NEWS ARTICLES

Scott County Missouri Genealogy Trails


newFatal Accident, April 21, 1843

A Daring Fox, Feb. 17, 1857

Murder in Scott County, Mo., Feb. 17, 1858

Convicted Murderer Commits Suicide, Feb. 9, 1882

newBits From Benton, Mo.

newRobbed A Bank, Aug 5, 1892

newJohn Davis, Aug. 9, 1893

newBig Fire in Benton, MO, Oct 25, 1893

Deputy Collector Killed, Oct. 31, 1895

newScalds Two to Death, Feb. 26, 1904

newWoman Is Charged With Killing Husband, Jan. 28, 1908


FATAL ACCIDENT
April 21, 1843
Source:  The Southern Patriot (Miss.)
From the Benton (Mo.) Banner of April 1.--Fatal Accident.--Mr. Charles Pease, formerly a citizen of this county, but more recently a resident of New York, was, we understand, thrown from his horse a few days since in Holmes county, and instantly killed.
This makes the third brother out of the number of six, who settled in Yazoo county several years ago, who has come to his death by violent means.
Henry Pease, the eldest of them, met his death in the summer of 1840, by being violently thrown from a vehicle.  J. M., a younger brother, was shot dead in a rencontre last fall, and now Charles, whose business in Mississippi was to adjust the affairs of his deceased brother, James M., is, by the inscrutable hand of Providence, as suddenly ushered into eternity.  Thus, by this unforeseen stroke of an all-wise God, is the heart of a father made desolate.




A DARING FOX

February 17, 1857
Source:  The Charleston Mercury

The Illinois Emporium tells the following rather foxy story:
"A gentleman residing in Scott County, (Mo.) informs us that while he was leisurely riding along the banks of the Mississippi last week, with a half dozen favorite chickens thrown across his saddle bow, a large fox emerged from the woods and impudently followed him.  Thinking Reynard would lay himself liable to capture in making off with them, he tossed the shanghais from his horse.  They had scarcely struck the ground before the fox had seized them.  Our friend threw himself from his horse, but before he had cleverly alighted, the fox with all six of the fowls, was several feet out in the Mississippi, paddling with an industry worthy of the occasion, for the opposite bank of the river.  After offering his kingdom for a gun, about a dozen times, our friends bestrode his nag and pushed onward, feeling very much like he had been abominably "sold.'"

MURDER IN SCOTT COUNTY, MO.
February 17, 1858
Source:  Daily Missouri Republican from the Cape Girardeau (Mo) Eagle
A correspondent writing from Benton, informs us of the discovery on the morning of Friday last, of the body of a man who had evidently been murdered.  The body was found secreted under the floor of an untenanted house on the road from Benton to Charleston, and about one and a half miles from the former place.  Upon examination, it seemed that the victim had been shot in the face, in and about the eyes, with what appeared to have been pistol balls and medium sized shot.  One of the balls passed out of the back part of the head.  There was also a wound on the left side of the neck, made, apprarently, with a knife, the blade of which must have been an inch or more in width.  There appears, also, several slight scars about and across the mouth, apparently caused by a knife.  Two new corn sacks were found in the house, on one of which appeared marks of blood, as if made by wiping hands on it.  Near the house was found the remains of a very old saddle--both skirts having been recently cut off--and the tree of the saddle, broken in several places, with it were found a new circingle and girth, which seem to have been little used.
The deceased was a stranger to those who found and subsequently saw him; there was nothing discovered by which his identity could be established, other than his apparel.  He was about five feet six inches in height, about thirty-five years of age, and would weigh probably one hundred and forty pounds; had light hair, blue or gray eyes, and whiskers of a reddish hue.  He had the appearance of having been recently shaved, and was plainly but neatly clad; had on two pairs of cassimere pantaloons; net drawers, two linen bosom shirts, (which from appearance had been put on but a short time before death,) net undershirt, plush vest and customer-made boots--all new; also a new black hat, a black frock or sack coat, somewhat worn, and had a comfort tied round his neck.
The murder was committed before the recent fall of snow.  As yet no clue has been discovered to the perpetrators.



CONVICTED MURDERER COMMITS SUICIDE

February 9, 1882
Source:  Worcester Daily Spy
Charles Miller, who was sentenced on Monday last to be hung at Benton, Scott county, Mo., on the 10th of March, for the murder of Franklin Hamilton, committed suicide in his cell Tuesday night by hanging himself with a blanket.



BITS FROM BENTON, MO.
September 21, 1889
Source:  The St. Louis Republic
--Mr. T. J. Merritt has been quite sick, but is now improving.
--Miss Sallie Williams, after a pleasant trip, has returned to her home.
--Miss Ida Roeder, much to the regret of all, has gone to California to live.
--Rev. John D. Vineil, D. D., has returned from the annual conference and will preach tomorrow.
--Rev. Dr. Wm. J. Lee has bought a lot on Mitchell avenue and will build his home next spring.
--"The Two Batchelors" will be placed upon the boards next Thursday evening by the Amusement.


ROBBED A BANK
August 5, 1892
Source:  St. Louis Republic
Four Men Take $1,200 From the Benton (Mo.) Bank and Escape
Special to The Republic--Benton, Mo., Aug 4.--A daring robbery took place here yesterday.  About 5 p.m. four masked men rode up to the bank and two of them dismounted while the others held their horses.  They entered the bank and ordered Cashier Smith to "shell out," which he did without a word.  They secured about $1,200 and departed on a run.  An alarm was given and a party started in pursuit, but the robbers were mounted on good horses and escaped.  They are described as heavily built men.  They did their work in a professional manner.



JOHN DAVIS OF BENTON, MO.
August 9, 1893
Source:  Argus and Patriot
John Davis, of Benton, Mo., was riding on a railway train last week when his hat blew off about a mile before reaching Mora, where the train made a stop of a minute.  He jumped from the train, ran back and picked up his hat, and caught the last car just as the train was pulling out of Mora station.


BIG FIRE IN BENTON, MO.
October 25, 1893
Source:  The New Haven Evening Register
One Man Killed by a Gunpowder Explosion--
A Prisoner Excapes--
Property Loss $75,000
Benton, Mo., Oct. 25--Fire yesterday destroyed 14 business houses and residences, including the roller mill, two hotels, postoffice and jail.  John Schaefer was killed by an explosion of gunpowder and burned to a crisp.  When the jail took fire the prisoners were moved and one of them, under a five years' sentence to the penitentiary, escaped.  The loss is about $75,000.



DEPUTY COLLECTOR KILLED
Oct. 31, 1895
Source:  Morning World-Herald
St. Louis, Mo., Oct. 30--A special to the Chronicle from Benton, Scott county, Mo., says that Deputy Revenue Collector Mont P. Wade was killed there last night.  It is believed that Wade's murder was the result of the recent raid of the deputies into Shannon county to capture Moonshiners Romers and Renfrow.


SCALDS TWO TO DEATH
Feb. 26, 1904
Source:  Morning World-Herald
Cairo, Ill., Feb. 25 - An Iron Mountain freight train was wrecked one mile east of Sikeston, Mo.  Engineer Hike and Fireman Haas, both of Poplar Bluff, Mo. Were caught under the engine and scalded to death.  A broken rail caused the wreck.  The engine and ten cars were completely destroyed.  --Contributed by Sharon Wick.



WOMAN IS CHARGED WITH KILLING HUSBAND
January 28, 1908
Source:  The Duluth News Tribune
Benton, Mo., Jan. 27--Mrs. James Hinkle living on a farm near here, was arested (sic) today on the charge of having caused her husband's death yesterday by giving him strychnine.  In his dying statement Hinkle accused his wife of having poisoned him.  He said he had complained of a chill and his wife had given him a strychnine pellet telling him it contained quinine.  He died soon after.  Mrs. Hinkle is 19 years old.  Hinkle was much older.


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