Choctaw County Kin
from the Choctaw Plaindealer
by Louis Taunton

        This column appeared in the Choctaw Co, MS newspaper, the Plaindealer, written by Louis Taunton. Queries were mailed to Louis Taunton, P. O. Box 400, Louisville, MS 39339-0400 or emailed to him and printed weekly.
      When submitting queries, the submitter's  snail mail address, as well as their email address,were included  because many of the older readers do not have access to computers.
         PLEASE NOTE: Whenever your email address changes, send your new email address to Jackie Rhodes so that the update can be made on your query. Thanks.

        For those who would like to subscribe to the Choctaw Plaindealer, please send your subscription as follows, using ALL CAPS in the address:

THE CHOCTAW PLAINDEALER
139 E MAIN ST
P O Box 910
ACKERMAN MS 39735-0910

Subscription Rates:
In State...........$15.00
Out of State.....$18.00
Published weekly on Wednesdays
Editor and Publisher: Steve Smith

CHOCTAW COUNTY KIN:  This new genealogical column will appear weekly in the Plaindealer (Choctaw County Newspaper).  The column will be limited to people tracing their ancestry in Choctaw or surrounding counties.  
Column Appearing in the Plaindealer the week of Jan 3, 2001
        List of Petit Jurors for February 1888 for Choctaw County: J. S. KLUTTS, James HARDEN; J. W. HUNT; William BOLLIS; C. P. NORRIS; J. R. PICKLE; J. P. McMINN; E. M. BARRON; N. J. MADOX; O. B. PORTER; E. S. DRANE; R. S. STEWART; D. R. MECKLIN; A. T. TOWNSEND; J. W. RAY; R. C. CROW; P. C. BOWLES; WILLIAM McCAFFERTY; T. J. TURNER; S. E. MOSS; J. M. BUZBEE; WILLIAM ARNOLD; J. S. LEVER; J. F. DUDLEY; J. C. KEEN; J. W. WOOD; T. J. KEEN; Fred ALFORD; John ATKINS; J. H. TEDDER. These men were to serve as Petit Jurors for the first week. W. M. DENDY; J. A. BLANTON; S. G. BRYAN; Isaac NORRIS; William BRAMBLETT; A. W. WORRELL; W. P. STEDMAN; J. C. KILPATRICK; Robert GAYLOR; J. M. MURPHY; J. C. BARRON; Jesse HUGHES; James FULGHAM; G. H. McCLURE; J. W. PEARSON; G. W. HODGES; T. J. WHITMORE; W. J. EDWARDS; Calvin TAYLOR; S. G. F. JAYROE; J. F. SIMPSON; A. H. KENNEDY; J. W. MILLER; J. A. BOWLES; W. M. KING; E. B. HUGHES; A. H. BROOKS; T. H. HALE; O. F. CHAMPLEE; G. W. WOOD. These men were to serve as Petit Jurors for the second week.
        The following was a letter in the February 1888 issue of The Plaindealer:
A Visit to French Camp: I left Ackerman January 26, 1888 on the evening train for French Camp by the way of McCool to attend a meeting of the Executive Board of the Louisville Baptist Association. I spent Thursday night at McCool and the next morning learned that the Executive Board of the Kosciusko Baptist Association was to hold its meeting there and several distinguished clergymen arrived on Friday morning's train, among the number Rev. J. T. CHRISTIAN, Corresponding Secretary of the Convention Board. I boarded the mail hack back to French Camp at 8 AM and arrived at 10 AM. I had not been to this place for several years and though reared in its vicinity I hardly knew it, from the fact that it had quadrupled its growth since I left the neighborhood. It is natural for all of us to think that owing to the proximity of the place to the railroad we would find a dead town, but this was a mistake. It is populated by a thrifty, intelligent, moral and religious people, and surrounded by good lands and a well-to-do class of farmers, who give the business men of the town a large and safe trade. Several of them told me their trade was as good as before the railroad was built. In addition to this it has the finest educational advantages of any town of its size in the State. The Male School is under the charge of Rev. James A. MECKLIN as principal, whose name alone where his is known is a sufficient guarantee as to the management and efficienty of the school. The writer had the pleasure of attending on Friday night a public speaking by the boys of this school. The speaches were an evidence that the boys were well trained in elocution, and they are a credit to themselves and teachers.
        The Female School is progressing finely with thirty boarders, besides many students from adjacent country. Suffice to say that these schools are and ought to be a source of pride to the people of the town and neighborhood, and they cannot be too highly recommended to those who have sons and daughters to educate They should be liberaly patronized, and in a short time they could be converted from a High School into one of the cheapest and best equipped Colleges in the South.
        The Prohibiton laws of the State are practically enforced there, from all I could learn, and alcohol is not sold for medicinal, mechanical or scientific purposes at all or under any other pretext; hence parents need have no fear on this account. The people are thoroughly united in preventing any violation of law or practices of any kind that would have a tendency to injure the school's or encourage immorality among the students.
(To be continued)
Column Appearing in the Plaindealer the week of Jan 10, 2001
       (Continued from last week - A Visit to French Camp in 1888):
        I spent the time at the hospitable homes of Rev. W. H. H. FANCHER and J. J. CARTER. The Executive Board of the Louisville Baptist Association met at 10 o'clock A.M. Saturday and transacted all the business that came before it. At 2 o'clock I took the hack for McCool in company with Col. SHIPP, one of the substantial citizens of French Camp. When we got within a short distance of McCool we began to see the direful effects of selling medicines, mechanics and science in the shape of intoxicants as we met several who had indulged too freely. Especially one poor fellow to whom I spoke as the vehicle passed saying, "Good evening, Sir." His reply was, "That's what I say - don't shoot."
        All laughed and I felt as the boys say, "sold." The only thing wrong was that two fools met - he being a fool from having taken too much medicine, mechanics and science that had shattered his whole frame, and carried him beyond the ruses of courtesy; and I was one for not taking in the situation and passing him unnoticed.
        There was only one sad thought about my visit. I saw and heard from so many of my old school mates and boyhood associates, who claimed a short time since to be as young as I, who have grown sons and daughters, even grandchildren that made me feel old, but since returning home and seriously reflecting about the matter with dates and so forth, I find that many of them married from ten to fifteen years before I did, and this explains the whole matter.
        Age has nothing to with it - I am as young as ever. Respectfully, A. Subscriber
LuAnne Darlene Evans Reed, phone208-237-9364, is just now discovering that her great-great-grandfather, James Isaac AKINS, was actually James Isaac CAMPBELL. In her research a family member remembered hearing at some point that James was adopted as a young boy. In the 1880 census of Cass Co, Texas, he stated that he was born in 1858 in MS. Through family connections the name of Choctaw Co, MS came up. She found him on the 1860 Choctaw Co, MS census as age two living with the following AKINS family: Isaac N. AKINS, age 60, farmer, born in SC; Melton AKINS, age 30, born in AL; Lavina AKINS, age 26, born in AL; and James I. CAMPBELL, age 2, born in MS. In addition she also noticed that a ROSEMOND family had three CAMPBELL children in their household and a HODGE family had CAMPBELL children and there were other CAMPBELL children in other homes as well. Mrs. Reed is trying to determine if there was an accident, sickenss or if these children came from an Orphanage Train or whatbackground-color=# Were all of these CAMPBELL children relatedbackground-color=# She is desperately searching for any clue as to who these children belonged to as it involves her family. Any help or hint of a clue about these children would be greatly appreciated by Mrs. Reed.
Stanthia Fondren Oakley is researching the FONDREN family of Choctaw Co. She states that in a recent column of Choctaw Co. Kin there was a list of students at Southerland School in Choctaw Co, MS. Among the students was one listed as Boot FONDREN. She is trying to find out who this child was. She has a Jesse Hamptom FONDREN who has a child, William B. born 1882 with brothers Ethel Caly born 1889 and John Earl born 1892; other siblings were Hiram A. born 1872, Jenny (Edna) born 1873, Henry Felix born 1875, Lemuel born 1880, Cleopatria (Tesa) born 1884, Joseph Hamilton "Mont" born 1886 and Sarah E. bor 1894. She also asked, "Who is Ola FONDREN listed as a studentbackground-color=#" Along this same line she has a Booce FONDREN who was shot and killed while "eloping" with a Miss KELLUM from Whitefiled area (near Sturgis). This shooting was in the summer of 1915 or 1916. Does anyone have any information on this familybackground-color=# Were they handicappedbackground-color=# Is William B. from the 1880-1900 Choctaw Co. Census Boot or Boocebackground-color=# She is also interested in finding out if Rebecca FONDREN, daugher of Hester, born about 1844 in MS is the wife of Rev. Jim DALTON. Mrs Oakley has FONDREN information and will exchange and share with those interested.
Column Appearing in the Plaindealer the week of Jan 17, 2001
        An article that should prove of interest to the readers in Choctaw Co is titled: "Women and Children Suffered Here During Last Year of Civil War."
       John N. BOWEN was editor of "The Southern Motive," county paper published at Old Greensboro during the War Between the States. And, that those sad days in 1864 during the time when the Southern cause was being lost on the battlefields was not only trying to the soldiers doing the fighting, but for the women and children back here at home, is well born out by an editorial written by Editor BOWEN in his issue of May 7, 1864, as follows: DESTITUTE FAMILIES ----
        There is scarcely a day passed but what we see three or four ladies come to town for the purpose of getting from the Commissioner, a little meal and meat with which to feed their almost starved children. But owing to the impossibility of the commissioners procuring meat, these poor women are compelled to go home without it, and frequently, we are told, without any corn or meal. Thus the poor women -- the families of soldiers -- are tormented by the agonizing cry of their children by calling for -- "Ma, I want a piece of bread." Think of that mother's feelings when she has not nor knows not where to get the bread. The commissioners have tried in vain to buy meat but they cannot for either love nor money because it is not to be had in the county. We wrote on this subject before, appealing to the Government authorities to sell the corn and meat that would be collected in this county, to the families here that were actually in want, knowing at the same time there would be great scarcity in provisions in this county, and for them to purchase where these commodities are plentiful. We are informed that there is an abundance of corn in the prairies close by the railroad.
        It is well known to everyone who has resided in this county any length of time, that before the war broke out, the people would frequently have to send to the prairies for corn and buy their meat from the market. This was when her working population was at home. This is a poor county, and two-thirds of her working class of people are in the Army, and their families left, helpless on the remaining portion for support. It is expected by the Government, it appears, that these families are to support their brothers, their sons and their husbands, who are in the Army, when it took all they could make to support their families when they were at home. Already some of the destitute families felt the effects of the approaching crisis. Corn can scarcely be bought at any price -- and as for meat we do not know of a pound for sale. How can we then expect long to have an Army of true veterans in the field and their wives and little ones at home without anything to eat. We can remedy this evil and let us come up boldly to their relief.
        Again -- A great many of our farmers, knowing the wants of the people in this county, to be great, forfeited their corn in order that they might supply the wants of these people. It was optionary with them, either to pay their tithe in corn, or pay fifty percent on the valuation thereof. This was, as we conceive, an agreement entered into between the farmer and the government. The farmer does this in good faith. But what is he called on to do nowbackground-color=# He must pay five hundred percent. is this an act of Congress, or is it a military order for the purpose of compelling the farmer to pay his corn and meatbackground-color=# From whence did such a law originatebackground-color=#
        If from military authorities, it is an imposition of the deepest die on the farmer. If it is an act of Congress, it is unconstitutional. It should be investigated.
        We have ever been opposed to censuring the acts of Congress, or acts of our Government authorities; but we are here for the purpose of protesting the rights of the people, and when we see such an oppressive law or order as this, and starvation staring us in the face on account of it, we feel it our solemn duty to enter our protest against it, and call on the citizens of Choctaw County to meet at Greensboro, on Saturday, the 14th inst., for the purpose of entering their protest against it and petitioning the right source for relief. We hope to see a large audience in attendance.
Column Appearing in the Plaindealer the week of Jan 24, 2001
Ruth Rast is researching the following Choctaw Co families: STEVENSON, TAYLOR, DUNBAR and WHITWORTH. Her father was William Hayse STEVENSON and his father was Roy Carel STEVENSON who married Mattie TAYLOR. The parents of Mrs. Rast's grandfather were Robert STEVENSON and his wife was Nancy DUNBAR. She doesn't know much about Robert and Nancy other than their names and a list of their children with some of their dates. Her grandmother's parents were William Ebenezar TAYLOR and Ellie WHITWORTH. She has their bearth and death dates and a list of their children, but no dates for the children. Andy information that anyone can provide would be very much appreciated and Mrs. Rast will share the information  that she has collected.
Betty West is looking for information on Henry N. BOX. He and his wife, Rebecca Emmaline "Emma" LEWIS were married on 26 Nov 1899 in Karnes Co, Texas. They divorced after 1912, possibly about 1915 and Henry returned to MS. His parents were Terry BOX and Jennie WAITES. He later remarried and had children by his second wife. Mrs. West does not know who he married or the date of the marriage. She has been told that he died around 1950. If anyone has any information on Henry BOX, please contact Mrs West.
Bobbie Simmons is searching for the grave of Inis N. MIERS SIMON who died 3 Aug 1903. At the time of death the family was living around Maben, MS. She has already looked in the cemetery books for Oktibbeha and Clay Counties without any luck. The problem is that Maben is in a corner where four counties come together. If anyone finds this grave or any other SIMON or MIERS graves in this general section of the state, please contact Mrs. Hinman.
Jane Latham has been working with some Choctaw and Winston Co. researchers on the CATLEDGE family. She has posted queries on the Choctaw site of the internet, but she feels that some who have information are not on the internet. The families Mrs. Latham is researching are: CATLEDGE, BLACKWOOD, TURNER, EDWARDS, PORTER, McCLANAHAN, WOOD, WALLACE and WALKER. Specific needs are: (1) Where and when did Elijah CATLEDGE (b. 1787) and wife, Susanna (b. 1790) diebackground-color=# (2) Levina Catlege (probably the wife of Alson CATLEDGE/CATLEGE was on the 1860 census of Louisville and on the next page are Asberry CATLEGE and William CATLEGE. Levina is buried in Choctaw Co with Alson. Did she live and die in Winston Countybackground-color=# (3) Does anyone know anything about James PORTERbackground-color=# James PORTER married Catherine WALKER. Andrew Walker PORTER, b. 9 June 1802 in Mecklinburg Dist, NC and died 19 April 1866 in Choctaw Co, MS, married Mary McKEE MORRISON. William Morrison PORTER, b. 29 Dec 1823 in Mecklinburg, NC and died Mar 1865 in Union Co, MS, married Nancy C. WALLACE. "Sally" Sarah Matildo PORTER, b. 23 Oct 1849 on the Porter Place in Choctaw Co, MS and died 21 April 1902 in Ackerman. "Sally" married Thomas Jackson TURNER. (4) Any information on William WOODbackground-color=# Father of: Moses WOOD who married Ann "Nancy" background-color=#background-color=# Grandfather of Nancy Ann WOOD who married Lemeck Mosley EDWARDS. (5) Has anyone traced the TURNER line back past Larkin Tarrant TURNER who was born 19 Aug 1805 and died 22 Jan 1844 in Ackerman, MS; and married Mary Ann McCLANAHAN EDWARDSbackground-color=# Any help would be appreciated by Mrs Latham.
Column Appearing in the Plaindealer the week of Jan 31, 2001
        The following article was published in 1935 in The Webster Progress about Old Greensboro, which at that time past had been the county seat of Choctaw County.
"Gray-Edwards fued Had Horrible End; Dangerous to Wear Copperas Britches" by Sam T. SCOTT.
        Bob GRAY, Bill GRAY and Dr. Jim GRAY lay dead, their bodies moving to and fro upon the bare boards of that creaking wagon and their blood, victims of a feud which had ended for them in a roll of gunfire in the county's jail and the cruel pressure of a hangman's noose.
        Some days before, the three GRAY brothers had been thrown in jail at old Greensboro. For a good while the feud between the GRAYs and EDWARDS had smoldered. It was a sort of family affair (for Dr. GRAY had married Ellen EDWARDS), and said to have been charged with killing JUDGE EDWARDS, Ellen's father, and Luther EDWARDS -- all in order, so the tradition is, to obtain some of the EDWARDS property.
        On that fateful night the mother of the three GRAYs went to visit them in their cell. While there she was startled by the appearance of a mob. These men entered the jail quickly, began firing, shot down Bob and Bill GRAY with gun lead that barely missed their mother's body, their brains spattering on her garment.
        Dr. Jim GRAY talked to the mob -- not asking them to spare his life -- but begging them not to kill him in his mother's presence. That must have touched his mother's heart --but it touched the hearts of the members of that mob only to the extent that they marched the doctor up the Bellefontaine Greensboro Road and hanged him to a limb of an oak tree.
        When the mob had gone Mrs. GRAY, alone with her tragedy, gathered up her sons, hauled them home in her wagon early next morning, buried them later in Mars Hill Cemetery, located in what is now Montgomery County, but which was then Choctaw.
        This happened in November 1862. It was nothing unusual for Greensboro, for its records were bloody aplenty from the time it was established in 1832 until the courthouse was burned by the Yankees in the latter days of the War Between the States. It was the county seat of old Choctaw County, the largest county in Mississippi at that time. The limits of Choctaw County extended almost to Carrolton on the west, almost to Grenada on the north, close to West Point on the east and near to Kosciusko on the south. Greensboro was located in what is the present day Webster County, about eight miles west of Eupora.
        It had a population of about 2,000, had eighteen stores, a newspaper plant, three saloons, a livery stable, a ten pin alley, and several law offices in addition to the courthouse and jail.  It flourished in antebellum days and for a few years after the war, but it soon began to deteriorate, as the courthouse was burned, and the newly built railroad did not come through Greensboro. Today the whole thing is gone. Nothing remains of this historic old place save a few submerged brick heaps and a three-acre cemetery containing more than one thousand graves. Cotton now grows on the site of the old capitol of Choctaw County.
        The history of Greensboro is grotesque and horrid. Blood was shed as freely as water. Men were assassinated from ambush, they were shot down in duels, they were mobbed and hung to the limb of a tree and were killed in secret, never to be heard of again. Little value was placed on himan life by some of the Greensbor inhabitants, while most of the population were law abiding and peaceable. But the few who were not, carved the name of the town in the niche of Mississippi's frontier history.
        John A. MURRELL, the noted outlaw who roamed up and down the Natchez Trace, was once apprehended for stealing a horse and carried to Greensboro for a preliminary trial. The courthouse had not built at this time, so he was tried in a house nearby. He was convicted in this trial and was ordered to prison.
(To be continued)
Column Appearing in the Plaindealer the week of Feb 7, 2001
Derwood Ray is looking for the children of Peter RAY. Peter RAY was born in Fayette County, AL in Oct 1839. His father was Gilliam Gira or Guy RAY. Peter married Sarah E. background-color=#background-color=# by 1860. He was in the Civil War, but Mr. RAY thinks that he had a son born in Choctaw County prior to the war. Peter then married Mr. Ray's grandmother, Cynthia Ann ALEXANDER HILL, on 16 April 1895 and had two children; Garvin H. RAY and the father of Derwood, Dewey R. RAY. Dewey R. RAY was born in Choctaw County on 21 June 1899. He would like to hear from any of the RAY relatives or anyone who knows about this family.
(Continuing the article on Old Greesboro)
        A guard started out to Columbus, Miss. with him (Jim MURRELL) to place him in jail there, it being more substantial than the one in Greensboro. MURRELL asked for the privilege to get a drink of water and was allowed to do so. He was led down to a creek and as he way lying on all fours drinking, he suddenly whirled, seized the guard's weapon and killed him with it. He took both horses and made a quick get away. The house in which MURRELL was tried is one of the few houses remaining at old Greensboro. (1931)
        Dr. HARRIS, a prominent Greensboro physician who ran a boarding house, was enroute to lunch one day when he met a stranger riding a fine horse. He said: "Is this Greensborobackground-color=#" "Yes", said Dr. HARRIS. "Do they gamble herebackground-color=#" Dr. HARRIS told him that they did. He bargained with Dr. HARRIS for a room in his house, went home with him for the noon meal, and went with him to town immediately following the meal. Dr. HARRIS took him to a grocery where they gambled, introduced him to the gambler, and went about his business.
        About dark, a young black boy who did chores around the grocery happened to look in the back window. The scene which he witnessed was terribly gruesome for the stranger was brutally and cold bloodedly murdered by the gamblers to obtain a large sum of money which he had in a black valise. The boy stole away, recounted to one men what he had seen.
        The stranger had not been seen since, and the bloody murder was known only by the murderers, the young black boy, and this one man. This man entered the grocery the next day and found spots on the floor were covered with tar,  presumably to hide the blood spots. A valise like the stranger carried and a part of an overcoat were unearthed by a plowman near Greensboro Cemetery years later. Perhaps they were the same, perhaps not. This is the first time that this has been told publicly for the murderers have been dead but a few years, and "this man" who knows elects to remain silent. I shall not violate his confidence.
        The Board of Mayor and Aldermen passed an ordinance probibiting the sale of liquor in the corporate limits of Greensboro, resulting in the formation of Bucksnort as a suburb of Greensboro. Liquor was sold freely in Bucksnort.
        Dr. T. J. NEW went over to Bucksnort and presumably imbibed freely of the wines and liquors, although there are conflicting reports about his drinking. While there he said, "I'll kill the first man who comes to town wearing copperas britches." Dr. NEW shot and killed him. He had previously killed James C. POWERS. He was a dangerous character and indelibly stamped himself in the Bloody Annals of Old Greensboro. His remark, "I'll kill the first man who comes to town wearing copperas britches" has a wide circulation and is often recounted by the old-timers in Webster and Choctaw Counties.
(To be continued)
Column Appearing in the Plaindealer the week of Feb 14, 2001
Dr. John T. Palmer has been researching the following problem for the past twenty years and has been totally blocked. He is seeking information on his Great- grandfather William Jacob "Jake" PALMER, born ca 1838 in MS (son of James Benjamin and Nancy Ann JONES PARKE); who following his service in the War Between the States in teh 46th Miss Regiment, was first found in the 1870 Federal Census, Lowndes County, Township 17, West Point, Sheet 52 with his second wife and family. His wife's surname and place of marriage is unknown. the Census of 1870: PALMER, W. J., age 31, carpenter, born MS; PALMER, Margaret, age 22, keeping house, born AL; PALMER, Mary E., age 6, born AL; PALMER, Rebecca, age 4, born AL; PALMER, Julia A., age 2, born AL. By 1880, this family has moved to Choctaw Co., third district and the census read: PALMER, William, age 41, married, farmer, born MS; PALMER, Margaret, age 30, keeping house, born AL; PALMER, Mary, age 16, daughter, born AL; PALMER, Mary, age 16, daughter, born MS; PALMER, Ida, age 10, daughter, born MS; PALMER, Harriet, age 7, daughter, born MS. Dr. Palmer has visited Choctaw Co. recently and has searched census records, land, will and marriage records of MS and many surrounding counties and has found NO mention of this family. Somewhere he has heard of a cyclone that hit Choctaw Co, MS in the early 1880s and killed many inhabitants. Did such an event occurbackground-color=# Was this complete PALMER family killed in this eventbackground-color=# Is there a record anywhere of those individuals who were so unfortunately killedbackground-color=# If this even did not occur, where did the PALMERs gobackground-color=# Any information and direction for Dr. Palmer's research would be deeply appreciated. He is hoping he has a PALMER cousin somewhere from these daughters and can make a closure on "What happened to Grandpa Jake PALMER after 1880:"
        Patricia Youngblood, 901 Marion Drive, N., Woodville, TX 75979-7515, is looking for the descendants of Charles Wesley WEEKS who was born 6 Oct 1869 and died 3 Oct 1918 and Maggie HARRIS, who was born 20 May 276 and died 11 Feb 1965. Their children were (1) Maggie Ruth (WEEKS) YOUNGBLOOD, (2) Ansel Leon WEEKS, (3) Joseph Lester WEEKS and (4) Julius Eva (WEEKS) QUARLES. They lived in and around Weir, Choctaw Co, MS. Any information about this family will be greatly appreciated by Patricia.
Nolan Forbes is trying to find the last resting place of his great-grandfather, Allen J. FORBES and his great-grandmother, Jennie NELMS FORBES. The reason that he suspects a Webster/Choctaw Co. tie is that his grandfather's (Tilden David FORBES) death certificate lists his place of birth as Tomnolen, MS. What little else that Nolan has on Allen FORBES is: he was married twice, once in Carrol Co and then in Holmes Co (where he was living in 1910). Although this line of his family seems to be centered around Holmes Co, he has been told that a Tomnolen existed on 16 Dec 1876. Nolan states that he realizes that isn't much to go on, but he would appreciate any help that he might get.
Nia Peeples is researching Thomas PEEPLES, born ca 1797 in SC and married 28 Aug 1818 in Northampton, N.C. to Catherine GORDON background-color=#, who was born in 1801 in either SC or AL. Thomas died between 1850-1860 and was buried outside of Eupora on a hill behind the house they lived in. Their children were: John born 1830, SC; Hillman, born 1831, SC; Whittle Sarah, born 1832, GA; William Washington, born 1833, GA; Wesley, born 1839, GA; Mary Jane, born 1839, GA; Levi, born 1841, AL; Kendrick, born 1843, AL; James, born 1847, MS and Louis, born 1849, MS.
Column Appearing in the Plaindealer the week of Mar 21, 2000
        The following is a list of the Inspectors and Peace Officers appointed by the Commissioners of Elections of Choctaw County, for the various voting precincts of the county, at the election to be held on the 6th day of November 1888, to elect Presidential Electors and Congressman for the 4th Congressional District. Chester: W. M. ARNOLD, J. W. PINSON, J. S. HOLLOWAY, Inspectors and Peace Officer W. W. ROBERTS. LaGrange: J. W. ATKINS, W. A. DOBBS, W. W. GUNTER, Inspectors and Peace Officer J. W. BROWN. Pigeon Roost: MikePIERCE, E. HOGAN, Luke DeVORE, Inspectors and Peace Officer James background-color=#. Dido: W. M. DALTON, Dan HOGAN, Will FONDREN, Inspector and Peace Officer John WILLIAMS. Mt. Airy: W. L. CORK, C. SNOW, Green QUINN, Inspectors and Peace Officer James MOSS. Ackeman: W. W. RILEY, E. R. SEWARD, Frank BAILEY, Inspectors and Peace Officer A. M. CARR. New Prospect: W. M. WOODWARD, W. J. DUNBAR, Ed THOMPSON, Inspectors and Peace Officer T. J. SCARBROUGH. Spay: W. J. HANNAH, A. J. CALDWELL, J. L. ALFORD, Inspectors and Peace Officer A. J. PASSONS. Weir: James WEIR, Newton RAGAN. J. H. EDDLEMAN, Inspectors and Peace Officer W. W. NATIONS. French Camp: R. M. SEAWRIGHT, S. G. BRYAN, J. W. SHIPP, Inspectors and Peace Officer J. J. BRYAN. Bankston: W. H. TABOR, Charles FRANKS, O. F. CHAMBLEE, Inspectors and Peace Officer W. J. REED. Kenago: A. J. CUMMINGS, Wash NAIL, William MOORE, Inspectoros and Peace Officer E. B. HUGHES. Signed by J. S. HOLLOWAY, J. W. PINSON, and W. M. ARNOLD, Commissioners.
Continuing the obituaries from the 1960 Plaindealer:
17 Feb 1950: Mrs. Nora MEECE, 86, died in Eupora on Feb. 5. She was the widow of the late J. W. MEECE, who died in 1928 and was the daughter of the late Isaac and Miamia MORRIS BAKER of Choctaw County. Buria: Serepta Church Cemetery near Stewart. Survivors: six nephews and two nieces.
        C. D. HAIMES, 85, pioneer citizen of Sturgis died Friday. He was a muscian and composed many hymns. Mr. HAIMES was a member of one of the oldest families in Winston County. He lived on the old family homestead most of his life. His family traces back to pre-Revolutionary times when they first settled in Mecklenburg, VA. His first wife, Mollie WEST HAIMES died in 1907. He then married Lutie MILLER HAIMES, who survives him. Children: Mrs. W. A. ELLIS, Mathison; Mrs. S. F. O'NEAL and Mrs. Jack O'NEAL, both of Perkinston; Mrs. Frank PRICE of Starkville; Mrs. Joel SHOTWELL of Vance; Mrs. Andrew RUTHERFORD of Starkville; Mrs. Hallie McHANN, Mrs. W. A. JACKSON and Mrs. Davis COOPER, all of Stugis; two sons, Sam HAIMES of Jackson and W. C. HAIMES of Jonestown; sister, Mrs. Virgie HAIMES PRICE of Philadelphia. Mr. HAIMES was the grandfather of Mrs. Charles EUDY of Ackerman. Burial was in the Bethel Cemetery.
        Mrs Sally RUSHING, 76, died on Feb. 10. Burial was in the Double Springs Church Cemetery in Webster County. Survivors: Lester RUSHING of Reform; Marvin RUSHING of Maben; C. P. RUSHING, Pascagoula; Tom RUSHING, Mathiston; Arless RUSHING, Rolling Fork.
Chester: The many friends in Choctaw County will regret to learn of the death of Mr. Tom E. RAY of Rayville, LA. He passed away on Feb. 7.
24 Feb 1950: Mrs. Cynthia Caroline (Carrie) DUNBAR STEWART (27 July 1872-20 Feb 1950), died at her home in the Bethsalem Community in Winston County. Burial was in the Bethsalem Presbyterian Church Cemetery. She was married to her husband, Mecklin F. STEWART, who survives her on 9 Jan 1895. Henry, the second son, preceded his mother to the grave in 1932. Other survivors are: Mrs. Mamie WHITESIDE, who lived with her parents; Mrs. Agnes BLACKWOD, Lapanto, Ark; Annie Mae STEWART, Meridian, son George T. STEWART, Lepanto, Ark; and one grandson, Paul M. WHITESIDES, Denver, CO.
        Mrs. Nannie Bell LIDDELL died at the home of her daughter in the Delta. Burial: Chester Cemetery. Survivors: four daughters, Mrs. R. C. CUTTS, Ackerman; Mrs. B. S. SWOFFORD of Cleveland; Mrs. H. B. MILLIGAN and Miss Jewel LIDDELL, Shelby, MS; two sons, W. R. and Leroy LIDDELL of Ackerman; two sisters, Mrs. Kate DRAPER, Pickens and Mrs. Emma DRAPER, Tchula and two brothers, Theodore and George WEATHERALL.
Column Appearing in the Plaindealer the week of Mar 28, 2001
Continuation of 1950 Obituaties:
March 1950: Mr. Tildon CLARK died at his home in Greenwood on March 4. Funeral: Bethany Church near Poplar Creek. For a number of years, Mr. CLARK was a progressive farmer of Choctaw County; at one time owning a large tract of land near Fentress. Survivors: wife, Mrs. Ivy BOWIE CLARK; two sons and two daughters.
        Miss Bettie DAVES, 84, died at the home of John PERRY in the Chester Community. Burial: New Haven Cemetery. Survivors: brother, Marion DAVES of Stewart.
Services for Rev. E. B. SHARP, 72, were held on March 5 at Bethel Methodist Church. He was a former pastor of the Ackerman Methodist Church during 1944-46. Survivors: wife, four sons and one daughter.
        Pioneer merchant taken by death: EZEKIEL. Maddison BARRON, 90, died on Monday afternoon. For a long number of years, in the early history of Ackerman, Mr. BARRON was in the mercantile business. For a number of years he was associated with the firm of CARTER and BARRON. Afterwards he was in the mercantile business for himself and in more recent years operated a seed and fertilizer agency. He retired from active business operations about five years ago, having been in the active business life of Ackerman until he was about 85 years of age. His wife, Mrs. Emily WEEKS BARRON, and a son, Dr. Marshal BARRON, preceded him in death. Miss Stella BARRON, his daughter, is the only survivig member of his immediate family.
        Martin Luther NEILL, 63, merchant and farmer of Montrose died at the Newton Infirmary Tuesday. Mr. NEILL, a retired school superintendent, headed schools at Rosehill, Madison Station, Sumner, Ackerman and Louisville. At the time of his death, he was Justice of the Peace and president of the Jasper County School Board. Survivors; wife, Mrs. Eleanor LAMB NEILL; four brothers, the Rev. J. L. NEILL, Philadelphia; C. L. NEILL, Laurel; George T. NEILL, Woodville and Alexander NEILL, Kerville, TX.
Antioch News: The people of this community were made sad when the news came that Mrs. Cora MEDDERS had passed away. She was at one time a neighbor to the people around Antioch and had many friends there. She is the mother of Mrs. Ina STEDMAN of this communtiy. She was laid to rest in the Antioch Cemetery Saturday.
Weir News: Friends extend sympathy to Mr. George HOLPP and other members of his family in the death of his brother, Lee HOLPP, 24 March 1951.
        Mrs. Elizabeth "Lizzie" MURPHY WALKER, 89, died at her home on March 16. Survivors: two daughters: Mrs. W. W. JACKSON, Ackerman and Mrs. R. D. HODGHES, High Point; three sons, J. H. WALKER, W. O. WALKER, Ackerman; A. J. WALKER, Union; two brothers, A. J. MURPHY, Stewart and J. O. MURPHY, Eupora. She was buried in the Nebo Cemetery beside her husband, John A. WALKER, wo preceded her in death a number of years ago.
        Mrs. Minnie N. ROBINSON BEACH died at her daughter's home on March 19. Mrs. BEACH was born in Georgia on Sep 30, 1871, the daughter of the late Mr. and Mrs. J. P. ROBINSON. She was married to Wilson BEACH, April 14, 1889 and to this union were born six sons and four daughters. She was a memeber of the Macedonia Primitive Baptist Church where her funeral was held. Her husband preceded her in death about 17 years ago. Survivors: daughters, Mrs. Henry S. BROOKS, Ackerman; Mrs. Lizzie COST, Merigold; Mrs. G. R. GRIFFIN, Cleveland, Mrs. C. C. BLAKE, Houston, Texas; sons: Woodward W. BEACH, Tom BEACH, Jessie BEACH, Cleveland; O. H. BEACH, Omaha, Nebraska; C. V. BEACH and D. O. BEACH, Washington, D. C.
31 March 1950: John H. McGAUGH, 57, Marshal of Weir, died at his home Monday. He was a Veteran of WWI; member of the American Legion and VFW; and a member of the Baptist Church. Survivors: wife, Mrs. Zona Louise BRAMLETT McGAUGH; three children, John Milton McGAUGH, Memphis; Louise McGAUGH, Weir; Mrs. Flora RAY of Kosciusko. Mr. McGAUGH was first married to Miss Pearl WATSON, who died 13 Feb 1935. The three children listed above are by his first wife. He then married the former Miss Zona Louise BRAMLETT and Miss Johnnie Louise McGAUGH is the child of this union. Funeral was held at Providence Church where he grew up.
Column Appearing in the Plaindealer the week of Apr 4, 2001
        The Legend of Wolf Creek was written and published originally in 1878 by S. Newton BERRYHILL. The story was reprinted in the December 21, 1950 edition of the Webster Progress.
        The Greenville and Middleton road crosses, about seven miles from the former place, a branch of span Black known as Wolf Creek. the swamp at this creek is generally gloomy and forbidding. The tall cypress, the gnarled oaks, and wide spreading gums, interlock their branches overhead and together with the grape and muscadine vines which entwine around their stately forms almost shut out the light and heat of the sun.
        Now and then a stray sunbeam falls in golden sowers through an opening in the dark green foliage, and here the poisonous moccasin warms himself, coiled upon some fallen limb.
        This spot was, many years ago, the scene of a shocking and mostheart- rendering murder.
        In the year 183- there lived in the western part of Choctaw County two young men named L----s. They were industrious, frugal, and highly respected by their neighbors. By hard labor and wise economy they had amassed a small sum of money which they prudently wished to invest in a home. Near them lived a man named L---n. He was one of those characters too ofen found in the "flush times" of Mississippi, who made their living by speculation -- a term often synonymous with villany.
        He would purchase lands on credit, taking bonds for titles. These lands he would resell to honest farmers who were then moving in from Old States, taking care in every case to secure one-fourth of the price in advance. When the purchaser proffered the last payment and demanted a title, he would find that L---n was unable to make a title, and being insolvent, action against him would gain nothing.
        Amongst those whom L---n practices his villainy upon were the young L----s. When they tendered the last payment and demanded a title what was their astonishment to find that L---n had no title. At least, thought they, he will refund the money we paid him. But this L---n refused to do.
        The brothers expostulated, entreated, but all in vain. The wretch was immovable. The brothers left in despair, but as they left they whispered that ominous word -- Revenge!
        Time wore on. Detected in his numerous villainies, L---n was about to leave the country. His wagon went on, and he was to follow at night so as to overtake it at Greensboro. "Now," said the brothers, "now or never!"
        Taking with them their rifle, they repaired to the spot I have described, the only rute by which L---n could reach Greensboro.
        At that time there was not a single house along the road. All was one dense forest, the home of the deer, the wolf, and the panther. It was Sunday night, the time of devotion, of holy reveries, of sweet repose. They took their stand about twenty yards from the ford, by the side of a large gum tree. All was silent, save the sighing of the September breeze and the hooting of an owl in a nearby tree.
        Hours went by and L---n came not. Dawn began to streak the eastern sky. The young men grew impatient.
        But hark - the sound of horses' feet. It crosses the brink. It comes nearer.
        The rider checks the animal in the ford, and it begins eagerly to slake its thirst. One of the young men grasped the gun. His heart sickened for a moment at the thought of what he was about to do; but the memory of his wrongs nerved his arm. There was a quick flash, a shart report, a piercing scream, and a fall.
        The young men approached the spot where their victim had fallen. (To be contiued next week)
Column Appearing in the Plaindealer the week of Apr 11, 2001
        Originally published in 1878, reprinted in 1950 in The Webster Progress, by S. Newton BERRYBILL
       "Oh, don't kill me, don't kill me!" spoke the weak voice of a child.
        "Merciful heavens!" exclaimed the brothers. "What have we donebackground-color=# Who -- who are you we have slainbackground-color=#"
        "I am little John H----r, don't kill me. For my mother's sake, don't kill me."
        The brothers threw themselves upon the earth and groaned aloud. In their unholy thirst for revenge they had killed an innocent child. The child began to cry "water! water!" And one of the brothers raised the little sufferer in his arms while the other dipped water from the creek with his hands and held it to the bloodless lips.
        The child sucked the water eagerly. The brothers remained with him for some time, giving water and bathing his face, but fearing detection they left, and a few days later departed to the west.
        L---n reached Greensboro some time later the ext day. By some chance he had been detained, and so a little child met the bloody fate intended for him.
        The old gum, from behind which the murderous shot was fired, still stands in Wolf Swamp. the belated wayfarer shudders as he views its tall form in the dim twilight. Busy fancy turns each bush and falling limb into the persons of the murderers and their victim, as memory recalls the melancholy Legend of Wolf Creek.
Obituary of A Pioneer by S. N. Berryhill, written in 1870.
        William CASTLES died at his residence, near Bellefontaine, Miss. on July 21, 1870, aged eighty-two years. Father CASTLES was the son of Thomas and Elizabeth CASTLES, and was born in Montgomery County, North Carolina, in 1788. In early manhood he married Jane BURLESON, daughter of Isaac and Martha BURLESON, who survives him. Soon after his marriage, he removed to Lancaster District, South Carolina. He subsequently returned to North Carolina, and removed thence to Mississippi, settling in the year 1834 in Choctaw County, on the place where he died.
        Father CASTLES embraced religion and joined the Merthodist Church fifty-nine years ago, and was an official member -- sometimes stewart, and sometimes class-leader -- fifty-seven years. Few men outside of the ministry have labored more for the cause of Christ. Though uneducated, he was gifted with a natural eloquence -- simple, chaste, and fervent -- that peculiarly fitted him for the station to which God called him, that of class-leader. He was an earnest Methodist; he delighted in the prayer-meeting, the class-meeting, and the love-feast. The writer has often heard him relate his religious experience.
        He was raised up in the Primitive Baptist belief, but was wild and wicked. There were no Methodists in the vicinity where he lived, and the people looked on the itinerant ministers of our Church, who occasionally passed that way, with suspicion and contempt.
        After he removed to South Carolina, he was led by cuiosity to attend the Methodist meetings, where he was brought to a knowledge of his last state by nature and practice. He joined the Methodist Church, and put on the whole armor of God, to lay it aside only when the Captain of our salvation called him to rest from his labors." His last days were peaceful and happy.
        He raised fourteen children, five of whom crossed the stream before him.
        Two of his sons becameable ministers of the Gospel. One of these has gone to the land of the blessed.
        Thus has passed away another of the pioneers of Methodism in Choctaw County.
        But he has not lived in vain.
Column Appearing in the Plaindealer the week of Apr 18, 2001
Dorothy R. Berg visited with the descendants of the CHILDRESS Family in MS in 1993-1994. While in Choctaw Co. she visited many of the cemeteries where she has ancestors buried. She visited Lema CHILDRESS, widow of Austin CHILDRESS and their daughter, Linda Ann GILBERT. While discussing ancestors by name and visiting the cemeteries, photographing stones, Mrs. BERG did not hear the name of John R. CHILDRESS, the youngest brother of her grandfather, William Lorenzo CHILDRESS mentioned. When Mrs. BERG inquired more closely of Lema, she was told there was an old CHILDRESS Cemetery over in the woods and Lema waved her arm in the opposite direction of the area that they had been discussing. A note was given to Mrs. Berg in 1994 telling her to inquire of the man in the "Fire Tower" at Ackerman and he could help her locate the CHILDRESS Cemetery. She was unable to make the connection at that time ad had hoped to return to Choctaw Co. in the next year or so, but this did not work out. John R. CHILDRESS probably died in the late 1880s or possibly early 1990s. She woudl appreciate any help on this from anyone.
Pat Jeffers is desperately seeking information on her grandfather, Thomas Scott KYLE, who was born 1852 at Double Springs, MS. He married Amelia "Tressa" THOMPSON in 1873. She has information after he married, but needs the names of his parents and siblings. Thomas was murdered by a cousin (who confessed to the murder on his death bed) in 1884-1885 in Oktibbeha Co, MS. The body of  Thomas Scott KYLE was not found for several years. The body had bee dumped down an abandoned well. It was identified from a gold tooth and his belt buckle. By the time the body was found, his wife and children had moved to OK. the KYLE Family in OK did not find out about the body being found until 1952 when a relative from MS was visiting and told Mrs. Jeffers' grandfather KYLE about it. Mrs. Jeffers states that they have not been able to locate the grave of Thomas Scott KYLE and she would like to make sure there is a marker on it while her mother is still living. Any help on this would be greatly appreciated.
Barbara Craddock is working on the family of Uriah M. CONNER who married Catherine LINDSEY on 23 March 1848. She understands that they had three children: Molly, Ben and Gabe. She wold like to hear from anyone related to this family.
Obituaries from 1950 Plaindealer continued:
        Mrs. Frances Jane POWER died at the home of her daughter on April 15. She was born 8 Dec 1874, the daughter of the late William and Samantha CONNER, in Webster Co. Her husband, the late Jerre H. POWER died in Oct, 1945. Survivors: two children: Mrs. J. L. VAUGHN and H. D. MARTIN both of Reform; sister, Mrs. Robert LUMMUS, Maben; brother D. C. CONNER of Cleveland. Burial: Enon Cemetery.
        Robert Bunyan STEVENSON was born in McCool on 8 March 1890 and died at the age of 60. Survivors: wife, Mrs. Mamie Cammilla W. STEVENSON; three sons: W. R.; A. C.; and Ernest STEVENSON of McCool; two brothers, C. O. and Walter STEVENSON, McCool; three sisters, Mrs. Jenny DRUMMER, Clarksdale; Mrs. Mary CARR and Mrs. Minnie CARR of Louisville. Burial: Mt. Zion Presbyterian Church.
        Plumer PASSONS, 71, died at his home in Weir on April 11. He was married to the former Agnes GORDON KENNEDY, who preceded him in death. Survivors: two sons, Messrs. Clarence PASSONS, New Orleans, LA; and Claude KENNEDY, step-son, alos of New Orleans; one daughter, Mrs. Joe BROADNAX of Weir. Burial: Salem Methodist Church Cemetery.
Column Appearing in the Plaindealer the week of Apr 25, 2001
This article was written in 1950 by J. E. EUDY:
       On June 17, 1847, Captain E. L. ELDER; Lt. H. MIDDLETON; CPL A. E. NIGHT; CPL. M. C. MIDDLETON James GAGS; J. CHILDER; W. F. COCHRAN; C. CRENSHAW; W. M. COOK; R. W. DUNN; C. C. DYER; H. H. ELDER; D. E. ELDER; Isaaac FOX; J. A. McQUARY; Josiah PRUITT; J. PHARES; W. A. SAMPLE; A. H. SAFFELL; J. A. STOKES; Frances SMITH; B. F. WEAVER; L. POE; Andrew WOODS; J. W. HILL and J. OSBORNE of the Choctaw Volunteers in the Second Mississippi Regiment were reported killed in battles with the Mexicans.
        According to history, this company was mustered into service in January of 1847.
        The body of one of these MIDDLETONs was brought to HAWS Graveyard which is just west of Highway 9 and about a half mile south of Walthall and there buried. The burial having been attended by my grandparents, Wiley and Chaney EUDY, who lived near said graveyard.
        The first time I ever heard of embalming was when I heard my grandma say that the government had the body of the deceased soldier "preserved". At that time I don't suppose there was a railroad in Mississippi and the funeral and burial of the soldier MIDDLETON must have been a long time after his death.
        A box in which the coffin or casket of this soldier was placed in was not put into the grave and those in authority gave the box to my grandfather, who put the box into his farm blacksmith shop where he used it for a coal bin, and when we grandchildren visited the home of our grandparents, everyone on the place would tell us the blacksmith shop was haunted and it was hard to get any of the children to go in the blacksmith shop.
In 1950 Mrs. Tom SPARKMAN, 99, of Tomnolen, told of her girlhood spent at Old Greensboro to Mrs. George Bailey. The following article appeared in the Dec 21, 1950 edition of The Webster Progress:
       There were two classes of societies in Greensboro: the law abiding and the lawless, with the latter predominating.
        Their custom was to drink, gamble and paint the town red. Cold-blooded murder was the favorite sport.
        But, there was also those who lived in a nearby town -- those law abiding citizens who were willing to bid their time, remaining aloof from the trouble makers and slowly, but surely, gaining a foothold in this new territory.
        This is as I remember Greensboro more than ninety years ago. It was at that time, the county seat of Sumner Co. (now Webster).
        Many prominent families lived there, and it was considered quite a town. We had a courthouse, jail, stores, and churches; also a large school house, at which I obtained my first schooling.
        How well I remember my teacher! Her name was Miss Leora LOCKHART. She was a fine teacher and we all loved her. I also remember names of several of my classmates: Alice SINGLETON, Mary THOMPSON and Mary MORGAN. Our teacher told us to ask our fathers for money to buy new panes for the windows. When I offered her my money the next day she said they already had enough; for me to take it back to my parents. Well, Mary knew I had the money and persuaded me to go to the store and buy candy, which we did.
        After we had eaten all we wanted, I divided it, placing my portion in a bag and putting it in my booksack. After awhile I wanted to eat the rest of the candy, but when I looked for it, it was gone!
        A fine old gentleman, named Mr. JOHNSON, also lived in Greensboro. One night a mob came to his house and began throwing bricks. He stood it as long as he could, and against the wishes of his wife, he went outside. When he reached the doorsteps, they shot him down. (Article to be continued)
Column Appearing in the Plaindealer the week of May 9, 2001
5 May 1950: Charles B. MALONE -- 27 Jan 1886-29 Apr 1950 -- Survivors: wife, Mrs. Angie ELLIS MALONE; and five daughters and three sons: Mrs. Joe AGENT, Mrs. Ruth AGENT, Mrs. Ida Bell HENRY, Mrs. Ella CAMPBELL, Wilburn MALONE, Welty MALONE, John Thomas MALONE all of Memphis, TN; Mrs. Gladys O'KELLEY, California; two sisters: Mrs. Carrie McMANUS, Longview; Mrs Ella McKAY, Louisville; one brother, George W. MALONE, Edcouch, TX. Burial: Enon Cemetery.
19 May 1950: Mrs. Bertha McGHEE, 63, died at her home in Blytheville, Ark. She was the wife of the late Z. M. McGHEE to whom she was married in 1915. Burial was in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Blytheville. Survivors: two sons, Claude McGHEE, Dexter, MO; Marvin McGHEE, Tulsa, OK; brother, M. L. BUCK, Kerrville, Texas; seven sisters, Mrs. H. G. MANSFIELD, Memphis; Mrs. S. L. Wilson, Merigold; Mrs. Clad HUNT and Mrs. J. M. WARD, Ackerman; Mrs. J. I. TIMS, Havana, Cuba; Mrs. Williard COLLIER and Mrs. Annie Lee SUGG, Chester.
26 May 1950: Clifton EDWARDS -- 15 Aug 1912-21 May 1950. Mr. Clifton EDWARDS, one of two citizens of Ackerman who lost their lives on Tchula Lake, was buried at Old Lebanon Cemetery Monday afernoon. Mr. EDWARDS married Miss Arlene HODGES on 11 Nov 1932. Survivors: wife, five children: Misses Archie Pearl, Inez, Polly EDWARDS, and two month old daughter, Lydia Ann; Glenn, his son is fifteen years old; parents: Mr. and Mrs. H. A. EDWARDS, West Point; three sisters and one brother; Mrs. Pauline WALLEY and Mr. Gerald EDWARDS; both of Lake Providence, LA; Mrs. Thelma McINTIRE, Leland and Mrs. Naome BOX, Tomnolen.
21 May 1950: James Edward SHEEDY, 6 Jun 1900-21 May 1950, second of the two citizens of Ackerman who lost their lives in the tragic boating accident on Tchula Lake was buried at Enon Monday afternoon. On 10 Jan 1932 he was married to Miss Lottie BOYER, who with one daughter, Jeanette, survives him. Two bothers and a sister, Mrs. Stella LONG and Mr. Charles SHEEDY of Ackerman and Mr. W. Earl SHEEDY, Louise, MS.
        Mrs. Mattie S. DENDY, 72, was buried in the Enon Cemetery on last Friday afternoon. She was born in Fulton Co, GA, the daugher of the late Mr. and Mrs. S. W. SWAFFORD, with whom she moved to Choctaw Co. in 1900. In 1932 she was married to Rev. Cecil B. DENDY and he preceded her to the grave a few years ago. Survivors: three stepchildren; three sisters: Mrs. T. L. GRIFFIN, Cleveland; Mrs. S. O. BARRON, Oak Grove, LA; Mrs. H. D. JEFFCOAT, Fulton; one brother, W. L. SWAFFORD, Cleveland.
2 June 1950: Robert M. NEAL died on Friday, May 26, 1950. Burial: New Haven Cemetery. Survivors: wife, Mrs. Lillie NEAL; one daughter, Mrs. Donald BOX and one sister, Mrs. Arie HAGAN, Stewart.
        Marvin Edward BUCK, 28, died at the VA Hospital, Kerrville, TX on May 30. He was born in Chester on 24 July 1921. Survivors: parents, Mr. and Mrs. M. L. BUCK, Kerrville, TX; one sister, Mrs. James McGHEE, New Iberia, LA; grandmother, Mrs. W. L. EDWARDS, Ackerman. Burial: Enon Cemetery.
        Samuel M. STACY, 17 Aug 1878-24 May 1950. He married Mary L. McCARTY on 17 Feb 1901. Burial: Antioch Cemetery. Survivors: wife, Mrs. Mary L. STACY; two daughters, Eva FONDREN, Reform; Arline SNOW, Ackerman; sons Hilbert STACY, Reform; McGovern STACY, Winona and two sisters Vernon STEPHENS, Reform and Alice Blasingame, Maben.
        Mrs. Olive WILLINGHAM EUDY, wife of ex-Senator J. E. EUDY of Eupora died Saturday afternoon. Burial: Eupora Cemetery. Survivors: husband; two daughters, Mrs. Thomas G. HAMBY, Grenada; Miss Mary Olive EUDY, Eupora; five sisters: Mrs. Martin SORENSON and Mrs. J. N. RYAN, Wenatchee, Washington; Mrs. T. W. SCOTT and Mrs. Dora WILLINGHAM, Eupora; Mrs. W. A. PARSONS, Pine Bluff, NC; three brothers J. W. and Bradford WILLINGHAM, Eupora; and W. M. WILLIINGHAM. Mrs. EUDAY was a sister-in-law of Mr. J. O. EUDY of Ackerman.
Column Appearing in the Plaindealer the week of May 16, 2001
Mozelle Partridge Chason is trying to find information on John and Georgia ROBERSON and one that she assumes is his brother, George and Cintha ROBERSON. She found these men in the 1910 Webster Co, MS census. Living in the John ROBERSON household was one William J. (John) PARTRIDGE, age 17 and show to be John ROBERSON's nephew. Also, living in the GeorgeROBERSON household was his niece, Josephine PARTRIDGE, age 17. William J. and Josephine (aka Josie) were orphaned in 1900 along with several additional siblings when both their parents died andMrs. CHASON would like to know how the ROBERSONs connect to the PARTRIDGE family. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Wanda Henson Carlton is a faithful contributor to this column. Mrs. Carlton has a great interest in Webster and Choctaw Counties because of her early ancestors settling in these counties. Wanda is seeking the parents and children of James K. ATKINS, who was postmaster of Sapa, Webster Co, MS from 26 June 1916 through 10 January 1922. She is also seeking the parents of William F. ATKINS, who served in Choctaw Rebels, Company K, 24th Infantry, during the Civil War. Also, Wanda is seeking the parents and what the initials J. L. stand for of J. L.ATKINS who in 1908 was the editor of the MATHISTON TIMES.Wanda is seeking the parents of Jeremiah P. SIGLER who served with the Choctaw Rebels, Company K, 24th Infantry. Any help would be appreciated.
Raquel Thiebes, 2201 Angus Street, DeRidder, LA 70635; is compiling a history of Sturgis, in particular the Thomas DAVIS Plantation and its slaves; the Liberty Hill Church and its cemetery. Raquel is also researching the surnames of DAVIS, HICKMAN, ROGERS, QUINN, ALEXANDER, HEMPHILL, BARRON, HUDSON, LATHAN, LAMPKIN, McCRACKEN and JONES. Raquel is in the process of writing a book on these families of Sturgis and extending into Winston and Choctaw Counties. If there is anyone who would like to give an interview of what it was like in the "old days" or if anyone has links to any of these families or old photographs, please write to the above address or contact her by email. All mail is welcome!
Rena Young is looking for descendants of HARVEYs and CAMERONs from MS. Thomas (Toma H. Jah) HARVEY was a MS Choctaw born probably late 1700s. He had two children that Rena knows about: Lucy HARVEY CAMERON, born 1816 in GA and William Clarion HARVEY, born 1 Sept 1824. Lucy HARVEY was married to Archibald CAMERON, who was born 1812 in NC. Children of Archibald and Lucy HARVEY CAMERON were: (1) Mary Elizabeth , born 1835, AL, married George WashingtonGORDON, (2) Cynthia Adaline , born 1839, AL, married John L. HILLYER at Greensboro, MS; (3) Nancy Marie, born 1842, MS, never married; (4) Thomas Benton, born 1854; (5) James Albert, born 1856; (6) Cynthia Louise, born 1857; (7) Zephaniah, born 1859; (8) Estal Green, born 1860; (9) William Mallard, born 1862; (10) Walter Clifton, born 1864; (11) Ida Lucy, born 1867, died as an infant; (12) Rufus Wade, born 1869; (13) Cisero Lake, born 1872; (14) Lenora Bell, born 1872; (15) Moses Eugene, born 1876. William C. HARVEY with his wife and eleven children came to Montague Co, TX; along with all the children and families of Lucy and Archibald CAMERON in 1874. Archibald CAMERON died before 1860 and Mrs. Young does not know the wherabouts of Lucy after that. This query involves many surnames to Webster and Choctaaw Counties and hopefully some of the readers will be able to help Mrs. Young.
Charles William Fry, Jr. is looking for family members who lived in Choctaw Co, MS. His grandfather, Thomas ROBERTS, was born in Choctaw Co. and that is all the information that he knows about him. Thomas ROBERTS married Jewel Maudie HARRISON (grandmother of Charles). Thomas ROBERTS died somewere in the late 1920s when Jewel Maudie HARRISON ROBERTS was 24 years old. Mr. FRY is looking for any information about his grandparents that anyone might know and he would appreciate any help.
Column Appearing in the Plaindealer the week of May 23, 2001
        The following article was the remembrances of Mr. John O. PEEPLES of the  earlier days of Greensboro.  This article appeared in the December 21, 1950 issue of The Webster Progress.  Mr. PEEPLES reminisces:
        The pioneer struggle for freedom and survival here has had its counterpart in
every section of America.  Progress and culture have been goals sought for. Having been attained, they are being used to good advantage, not only here, but extend to lands across the sea.
        The comments recorded below are those of Mr. John O. PEEPLES, age 77 years; son of the late Mr. and Mrs. Pinkney PEEPLES who were among the early settlers. "I like to talk about the days when Greensboro was a town of considerable size and population. Although there were bad characters there, there were also many fine people, too."
Clearing Land: "My brothers and I helped to clear much of the land in cultivation hereabouts. Wages weren't very high. We could cut 1,000 rails a day and received twenty cents per hundred. Two of us cleared ten acres of new ground and were paid one steer, the steer being worth three cents a pound. We went into the woods with axes (we didn't have saws) and cut trees two and four feet through. All that weren't used were burned."
"When a neighbor needed land cleared, a barn or house raised, the people gathered together, and while the men worked, the women were busy quilting, spinning or weaving. Much work was accomplished in this way."
"Another thing I remember quite clearly was when I was fourteen years of age, I was the assistant mail carrier from Greensboro to LaGrange. I rode a mule over the route, staying at Dr. HARRIS's at Greensboro on this end of the route and at Mr. Lewis SIEGLER's at LaGrange when I couldn't go back the same day."
        "One day I was on my way back to Greensboro.  Suddenly a man with a
wheelbarrow came into the road and straight toward me.  I insisted he get out  of the road until I could get by for the mule was plenty scared and was about  to throw me from his back.  This he finally did for the man came straight on toward me!  The mail was thrown off also.  When I reported it, there was talk of prosecuting him for interfering with the carrying of Uncle Sam's mail."
        "Another time when I was at the post office at LaGrange there came a terrific rain.  When I reached span Black, it was overflowed from hill to hill.  I attempted to swim across on my mule, but when we were a considerable distance, the water was so swift the mule turned around and made for the shore, dislodging me and the mail bag.  I got to shore, but the mule had gone back to Mr. SIEGLER's, and he came to meet me.  I delivered the mail the next day, but I had to spend the night there.  For carrying the mail, I received $5.00 per month."
        Stranger Disappeared:  "I remember one night at the HARRIS home in Greensboro.  After supper a young man who was passing through the county and spending the night in the HARRIS home asked if there was any entertainment to be had anywhere in town.  We noticed he had plenty of money on him.  Dr.  HARRIS told him to look around; he thought he could find something to his liking.  The young man went, and we never saw him again.  Twas said he was murdered and robbed, the body disposed of in some unknown way."
        Brotherly Love: "Another custom I like to remember is the way neighbors visited each other.  Many times when the distance was too great to walk, horses or oxen were hitched to the wagon, the whole family going to visit till bedtime or spend the day with a neighbor.  Nor was this the only way neighborly was shown. It was customary for the heads of several families to get together, organize a wagon train and go to Winona or some nearby railroad town for supplies.  This was usually twice a year.  The women folks were busy the day before departure preparing food to be taken on the trip which usually lasted two to four days.  In between times neighbors cooperated in the distribution of meat (beef and pork).  More especially if a member of the community had suffered a loss in his meat supply.  It was quite naturally expected though, that when he again came in possession of meat to kill, he would see that his neighbors were supplied.  I remember one man who had made plenty of corn, but his neighbors had not; nevertheless, that winter therewas bread in the house holds thereabouts."
        "By helping each other we have lived to see this section of the country modernized to the extent of paved highways instead of roads cut out of the wilderness by countless wagon trains; electricity instead of oil lamps; automobiles instead of ox-drawn wagons; radio to flash communications instead of horseback mail carriers; modern homes instead of log cabins; comfortable and up-to-date school buildings instead of using our churches or log houses for the purpose, as well as impressive houses of worship.  Yes, we have come a long way; many changes have been made, all for the better."
Column Appearing in the Plaindealer the week of May 30, 2001
        Mrs. Nancy T. GROGAN has transcribed and generously made available to me to use in this column the Muster Roll of Captain R. C. LOVE's Company in the 15th Regiment commanded by Colonel W. S. STATHAM at Corinth, MS, enrolled 29 May by Capt. J. W. HEMPHILL for 12 months.
        The list contains name as appears on Muster Roll, age, and then full name if known and other information.
        R. C. LOVE, Captain, 44 (Robert C. LOVE); R. G. PREWITT, 1st Lt., 29 (Russell G. PREWITT - later Lt. Colonel); Isaac VANZANT, 2nd Lt., 28; James C. TAYLOR, 3rd Lt., 24; E. PARKER, 1st Sgt. 39 (Elijah PARKER, died at Mills Springs); Elihu LOVE, 2nd Sgt., 25; William THOMPSON, 3rd Sgt., 30; G. W. PEARSON, 4th Sgt., 20, (George W. PEARSON); W. L. MARTIN, 5th Sgt., 19 (William L. MARTIN); E. K. HILLIER, 1st Cpl., 21; G. W. C. DRANE, 2nd Cpl., 21 George W. C. DRANE); H. N. MONTGOMERY, 3rd Cpl., 22 (Hugh MONTGOMERY - later 1st Lt.); L. C. GORDON, 4th Cpl., 20.
        Others listed are privates: Jno. AUSTIN, 24; Jas. AVANTS - physical inability to stand a campaign; J. H. ALEXANDER, 25 (James H. ALEXANDER); Lewis ALEXANDER, 21; Jessie W. ARMSTRONG, 20; Jas. H. ALEXANDER, 31; R. W. BROWN, 21, (Robert W. BROWN); Philip BLANTON, 21; T. H. BAGWELL - Honorable Discharge (Terry H. BAGWELL); W. J. BARRON - physical inability to stand campaign (William J. BARRON); J. A. BLANTON, 20; Frederick BRASH, 23; Jas. C. BASKINS, 21; A. A. BUTLER, 41 (Abel A. BUTLER); M. V. BAGWELL, 20 (Martin Van Buren BAGWELL); D. M. B. CRAWFORD, 21 (David M. B. CRAWFORD); J. T. CARTER, 25 (John T. CARTER); J. H. CRAWFORD, 23 (Junius H. CRAWFORD - killed at Mills Springs); Daniel COX, 31 (killed at Mill Springs); H. F. CHILDRESS, 19 (Henry F. CHILDRESS); S. B. CARTER, 23 (Sinclair B. CARTER); B. F. COX, 20 (Benjamin F. COX); J. H. DRANE, 19 (John H. DRANE), N. B. DEAN, 25 (Napoleon B. DEAN); Jno. B. DARBY, 18; Jas. B. DORRIS, 19; V. L. DRANE, 25 (Virgil L. DRANE); O. P. DAVIS, 39 (Oliver P. DAVIS); T. J. EVANS, 21 (Thomas J. EVANS); Jas. W. EDWARDS, 21 (James W. EDWARDS); Jno. FAIR, 23 (later Lt.); William H. GREEN, 28; H. M. HOLLOWAY, 19; R. N. HENDERSON, 21; P. S. HALLAM, 23 (Phillip S. HALLAM, later 2nd Lt. - killed at Mills Springs); D. A. HUFFMAN, 20 (Daniel A. HUFFMAN); Miles N. HINES, 21; W. S. HEFFNER, 20 (William S. HEFFNER - later 4th Sgt.); Jno. L. HILLIER, 23 (John L. HILLYER); W. H. HARVEY, 23; James H. HUTCHENS, 21 (James H. HUTCHINS); Jno. H. HARVEY, 20; William F. HENDERSON, 22; Henry J. HARRISON, 23; S. C. HALLAM, 28 (Samuel C. HALLAM); S. L. HOLLOWAY, 22 (Samuel L. HALLAM); Jno. M. IRWIN, 18; James JONES, 24 (later Sgt.); T. L. KI