This Week 150 Years Ago in Hickman – October 12, 1872
Oct
11
2022
Stories of Interest from the Hickman Courier from October 12, 1872
- Republican candidate Henry H. Houston and Fulton County Democrat H. A. Tyler debated before a crowded Hickman City Hall on the evening of October 5th. The debate lasted over three hours and discussed the effects of Reconstruction, civil service reform, and other political topics of the day. The editor of the Hickman Courier declared “Tyler whipped Houston easily” and that Houston lacked “confidence in his cause.”
- William Frenz, proprietor of a bookstore in Hickman, proposed a City Library and Reading Room at his place of business on Clinton Street. He desired to secure one hundred members for a low fee and that he would provide the latest periodicals and newspapers. He also would purchase a music box.
- A division of the Son of Temperance was organized in Hickman on October 7th and titled Riverside, No. 18.
- The Beechwood Seminary and Rural Academy of Fulton County expressed their concerns that five months free education under the Kentucky Free School System would permit children to “run wild the other half year.” Both institutions encouraged the State and county officials to better support local education.
- Mac Oakley, a resident of Fulton County, was accidently killed when the horses of the wagon he was driving took fright and struck a log throwing Oakley to his death.
- Austin Tyler, believed to be the oldest resident of Fulton County, died at his home eight miles from Hickman on October 7th. He was born in 1801 in Shelby County, Kentucky and relocated to Fulton County in 1825. He served as county magistrate and other public positions throughout most of his life.
- The proposition to construct a levee from Hickman to Madrid Bend was to be voted upon by the landowners of overflow section on October 19th. A tax to support the project would not exceed $2.00 per acre and would be paid in annual installments of 15 or 20 cents.
- A grand picnic was planned for October 19th by the committee to construct a levee and railroad from Hickman to Madrid Bend at Sassafras Ridge. The Hickman Brass Band was invited to play at the event.
- The Mayfield Democrat reported on October 5th that the “air was full of leaves which came from the southwest” and fell “directly from the clouds.” It was determined that the leaves were blown to the region from a terrible tornado that occurred in Arkansas earlier in the day.
- Leroy Branion of Graves County was arrested and charged with attempted rape. Branion reportedly disguised himself with paint, removed most of his clothes and hid in the bushes near the roadside to await his victim. However, when he attempted to grab the bridle of the horse the woman was riding, the horse knocked him over and raced off. He was placed in the Graves County Jail with a bond of $600.
- Phil Stevens declared himself a candidate for School Commissioner for Graves County.
- Len Faxion, editor of the Paducah Kentuckian, demanded a baby show be included in the Paducah Fair.
- The Trigg County Democrat reported that radical Republican speakers were canvassing the district with “unprecedented activity” and that the Democrats best “defend their cause.”
- M. Pursley of Cadiz committed suicide on September 23rd by taking Strychnine.
- The Paris Inteligencer reported that Frank Travis, former tax revenue collector for the district, departed the Paris, Tennessee for “parts unknown” leaving behind large debts.