NEWSPAPER EXTRACTS - 1886
Tuesday, January 26, 1886
The Review
Decatur, Illinois
ARRESTED AT BLOOMINGTON.
The Pantagraph of Bloomington, contained the following account yesterday of the arrest of Maude VILLARS, who was wanted here for larceny:
Officer Middleton yesterday noon arrested a pretty girl of about seventeen on a telegram from Decatur. Her name is Maude Villars, and last summer she was a dining room girl in the Magill house at Clinton. From there she went to Decatur, and worked in the family of Fred WILLIS.
On Monday last she stole two dresses and some underclothes and jewelry and fled. She has been here a few days having a good time, and seems to be acquainted with several of the young bloods of the town. She has been going around the country claiming to be an adopted daughter of Dr. J. L. WHITE, and claims to have left him because he insisted upon her studying music. At Decatur she claimed that he was her guardian. It is unnecessary to state that this is all "bosh." Marshal Mason went up to Bloomington yesterday and returned home in the evening with the wayward girl, who has been given into the custody of the sheriff.
(See next article)
Submitted by Sheryl Byrd
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Sunday, January 31, 1886
The Review
Decatur, Illinois
PERSONAL.
Ed. CACKLEY returned to Clinton yesterday afternoon.
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Rev. DIMMITT, of Clinton, holds quarterly meeting to-day in Maroa.
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John SUMNERS and wife went to Clinton, their former home, yesterday afternoon, to spend Sunday with friends.
Submitted by Sheryl Byrd
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March 26, 1886
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
THROWN FROM HIS HORSE.
Yesterday morning Billy REYNOLDS, who lives in the north-west corner of Clintonia township, came to town on horseback. While in the act of dismounting in front of the Magill House the horse wheeled around suddenly and made a dash homeward. Billy's foot caught fast in the stirrup and he was thrown down and dragged in the street as far as Merriman's boarding house, where the stirrup strap broke and freed Billy's foot. The horse gave him a parting kick and proceeded in his race homeward. When Billy was reached by the crowd it was feared that he was lifeless. He was picked up and carried into Captain Merriman's house, where Dr. Smith examined him. One of Billy's ribs was broken and his shoulder was badly lacerated by being dragged on the ground. It is miraculous that his head escaped without a single contusion as he was dragged head downward behind the horse. The only way to account for this was that his coats made a pillow for his shoulders and thus raised his head from the ground. This morning Billy is feeling very sore in body, but his doctor thinks he will be all right in a few days. It was a most miraculous escape.
Submitted by Judy Simpson
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March 28, 1886
Decatur Review
Decatur, Illinois
LOCAL PARAGRAPHS.
Mrs. J. H. WAGGONER, of Clinton, accompanied by her family, left the other day for California. They will join Mr. WAGGONER at Petaluma, where they will make their future home. Mr. Waggoner was formerly editor and proprietor of the Clinton Register, and will follow the same vocation in California. He has purchased the only democratic newspaper published in Petaluma.
Submitted by Sheryl Byrd
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March 28, 1886
Decatur Review
Decatur, Illinois
PERSONAL.
Wm. HUFFACRE, who formerly lived near Decatur but recently removed to Nebraska, has returned to this section and will remain for a few weeks. He was called back by the trial of George HITER, who is charged with the murder of his son, Marion HUFFACRE. Mr. Huffacre removed to Nebraska a few weeks ago with the colony people who went from Warrensburg. He reports that all the people are nicely settled and doing well.
Submitted by Sheryl Byrd
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July 23, 1886
Clinton Public
Clinton, Illinois
Maud VILLARS, the pretty young girl who was formerly employed in the Magill House, in this city, and whose name, on account of her waywardness, acquired much popularity in the local newspapers, died at Springfield last week. Ever since she left Clinton, her life has been downward in the scale of degradation, and at the time of her death, she had fallen disreputably low and shameful.
Submitted by Judy Simpson
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August 28, 1886
The Herald
Decatur, Illinois
STATE NEWS.
In burning the straw used during the camp meeting at the fair grounds in Clinton fifteen of the trees were so badly scorched that Rev. DIMMITT paid $50 damages.
Submitted by Sheryl Byrd