Another example of tidbits of everyday life from more than 100 years ago.  The Modern Woodmen produced gravestones in the shapes of tree trunks and logs that you see in almost any cemetery.

from The Adair County News, Columbia, Kentucky

Wednesday, April 6, 1910

Death of a Well-Known Citizen

Mr. J. C. Pelley, who was known to a great many people in Adair County, especially in the Green River and Casey Creek sections, died at his late home near Pellyton, last Saturday morning, and the interment was 10 o’clock Sunday forenoon.

The deceased had been in declining health for several years, and for the last two months his condition was critical and there was but little hope of his recovery, hence his death was not a surprise to his many friends, he being afflicted with a complication of diseases.

The deceased was born and reared in Adair County, and was about sixty-eight years old when the end came.

Many friends and relatives called at the residence Saturday and Sunday forenoon, and an immense throng attended the last sad rites.

The News extends its sympathy to the surviving wife and children.

Modern Woodmen

A lodge of Modern Woodmen, embracing thirty-two members, was organized at his place last Friday night.  Mr. M. M. Reding, of Bowling Green, was here and perfected the organization.  The Lodge will meet regularly the second and fourth Monday evenings in each month, the place of meeting being in the third story of the Russell building.  The Woodmen is a growing institution and doubtless the lodge here will rapidly increase in membership.  It is not only a fraternal order, but each able bodied member is allowed to carry life insurance from $500 to $3,000.  The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:

• J. R. Crawford, Consul
• L. Grissom, Past Consul
• E. Bradley, Advisor
• J. A. Johnson, Banker
• G. Hulse, Clerk
• Ed Willis, Watchman
• L. Feese, Sentry
• C. Strange, Chief Forester
• R. Grissom, Camp Physician
• A. Waggener, Camp Physician

A Bit of Old History

My daughter, Mrs. Hattie Campbell Rosser, of Cleveland, Mississippi, sends me this item that may be of interest to your readers, under date of March 25^th.  ‘One of the finest women in Mississippi, died last evening, the widow of Judge J. B. Chrisman, and tonight’s paper states that her name was Mary Elizabeth Todd, the daughter of Samuel Todd, and was born in Adair County, Kentucky, near Columbia, in September, 1841.’  D. S. Campbell, Greensburg, Kentucky

The Samuel Todd mentioned in this article was a physician and was an uncle of Mr. A. G. Todd of this place.  When quite a young man he left Adair County and located in Mississippi where he practiced his profession and where he married.  A few years after his marriage, his health failed and he and his wife and children came to this county, thinking that this climate would be beneficial to Dr. Todd’s health, but he gradually grew weaker, and died on the farm, near Columbia, where the Murray Brothers now live.  After his death his wife and children returned to Mississippi, and sometime after this, his daughter, Mary Elizabeth, married J. B. Chrisman, who was a lawyer, and who afterwards became a Circuit Judge.

Death of Mrs. Arlie Campbell

Monday night of last week, after an illness of a few days, the subject of this notice passed beyond the veil, being a victim of pneumonia.

She was the beloved wife of Mr. Joe L. Campbell, and a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. C. Pelley, of Pellyton, where the deceased resided.  Besides the husband, Mrs. Campbell is survived by three children.  The deceased was about 20 years old and had been a devoted member of the Church since before she was grown.  She was a lady who had many friends, one who will not only be missed by the immediate family, but by everybody in the neighborhood where she resided.

A Fishing Party

Mr. and Mrs. Sam Allen entertained a number of people, young and old, one day last week.  After the party had gathered they concluded to go fishing in Pettisfork, but when the stream was reached it was found to be too clear for the fish to bite, and they concluded to spend the day, talking over the days of long ago, and many delightful reminiscences were told.  Mr. and Mrs. Allen were delighted to have so many friends with them, and did everything in their power to make the day pass pleasantly.  The following were present:  Mrs. Helen Williams, Miss Sophia Williams, Masters Herbert and Lee Hurt, Misses Thedus Williams and Mattie Williams, Mrs. Ad Bradshaw and Miss Hattie Bradshaw, Laura and Lilburn Bradshaw, Miss Mattie Hurt, Mrs. Tennie Dohoney, Morrison Johnson and Hettie Garner.

Team Frightened

Last Friday afternoon a wagon and team, the owner being Mr. William H. Grant, were standing on the square near Mr. Sam Lewis’ place of business.  The team got frightened and ran at desperate speed.  There were a number of vehicles on the square, and the scene was frightful.  Rev. J. R. Crawford, who was passing through the square in a buggy, barely missed being run into.  The team finally lodged the wagon against a telephone pole at the post office.  People who drive upon the square and stop should take the trouble to unhook their horses.