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From: "Mike & Kathy Bowlin" <>
Subject: [MOHOWARD-L] Higbee News, June 1907
Date: Thu, 9 Aug 2001 12:37:14 -0500


7 June 1907--HOW HE WAS GIVEN THE NAME OF "SOC"--It may be of interest to
some to know how Levi T. Burton came by the nickname of "Soc" Burton. When Levi
was a candidate for the nomination of sheriff in the spring of 1906, he was surprised to
meet so many that would address him "Soc" Burton. Hello, old Soc, how are you
coming," was quite a familiar greeting he received in his rounds electioneering. Levi
thinks "Old Soc" will likely go with him to the grave, and he doesn't care much if it does
just so his friends don't use the name in derision, as, of course, they do not.
We asked Levi the other evening how it was that he was given that nickname. In
reply he said: "Well, I'll tell you. Did you ever know old "Soc" Sullinger?" Only by
reputation, we responded. "Well," said Levi, "old Soc was a peculiar old character that
resided for a long time near Higbee and was a friend of Granville Wilson, having lived on
Granville's premises for many years. Soc Sullinger had a habit of getting drunk every
time he could get whiskey to drink and he got it often and would get very drunk. Many
years ago I attended a public sale of Mose Fowler's near Higbee. I was going to school at
the time. Mose had a barrel of hard cider. Sanford Pitney bought a gallon of whiskey
and mixed it with the hard cider. This was done to enliven the bidders and some who
drank too much of the mixture did make bidding lively and made some stock, especially
mules, bring three times their value. I drank some of the stuff and it fixed me for four
days, that is I felt the effects of it about that long and I suppose part of the time I acted
the part of a fool.
Monday morning following the sale I went to school and I acted so much like old
Soc Sullinger when under the influence of liquor the boys dubbed me "old Soc," and that
"dubbing" has been with me ever since. In 1893 I moved to Oklahoma Territory, and I
thought I left "old Soc" behind me in Missouri, but lo and behold, I hadn't more than
located when an old Missourian came up to me and said, "Hello, Soc," and from that
time I was known as "Soc" Burton as long as I remained in the Territory. When I
returned to Randolph some years later, I was greeted with the same old "hello, Soc" and
it's been with me ever since--Huntsville Herald.

7 June 1907--Born, on the 1st, to Arthur Hudson and wife, a daughter.

7 June 1907--W. H. Dodd, of Chetopha, I. T., passed through here Thursday on his way
home from Rush Hill with his two grandchildren, one aged 18 months and the other five
weeks, their mother having died last week. The younger child died on the train after
leaving New Franklin. It was prepared for burial at Sedalia and Mr. Dodd returned
Thursday night with the little body which was buried by the side of the mother.

7 June 1907--Miss Rosa Lee Nicholson, of Fayette, well known here, was married at the
Christian church in that city on the 6th, to Samuel L. Miller, a prominent Sedalia
business man.

7 June 1907--NEGRO KILLED AT NEW FRANKLIN--During the progress of a
"bowery" dance near the M K & T depot at New Franklin Saturday night, John Hughes, a
Negro porter on the Katy, and bob Pearson, another Negro, who is a yardman at the
Junction, became involved in a quarrel, and Hughes pulled his revolver and shot Pearson
through the heart, killing him instantly. An old grudge had existed between the Negroes
and when the quarrel was renewed it didn't take Hughes long to make short work of
Pearson. Hughes was arrested and brought to Fayette and lodged in jail. Coroner Miller
held an inquest over Pearson's remains.
The shot that killed Pearson was heard by Policeman John Smith who was in Mrs.
Schotte's restaurant about midnight. He started out to investigate and the bartender of
Thompson's saloon who had closed up and was in Mrs. Schotte's restaurant, told him to
wait until he went over to the saloon to get his revolver and he would go with him. He
stepped into the saloon and while looking for his revolver ran across a big buck Negro
who had broken in at the back door to rob the place. The Negro, who gave his name as
Aleck Jeffries, was arrested and brought to Fayette with Hughes and placed in
jail--Fayette Leader.

7 June 1907--WOMAN JOKES OF RUNAWAY; KILLED LATER IN
ACCIDENT--Fayette, MO, June 3--Mrs. Tooley Dempsey Moser of New Franklin was
killed last night in a runaway. She was in a buggy with her little daughter and a woman
friend, returning from a visit to Fayette, when the tug came loose, frightening the team.
When leaving home Dr. Moser had a presentiment that his wife would be hurt
before returning home, and told her of it. She laughingly replied that he had better kiss
her good-bye, and then jokingly described a runaway in which she was killed.
Her joke happened as she described it.

7 June 1907--A son was born on the 2nd to John Walton and wife but lived but a few
hours.

7 June 1907--Jasper Hersman moved to Bevier this week.

14 June 1907--OBITUARIES--The following, taken from the Elk City, Okla, Record, is
reprinted by request:
Claud Elmer, aged 16 years, 5 months and 15 days, and Raymond Dinwiddie, age
5 years, 3 months and 6 days; sons of Rollie Davis and Martha Myra Embree departed
this life May 4th and 6th, respectively, their deaths being due to measles, aggravated by
an attack of pneumonia. Neither was sick but a short time. This is the second time death
has claimed, almost together, two of their precious children. Death claimed their
firstborn baby, John Rouse, when but a few months old. Later, that dread disease,
diphtheria, took from that happy home the two little brothers, Davis and Hugh. It is hard
to give them up, one by one; but when the angel of death comes into the home and
reaches out both hands bears away two of the precious ones at the same time, it is more
than doubly hard on those left to mourn. But we are all passing, and the time of our
sojourn here is drawing rapidly to a close and like David of old, are made to exclaim,
"the old must die and the young do die," but it is a solemn fact which we must all affirm
that there are more of the young who do die than of the old who must die, and the solemn
warning to us all is "Be ye therefore ready also."
But to the Christian, death has lost its power, and the grave it's victory, and
sorrow its killing sting. Thank God for the hope, yet, assurance, that this family has,
Elmer was a Christian, a noble character, loved and trusted by all who knew him. He
was strong and manly in his bearings. How I miss this precious boy! When but a little
boy he came to me with his perplexing questions and his childish stories. I can see him
yet--those large brown eyes; that bright, frank face, so expressive of the noble soul
within. I can see him with his school books; hear him spelling those simple words which
so perplex the mind of the little folks. I saw him grow into manhood, saw his manly
form and his strong, stern face as he advanced to take his place in life. Yes, we have
played together, prayed together and together we have wept for sorrow and for joy.
Sorrow that sin brings, and joy that comes when sins are all forgiven and the soul is born
again; and now he is gone. Not turned back, tired and discouraged, with hope
abandoned, nor his body marked with sin and his strength wasted by dissipation; but he
has passed on ahead to wait our coming. (poem follows)
Little Raymond Dinwiddie, was born Jan 30, 1902, and departed this life May 6,
1907, being 5 years, 3 months and 6 days of age.
Precious little boy, whom the angels hath taken, like a flower that is plucked ere a
petal hath fallen; or the fragrance hath wasted; or the frost hat come to blight and to kill.
Like those whom the Savior said, as they thronged Him about; "Of such is the kingdom
of Heaven." He did not stay quite so long as brother, to brighten the world with his
laughter and song; for the angels would not let him longer remain for his mission was
done. There is now in Heaven more laughter and song, but someone is missing from the
home, and Sabbath school, and earth, since little Raymond is gone.
Thank God that He suffered these bright, happy, precious boys to come into this
world and make it purer and happier; tho but for a day they could tarry.
Dear sorrowing ones, we do know well your hearts have bled your grief has been,
is now, too deep to be healed by time, or assuaged by human sympathy, for in such an
hour none but Jesus can comfort. Dear friends, those precious jewels five, made home so
bright, and leaving left it dark, O so dark! have not perished but with Jesus, are safe
evermore. (poem follows) Leroy S. Coats, Fort Smith, Ark.

14 June 1907--Born, on the 13th to T. T. Humphrey and wife, a daughter.

14 June 1907--Born, on the 8th, to R. A. Reynolds and wife, a daughter.

14 June 1907--MRS. CHARLES TERRILL DEAD--Mrs. Chas. Terrill died at the
residence of her brother-in-law, Robert Mattox, in Moberly on the 11th, after a lingering
illness of a complication of diseases, aged 24 years. Funeral services were conducted at
the Christian church here Wednesday, of which she was a faithful member, by Eld. W.
W. Boatman, the large audience present evidencing the esteem in which she was held.
Interment was made in the city cemetery.

14 June 1907--Mrs. Mattie Griffin and son, Edward, moved to Centerville, Iowa, this
week.

14 June 1907--J. R. Williams, of San Diego, Cal, who has been here for several weeks
visiting his brother, W. I. Williams, left Sunday for home. He was accompanied by his
nieces, Miss Annie and Allie Howell, of near Holliday, who will spend the summer.

14 June 1907--Benjamin Anderson died at the home of his sister-in-law, Mrs. W. B.
Anderson, near Elliott on the 6th, aged 86 years. He had been a invalid for several years
and his death was not unexpected. He was a brother of the late Eld. W. B. Anderson.
Interment was made in the family burying ground near Elliott.

21 June 1907--ROBB-LYON--Married, on June 18, 1907, at Fayette, by Judge John R.
Harriston, Mr. Emmett Robb and Miss Recie Lyon, both of near this place. After the
ceremony they returned to Mr. Robb's home, where they gave a reception to about a
hundred of their friends.

21 June 1907--Mrs. W. H. Skinner, wife of constable Skinner of Huntsville, shot herself
with suicidal intent Thursday night and died Saturday. It is said that she found a letter
her husband had received from another woman and that night after they had retired she
got up and got her husband's revolver. He saw her, but before he could take it away from
her she shot herself through the abdomen. She leaves five children, the youngest of
whom is five months old.

21 June 1907--J. H. Swetnam and Dr. J. W. Winn, of Yates, bought a section of land in
western Texas last week.

21 June 1907--Moss Rennolds, son of John M. Rennolds of Fayette, and Miss Maude
Morris were married on the 20th at the residence of the bride's mother, Mrs. Lydia
Morris of Clark, Rev. D. F. Bone officiating.

21 June 1907--Mrs. Geo. L. Hassett, formerly of Moberly, died at her home in St. Louis
Friday of last week.

21 June 1907--Warren Rutherford, one of the well known citizens of the county, died at
his home in Huntsville Friday of last week, aged 50 years.

21 June 1907--Mrs. Gus Sundeen of Pittsburg, Kansas, who was called here some time
ago by the sickness of her daughter, Mrs. R. D. Jones, returned home Friday,
accompanied by her grandchildren, Maggie and Dan Jones.

28 June 1907--Born, on the 20th to Thomas Martin and wife, a son.

28 June 1907--Born, in Kansas City, on the 21st, to Edgar Palmer and wife, a daughter.

28 June 1907--Mrs. Rollie Embree and two children of Elk City, Okla, are here visiting
relatives.

28 June 1907--Mrs. May Griffith was in Moberly this week representing the Higbee
church at a meeting of the Ladies Home Aid Society of the M. E. Church, South, which
convened there Tuesday.

28 June 1907--Wm. T. McKinley, at one time book-keeper for the Interstate Mining Co,
at this place, died suddenly at his home in Boonville on the 24th, of apoplexy, aged 48
years. He was to have been married on the 27th.

28 June 1907--Claude Stevenson, the ten-year-old son of Moses Stevenson and wife,
while shooting at a bird with a target rifle Wednesday, accidentally shot the wife of Wm.
Gains, col, the bullet burying itself in her wrist. Before striking her, the ball passed
through two planks.



Copyright notice: All transcriptions in this email are copyrighted by their creator. They
many not be reproduced on another site or on any recorded media, CD, etc. without
specific written permission from Kathy Bowlin. Although public information is not in
and of itself copyrightable, the format in which they are presented, transcriptions, notes
& comments, etc. are. It is however, quite permissible to print or save the files to a
personal computer for personal use only. Permission is granted to public libraries to
print and bind for the use of their patrons.

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

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