davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-04-23
MExICO's MYSTERY.
. Strange Midnight Prowler That
Scares the Colored Citizens.

Special Dispatch to the Globe Democrat.
MEXICO, Mo-, April 18.-People
who were abroad late last night and
early this morning in East Mexico
were nearly frightened out of their
senses by a strange and peculiarly
horrible-looking creature, which is
claimed by those who say they saw
it, to resemble in height a colt, hav-
ing a slim body like that of a wolf,
very feet of foot, with cloven hoofs,
and eyes that resemble balls of fire.
Since the scare last night various
parties claim to have seen it, and all
agree that it bears a form strangely
outsof shape to anything they ever
Witnessed. Between IL and ! o'clock
this morning a party of colored peo-
pie who had been out late attending
church came down Liberty street
pell nell, and shouting at the top Of
their voices, as if for dear life, call
ing loudly for help. A number of
residents of the neighborhood were
awakened, and went out to investi-
gate. Only two Or three of the COL
ored people could be induced to
stop, and they related a strange story.
Barney Griswold said the frightful
creature came upon them suddenly
near the Union Depot. The night
was densely dark, and it's eyes gave
forth streams of light which para
lyzed them with fear. They at once
made off at a rapid gait, closely pur-
sued by the object, the hoofs of
which could be distinctly heard rat
thing upon the sidewalk. Rich
Phillips, another one of the party,
gave a similar description of it, and
said he was positive the creature
came upon them from the direction
of the "ghost district" so called
from it's close proximity to the haun-
ted hill.
A number of reliable white per.
sons who reside in East Mexico say
that, for more than a week past, q
strange animal of peculiar shape,
with glaring eyes, has been roaming
around at large and nightly fright.
ening people. Two valuable dogs
on the premises of Nj. S. P. Rags
dale were killed outright by the
beast a few nights since. An inves.
tigation showed that it had passed
the night in a neighbours stable.
What it is or where it came from nc
one can tell. Its appearance Ger.
tainly is a mystery which our citizens
will tonight begin to investigate.
No one in East Mexico cares to be
out after night, for fear of coming ir
contact with this dreaded object. II
is thought that an investigation vii
disclose the fact that some animal
not familiar to the eyes of people
hereabouts, has either escaped from
a menagerie or found its way into
the town from the hills of Boone o.
Galloway. The beast was seen las
night by a number of white persons
who say it crossed over on to Prom
enade street, after it gave up chasing
the darkies.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-04-23
LADDONIA LACONICS.
Correspondence Of the Ledger

Correspondence Of the Ledger.
LADDoN1A, Mo-, April 21.--1he
number of ministers is increasing in
our town, two Methodists being
added to the number and two Meth
odist churches are talked Of.
G. A. Wilder has just returned
from Chicago, where he made a
weeks stay in buying goods.
D. P. Moore and wife spent last
week in Middletown. Mrs. Moore lie
in poor health and went there to be
treated by DR.. Moore, of that place.
S. W. Case, formerly of this place,
visited his many friends here last
week. He says it is possible he may
yet come back and make Laddonls
his home.
Mr.. Kendall. of Iowa, preached al
the Christian church last night.
Mrs. Alexander and little boy
Walter. have moved from Laddonia
Mrs. j. D. Hanna, of Vandalia
was visiting Mrs. DeLaporte the frs
of the week.
Mrs. j. B. Clark, who has been il
Mexico under the treatment of DIR
Pipino for the past five weeks, re
turned home last week.
A great many shade and ornamen
tai trees are being planted in Lad
donia, and it will, in a few years, bt
one of the incest towns OF the road
Mr.. Sammie Edwards, of Mexico
attended the skating rink last Satur
day night and was pronounced by al
a fine skater. The rink continues t,
be a popular resort.
Miss Baker. who is teaching here
has q fine school and is well liked.
The storm last Thursday scarce
everybody but did but little damage
1t turned so dark for twenty minutes
that lamps we're lighted.
ANNIE LAURIE.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-04-23

Special Dispatch to the Globe-Democrat.
MEXICO, Mo-, April 19.-The mys-
terry of the strange animal that for
several nights past has been fright
ening people in east Mexico was
cleared up last night, much to the re-
lief of a great many persons, espec-
tally the darkies. Some days ago a
large and fierce-looking bloodhound
escaped from an Uncle Toms Cabin
Company at a small station just east
of this city, and not caring to leave
q man to look after the whereabouts
of the ferocious brute, the manager
of the company concluded to let him
go. Last night, upon the appearance
Of the Uncle Toms Cabin Company
in this city. it was announced that
one of their largest and most unman-
ageable bloodhounds had gotten
loose near here. 1t was then that
the mystery of the strange prowler
was made clear and the search for
the runaway commenced. Knowing
the brute's ferocious nature, the
searching party was organized main
ly among the troupe, the colored men
belonging to the party, in company
with a few citizens, going in pursuit.
Great caution was recommended by
the manager, as it was known the
hound had run down a man and
killed him in the wilds Of Arkansas.
After q search of two or more hours
the dog was brought to bay in an
old Clubhouse In the eastern suburbs
of the town. Even his former keep
ers were afraid to advance upon him,
as in his half-starved condition it was
feared he would be more ferocious
than ever and hill some Of them.
Strategy was resorted to, however,
and before the hound was fairly
aware of the presence of his pur-
suers, q long p~ump-chain was thrown
over his head and made fast. The
brute became furious and his cap.
tors began to realize that they had
an elephant on their hands. a
chunk Of meat was brought into re-
QUESTION, which for a moment diver
ted the dogs attention, when foul
of the stoutest negroes grabbed hum
and, by an almost superhuman effort
placed a muzzle over his mouth. Il
took nerve to do it When the cap
tured animal was brought into towI
great excitement prevailed, and a
the entertainment given by the com
pany the Opera House was crowdet
Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-04-23
Thanks.

Last week we received q box Of the
finest candy we have sampled for
many a day. 1t was elegant and was
accompanied by the following note,
which explains itself:
Mr.. Bob White:
We send you a sample box OF
"French Cream Candy We are max
ing for benefit OF Presbyterian church.
Any orders left at j. ]. Steele's drug
store will he promptly alled. :.
1.-The Presbyterian candy makers"
TIE MrssEs ALLISON,
BURNETT,
GRAsTY and
STEELE.
The young ladies should receive
liberal patronage.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-04-23
Base Ball.

We give over the waltz, the ska
ting-rink, the game Of draw and ey-
erything else they ask to the clergy,
save only the game of base ball. Base
ball is our one national ewe-lamb.
We will never give it up. No salt
cake nor sacrificiai knife shall touch
it. We warn our clerical friends to
keep off the grass on which it is feed.
ing in it's inofIensiye and lamb-iike
way.-St. Louis Republican.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-04-23
The End Near.

Col. Colman telegraphs that he
has $4,000 at his command and will
proceed at once to stamp out the
cattle disease in Galloway. For this
reason Col. Clay did not attend the
convention in Kansas City to-day.
This will obviate the necessity of
the meeting called for the first OF
May at Jefferson City.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-04-23

People who buy groceries at Van
dalia a do no better than to call on
S. j. Blair & Co. The firm is COM
posed OF S. j. Blair, r. P. Riney
and S. q. Br~anstetter. They are
clever gentlemen, have a fine stock
of fresh goods, and Mr. Blair will
take pleasure in making you prices
that cannot fail to suit.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-04-23

E. w. Stephens, Of the Columbia
Herald, made Us q pleasant call this
week. He says Columbus will have q
gala week the first week in June.
The Press Association will meet there
and it will be commencement week
for all the colleges.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-04-23
Frutt and Ornamental Trees.

Having purchased Of L. B. Cud-
worth his entire stock Of fruit and Or
nsmental trees I wish to inform the
people OF Mexico and vicinity that
I am now prepared TO ill orders
for fruit and ornamental trees,
vines, etc., which are for sale
opposite Coatsworth's lumber yard,
near Sam Morris hide house. NV
stock is fine aud can be bought very
reasonable. w. T. VILKERsoN.
52-4t
Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-04-23

Don't fail to read v. A. Bush's
locals. He wants 1000 dozen chick
ems and will pay the highest market
price in cash for all kinds Of country
produce. He is a clever, live young
business man and worthy of a liberal
share Of patronage.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-04-23

In this issue Of the LEDGER will he
found the boot and shoe ad. Of Smith
& Brown, just open in the postoflce
block with a bran new stock of boots
and shoes direct from the manufac-
turers. They are live young men
and defy competition.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-04-23

Messrs. Sam Harris, Fred Read
and Price Culbertson, OF Vandalia,
attended the Uncle Toms Cabin show
last Saturday night When the
blood hounds were let loose Sam
Harris made a break for the door,
calling on the other boys to follow.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-04-23
Temperance Of q Missing Chief Wit.
ness

Temperance of q Missing Chief Wit.
ness.
VANDALrA, Mo-, April 16.-One
year ago in next June news was re-
ceived at this place that James W.
Taylor, aged II, living on Salt River
in Rails county, and employed by q
man by the name of Brisco, WIS
taken from the field where be was Mt
work, by Lafayette Hickart and a
mar named Reed, who drew pistols
on him, tied his hands and drowned
him in Salt River, where he was
seemed out by some fishermen a few
days afterward. This story was re-
lated to your correspondent by w.
H. Gatson, of this place, who at one
time lived in the same neighborhood
and is distantly related to Hickart.
Az the boy was missing and known
to have been taken previously from
the field by the parties named the
news spread like "wild-fre'' over the
country and public sentiment became
very strong against Hickart and Reed.
They began to procure evidence to
prove themselves innocent of the
charge of drowning. They acknowl-
edged they had taken the boy from
the field with his hands tied but could
not tell his whereabouts. Repeated
letters to Bardstown, KY, to the
boys mother, finally found the hoy,
who had arrived at home. An aft
davit was then sent to the boy for
him to sign before a justice Of the
peace to the effect that he had been
used well by Hickart and Reed,
which affidavit the boy signed.
After procuring these papers Hickar,
and Reed immediately instituted sui,
against w. II. Gatson, before named
in this telegram, in the Audrain cir.
cult court for $4,000 damages, tax.
ing a press telegram sent from this
place as grounds for the proceedings,
which telegram contained Gatson's
name as relating the news Of the
drowning. The suit was to have
been tried at the last March term oil
court but for some cause was post
poned until the coming June term,
To-day James W. Taylor, the boy il
the case, turns up at this place, hav
ing returned from Kentucky. HI
tells an interesting story of his treat
ment by Hickart and Reed, and vii
be an important witness I n the libe
suit when it comes up for trial.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-04-23

1t is a dark day when Laddonia
don't furnish the LEDGER an item Of
news. Mi. Swift, Of that place, had
q dog that went mad last week and
bit about twenty other dogs. The
people down there do nothing now
but shoot dogs.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-04-23

Martin Golden, the old reliable,
with his celebrated troupe with clas-
steal band and orchestra of twenty
five people, has contracted for the
Opera House fair week, August oath
to 29th.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-04-23

Purnell, Lee & Mitchell have some
of the prettiest preserved fruit we
every saw. It looks as though it had
just been gathered. They are agents
for a preparation that will keep all
kinds of fruit fresh for any length of
Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-04-23
Liberal Reward,

Sam Morris will pay a liberal re-
ward to know the whereabouts of j.
r. Carson, formerly q tin peddler of
this city and county. He also warns
any one from buying his team as lie
has q mortgage on It. 2-tf
Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-04-23
$500 Reward.

To any one finding D. C. Knoderer's
Shoe Shop anywhere else except I'M
der the LrDGER building, in basement.
at present. Repairing done neat and
cheap. Fine work Of al descriptions
8 specially. lin
Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-04-23

from pit to gallery. The dog wan
not permitted to appear upon the
stage, however, as It was feared he
would make another leap for liberty.
The negroes r highly jubilant over
the capture, and all East Mexico
breathes easier.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-04-23
We Need

Light.
Water.
Rock Roads.
New fire engine.
New hitching racks.
Sidewalk to the cemetery.
Crossings to the court house.
Manufacturing establishments.
More enterprise and less loaning OF
money at 15 per cent.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-04-23

Dick Worrell, the genial host OF the
popular Palace Hotel at Fulton,
called to see US yesterday. He was
en- route to Paris to look after some
court business there.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-04-23
Notice to Tax Payers.

All persons owing back taxes to
the city Of Mexico are hereby notified
that the books are still 10 the hands
of the city collector, and will remain
till May the LIST, after which time the
books will be placed in the hands Of
the county collector for collection
with the penalty attached.
r. II. FOWLER,
April 21st, 1885. Mayor.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-04-23

When you see d crowd around the
postofice and in front of the LEDGER
Office bowling and fussing about
something like hungry wolves, you
may know the LEDGER is a little late
coming out.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-04-23

Pete Ehrett, with Smith & Eldridge,
is getting out some fine cornice and
letter work for the new city hall.
Ehrett is q fine workman and this
firm makes o specially of such work.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-04-23
If Rube Harris amt a hummer.

Ii IeuUC IlaiiiS dia y y uummer.
What is becoming of the Windsor
bar towels. Il /
If Prof. Henry would not make a
fine politician. -
If a good sized cyclone would not
wake Mexico up.
How Prof. Henry manages to par
alyze his subjects.
If none Of our merchants want to
buy wool this spring.
What made Billie Hughes, of Lad
donia, faint Tuesday. =
If Ned Taylor won't organize an
Uncle Tom party soon.
If the s'same old seven and six
spent a cent" this week.
Any reason why we a not have a
sidewalk to the cemetery. -
If some people really find moving
cheaper than paying rent.
If it amt a dark day when Uncle
Tom and Eva don't draw.
Who is the most rapid painter, Jim
Hisey or jim McClanahan.
Why at least a johnson wire fence
is not put around Hardin Park
If the council should not meet
every night till something is done.
If the coon and dog fight did not
have a good audience Sunday eve.
If the council will not tackle elee-
trio light at once. The matter is
ripe.
If some physicians do not try to
cover up their ignorance with techni-
calities.
If one Of the Mexico newspaper
men is crazy on the subject of mes
merism.
If our contemporary can not get its
alleged specials" in print the day
they are sent by mail.
How bad one of our merchants
wanted Is cents Tuesday, and if he
did not get it with interest.
Why we do not have more shade
trees in Mexico. Both sides of
every street should be set with ma
piles.
How Mayor Fowler preserved his
dignity when his boat turned over
with him at the railroad pond this
week.
What is the matter with the gossips
when q couple can be married right
in town eleven months and no one
know it.
If Frank Fritz would not be a bet.
ter actor than Booth If he could
''act'' what Prof. Henry made him
do on the stage.
The name of the lady who changed
her wedding day when she found her
silver wedding anniversary would
come on Sunday.
Who will bury some people il nc
more 60 to their funeral than the
number of funerals the deceased in
his lifetime attended.
If sweet girls don't make swee,
candy. We refer to the Presbyterian
candy makers. CBob's wife wal
gone when he wrote this.-TYPo.
>. If we would not have water, cleo
tricity, light, etc., at once if the LED
GER had the influence over the city
council that Prof. Henry has over hi
, subjects.
: The name of the young lady WIKI
told her beau that he looked as pail
: as the moon and that there we're tw,
reasons for it, viz: He had been full
t and had been up late at nights.
The name of the young lady VIII
' would not 60 to church with a youni
man because he was '.too tough" ant
then agreed to 60 to the Listeman1
= concert with him. He did not 60.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-04-23
Mrs. A. G.. Turner is sick.
MIR. VIM. Sims is still very i'll.

MIR. VIM. Sims is still very i'll.
Hatton has a debating society.
Laddonia has four hardware stores.
Mrs. Frank Tucker is much better.
Andy Harrison is visiting in the
East.
w. r. Carter has renovated his
saloon.
This April is surely a month of
showers.
The city hall will be done by Au-
gust LIST.
Joe Pitcher was up from Vandalia
this week.
Clean up the city or we will have
cholera sure.
Dunn & Woodroof have had their
shop repaired.
Col. Marsh is home from a business
trip in Illinois.
all the small towns in the county
report business booming.
The protracted meeting is still in
progress at the Baptist church.
Mrs. Chal Green is here on a visit
| to her mother, Mrs. Shootman.
N. Dahl, Of St. Louis, is prescrip-
ton clerk at Steele's drug store.
Thos. Able has located at Gold
man, Ark, and is putting in a crop.
Kunkel's grand concert at Opera
House one night only, Friday, May
9th.
Geo. Robertson and T. B. Buckner
were in Laddonia on legal business
yesterday.
Seats for the celebrated Kunkel
concert are now on sale at Dobyns &
Gibbs drug store.
Grand musical treat at Opera
House Friday evening, May 9Th, by
the Kunkel Concert Company.
John Dillon, the eminent comedian,
supported by a good comdany, at
opera house April 29th and s0th.
H. NJ. Hook is preparing an ex-
h~austive article on Mexico and Aud
rain county for the st. Louis Repub-
liean.
John Dillon at opera house Wed.
nesday evening, April 29th in estates
Attorney" Admission rs, 35 and
so cents.
Rev. Mr.. Gallaher. of Fulton, was
in Mexico this week, and, in compa'
ny with H. D.. Hunter, made us 6
pleasant call.
j. P. Dobyns was bound over by
the sum of $500 to appear at the
June term OF court to show cause
why he shot Washburn.
Captain GLENN, while chasing
large snake this week, came in con
tact with a corn-stalk, injuring his ey'
very severely. The snake got away
Harry Park, of the Union Depo
ticket office, made us a pleasant cal
this week in company with the UDiol
depot ticket agent, Mr.. E. S. Wilson
There will be preaching by Eide
M. J. Sears at the Regula
Baptist church, this city, Saturday
the 25th inst, at 2 p. m, and Sunda,
following at 1880 a. m.
j. W. Massengill, Of Tennessee
has been visiting his friend, Judg'
J. H. Shell, Of this county. He
highly pleased with Audraln and W
trust he will locate here.
John Petit and Frank Lantz vii
open out shortly with a new stool
of groceries and other goods in tn
room lately occupied by W. P. Eros
& Co., in Harper's block.
Rev. C. C. Hersman, D. D., presi
! dent of Westminster College, wi
preach at the Presbyterian churc|
next Sabbath, morning and evening
, in the absence of the pastor.
Charlie Dobyns has accepted
position in Dobyns & Gibbs dru
store as usher. Charlie is . good DO
and has performed the wonderfr
feat Of loafng for % years.
, Billie Carter leaves for st. Loui
> this week to purchase a complet
stock of buggies, carriages, &c. ID
10 oo;n.y In open IN q frst.class livery
Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-04-23

1t has become a matter of fact
that Welmer's signature" cigar
outsells everything in the 5 cent line.
Smoke one and you will want another.
None genuine without my own sig
nature. URBAN WEIMkR.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-04-23

Frank Finks. of this county, had
his right eye taken out last week.
Some years since he had it injured
and the other eye was suffering from
sympathy, so he had it removed.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-04-23

A son of John DahIern and also .
son Of Taylor Berry, both from the
northern part of the coanty. broke
their arms last week by failing from
their horses.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-04-23
Ganx NJ Geese.

~ ~SSSSs
John Donelly, for his daughter.
Annie O'Counors, sues Joe Arrhistead,
who lives west of Mexico, for Sl.0O,
the price Of goose alleged to have
been killed by said Armistead. Four
dollars damages are also asked. Our
steam poet pulls her wide open and
blows of the following on the sub
ject:
BY the side Of the rolling Jordan,
Where the tribes of jesse be,
There dwells-we beg your pardon
Blooms q widow fair and free.
She was true and constant In labor,
And she managed with skill her lands,
She sought wool and fax from her neigh
Dor,
And willingly worked with her hands.
"Toil is a pleasure" she would say,
So she bought her q couple of geese
Or, a goose and a gander, I should say,
At twenty-five cents apiece.
And she said, "If they stand the weather,
And 1 think they viii very well,
I'll soon have many a feather
From my little flock to SELL"
And when spring returned In its beauty,
And filed all the land with delight,
These geese settled down to their duty,
And the hopes of the owner grew bright.
But ''the best laid schemes,n says the
poet,
"Of mice and men gang agiee;"
And also of women, although it
Is seldom such failures we see.
For soon came an evil hour
These geese both lived to rue,
When, moved by some unseen power,
They longed for pastures new.
And near by this home lived q farmer
Proud of his focks and his herds
Clad In his own rustic armor,
More fertile In deeds thar In words.
So, once while the landscape was glowing
And music filed all the air,
They saw his vineyard growing,
And knew that the land was fair.
They went; and why need I mention
Each dreadful scene in detail
That long and fearful dissension
Within that once peaceful valef
In vain was his boldest measure,
In vain he daily stood guard;
They would sit on his door steps with
pleasure,
Or lay in his well-kept yard.
If there's one thing more than another
The passions of man will unloose,
That he tries but vainly to smother,
It's a reckless, wandering goose.
His efforts were all unrewarded,
So he vowed those geese to kill,
And his VOW was duly recorded
By the "Ghost of the Haunted HIM.
She pleaded; he did not heed her
| For q bold, bad man was he,
! And he raised these geese, gentle reader
In a way that was painful to see.
' "The cackling Of geese" says the Roman
"Once saved q city, SO fair"
: Though women might grieve, yet no maj
Would sigh had the geese perishe,
, there.
= We must say-for the facts compel US
Their presence to-day is q blight;
They have caused more suffering, me-
q tell US,
Than they saved on that notable night
Far better that Rome had perished-
=. That classical city of yore-
Than family feuds should be cherished
In hatred forever more.
The millennium is kept far from us,
With its blessings of joy and of peace
Rich with its glowing promise
Because of the presence of geese.
And to-day a Rachel is weeping
tAnd nothing can heal her pride)
For geese now lowiy sleeping
By Jordon's rolling tide.
And yet, she thinks some day her
:. Heart will gain what it lost,
If the "Tribe of Joseph" will my her
oil Five dollars and the cost.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-04-23

Ricketts, & Emmons don't want to
sell out and leave the town. but they
sell ct prices shat enable their Gus
toners to buy again, and thus live
and let live. Sat
Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-04-23

1t was reported at Laddonia yes
terday that d. G. Brldgeford, pro-
prietor of the Farber billiard hall,
fell dead Of heart disease in the morn
inc.
Mexico weekly ledger., 1885-04-23

Ricketts, & Emmons are Offering On
elegant line OF men, boys and chill
drens' suits o. prices lower than ever
for such goods. Don't fail to exam
inc before buying elsewhere. 52-4t