The Van Buren press., 1898-12-31

Roy Campbell and C. c. Montague
settled misunderstanding with their
fists in front of the postoffice Thursday.
We have once before suggested the
placing of contribution boxes for the
hospital in the postofice, banks, and
other public places. 1t is plan much
used in cities, and in that way many
stray nickel or dime would find its way
into the hospital fund
Mr.. Sam Williams returned SATURDAY.
from Illinois, l. T., where he has been
for about four months past superintend-
ing large cotton gin. He reports the
season about over there while there is
yet considerable cotton on some of the
plantations the low price ia preventing
its rapid gathering.
The man who believes that Moses was
better geologist than Lyell, that
Joshua knew more about astronomy
than Hershel, or that the Songs of
Solomon are sweeter than Goldsmith S
Deserted Village, certainly possesses
unquestioned faith unvitalized by
thought Selected.
We are pleased to be able to say that
despite the closeness of the times quite
number of Van Buren's deserving
destitute were made to feel that peace
on Earth and Good Will to Men, had
not entirely lost its meaning even dur
ing these days of avarice and grasping
Senator Douglass spent short time
in the city Tuesday. He has been at
Fort Smith portion of the week to
learn from the teachers assembled there
what legislation would be advisable in
matters educational Mr. Douglass be-
lieves in REPRESENTING the district.
Albert Lewis, who, together with his
brother Frank, runs a second hand
store just south of the postoffice, was
accidentally wounded by the latter
while the two were out hunting Mon
day. A number of shot entered his
shoulder and breast and one perforated
an eye lid, without luckily, however,
injuring the sight.
Jas. Kerens of Cedarville township
was a Van Buren visitor Tuesday. 1t
is perhaps not generally known by our
readers that Mr. Kerens, who lives
rather poorly on small farm, is a
brother of the multi millionaire Repub-
lican politician R. G. Dick Kerens,
who at one time himself drove stage
through this section.
The Merrie Bell Opera company in
LA Mascotte at Murta opera house
Tuesday night was a most pronounced
success and should have been greeted by
a much larger audience than was pre-
sent; but the smallness of the audience
could be in part accounted for by soci-
ETY. entertainment that night. LA Mas
cotte'' is one of the most laughable of
comic operas, and it must be said that
there are no sticks in the company that
presented it here. The singing was
splendid, and their comedians it would
be hard to improve on. The audience
appeared to enjoy itself heartily.
Some miscreant set fire to the Point
Club houses on Mclaughlin Lake last
Monday during the absence of the fam
lily of negroes who live in one the build
ings and look after the property. The
two buildings with their contents were
totally destroyed. A strong effort to
find out the perpetrators, who are sup
posed to be parties who have been
prevented from illegally hunting and
fishing by the watchfulness of the mem
bers of the club. and took that opport-
unity to vent their spite. If they are
ferreted out they will be assured of
vigorous prosecution, and may get
chance to do time. The club will un-
doubtedly rebuild.
Our merchants enjoyed a splendid
holiday trade last Saturday. 1t appears
that less money was invested in whiskey
and more in more substantial articles
than ever before. considering the
amount of money in circulation among
our people. 1t used to be only too true
than many father of family would
come to town the day preceding Christ
mas with good intentions. but before the
day was over had invested all his money
in strong drink, leaving nothing for
presents for wife and children. If hard
times have brought about this change
then they would almost appear TO some
n blessing in disguise.