Volume 30 Number 2 May 2014

Phelps County Genealogical Society QUARTERLY

Published by Phelps County Genealogical Society

P.O. Box 571 Rolla, Missouri 65402-0571

Phelps County Genealogical Society

PO Box 571 Rolla, MO 65402-0571

Phone: 573-364-9597

Email: pcgs@rollanet.org NEW!!! Web: http://pcgsrolla.weebly.com

The Phelps County Genealogical Society Quarterly (USPS No. 024772) is published quarterly by the Phelps County Genealogical Society, 305 West 3rd Street, Suite 7, Rolla, MO 65401. Periodical postage pending at Rolla, MO. POSTMASTER: send address changes to Phelps County Genealogical Society, P.O. Box 571, Rolla, MO. 65402-0571.

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE By Sheila Wood President Message

Submitted by Sheila Wood The Society has a new computer in the Archive Room. It will be a learning curve to figure out how to run the computer. Remember people saying, I don’t even know how to turn a computer on, we have gotten past that point but we do have a hard time knowing how to run windows 8 and 9 is next. We do have one other computer that is like new that Terry Cadenbach gave to the Society. Terry picked out the new computer and has helped us try to learn a new way of operating a computer. The Society has a new lease with the Phelps County Historical Society till June 30, 2016. We have the very small room on the 1st floor month to month. I have no idea what we would do if we had to moved out of that room, where would we put all the material we have in that room?? Summer researcher have arrived and everyone in the room are kept busy. The Phelps County Heritage book Vol III has been handed out. When I called one lady, she said that someone else must of bought that book for her, and the check number was not her number. That check was written over 2 years ago and who can remember what the check number you wrote the check for yesterday? Lucky enough our book chairman, Catherine Bell had a copy of the check and the order sheet. This was funny to the lady and to all of us working at the Archive Room that day. Some pictures have not been picked up that were submitted for the Vol III book. If you want those pictures let us know and we will hold on to them, till you can pick them up. There are more book for sale at $65.00 and we think the book is worth every penny. Tax books are being used and we are happy about that. There is so much information in Tax books. We are having some more shelves build, there is a little more room for something small. We need a place to put quarterlies that are not a set. We have boxes full of that kind of quarterlies. Always something.

PCGS Quarterly Volume 30 Number 2 May 2014

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Special Note from the Editor

WE NEED SUBMISSIONS PLEASE!!

I apologize for the delay in the Quarterly. The problem is two-fold. One, my son’s traveling baseball team rules our lives right now. Practice three nights a week and tournaments in St. Louis on weekends plus working full time tends to eat up any free time I have. Two, I don’t have nearly enough submissions half of the time to actually make a full quarterly. I cannot express how important it is for you to submit your stories, without them the Quarterly can’t exist. I could find things to fill it sure, but I would much rather hear from all of you.

We have several wonderful members who contribute every time, Garrett Gabel, Doug Berlin, Sheila Wood to name a few. But I’m curious to see some submittals from maybe some of our far away members. How are your families connected to Phelps County? So if anyone would like to submit a story for August’s Quarterly, you can either mail a paper version to the address listed below or email it to either the PCGS e-mail or mine (juliebear85@hughes.net). If you do email and can possibly submit your story in Word format that would be wonderful. If you can’t, that’s okay too. I can transcribe PDF documents as well.

2014 Officers

Officers: Front Row LtoR: Doug Berlin (Recording Secretary), Sheila Wood (President), Nancy Krost

(Treasurer) Back Row LtoR: Dorothy James (Vice President), Ruth Adair (Corresponding Secretary)

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Please keep your mailing address current. Send all address changes to our P.O. Box so you won't miss any quarterlies.

Copyright 2011 Phelps County Genealogical Society

P.O. Box 571 Rolla, MO 65402-0571

PCGS Officers: 2010 – 2011 President: Sheila Wood

swood@rollanet.org (573-308-7937)

Vice President: Dorothy James djames310@yahoo.com

Recording Secretary: Doug Berlin

Corresponding Secretary: Ruth Adair

radair@centurylink.net (573-364-0178)

Treasurer: Reba Salts Fryer

fryer5@fidnet.com (573-578-2069 or 573-299-4426)

PHELPS COUNTY

GENEALOGICAL SOCIETY Research/Archives Room

Hours of Operation

We keep the research/archives room (7) in the old Phelps County Court House open on Tuesdays from 12:30 to 4:30. We will also open the research room for out of town visitors at other prearranged times. If you want to visit at another time, please call (573) 364-9597 on Tuesdays from 12:30 to 4:30 or e-mail us at pcgs@rollanet.org to make the necessary arrangements. We will be happy to see you.

PCGS Membership Current dues are $18.00 per year. The membership year runs from January 1 through December 31. Dues for the following year are payable by November 1, and are past due if not received by January 1. All members receive four periodicals, and any occasional newsletter that may be published. However, quarterlies will not be mailed unless dues are current.

PCGS Mailing Address

The address of the Phelps County Genealogical Society is Post Office Box 571, Rolla, MO 65402-0571 as shown on all our literature. PLEASE DO NOT send mail intended for the PCGS to the courthouse or to any other address. Thank you for your cooperation.

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******** PCGS NEWS ******** ITEM: PCGS is still collecting Best Choice Labels. They must include the name Best Choice and the bar code. A sample is shown below:

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MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES, PHOTOGRAPHS, LETTERS, ETC.

Dog Tax Doug Berlin

1880 DOG TAX MERAMEC TOWNSHIP

SCH TWP RNG NO OF AMOUNT OWNERS NAME DIST DOGS OF TAX NOTICE: Each Housekeeper or Head of a Family shall be allowed to keep one dog exempt and free from a license tax. Ses. Acts 1877 Asher, H.C. 2 $1.00 Asher Catherine 2 $1.00 Adams, S.A. 2 $1.00 Adams, T(?).S. 2 $1.00 Bell, Henry 3 36 6 2 $1.00 Bell, A.C. 2 36 6 2 $1.00 Blaine, Mary 2 $1.00 Campbell, Jas 4 36 6 2 $1.00 Chilton, Lucinda 2 $1.00 Cooper, Jerry 1 37 6 2 $1.00 Carter, Jno. H 4 37 6 2 $1.00 Cook, Levi 2 $1.00 Connell, M.R. 2 $1.00 Dean, Chas 5 37 6 2 $1.00 Eickhorst, John 1 36 6 2 $1.00

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Grant, Elizabeth 3 $2.00 Gunter, Allen 4 2 $1.00 Hess, Scott 1 37 6 2 $1.00 Hale, M.C. 2 $1.00 Hale, A.B. 2 $1.00 Krammar, John (Craner?) 3 $2.00 Laun, Geo 3 36 6 2 $1.00 Lenox, John 2 $1.00 Laun, L. 2 37 6 2 $1.00 Nipper, Robt 2 37 6 3 $2.00 Presley, Manerva 2 $1.00 Scott, W.C. 2 $1.00 Shoemate, R.S. 1 36 6 3 $2.00 Tucker, J.J. 2 $1.00

SCH TWP RNG NO OF AMOUNT OWNERS NAME DIST DOGS OF TAX Welsh, John 2 $1.00 Willewird, Wm. (Williford?) 4 37 6 2 $1.00 Mr. J.J. Tucker Sir you are hereby notified that I find on my books one dollar dog tax for the year 1880. Source: Constable's Dog Tax Book Meramec Township Phelps County, MO photocopy at Missouri State Archives

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Rolla Herald February 14, 1918

Submitted by Sheila Wood

B.C. Hawkins, who died February 1st at Springfield, Ill, as a result of being kicked by a

horse, was buried at St. James on Sunday, February 3rd . Beside being survived by his wife and two children, he is also survived by his mother, Mrs. Peter Francis, and sisters, Mrs. Robert Bassett, of St. James, and sisters, Mrs. D.B. Branson, of Bland, and Mrs. Frances Terrell, of High Gate, and brothers, W.A. Hawkins, of Rolla and Perry Hawkins of Granite City, Ill.

Mrs. Virginia Illinski, died at Anna, Ill, Monday, February 11, 1918. She is survived by one son, A.X. Illinski, president of the New Mexico School of Mines, and one daughter, Mrs.

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J.L.Shackleford of Nashville, Tenn., Mrs. Illinski is also survived by her sisters, Mrs. Annie McK.Southgate, Misses Margaret E. and Laura A. Black and brother, Robert H. Black, of Rolla, B.H. Rucker and Mrs. Rucker, a niece of the deceased, attended the funeral, which was held Wednesday at East St. Louis.

Mrs. Jennie Williams died at her home at Ashville, North Carolina, on December 11th, 1917. Mrs. Williams was formerly Miss Jennie Warmouth, of Rolla. She was married to Dr. Williams in 1863, who was at that time Assistant Surgeon of the 5th Mo. Cavalry. Dr. Williams in advising us of his wife’s death, expressed the hope to visit Rolla some time in the near future.

A very pretty wedding was that of Mr. John A. Wyatt and Miss, Minnie Noakes Vitzthum, which occurred at the home of Adam Vitzthum, of Dry Fork, last Tuesday afternoon, February 12th.

At 1:30 the wedding party moved to a beautiful arch. Mr. Donald Parkinson as groom’s best man and Miss Eunice Parkinson, as bridesmaid, preceding the groom and bride. Rev. A B. Carson of Rolla Baptist Church, met them at the alter and read the wedding service.

A Color scheme of pink and white was carried out in the decorations. The bride was gowned in white, and bridesmaid in a delicate pink. After the ceremony a dinner was served. The young people received the congratulations of their many friends present, among whom were: beside the parents of the bride, Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Parkinson, Donald Parkinson, Miss Eunice Parkinson, Mr. and Mrs. A.L. Parkinson, O.P. Gleason and wife, of Horton, Kansas, Miss Ressa Beard of Horton, Kansas, Miss Pauline Munzert. Messrs Edward and James Charles. The wedding was of peculiar interest to others present, as the day was the fourth anniversary of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. A.L. Parkinson, and the tenth anniversary of the marriage of Mr. and Mrs. O.P. Gleason, the ladies being sister of the groom. Bevo Agents Mr. Harry Lloyd, representing the Beve product, was in Rolla Tuesday, and arranged with Schuman Brothers to become the Bevo agents for Phelps, Crawford, and Dent counties, and for the northen part of Texas county, and the southern part of Maries county. This agency will include all the towns in the counties and parts of counties names, Licking and Sherrill for instance, in Texas county.

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The Mystery of Andrew Prewett and Julia Dotson Submitted by their great, great granddaughter, Sharie Mooney Prout

It all started with three clues: I had the maiden name of my great, great grandmother; I had the last name of her husband; and I knew the name of their daughter. That's it. But through the marvels of modern technology and digitized records, I started piecing together the puzzle of my Phelps County relatives from my home way out west in Wyoming. I was first able to find the basic information through census records online: my great, great grandmother was born Julia Dotson, in 1855, to William and Agnes Whiteside Dotson. The family arrived in Missouri about October 1850, moving from Saline County, Illinois, and soon

8settled in the Spring Creek area of Phelps County. Julia had 10 other brothers and sisters, and was the third youngest child. A digitized marriage record provided the next clue: on July 29, 1880, Julia was married at her parent's home to Andrew J. Prewett. Another search of the census records showed that Andrew was born in Missouri, about 1857, and was the son of George and Sarah Lawson Prewett. Thankfully, Missouri has a great online collection of Phelps County newspapers from the time period I was researching. To my surprise, I found several mentions of both Julia and Andrew. Andrew's mentions were quite interesting... apparently, he was convicted of grand larceny after stealing a horse. He was sent to the state penitentiary for two years on February 6, 1889. A quick email to the Missouri State Archives let me know that they did indeed have him recorded in one of the prison registers. They mailed me a copy of his entry, where I learned that he was released exactly a year and a half into his sentence, having been "discharged under the three-fourths law," on August 6, 1890. Through the details recorded in the register, I also gained a physical description of him: he was 5 foot 9 inches tall, had dark hair, a mustache, brown eyes, small nose, and fair skin, as well as some identifying scars on his right hand, neck, and back. This was also the only time that this this thirty-three year old farmer had been in prison. So while several mysteries had been solved, new ones started popping up. Andrew obviously returned home after prison, because my great grandmother Isabelle Pruett was born in December 1895. But the 1900 census lists her living with her mother, who was now a widow... and in the county almshouse. So what happened to Andrew? And is the 18 year old male listed there with the same last name as them, her much older brother? The census also says that Julia is the mother of four living children... so if two of them were with her in the poorhouse, where were the other two? As far as we had known, Isabelle was an only child! After the census was taken in 1900, Isabelle's uncle Thomas Whiteside Dotson, her mother's oldest sibling and local Baptist preacher, took four year old Isabelle to live with another family. This was presumably because her own mother could not care for her. She eventually ended up with Emery and Dorrie Estes, who had lost their son when he was two years old. Their son Victor, and their new foster daughter Isabelle, would have been only four months apart in age. Isabelle continued to see relatives from the Dotson side, and her foster parents knew a little about her kin, because the family stories have survived. Isabelle went on to marry Emery's younger brother, John Estes, and their only child is my own grandmother. But back to Isabelle's mysterious siblings... through some detective work and lots of hours poring over records, I found one of her older brothers for sure! I started searching for Pruett/Prewett children living in the area, but not with their parents. There were several, but that didn't tell me anything for certain. Then while browsing the online Missouri death certificates for people with that last name, I came across one I recognized from my previous search: Alonzo Pruett. I clicked on it, and BINGO!! Julia Dotson was listed as his mother!! (This was all a very exciting discovery.) So while his sister Isabelle and their mother were in the poorhouse (run by the Thomas and Amanda Matlock family at that time) during the 1900 census, twelve year old Alonzo was living with and working for another family in Rolla as a hired hand. Ten years later, he hired on with the C.R. Matlock family, working for and living with them for twenty-five

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years until his death. He passed away in July 1935, and is buried in Matlock Cemetery # 1, near the farm he worked on. (As a side note-- his death certificate gives his birth date: August 7, 1889. This means that his mother was three months pregnant with him when his father was sent to prison, and he didn't meet his father until he was at least a year old. Interpreting dates like this and putting the story together makes my relatives more “real” to me, and not just data on a page!) As for now, what happened to Andrew Prewett is still a mystery. Julia Dotson Prewett never saw her daughter again after 1900, when Isabelle went to live with another family. At this time, it is impossible to know if she ever saw any of her other children after that, either. Julia moved to St. Francois County in 1908, and died there in 1936. I am submitting this article in hopes that someone else may find it useful, or may know something I don't and can fill me in. Not much seems to be out there about Andrew and Julia (Andrew in particular), and I wonder if I am the only descendant out there searching for them? Julia's younger sister Mary Elisabeth Dotson married Andrew's cousin, Randolph Pruett. Their descendants have done a lot of research on the families, which has been incredibly useful to my search. Julia's older sister, Amanda, also married a Pruett cousin, Easton Ship Pruett. I am still working on proving who Andrew and Julia's two other children were. I wonder if they knew their parents very well, or had children of their own? If anyone knows anything about this line, or is a related themselves, I would love to speak with you! I can be reached at sharielanette@hotmail.com. I am originally from Eastern Kansas, and am very much looking forward to visiting the PCGS in person to research, on my next trip home. Finally, I would like to give a big thank you two people. Without Doug Berlin’s help in pointing me toward numerous online resources, and the time he spent emailing me multitudes of scanned articles and maps, I would not have made it nearly as far in my search as I did. I’d also like to sincerely thank Sheila Wood for the time she has put in physically searching for any helpful information housed at the PCGS, as well as online. Thank you both so much! It’s people like you who make it possible for researchers like to me work from afar. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Original Bed and Breakfast of Rolla, MO

Submitted by Garrett Gabel

It was built with huge Dolomite blocks and iron, yet a handful of desperate men over the years devised and succeeded in escaping that hulking blockhouse called a jail in Rolla, MO. These days as I occasionally view and peek inside that dark must old jail, the cold gusts of air coming through the iron bars from within is almost as if the criminal ghosts are whispering to the outside world. It’s not difficult to comprehend why a prisoner back in the day wouldn’t want to stay for the accommodations there, nowadays one would be violating codes for keeping an animal there! As I touch those rough cut cold blocks I can’t help but think of some of the infamous prisoners who struck shock, terror and sorrow in the hearts of Phelps county folks, thus spending

10some hard time in the hellish old jail. There were prisoners such a Stephen A. Douglas, Mitchell Delashment, Larkin Allen, Fred Mingram (who hung himself in jail in 1879), “Bad” Tom Reed, “Hell Roaring” Walker, who served under the merciless command of U.S. Col. Billy Monks during the Civil War, and by far the most infamous; George Bohannon who was the only civilian hung in Rolla (at least legally). Of course nowadays even the name of Bohannon only rings a bell with a handful of historians. On a personal note, I very recently discovered that my 3x great-grandfather Phillip Jackson, a captain in the Mo. State Guard was imprisoned there before being transported to St. Louis after being captured in the skirmish at Douglas Prairie of the Gasconade Co. Mo. In September 1861. Ironically, he was serving under Col. John Adams Schnable, the brillian German architect and engineer who built the very same jail he was held in! John Schnable began building the Rolla jail in April, 1860, he no sooner began construction than a terrible accident occurred which severely injured Schnable and another worker. Construction was resumed however, and the job was completed in Nov., 1860. The cost of the jail was $3,000, it served as a jail from 1860-1912. During the Civil War the jail was used to hold civilian as well as military prisoners. The following are some interesting newspaper articles that describe some of the various escapes from the old jail:

Rolla Express Nov. 26, 1860 Escaped----We have been informed that Peter Keveney, C.C. Wiley, G.W. Davis, Jacob Runnells and John Arthur, who have been confined in Phelps County jail, to await their trial at the next term of the circuit court, all escaped on Friday evening last while Mr. Webber the jailor was at supper. They escaped through the roof from the upper room, and from thence by a ladder.

Rolla Express Dec. 3, 1860 The Escape---We mentioned, in our last number, the escape of the prisoners from Phelps County jail, but we neglected to state that we had been misinformed about the completion the building. In justice to all parties we will state that the escape was effected from an unfinished portion of the jail and where the carpenters were at work, the jailor having taken them from their cells for exercise.

Rolla Express March 11, 1861 Broke Jail---During the heavy rain of last Friday night, five prisoners escaped from Phelps County jail, by moving a piece of joist which had been sawed out by Wiley and other jail breakers last summer, the piece of timber having been replaced in a very careless way, with bolts put through the timber fastened by means of screws which were fastened on the inside of the jail with nuts, which were left bare and exposed. The bed-clothing tied together for a rope, and suspended from a hole in the roof, was then the means by which the whole crowed effected their escape. The names of the prisoners were C.C. Wiley, and ______ Brewster, of Phelps; H.A. Beezely and ____ Conley, of Texas; A.F. Ferres, of Dent. The Sheriff offers a reward for their arrest. See proper column.

Rolla Weekly Heard June 29, 1871

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Attempt to Break Jail----Tuesday afternoon, about six o’clock, as jailor Hanson, accompanied by an old prisoner named Jack Maynard, was on his rounds with supper for the prisoners, preparatory to locking up for the night, they discovered out of the inner cell and unshackled, two prisoners, A.J. Walker and Larkin Allen, both confined for murder in the first degree. It was evident the fellows were taken unawares, as Walker exclaimed, “Herman, don’t shoot! I surrender!” Deputy Hanson order the birds down into the dungeon in the lower regions, where they were secure for the night. An investigation showed that the hinge of the cell door had been filed off, leaving the door in a condition to be sprung aside sufficient to admit the passage of the prisoners from the cell. The prisoners charge that Chestine Miller furnished them with the materials—an old knife and a piece of boiler iron—for cutting the hinge. Acting on the principle, “fast bind, fast find,” Sheriff Cleino, on Tuesday morning, escorted Larkin Allen, A.J. Walker, Chestine Miller and J.W. Clark to Fred Strobach’s blacksmith shop and adorned each with a heavy pair of ornaments for the ankles.

Rolla Express May 10, 1873 Attempted Escape---A colored man named Stephen A. Douglas, who is confined in our county jail, tried to make his escape yesterday afternoon through the flue, the Sheriff had let him out of his cell into the lock up so that he could take exercise, he had completed his arrangement for escape by hoarding provisions and getting everything ready to leave at first opportunity. The Sheriff fortunately missed him and search was instituted, and he was found hidden away behind the flue.

Rolla Express May 31, 1873 Broke Jail---Last Saturday night two prisoners—Stephen Douglas and John McNatt—escaped from the Phelps County jail by crawling through the chimney flue to the roof of the jail and dropping thence to the ground. Douglas is a negro, about 24 or 25 years of age, five feet six or seven inches in height, is stout built and was rather shabbily dressed. McNatt, a white boy, is about 18 years of age, five feet seven or eight inches in height, light complexion and light hair, and rather comfortably clad. One hundred dollars in offered for the return of the birds, or fifty dollars for either, or fifty dollars will be paid for such information as will lead to their recovery. This is the third batch of prisoners that have escaped through the same hole, it is expected the county court will make sufficient appropriation to prevent further “accidents.”

Phelps County New Era Oct. 20, 1877 Jail Delivery, $150 Reward.

On Saturday night last about midnight, three prisoners escaped from the Rolla Jail by sawing off two of the bars of the upper window on the south side of the jail, and letting themselves down about fifteen feet to the ground. The bars are of wrought iron and about one inch and a quarter in diameter. The names of the escaped prisoners are, Wm. and James Cadwallader, awaiting trial for burglarizing Matthew Rogers’ house, and George Wilson, a man bout 44 years of age, who was confined in jail for breaking into Thos. Deegan’s wagon shop, in St. James last week, and steeling therefrom a lot of tools. The Sheriff offers $150 reward for the capture of the prisoners. It is supposed that the bars were sawed off with two case knives that Phillip Gallagher, the prisoner who escaped two weeks ago, gave to the Cadwallader boys. The last heard of them was at the “Round House,” a notorious place of resort for all the hard cases of this country, situated about three miles south of Rolla, where they called for some things that they had there belonging to them. The law authorities should break up such “resorts” as this

12“Round House”. They are the rendezvous where the desperate characters of the country congregate and plan villainy, all such places should be promptly suppressed.

Phelps County New Era August 16, 1879 Mitchell Delashment broke out of the calaboose on the night of Friday, the 8th inst., by crawling through the air hole that opens into the truck room. It is supposed that he had help from the outside, to wrench off the iron bar that was bolted across the opening. The Marshall has had an iron plate bolted across the hole which will make it pretty hard for the next fellow to get out at this particular place.

Marriages These are the marriage licenses currently at the PCGS Research Room. These are NOT all the marriages in Phelps County for that year. 1938: Acker, John W. Ewing, Evelyn 22-Jan-38 Bardot, Paul H. Wieda, A;ice L. 24-Dec-38 Barrett, James W. Nelson, Christina 29-May-38 Barth, Edward J. Frank, Lucille 1-Oct-38 Belcher, Wyatt W. Swank, Dorothy N.E. 28-May-38 Bennicassa, Leonard A. Hanna, Clarasteen 5-Apr-38 Betts, Charles A. Haase, Vivian G. 3-Sep-38 Boone, Raymond E. Harrison, Mildred E. 21-May-38 Boyer, Wesley, L. Boyer, Mary A. 20-Jul-38 Bruenger, Edwin H. Timmons, Gaye 28-Mar-38 Calaway, Jewett B. Marr, Jessie 5-Jul-38 Calef, Victor M.D. Ritter, Jean 7-Sep-38 Carter, Amos Lairmore, Jessie M. 6-Oct-38 Dent, Raymond W. Ficke, Dorothy L. 28-Aug-38 Depew, Eldon J. Secor, Frances 2-Jul-38 Drees, Richard G. Meyer, Marion A. 4-Jun-38 Elbert, Arthur A. Elbert, Martha A. 20-May-38 Enright, Francis J. Heinrich, Evelyn L. 6-Oct-38 Farr,Thomas S. Eckhoff, Alta M. 18-Jan-38 Ferrenbach, Eugene C. Fitzmaurice Helen 19-Jun-38 Fordyce, John W. Heer, Louise 27-Jun-38 Fowler, Herbert R. Johnson, Marjorie V. 5-Oct-38 Fricke, Orville J. Baldwin, Mabel C. 10-Aug-38 Friedland, Albert Allen, Maree 6-May-38 Garrison, David, W. Hedrick, Ardean 25-Jun-38 Gilbert, Buford M. McFarland, Gladys G. 30-Nov-38

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Goodman, Howard Newkirk, Blanche 12-Oct-38 Gray, Earl G. Lowe, Nellie 29-Sep-38 Gray, Willie D. Smith, Leona B. 14-Mar-38 Griffith, Edward J. Ferguson, Hattie 7-Jul-38 Gzehoviak, Louis E. Jezewski, Emma L. 6-May-38 Hampton, William R. Clark, Lorea F. 15-Jul-38 Harrington, John J. Johnson, Augusta 19-Sep-38 Hatcher, John H. Helming, Mary C. 23-Apr-38 Healy, James F. Dare, Virginia L. 20-Jul-38 Heil, Oscar J. Bottum, Sylvia 24-Feb-38 Herman, Francis B. Molnar, Anna M. 22-Aug-38 Hicks, George B. Smotherman, Peggy G. 20-Jul-38 Hill, Glen O. Leftridge, Mona D. 24-Dec-38 House, Charles E. DeFord, Wilberta 13-Aug-38 Johannsen, Raymond F. Fosse, Madeline A. 25-Jul-38 Johnson, James D. Smith, Minnie 8-Feb-38 Karraker, Edward L. Crays, Mildred 30-May-38 Key, W. Howard Gastian, Pauline E. 28-May-38 Kinser, Raymond C. McCoy, Mary H. 2-Sep-38 Koening, Joseph J. Haldiman, Edna G. 22-Jun-38 Lohrback, Everett H. Head, Renee E. 19-Jan-38 Mann, Robert L. Danson, Shirley M. 4-Sep-38 Medley, Cubert Hicks, Cleo 4-Jun-38 Moseley, Fred N. Beardslee, Mary M. 23-May-38 Mounce, Prince A. Planks, Reba 9-Jun-38 Mudd, H.A. Collins, Virginia 6-Jul-38 Myers, Chester C. Gardner, Mabel H. 19-Feb-38 Nelson, Ira M. Neville, Mary A. 3-Sep-38 Nelson, Rudolph Smallin, Dona 12-Dec-38 Noble, Jesse H. Auer, Bertha E. 23-Aug-38 Obermeyer, Andrew H. Emery, Ellen M. 17-Nov-38 Otte, John E. Lockhart, June J. 22-Nov-38 Peters, Quentin Couture, Hazel 14-Apr-38 Pitts, Alfred Brennan, Gladys A. 30-Apr-38 Quense, E.R. Narkewitz, Rose 3-Sep-38 Radke, Earl Nelson, Jewell 29-May-38 Rife, Freeland I. Potter, Anna B. 31-May-38 Sabine, John S. Fulton, Daysie R. 12-Nov-38 Schamel, Walter S. Johnson, Mae 26-Jul-38 Schell, James O. Albertson, Ruby F. 29-Oct-38 Smith, David Clark, Ann 28-Nov-38 Spindler, Herman D. Webb, Beatrice E. 25-Jun-38

14Stifle, George L. Noell, Dorothy M. 17-Aug-38 Stine, Willard Smith, Juanita 28-Jun-38 Storms, Earl L. Akin, Violet M. 25-Jul-38 Switzer, Harold W. Smiley, Goldie L. 30-May-38 Tate, Jess C. Taylor, Alice M. 30-Jun-38 Terry, Lloyd A. Clayton, Venice V. 31-Dec-38 Trefethen, Gardner E. Lingo, Retha 26-Jun-38 Trotter, Charles R. Flett, Dorothy M. 14-Aug-38 Trout, Leonard E. Garhart, Thelma 18-Jan-38 Upton, Everett T. Bell, Wrietha 4-Mar-38 Vetter, Frank Gleason, Ruth 7-Feb-38 Vickroy, Torbert Vickroy, Pearl E. 2-Mar-38 Walker, Ryan, E. Barrett, Madie A. 1-Sep-38 Wright, William Hockenberry, Irene 4-Nov-38 Yarnell, Rea Cantrell, Jewell 4-Jan-38 1939: Bahr, Amos C. McCormick, Rachel 23-Dec-39 Barnes, Lewis W. Fuhring, Wilda F. 17-Jun-39 Baum, Stanley A. Maledy, Della M. 7-Apr-39 Beekman, William N. Kincaid, Ethel M. 4-Jun-39 Berwick, John D. Jr. Bagley, Arlayne F. 30-Sep-39 Biles, William H. Crabtree, Helen 15-Aug-39 Boulson, Charles E. Curnutt, Inez 18-May-39 Boyce, Earnest W. Hodges, Ruby E. 12-Aug-39 Brannock, William R. Johnson, Susan T. 2-Jul-39 Branson, Raymond E. Cowan, Dorothy M. 4-Jun-39 Broccard, Charley H. Scroggins, Margorie L. 5-Aug-39 Brothers, Gerald W. Allen. Ruth E. 7-Jan-39 Cannon, Albert Merry, Florence 2-Sep-39 Carter, Robert V. Schande, Gladys G. 26-Jan-39 Castleberry, Marvin E. Jr. Bass, Jean A. 8-Jan-39 Clark, John C. Gallup, Caroline 20-Jun-39 Click, Dale Mauzy, Lois 23-Dec-39 Click, Donald J. Britton, Barbara V. 10-Jun-39 Connell, Earl McCelland, Phoebe 10-Nov-39 Crown, Ray A. Merson, Zella 3-Jul-39 Dancker, Peter W. Van Voy, Maude C. 25-Mar-39 Dial, Howard Ormsbee, Laverne 25-Sep-39 Disbrow, Weston E. Disbrow, Lucille M. 27-Mar-39 Duddridge, Carl G. King, Marcial N. 11-Nov-39 Eikman, Earl S. Carothers, Anna M. 15-Aug-39 Elliff, Oliver W. Ganus, Goldie 11-Feb-39

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Emory, Charles Wycoff, Eunice 9-Sep-39 Fernan, Harold Hamilton, Esther 12-Apr-39 Flynn, Joseph A. Freitag, Rose M. 26-Aug-39 Flynn, Marvin T. Achter, Wilma H. 26-Jun-39 Fore, Richard H. Torrence, Charlotte G. 5-Aug-39 Foust, Orvil F. Carden, Glennis L. 1-Apr-39 Fowler, Lawrence Kell, Zelta 14-Oct-39 George, J.Frank Buler,Beeler ? Edith M. 9-Apr-39 Gilgour, Glenn A. Smith, Effie M. 27-Dec-39 Gloeckler, John G. Kieselmann, Mildred A. 4-Nov-39 Grandstaff, Roscoe L. McCoy, Alice 30-Dec-39 Gruendler, Jacob Feth, Herta 16-Aug-39 Halbrook, John G. Asbridger, Lorene 8-Apr-39 Halbrook, Paul Butts, Pauline 15-Apr-39 Hallows, Robert A. Rountree, Clare S. 7-Aug-39 Hartwig, Clem Lulich, Ruth 19-Aug-39 Heldorfer, Leo C. Heldorfer, Bessie F. 13-May-39 Henley, James E. Borcherding, Julia M. 11-Jul-39 Hennce, Ezra Seymour, Edith 6-Oct-39 Henry, Bert N. aJr. Mullins, Winnifred R. 14-Jul-39 Hester, Eric I. Wright, Norma J. 5-Aug-39 Heyl, Harold C. Thompson, Gertrude 28-Dec-39 Houser, Ross Ferguson, Maude 14-Aug-39 Howard, George L. Butler, Rosie 14-Apr-39 Hulsey, Lewis D. Harrison, Mildred L. 8-Aug-39 Hutts, John B. Moses, Eunice M. 29-Jul-39 Isgrigg, Clifford W. Taylor, Dorothy J. 19-Jun-39 James, S. Byron Hopkins, Lucille 19-Aug-39 Janon, Henry S. Janon, Gladys H. 6-May-39 Johnson, Emory E. Heimberger, Margaret J. 21-Sep-39 Johnson, Homer L. Ellison, Mary R. 22-Feb-39 Johnson, Neal A. Goslin, Evelyn J. 16-Jun-39 Keathley, Meldon Krysl, Ann 2-Sep-39 Kimmel, Albert Peterson, Gladys 16-Sep-39 Klaus, William Clayton, Hazel 20-Dec-39 Knox, William A. Shoop, Virginia 29-Jul-39 Laws, Lloyd Warner, Cecelia 2-Sep-39 Lay, Paul A. Ross, Anna H. 22-Apr-39 Leber, Harry A. Dickerson, Gladys V. 13-Feb-39 Linquist, Loyal Binder, Georgina J.M. 16-Jan-39 Long, Jesse F. Roberts, Kathleen M. 14-Jul-39 Lyons, William C. Rubin, Verda L. 25-Jan-39

16Marshall, Orvill Hamby, Thesa 2-Sep-39 McCormack, Willis F. Drum, Ruby G. 21-Jan-39 McFeron, Jack A. Hackmann, Ruth L. 4-Feb-39 McIlvaney,Harry G. Gardner, Fannie G. 7-Jul-39 McKeown, Forrest L. Brandt, Lorena L. 4-Aug-39 McLain,A.P. Leipold, Philephene 20-Mar-39 Mileham, Virgil D. Walser, Aileen A. 27-May-39 Nease, Jord E. Nease, Martha 25-Mar-39 Ogle, E.E. Tullis, Helen 4-Oct-39 Pace, Clifford Stolte, Ruth 21-Oct-39 Payne, Elmo Lowery, Helen 1-Apr-39 Peck, Ernest H. Sullivan, Martha M. 28-May-39 Peck, John W. Snyder, Marie M. 11-Aug-39 Peterson, Clair E. Trinkle, Marian 16-Sep-39 Pierson, Charles L. Englert, Lena 4-Oct-39 Planje, Edgar G. Krug, Irene L. 18-Mar-39 Plank, Hubert W. McDonald, Callie 18-Mar-39 Purcell, J.F. Staten, Marie T. 13-Nov-39 Ramey, Thomas S. Fyke, Gwendolyn 28-Apr-39 Redmon, Billie Grandstaff, Naomia 7-Dec-39 Reid, Joseph H. Ritter, Alba R. 17-Feb-39 Russell, Austin J. Gargus, Millie P. 28-Jun-39 Schloemer, Kenneth A. Dickey, Deane C. 27-Jun-39 Stephens, Jack McCall, Carol 7-Dec-39 Stuehmeyer, Fred D. Schenk, Dorothy G. 26-Aug-39 Swan, Harold N. Troutt, Pearl M. 19-May-39 Sylin?, Martin H. Bauer, Marie B. 6-Jul-39 Tuckett, Kenneth H. Buckey, Betty J. 2-Sep-39 Utley, Harry G. Knight, Lena M. 28-Oct-39 Vondracek, Everett Phelps, Aline 23-Dec-39 Walker, Emmet A. Wright, Martha A. 21-Dec-39 Ward, James E. Benson, Gladys O. 30-Mar-39 West, Jacob Graham, Ethel 9-Sep-39 Wippo, Lester J. Sattley, Ruth 18-Nov-39 Wolfe, Jack Roberts, Roberta F. 29-Jan-39 Woodall, Elwood E. Stoddard, Helen I. 5-Aug-39 Wright, Alva L. King, Etta E. 25-Nov-39 Yarbra, Harold M. Siems, Marie M. 25-Feb-39 Yewell, Roy E. Firman, Lorraine V. 3-Jun-39 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Edanville

Submitted by Sheila Wood

Edanville Texas Co. Mo

The post office at Edanville was established June 20, 1892, the postmasters follow: Phillip Canay (Canoy), June 20, 1892: John Rigsby, October 8, 1896: Albert Jasper, June, 21, 1899: Joseph Hume, October 30, 1899: Hugh Rigsby, January 11, 1900: William T. Thompson, January 10, 1901: James F. (Franklin) Mitchell, May 9, 1902: James L. Randall, May 14, 1904: Sanford D. Ray, October 10, 1905: Richard Hudgens, April 15, 1911: Albert Weber, November 10, 1914: Nina Mace, April 2, 1915: Thomas J. Dixon, July 28, 1916: Patsey (Patrick)Charles King, December 14, 1920: Edna Humphrey, March 4, 1922: Wilber Johnson, August 29, 1923. The post office was discontinued August 14, 1926 and the mail was routed through Evening Shade. (according to Moser’s Director, Edanville was located in Northwest Boone Township and probably named because of the beauty of the country side. It apparently was misspelled and was originally intended to be named after the Garden of Eden). (Patrick Charles King was killed in the Edanville post office by Harrison & Carl Mitchell, which both served time in the State Pen., Patrick is buried in the O’Malley cemetery. Phillip Canoy is buried in the Smith cemetery, Phelps Co Mo. Stone for James Franklin Mitchell is in the O’Malley cemetery, no proof that is where he is buried). Submitted by Sheila Wood

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James Newton Blake

Submitted by Sheila Wood James Newton Blake was born in Putman Co. VA., now West VA. August 14, 1818 and came to Jefferson Co. Mo in 1856 and died near Craddock, Phelps Co. Mo., August 5 1892 age 73 yrs. 11 mos. 21 days. Nancy Ann Cox Blake was his first wife was born in Putman Co. West, VA. March 15, 1820, married to Mr. Blake in Putman Co., West VA. Dec 7, 1840 and died near Craddock Post Office, Phelps Co. Mo. February 22, 1877 age 56 yrs. 11 mos. 7 days. James married 2nd near Craddock to Miss Elizabeth McGuire, March 14, 1880 (really 19 Apr 1880, Phelps Co. Mo) and she was born 9 May 1842 and died near Craddock January 20, 1911, buried in Black Cemetery, Phelps Co. MO.

(James parents were James Newton Blake Sr. and Jane B. Lewis Blake. James served in the Civil War with 31st Missouri Infantry, Union Army. He is buried in the Black Cemetery, children Charles Connor Blake, and Martha Ellen Blake Plank, born to Nancy and James. Child born to Elizabeth and James was David Newton Blake) ( SW has more information on the Blake’s that married into the Buckner family) ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

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Tidbits Submitted by Sheila Wood

I found an obit for William Murphy but from not our area. The obit listed a sister Bettie

McMichel of St James, and of course that caught my eye. Bettie is Martha Elizabeth McMickle died March 12, 1920 and her husband Union died in 1907. Bettie’s father was David H. Murphy, born in Missouri and Rachel Wood born in Tennessee. That is all I know about this family. But the William Murphy died in New Mexico.

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William Worlitz Submitted by Julie Rainey

I have had some pretty interesting people in my family tree that I’ve discovered over the years. My fourth great grandfather being a first lieutenant in the Civil War, a few tragedies and mysteries scattered about but I’ve never had a more interesting tale than that of William Worlitz from my husband’s side of the family. The unique bizarreness of this man’s life foreshadows any family member I’ve yet found in my family.

William Warren Worlitz entered this world on December 13th, 1907 in McHenry County, North Dakota. He was the son of Friedrich Worlitz and Mathilda Rose Beglo, both born in Romania. In the fall of 1902, Friedrich, his wife, young family and brother Albert, made their way to Liverpool, England where they boarded the ship Lake Erie on the 18th of November 1902, bound for St. John, New Brunswick, Canada. They arrived there on the 29th of November 1902.

As was all too common in those days, Friedrich and Mathilda had a few children who did

not survive into adulthood. According to the ships Manifest Fred and Matilda had a daughter named Mathilda who was age five at the time of the crossing to America. She isn’t listed on any US Census, which leads me to believe she died before 1910, when the family’s first American census occurred.

According to the North Dakota Department of Health Death Index, there was as Fred

Worlitz born in McHenry County, North Dakota (the primary residence for the Worlitz family) on December 20th, 1913 and died April 20th, 1914.

Friedrich moved the family to Wells County, North Dakota and they began their lives in America. Shortly after Friedrich filed for his “First Papers” (Declaration of Intention to become a naturalized citizen) on March 3rd, 1903. It wasn’t until October 5th, 1912 that his “Second Papers” (Naturalization) were filed.

Friedrich found work as a plasterer and stone mason. Life was relatively normal and uneventful until his son William grew older. William married Eva Frances Fiest in 1931 they had three children before he simply vanished in July 1936, abandoning his wife and young family. His family knew nothing of his whereabouts or even if he was alive. Rumors swirled around their community that he’d been killed and buried in someone’s basement, but apparently the

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government had found him or at least attempted to when they put a divorce decree in the Galveston newspaper two years later.

It wasn’t until 1951 that the mystery of his disappearance was solved. Below are some

newspaper articles chronicling the story of William Worlitz:

Galveston Daily News, April 10th, 1938:

Transcript: William Worlitz vs. Eva Worlitz, divorce; divorce decreed plaintiff on grounds of cruel treatment; the minors, Betty, a girl, age 7 years: Patricia, a girl, age 5 years, and Charlotte Worlitz, age 2 years, awarded plaintiff. Bismarck Tribune, April 4th, 1951:

A report that the body of a man believed missing for the past 13 years is buried in a filled-in basement in Bismarck’s Park Hill addition was under investigation here Wednesday. The man is Bill Wolitz, identified as a laborer who reportedly disappeared in 1938 or 1939 and has not been heard from since. A former neighbor of the missing man. H.J. Geigle, Sr., appeared before Atty. Gen. Elmo T. Christianson Wednesday to urge investigation of the disappearance. He urged that the basement be dug into. Christianson together with a Bismarck police detective took a statement from Geigle in which the latter recounted rumors and reports as well as known circumstances of Wolitz’ alleged disappearance. The attorney general said he would call upon States Atty. George S. Register of Burleigh county and the state bureau of criminal identification for help in “running down the facts”.

20Geigle told The Tribune that Bill Worlitz and two brothers, Ed or Fred and Gottlieb also lived in the same Park Hill area at the time of Bill Worlitz’s unannounced departure. His home and those of the Worlitz brothers all were located on or near Bowen Ave, just south of Kiwanis park. Police Chief Don Schoeniman said Wednesday that there were rumors of “foul play” at the time of Worlitz’ disappearance but that investigations at that time declared nothing. Some digging was done then in the basement where the “body” was said to have been buried. Worlitz was married and had children, now grown, but no members of the family now live in Bismarck. Friends here said they have not heard from Bill Worlitz since he disappeared, reportedly without the knowledge of his immediate family. Bismarck Tribune, April 9th, 1951:

Transcription:

Mrs. George Fix, Mandan, was questioned Monday by Atty. Gen. Elmo T. Christianson as he continued his investigation into the 15-year-old-disappearance of Bill Worlitz. Mrs. Fix is the mother-in-law of Worlitz’s brother. Ed Christianson did not reveal anything about the questioning.

Saturday more bones and a batch of lime were recovered from the filled-in basement at 411W. Bowen Ave., that was excavated on Christianson’s order.

The investigation was started when H.J. Geigle, Sr., a former neighbor of Worlitz, tipped

Christianson about his suspicions that Worlitz’s remains might be buried in the basement.

Technicians will be asked to determine whether the bones recovered by the workers are those of a human being. They have been sent to John Hopkins University in Baltimore for examination. Christianson said after showing the bones to local doctors, he was convinced that they are “not those of an animal.” He said he expects a definite report on the matter within a few days.

The dirt is being replaced in the hole Monday but it is being sifted and examined closely as the work progresses.

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Bismarck Tribune, April 18th, 1951

Transcription:

William Worlitz, 42-year-old Bismarck laborer missing since 1936, was known to be alive in March, 1943. This was announced Wednesday morning by the state bureau of criminal identification.This fact, verified by the Federal Bureau of Investigation, disproves completely the story that Worlitz’s body was buried in a basement in Bismarck’s Park Hill addition.

The state crime bureau and the attorney general’s office have marked their investigation

of the matter closed. The bones taken from the basement when it was excavated 10 days ago were “absolutely

not human bones.” Atty. Gen. Elmo T. Christianson said Wednesday. The bones were examined by two local pathologists and were not sent to John’s Hopkins

University at Baltimore as previously reported. Earl Enger of the state crime bureau said Worlitz was going by the name of Warren R. Wolverton in 1943. At that time he was working for the U.S. Cartridge Co., St. Louis, Mo., Enger said. Worlitz also was known to have been in Wichita, Kan., in December, 1937, some 16 months after his disappearance from Bismarck.

He was arrested at Wichita for vagrancy at that time. A picture taken by Wichita police of the man who gave his name as Wolverton was positively identified as Worlitz by his former mother-in-law here, Mrs. Andy Feist, and by Henry J. Geigle, Sr., a former neighbor who caused the investigation to be made with his story of suspected foul play.

22Enger said Worlitz’s whereabouts at present are not known. He is not wanted by either

federal or state authorities and his former wife, now remarried and living in St. Paul, Minn., does not want to press any charges against him Enger said.

Worlitz disappeared in July 1936. Later that summer, his parents and brothers who were

also living in the same neighborhood sold out their holdings and moved west. The rumor that Worlitz had met with foul play popped up after his disappearance but on investigation by city police revealed nothing.

The rumor persisted however, and two weeks ago Geigle who lived near the Worlitz brothers in 1936, told his story to the attorney general. The entire basement was excavated and about 25 to 30 bone fragments were recovered.

William became a part of my husband’s family by marrying Arlene Rainey and having

several children together before his death in 1981. An upside to this bizarre tale is that I was able to help reunite the long lost half siblings and create a happy ending. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Mrs. Susanna B. Cowen

Submitted by Sheila Wood Mrs. Susanna B. Cowen of near Edgar Springs, Mo., died at 2 o’clock p.m. Saturday, February 20, 1904 in the seventy-first year of her age. Her funeral which was conducted by Elder T.H. Jenkins of the Baptist church took place from her late residence the following Monday in the presence of her relatives and a large number of friends, and her remains were laid to rest in the family burying ground, under the Cowan monument, on their home place by the side of her husband, Dr. Robert B. Cowan. Mrs. Cowan had been a patient and long sufferer from paralysis until death relieved her. Mrs. Cowan was formerly Miss Susanna B. Lenox, a daughter of Rev. David Lenox, a celebrated Baptist preacher that was knows throughout Southern Missouri, of Phelps county, she was united in marriage with Dr. Robert Cowan, of Nodaway county, Virginia, and of this union eight children were born, seven of whom survive her: Elizabeth Katherine, wife of Dr. W.M. Lenox, of Hobson, Missouri: David E. Circuit Clerk of Phelps county: Dr. Robert B. of Edgar Springs: William H., of Moore, Oklahoma: John W. of St Louis: Travis J. and Francis M. of Edgar Springs. Mrs. Cowan was one of twelve brothers and sisters, all of whom lived to be grown, the following surviving her: Mrs. Margaret A. Bradford, of Lake Spring, Dent county: Mrs. Mary J. Pemberton, of Midland,, Texas: Mrs. Carrie Coffee, of Lake Spring, Dent county: Mrs. Emma M. LeSueur, of Norman, Oklahoma: David Taylor Lenox of Lake Spring, Phelps county and James M. Lenox of St. Louis. Many years ago death took from her side her life companion, while her children were all small, the eldest being only being twelve years and the youngest about four months old. She was a woman of strong character and strong convictions and reared her children accordingly, impressing upon them that the sublimest word in our language was duty.

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Early in her career she professed faith in Christ and joined the Baptist church and remained a consistent member of same through her entire life. The farm on which she lived and died was the one that was left her by her husband and on which she reared her children. Mrs. Cowen was a woman of high character and dignity and commanded the respect and regard of all who knew her and the love and esteem of all her neighbors more especially the poor. When affection came, though of long duration the evidences of her good work was exemplified in the loving kindness and attention that she received from her children, her relatives and her kind neighbors. She never lacked for any attention. Loving hands were ever present to bestow a healing balm. A large circle of friends and relatives mourn her loss. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Queries Submitted by Sheila Wood

Donna Zurheide phone number 636-326-9296 or e-mail donna.zurheide@yahoo.com is requesting any information about Charles Albert Donohue son of Andrew Jackson Donohue. He was born 1890/1891. He died in St Louis, Mo. 3 Apr 1973. (The state of Missouri doesn’t have births recorded till 1910, so no help in that area). ________________________________________________________________________ Grant Smith—e-mail-- sarsmith3@comcast.net I have worked with this man for years and I couldn’t figure out why would someone have a funeral a year after the person had died? So now we have the answer. sw This is Smitty remarks. I did find out from my Great Grandmother, Oney;s application for a War Pension that Joel (Smith) died in 1886, and not 1885!!! All the information I had, showed 1885. I have the Obit of Joel and his funeral was held in 1886. I could not figure out why that happened a year later. Now I know why. They had the date of his death wrong. One of my relatives put in the Phelps Book he married Oney on Feb 4, 1839, it was really Feb 20, 1840. I have a copy of the marriage license. She said he served in the Civil War. Again wrong, he served in the Mexican War of 1846 and 1847. He died in 1886, not 1885 like the book, Phelps County Heritage. The information was given by a Mrs. Gordon Dunivan, a cousin somewhere down the line. She was wrong on every date of what really happened. I do not know if I can that corrected or not. I am surprised how much information is incorrect. I guess that is why it is called “Genealogy”—right!!!! The Society doesn’t check stories or dates submitted for printing. We just hope the person submitting the information knows what they are submitting. But we do take correction sw Laura Breeden e-mail laura-breeden@sbcglobal.net is researching the Breckenridge surname and need some assistance. Her husband 2nd great grandmother Malissa/Melissa Breeden married a Charles O. Breckenridge in 1879 Maries County. The marriage was short lived and they had a son, her husband great grandfather Alfred Breeden. They have been told that the marriage was annulled by Charles Breckenridge’s family and that the Breckenridge’s were a famous political family. Information provided to us was that Charles was in Phelps County conducting family business when he met Melissa. Since marriage was short, she gave Alfred the Breeden family

24name. (Melissa Breckenridge married William C. Johnston 1 April 1888 in Maries Co. Mo. My Breeding researcher said that the Breeden’s didn’t like the name and changed it to Breckenridge sw) If you know anything about this family let Laura know, she has hit a brick wall. ________________________________________________________________________ Don Pruitt is researching information about a criminal case for R.B. Pruitt. I found his information in book 6 Circuit Court. December 1938 term. Don’s e-mail is 4agramp48@att.net Wanda Blackwell is requesting information about Joseph Dyer. He is buried in Miller Cemetery, Phelps Co. Mo. Joseph Dyer family came to Phelps Co. in Oct. 1860 from Grainger Co., TN and settled north of Rolla on HH. Wanda’s phone is 573-308-0004 or e-mail blachw@fidnet.com. Vauna Stahl, P.O. Box 654, Kincaid, Il. 62540, phone 217-237-2572, e-mail vaunas@consolidated.net is a new member and is researching a lot of the Society members families. Fore, Stogsdill, Harris, Brookshire, Masterson.

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Phelps County Genealogical Society P.O. Box 571

Rolla MO 65402-0571

In This Issue President’s Message 2 Note From Editor/News 3 Dog Tax 5 Rolla Herald 6 Mystery of Andrew Prewett & Julia Dotson 7 Original Bed & Breakfast 9 Marriages 12 Edanville/James Newton Blake 17 Tidbits/ William Worlitz 18 Mrs. Susanna B. Cowen 22 Queries 23

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