Greetings Newton Co., AR. Researchers: I am the new kid on the list. My current area of research is the family of my maternal gr. grandmother. Melvina Annette STEPHENS/DANE marr. John Henderson RIGGS, 9 Apr 1874. The family suspects (remember you can’t be convicted just on suspicion), that Melvina was orphaned as a young child and raised by the DANE family. She is the immediate reason for contacting this list. The family has two letters written by J.S. STHEVENS(STEPHENS) from Cave Creek, AR. to John H. Riggs, who was living in Steelville, Crawford Co., MO. These letters concern land which John evidently owned or had received as a land grant and now is being taken over by “The Thompsons”. Dated 7 March, 1900, the first letter tells of the sale of the walnut timber, and “the place is worthless for anything except the possibility of finding zinc on it.” The writer tells that there “is a considerable mineral boon (sic) here now.” The Ozark Zinc Co., is mentioned. The second letter, not dated, speaks of the patent being issued to John. J.S. Sthevens placed a value if $100. per acre on the land and says that the value is advancing every. day. He urges John RIGGS “to tend to this thing soon for your good.” “Engage council at once.” J.S. recommends as council Walter MOORE of Jasper. Included in the letter is reference to the following who have died since John left the County. "Wesley PAYNE, Jim SALMON, Doc SALMON and wife, Jim MARTIN, Hamp DICKEY, and many others". My questions are: 1. Does anyone have any information on this J.S. Sthevens (Stephens)? 2. Where was Cave Creek located, in relation to Jasper? 3. Does anyone live near Jasper and could do a quick lookup at the County Clerk’s office to see if there are any land transactions in the period around 1900 involving John H. RIGGS?