This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: jjsturd Surnames: Nice, Overholser, Bowen Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.arkansas.counties.jackson/1545/mb.ashx Message Board Post: Sometime between 1894-1895 John and his family left Indiana and moved to Newport, Arkansas. According to family tradition, they were living in Newport, Arkansas by 2/23/1895. A couple of years later, the Semi Weekly times ran a story in its issue of 7/20/1898 regarding John Nice, formerly of Democrat Township. Carroll County relatives had received a letter from him in which he stated that he had joined the army at Tampa, Florida and would soon be fighting Spaniards in Cuba. The article continues; Two years ago, John Nice, accompanied by the family consisting of a wife and five children, and a man named Bowen, left this county for Arkansas. and settled on a farm near Newport. They prospered, and were well satisfied until one day Nice went to Newport and marketed his cattle, receiving quite a large sum, and returned home. That night he disappeared, and all efforts to locate him were in vain. It was finally concluded that he had been murdered for his money and his body concealed and suspicion pointed to Bowen. He was arrested as a murderer but was acquitted. A mob, however, decided that he was really guilty and that he should be hung, but for some reason their plan was not carried out. Nices' wife mourning him as dead, sold the property and came back to Carroll County. and last fall Mrs. Clara Nice married Jay Knarr from White County. They then moved to Royal Center. The former Mrs. Nice is prostrated by the news that her first husband still lives, and his other relatives are undecided whether they should be angry or rejoice over his news that he is alive. Nice belongs to one of the best families in the county, and his letter has caused quite a sensation. During the time that John was away, he served in the Spanish American War of 1898-1902. according to the inscription on his tombstone. Clara returned to Carroll County in 1896. His oldest child Cora Myrtle, would have been 7, Lee Orris 5 and John Albert 1. As stated in the newspaper account about John, Clara had indeed remarried. Important Note: The author of this message may not be subscribed to this list. If you would like to reply to them, please click on the Message Board URL link above and respond on the board.