davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Mexico Missouri message., 1917-01-04
HEDGEDALE LETTER.

Examinations and holiday over
and now we begin our New Year!
School opened January End.
Mr.. and Mrs. Ed Kircher of St.
Louis visited their uncle, Louis Kirc-
her, during the holidays.
Christmas Eve a small crowd met
at the home of Mr.. and Mrs. Frank
Shelley. Light refreshments were
served. Those present were Mr.. and
Mrs. ]. R. Shook and family, Robert
Ray, Mrs. D. L. Rogers and Misses
Irene and Fern Rogers, Mr.. and Mrs.
F. F. Witchie and family.
Geo. Brdel butchered Tuesday.
Mr.. and Mrs. Frank Erdel. Sr.. Mr..
and Mrs. George Erdel, and Ruth
Rouse, spent New Years with Mr..
and Mrs. F. F. Witchie.
Mr.. and Mrs. Louis Kircher. MIR.
and Mrs. Frank Erdel. Miss Rouse
and Miss Louise Givens, spent Sun
day with Mr.. and Mrs. Vol Erdel.
We chronicle the wedding of Mr..
Robert w. Ray and Miss Frances
Shook at high noon, Dec. 81, 1916.
We leave further particulars to the
special article found in this issue.
Mexico Missouri message., 1917-01-04

The next step is the rafters and
other frame work-and great skill
is shown in the cutting and putting
up OF the rafters-(sotoI weeds)
They are cut the proper length to
suit the place. Bro. Rat pays no trib-
ute to the paint trust; he BUYS no
gasoline or six-cylinder autos, for the
lumber Barons, but when the bunga-
10 is finished with it's circular slop-
ing roof and each single is placed in
position he has a beautiful, carefully
made home, safe from his enemies
and one that will stand the winds
and rains-yOu may think it's a Joke
about the shingles, but each fiat cac-
tus leaf that is cut down in the pro-
cess of clearing a place for the home,
is laid aside for the roof and is care
fully placed and Tapped so the rain
will run off the roof, and on each leaf
he places a stone, weighing as much
as pound to five pounds. How they
put the stones in place is a mystery,
but they do-with the help of their
brothers and sisters and uncles and
aunts.
After completing the roof, thorns
are placed around the door-as a fur
Their professionalism his Royal
Highness" is ready to lie down and
dream sweet dreams-of tender rab-
bits, who may stroll that way at sup
per time, or they may lie and listen
to the boom of guns across the Rio
Grande and wonder as we do-what
all that fuss is about.
Mexico Missouri message., 1917-01-04
WE'RE YOU A SHIPPER?
That You May Get In On This
Recover Money From The Rail-
Roads for Overcharges.

Jefferson City, Mo-, Dec. 90
The right of shippers to sue Missouri
railroads and recover overcharges
collected from them in either freight
o passenger rates during the penden-
cy of the injunction against the en-
forcementr of the 2-cent passenger
and maximum freight laws, was ex-
pressly upheld by the Supreme Court
yesterday through decision by Judge
Woodson. This opinion was written
in the case of c. w. White, of Mont
gomery City, against receivers of the
Wabash Railroad to collect $500. 81
cents in excess charges which he paid.
He sued under the triple damage
statute, asking for $2672.73. Judge
Woodson upheld the right to collect
actual damages, but not triple dam
ages in the following language: 1.-THE
rate statutes here under considera-
ton are valid as held by the United
States Supreme Court, and, therefore,
excessive charges collected by the
railroad was unlawfully collected.
These excess charges unquestionably
belong to the plaintiff in the case"
Judge Woodson held the penalty
clause of triple damages was sus-
pended. Attorney General Barker,
who handled the suit, said it paves
the way for the collection of many
millions of dollars of over-charges.
Mexico Missouri message., 1917-01-04
BEAN CREEK LETTER.

c. H. Marten and wife, John Gar
net and wife and two children, of
near Tulip, spent Christmas week
with the families of w. E. Byars and
Richard Campbell.
John Blum and sister, Miss Nora,
spent few days last week with Miss
Blanch Robinson, of Montgomery
City.
Several from this vicinity attended
the Christmas tree at Moline.
Miss Amanda Goddard, of this vi
cinity, died at the Mexico hospital
Thursday. Was buried at Elmwood
Saturday.
Frances spotswood, of Mexico,
spent Christmas week with relatives
in this vicinity.
Lonnie Byars Scibert Spottswood
spent q few days in Hannibal last
week.
Lewis Mcintyre is visiting his
brother Joseph, of st. Louis. this
week.
Almer Spottswood, of Mexico, spent
few days last week visiting rel
atives in this vicinity,
The writer wishes the editor and
and his many readers a Happy New
Year.
Mexico Missouri message., 1917-01-04
WOODCRAFT STORIES
80 FOR LITTLE CHILDREN
The Gray Prairie Rat His
Cacti and Sand Rocks
Independent
Across the
By L. Roy Ferris.

Down on the border where the Rio
Grande forms the boundary between
that of our Greaser friends and that
of your Uncle Samuel, may be found
many interesting sights-none more
so, possibly, than the large gray prai-
rie rat.
Bro. Rat is a right we'll behaved
old fellow, never gnawing into
houses, but contenting himself with
building a picturesque "bungalo", If
you please, amid the barren sand
rocks and cacti.
When Bro. Rat decides to build
his home he does not send to the
mills of Maine for his northern fir,
nor the distant forests for his birds
eye maple, but makes the best of it
by selecting the material at hand.
The first step is the selection of
the site. Now whether a nice cactus
patch close to mothers palatial home
is favorite or not is not known, but
that they build their houses in col
onies or towns is fact. 1t is a we'll
known fact that they all turn out
and give fellow a lift like the old
time log raising.
After selecting a suitable place in
the heart of cactus patch they pro-
coed to clear the timber, that is they
gnaw the center out of the patch,
leaving the out side rim of cactus
as a sort of protection against their
enemy, old Bro. Wolf, for they are
very particular who comes to call.
Mexico Missouri message., 1917-01-04
PRETTY HOME WEDDING
OF Popular Young Couple of Mex
leo NeighborhoOd.

One of the prettiest home we'd
dings ever our privilege to attend,
was that of Mr.. Robert w. Ray and
Miss Frances Shook, at high noon,
Dec. 81, 1916, at the home of the
brides parents northeast of Mexico.
Miss Bessie Sipple, cousin of the
bride, sang, 20 Promise Me-" Miss
Elva Kircher played the wedding
march and, as it's last strains were
sounoing, the bridal party entered
the parlor taking their places in the
bay window under a large floral bell.
Rev. H. I. Cobb, a lifelong friend
of the bride and groom, in a most
impressive and beautiful ceremony,
spoke the words that united two
happy hearts.
The bride wore a gown of tulIe
over white net and carried a bouquet
of white roses. The bridesmaid, Miss
Gussie Creech, wore pink crepe de
chine and carried pink carnations.
The groom and groomsman, Mr..
Raymond Shook, were attired in con-
ventional black.
After the ceremony the guests
were invited to the dining room
where bountiful dinner was served.
The Christmas colors of red and
green were used throughout the dec
orations and with the place cards.
A miniature Xmas tree with two
decorated cakes formed the center.
The bride is the daughter of Mr.
and Mrs. ]. R. Shook. She was edu-
Gated at Mcmillan and is a favorite
among her friends which she num-
bers by the many scores.
The groom is the son of Mr.. and
Mrs. w. H. Ray. He is an upright
and capable young man, held in high
esteem by all who know him.
They will reside on a farm near
Benton City Immediately after
dinner the bridal party were driven
in automobile to the station where
they departed for Odessa and Kan
sas City. Only the immediate rel
atives and friends attended the we'd
ding, among whom we noticed the
following: Mr.. and Mrs. w. H. Ray,
William Ray. Mr.. and Mrs. C. S.
Ray, Mrs. Margaret Ray, Mr. James
Watkins, Miss Gussie Creech, Miss
Bessie Sipple, Miss Elva Kircher, Miss
Elsie Witchie, Miss Mamie Weidler,
Mr.. Cecil Weidler, Mr.. and Mrs, F.
S, Shelley and family, Mr.. and Mrs.
G., E. Erdel, Mrs. c. NJ. Shelley, Rev.
H. I. Cobb.
A Guaof
Mexico Missouri message., 1917-01-04
HoLLENsvmLE LETTER

Hollensville, Mo-, January 2, 1917.
Happy and prosperous New Year
we wish for the editor and all the
readers of the Message.
Mrs. Tena Love, of Rowena, moved
TO the Frank MCGEE place January 1.
Ralph and Harold will work for
Frank this year.
Mrs. Cornelius, of near Madison
took charge of the Rowena switch
board as soon as Mrs. Love moved
out.
Miss Cook, of Gatewood, and Miss
Huffman, of Central, began school
January 1, after a week vacation.
Lewis Rudasill sold 81 224 IL lbs.
hogs last week at $40 per cwt.
d. M. Slonaker, Claude slonaker'
and Mike Peck also delivered hogs
the same day.
j. L. Carpenter butchered nne
fat beef last week.
Mr.. and Mrs. Harry Staicup re-
ceired New Year present of new
daughter.
Mexico Missouri message., 1917-01-04
LADDONIA SHOWED EN-.
The Audrain Town is Drawing Great
Trade-Other Towns Getting
Pointers-Dairy Products and
Poultry.

Half million dollars for poultry
and dairy products-that is what
cooperative produce buying company
is paying out to farmers annually in
Laddonia. Galloway county farmers
and farmers wives are among the
many patrons of that company, and
money earned in Galloway county is
being spent over the counters of stores
in other counties for staple merchan-
disc, says the Fulton Sun.
In investigating the practicability
of establishing such a market in
Fulton, the special committee ap-
pointed recently by the president of
the Commercial Club will find that CO.
operative produce buying concerns
are not only bringing much new trade
to merchats in small towns and cities
but are paying good dividends on in
vestments. Laddonia, in Audrain
county, is one town that has estab-
lished such market and proved its
value to a community.
81 have no doubt of the value of
cooperative produce buying if an
expert is in charge of the concern"
DIR. ]. B. McCubbin, of this city, who
owns stock in the Laddonia plant
said Wednesday. He has witnessed
the growth of retail business houses
in Laddonia since the cooperative
buying started.
81 am told" he continued, that
every retail merchant there has doub-
led his business since high prices for
produce have formed the main at
traction for farm trade that formerly
went to surrounding towns and cities.
1.-THE cooperative company at Lad
donia was formed when it was found
that retail merchants we're gradually
losing their trade, Something had to
be done, and so a number of men
subscribed $4,000 capital for the en-
terprise, and an expert buyer-a man
who knows the poultry business and
understands the care and feeding of
poultry and the market value Of by
products was employed. That is one
secret of success for produce buy
ing company.
During the best seasons OF the
year produce and milk are shipped
every day or every other day from
Laddonia. Occasionally car load
shipments are made, but usually the
shipments are made in broken car
load lots. Eggs and poultry are sold
in New York and Chicago.
IAN idea OF the amount Of bust
ness that is done in produce buying
in that little town of 700 population
may be realized from the fact that
the company makes an average profit
of 800 a month on cream alone.
The business is paying 10 per cent
on the investment"
Mexico Missouri message., 1917-01-04
MIR HILLS STORE BURNS

George Hills store, west of Cen
trail school building, at the terminus
of the electric railway, was badly
damaged by fire at one O'Clock Tues
day morning. The fire department
was not able to do much against the
flames. The damage, we are told, is
mostly covered by insurance. How
the fire originated is not known. The
building was used as depot for the
electric line.
Mexico Missouri message., 1917-01-04
JACKSON LETTER

School opened Monday. One new
pupil enrolled.
The men OF the neighhorhood spent
last Thursday rabbit hunting. They
killed 119 RABBITS. Saturday evening
the hunters and their friends enjoyed
an oyster supper at the home Of Roy
Staples. About "a guests were pres
ent and all spent an enjoyable eve
ming.
Mrs. H. Franklin gave w, L.
Watts and Willard Wayne a birth
day dinner New Years Day.
Several young men from this neigh
borhood attended the dance at Mr.,
Ernest Remnants Monday night.
Roy Ellis is the name of the baby
boy born to Mr.. and Mrs. Roy Crock
EFT last week.
Ben Adams spene Saturday In Lad
donia.
Mexico Missouri message., 1917-01-04
MEXICO FAIR

The County School Day will again
be a feature of the Mexico Fair. While
the date of the 1917 Fair has not
been definitely chosen the directors
are announcing this part of the pro-
gram In advance so that every school
in the county will have sufficient no
tifcation and prepare to have entries
in every event.
AS in 1916 all school children I'M
der IA years of age will be admitted
to the grounds free on the first day of
the fair-the day the contests are
held. The program as arranged thus
far is practically the same as last
year, though it will likely be aug
mented by a number of other prizes
before the published list is circulated.
The program is as follows with a
50 first and a 81 second prize for
each event.
County School Day.
All County School Children under
1t years duulillSu W the grounds
free.
County School Contest.
Direction of County superintendent
of Schools, w. Clyde Johnson.
Send entries as soon as possible to
w. Clyde Johnson, Superintendent of
Schools, Mexico, Mo.
Por'tr'' Judging.
List of events start at 10 a. m.
Beef Cattle Judging.
Draft Horse Judging.
Dairy Cattle Judging.
Button Hole Making.
Corn Stringing.
Judging Canned Goods.
Corn Judging.
Patching.
Stocking Darning.
Spelling Match.
Best Club Work.
Best Map of United States.
Best Map of Missouri
Best Map of Audrain County.
Best Agricultural Note Book.
Best Free Hand Drawing of Model
Farm Scene.
Best Free Hand Drawing of Model
Rural Scene.
Special by J. III. Sallee.
$500 in Books.
To the school having the most pu-
pills on the fair grounds the first day
of the fair, $500 worth of books for
the school library. pupils must
come in a group and register in
PERSON.
Mexico Missouri message., 1917-01-04
COUNTY COURT ACTIONS
A Number of Property Assessments
Lowered--A Grand Jury Ordered
for the March Term Circuit Cont.

Tuesday afternoon the Court or
dered that the assessment of S. B
Hayes on forty acres of land be re-
duced from $3.50 to $3.50.
The assessment of George Blows
was ordered reduced from $3.50 to
$500 on his personal property
The application of j. A. Wiesch-
haus for a license for pool hall in
Martinsburg was ordered continued
to the February term.
The bond of w. r. Berrey. Coro-
ner. was approved by the Court and
ordered filed.
The bond of S. T. Torreyson. As
SCISSOR, was approved by the Court and
ordered filed.
A copy of the order of the court
calling a grand jury for the March
Term of each year was examined.
approved and ordered recorded.
Tuesday morning the Court order
ed at $3.50 in taxes be refunded to
S. S. Roberts on erroneous assess
ment of city property.
The court ordered that the road
overseers from the eastern part or
the county settle with the court on
Tuesday, February 6, and the over
seers of Salt River township and the
Western part of the county settle on
Wednesday, Feb. 7th.
Mexico Missouri message., 1917-01-04
HIGH HILL LETTER

High Hill, January 2, 1917-A
happy and prosperous New Year to
The Message and all the correspond
ents.
Sam Brown bought an aged mule
of j. J. Lakenan for s165.
Emmett Sims and a young man
friend of Moberly came down to J.
o Sims New Years eve to see the
folks and have a big hunt. They
returned home late New Years Day.
Miss McCarty is on the sick list.
Mrs. ]. A. Reed, of near Cant, is
visiting her mother in Kansas City.
Jesse Pulls and Wife AMI little
Vivian visited at B. F. Pulls Sunday.
]. R. Daniel and wife of the New
Hope neighborhood and Sam Loren
and wife of Texas, Sundayed at ]. L.
Miller's.
Mr.. and Mrs. Roy Hulen, of Cen
tralia, the newly-weds, visited Mrs.
Hulen's sister and family near Cant,
Monday and Tuesday, Mrs. E. P. Pu-
lis. Mrs. Hulen was Lucy simcoe.
We wish them happy and prosper
Gus journey through life.
B. F. Pulls sold Tom Hodge his
fat hogs at 10 cents.
L. L. Spencer lost his old family
mare last week
Mr.. Wilson and Miss Viola Daily
were married the 90. Happy be their
lot and prosperity all through their
life.
Winford Daily has returned from
Wyoming. We hear he is going back
the first of March.
Arthur Rediger visited friends here
during the holidays. The writer was
glad to see him. The Rodgers are
good people. They were our neigh
bors. We missed them when they
moved to Indiana.
Sorry to hear of the death of Dear
Bro, Kirtly, of Vandalia, who died
New Years morning. Well we remem-
Der when he preached at New Hope
church. He helped Bro E. L. Rod
gers in protracted meeting. Now they
are both gone home; their work is
done and the Master said, come up
higher. Yet we will ever cherish
their memory and mingle our grief
with the families of those good men.
Mrs. J. NJ. Boyd died on the 31st
of December. She was the mother of
Mrs. Elmer Shock, our near neigh
Dor. Mrs. Boyd was a good Christian
mother. Her children will miss her
wise counsel. Nine children and the
father are left to mourn the loss. We
sympathize with them in this sad
hour.
Mexico Missouri message., 1917-01-04
ORA w. ROATMAN. DEAD.

Ora w. Boatman, son of Mr.. and
Mrs. w. N. Boatman, of East Monroe
street, died at the State Hospital at
Fulton at o'clock Wednesday morn
ing, after an Illness of more than two
years. Ora was born in Monroe coun-
ty, Mo-, May 81, 1878, and moved
with his parents to Mexico when only
about eleven years old. He was mar
ried to Miss Ethel Mcclure, of Bell
flower, Mo-, April s, 1914. Besides
his wife and parents, he is survived
by four brothers and four sisters,
viz: VIM. w. and James D., of Dali
las, Texas; ]. Robert, of Belize, Brit
ish Honduras; Roy, of Mexico; Mrs.
Everett Johnston, of Santa Fe, Mo-;
Mrs. H. D. Sproul and Mrs. M. s.
Carter. of Mexico, and Mrs. c. c. CO.
hoon, of Oklahoma City.
Ora was a member of the Christian
church of this city, and during his
illness was much appreciative of the
kindly gifts and ministrations of his
friends in the church.
Before losing his health Ora was
a man of fine physique and forceful-
ness of character. The host of friends
of the deceased join with the Message
in sympathy for the bereaved wife,
mother and father, brothers and sis
tiers, in the sadness of their bereave-
ment.
The funeral services will be held
today, Thursday, 400 p. M, January
4, 1917, conducted by Rev. Atkins,
at the home of his parents, on East
Monroe street and interment at Elm
wood.
Mexico Missouri message., 1917-01-04
THOMPSON LETTER.

Thompson, Mo-, January Q, 1917
We are having some damp weather
at present. The roads are getting a
little sloppy.
Mrs. Ellen Cleeton is confined to
her bed. Her daughter, Mrs. Geo.
Woolery is at her bedside.
Jesse Hoover's little daughter is
up after having the measles. Frank
Hoover's little daughter has them
now
Bingle Woolery and baby are both
better of the whooping cough.
Joe Considine, wife and mother
are at home after spending Xmas with
their daughter, Mrs. Frank Wales,
of Elgin, Kansas.
The w. C. T. U. will meet at Mrs.
Clau Sansberry's Thursday.
Haskin's Hall, of California, is Wis
iting home folks.
Dave Zook and wife have moved
to the farm that Will Monk vacated.
Ed Pearl and wife entertained
their parents and children during the
Holidays.
Born to Louis Smith and wife the
10 of Dec. a fine boy. They named
him Thomas Marvin.
Geo. Pool and Miss Pool enter
tanned their cousin and family, Mr..
and Mrs. Hatcher, of Mexico Wednes-
day of holiday week.
w. N. Dempsey and wife enter
tanned on Sunday ]. L. Smith and
family, ]. B. Nevins and family, ].
r. Beatty and family, Joe Richie
and Lawrence VIM.
Died, at her home two miles east
of Thompson, Dec. 81, Mrs. Hiram
Ferguson, age forty-two years.
With feelings of profound sadness
we chronicle the death of this loved
wife and mother who has answered
the summons, Come up Higher"
She has been a patient sufferer for
ABOUT IlN0 moulno. QUO uhAISN
with the Christian Church when but
sixteen years, old, and lived true
Christian life to the end. She leaves
father, mother, two brothers, a
husband and five children, and host
of friends, to mourn her loss. The
funeral was preached at Hopewell by
Brother Henderson of Centralia, and
the remains laid at rest in the GENE
terry at that place. The pall-bearers
were w. N Dempsey, w N. Blythe
J, T. Beatty, J.. B. Nevins and Ed
Crawford. Thus drops the life Of a
noble woman, loving wife and af'
fectionate mother. The whole com
munity joins in sympathy for the
bereaved family in this their sad
hour of bereavement.
Mexico Missouri message., 1917-01-04

F. L. Crosby is in Milwaukee, Wis,
where he traded for four big stores
recently. He will be home soon..
Shortly thereafter Mr.. and Mrs. Cros-
by will make trip together to Mil
waukee. Their daughter, Mrs. Roy
Harris, will make her home in that
city. Many friends here regret very
much to see MIR. and Mrs. Roy Harris
leave Mexico.
Mexico Missouri message., 1917-01-04
STUDENT FROM YUCATAN

Mrs. Joe E. Rosado, of Yucatan,
Mexico, is new student in Music
and English at Hardin College. She
chose Hardin above all other schools
for women in America. 1t is a high
compliment for Hardin all right.
Mexico Missouri message., 1917-01-04

County Collector Powell collected
taxes Saturday and Monday amount
ing to over $4,000. There is FIVE
per cent penalty If you failed to pay
your taxes after January LIST. After
the first of next month the penalty
will be six per cent.
Mexico Missouri message., 1917-01-04

Ralph Wayne, after a visit to his
parents in this city, Mr.. and Mrs. ].
H. Wayne, has returned to his stud
les in Missouri University.
Mexico Missouri message., 1917-01-04
LOTS OF WINTER

In sight yet! We take the old stove
in trade and sell you a dandy fine
keeper-saves the coal pile.
l.. r.. Ferris.
Mexico Missouri message., 1917-01-04

The Wabash Railroad pays $s,-
1895 taxes in Audrain this year.
Mexico Missouri message., 1917-01-04

Progressive Laddonia of this
county is arranging to install an
electric light system for the stores,
churches and residences.
Mexico Missouri message., 1917-01-04

Richard Mason of Ell Paso, Texas,
is in Mexico on visit to his parents,
Mr.. and Mrs. w. ]. Mason.
Mexico Missouri message., 1917-01-04

Mr.. and Mrs. John l.. Winn, near
Skinner, are whiting in Charlton
county.
Mexico Missouri message., 1917-01-04

Cray Hook IS quite i'll at his home,
on east Liberty.
Mexico Missouri message., 1917-01-04

James w. Coons, of Laddonia,
was in Mexico Monday. He made the
Message a pleasant call.
Mexico Missouri message., 1917-01-04
MRS. DRY HAS BROKEN ARM.

Mrs. ]. w. Dry slipped on the ice
near her home Monday and broke
her arm by the fall. She suffered
much pain but is now improving.
Mexico Missouri message., 1917-01-04

Mr.. Charles Jones and Miss Minnie
Belle Leal, both of Thompson, were
granted marriage license Tuesday.
Mexico Missouri message., 1917-01-04
A Guest.

The Rev. DR., o. L. Byrns, who
has been pastor of the Presbyterian
church at Festus. Mo-, for a number
of years, has accepted the pastorate
of the Presbyterian church at Bowie,
Texas. Rev. Byrns left for that place
Monday. Instantly will follow later.
Rev. Byrns is a son of Mrs. Ida
Byrns, of this city, and has many
relatives and friends here who wish
him success in his new field OF work,
Mexico Missouri message., 1917-01-04

w. U. Coil, OF Laddonia, was In
Mexico Tuesday and while here was
a pleasant caller at Message head
quarters.
Mexico Missouri message., 1917-01-04

To the school having the most pu-
pills on the fair grounds the first day
of the fair, $500 worth of books for
the school library. pupils must
come in a group and register in
person.)