanoke in 1865 and united with the
Cumberland Presbyterian Church, having her membership at Sharon. She was a
consistent Christian lady and professed immediately before the end to see bright visions
of celestial beings. Services were held at the home on Wednesday by Rev. Notley
Magruder, and the body was laid to rest in the family burying ground on the home place
in the presence of a large number of relatives and friends who were desirous to pay their
respects to one whom they greatly admired and loved.
The Burge family was a numerous one, all of whom are now in their last resting
place save "Uncle" Sidney Burge who is now 81 years old.

8 Feb 1907--MRS. MARY F. MOBLEY DEAD--Mrs. Mary E. Mobley died at her home
13 miles south of Higbee on Sunday morning, Feb 3, 1907. She had been suffering from
a very painful illness for about four years, which she bore with the greatest Christian
fortitude, and was always ready for the call to her heavenly home.
Mrs. Mobley was daughter of John S. and Nancy Reed, born on June 12, 1835, in
Linn county. Her parents died in her girlhood and soon after she went to live with her
sister, Mrs. Penelope A. George, near Burton, where she was married on Feb 24, 1854, to
John Q. Mobley, who died about four years ago.
She was converted at the age of 16 and joined the Baptist church at Mt. Olive,
Linn county. She was the mother of thirteen children, six of whom only survive her.
Services were held Monday at New Hope church by Rev. L. M. White, after
which she was laid to rest in the church cemetery.
During her illness she always had her Bible on the bed close to her hand and she
delighted to hear sung the songs of Zion.

8 Feb 1907--Neal Riley, until recently in the livery business in Centralia, was killed in
the railroad yards at Kansas City Sunday night. He was moving to Oklahoma and was
traveling with his car to attend to the live stock. In going to the caboose he was struck by
a passenger train.

8 Feb 1907--Born, on the 3rd, to David Davis and wife, a daughter.

8 Feb 1907--Born, at Elliott, recently, to John Howell and wife, a son.

8 Feb 1907--A son was born to Geo. Carter and wife of Coulterville, Ill, on the 1st.

8 Feb 1907--Henry Horton, at one time owner of the Randolph Springs and the hotel at
that place, died on the 1st, aged 66 years.

8 Feb 1907--John S. Bradley closed his school in the Ebeneezer district Friday of last
week. John is one of our most successful teachers.

8 Feb 1907--Mrs. Harriet Davis, widow of Rev. Samuel Davis, a well known Presbyterian
minister, died at her home near Mt. Airy on the 2nd, aged 78 years.

8 Feb 1907--Warren Holtzclaw, who resigned his position with the Randolph-Macon Co.
here several months ago to accept the cashiership of the bank at Jacksonville, was
married Wednesday of last week to Miss Clara Keith of Macon.

8 Feb 1907--Dr. Orville Pitney, who has been located at Forest Green for several years,
left here Tuesday with his family for Denver, Colo, where he will locate for the practice
of his profession. Dr. Pitney was in very poor health several years ago, and a trip to
Colorado worked a complete cure, since which time he has had a longing to locate there.
The doctor is an old Higbee boy and has many friends and relatives here who wish him
continued health and prosperity in his new home.

8 Feb 1907--RICH HOWARD COUNTY FARMER A SUICIDE--Fayette, MO, Feb
3--William Hawkins, a rich farmer and stockman of Howard county, committed suicide
at Hotel Howard here last night by taking strychnine. No reason for his action is known.
He was seen taking the drug and medical attendance was secured at once. The
physicians worked with him for more than hour. He resisted all their efforts to relieve
him.
He owned one of the best farms in the county and was in good circumstances
financially.

15 Feb 1907--Born, on the 11th, to Buford Lewis and wife, a son.

15 Feb 1907--Mrs. Wm. Farris, aged 57 years, died Tuesday at her home in Roanoke of
paralysis.

15 Feb 1907--A. C. Burton informs us that a son was born on January 16th to John T.
Perkins and wife of Waverly, Tenn.

15 Feb 1907--F. M. Kirby, Sr, one of Howard county's oldest and most highly respected
citizens, died at this home near Armstrong on the 9th, of pneumonia, aged 74 years.

15 Feb 1907--WILL DUNCAN DEAD--The sad news was received here Thursday
morning that Wm. Duncan, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph H. Duncan, of near Yates, was
dead at McAlister, I T, having died in a railroad hospital at five o'clock the evening
previous, of pneumonia, after an illness of ten days. Several months ago Will left for
Arkansas and was engaged with his cousin, Wm. Cubbage, in bridge work when he was
taken sick. He was at once taken to the hospital and his wife and parents notified. His
sickness was not considered of a serious nature, as it was pronounced a light attack, but
his wife hurried to his bedside, leaving here Monday. A message from her Tuesday night
that he was dying came as an awful shock to his parents and friends and his father left on
the first train, but failed to reach his son before the end came. The death of a person in
the vigor of life is always sad, but in this case it is particularly so, as the deceased was an
only child and leaves a wife and three small children, all under the age of five years. To
the parents and young wife the NEWS joins the community in extending sympathy.
The body will arrive on the Katy at noon today and will be taken to the residence
of R. G. Duncan. Funeral services will be held Saturday at 11:00 o'clock, but whether at
the residence or one of the churches will rest with his wife, and interment made in the
city cemetery.

15 Feb 1907--CHILD DIED OF DIPHTHERIA--Don Frederick, the little 2 1/2 year-old
son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Veach, died at the Randolph Hotel at 6:00 o'clock Sunday
morning, Feb 10, 1907, of diphtheria and membranous croup, and was shipped at noon to
Rushville, Ill, for interment there. Until about a year ago diphtheria and other similar
communicable diseases could not be shipped from the place of death, but no such cases
can be transported, wrapped in cotton not less than one inch thick, bandaged in a sheet
and place in a metallic coffin or metal lined box hermetically sealed. It is fortunate that
the child did not come in contact with other children during its illness as therefore there
is scarcely a possibility of a spread of the disease, more especially as after its
development the child was isolated in a room entirely away from the other rooms of the
hotel, and the further fact that the room in which the child died and the room
subsequently occupied for a few hours by the parents were thoroughly disinfected. The
child was complaining a little before Friday but it was not until that day that the
symptoms of diphtheria became visible. The boy was the only child of Mr. Veach
(whose state is Daniel) who was here for a few days superintending the production of the
home talent play which was rendered Monday night.
During the short stay of Mr. and Mrs. Veach here they made very many friends
who sympathize sincerely with them in their sad bereavement.

22 Feb 1907--Thos "Chuck" Williams, who has been in Iowa for several months, has
returned home.

22 Feb 1907--Joseph Smith, one of the most prominent and wealthy farmers of Audrain
county, died at his home near Sturgeon, Monday, of pneumonia, aged about 65 years.

22 Feb 1907--Married in Clark on Sunday, Feb 17, 1907, at the residence of the bride's
father, Jas. Reynolds, Eldred G. Graves, of Chillicothe, Ill, and Miss Zula L. Reynolds.
Rev. D. F. Bone officiating.

22 Feb 1907--Mr. Luther Durnill and Miss Lucy Dixon were married here Sunday at the
residence of the bride's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Jas. Dixon, Justice D. L. Barron
officiating. The NEWS joins other friends in good wishes.

22 Feb 1907--Arthur Payne, one of Higbee's colored citizens, died in this place Friday of
consumption, aged about 25 years. The remains were buried in the Negro burying
ground southeast of town Saturday. A local organization of the Negroes, of which he was
a member, had charge of the funeral, defraying all expenses.

22 Feb 1907--ATTEMPTED MURDER AND SUICIDE--Last Saturday night about ten
o'clock, Wesley Pitts, the 20-year-old son of Henry Pitts, colored, went to a play party in
the neighborhood where a number of young people were assembled, and without warning
he shot through the window at his sweetheart, Alberta Hall, with a 16-gauge shotgun, the
shot striking her in the neck and producing a serious but not necessarily fatal wound. He
thought he had killed the girl and then he took a shot at his rival, Ernest Hawley, who had
taken the girl to the party. The load of shot struck Hawley in the head and it is thought
that he will die from the wound. Pitts went home and from there to a A. A. Peterson's
where he borrowed a small sum of money from Moe Peterson. The people at the party
did not know who had fired the shots into the house at the time, and when Constable
Foley questioned the Negro girl that had been shot by Pitts, she as first said that she had
not quarreled with Pitts but finally admitted that she had. It is said that Pitts told her on
Friday night that she should not go to the party with Hawley, and when she told Pitts that
she would go anyway, he told her if she did she would have to take the consequences.
Pitts came to Armstrong Sunday and went to preaching here Sunday night.
Monday he got off the west bound C. & A. train. The officers were notified but Pitts got
out of town before he could be arrested and went to the home of John Payne, col, about
three miles northeast of town. He told Payne what he had done, and Payne told him he
could not stay in his house. Pitts would not allow Payne to light a lamp in his home, and
in the darkness he secured a shot gun and loaded it. He took a seat on a bed and placing
the muzzle of the gun against his head, he pulled the trigger and the entire top of his head
was blown off by the discharge. His brains were scattered all over the walls, ceiling and
floor of the room. John Payne, wife and eight children were in the room when the
suicide took place. County Coroner J. Y. Miller and Squire Thompson came over
Tuesday morning and held an inquest. The remains were turned over to Pitts' father after
the inquest for burial.--Armstrong Herald.

22 Feb 1907--DEATH OF PHILLIP KEY--It becomes our sad duty to chronicle the death
of one of Chariton county's best and most highly respected men, Phillip Key, who died at
his home near Salisbury on Feb 15, 1907, of paralysis, aged 66 years.
He had suffered for a number of years from a complication of diseases, but had
never taken his bed until Saturday, Feb 9th, when the fatal stroke came, rendering him
unconscious until the end, which came very peacefully. All earthly aid was given him,
but to no avail.
Philip Key was born in St. Mary's county, Maryland, Feb 15, 1841; was the son of
the late John Hall Key and Juliet M. Reedes, who came from one of the oldest and most
highly respected families of Maryland; was the grandson of the Hon. Philip Key, one of
the first settlers of Maryland; also the third cousin of Francis Scott Key, the famous
composer of "The Star Spangled Banner."
He served as a Confederate soldier during the Civil War under Col. Mosby and
was taken prisoner and held at Ft. Warren, Mass.
He came to Missouri in 1869, residing in St. Louis for some time, later coming to
Howard county, where he was married to Euphrates F. Martin on April 3, 1873. To this
union three children were born, all of whom survive him, viz: William G., John W. and
Julia Morley. His wife died six years after their marriage. He also leaves three sisters to
mourn his death--Sophia H, Julia R and Maria R Key--all of whom live in Maryland.
After the death of his wife he removed to Chariton county where he remained
until the time of his death.
He was a gentleman of sterling qualities and much beloved by all who knew him.
His remains were taken to the home of his daughter in Howard county Feb 16 where
funeral services were conducted by Rev. Notley Magruder and tenderly laid to rest by the
side of his wife in the Burge burying ground.

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Kathy Bowlin,
506 W Ohio
Butler, MO 64730
Additions, corrections, comments welcome.

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