Jim has found a gem in the News again!In recent civil court case research, I discovered that in the late 1870s and 1880s local lawyers were using the death R.A.C. Martin as a time reference when questioning witnesses in court or taking depositions.

Not the robbery of the Bank of Columbia, but Mr. Martin's death. For example: "...was this before or after the sudden death of R.A.C. Martin..." Certainly, for many of us, it is difficult to remember specific dates.

The lawyers knew that this specific day would forever be impressed in the memories of citizens of Columbia and Adair County. Witnesses could more readily state if a specific incident was before or after the "sudden death" of Cashier Martin. - MIKE WATSON