Mornin' Mail

The Mornin' Mail is published every weekday except major holidays
Thursdayday, September 16, 2004 Volume XIII, Number 63

did ya know?

Did Ya Know?... Donations are needed for the Project Graduation rummage sale. Drop-off times begin September 18 from 2:00 to 4:00 p.m. at the A-1 mini storage. Please call 358-8358 or 359-9638 for more information

Did Ya Know?. . . Jasper VFW Post 6415, located Downtown Jasper, Mo. will be having Breakfast and Bingo during the Jasper Appreciation Days, Saturday September 18. Breakfast will be served from 6 to 11 a.m. $6 for adults, $3 for children under 10. Bingo will start at 11 a.m.

Did Ya Know?... Carthage Business and Professional Women will be holding a rummage sale Saturday, September 18 at 219 Main from 7 a.m. to 3 a.m.

Did Ya Know?... The "First Annual Four States Horseman’s Ball" will be held at the Royal Oaks Arena in Carthage, October 16, at 7:00 p.m. Tickets cost $25 for one, $45 for a couple and are available at JR’s Western Store in Diamond, S&S Western Outfitters in Joplin, Royal Oaks Arena, or by calling 358-0017 or 417-325-4490. Proceeds benefit Magic Moments Riding Therapy.

today's laugh

Dale: I have my breakfast served in my bedroom every morning.

Dan: Well, you’re sure getting lazy.

Dale: Oh, I don’t know - I sleep in the breakfast room.

1904
INTERESTING MELANGE.
A Chronological Record of Events as they have Transpired in the City and County since our last Issue.

The Murderer Confessed.

Continued from yesterday’s Mornin Mail

"Here, Horton, is the coupling pin with which you killed the old man - it was found in the creek where you threw it."

This was the climax. Horton did not know that the weapon had been found. No melodrama ever produced a scene more intense. Horton burst into a flood of tears and shrieked with the unnatural voice of a maniac:

"Yes, I did it. It was all my fault. Jimmie had nothing to do with it. He did not even know I was going to kill the old man."

Then Horton, between sobs, asked the officer to take him to the scene of the murder and kill him. The officer at once sent the repentant lad to the office of Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Blair, where he made a clean breast of the whole affair, detailing every action leading up to the murder.

The story he told was not unlike that told by Jim Horton in his confession the other

day. Ollie said that he and his brother met Kennel in Joplin the day of the murder. They had several drinks and walked around several of the streets in the north part of town. Horton says he had no idea of harming the old man until they reached Joplin street in the extreme north part of the city. Here, he excused himself from Kennel and Jim and went behind some box cars, where he procured a coupling pin. On returning he remembered the old man’s weakness and enticed him into the woods still farther north by telling him there were some girls out there he might like to see. Kennel fell in with the suggestion at once and wanted to go. They walked to the scene of the murder talking and laughing. When near the fatal spot Ollie dropped back behind Kennel. Jim was leading the way.

Horton had carried the coupling pin hidden in the left pocket of his coat, with a portion of it up his sleeve, gripping it firmly in his hand until they reached the bottom of the lonely bluff. Then the deadly weapon was drawn forth and raised at arm’s length into the air. With all the strength Horton could muster he dealt the old man a blow that sent him scrambling to the ground. As he fell his head struck Jim Horton’s leg. This was the first intimation Jim Horton had that his brother intended to harm Kennel. As the stunned, half -drunken man fell Jim Horton turned around to see his brother with uplifted hand ready to deal another blow, and in a half pleading, half commanding tone, Jimmie Horton said:

"Don’t hit him again, Ollie."

But he was too late, and scarcely before the last word was out of his mouth the coupling pin descended with telling effect, and the old man lay prostrate upon the ground.

Jimmie Horton ran away. Ollie Horton went through Kennel’s pockets and secured the money to the amount of $28.

Had Horton left Joplin as he at first planned to do he might and might not have been caught. It was the fact that he began to drink and spend the money taken from his victim that led to his capture. The murder preyed on his mind and he could not keep from telling one of his friends about it. Ben Pike was the friend, and he dropped the story to another. In this way it got to the police.

In his confession Saturday Horton says that the report that he killed the old man for money is untrue. He says he did not mean to kill him where he struck him, but intended to punish him for talking about his sister.

Shortly after making the confession Horton was taken before Judge Babbs to plead guilty, but the judge would not accept the plea and Horton will be duly tried before Jury.

Today's Feature
Festival of Friends.

News Release

The Carthage Multicultural Committee presents the 4th annual Festival of Friends at Carthage Memorial Hall on Saturday, September 18, 2004 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.

Over 600 people attended each festival in the last two years to enjoy the variety of cultural displays, entertainment and ethnic foods offered according to representatives of the event. It is a chance to spend the evening in Carthage with one’s family and visit Germany, Columbia, the Cherokee nation and a variety of other cultures. This year the event will feature acts such as Middle Eastern Dancing and music from the British Isles. Opening Ceremonies will start at 5 p.m. with a flag ceremony from many nations presented by Carthage Girl Scouts. The flag ceremony will be followed by a Native American Prayer Ceremony. Registrations for door prizes will be accepted throughout the evening

For more information or to enter a display contact Kim Snodgrass at the Family Neighborhood Center 417-358-5926.

Just Jake Talkin'

Mornin'

I see the evenin’ paper is promotin’ the Square as a proper place for entertainment. They even go so far as to wax nostalgic over the many saloons located downtown at the turn of the 20th Century.

Accordin’ to the other evenin’s editorial the saloons offered "tap dancers, contortionist, ventriloquists, dartboards, card tables, gamblin facilities and free lunches."

Now here’s an idea that might really add to the interest of the Square, especially the free lunch part.

The fact is that any organized activity on the Square is provin’ beneficial. Restaurants open in the evenin’, various entertainment opportunities, and business after hours have reduced dramatically the "rowdy" activities seen in summers past. Now if we could only get that free lunch deal goin’ again.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.