Stories of Interest from the Hickman Courier from February 3, 1872
- The Hickman Courier reported that the past week had been the coldest remembered by the “oldest of inhabitants.” The Mississippi River was unnavigable north of Columbus, but clear from Hickman southward.
- Snow fell in Hickman on February 1st and 2nd and was believed to be the deepest snowfall in many years.
- Careless driving in Hickman had led to many complaints by citizens. The editor of the Hickman Courier encouraged the authorities to enforce city ordinances related to careless driving.
- and Mrs. William Carleton, comedians, performed at the Hickman City Hall on January 29th. Mr. Carleton was arrested by the City Marshal soon afterwards for not obtaining a license and committed to the city jail for the night. During his confinement, he performed to the jailer and inmates. His audience found him to be a “first rate talent, finely educated and much above the usual order of traveling actors.
- The Good Templars of Hickman elected new officers for 1872, which included N. P. Harness, Lizzie Holcombe, George Herron, T. R. McMahan, S. N. White, Thomas Plummer, James Wearn and Abner T. Young.
- The Odd Fellows and Good Templars of Hickman each donated $50 to the Hickman Cornet Band to assist in purchasing new instruments.
- The Hickman Cornet Band gave a public performance under Professor James on the first of the month.
- The Hickman Musical Society advertised that a grand ball would be held at the City Hall on February 12th. Charles Wittig and his string band were scheduled to perform.
- James W. Mayes of Fulton County last week shot several geese, “piercing each through the head.”
- The first academic year ended on February 2nd at Beechwood Seminary. The stewards of the school planned to construct additional buildings and hire more teachers. The next semester was to begin on February 12th.
- William Frenz had begun selling a wide variety of Valentines in Hickman.
- C. Bailey was declared to have the largest stock of groceries in Hickman.
- The Mississippi Levee Charter incorporating a company for the purpose of building a levee from Hickman to Tiptonville passed both Houses of the Kentucky Legislature.
- The Mayfield Democrat reported another case of smallpox in the city.
- A soldier in Paducah stole his officer’s overcoat and $105 and escaped on a steamboat to Cairo on January 27th.
- Judge A. R. Boon delivered a temperance address in Paducah where he stated that there were sixty licensed drinking saloons in the city that sold ten dollars’ worth of liquor per day.
- A farmer from Dover, Tennessee reported that he averaged two pounds of cheese per cow and sold it at 25 cents a pound.