New Milford - A rather peculiar case was heard before Judge Searle, Friday, involving the custody of a child, Elizabeth Walker, adopted daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Walker of New Milford, habeas corpus proceedings being brought against Wm. Lacey of Franklin township, charged with detaining the child. From the judge's opinion it shows that about five years ago Mrs. Walker took the child at the age of three months from a Binghamton institution and had cared for it as her own up until about two months and a half ago. At that time she left the child at the home of Mr. Lacey, telling him she would return in a couple of weeks, Mr. Walker being employed in Sayre, where their household goods had been shipt and where they intended residing. Mrs. Walker, being taken sick at Sayre and unable to return for the child as she had stated, Mr. Lacey had an order of relief issued to him by the Franklin poor overseers and the child was apprenticed to himself and wife. This was the condition of affairs Mrs. Walker found when she recovered from her sickness and returned for the child, and the Laceys, having evidently formed an attachment for the little girl, desired to keep her. Mrs. Walker then took the matter before her Lawyer, Attorney Selden Munger, and habeas corpus proceedings were instituted, the court after the hearing, ordering the return of the child to her keeping.

Rush - The Automatic Merchandising Co., of Brooklyn, N.Y., of which T. S. Wheatcroft, a former resident of this county [Rush], is secretary, has just declared its fifteenth quarterly dividend. The dividend is at the rate of 12 per cent per annum. When they've got a man like "Tom" at the helm, through, they've naturally just got to pay dividends.

Elk Lake - Mrs. Mary A. Blakeslee, wife of the late Gibson Blakeslee, was born in Delhi county, Pa., in 1833, and died at the home of her sister, Mrs. J. C. Henry, in Binghamton, Sunday morning, Jan. 13, 07, aged 73 years and 11 months. Her home had been near Elk Lake for the past 24 years where she was held in high esteem. She is survived by two sisters, Mrs. Warren Lathrop of Elk Lake, and Mrs. J. C. Henry of Binghamton. Also two brothers, C. E. Griswold of California, and K. E. Griswold of South Montrose, and an adopted daughter, Mrs. Wm. Henry of South Montrose. The funeral was held at her late home Wednesday afternoon, Rev. H. B. Benedict officiating. Burial was made in the cemetery at South Montrose.

Hallstead - Hallstead people are going to make a thorough test as to whether there is oil or gas in paying quantities in that region. A meeting will be held this evening in the office of the Hallstead and Great Bend Water Company for the purpose of organizing a company to do the prospecting.

South Montrose - The young people here will give "The Old Maid's Convention" Friday evening, Jan. 25, at the church. Admission 20 cents, children 15 cents. Proceeds for minister's salary. Prof. Pinkerton's electric machine and the "Old Maids" will furnish lots of fun.

Forest City - George L. Crofoot, of Crystal Lake, has purchased the entire milk product of Valley Farm and will give his patrons in Forest City the purest of milk.

Pleasant Valley, Auburn Twp. - B. B. Lowe was out Saturday driving his spanking young team of blacks which he is very proud of, and he well may be, as they are the finest span of colts in this section.

Birchardville - The Red Men have bought the property on which the blacksmith shop stands, for the purpose of building a new hall.

Susquehanna - J. W. Dewitt, chief train dispatcher of the Delaware Division, with headquarters here, has resigned and G. H. Ford, of Port Jervis will succeed him [and] M. H. Hanrahan goes to Port Jervis to fill the vacancy by Mr. Ford being promoted. The railroad boys will be sorry to see "Jack" leave them, as he has been with the Erie for over 25 years and has the best wishes of all his associates.

Elkdale, Clifford Twp. - Many from Dundaff attended the surprise party at the home of T. J. Owens, in honor of his son, Edward Owens, who is home on a furlough from the 110th company of the U. S. A., stationed at Newport, R.I. AND Gerauld Burdick has opened a wagon repair shop in Harry Taylor's sawmill.

Lathrop Twp. - R. T. Everson lost a valuable cow one day last week.

Hop Bottom - J. J. Quailey has been very faithful and painstaking in looking after the interests of both patrons and the management of the Foster creamery, and in recognition of his services received a very handsome watch and chain for Xmas. Mr. Q. is a resourceful manager and if there are repairs or improvements to be made gets right into the harness himself, thereby saving the company much expense.

Ararat - "Aunt" Susan Baldwin is very feeble and failing fast from old age, she being 95 years old last October.

Fairdale - Dr. Buck and son Walter, entertained friends with some fine music on Saturday evening. The Doctor played the violin and his son managed the phonograph.

Glenwood - Installing officers in Capt. Lyons Post [G.A.R.] took place Jan. 12th. D. N. Hanly installed the following comrades: E.E. Smith, Post Com.; W. F. Medler, Adjt.; B. McDonald, O. M.; J. Cline, Officer of the Day; J. B. Swartz, Sergeant Major. The installation passed off in good form. The officers and their wives sat down to a fine collation; oysters were served in the first course, then came the sweetmeats; cakes, pies, doughnuts, coffee and cream. The ladies present were the life of the occasion; wit and humor flowed freely and all enjoyed the repast.

News Brief: A heat wave, such as has seldom been experienced in the Middle West during January, prevailed there recently. In the Ozark region a temperature of 70 degrees was recorded and the unusual warmth caused fruit buds to swell. In St. Louis, Kansas City and other cities fires were allowed to die out in the big office buildings and men employed outdoors worked in their shirtsleeves. Burean reports that this January is the warmest in years. At Austin, Tex., a temperature of 86 degrees was recorded. The summer weather caused serious floods in Ohio and Indiana and at Murphysboro, Ill., twenty houses are under water as the result of an overflow from the Mississippi River.