Since my last post on this list I did some research on the Shorts in some land abstracts, found some of my "knowledge" flawed, and answered some of my questions about the Shorts which I will share with the list. I apologize for the length of this posting, but am hopeful that someone will make a connection with a lost family member among the names. Many family names will be recognized by those familiar with this area between Clay and Big Creek. In an earlier post to this list, I erroneously referred to "brothers John and Bill Short". The information in these land abstracts do not lead one to conclude that they were brothers. Their kindred relationship, if any, is now unknown to me. I also learned that my parents did not buy land from these men, although they referred to the parcels as "the Bill Short land" and "the John Short land". Hmmm..., interesting how repeated references lead to erroneous impressions! However, both John Short and Bill Short owned land in Section 31 of Twp 9N Range 7W and at least one of them lived in the north half of that section. Bill Leach informed me that the Short PO was in section 34, so the Short PO was approx 3 miles east of where the Shorts lived and where John Short operated a blacksmith shop. I do not know if there is any connection between these Short families and the Short PO. The land abstracts list these owners of land in the south half of Section 31 of Twp 9N Range 7W. Military Bounty Warrant USA to Samuel Lynch, father & heir of Robert Lynch, dec'd.. 1849 Samuel Lynch (single) to Presley D. Tharp, 1856 Presley D. Tharp & wife to Hiram C. Baker, 1859; Jobe Siddall, mortgagee Hiram C. Baker & wife, Mary Baker to J. W. McKay, 1860 E. H. McKay (single) to Joseph B. Short, 1887 (inconsistent McKay initials) St. Louis, Iron Mtn & Southern Ry Co. to Manual Teer, 1888; Manual Teer (widower) to Joseph Short, 1894 John W. Short (single) heired land from father, 1914 (signed his name with an X) conveyed to L. D. Davis, E. M. Bennett, P. E. Bennett, & R. L. Bennett, 1931 E. M. Bennett and wife, Tessie Bennett to my parents, 1946 Included in this land abstract is the last will and testament of Mary B. Tate, deceased (Will record "C", pg. 61, 4 Oct 1901). Mary B. Tate was the daughter of Emma M. Short. Mary B. Tate had minor children, Jasper, Frank Baker, and Edna Tate. Witnesses: J. P. Findley & S. L. Golithan W. D. Tate became the guardian of Edna Tate. W. D. Davenport became the guardian of Frank Baker. In a dispute over rents that John W. Short rec'd and failed to share with co-heirs Edna Tate and Frank Baker, the following gave testimony: J. F. Wise, Travis Barber, Isaiah Hardcastle, Mrs. Beck. Commissioners appointed by the court: A. J. Spears, W. P. Howell and W. M. Howell [Although not stated explicitly, I conclude that Emma M. Short was the widow of Joseph B. Short, since no record of conveyance exists in the the land abstract. "Mrs. Beck", listed above, could be the same as a Bertha Beck noted in another document.] In another land abstract, St. Louis, Iron Mtn & Southern Ry Co. to R. H. Short, 1888; In an Affidavit dated 31 Jan 1931, it is stated that R. H. Short died in White Co. AR more than 20 yrs ago, leaving survivors A. E. Short, his widow and children, J. Ed Short, W. J. Short, Ida King, and C. Ola Hill Kate L. Short is listed as the wife of W. J. Short Later owners of lands in this section are listed as: Fannie H. (Gardner) Gulley and sons Albert Lewis Gardner & Willy Wimbish Gardner. Mrs. Fannie H. Gardner died on 7-5-1924 in Tunica Co., Miss. Daughters: Mrs. Minnie L. Roycroft, Mrs. Linnie Leigh LaRue Grandson: Edwin Gardner, a "cripple" Granddaughters: Mrs. Lucy Wimbish Myerhoff; Fannie Bell Gardner, dau. of Albert