Current Local Dated 26 March 1927
Frank Webb Passes Away
Frank Webb well known in this vicinity, passed away Saturday morning, and was laid to rest in the MacRone cemetery near Grandin, Sunday afternoon, surrounded by a large concourse of sorrowing realtives and friends. The following brief history was kindly furnished to us by J. N. Sparks.
Frank Webb was my best friend for twenty-five years. I was a young man when I first met him in Grandin in 1901. For ten years we were together a great deal, but for the last fifteen years, our meetings have been casual. The things which I saw of his life, will be the impressions made on my mind of his character, I cannot recall dates & places. I merely give impressions and conclusions.
Frank's parents came from the state of Tennessee, and settled in the vicinity of Grandin, at the time the deer and other wild creatures filled the surrounding forest. Here, Frank was born. He was one of a large family of children, and spent his early days on the farm. He hunted deer and turkey. He and his borhters were noted for the amount of game they bagged.
When the wild pigeons came into the wilderness south of Fremont, Frank and his brothers were among the first to shoot wild pigeons for gain. The pigeons were so thick they would break the branches of trees when lighting. The boys would shoot all night, and gather the dead birds in the morning. These birds were hauled to Piedmont, the nearest railroad point at that time, and shipped to St. Louis. Frank and others shot so persistently, that the pigeons migrated to the west coast of the United States. Frank learned a great deal about the pine forest on his hunting trips. He knew the land for twenty or thirty miles from their back yard.
In the late seventies, or early eighties, J. B. White came to Carter and adjoining counties, looking for timber. He made the acquaintances of the people who lived on the small farms. Frank was one who appealed to Mr. White's mind as being exceptionally fitted to assist him in locating good tracts of timber, and Mr. White employed him. He started working as a guide for Mr. White and his associates, and those who are acquainted with the history of the Missouri Lumber & Mining Company know that Frank did a good job as guide.
After the land had been acquired and logging operations started, Frank was promoted from one position to another until he was general woods foreman. After the Missouri Lumber & Mining Company was on a paying basis, Mr. White began looking out for interests in timber in other states. In doing so, he sent or took Frank with him. Frank cruised timber for Mr. White in a number of localities, from the east coast of Florida, to the Pacific Coast. On his judgment and integrity, Mr. White and associates invested hundreds of thousands of dollars. No man ever had the prestige and standing with the company that Frank had. He was trusted fully, and no one who knew him doubted his sincerity. No one was in doubt of where he stood on any question.
Frank knew no middle ground; he was either for a thing, or against it, with all his might. In order to appreciate Frank at his true worth, one would have to consider the circumstances of his early life and environment. He worked out his own theories, was a close observer of nature, got his education in the school of experience, was a close student of bible, knew it as few logmen do, reasoned out his conclusions and when he decided to be baptized, no one doubted his sincerity.
Frank Webb will be remembered by the people of Carter County. His friends were many, as were attested by the large gathering of people for the funeral. the old time honesty was a hobby with Frank, as he believed in paying to the last penny. He could not tolerate stealing or crookedness. Frank was an uncompromising Democrat, and was always in the game when an election was on. He never wanted public office, so far as I know, nor ever asked for personal favors of those whom he helped to elect. He worked for a candidate becasue he wanted to defeat the other fellow. Frank was a man who had warm friends. He also had his better foes, and in both he took great enjoyment. He was never more at himself than when in a campaign, fighting for his friends or for some measure he advocated. He was always in the midst of the fight as he was able to get about.
His last few years were spent in the dark. He became totally blind a few years before his death, but he took this with that same fortitude that he faced the hardships of youth and early manhood. The family have the sympathy of all in this sad hour, differences of opinion are forgotten. All reverence to the faithful wife whose tireless years were spent around his bedside, and to the sterling character of Frank Webb, the father, husband, friend, and citizen.
J.N. Sparks

Current Local, Thursday May 23, 1957 Vol 72, No. 51 Van Buren Hit by Tornado Tuesday A tornado made a recent visit ot Van Buren Tuesday afternoon, after the first visit December 23, 1889, when it did considerable damage, destroying several buildings but no person was fatally injured. The twister this time was more severe. It stuck the city about four 0'clock and was on it's way east in less than ten minutes, leaving about half the city in ruins. The northern edge of destruction was along Alexander Street which runs east-west by the Baptist church, and its width extended across the river but didn only slight damage to property. The main force of the storm was spent in a strip of which the court house was near the center. One of the two large elms in the courtyard was blown down and the other one badly damaged. The court house roof was damaged until it will require a new roof. Nearly all the tress in the southeast part of the city were well soaked and a crew of volunteers uprooted, due to the ground being worked all night and most of Wednesday clearing the streets for passage of cars. Several business houses lost glass windows. No person was seriously injured but several reported miraculous escapes. James Renick, 75, was caught fishing a short distance above the bridge where he apparently had attemped to seek cover, slipped and his head struck a rock, crushing his skull. Six Persons Die in Fremont Tornado Fremont, ten miles west of Van Buren, suffered the most serous damage from the tornado. Six persons lost their lives there and the little city was almost completely wiped off the map. Nearly every building in the city limits was completely destroyed by the twister which appeared to dip into the little valley and lifted soon after completing its destruction and di little damage until the funnel dipped into Van Buren a few minutes later. The Fremont high school building was completely destroyed bute due, to the fact that school ended Friday, there was no one about the building.
List of tornado dead and injured in Carter County:
The dead:
At Van Buren-James Renick, 75, a fisherman.
At Fremont-Mrs. Della Jones, 40.
Mrs. Marlene Jones, 22, Mrs. Jones' daughter-in-law.
Dwane Jones, 5, son of Mrs. Marlene Jones.
Mrs. Maud Simpson, 56.
Jack Alley, aged 65, and his wife-Alice, 60.
The injured:
Antrease Jones, 6, daughter of Mrs. Marlene Jones.
Frank Parmer, 62, left leg broken, right wrist broken.
Mary Parmer, 61, wife of Frank, chest injuries.
Donald Parmer, 11, grandson of Frank and Mary Parmer, shoulder injury.
Jane Wilson, 9, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Glen Wilson of near Van Buren, broken left arm and facial cuts.
K. D. Hedspeth (sic), 74, lacerations, bruises and shock at Fremont.
Mary Hedspeth (sic), 70 his wife, lacerations of the arms, legs and body.
James Weible, 82, lacerations, cuts, and bruises.
Mrs. Lula Weible, 67, his wife. broken arem. They resided on Highway 60 west of Van Buren. Oscar W. Tedder, 71, broken wrist and shoulder.

This Indenture, made on the ______day of November 1915 by and between Walter Massie, Tella Massie his wife; Anderson Kinnard and Docia Kinnard his wife; J. B. Barnes, Sarah Barnes his wife; W. H. Snider and Fannie Snider his wife; John Bramhall and Jennie Bramhall his wife; Ed Bailey and Jane Bailey his wife, Lydia McLone and Callie Barrett of parties of the first part, and Jas. H. Main of the county of Carter in the state of Missouri, party of the second part.
Witnesseth, that the said parties of the first part, for and in consideration of the sum of six hundred dollats to them paid by the said party of the second part, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, do by these presents, Grant, Bargain, and Sell, Convey and Confirm, unto the said party of the second part, his heirs and assigns, the following described lots, tracts or parcels of land, lying, being and situate in the county of Carte and state of Missouri, to-wit: All of Lots Number Four, Five, Six, Seven, Eight, Nine, in Block Twelve in the twon of Fremont, Missouri as the same appears upon the plat of said town now on file in the Recorders office at Van Buren, Missouri.
To Have and to Hold the premisses aforesaid with all and singular the rights, privileges, appurtenances and immunites thereto belonging, or in anywise appertaining, untio the said party of the second part, and unto his heirs and assigns forever, the said first parties hereby covenanting that they are lawfully seized of an indefeasible estate in foee in the premises herein conveyed; that they have good right to convey the same; that the premises are free and clear of any encumbrances done or suffered by them or those under whom they clam and that they will warrant and defend the title of the said premises unto the said party of the second part and unot his heirs and assigns forever, against the lawful claims and demands of all persons whomsoever.
In Witness Whereof, the said aprties of the first part have herunto se theri hands and seals the day and year first above written.
Signed and delivered in the presence of us.
Lottie Kalteubach(?)
A.M.S. Dunn (?)
Walter Massie (Seal)
Tella Massie (Seal)
Sarah Barnes (Seal)
J. B. Barnes (Seal)
Anderson Kinnard (Seal)
Docia Kinnard (Seal)
Lydia McLone (Seal)
Jane Bailey (Seal)
Edward Bailey (Seal)
Fannie Snider (Seal)
W. H. Snider (Seal)
Callie Barrett ( Seal)
John Bramhall (Seal)
Jennie Bramhall (Seal)

State of Missouri County of Carter on this 1st day of December 1915 before me personally appeared W. H. Snider and Fanny Snider his wife, to me known to be the persons described in and who executed the foregoing insturment and acknowledged that they executed the same as their free act and deed
In testimony whereof, I have herunto set my hand and affixed my official seal at my office in Van Buren, Mo., the day and year first above written.
My term expires-------- 19------- W. W. Coleman Justice of the Peace

State of Missouri County of Carter on the 18th day of November 1915 before me personally appeared Lydia McLone to me known to be the persons described in and who executed the foregoing insturment and acknowledged that she executed the same as her free act and deed. And the said Lydia McLone further declare her self to be single and unmarried.
In testimony whereof, I have herunto set my hand and affixed my official seal at my office in Van Buren, Mo., the day and year first above written.
My term expires-------- 19------- W. W. Coleman Justice of the Peace
Unreadable section due to glue holding document together.

State of Missouri, County of Iron. On this 11th day of December 1915, before me personally appeared John Bramhall and Jennie Bramhall his wife, to me known to be the persons described in and who executed the foregoing instrument, and acknowledged that they executed the same as their free act and deed. In Testimony whereof , I have hereunto set my hand and affixed my official seal, at my office in Ironton, Mo. the day and year first above written.
My term of office as Notary Public will expire Frebruary 23, 1919 R. L. Barger Notary Public.