The Quincy Daily Whig, Wednesday March 2, 1864 page 2 Contributed by Margaret Rutledge
We learn that a man known as Col. Staats, living in the township of New Salem, Pike county, was shot and instantly killed on Saturday last, when within a short distance of his house, by a party of soldiers. It is reported that Staats is a Colonel in the rebel service, has been President of the Knights of the Golden Circle in Pike county, and was shot because the soldiers recognized him as the man who shot one of their number, some time since, while they were attempting to arrest a deserter. We give the account of this unfortunate affair, as reported to us, without vouching for its truth. Springfield Journal
ALSO - Francisco Gard Murder

Newspaper Unknown - August 9, 1899
A terrible fever is raging at New Salem which is proving very serious. The doctors can't give any relief. They say there is nothing in medical books that throws any light on the disease - several have been carried away by it. It is called "Oklahoma Fever." Six wagons went last week. This week Emmett Griffith,Louis Griffith, McGinley Laird, Wm. Miller and Chauncey Harshman and others took the train. Six other families are going in the fall.