Stories of Interest from the Hickman Courier from December 9, 1871
• The value of real estate in Hickman has shown great improvement, particularly near the riverfront where the proposed railroad station and wharf are to be constructed. New commercial and retail buildings were to be constructed by the companies of W. L. McCutchen, J. Amberg and Bondurant & Drury. Several brick structures three stories in height were to begin construction in the spring.
• The Hickman City Council met on December 6th. Wharfmaster W. L. Gardner reported $52.00 in fees were collected during the past month. Joseph Amberg was paid the sum of $64.50 for putting rock along the riverfront at Lot No. 2 in Old Hickman. Pat Judge was paid $100.20 for placing 167 loads of rock on the riverbank at Lot No. 1 in Old Hickman. Samuel Landrum was paid $60.00 for putting rock along the riverfront at Lot No. 5 in Old Hickman. The City Tax Collector, John A. Wilson, reported a balance of $204.73 for the year 1871. A motion was approved that an election be held for Mayor and six Councilmen on January 1, 1872. N. L. Nelson and John T. Fuqua were appointed to be inspectors for the election.
• Over 30 people were listed as not paying their State taxes in Fulton County.
• The bridge across the Bayou de Chien near Hickman was completed and ready for travel.
• M. Goldsmith, a practical optician, visited Hickman for two weeks to provide eye exams and supply glasses to those who require them.
• William Frenz was declared to have the finest selection of holiday goods in Hickman.
• E. S. Holmes was arrested and charged for stealing furs and other items from a Hickman merchant. James Kennedy was arrested and charged for the theft of a pair shoes.
• Lee J. Fleming assumed the position of General Superintendent of the Mobile & Ohio Railroad Company.
• The Hickman Courier reported that there was one “pauper” in Fulton County cared for at public expense.
• Peter Wagner of Paducah was charged with infanticide on December 6th at the Police Court. The evidence established was that Maria Cofield gave birth on November 30th and the child was found dead the next morning in a “bush pile and covered with ashes.” The child’s skull was crushed and the body mutilated. Wagner was reported to have given the mother a poisoned laced tea prior to the birth.
• A man in Paducah breathes through a silver tube in his throat and can only communicate by placing his fingers on the tube. He was reported to have been in this condition for eleven years.
Jackson Purchase Historical Society