Stories of Interest from the Hickman Courier from July 1, 1871
• Hickman was struck by severe storms on June 27th which tore the roofs off wharf-boats, freight sheds, homes and businesses. The storms also uprooted trees, destroyed fences and ripped apart timbers, rafters, shingles, etc. No lives were lost but the estimated cost of destruction by the storms was more than $20,000.
• The residents of the bottom district between Hickman and Madrid Bend called for a meeting on July 10th to address the reorganization of the Levee Company to redeem the overflow lands.
• On June 25th the daughter of John C. Steele of Hickman was attacked by a sow and seriously injured.
• A young boy by the name of Sanders from West Hickman accidently shot himself on June 27th. He was not dangerously hurt.
• The black community of Hickman proposed celebrating the 4th of July with a general barbeque, public speaking and other festivities. A procession was to form at 10:00 a.m. at the African-American Church and parade through the town to the picnic grounds at Chalybeate Springs. Scheduled orators included John Bird of Cairo, Frank Thompson, General Superintendent of Schools, J. T. Tally, J. H. Cheatham, and Harrison Atkins, Officer of the Day.
• The candidates for State Legislature plan to speak in Moscow on July 4th.
• A temperance celebration occurred at Jordan Station on June 24th. Orations were delivered by C. L. Randle of Hickman, and Reverend Beck of Union City. A bountiful dinner was served and the Union City Brass Band performed.
• Episcopal services were conducted on every Sunday in Hickman at 3:00 p.m. by Reverend N. N. Cowgill.
• Judge John W. Wingate of Fulton County inaugurated road improvements in the county, particularly the State road from Hickman to McGehee’s.
• The editor Paducah Herald declares “the Hickman Courier cannot find the White Man’s Party (in Fulton County), and is indignant at the very mention of it.” And further claimed the newspaper was departing from the ideals of the Democratic Party. The editor of the Courier responded, “the cry of the White Man’s Party is a fraud and cheat, impracticable in every sense of the word and intended only to work up prejudices which can accomplish no good, but will do much harm.”
• Congressman Edward Crossland planned to canvass and speak in every county in his district to discuss National politics and list his Federal appointments in the district. He also stated that a mail route from Hickman to Morse’s Station would be established and another from Hickman to Cayse’s if the citizens of the town desired one.
• The Pioneers of Jackson Purchase planned a meeting in Mayfield for July 27th which included a barbeque and public speeches made by the oldest citizens in the region.
• Henry S. Hale and W. C. Clark, both of Graves County, declared themselves candidates for State Senate. Hale was a successful businessman, former sheriff in Graves County and served as a regimental commander during the Civil War. Clark was a carpenter, farmer, served in the State Legislature and served four years in the Confederate Army.
• James B. Beck announced he was a candidate for the United State Senate.
• Callie Payne, of Union City, died on June 17th at age 30. She was the wife of Colonel R. N. Payne and daughter of Dr. G. S. Miles.
Jackson Purchase Historical Society