1876, News Clippings, January thru June

The year of 1876 saw the execution of Marshall Crain at the county jail located on S. Madison Street and the indictment and trials of others related to the “Vendetta” period, including a few Ku Klux Klan members who had been terrorizing local families.

See also, 1876, News Clippings, July thru December

____________________   January, 1876  ______________________

6 Jan – William Hendrickson’s wife presented him with a birthday present in the shape of a boy. MM

James Norris is in jail… under indictment for 2 years and till now has been running at large. James Henderson, in his dying declaration, said he was one of his assassins. MM

John F. Angel of near Crab Orchard, died of heart disease last Tuesday. EP

13 Jan – Married by Rev. George W. Lamaster on the 5th at residence of the bride’s father, Charles A. Walker and Annie Stotlar. MM

Died at his residence here Sunday, Dr. Thomas D. Ferguson…had practiced medicine here several years…buried city cemetery. MM

The contract for the erection of the scaffold for the execution of Marshall Crain has been  let  to Samuel  Ireland. MM

Fee bill of sale of charges governing the physicians of Williamson County:

S1 for each necessary visit in town of residence. For travel, $1 per mile for first 3 miles, 50 cents each additional mile, no account being taken of ordinary medicines furnished. S1 for each office exam and prescription, medicines furnished to be charged for according to value. S10 for each obstetric case. Night visits, double rates. EP

The Press office was honored last Monday by a visit from Stephen Blair of Randolph County. He is one of the old settlers of Williamson County. He erected the first mill that was built at this place. EP

Dr. T.A. Ferguson died at his residence here of pneumonia last Sunday in the 53rd year of his age…practiced medicine in this county over 20 years. EP

20 Jan –  “Gam”  Stevens, one of Jackson County’s Ku Klux was sentenced to 14 years. MM

Aaron Heal of Franklin County, of Ku Klux notoriety, was found guilty of disturbing the family of J.B. Mattox last August. EP

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Alice Crain (Aunt Ailsey), consort of J.U. Crain, better known as “Uncle Jep”, was born 15 Dec 1814 in Caldwell Co, KY, died 11 Jan 1876…professed religion at age 15 and united with the Baptist Church,   Caldwell Co, KY…moved to this county and united with the Grassy Church. At the organization of Hurricane Church, she put her letter into that church and was a member till her death. Her maiden name was Carlisle…married J.U. Crain 23 Mar, 1831. (MM says 2 Mar 1834) …11 children, 5 sons and 6 daughters…she lived to see them all with families except 1 and they all settled around her…3 daughters died before her___survived by 8 children, 33 grandchildren, all being in this neighborhood…had buried 13 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild…funeral at Hurricane Church. After the grave was filled, as she requested, her husband and children marched around the grave and the congregation sang “When we get to Heaven we will part no more.”    EP & MM

20 Jan – The paper is late this week because of the hanging of Marshall Crain which took place at 10 o’clock Friday. He went to the gallows, built by Samuel Ireland, in the white robe he was baptized in.    The jury that convicted him was Henry Gray; M.V. Felts; Isham Harris; Scott Tippy; George Brock; W.W.  Young; John H. Manier; J.W. Everett; Henry Wise; George Ward; William Aikman and William S. Washburn, all were present at hanging. (An earlier account says he pled guilty.) He read a 24 verse poem, 2 verses of “There is a Fountain filled With Blood” were sung and Reverend W. Sandford Gee   of Mount Vernon made appropriate remarks. Brice Holland cut the rope with a hand axe that caused him to fall. The body was placed in a coffin and placed in the street for the crowd to see. The only family of his at the hanging was his brother Warren and a distant cousin, L.D. Crain. They were up in the hall but did not look at him on the gallows…he was the son of William Crain who owned a horse mill on Phelps Prairie, 5 miles west of here, who has been dead some time. Marshall was about 27 years old, married with no children. 2 of his brothers, William J. and Noah W. were indicted as accessories in the killing of Spence…Marshall had attempted to kill Sisney 2 times before… the third time he killed him by shooting him in the breast thru a screen of the window with a double barreled shotgun in Carbondale on July 28,  1875. He seriously wounded Sisney and a young man named Hindman on Dec 12,  1874 in Sisney’s house, 9 miles west of Marion. .. said he was hired by John Bulliner and had Allen Baker as accomplice… EP

William Craig of this county became entangled in a saw at a saw mill in the Mississippi bottoms the forepart of this week, causing death…brought back to this county for burial a few miles south of here yesterday. EP

27 Jan – Gum Stevens was sentenced to 10 years, pled guilty to robbery…in addition to last week’s sentence…24 years all together, at hard labor.    Carbondale Observer MM

Kane Brush received a letter on the 8th telling him to leave the county in 10 days or abide by penalty of death. MM

Estray Notice – Taken up by Marsalus Ketchum, Township 9 S, Range 1 E, one yoke of cattle…lead ox is 5 years old, off ox is 4 years old, appraised at $45.  MM

A letter was received from D.H. Evett of Neosho, Newton County, MO. EP

Dr. Bundy performed a painful surgical procedure on William Watson last week. The eyeball had swollen and burst several times and had to be cut out. EP

Mrs. F.E. Evans of Nevada, MO is visiting here with friends and relatives. EP

J.B. Roberts of Marion received a letter from Wilkinson Barringer of Cedarville, Smith Co, KS. EP

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____________________   February, 1876  ______________________

Samuel Keeland, one of the Williamson County murderers, though not connected with the vendetta, will have his trial in Saline County during February. EP

From Frankfort – Last Friday evening a young man named Willie Lawrence took a gun out…it exploded… is supposed the breech pin flew out, striking him in the right eye, cutting both lids and in all probability bursting the eyeball… his nose also badly hurt and his face was powder burned. MM

An interview at the Jail Thursday with Marshall Crain was published in the Globe Democrat. He said his name was Marshall Thomas Crain, born 6 Dec 1848, married Rhoda Rich 4 Mar 1874 at Mount Carbon, IL…his parents have been dead about 9 years…he first became connected with the vendetta in the spring of 1874 between the death of Dave Bulliner and Janes Henderson. .. he withdrew, but then   heard John Bulliner had hired someone to fire into my house or had done it himself…rejoined in October 1874…nobody was with him when he killed Sisney. Samuel Music was with him when he killed Spence.    Music knew $5,000 was to pass thru the hands of Spence that day, to be paid to John Landrum___he wanted to get it and leave the country…Spence was shot twice with a shotgun and once with a pistol…we were in the store about 5 minutes after the shooting…I shot both of them because of prejudice, but the Bulliner boys agreed to pay me $200, I have received it all except $5. I swore falsely against Allen Baker in Murphysboro. Baker said his father fired into his (Baker’s) room as a blind. Bulliner gave Mart Dial and Jonas J. Elliott $300 to kill Henderson. I only told 1/5 of what I know of Bulliner. I left the county 2 weeks after the death of Spence. I wish my body to be given to my relatives who will bury me in Hampton Cemetery. I want to be buried in a white linen shroud with the robe I was baptized in over the shroud. MM

3 Feb – Witnesses for the People in the Crain trial in Cairo: Samuel Music, John Ditmore, H.V. Ferrell, J.W. Landrum, Mary C. Tippy, William Hendrickson, Martin Davis, Leonard Fuller, Narcissa Waggoner, Newman Grimes, H.W. Johnson, Monroe Rollan, Ann Impson, John Craig,  William Rollan,  Thomas Duncan and James Hampton alias Joseph Hostetter…W.W. Clemens was the attorney for the defendants. . .Samuel Music said Jep Crain is a brother to Marshall and Black Bill Crain is his cousin…other witnesses: Worth Tippy, I.C.  Fuller,  Henry  Bowles,  James Samuels, Wesley Crain brother to Big Jep, D.B. Ward, James Hampton, N.J. Crain, James Craig, Mary A. Crain, Mrs. Anna Crain, stepmother to Black Bill, Sarah Hampton, daughter of Louisa, Phillip T. Smith, John Smith, Philip D. Smith, Samuel Crain,  N.E.  Morris, Charles H. Denison, Calvin Craig, Robert Craig, William J. Mackadoo of Jefferson County and David Crawford an old man in soldier’s clothes from Jefferson County… Black Bill Crain and Big Jep Crain were sentenced to 20 years. MM

17_Feb – W.P. Springs, living 1 mile east of here, received a severe shock of electricity Sunday…is slowly recovering. MM

C.J. Biggs has purchased the stove and tin shop of Swindle and Reese…for pickles, the best on the market, call on John Schultz. MM

George Ebbs accidentally shot himself with a small pocket pistol in this place…ball lodged against his hip bone. MM

A 2 year old child of Harry Jenkins, living near Old Concord Church in the county, fell in the fire and burned to death…the father was chopping wood and the mother went on an errand to a neighbor’s house, leaving the 2 year old and a 4 year old. On returning, she found the baby lying in the fire, burned to a crisp so much its little arms fell off when it was laid out. McLeansboro Era EP

W.P. Springs,  living 2 ½ miles southeast, met with an almost fatal shock, either from apoplexy or electricity last Sunday… suddenly became senseless and fell from his chair…appeared lifeless for some time…after medical aid was called, he rallied. EP

Monday evening, the 24th, Isaac Campbell, a farmer of Town Mount Prairie, left DuQuoin on horseback to go home. The creeks and sloughs were swollen to their utmost and to get home he was compelled to cross Little Muddy River. His horse was found downstream and he is feared dead.    Benton Standard EP

Mark Sharp and his sister, Mrs. Cox, who live in Tunnel Hill Twp. were in Vienna on business. They got a ride on a handcar on the C & V Railroad which collided with a construction train, killing Mr. Sharp and dangerously wounding the lady.   Vienna Yeoman EP

Albert, son of Hon. R. Richeson, died at Ewlng. EP

24 Feb-  Isaac Campbell was found on the Cairo Short Line, cutting firewood. EP

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Pierce Purcell was found dead Sunday morning in front of the Concert Hall, his face eaten off by hogs…a miner, 50 years old, born Ireland___addicted to drinking…had home, wife and children. Murphysboro Independent EP

Wiley Holcum and his wife were going home from L. Moses’. Her horse became unruly and charged with her, fall on him and killed him. EP

In Memoriam – Farmers Home Grange – death of William S. Calvert… sympathy to widow and children. EP

Dr. Johnson, old and well known citizen living near Carbondale died last Thursday. EP

I, the undersigned, finding it impossible to live agreeably with my wife Mary Ann Taylor, have left her and I hereby give notice that I will not be responsible for any contracts she might make. W.H. Taylor EP

Some 3 or 4 years ago, Lewis Sutton, a citizen of Northern Township, and a son 12 or 13 years old were adjusting some logs on a stable. A heavy log rolled off and hit the boy, killing him instantly. On Friday the father was adjudged insane and sent to the asylum at Anna.    Benton Standard EP

Frederick Wilhelm, living in the eastern part of county near Elkton, brought load of wheat to this city on Friday, the 11th…indulged too freely in the “flowing bowl”…when he reached the residence of Mr. F. Eigenraugh, 5 miles south of this city, he tried to turn team and fell out of wagon, breaking his neck and producing almost instant death.    Nashville Journal EP

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____________________   March, 1876  ______________________

2 Mar H.M. Aiken, publisher of the Observer, died at Carbondale last Tuesday night of typhoid pneumonia…his daughter Hattie died yesterday and his wife’s life is despaired of…buried with Odd- fellows honors today.    EP & MM

A heavy wind, hail and rain storm last Sunday…heaviest wind confined to a narrow strip of country about half a mile in width, commencing at west end of county at Eight Mile Prairie, extending in northeasterly direction, sweeping thru Herrin’s Prairie and Scoharie Prairie…in Eight Mile Prairie the railroad station and barn of George H. Sprague were badly damaged…between there and Herrin’s Prairie, Thomas Haldron’s dwelling was blown down and his wife dangerously wounded…further on G.T. Johnson and Joseph Smart had barns unroofed…great destruction…At Herrin’s Prairie the home of John Shelby was completely wrecked and he and his family were badly bruised…the names of many others whose barns and houses were demolished were not learned…it swept all trees in its pathway northeast of the prairie___the brick house at Brooks farm in Phelps Prairie was unroofed…a letter from J.W. Benson in Lake Creek Township says the wind blew so hard it blew off the inside casings at his home, to which shutters were locked, blew some clothing from the lower story to upper story and out thru a window that was open…blew roof off of cook room, smokehouse, stables, corn cribs, hay house and tobacco barn…trees, fences and everything else nearby were swept before it. EP

16 Mar – Joe Tibbs who attempted suicide at Eldorado a few months ago was brought here last week, adjudged insane and taken to Anna asylum Monday— once tried to cut his throat with razor. EP 4 MM

Edith May, infant daughter of A.J. & A.E. Carden died 10 Mar. EP

Joe Toppings shot Ed Whiting in Cairo…dispute about a game of cards. EP

John W. Stephens died Sunday evening…ill very short time…died residence here…partner for 12 months in grocery store with M.T. Vick.    EP & MM     (MM says Saturday evening)

Zadoc Mitchell, brother to Rev. J.G. Mitchell, postmaster at Locust Grove, was arrested for cashing pension checks…taken to Centralia and released on $1,000 ball…accused of taking them from the mail. [Lengthy account) EP

On and after the 13th of May, Cairo will dispense with the use of gas in street lamps. EP

Mark Russell, living near eastern edge of the county, was arrested for abduction and enticing a young lady. MM

2 Mar – Last Monday night Henry Uhles, William Warren, James Gore and _____ Jones tried to escape jail by burning thru the wooden walls that held the bars… Jailer was woken up by the sound of the bars falling. EP

Friday, 28 February, the store house of John E. Lufkin was completely consumed by fire…Hathaway and Baggot’s Saloon, store of T.H. Perrine, Randall’s law office and Levy’s furniture store also destroyed at Anna. EP

1 Mar – Winnie Sanborn of Dongola went for a walk Sunday afternoon, last week…unable to find her way home… 200 people searched for her…found her way to a friendly farmhouse and stayed overnight… had wandered 4 miles from home. EP

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23 Mar – Samuel H. Bundy Jr. and Charles Davis were tried before police magistrate Reynolds yesterday for laughing, talking and otherwise disturbing a worshiping congregation at Southern Methodist Church some nights ago … fined $5 and costs, the costs amounting to more than the fine. Since the evidence was brought out in court, a writ has been issued for Misses Mary Gould and Jennie Ewing. EP

James Norris, one of the boys confined to the county jail was on the streets one day this week in company of David Coke, the jailer. EP

Lengthy account by James O.  Johnson, living a few miles east of Corinth in Northern Township, of life in Andersonvllle Prison… was Pvt. in Co. E 81st Illinois Volunteers. MM

Union Grange No. 1506 at Kimmel Schoolhouse in Union Pct. – death of Davalt Smith.  EP 30 Mar

Marshal T. Russell, formerly of this county, is now a retail dry goods merchant at Billings, MO.    EP    30 Mar

Mary Gould was fined $5 and costs for disturbing a worshiping congregation. The other young lady was not there because service was failed to obtain due to her absence. Simeon Ewing is mad about the names being published. EP

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____________________   April, 1876  ______________________

6 Apr – The Stacy and Tucker women living 1 ½ miles east, engaged in a general rural melee…hair pulling and face scratching… Squire Reynolds fined 2 of them and 1 boy $3 and costs each…gave them injunction to go and sin no more. EP

Two of the Bowlin boys living north of town were arrested for stealing 2 plows from the blacksmith shop of Vick and Cruse. EP

Caroline Ryan Vs J.W. Ryan – bill for divorce – he is a non-resident. EP

P.D. Bozarth and his brother both died at Carterville last week of measles and pneumonia. EP

Jennie Ewing was acquitted of disturbing a congregation. EP

William Dunaway and Mary McCowan were married last Sunday at the home of the bride’s mother by Elder W.H. Boles. EP

F.D. Heflin died at his home in Scoharie Prairie after an illness of a few hours.    [No date given for death.] MM

Nelson H. Peck died at residence of his sister, Mrs. Emmer Robinson at Frankfort, Monday, March 27…about 19 years old… attended Ewing College.. .took sick and died in a few days — is survived by 2 sisters and 1 brother. MM

Jack Keaster closed his school last Friday at the Pulley School House. MM

The Methodist Society at Perry Camp Ground will enlarge their church building this spring. MM

L.K. Tucker of this county has gone to Lebanon, Ohio to attend school. MM

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William Rex has purchased the stock of confectionery formerly owned by J.H. Manier on north side of the public square. MM

13 Apr – Dr. J.C. Mitchell of Ripon, KS is visiting relatives and friends in this city. EP

Last Sunday Samuel Stewart, living in Pulaski County, killed George Anderson who lived on the Massac County line north of Grand Chain. Anderson hit Stewart with his fist and Stewart stabbed him with a pocket knife — he died within 3 minutes…got into a fight over a wrangle between some young boys. EP

A man named Gallimore, while grubbing in a field near Eddyville, Pope County, dug up an old pitcher containing $2,200 in gold coin.

Mrs. Dimmick of Frankfort has been elected school director for that district, the only lady director in the county. EP

A son was born to Dr. Alonzo P. Baker – Grassy. MM

Married at residence of James H. Edwards, Tuesday April 6, William A. Karr and Mattie B.  Carter, by Rev.  M.P. Wilkin. MM

James Jenkins, an old and well known resident of this county, died of inflammation of the glands at his residence about 5 miles southeast of here on Tuesday, the 11th.  MM

James Kelly, residing on the farm of John Goodall ½ mile north of here, was kicked by a mule and almost instantly killed Wednesday morning, last…was a juror in the case of the people vs Aaron Neal for manslaughter. He is the same Kelly who acted as executioner at the hanging of Marshal Crain. MM

Sometime last month Pled Finney met Thomas Riddle on the road some 10 miles northeast of Marion, fell upon him with a club four feet long and left him for dead in road…Riddle has a broken arm and several cuts on his head…trouble was over surveying they had done between their adjoining farms. MM

Council No. 13 U.F. & T., Marion – resolution of respect on death of Brother John W. Stephens, mm

Henry Hunter, the man who is said to have killed Gen. Packingham at New Orleans, died at Carbondale one day this week…97 years old…his remains were buried in this county. EP

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Indictment of Noah W. Crain as accessory in murder of Spence was quashed. EP

Case continued of Aaron Neal for manslaughter…change of venue from Saline County ___two days into trial, one of the jurors, James Kelley was kicked in left side of breast by a mule — died in 10 or 15 minutes___had wife and several children. EP

George Cox was charged with stealing bacon from Aikman’s meat-house. EP

There are 69 widows in Mt. Carmel. EP

In Washington County last week a boy named Koelling was thrown from a horse…foot caught in stirrup and he was dragged to death. EP

At Anna last week, a boy named Sam Brooksher was terribly crushed between a truck and water tank ___ one leg broken in 2 places and one hand is almost separated from the arm, hanging only by tendons EP

Mrs. D.E. Boles, consort of Elder Boles of the Christian Church at this place, died of consumption Tuesday, the 18th.    EP | MM

Mrs. Atkinson, consort of Rev. H. Atkinson of this place, died of consumption yesterday. MM

George A. Willeford, one of oldest and best citizens, died the 18th — son George W. Willeford, formerly of this place and now of Indiana, attended funeral.    MM & EP

Globe Democrat – 18 April, Chamois, MO. – Col. A.A. Spencer, formerly of St. Louis was killed yesterday in the courtroom at Linn, in this county, by a stranger named Jeffries … only explanation was a remark made by the assassin, “Colonel, what have you done with your wife and children?” … he drew a revolver and shot him 3 times, one of which went thru the head … made no attempt to escape. Spencer was the son of former Secretary of U.S. Navy; his brother was hanged at the yard arm of the brig “Somers” for mutiny off the coast of Africa, about 1848. 2 sailors, Cromwell and Small were executed at same time. The trouble seems to have been over a woman with whom both were in love and whom Spencer eventually married. The victim was once a citizen of this place and made himself very conspicuous. MM

James Norris, charged with the murder of  James  Henderson, clearly proven to be in 2 places at the same time – Illinois and Tennessee, was found guilty and given 18 years…W.W. Clemens and Milo Erwin defended him. EP

Wednesday evening of last week. Dr. Alvis of Nashville, IL, insulted Miss Addie Aiken…her brother George went to the doctor’s office and knocked him down with a baseball club,  inflicting a dangerous,  if not fatal wound. EP

Milo Erwin defended Samuel Music for murder…Jury could not agree on verdict. EP

Young Crosson got 7 years for stealing a horse from I.W. Williams of Sulphur Springs—James Gore got 9 years for stealing a mule from Elijah Turner…Draton McCown got 2 years for burglary of Hundley & Holland’s Drug Store…Henry Uhles fined $100 and sentenced to 20 days in county Jail for petty larceny…Wyatt Cannedy acquitted of assault with deadly weapon…William H. Warren, charged with bigamy, first case of its kind in this county, trial was going on when paper went to print. EP

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Married on the 26th at residence of bride’s father by Rev. W.S. Evans, John M. Cline and Alice Vick. MM

27 April – Dr. R.M. McCall, physician. All calls either day or night attended to. Marion, Ill. MM

Hartwell Duncan,   one of the men who captured James Norris, left Monday for Springfield to collect the $400 reward. EP

W.H. Warren was convicted of bigamy and sentenced to 5 years and a $500 fine.     EP

Samuel Music was sentenced to 14 years for murder … second trial … at first one jury failed to agree, 10 for acquittal and 2 for conviction. MM

Samuel Crain, arrested as accomplice in the murder of Spence, was admitted to ball of $5,000 on account of him having consumption. MM,

Memorial – Williamson Lodge No.  392, I.0.0.F. – Death of Brother Lorenzo D. Crain at his residence In Crain City (Crainville) 20 Apr 1876. MM

Thomas Blades of Northern Precinct  lost his house and contents to a fire 2 weeks ago…loss was partially restored by neighbors, among them Obediah STRIKE and family. MM

George Ferris, brother of John Ferris of Carterville, was murdered on the Narrow Gauge Railroad in Jackson County. The difficulty was over a woman. EP

The wife of Rev. H. Atkisson died at her home in this place yesterday.    EP   (MM reported last week that she died yesterday.)

Lorenzo D. Crain, farmer of near Crainville, died at home Thursday. Burial was in Hurricane Cemetery. EP

William A. Venus and Marvin Young, both under 16, were sentenced to 2 years in reform school for burglary. EP

John Cline and Alice Vick were married Wednesday evening at home of bride’s father, Hon. Samuel S. Vick … attended by Paralee Vick and Missouri Gallagher as bridesmaids and A.J. Benson and M.N. Davis as groomsmen. EP

A group of several families arrived here from North Carolina last week. They have bought and paid for $10,000 worth of land here — on Phelps Prairie and is known as the Campbell farm. EP

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____________________   May, 1876  ______________________

4 May – Amos Shane, a resident of this place several years ago, died at Eldorado last week. EP

Two littles strangers in town this week, one at John Little’s and the other at Hardin Goodall’s. EP

William Brummitt, a farmer living on Herrin’s Prairie, died last Thursday. EP

William Tranbarger, an old citizen of this county who resided at Carterville, died last Monday of pneumonia. EP

From Mt. Carmel Register – James Kelley of Williamson County interviewed the business end of a mule and James sleeps where the violets grow.    (Referring to the jury man who recently died.) EP

Joseph W. Benson died at his residence in northern part of county Thursday, April 27…lived here when county was first settled… was farmer in Lake Creek Precinct … left wife and children. EP

A.Y. Brown, a Perry County man, went out to hunt turkeys, but before he shot any turkeys, he managed to kill himself. He did the thing up “Brown”. EP

Augustus Thorn, a brakeman on the St. Louis and Southeastern Railway was thrown from the freight train and killed near Belle Rive on Monday…was resident of Mt. Vernon. EP

U.S. Clavert’s funeral will be preached at Mt. Zion next Sunday by Rev. Wells. MM

William Rex, on north side of public square is prepared to get up a good square meal for 25 cents. MM

William H. O’neal and Caroline Wilburn of Attila were married last week. MM

J.W. Mosely of Crab Orchard died last week. MM

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A baseball game between Corinth and Union Grove was played last Saturday … Felix Stewart was the umpire and the scorers were E.A. Sheretz and A. Mitchell. The time was 2 hours and 40 minutes 9 innings were played, the score being Union Grove 41 – Corinth 25, 5 innings were then played in 58 minutes, the score being Union Grove 27 – Corinth 14. The Union Grove players are farmers. It is time for farm work so baseball practice was discontinued until further notice. The players are:

Corinth Outs Runs
George Bond, catcher 2 5
Levi Abner, pitcher 2 3
F. Stone, 1st baseman 4 3
H. Mitchell, shortstop 4 4
F. Pease, 2nd baseman 1 6
G. Mitchell, 3rd baseman 1 6
T. Mitchell, right field 3 4
L. Stone, center field 7 1
G. Abner, left field 3 3
UNION GROVE Outs Runs
James Pillow, pitcher 4 4
John Pillow, catcher 2 7
T.M.  Edwards, shortstop 2 6
S. Sheretz, 1st baseman 4 2
J.M. Davis, 2nd baseman 4 3
A.H. Davis, left field 2 7
H. Davis, center field 2 4
William Edwards, right field 5 3
D.H. Davis, 3rd baseman 3 5

11 May – A boy was born to Mr. and Mrs. J.B. Willeford last Saturday. EP

W.P. Todd of Crab Orchard subscribed for 2 copies of the Monitor last Saturday, one for him and one for his brother in Kansas. MM

Marshal P. Luckey and Ruth Moore were married last Sunday at the home of the bride’s father, Lt. James V. Moore … all of Lake Creek Precinct. MM & EP    (EP says Lutha Moore]

John McDowell of Hardin County shot himself a few days ago because his wife left him. EP

Thomas Shugart, a young man of Salem, was struck by lightning last Saturday evening and killed instantly. EP

William Head who murdered William Gray in Wayne County in 1871 has been captured in Missouri and returned to Fairfield. EP

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A young lady named King was run over and killed by a passenger train on the Southeastern Railroad last Tuesday, 2 miles west of Mt. Vernon. EP

18 May – Grassy – Maggie Stilley died last Friday from phthisis pulmonalis … was ill several months. MM

Moritz Hempel, a saw mill hand, drowned at Carmi last week while rafting logs. EP

Thomas Corder, aged 76 years, started on foot about 10 days ago to his old home in the Cherokee Nation. His family received a letter from him this week. He has reached Ironton, MO and in due time expected to complete his journey through. EP

Sam Keeland, who killed William Meece in March 1874, was sentenced to life. The act took place in the night time in a private residence where a congregation of people were holding religious worship at the request of old Mr. Fitzgerrell who was confined to his bed of sickness … while the people were singing and extending the hand of fellowship to Mr. Fitzgerrell, Keeland stood with the door partially open (he was inside the house), when young Meece gave his hand to Mr. Fitzgerrell, Keeland fired the fatal shot.    He fled to Kansas and was captured…trial was at Harrisburg. EP

James H. Townsend, prominent attorney of McLeansboro and brother to the Democratic candidate for Congress in the 19th District, died at McLeansboro on the 14th. EP

John Sturman of Dahlgren, Hamilton County, got married last Saturday night. Some neighbor boys thought they would have some fun by giving him a “charivari”. John soon turned the joke on the boys by coming to the door and “treating” them to a dose of shot, killing one and wounding several others. John thinks there ought not to be any nonsense about this marrying business. EP

25 May – Another girl for Mr. and Mrs. H.T. Goddard Saturday. MM

J.S. Mosier,  Deputy Sheriff of this county,  while going up the Illinois Central Railroad, taking Elbert Vaughn to prison for possessing counterfeit money, fell asleep this side of Champaign and woke up at Loda, 30 miles too far … He found his prisoner had left wearing handcuffs. EP

John Manier Jr. and Jim Lewis (colored) had a row at the depot Monday morning. Manier pled guilty and it cost him something over $7 dollars. Jim stood trial and had to make the city good for the amount of $9 and some cents, payable in 30 days. EP

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____________________   June, 1876  ______________________

1 June – John Hall, an extensive farmer living on Six Mile Prairie, lost his fine residence to fire last Thursday … loss estimated at $6,000 … no insurance. EP

Last Thursday, Bill Taburm, a colored man living a mile and a half southwest of this place, was plowing and his plow struck a stone which attracted his attention. He began to dig down and soon discovered that he had found the grave of a human body. The grave had been flagged all around with stone. He found several pieces of the skull and other bones and a number of teeth. Dr. Willeford was passing that way and Taburm called him by and gave him some of the bones and teeth, which he showed to us. It is evident that these remains are not those of a white man, as, from their stage of decomposition, it is evident that they were deposited there long before any white men ever came to this country. And from the careful manner in which the grave was flagged, it is supposable that the grave is the last resting place of some noted red man. EP

The home of Jo Burns, a brown colored two story building immediately south of the C & S depot, was consumed by fire Monday morning…family was away from home…lost everything but a feather bed… The building was owned by John H. Duncan and Company and was uninsured … once occupied the lot on which the brick building of P.M. Goodall now stands … one of Marlon’s oldest buildings … was used in days of yore as a storeroom for fighting whisky where the muscle was frequently tried…EP & MM

11 May – Last Thursday the son of George Tate, living in northeast corner of the county, was kicked to death by a mule … was plowing and slapped the mule with the lines … kicked at 2 P.M. and died at 9 P.M …. funeral will be preached by Miss Snider, the female evangelist at Liberty Church next Sunday. MM

1 June – Walter Warder of this city and Dora Bain, daughter of Judge Bain of Vienna ware married at residence of bride’s father. EP

A young man named Jones tried to buy a revolver from Tom Johnson, colored, for $3.25…gave him a $20 bill, but couldn’t get the bill changed … he left and Amzi White caught up with him a ½ mile north of town … he is in jail, some say the bill is good, others say not. EP

Theodore Mann, a cooper at Johannesburg, Washington County, killed Fritz Grandman and Herman Wilking of that county over a lawsuit. EP

Jonathan Starkey, Circuit Clerk of Hamilton County, died while sitting at home reading.    Benton Courier EP

Tom Morrow was killed at Unity Friday. James M.  Craig, son of Hugh P. Craig, was clerking in store of Mark Atherton and had a difficulty with Morrow … he knocked him off the high step in front of the door and beat him after he fell. He ran and was arrested. EP

9 Jun – Miss Mattie Karnes of Gallatin County, died while trying to start a fire in the cook stove with kerosene. EP

John Privett and John Manier Jr. had a fight in front of Hundley and Holland’s grocery store last Thursday … Privett used a croquet mallet and Manier’s head served as a ball …  Privett was fined a small fine which was paid by persons unknown to him. EP

1S Jun – Dr. John Stephens and Miss Day were married last Thursday. MM

Ayers Sarsaparilla … wonderful cures, many of which are publicly known as scrofula, ulcers, eruptions, tumors, blotches, bolls, pimples, pustules, sores, St. Anthony’s fire, rose or erysipelas, tetter, salt rheum, scald head, ringworm, ulcerations of the uterus, stomach and liver, dropsy, dyspepsia, fits, neuralgia, heart disease, female weakness, debility and leucorrhoea…prepared by Dr. J.C. Ayer and Company,  Lowell, Mass. MM

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Mayor Goddard is not yet done laughing over the result of the election; while the barbers now charge Col. Hundley 20 cents for a shave because his face is so long. EP

Edward Burgess , a carpenter at Mt. Vernon, was killed Monday at Shawneetown by being mashed by a railroad car. EP

Bart Wheatley of DuQuoin was found dead in bed there on Monday of last week…whiskey is supposed to be the cause. EP

An attempt was made to assassinate Solomon Mayberry in Hamilton County last week. Someone fired a rifle at him, missed and made his escape. EP

The Tuckers and Stacys have been at it again. Monday last they argued over a hoe. Bill Stacy got the best of Nancy and Mary Tucker. Nancy got a shotgun. It discharged during a scuffle, causing no damage. Old Nan Tucker was in the field, heard the shot and went for the sheriff, saying one of his women had been shot and killed. Stacy was arrested, but not held. Due to conflicting stories, each was bound to bond of $25 to keep the peace. EP

22 Jun – Quite a number from this town attended the funeral of John D. Herrin which took place at Herrin’s Prairie last Monday. EP

F.C. Kirkham lost one of his children, a boy of 9 or 10 summers, last Sunday night. Burial in this place Monday. EP

John D. Herrin of Carterville, died at home last Saturday of congestion. On Wednesday evening of last week he went to St. Louis with D.R. Harrison, had a slight chill there and returned home Friday morning. He went to bed in the afternoon and died at 11 p.m. Saturday night … He was a young man, married about 2 years… burial in Herrin’s Prairie Monday last. EP

29 Jun – Last Monday a man named Joseph Lilly, a miner from Carterville, probably 30 years old, sat down on the walk in front of S. Dunaway’s building … was heard to cough or choke 2 or 3 times and blood poured from his mouth and nose in torrents. He died in a short time … had been afflicted for some time and his business here was to be admitted to the poor house, he was taken to Carterville and buried at the expense of the county. EP

A grown up daughter of Rev. Hiram Sears of Carbondale died Thursday of last week of erycipelas of the face. EP

During a storm in Edwards County last Thursday, Edward Kaericher was struck by lightning while harvesting and killed instantly. EP

The barn of Col. Hess at Vienna was consumed by fire Saturday night … loss of $3,255 among loss were 3 mares and 2 mules. EP

The I.C. station agent at Chebanse was killed last Thursday while coupling cars. George Matson of this city came to his death in the same manner. Cairo Gazette EP

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(Extracted from microfilm at Morris Library and/or Illinois State Library by Helen Sutt Lind, published in Events in Egypt, Vol. 1)

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