Stories of Interest from the Hickman Courier from June 30, 1876

Stories of Interest from the Hickman Courier from June 30, 1876

• The Hickman Centennial Celebration Committee met on June 28^th with the following reports given by the officials and subcommittees. The treasurer reported that $198 was received for refreshment stands. The music subcommittee stated that the Kenton Brass Band was contracted to play for $45 and Millet’s String Band for $15. The subcommittee on barbecuing meats reported that the “pits” were ready and “all preparations made.” The subcommittee to procure meats declared they acquired “thirty-three head of stock” at the time of the meeting and were still searching for more. The subcommittee to invite public speakers noted that Ed Crossland accepted an invitation but that they had not received a reply from John W. Travis. W. A. Brevard was to read the Declaration of Independence at the event and George M. Wilbourne was appointed to collect “all baskets of provisions.” Committee Chairman George Warren also appointed Otto Hertweck, J. A. Overton, W. A. Brevard, W. L. McCutchen, Wesley Campbell, James E. Fuqua, John Kymes, and R. C. Prather, Jr., to “assist the ladies arranging tables.”
• The Hickman Centennial Celebration Committee requested all businesses in the city to temporarily cease operations at 11:00 a.m. to allow participation in the scheduled celebrations for July 4^th. They also declared that the “Post of Honor” at the Centennial Celebration would be awarded to the pioneer who “cleared the largest number of acres of ground in Fulton County” not the individual who “accumulated the most wealth.”
• The Continental Guard were requested to meet at the Hickman City Hall on June 30^th at 8:00 p.m. for the “purpose of organization, election of officers, and drill.”
• The order of procession for the Centennial Celebration included the “Pioneers of Fulton County,” a “Triumphal Car of Liberty, containing the Goddess of Liberty, and 13 young ladies, “the Continental Guards in Uniform,” along with representatives of local organizations and county and city officers and officials. The procession was to form on Jackson Street at the Odd Fellows Hall and receive instructions and badges. The parade route was to travel on Jackson Street, down to Kentucky Street to Clinton Street, and on to West Hickman to the fairgrounds.
• An immense crowd of people were expected to attend the Centennial Celebration in Hickman.
• The Patrons of Husbandry authorized a “citizens meeting” to assist in preparing for the Fourth of July celebration, and to assemble at the Hickman City Hall on the morning of the 4^th and encouraged all its members to participate.
• The discharge of fireworks within the corporate limits of Hickman was declared illegal with a fine of $5.00 if caught doing so. The reason given was the “increased danger of fire from the time of year when everything of a combustible nature is easily set on fire.”
• The Hickman Public Schools held their commencement at 1:00 p.m. on June 30^th. The public was invited to attend. The next school year was to begin on July 1^st, when the new trustees were to be elected.
• A fire at the business of Tyler & Harness on Jackson Street was reported to have cost $2,000.
• Corman & Company began to repair their storehouse and expected to complete before the fall trade.
• Agents of the firm Bondurant & Drewery were canvassing the region to purchase tobacco for the trade market at Hickman. One agent stated that a count of 5,000 or 6,000 hogsheads may be harvested during the first season.
• It was reported that the African American community of Hickman collectively purchased a plot of land near the city graveyard and were selling lots to “their own people.”
• The wheat crop was at about half yield and “not the best.”
• The Hickman County Court of Common Please adjourned until July 3^rd so farmers could bring in their crops.
• A large number of regional delegates attended the Democratic National Convention in St. Louis, including Lawrence S. Trimble, Joseph M. Bigger, Edward Crossland, and W. W. Robertson.
• Republicans in the First Congressional District planned to hold a convention to nominate a candidate for Congress. He was scheduled to be at Fulton in the next few days.
• Lawrence S. Trimble was canvassing the region and was considered a candidate for Congress, though he had not announced himself as a candidate.
• Clint Randle Democratic Club was being organized in the District to enter his name for Congress. Randle had yet to declare himself a candidate.
• R. Walker announced his candidacy for Fulton County Sheriff.
• Elizabeth Baldridge, widow of Jack Baldridge, of Fulton County was tried on June 27^th on a “writ of lunacy.” The jury found that she was of an unsound mind and to be sent to the State Asylum in Hopkinsville.
• An unnamed black girl, aged 7 or 8, fell into a cistern on June 24^th and was drowned.
• Clint Randle of Hickman visited Bailey Springs, Alabama, for his health.
• Fon Collins signed a contract to construct a new brick storehouse and tobacco warehouse in Fulton.
• There was a “protracted” religious gathering that met at Mayfield led by Reverend J. D. Bush.