Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1879-08-16
One OF the institutions Of this city I. Jacob

~Ne
him. His long hair, singular talk and pecu-
liar manners have caused many people to
wonder at his oddities, and wonder still
more how he came by them. We spent a
few minutes with him day or two ago, and
In conversation ascerta1ned something of
bis history. He was born March 18th,
1929, In Davidson county, North Carolina,
Of which Lexington is the county seat. He
came to Lexington, Mo-, In August 1850,
and worked under Messrs. Crump Il Martin.
who were contractors here at that time, for
about two years. He was after that employ
cd for five years in the mill now owned by
Mr.. Wm. F. Kerdolf. which was first opera
ted BY Asssrs. Smith & Fisher, and after.
ward by Aessrs. Martin & Kennedy. In
1857 he teok = ~bull-whacking excursion
across the plains with Nessrs. Lucky, Jones
and Clark, all well known plainsmen. but 1t
was . very unlucky trip for him, as he got
lost from the train, and wandered about on
the ssa-like prairiss for several weeks,
living upon g~rasshopPsrs. mus.el shells,
terrapins, plums and roots, eaten raw.
After what seemed an age to him he wans
dered into . little place called Sparktown,
way out west somewhere, and eventually
made his way back to Lexington. He has
had peculiar ways since then. He lets his
hair and beard grow long. He talks to him.
self at times in an undertone, no doubt as
he used to do when he was alone In the
limitless expsnse Of never ending plains,
sitting under the stars, with nome near him
but natures GOD. and no voice breaking the
atillnaoa NJ tho n10ht hnf thu rAuAty. L. 81.
distance. Gentle and harmless. his cons or.
satien Is occasionally broken into by vagas
ries regarding Insurance Of life and proper
ty, but he attends to his business in the mill
ns faithfully az Jacob served for Rachel. He
went back to North Carolina just before the
war, and remained there two years, and
strayed for q while to Illinois, but finally his
love for Lexington brought him back. When
we asked him the day upon which he wen
to work In the old mill under tho bill, he
promptly answered. ION the day Grant was
first inaugurated." This was March 4th,
1869. lie told us, too, that he was an odd.
fellow, having Joined the lodge here when
James Hays, Geo. w. Kice, G. J. Blewitt,
VIM. Henry Ewing. e. +. Larkin, DR.. John
r. Long, DR.. E. G. Arnold, DIR. Il. G. Buck.
ingham and J sme Ciowdsley were all active
members. tic moves on In the even tenor
OF his way doing the part allotted him cheer.
fully and well, q more useful man thai many
whose minds were never cloudsd by ad.
versity.
Charley Meet has made some needed i'm.
provements at the scales-house. In addition
to the removal OF all chairs, benches, &c..
except those absolutely necessary, he ha,
placed q railing across the room to keep the
crowd which sometimes assemblies there
from crOwdlng him while at work. Charley
says he ia now ready for the rush of bust.
ness soon to be here.
All white goods at wholesale prices a,
Conkilng's. a1Gt1
Counterfeit silver half dollars are now
said to be quite numerous about town. They
are described as all bearing date of 1878, art
considerably lighter than the genuine, an,
the milling upon the edge poorly done ant
irregular. Keep a sharp lookout for them
Farmers will find 1t to their interest I,
call at Conkling's. al6t1
The board Of education of this city, at fl
meeting, last Wednesday, decided not t,
make any changes in the books until sfte
the meeting OF the county convention 1,
January, 1880.
The colored folks will have g festival to
night at the residence of Mary Hagood, Oh
North street. We hear that preparation
are being made to have a big time.
Farmers will find it to their interest I
call at Conkling's. a16tI
One Of Mr.. Thos. T. Cobb's beef cattle fell 1
q shallow well, last Monday, and killed Itself