Hey all, I couldn't help but notice all the Oil Trough messages. My father, Reuben E. SKAGGS was born there in 1916. His family moved away a couple of years after his birth. I was born in Newport in '59 and lived there until '70. I remember going to Oil Trough & Newark many times with my father. He has (had) cousins there (FAIN, I think). His uncle, Roy N. SKAGGS, lived in Newark until his death in 1962. About the neatest thing in the world was to ride the ferry at Oil Trough. And, I remember the old grocery store. It's amazing that it withstood fires, floods, and tornadoes for many, many years. My grandparents, John W. SKAGGS & Rhoda Ellen COLE, were married in Independence Co in 1908. Her father was James M(arion) COLE. Her mother was Mary Swan. If anyone has any info on James COLE, I would appreciate hearing from you. Didn't find him (or John W. SKAGGS) in the 1910 or 1900 census of Independence Co. Allen SKAGGS Surnames SKAGGS--COLE--SWAN--HEAD--BALL--BALCH