Jackson Purchase Historical Society

Stories of Interest from the Hickman Courier from May 9, 1874

• John A. Sloan, considered to be the oldest citizen of Fulton County, died at his residence near Hickman on May 4^th at the age of 78.
• Trade was reported to be “very dull” in Hickman.
• Some Hickman merchants closed a contract to supply the Granges of Obion County, Tennessee with groceries and dry goods. The contract was awarded from 9 to 10 percent above the wholesale cost.
• A Hickman merchant’s book showed that 3,500 bales of cotton were “handled in this place from September 1, 1873 to May 1, 1874.” The bulk of the cotton was purchased in Hickman.
• Amateur singers in Hickman were preparing for the performance of “The Cantata of Esther.” The performers were to appear in ancient Jewish costumes.
• The office of constable of the Hickman District was listed as vacant.
• L. Randle and Henry A. Tyler made temperance speeches at the Hickman Methodist Church on May 5^th.
• A. W. Laurie, State Lecturer of the United Friends of Temperance, gave several lectures at Hickman over the past few weeks. However, he had not succeeded in organizing a community temperance council.
• The International Organization of Good Templars met at the Good Templar’s Hall in Hickman on May 5^th and elected E. W. Stephens as Worthy Chief Templar. The Order reported 126 new members since the last convention. The next convention was scheduled to meet at Ebenezer Church on July 21^st and 22^nd.
• The members of the Hickman International Order of Odd Fellows, Encampment No. 51, were encouraged to gather at their next regular meeting.
• A Mr. Ethington, a former resident of Fulton County and traveling salesman for Dr. Coyle’s Remedies, was murdered on May 2^nd in Missouri. He was shot twice and cut with a knife.
• The tax assessment of Fulton County was estimated at $1,700,000. Some county property owners have “censored the [County] Assessor.” It was also estimated that between $25,000 to $50,000 in greenbacks had been hoarded by Fulton County citizens in recent years.
• William H. Roper announced his candidacy for Fulton County Sheriff. He served years prior as County Sheriff.
• John W. Wingate announced his withdrawal as a candidate for Fulton County Judge.
• M. Ray announced his withdrawal as a candidate for Circuit Judge.
• The Columbus Dispatch reported a strong non-partisan sentiment in the election for Circuit Judge, that the editor believed this was caused by the Grange movement in the region. The Hickman Courier responded by declaring that “nine-tenths of the Grangers of West Kentucky are Democrats and desired no such result” and that Democrats and Grangers “stripped of all adornments [are] one in the same thing.”
• The Prohibitory Liquor Law was voted down in Columbus on May 2^nd by only 64 votes.
• The Regional District Grangers Council met and resolved to grow only one half as much tobacco and raise more grass and corn in the upcoming season. They also promoted the establishment of an agricultural implement manufacturer at a central point in the district.
• The Mayfield Democrat reported that physicians in the region planned to organize a Medical Examining Board for the First Judicial District. A meeting was scheduled to be held on May 11^th.
• A reform movement in Paducah proposed that no candidates would be nominated unless they were “strict temperance” men.
• D. Darden of Union City, Tennessee died instantaneously after an accident at a sawmill in the city.
• Much less cotton was to be planted in New Madrid County, Missouri in 1874. Farmers found that corn was the fastest and safest crop to grow.
• L. G. Dozier died on April 27^th at age 70 at the residence of her son-in-law William H. Gardner.