Fair Play--January 1, 1881

Mr. Frank Leavenworth is dangerously ill with the now very prevalent dread disease, pneumonia.

Frank Boehle, a farmer, was found frozen to death, Thursday, a short distance below Bieser’s distillery on the road to Fallert’s.

On Tuesday night, Jan. 4th., Leon Jokerst will give a Guignonlee Ball and Bullion at Union Hall. If you want to  enjoy life, go. The best of music and strong bullion will be provided.

A rumor reached us of a sad accident happening on Monday last, and resulting in the death of a little boy. On that day a Mr. Siebert was driving home in his wagon with his wife and small boys, the two latter sitting in the back of the vehicle. The wagon moving along very fast, struck a log, and the shock, unnoticed by Mr. Siebert, or his wife, threw one of the boys to the ground. His brother tried to attract their attention, but without avail. After they had proceeded a mile further they observed the child crying bitterly and enquiring of him the cause they learned, for the first time that the other was missing. Turning back they found the boy almost dead. The wheel had passed over his body and the injury was fatal. In less than two hours his sufferings were over and with sadness they carried his lifeless form to their home.

Died: On Friday morning, Dec. 31, 1880, Mary, wife of Henry L. Rozier.

Fair Play--January 8, 1881

Young Joseph Klein is the one to have his name enrolled on the accident calendar this time. He was Sunday last loading a pistol and not being able to get the ball home, he attempted to drive it down by the use of an iron ramrod and a hammer. While he was engaged in the attempt the pistol was discharged and burst at the same time, (illegible) off one finger completely and leaving another nearly cut off. The shock caused him to faint and fall to the floor, where he was found by persons looking for the cause of the noise created by the explosion. He is now doing well.

Died:--On Wednesday, January 5th, 1881, of pneumonia, Henry Goss, aged 48 years.

Died--On Sunday, January 2nd, 1881, of typhoid pneumonia, Franklin Leavenworth, aged 52 years and three months and 19 days.

Another good man gone, was the universal remark when the death of Frank Leavenworth was announced. An honest, sober man pursuing quietly and evenly the calm tenor of this own life, he, by his kind, gently ways, made many friends and few enemies. The great numbers that braved the inclemency of last Tuesday morning to attend his funeral offer the best testimony of the appreciation in which he was held. He leaves a wife and three children. Poor, unfortunate “Granny” Leavenworth! how many a heart remembering her kindness and charity in sickness, will ache with pain when  is learned the sad news of her great misfortune.

Died-- On Friday morning, December 31st, 1880, Mary, wife of Henry L. Rozier.

Encouraged by a firm faith in the teachings of holy religion and fortified by the sacraments of her church, to her death was disrobed of half its terrors and of all its fearful forebodings. Her regret in departing to a higher life came only from a natural pain in severing the ties that bind a loving wife to a devoted husband and a fond mother to endeared children. In her life she was retiring and unostentatious, but the hold she had gained in the respect of the community was eviced by her funeral, which was the largest, probably, ever had in this place.

Correspondence from St. Mary’s--

F. A. Menard and W. W. Wilder, on Wednesday, went to Desoto for the mail, which has been accumulating there for this place for the past ten or eleven days. They returned the same day with 600 pounds of mail matter.

The Guignonlee ball and bullion at Union Hall, on Tuesday night was a grand success. In fact there was a regular mash. If there was a single man, woman or child, able to walk and not in mourning, who was not there, he, she, or it deserves a chromo. Everybody enjoyed it.

Born--On January 4th, 1881, to the wife of Charles Carssow, a boy.

Miss Jessie Murphy, who has been making quite a protracted visit here, returned to her home at DeSassus, Wednesday.

Fair Play--January 15, 1881

January 5th, 1881, of dogbite, Bounce, son of Queen, aged 8 months. He leaves a mother and brothers to mourn his loss. He was born and raised in this city and many of his friends will mourn to hear of his death. Poor Bounce! May his  soul and body rest in peace.

An Awful Assassination.--

On last Wednesday night was perpetrated a foul murder, that for cruelty, malignity and diabolicism has few equals and no superiors in the annals of wrong and crime. The victim of this fearful and horrid outrage was “Bounce”, a yellow cur dog, an appendage of this office and the property of our devil. It was, however, Bounce’s own temerity that brought him to his untimely death and violent end. Mr. Charlie Biehl came into the office of the Beobckter adjoining ours on the night aforesaid, followed by a dog of his. Bounce happened to be in there at the time and immediately began a vigorous war upon the visiting dog. He was carried out into the streets where the visitor was reinforced by two other large dogs.  Bounce fought long and valiantly against superior odds; but he was finally overpowered and falling over into the snow, he gave one last scornful defiant look at his cowardly enemies and with his face turned unflichingly towards them he breathed his last There cold and stiff in death our devil found him this morning and sitting down he wrote the following obituary notice.

Died-- January 5th, 1881, of dogbite, Bounce, son of Queen, aged 8 months. He leaves a mother and brothers to mourn his loss. He was born and raised in this city and many of his friends will mourn to hear of his death. Poor Bounce! May his  soul and body rest in peace.

Mr. Jules Boyer gave a ball at his residence on last Tuesday night. All who attended from town, and there were quite a number, report just loads of fun. We had promised ourself the pleasure of being there, but a cruel fate decreed that we should be called away to New Tennessee, on professional business.

Miss Mary Allen, a handsome and attractive belle of Mine La Motte, is visiting in the family of her aunt, Mrs. John I. Bogy.

Fair Play--January 22, 1881

Correspondence from St. Mary’s--

Rev. Fr. Madden’s house caught fire a few days ago and only for the timely arrival of W. I. Townsend would now be of the things that stood.

Died--On Thursday the 20th of Jan, 1881, Clement Le Clere, (colored) aged 62 years.

Born--On Wednesday, Jan 19th, 1881 to the wife of August Lachance, a girl.

Correspondence from Staabtown--

George Williams and sister started for St. Joe Lead Mine, where their brother is very sick with winter fever.

Louis A. Griffard has been very sick, and had the last sacraments administered to him, by the Rev Father Joseph Smith. But by the skillful treatment of Dr. Scott, he was raised to life again, and he is up and about now.

Mrs. Annie Frieburger, from St. Mary, was confined in the county jail for a few hours one day of the past week, on the charge of attempted blackmail, but was released on bail.

Mrs. Norbert Basler was severely injured by a fall the forepart of the week, that she has been confined to her bed ever since, in quite a helpless condition.

One mile and a half south of Sherlock’s Mill’s new blacksmith shop has been put up. George Thomure is the proprietor.

Fair Play--January 29, 1881

O. D. Harris got upon a three legged stool, Monday, to wind up a clock and toppled over. He sustained some painful bruises on the leg, but it was the chair that came out second best, as it was broken to pieces. Not withstanding the accident Mr. Harris still continues to run, in partnership with Mr. Jules F. Janis, the money bank of Southeast Missouri.

Francis I. Jokerst has been down again with those seemingly everlasting chills and fever.

Mr. Nicholas Niedner has been called to Mine La Motte to attend the funeral of his father, who died quite suddenly at that place this week.

Mr. Jules Boverie and Miss Anna Carlisle were over to Prairie du Rocher Tuesday and Wednesday, to attend the baptism of their nephew, the infant child of Mrs. Constance Connor.

Andy Allen, a miner, got on a drunken spree, this week, and made himself an unmitigated nuisance, generally, He was brought up with a sudden halt and a black eye by a gentleman, to whom he had been unusually annoying and insulting.

Two children of Mrs. Vermere were frozen to death on or about Dec. 28th 1880. From conflicting reports it appears that Mrs. Vermere and her two fatherless children were living in a cabin on a farm of Mrs. Pikten in Boise Brule Bottom and for some cause or none, were ordered to leave the premises. In her impoverished condition and ill health it was impossible and Mrs. Pikten, an uncharitable widow, caused to be removed the roof of the cabin and there exposed to the bleak winds she left to their fate a feeble woman and her helpless, though innocent children. Mrs. Vemere when found by her friends was almost lifeless, and slim hopes are entertained of her recovery.

Fair Play--February 5, 1881

Louie Thurman is down again with another attack of pneumonia. Louie is having a hard time of it.

Correspondence from St. Mary’s

Smith Boyce and  Henry Douglas were in town Tuesday.

A child of Jaspar Menard’s was on the 28th, bitten by a dog.

Died--On Sunday, Jan 31st, 1881, C. E. P. Clark, aged 37 years.

Born--On Tuesday, Feb. 1st, 1881, to Frances, wife of Peter Wilder, girl.

Fair Play--February 12, 1881

Died--On Wednesday, February the 9th 1881, of croup, an infant daughter of August La Chance, aged one month.

Fair Play--February 19, 1881

Died--On Wednesday, Feb. 16th, 1881, of heart disease, Mrs. Mira Arnold, wife of Mike Arnold, aged 26 years.

On Tuesday, Feb. 15th, 1881, of pneumonia, August Roth aged 21 years.

On Wednesday, Feb 16th, 1881, of spasms, the infant daughter of Charlie Burgette.

Correspondence from Staabtown, MO.

Mr. Bailey of Coffman neighborhood, died, Monday, the 7th inst.

Dr. Scott has twenty-two cases of pneumonia on hand at the present time of writing.

Died--On the 20th Jan., at the residence of his sister in St. Francois Co. Mo. Wm. Fate Poston, of Cerebro Spinal Meningitis. Deceased is a brother of F. G. Poston, and formerly lived here. He leaves many friends to this community to mourn his loss. Everybody loved Uncle Fate.

Fair Play--February 26, 1881

Married:-- By F. A. Roy, George Sevrein to Florence Easterwood of St. Louis, Mo.

Married:--On Tuesday, Feb 22nd, 1881, by Rev. Fr. Weiss, Mr. Phillip Sherer to  Miss Louisa Meyers.

Andrew Wolf has been granted a license to keep a ferry at St. Mary.

Miss Libbie St. James returned home on the Elliott, last Tuesday night.

S. Henry Smith is in town. He located at Crystal City in the jewelry business.

Fair Play--March 5, 1881

Married:--On Tuesday, March 1st, 1881, by Squire F. A. Roy,  Henry Stoltze to Miss Aspasia La Chance.

Married:-- At Avon, Ste. Genevieve Co., on Marcy 2nd, 1881, Miss Mary Blackledge to  Carrick White of Washington Co.

Died:--On Sunday, Feb 27th, 1881, in St. Louis,  Lizzie Carlisle, formerly  Rehm, after a short illness.

Died:-- On Wednesday, March 2, 1881, Franklin Leavenworth, aged 14 years, 10 months and 3 days.

Fair Play--March 12, 1881

Died:---On Monday, March 7th, 1881, of pneumonia, Frank Rehm.

On Thursday, March 10th, 1881, Frank Schlosser, of pneumonia.

On Monday, March 7th, near “Little Vine” Church, this county, Miss Sarah Fowler, aged 54

Correspondence. Staabtown, MO.  March 7, 1881.

Joseph Thomure has been confined to his bed for several weeks by sickness.

John F. Shearlock intends sending to Chester for a barge load of coal to be used as fuel for his flouring mill.

George Beard and Miss Brown had the fast and fatal knot tied on the 6th last, by Justice Cleveland. A happy and prosperous life to the newly made couple.

Joseph E. Rigdon started from here last Saturday, to attend to some business in Farmington. He passed by his girl’s house and tied his horse at the gate for several hours.

Married:--On Monday, Feb 28th, 1881, at Lawrencetown, Mo., by Rev. F. Grosholz, Judson Ditch to  Miss Julia Hipes.

We are sorry, Judson, sorry to see you desert our ranks of noble batchelorhood, but now, that you have taken the irrevocable step, we wish you and your better half a peaceful and prosperous life and--these things you surely have if you only take the F. P.

That Gus. Hertich will go to Fredericktown and practice law, in partnership with Ex-Auditor Holliday.

Fair Play--March 26, 1881

Correspondence. St. Mary’s Mo.,

Dr. Strong is building an office.

Dr. H. Roseman has been sick for several days.

Mr. Vallee of Brewersville was in town a few days ago.

John B. Davis arrived on Sunday morning to spend a few days with his mother and sister.

Died:--On Tuesday, March 22nd, 1881, at his residence in Staabtown, Joseph Thomure, aged 65 years and 3 months.

Died:--On Thursday, March 24th, 1881, at an advanced age, Mr. Ignatius Armbruster.

They Say:

That Misses Memie and Cora Rozier returned home, last Saturday.

That John B. Davis returned to Farmington, Wednesday, singing “Farewell! now, the old ties over”.

That the marriage fever is getting very contagious. Charlie Naumann has caught it and is now erecting a  cage.

That Miss Ella Wilson, a pretty young blonde, of East St. Louis, is visiting her friends, Misses Mary and Memie Boyce.

An attempt was made to burglarize Mr. Harry Ban’s residence, last Wednesday night. Mr. Banz was aroused by the noise of some one trying to force an entrance, and seizing a pistol he fired twice at the burglar without any effect. No clue as to who made the attempted burglary.

One day this week, Andy Allen, or Crawford, who was at one time a Copper miner at the Swansea, took passage on an up-river boat. Becoming too noisy and violent under the influence of liquor, he was put off, and as the boat turned out he attempted to jump on her, but fell into the river and was drowned.

Fair Play--April 2, 1881

Last Sunday afternoon Antoine Beltrami was out driving and just as he was crossing Main street, at Wilder’s corner, a son of Killian Grieshaber was riding down that street at a pretty lively rate. There was a collision and a big shock, but no damage done, other than the knocking down of one of Mr. Belltrami’s horses and the boy scattering himself around on the ground in a general manner.

Correspondence. Staabtown, Mo., March 29, 1881--

Henry Basler died, on Friday, March 18th, of pneumonia.

Frank Winston lost a child by cold plague on the 26th of March.

Mrs. Klump, died on Monday, the 23rd of March, of winter fever.

Mrs. Basler and Mrs. Humbert are very low in sickness and are not expected to recover.

Mr. Henry Jarrett met with a narrow escape a few days ago. He was passing under an old shed, when all of a sudden the rafters gave way and the roof came down, tearing off his coat. Fortunately, however, no great injury was suffered by Mr. Jarrett.

Fair Play--April 9, 1881

Correspondence.  Staabtown, April 6th, 1881

Born to Lawrence J. Rigden’s wife, a girl, for which she is proud.

Mrs. Basler was buried last Sunday. Quite a large number attended the funeral.

Fair Play--April 16, 1881

Mr. Hugh Hughes, representing a New York Founding Assylum, was looking after the children placed here with families and endeavoring to ensure homes for others.

Fair Play--April 23, 1881

Died:--On Tuesday, April 19th, 1881, John Murescials, colored.

Immediately after their marriage Mr. John L. Boverie and bride started on a honeymoon trip to Chicago.

Mr. Jules Rozier, St. Mary, was up Wednesday, to attend the wedding of his niece, Miss Memie Rozier.

Last Tuesday evening Charlie and Bart. Jokerst and Joe Zeigler were standing on the steps of Rozier & Jokerst’s store when their attention was attracted by a brilliant light flashing on the Little Rock road. Immediately the word passed around that Bantz’s house was on fire and then there was a stampede of the three in that direction. Charlie set the pace, going like a duck-legged quarter horse, and Bart gallantly striving to push his majestic stomach to the front . “The Bishop” brought up the rear, with his long, spindling shanks valuely endeavoring to show his prominent proboscis at the van. While they were thus tearing along they were brought to the sudden halt, just about Mr. Yealey’s, by the discovery that the light was caused by some one burning cornstalks. With the perspiration pouring off of them they turned around and walk silently back, swearing softly to themselves.

On Wednesday, April 20th, by the Rev. Fr. Weiss, Mr. P. U. Jaccard to Mrs. Lulu Konneman.

As we said some time ago, Mr. Jaccard foreswore his vows of eternal celibacy and has married. Unheeding the advice of the elder Weller, “Samivel, my son, beware of the widows,” he has taken unto him as life’s partner a widow, and we wish that she may make married life pleasurable.

Married--On Wednesday, April 20th, at the residence of the bride’s father, by the Rev. Fr. Weiss, Mr. John L. Boverie to Miss Memie Rozier.

Mr. John L. Boverie is one of our prominent merchants and Cupid was indeed kind in his pranks when he led him to the heart and hand of Miss Memie Rozier, who combines in her person all the virtues and qualities that make a pure woman and a loving wife, If there was one thing we admired more than an other it was the unpretentious quietness with which the wedding was conducted, free as it was from the noise and fuss of hateful ceremonies, on the heads of the immediate relatives of the high contracting parties being invited. They began their new life aright, and we hope that their lines may be cast in pleasant places, and their pathway lie through the green meadows and placid brooks of marital existence, and in the end by crowned by a glorious sunset.

In a dispute between Mr. John Shearlock and Mr. William Fleming, over some rental wheat, on Thursday of last week, the latter was shot by the former, but not fatally wounded. Mr. Shearlock waive an examination and was bound over in the sum of five hundred dollars to await the actions of the next Grand Jury.

On Tuesday, April 19th, 1881, at Bloomsdale, Mo., by the Rev. Fr. Grosholz, Mr. Michael Drury to Miss Adile Lalumendiere.

Mr. Michael Drury is one of Bloomsdale’s truest and best men, and we can only hope that the woman he has chosen to walk by his side for the remainder of life’s journey , may make for him the helpful and devoted spouse he deserves. The Fair Play extends its congratulations to them and wishes them peace, happiness and content on the voyage of the coming future.

Fair Play--April 30, 1881

Mrs. Coutts, wife of Mr. Edward Coutts, died last Thursday a week, at her home near Lawrenceton, at the advanced age of 73.

Mr. Louis Winston and family arrived here last week from Doniphan, Ripley County, and will make this place their permanent home.

On Tuesday, April 26th, 1881 by the Rev. Fr. Weiss, Mr. Louis Moser to Miss Mary Doll.

This was a wedding in which the “Big Missouri” was greatly interested and at the following festivities, which were had at Mr. Gettingers’ “the boys” had a harmonious time, and sent the newly made couple off on life’s journey with a grand hurrah for their future welfare.

Died:--On Wednesday, April 20, 1881,of lockjaw, Elizabeth, wife of Mr. Wesley Farleigh, aged 69 years.

Married:--On Sunday, April 24th, 1881, by the Rev. Miller, Mr. Nich. Munch to Miss Mina Luecke.

The wedding ceremony took place at the Lutheran Church and was witnessed by a large assemblage of relatives and friends. We are sorry that we can not give a description of the ceremony and the bride’s costumer; but the church was so densely crowded that our society reporter with a young lady, who was to give him the points of the toilet, could not gain entrance.

Nich. is one of the most deserving of our young men and has made a happy selection in the choice of Miss Mina for his better half. The Fair Play has only the heartiest and sincerest wishes for a prosperous, happy married life to them.

Mr. Anton Huck, an old and respected German citizen died, last Saturday, at the advanced age of seventy, of paralysis. He had resided in this county for twenty-eight year prior to his death. He was a member of the Baptist church and his funeral took place from their Chapel, in this city, on last Sunday, and was largely attended.

Fair Play--May 28, 1881

Mrs. John Hays, of Quarrytown, died very suddenly Thursday morning. She ate a hearty breakfast, and complaining of not feeling very well, said she would lie down for a few minutes. She expired in a short while after lying down.

Fair Play--June 4, 1881

Died:--On Tuesday, May 31st, 1881, Miss Marie Anne Bequette, aged 19 year.

Died:--On Thursday night Edward Derouse, aged 2 years and 6 months.

Mr. Harry Bantz returned from Western Missouri last Tuesday night.

Fair Play--June 11, 1881

The good people of New Tennessee are now enjoying their usual good health. Only one exception, that being the illness of  one of the oldest of our native inhabitants, Old Uncle Frank Obuchon, as he is familiarly called, who has been for the last three or four weeks in quite feeble health and at times quite sick. His family and friends are seriously uneasy about him, he now being over 91 years of age.

Mr. Frank Akins was thrown by a mule last Saturday and hurt very badly, but not fatally. He is resting easy and is appearing much better.

Tuesday of last week, in company with Mayor Charles C. Rozier, his daughter and niece Miss Lucy and Miss Cora Rozier, Mr. Jules F. Janis and Mr. Felix Hogenmiller, we boarded the City of Providence for a trip to Cape Girardeau. We arrived there at 12 M. Wednesday and located at the St. Charles Hotel. In the afternoon we called around on our brethern of the press, Greene, of the Courier, Adams of the Democrat and Cooker of the News.  They all extended us a cordial welcome, and we spent a few minutes of pleasant conversation with each, and on leaving promised to call again during our stay, but did not have time to keep the promise. There is a sort of double or thrible bond of fellowship between Greene and ourself as he is a lawyer and city Attorney and publishes the neatest and best of papers.

Fair Play--June 18, 1881

Misses Mary Allen, Flora Valle, Lucie Rozier, Mary and Memie Boyce, Alice and Lulu Mordeac, Gussie and Jessie Menard, Mary and Belle Detchememdy and a large number of young men from town , among who it was our good fortune to be one, attended the party at Mr. James Pinkley’s out on the Perryville road, last Tuesday night, and had a balmy time, though its as hot as ----------as anything.

Correspondence.  Avon Mo. June 13th 1881.

Hiram Blackledge died on Tuesday, June 7th, 1871, and was buried on the 8th. (Transcriber’s note--the date appears to be a typo and should be 1881).

There came very near being a bad accident at L. M. Boyd’s on the morning of the 11th inst. Mr. Boyd had some wheat up stairs in his house and placed a prop under the joist to keep it from springing. When removing his wheat the prop fell and struck him on the head, making and ugly scalp wound and Mrs. Boyd and child narrowly escaped serious injury from the falling timber.

An accident happened at the Silver ver point School House.  On the first Sunday in June a Baptist preacher, by the name of Ray, was holding a big meeting there and while distributing the sacrament a part of the brush arbor, which had been erected, fell down, a heavy pole striking Mrs. Schults on the head, giving her a probably fatal wound. Some hopes are entertained of her recovery as she is somewhat better at this writing.

Fair Play--June 25, 1881

Born:--On Friday, June 24th, 1881, to Mrs. Vorst, wife of Joseph Vorst, a girl.

On Tuesday, June 21st, 1881, to the wife of Louis Francis (col.) a girl.

On Saturday, June 18th, 1881, to the wife of Columbus Thomure, a girl.

Fair Play--July 16, 1881

Mr. Frank Obuchon of New Tennessee died, July 11th, and was buried July 12th, at River Aux Vases. A large number of people attended the funeral.

Charlie Jokerst killed a mad dog last Friday.

Died:--On Monday, July 11th, 1881, at his home in New Tennessee, this county, Mr. Frank Obuchon, aged 90 years and 4 months.

Mr. Obuchon, at the time of his death was the oldest inhabitant of the county. He was known and respected by all of our oldest citizens, who were but children when he was a man grown. Could his history and the changes he was witnessed in a long life be written, there would be much of instruction and interest in them, born as he was long before Missouri was a part of the Union, and living to see her rise from an almost howling wilderness to the proud position of fifth state in the confederacy.  May his soul rest in peace.

On last Thursday the lightning struck and destroyed almost and entire stack of wheat, belonging to Mr. Louis Ziegler. The loss is estimated at over two hundred bushels.

Fair Play--July 23, 1881

Born:--On Sunday, July 17th, 1881, to Clara, wife of Joseph Jokerst, Jr. a boy.

Died:--On Monday, July 18th, 1881, at 10:30 a.m. Miss Louisa Vogt, aged 26 years 6 months and 22 days.

Last Sunday night Mr. Sam. Boyer and a friend, who occupy a room at Mr. Jokerst’s, retired in a blissful unconscious of a narrow escape from serious injury one of them was going to make before morning. Boyer’s companion was awakened from his sleep by a commotion in the room and making a noise himself was surprised to see some one leap, or fall out of the window, a second story one. He was not long discovering it was Boyer. The window is about twenty feet from the ground, but Boyer sustained no injuries of consequence by the fall. It is supposed he jumped from the window in a somambulistic fit.

Fair Play--July 30, 1881

Correspondence From St. Mary.

Born:--July 26th, 1881, to Annie, wife of Henry Jordan, a fine girl.

Miss Frances Cissel, from the country, is the pleasant guest of Miss Hattie Mattingly.

Mrs. Firmin A. Rozier and daughter, Miss Dora, will leave for Providence R. I to-morrow, on a visit to Mrs. Athala Miller nee Rozier.

Marriage licenses were issued to the following persons this week:

Henry C. Reeder to Miss Mary E. Sherman,  Eli Roth to Miss Hannah Hausler, Levi Preston Wommack to Miss Mary Cordelia Smith, Andrew Basler to Miss Catharine Do’d.

Mr. John B. Highley, Ex-collector of St. Francois County, was here this week, in attendance on his wife, who is visiting the family of H. S. Shaw, Esq., and who has been quite sick. We are pleased to state, however, that the lady is much better at the present writing.

It will, perhaps, be remembered that several weeks ago there appeared an item in our St. Mary correspondence to the effect that a stranger came to that town with several hundred dollars in his possession and was found dead in the river, several days afterwards, the supposition being that he was murdered for his money. Later developments, however, lead to show that this suspicion is incorrect. An inquest held in Perry, in which county the body was found, brought out the fact that the man’s name was Englebat Huber, of Ohio, and he was a brother to Mr. Louis Huber, of this county, to whose home (illegible) at the time he was overtaken by death. When his body was taken from the water a large, well-filled pocket book was taken out of his pocket by one of the jurors, who carried it behind an old lime kiln and returned shortly afterwards and showed it to the others, considerable lessened in size. Some two dollars in change were found on the corpse and whether there was any money in the pocket book the juror who took it alone knows. The drowned man had  just before his disappearance, a valise filled with new clothing and if anyone knows anything of it whereabouts they will confer a favor by informing us so that we can communicate the fact to his brother.

Mr. Matt Hastings and his assistant, Mr. John May, both of St. Louis, arrived here Wednesday and will do some fine decoration work in the convent chapel. Mr. Hastings will be remembered as the gentleman, who, last summer had a terrible fall of thirty three feet to the floor of the Catholic church while painting the decorations of the ceiling.

Last Sunday afternoon occurred one of these terrible accidents that sends a thrill of horror through a whole community. On the evening of that day a child of Mr. James Pinkley, three years old, was playing in the yard down at the old Detchemendy house and fell into an uncovered cistern and was drowned. It is said that the body was floating on the water when its situation was first discovered, but sunk before anyone could descend to it.  Everything possible was done to resuscitate the child when taken out, but without avail.

Fair Play--August 6, 1881

Mr. Thomas Morris is slowly recovered from his injury, received by being kicked by a horse not long since.

Mrs. Annie Dutton, wife of the “Squire,” has been very sick, but is very much better at present, we are glad to hear.

Mr. H. Brands and John Poston have each purchased a riding plow. They are both first class farmers and are always up with the times.

Married:--On Tuesday, July 26th 1881, at the residence of the bride’s brother, by Andrew Thurman, J. P., Mr. Henry C. Reeder to Mary Sherman. All of this county, Jefferson County Democrat please copy.

Miss Jennie Burchard, who for eight years has been a boarder at the Convent, returned to her home in Memphis, Tennessee, last Sunday. Miss Jennie is a pleasant agreeable young lady and her many young friends regretted her departure.

The only marriage license issued this week was to Logan McCarver and Miss Ellen Bloom. both parties were under age, but happily, the disapproval of no cruel parents forbade the joining of the two souls that beat as one. On the contrary, the parents of each gave an unanimous consent to the union.

Fair Play--August 13, 1881

Died:--Infant daughter of Godfred and Mary Blechle on July 26th, 1881.

The Emma C. Elliott sunk about two miles above Rush Tower last Tuesday night, and is reported breaking in two. The City of Providence brought her passengers down. No lives or freight lost.

Miss Jannie Coxxens, who is well known to many of our town readers, was married on Wednesday, the 13th, to Mr. William Boyd; the ceremony taking place at the bride’s home in New Tennessee settlement. Mr. Boyd is a worthy young man and is fortunate in being able to call Miss Jannie by the endearing title of wife. The Fair Play extends its congratulations to the young couple and predicts only pleasant things for them.

A child was born to Mrs. Kennard, last Saturday.

Our friend, Louis Thurman, the mail carrier, has his little snake story to tell also. Last Wednesday as he was on his daily trip St. Mary, he killed a rattlesnake about three feet long, and having eight rattles. on his return in the afternoon the snake was not lying along the side of the road, where he had left it, and he got out to search for it. He found it in the grass a short distance away and was somewhat surprised to find that the head of the rattle and about four inches of the body had been swallowed by a viper, which was at the time engaged in a desperate attempt to swallow the whole of the dead serpent. The viper was killed and measured between a foot and a half and two feet. We judge the viper, in its effort to gulp down the rattlesnake, was somewhat like ourselves where we were a boy and took a bigger slice that we could conveniently stow away and the old folks would tell us our eyes were larger than our stomachs.

Correspondence. Cliff, Mo.

Mr. Thomas Morris, who was so badly kicked a few weeks ago, is now riding around buying cattle.

The Steamer Emma C. Elliott run against a snag and is Stranded on A Sand Bar.

Last Tuesday night as the old favorite Grand Tower packet, the Emma C. Elliott, was on her regular down trip she ran against a concealed  snag in the river at a point opposite Rush Tower, about twenty miles above here. The snag passed through the boat’s hull and she commenced sinking rapidly, but the pilot had the presence of mind to steer her to a neighboring sand bar on which she settled immediately. The bow lay in about three feet of water while the stern was in fifteen, causing the boat to break in two at about the middle. Thus passes away the old steamer Emma C. Elliott. She has run her last trip and the hills and valleys will no longer echo to her whistle. For so  many year had she been in the Grand Tower trade that people had come to regard her with that peculiar affection that we sometimes conceive for inanimate things. There is not a man, woman, or child along the river, but what was as familiar with her whistle as he was with the voice of a friend, and all will be sorry to now that it is hushed never to revive again.

Since the above was in type the boat has been raised and towed to St. Louis, and on examination her injuries are found not to be near so serious as first reported. She will be making her regular trips in a week or so.

Judge Griffith, while in attendance at County Court, was taken violently ill Tuesday night and was confined to his room at the hotel all day Wednesday. He is now much better.

Fair Play--August 20, 1881

Born:--On Wednesday, August 17th, 1881, to Mary T., wife of Thomas Powers, a boy.

Born:--On Wednesday, August 17th, 1881, to Lizzie, wife of Leon Jokerst, a girl.

Philip  Robinson and Alfred Shearlock, two of Ste. Genevieve’s best citizens, are on their way to Howell County, this state, in search of a location. We don’t like the idea of such men leaving our county.

Lawrence Du Rocher, who was lately prostrated by overheat, has gone to Prairie Du Rocher to rusticate and recuperate.

Alvina, Mr. E. P. Vogt’s little daughter, fell from the head of the stairs to the foot, breaking off one of her front teeth and injuring herself quite severely otherwise.

Jim Frichette, a Ste. Genevieve boy, was severely injured last week in the burning of the St. Louis Anchor Mills, in which he was employed. His injuries are not supposed to be fatal.

Fair Play--August 27, 1881

Born:--On Tuesday, August the 23rd, to Anna, wife of Louis C. Jones, a boy.

The boy was only a seven pounder but our friend Jones was as proud of him as if he had weighed twice as much or had been in “doubs”.  While we are on this subject of Jones, we want to tell an ancedote:  Once there lived a politician, who knew and was known by everybody. Once, however, he was accosted on the streets by a man, who seemed to know him perfectly well, but somehow the stranger’s name had slipped the politician’s memory and though he racked his mind almost to madness, he could not recall it. He tried many artifices to induce  the stranger to mention his congressmen, but it was no go. Finally, a bright idea dawned upon him and he asked: “How do you spell your name?”  “J--o--n--e--s,” replied he without a smile and the politician  who “knew everybody was suddenly called “to see a man.”

Through negligence the Catholic Cemetry became a pasture of dry grass and brush, and the Board of Directors awarded the cleaning of the same to Mr. Naglisen, who it seems accidentally let some fire fall out of his pipe, and while he went down to a spring for the purpose of getting waters it caught fire, and when he returned the entire enclosure was a solid flame of wild fire. The ill tidings reached the ears of those interested and they flocked to the scene in time to witness the terrible cracking and breaking of the falling monuments and tombstones. Your correspondent visited the scene the following day and it reminded him of reading the description of the ruined cities of yore, but the most heart rendering sight was to see women and children with eyes filled with tears, hunting in vain for the last resting place of their beloved. There are but few panels of fence on the side that separated the Catholic from the city grave yard left standing. Some of the citizens were upbraiding Mr. Nagleisen for his negligence, but he used his walking cain pretty freely and they were glad to retract. As a general thing everybody exonerates the old man from all blame.

Fair Play--September 3, 1881

Jujule Janis is “ripping calico for John L. Boverie.

Prof. Fred Johnson, colored, has been employed to teach the colored school.

Mr. Baptiste Bequette aged 64 years died Friday and was buried Saturday.

Mr. John O’Shea, of Quarrytown, has been sick, but we are happy to say he is getting better.

Last Tuesday a six year old child of Mr. Jim Scott was playing on the bar in front of the copper furnace with other children and, falling into the pool of water, was drowned.

Correspondence. From Coffman.

Charlie Kimball, one of our best citizens, will move to Elgins, Ill, (his home), in about three weeks and Oliver E. Roseberry will seek his fortune elsewhere in about the same time.

The Doctor, the blacksmiths and wagonmakers are kept very busy. E. Roseberry & Son. the carpenters are full to overflowing with work. They are now putting a new shingle roof on the largest barn in the county. The barn belongs to Judge Coffman.

An unknown person went to Mr. Frank Deck’s house and asked of a young girl, who was, at the time, alone in the house, for a drink. She started to get it, but wasn’t fast enough for the ruffian, who drew a pistol and told her to hurry up. The girl was sadly frightened and running upstairs she bag to hollow “murder! murder!”  Her cries brought out some of the neighbors and the fellow decamped.

Fair Play--September 17, 1881

Louis Blanks was married to Ida Forest, on the 11th of September, near St. Mary by Rev. Louis Boon. The parties were all colored and this was the first wedding that occurred in or near St. Mary under the marriage license law.

Mr. Louis Winston’s wife presented him with a fine boy, on Saturday last.

Mr. Wm. F.  Cox and his daughter, Miss Cora, went up to St. Lous Sunday.

Marriage licenses issued since our last report:

Christian Greminger to Miss Cecelia Grass, Henry La Rose, to Miss Elina Thomure, Wm. Coffer (minor) to  Miss Sarah Harvey, Joseph Adoms to Miss Sarah Vaughan, Aug. Jokerst, to Miss Paulina Vaeth, Geo Grass. Jr. to Miss Julia Huber, Louis Blanks (col’d) to Ida Forest, William Bloom to  Mrs. Schlatitz, Chas. B. Vansickles, to  Miss Debby Mackley, Chas Counts to  Miss Fanny Robertson.

John Tlapek, Sr. an old citizen of St. Mary, died very suddenly on last Wednesday morning.

Frank Wathen at one time part owner of the Fair Play, is now at work on the Fredericktown Clarion.

Mr. Alexis Carron of Bloomsdale will sell his personal property at public sale on the 24th, and move to Ste. Genevieve.

Mr. Christ Betten and wife, of Cape Girardeau, visited the former’s parents here, this week. They came through by land.

The promise of marriage between Felix Bequette and Miss Johanna Doll, Louis Lefleur and Miss Adeline Hock, and Cyprian La Rose and Miss Bono were “published at the Catholic church last Sunday. If rumor speaks right these are not half of the marriages that will come off in the near future.