Okolona messenger. (Okolona, Miss.) 1900-current, 1903-04-01

Z H&~S DOunu uieb VI the
OAS Prairie News, per-
haps the first newspaper eve printed
in Okolona. These files bear the year
In their date lines of 1858, and carries
US back for a period Of fOrty-hve years,
three years before the war. The Prai-
RE News was published by John Rich
ardson and J.. H. Knox, the late hus-
band Of Mrs. N. P. Knox. now Of this
city, and father Of several Of the wives
D Of our NEST prominent citizens. Rich
ardson was one Of the first Okolona
volunteers in the Confederate army to
be shot and killed, falling almost at
the first fire near Corinth. Knox went
into the army and survived Its dangers,
returning to 0kolona where he was
married and raised a large family. He
was q physician and for many years
wa engaged in the drug business. DR..
Tindall who was the associate editor of
the Prairie News, was one of the prom
inent citizens of this city for many years,
and politically was recognized by the
Federal administration, at one time be-
ing appointed, we believe, minister to
China, which position he filled with
distinction to himself and credit to his
nation.
The files Of the Prairie News are well
preserved, and their contents show
marked abilityin the publication, both
in point of their literary merit and in
the art Of printing, which in those days
did not enjoy the advantages so easy Of
access now. The scope of the news
matter in the paper is also unique and
interesting. The peculiar name in
which the editors expressed themselves.
while brilliant, was in many instances
different from the common uses Of today.
We make the following extracts from
the Issue Of April lst, 1858. forty-Hve
years ago to a day ;
See Pomeroy g Marshall's advertise
ment. They are men of long and high
business standing, and will do you JUS
tice when trading with them.
The Memphis Avalanche is in error
about n having published one of
Cobb's romances. When we victimize
our patrons by such tricks, wen stick
our finger in our mouth and, like a GER
tain individual we've heard Of, not
have a word to sayl
See Williams & Darden's advertise
ment. Byrd Williams has just re-
turned from New York, where he
bought q complete stock Of new spring
and summer goods. A better, %cleverer
man than he lived, and Wen
answer for it ii you dont't get good
bargains when yOu trade with him.
The Pontotoc Examiners editor is
sick with chills-hope by the time he
gets we'll he will be clear Of some Of
the coarse, low flung Billingsgate
which seems one Of his characteristics.
But we will not notice him further for
the present-might puff him into mo-
tice. 1t is a great co~ndescension on our
part to sven speak of such things as the
genius Of the Examiner; humiiating,
however, as is the task we are often
forced to perform II in self defense.
THE RAILROAD Is CoMNa.-So we
hope, 90 says report. We hear that q
hundred hands win soon be sent to
West Point to prepare the road for lay
ing the iron, for which the company
has contracted. We sincerely hope
this is true, and see no reason TO disbe-
lieve it, only there is no official infor-
nation from headquarters.
II lie said President Buchanan has
given a responsible and lucrative Office
to J. G. Bennett, Of the N. Y. Herald.
Democratic papers deny this, and say
he 1.-THE Presidency has too much honor
to confer any office Of trust on such q
man. We thought the old doughface
had about honor enough to do any
thing.
Mr.. Boyd. 3 school teacher in Fred
rick county Indiana, was killed with 3
nife by one Of his students named
Howard Bartholow, about Is years Of
ace. The teacher was aogging him for
writing something indecent to q young
lady In the same school, when he drew
s knife and stabbed him.
Letter writers from Washington
state the Lecompton Constitution can
not pass the House Of Representatives.
Il, we believe, has already passed
Trough the Senate.