Jefferson Democrat

Jan 16, 1890

 

Crystal and Festus

The late rains have caused heavy damage to the company's property just east of Crystal City. The floods washed the banks of Plattin Creek so bad that the new pump house and several buildings are in danger of being washed away. All available force is set to work to repair and strengthen the banks.

 

A change at North Crystal or Hugville is the latest. SCHALENE? the polite landlord of the only saloon there declined doing business hereafter and left for Chicago on the day I wrote 1890 the first time. KLAUSTMAN's Brewing Co. through their agent Napoleon AUBUCHON, required a lease on the premises for five years. Who will wear the white apron behind the counter there next is yet a matter of conjecture.

 

A sad accident happened to Chas. BOZART last Saturday while out hunting. He had shot and crippled a turkey, and in running to secure his game, dragging the gun by the muzzle behind him, it accidentally discharged, the full load shattering his ankle fearfully. He was found by his father and brother at 3 o'clock in the afternoon and carried home; but Dr. BROOKS was suffering with influenza of aqua frumenti, (transcribers note....under the influence of alcohol)  Dr. MILLER being unable to attend, and Dr. BRUCE being absent, the poor fellow had to suffer until Sunday without medical aid.

 

Two men narrowly escaped instant death last Friday while working on the banks of the Plattin Creek driving piles to repair the washout by the late floods. While hoisting the driving block, which weighs about 4500 pounds, the gearing attached to the mule and shaft, broke and the block fell, reversing the shaft with terrible force. The driver, who was luckily near the spindle was knocked down into the bend, but not hurt much; but Alex FOSTER, attending the machine was struck by the ?ing shaft on the forehead with such force as to knock him insensible. When picked up he was bleeding profusely. That his head was not taken off by the terrible stroke is a miracle. His skull is not broken though, and he will be out again in a few days.

 

From Plattin:

Mr. John WALKER, of near Rush Tower is dead.

 

G.W. BYRD of Hematite is building a fine barn on his farm here.

 

William ALLRED of Texas made a flying visit to some of his relatives and friends here.

 

Master Hardy MCCORMACK has gone to attend the marriage of Philip THOMURE and Miss Mary BRADLY.

 

James I. FARLEY and son Jeptha, of Elmo Mo. are visiting Mrs. Smith DUTTON, daughter of James I. Farley.

 

It looks like Eddie COLE is prepared for a hail storm. He has a new and substantial building on every building on the place.

 

This is Mr. Philip THOMURE's wedding day. He marries a lady from St. Francois County. They will live in Mitchell MCCORMACK's house, near the ford.

 

The devil made my last items read: "G.M. and Bone MCCORMACK have built additions to their houses," instead of G.M. MCCORMACK and Bone MCCARTY.

 

Willis MCLAIN spent Christmas at home. His grandpa's folks gave him a party, which was enjoyed by the young folk. He departed for the Normal at Cape Girardeau soon after Christmas.

 

Miss Annie DOUGHERTY has resumed duty at her school, after an absence of two weeks, taking a holiday visit to her parents at Byrnsville, and her brothers and sisters at St. Louis and DeSoto.

 

P.C. MCCORMACK's children think they have a good joke on him, which they enjoy hugely. They went to the cellar for something after night, and got into a racket. He went down to investigate; they heard him coming, blowed out the light and slipped away, he ran in and began to roar, drawed back and let in to slapping an unfortunate pumpkin, which he mistook for one of the children. Now when he talks about fighting, they say, "do you want to slap another pumpkin, papa?"

 

John CAIN, one of the bosses on the new railroad, wanted to cross Plattin Creek last Monday. It was too high to be forded, and there was no skiff or boat around. Mitch MCCORMACK enticed him to one, as a substitute for a boat, an old iron pan that had belonged to a molasses machine and for boiling sorghum syrup. He prepared himself with a long pole and one oar, the boys launched the craft, and it carried him across the deepest water, but when he got near the gravel bar, the boat went down. He made a grab for his hat and dinner bucket, but all went under. He came up, head erect, and succeeded in reaching the opposite shore, amid the roars of laughter from the boys, which could be distinctly heard above the noise of the angry waters.

 

Miss Olive BELL accompanied by Mr. Johnson BAILEY, attempted to cross the Plattin at ? ford on the 2nd, after the heavy rainfall on New Year's Day, when her horse stepped into a washout. The saddle girth broke and she fell between the horses. Luckily, she caught his horse by his mane. The animals then turned back for the shore on this side. She held on to the mane till she was carried to where she could walk out. She saved her hat but lost the saddle. This should be a warning to ladies about going into creeks when up. She is the second one that came near drowning at that ford and she was thrown into the creek at Mitch MCCORMACK's ford a few years ago when the water was running high. She was all alone but kept her presence of mind and walked out.

 

Deaths and Births:

The following is a list of the deaths filed with the County Clerk this past week.

Dec. 26  Sophia KEOKEN  77 years

 

Births:

Dec. 13  Mrs. Ed CIRQUETTE   girl

Dec. 22  Mrs. John NICKELS   boy

   "   23    "  W.W. STEWART  girl

   "   23    "  George WASHBURN  girl

        3        A.H SPILZER  boy

        6        J.J. WILSON Jr.  girl

 

Steven R. PERRY bought the "home place" on Big River last Tuesday, for $4000 at partition sale. The farm went at a bargain.

 

There is a stray white stock hog, unmarked, about 6 or 8 months old, at Harry M. THOMAS' on Sandy. Owner will please call and get animal.

 

Ed BEISBARTH, of DeSoto, who has been living at Memphis, Tenn. the past few months, returned to his native city this week, in rather poor health.

 

A party of young folks assembled at J.D. HEARST's near Vineland, on Saturday last, and spent the evening pleasantly, playing croquet, which is a very unusual thing for this season of the year.

 

We notice Prof. BOSSLER, of Antonia, quite frequently upon our streets of late. He generally rides a white horse, which suggests the idea that a red headed lady might be the cause of these visits. 

 

VOLLMAR's saloon has been moved into the new house and presents a neat appearance. Francis MCKEE, good bourbon, and Green Tree elixir are the leading spirits in the place. 

 

Fr. John JENKINS, former editor of the DeSoto Watchman, but who has been living in Arkansas the past year, has returned to DeSoto, and will be connected with the paper under it's new management.

 

Henry DENTON, who was sentenced to a term in jail for gambling, was released last Thursday. His term was shortened by Judge THOMAS who commuted it by allowing him a greater voice on his time.

 

John WILCOX, the veteran ferryman who has been pulling a skiff across the Mississippi for the past 50 years is now running a ferry at Crystal City. He is prepared to cross anything from a single passenger to a four-horse team.

 

Fred PFAFF, of High Ridge, was here for the first time in many years. He is badly crippled with rheumatism, and is trying to have Uncle Sam raise his pension high enough to at least pay the medicine he is compelled to use daily.

 

One of the pleasantest events of the season was the birthday party given for Master Ernest GREEN last Saturday. It was attended by all the little ones in town between the age of three and six, and it was a pleasure to see them enjoy themselves.

 

The statement of the Citizens Bank of Festus, which we publish this week shows that it has done a remarkably good business, and is now on a rate business. The bank just began business on the 4th of November, and the statement shows the condition after two months.

 

The partition sale of the GRAHAM estate occurred Tuesday, and Martin U. Graham became the purchaser. This is one of the finest farms in the county, and Martin got at nearly half it's value, paying therefore $2700. William HAGAN bid in the HAGEN place, near Byrnesville, for $960.

 

Gus RICHTER and Michael TIGHE made the most successful fox hunt during Christmas week that we have ever heard of, killing four red foxes in one day. The dogs were lucky in jumping the foxes, and the men were lucky in being at the crossings at the right time, and shooting the foxes.

 

We would have stopped the press last week to announce the arrival of No. 6 at neighbor SPILKER's, on the 3rd inst., but it proved to be a boy, which is nothing new at SPILKER's, nor to the community. It is our opinion that whenever Mr. and Mrs. SPILKER have a daughter, they will have to qualify the term by hitting on the words "in law."

 

Filat A. KEMPE has been engaged for the past few weeks in making an extensive excavation on their lots adjoining their shop in DeSoto. Some two hundred wagon loads of broken stone have been removed and place upon the streets of the city. The lots will be very desirable for building purposes, when the excavating is finished.

 

Charles LUCAS,  a colored man, who has been staying in the vicinity of Antonia the past year and was working for Martin ZIMPFER, was found dead in Lou KOHLER's field last Monday or Tuesday morning. An inquest was held, but we have not heard the result. From what we learned of our informant, it seems that in attempting to climb the fence, with a basket and jug in hand, the man fell over backwards and broke his neck. Deceased was about 45 years old.

 

O.M. MUNROE, the DeSoto banker, had a narrow escape from drowning last Sunday afternoon. He was on his way home from Hillsboro, and in attempting to cross the swollen creek near DeSoto, his horse and buggy were washed down the rapid stream, and he by hard work landed on the same side he started in on. He got back to Capt. BLACKMAN's, where he got some dry clothing and got warmed up. His horse and buggy also got out in some way, losing only the cushion, lap-robe and whip.

 

The law suit between our two merchants, Jos. J. HOEKEN and Mrs. VOLLMAR, which promised to be one of the biggest cases in court, was compromised and settled, much to the satisfaction of all the citizens. HOEKEN complained of Mrs. VOLLMAR's pig pen ? as a nuisance, and asked for damages. Before going into trial, Mrs. VOLLMAR made a proposition to give Mr. HOEKEN a verdict for one dollar, and he accepted it. We presume the nuisance will be abated at once, and that there will be no cause for complaint in the future. Let us have peace. 

 

Maxville: We are having too much rain, and if it keeps on much longer it will wash out everything. Beer was dished out pretty lively for a little while. Mr. ZIPP would not kick if business would rush that way always. The boss carpenter of Rock Creek was in Maxville last week. Mr. STINES was surprised by his wife presenting him with an eight pound girl a few days ago. Mr. Herbert BECKER is fixing to move into his new place in Maxville. The store will be changed from BECKER to BECKER.

 

Mr. and Mrs. W.H.H. THOMAS were treated in something of a surprise last Saturday, by receiving notice from their daughter Essie that she was married in St. Louis to Mr. John G. KEISER, of Poplar Bluff, Mo. The parents had objected to the match and had supposed it broken off, but Miss Essie had been off on a visit to her married sister at Macon, Mo., and, meeting her lover in St. Louis, they proceeded to procure license and get married without waiting to hear any further objections. We hope for the sake of the bride and her parents that she has not made a mistake, but we know nothing of Mr. KEISER. 

 

Charlie BURGESS, son of Elijah BURGESS, of Big River, who has been attending school at this place, is at present very low with pneumonia. He has our heartfelt sympathies, and is sadly missed by his teacher and we will venture to say all his schoolmates. We hope the time will not be long when he will again be able to join our broken ranks at school, and take his position in his respective classes, and occupy his place by his seatmate, which for the past week has been vacant.  

 

Oak Ridge, January 6th, 1890

The young man above referred to died last Monday morning. He was nearly 18 years of age, and was universally liked. It is a severe shock to the parents, and we extend our sincere sympathy.

 

The following is the monthly report of Oak Ridge School for the month beginning the 18th of November and ending the 18th of December, including the average grade of some of the most advanced pupils in their respective station and deportment. George BECHLER, 93, Emma BECHLER, 88, Mary BECHLER, 88, Charlie BURGESS, 85, Willie SCHUBEL, 85, George OGLE, 83, Rhoda LUCAS, 84, Thomas LUCAS 83, Ben Ottomeyer 83, John GAAR 78, Ida GAAR, 70, remainder of pupils attending during the month, 45; average number attending each day 37, number of days attended by all pupils 700?

 

Circuit Court convened Monday, Judge THOMAS on the bench, D.H. VEAZEY attends as circuit clerk, and is assisted by John H. REPPY, while Sheriff MAUPIN has a deputies Arthur O'BRIEN, Edwin FORREST and W.F. MOTHERSHEAD. O.H. SMITH is official reporter. The Grand Jury is composed of Reed MCCORMACK as foreman, and J.W. BUTCHER, R.H. SHUTE , Jno. J. LEVALL, Frank RUSSELL, R.G. MADISON, C. DILLON, C.W. NELSON, Jas. H. EVANS, Jno. SHELTON, Terry O'BRIEN, and Chris GRIMM. The last four names were summoned by the Sheriff to take place of W.F. MCKEAN, Louis ARNOLD, Patrick BYRNE and Louis SCHLECHT who were excused. R.H. SHUTE was chosen as clerk and Chris GRIMM as door keeper, and the jury at once proceeded to business. Monday afternoon RUSSELL was excused and Jno. A. TUTTLE summoned in his place.

 

Hannah J. WILLIAMS, blind daughter of the late Meredith WILLIAMS, died leaving in the hands of her guardian, an estate consisting of $? in money. She also had a bastard child and some brothers and sisters. Shortly afterward, her child also died, and her brothers and sisters applied to the Probate court for an order to have the money distributed to them. The application was resisted, and the Judge held that under our statutes, the money escheated to the State. The matter was appealed to Circuit Court, and Judge Thomas has had it under advisement for some months. At this term he rendered an elaborate opinion, showing that he had made an exhaustive study of the case. He reverses the Probate Court, and orders the money distributed to the brothers and sisters of Hannah J.

 

Stephen AUBUCHON was given judgment against City of DeSoto for $135 damages. His mare broke through a bridge in the town and got seriously injured, and the verdict was for the damages sustained.

 

Kimmswick: The Wicks telegraph office has been opened temporarily with Mr. A. HERLBUT as manager.

 

Daniel GREENE of Sulpher Springs, is now holding down the night office at Jefferson Barracks.

 

Prof. LUCKEY was the only teacher from this place who attended the Teacher's Institute at Hillsboro yesterday.

 

Judge NEWCOMB has gone to Washington City.

 

Judge Henry SECKMAN of Rock Creek, Henry KUHR, of Maxville, Dr. W.W. HULL of Sulpher Springs, and Dr. MCNUTT of Pevely, Green CROWDER, were in town Saturday.