John Monroe Deal was the son of Alexander Deal and Margaret West. ;Margaret was the daughter of James West. James West also had a son named Robert and a daughter named Martha. Robert West also had a daughter named Martha who married the Freyer the letter was addressed to. ("Cousin Martha" 1st cousin) Alexander Deal and Margaret West had a son named James L Deal d.3-15-1887 m. Mary Ferguson.( "brother JIm's widow" ) James West's daughter Martha married J M Meredith ( "Uncle Jim Meredith" ) J M Merdith and wife Martha had two sons ( Henry "Hank" Meredith and Tom Meredith ) Hank was the victim in the knifing. Eli Hayms was the Probate Judge of the estate of James West. ( " Old Judge Hayns is dead") Probate Book 1860 to 1865 page 358. Robert West was the Administrator. Note; I checked my original hand written notes on the spelling of Judge Hayms and this is spelling I wrote down. Sometimes those old records leave something to be desired in spelling and legibility. I have no explanation of why John Monroe Deal's tombstone is listed as James M Deal. According to some of the old tales I heard as a child he used the name "James Monroe" at times. All of my family records list him as John Monroe Deal. He was called "Roe" I attended his funeral. I hope this may clear up a few points in the letter. "Roe " was my Great Uncle. I have often wondered why Hank was hunting squirrels with a 38 Winchester. Robert Deal > [email protected]< ----- Original Message --- From: "Karen Groce" <[email protected]> To: <[email protected]> Sent: Wednesday, September 27, 2000 9:00 PM Subject: [ARDREW] Fw: John Monroe Deal Letter (1893 Drew Co. AR) > Hi, Everyone. The following information was sent to me to supplement > information given in the John Monroe DEAL letter posted on my website > (http://bethg.shutdown.com/drew ). As the person who sent this > information asks, is there a newspaper article available dealing with these > murders? If you have information to share about these people, I would > definitely like to hear from you. > > Karen Groce > [email protected] > > >>RE: John Monroe Deal Letter (1893 Drew Co. AR) > >> > >>I believe I can identify the Jeff Haynes in this letter. "Jeff Haynes is > >>dead. George Wells killed him last summer was a year ago. Killed Jeff in > >>Monticello while Jeff was marshall in town". > >> > >>Jeff L. Haynes, age 22 was living with his parents 1880 census Drew Co. AR > >>Veasey Twp. p. 539B His parents were Eli King Haynes and Sarah Jane > >Slythe. > >> > >>I also believe this quote "Old Judge Hayes is dead, died last fall and Bob > >>Bakker killed Ka Haynes", refers to Eli King Haynes who was a State > >>Representative and Drew County probate judge. He died 4 Oct 1892. > >> > >>I'm not sure who "Ka Haynes" is although Eli King Haynes had a son also > >>named Eli King Haynes who was born in 1862. > >> > >>Since there are apparently two murders involved, do you think it's > possible > >>the newspapers for those months and year (1892) might give more > >information. > >