Stories of Interest from the Hickman Courier from February 1, 1873 The large warehouses of Bondurant & Drewry and J. H. Plaut & Brothers, commission and forwarding merchants, in Hickman were destroyed on the night of December 30th by fire. It was believed to have been set by arsonists as a safe located at the Bondurant & Drewry warehouse had been broken into, though it was reported that it contained nothing of value. The fire was ascertained to have originated at the Bondurant & Drewry and spread to the nearby warehouse of Plaut & Brothers. The loss was estimated between $20,000 and…

Stories of Interest from the Hickman Courier from January 25, 1873 A city election was held in Hickman on January 25th to choose between one- or two-year terms for city officials. The “whole country is suffering with colds” and fevers. Smallpox patients in Columbus and Hickman are reported convalescing. Citizen concerned over the number of “idle, thriftless” individuals in Hickman encouraged city leaders to consider enacting the “vagrant law.” The low price of corn is “falling ruinously on our farmers” and many have decided to grow cotton this upcoming season. The “bottom” farmers anticipate an overflow like last year. A considerable amount…