Little Sidney, beloved son of W.B. and Audie A. Short, who entered through the gates into the Beautiful City, Saturday morning, Nov. 8, aged 6 years, 4 months and 3 days.

In his beloved Sunday school one week ago, and at his desk in the public school, faithful little student, until Thursday of last week, ailing just a little bit, the teacher thought it best to send him home; then a few hours of suffering and little Sidney slipped away from the beloved family circle.

We are apt to eulogize the dead, but "even a child is known by his doings," the Good Book says, and we must pay a tribute to this child’s life, so wonderful, not because he is gone from among us, but because of his charming personality, his winning ways, his sweetness of disposition that found its way into the hearts of loved ones and friends, and always a delight. Young as he was, his little life was full of happiness. Though bereft of his mother when but a babe, he was taken right into the home and hearts of his grandparents, Mr. And Mrs. J.G. Short, who loved him as their very own, and never was a wish of his loving little heart denied. A peculiar affection existed between he and his grandfather Short. He was the idol of that grandfather’s heart, and the faithful heart of the child responded to that wonderful love. If anything was mentioned in the family circle as to Sidney’s future his grandfather would say, "Sidney is mine, his mother gave him to me, I will provide for Sidney." But strong as that love was, tender as those hands were, the mother love was stronger, and the hands that yearned to hold her precious baby were tenderer, and so the dear Lord called little Sidney to be with his dear mother. Often she would say while living: "Oh, Sidney, I love you so! I love you so!" And even as the dew of death chilled her lips, and dimmed her eyes, and palsied her hands, she called for her darling baby, and as her feeble hands patted the little head, she whispered "Oh, Sidney, I love you so! I love you so!"

He was quick, alert, alive in every pore of his being, brilliant in intellect, remarkable in memory, and spiritual in his nature. Reverently he knelt at his bedside every night, and while his dear grandmother Short was away in the hospital, he prayed for her return, and recovery, in his own quaint, sweet way, and for his uncle Dewey, when away in foreign lands.

Little Sidney is gone from among us, but the influence of his little life will live on and on, to bless and comfort, and to inspire to nobler living. His sweet voice in song we will hear no more here, but he sings with the Redeemed, and the song is sweeter for his coming.

The funeral services were conducted by Rev. Babcock of Crane, in a very beautiful, impressive manner, Mr. And Mrs. Cope and Dr. and Mrs. Smart of Crane, Rev. Shubert of Drury College, and Mrs. Mae McCord of Springfield, assisted with the music. Mr. Warren sang very touchingly the beautiful hymn, "The Lord Knows Why".

"I may not know why death should come, to take the dear ones from our home. But this mine eyes with tears be dim, the Lord knows why—I’ll trust in Him."

Telegrams from Rev. Dewey Short and from Mr. And Mrs. Charles Short, from their far away homes, were read, so tender and comforting, and so little Sidney, so lovely and restful in his silk lined casket, covered with beautiful flowers, was laid to rest close to the body of his precious mother. "Earth to earth, and dust to dust." A little life so precious given, a light to guide from earth to Heaven.

Loved ones, look up through your tears, thank God for the precious life, and follow the Light. It will lead you into the beautiful city where all is light, for "there is no night there." Your darling is safe in the arms of love, and awaits your coming.

A complete surprise dinner was arranged for Mrs. O.Scott Sunday by her daughter, Mrs. Edna Walters, the occasion being Mrs. Scott’s fiftieth birthday anniversary. A number of relatives and friends had been invited from near-by towns who came in on the morning train and went to the Scott home in a body. Mrs. Scott was almost overcome with joy not in the least expecting such a reception, which was an informal but pleasant affair long to be remembered. Those present were:

Geo. Burk, Finis Fly and wife of Aurora; Robt. McCullah and wife of McKinley: Will Burk and wife of Marionville; Claude Cope and wife, and Orra Cope and wife of Scholten; Geo. Cope. Grant Burk and daughters of Crane. C.A. Standridge and wife, W.T. Moore and wife, Dr. Henson, and wife, John Craig, wife and daughters, Mrs. Susie Moore, W.D. Mathes and wife, Robert scott and family, Chas. Walters and family, Wm. Short, Misses Nellie and Myrtle Henson, Inez Mathes and Annie Fisk of Galena.

Sunday, Jan. 19, being the 60th birthday of Mrs. O. Scott, her daughter, Mrs. Edna Walters, and friends arranged a surprise dinner in honor of the occasion.

The table was loaded with good things to eat, and forty two relatives and friends enjoyed the feast. The out of town guests were: Mr. And Mrs. Tanny Parsons, Mr. And Mrs. Grant Burk, Mr. And Mrs. Will Burk, Misses Edna and Josephine Wise, of Crane.

All present join in wishing Mrs. Scott many returns of this happy occasion.

One of the most enjoyable occasions of the season was staged at the home of Mr. And Mrs. E.S. Tuttle on Friday evening of last week, when Ora Tuttle Bible Class of the M.E. Church, entertained the Men’s Bible Class and friends at a "Ground Hog" party.

The evening was spent in playing various games suitable to the occasion, and prizes won and appreciated by the following: In the "Shadow Contest", Mrs. Fred May and L.V. Threlfall each won an all-day sucker, while Mrs. Bird Craig and Judge Heilman came out victorious in the "Flower Contest," and were given a packet of flower seeds. Mrs. Delia Yocum and L.V. Threlfall tied on the song game and each were awarded a sack of corn.

Mid shouts of laughter, Mrs. Wiley Kepler pitched off a three handed tie and carried off the prize in the "Pitching Contest," and received a stick of striped candy. It was the unanimous consent of all present that W.E. Renfro was the most proficient in the "Hog Grunt Contest", and the grunts did sound mighty natural.

At a late hour refreshments were served to forty seven and all departed wishing for many more such occasions.

The Ladies Aid Society of the Christian Church met with Mrs. T. Allen McQuary Thursday of last week. Delicious refreshments were served, and the usual good time was enjoyed. They will meet with Mrs. Margaret Baker Thursday afternoon Sept. 15.

The wiener roast and social given by Mrs. Cordia Threlfall and Miss Bess Threlfall at their residence on Tuesday evening of last week was one of the most delightful events of the season. Mr. And Mrs. Threlfall were assisted by the ladies of the Bible Class of the M.E. Sunday school, with the men of the Bible Class as their guests. The unique feature of the occasion was the wearing of gingham costumes by the ladies, and blue overalls by the gentlemen. Being "dressed up" a finable offense. The genial spirit of good fellowship prevailed, and everybody seemed happy. After a time spent very pleasantly in games, a wiener roast, in the garden, was enjoyed; wieners roasted deliciously by the blazing logs tempted the palates of every guest. Coffee and cake were then served. Charades were next in order, and then the crowning event of the evening was the literary feast. Each guest provided with paper and pencil were requested to write a poem on the best way to raise money to paint the church. Many responded. Two prizes were offered—one for the best, and one for the "booby" prize. The contest was exciting, each poet reading his own poem amid laughter and applause. The prize for the best poem, decided by competent judges, was awarded to Mrs. Mae Boyd, and the "booby" was won by W.E. Renfro. Time and space forbid publishing of the poems, much as we would like to. At a late hour the happy guests departed with memories of an evening most delightfully spent, each saying in his heart, "too good to be true." The guests numbered about fifty.

Friday night Mr. And Mrs. Fred May entertained a crowd of the younger set in honor of their nephew, Dudley Boyd. In the "pi" contest, Iva Standridge won the prize, (an all day sucker), for getting the most words correctly; Maynard Stewart won a balloon for being the nerviest in the peanut race; Cecil Barnes, a striped stick of candy, for being the best ringer; Iva Standridge, a candle for being the windiest in the candle contest, and Iran Threlfall, the bean bag, for knowing the most beans. Fruit salad and cake were served to the following: Ruth Tromly, Ruth Norman, Iva Standridge, Iva Gentry, Wealtha Flood, Maudie Benham, Elene Davis, Edith Payne, Cecil Barnes, C.L. Walters, Robert Boyd, Dudley Boyed., Iran Threlfall, Johnny Kepler, Warren Baird, J. Frank Short, Wm. Barnes, and Maynard Stewart. Assisting Mrs. May were, Mrs. Will McCord, Mrs. Emory Boyd, Mrs. Nina Davis and Mrs. E.B. Fehrenkamp.

Mr. And Mrs. W.B. Short, who recently purchased the Frank Kelly place west of Galena, ran across an old copy of the Stone County Oracle which had been used as wall paper since 1889. In fact, there were dozens of copies of the paper of different dates, but Mr. Short brought pieces of one issue to this office.

One item found in the bits of the paper patched together is this: "The time fixed for the execution of the Bald Knobber prisoners at Ozark, Mo., is Friday, Feb, 11, 1889. We hope the execution will not take place. If Governor Francis will interfere in their behalf, we think he will make many friends by his action. We hope that he may see his duty clear in that direction."

Another item is as follows: "Half way between Galena and Marionville is Crane P.O., which is situated on the creek of the same name. A good store is kept here by G.W. Gipson, P.M., and Dr. Wasson, a good physician, also makes his headquarters and keeps a stock of drugs. There is also a blacksmith shop and a good school house, and also a number of families reside in that proximity. It is one of the best farming sections of the county and a good trade is maintained there. Many of the farmers are among the oldest settlers and have become wealthy or well-to-do."

Another item about Oto says: "W.B. Cox keeps a good store of general merchandise at Oto, P.O. He is one of the oldest settlers in Stone county and is one of our heaviest tax-payers. He is also president of the Stone County Bank at Galena, and has extensive properties in other places. Mr. Cox is a man of superior judgment in business matters, has an extensive trade in his store and almost always has a large herd of cattle. The success he has had shows what can be done by hard application and energy."

At one time there was a store in the northeast part of the county and has been a stand for the sale of goods for many years. It is located in one of the most famed farming regions in the county and though near the railroad towns, still maintains a good trade. In this part of the county is the extensive and valuable farm of John Inmon, by some considered the best farm in the county. It lies on and takes in a large scope of the rich James Valley bottom lands."

Still another item reads as follows: "MARRIED;---On Wednesday, Dec. 31., at the home of the bride on James River, Mr. George Stone and Miss Ella Fairburn, all of Stone county."

Also, a local item says: "Born to Mr. And Mrs. John Keeny, on Saturday, January 4, a baby boy. All parties doing well."

Another item says: "The Indian war was hanging fire, but a big battle is looked for every day, which will settle it."

An order of publication in a divorce suit was also published wherein Fannie Galoway was plaintiff and Clovis Galloway, defendant. T.H. Smith was clerk of the circuit court at that time.

Other names mentioned were Capt. Geo. Moore, T.L. Jennings, Z.B. Jennings, Dr. Craig, Allen Prior, Rob’t Sartin and Tom J. Porter.

Funeral services will be held Thursday afternoon at 2, in the Christian church at Galena, for Jackson Grant Short, 83, long-time political leader in Stone county, who died at his home in Galena Tuesday morning following a several months illness of heart disease.

The rites will be conducted by the Rev. Joe Dethridge, of Gainesville, and the Rev. Chas. E. Beech, of Reeds Spring, with Masonic services to be held in the cemetery. He had been a member of the Masonic order for more than half a century.

Uncle Jack Short was born in Stone county, the son of John and Elizabeth Coleman Short, and spent all his life in his native county, where he rose to a place of influence seldom equaled in the county.

Growing to manhood, he entered public life, becoming a merchant, and also associating himself with the banking business in Galena for a number of years. He served 20 years as chairman of the Republican county committee, was county collector for three terms, and was postmaster at Galena for 19 ½ years, stepping out when Woodrow Wilson was elected president.

Mr. Short appeared to be more interested in the political fortunes of his friends than his own, on many occasions, and therefore built up a leadership that was effective until age took him out of active political battles.

His chief interest in the last span of his life lay in the fortunes of his son, Congressman Dewey Short, and it is probable that he launched his son’s greater political career. In 1926, at a political gathering in Springfield, he was scheduled to speak on the prepared program. However, he introduced his son, Dewey, as a substitute, and the son gave a good account of himself, even then developing the oratorical powers that have brought him national attention.

However, his whole interest was not centered in his congressman son. He was a devoted father to his large family, and held the affection and esteem of them all equal in degree to that of his congressman son.

In his later years, Uncle Jack was most frequently seen in the office of his daughter, Mrs. Bess Allman, of the Short Abstract company, and who devoted most of her time to him in his last illness. He was stricken by a heart attack last July and had been confined to his home in Galena since that time.

For many years the Short home in Galena was the gathering place for political leaders of this section, as well as for a wide circle of friends, and a wider circle of relatives.

His wife, the late Permelia Short, was a member of the Long family, another old family of Stone county. She died in 1924. The two families were closely knit, and both being large, visitors to the Short home were not only frequent but many.

Although he was active in Republican politics all his life, Mr. Short retained the friendship and respect of most Democrats of his county, and in the state counted many Democratic leaders as his friends.

Beside his daughter, Mrs. Allman, and his congressman son, he is survived by three other sons, W. Blaine Short, Carl Junction, Charles of Little Rock, Theodore of St. Louis; by two daughters, Mrs. Helen Pauley and Mrs. Fannie Vineyard, of Galena; and by one sister, Mrs. E.R. Scott, of Hurley.