Stories of Interest from the Hickman Courier from May 26, 1876

Stories of Interest from the Hickman Courier from May 26, 1876

• The Hickman Courier announced A. R. Boone of Graves County as a candidate for re-election for United States Congress on the Democratic ticket. The newspaper also announced B. R. Walker as candidate for Sheriff of Fulton County.
• The wheat crop in Fulton County appeared not to be as promising as the year prior.
• King’s Storehouse in East Hickman, owned by James M. Coffey, was destroyed by fire the week prior.
• Powell & Brothers farm machinery and implements celebrated their fourth year in business in Hickman.
• The Stephens [William and James] planned to start a cooper shop in West Hickman.
• The St. Charles Hotel, McCutchens Department Store, and Carman & Company Brick Manufacturer added new coats of paint to their buildings.
• R. Brown arranged to build a new residence near the Fulton County Courthouse. Thomas Mason French was grading and fencing in a lot near town.
• Several “enterprising farmers” purchased the Fulton County Fair Grounds for the purpose of reestablishing a county fair.
• A “very respectable sum” was raised by the community of Hickman to “beautifying and adorning” the city’s graveyard. A committee of citizens began graveling the walks, planting shrubbery, building fences and improving the grounds.
• H. C. Catlett expressed thoughts to establish an infirmary for women in Hickman.
• [Joseph] Saudek, a former resident of Hickman, informed friends during a visit that he held consultations with railroad officials in Chattanooga that plans to construct a trans-Mississippi railroad connection at Hickman had been delayed due to financial shortfalls.
• The Masons of Hickman planned to celebrate Saint John’s Day on June 24^th.
• The 19^th annual meeting of the Fulton County Bible Society was held at the Hickman Episcopal Church on May 21^st. S. N. White was elected as the Society’s President, J. H. Davis as Deputy and Treasurer, and W. L. McCutchen as Secretary. Warren Thomas, of the Hickman Colored Methodist Episcopal Church, was appointed to supply the destitute “colored people” with bibles.
• D. Demaree was scheduled to lecture on temperance on May 31^st in Hickman.
• A group of ladies in Hickman planned to have a strawberry supper on May 31^st at City Hall to benefit the Poplar Grove Baptist Church.
• The baseball game between Hickman and McKenzie, Tennessee ended in a draw as heavy rain stopped the match.
• It was reported that a newspaper would soon be published in Columbus.
• Citizens in Mayfield were organizing wagon companies to freight goods to and from Paducah to avoid paying “exorbitant” fees charged by the railroad corporations. Some merchants in Fulton were also experimenting with wagoning goods by river via Hickman.
• The Graves County Democratic Convention recommended C. L. Randle for District Elector and George Warren alternate delegate to the National Democratic Convention.
• Reverend Robert Mahan of Graves County won his slander lawsuit against [David] McAllister and was awarded $5,000 from the Graves County Circuit Court at Mayfield. McAllister had publicly accused Mahan of stealing hogs and a saddle from an unnamed party.
• The Mayfield Monitor reported that some citizens from Paducah were trying to persuade L. S. Trimble to run for Congress.
• The soldiers of the War of 1812 were scheduled to celebrate a reunion on June 19^th at Paris, Kentucky. Veterans from Hickman, Fulton, and Graves were encouraged to attend.
• The infant child of A. T. and Mollie Jones died on the morning of May 21^st.
• Jake White of Clinton married Alla Taylor of the same community last week.
• Willis R. Bradley of Clinton returned from his trip to the South with his health fully restored.
• The Fulton Times reported the marriage of Gertrude Stovall, of Fulton, to a S. D. Hays of Jackson, Tennessee.
• John Bradbetty of Hickman County died on May 20^th and was buried at Rock Spring Church.