------- Forwarded Message Follows ------- From: "Karen Smith" <[email protected]> To: "Kay Mason" <[email protected]> Date sent: Tue, 28 Jul 1998 15:59:04 +0000 Subject: Re: [MOMILLER-L] Bray's Mill Send reply to: [email protected] Copies to: [email protected] Priority: normal To Quote from MILLER COUNTY HERITAGE & VITTLES a publication of the Miller County Historical Society, Tuscumbia, Missouri: "Bray's Mill was built between 1862 and 1864. Thomas Bray financed its construction - hence, its title. The land on which it sits was deeded as a land grant from the U.S. general land office on 1 July 1845. This first mention in the abstract was filed in Miller County on 3 May 1901 and was signed by J. Knox Walker for the President of the United States, James Knox Polk. Over approximately 145 years, the mill has changed ownership dozens of times. The abstracts state names, such as, Larkin Osburn, David Winingham, Mesach Rowden, John and William Rowden, James Buchanan, President of the United States, U. S. Grant (again, our President), several members of the Bray family, Guy Smith, and Isaac Smith. The entire list is too numerous to mention here. Bray's Mill has been sold for as little as $1.00 or for as much as $40,000. It has been sold to pay back taxes. Other purchase prices were $10.00, $25.00, and $1500.00. Thomas A. Bray died on 6 November 1906 in the town of Pay Down, Maries County, Missouri. He left behind, his wife, Mahala, 4 sons, and 5 daughters. For most of its existence, Bray's Mill has supported and survived as a grist mill. However, it has also served as a Post Office, a safe haven for tired travelers, a dentist office (operated by Guy Smith), and an ice manufacturing plant from 1931 to 1942. Isaac Smith produced 16-300 pound blocks of ice each 24 hours and delivered ice to the surrounding community. He made ice from spring water which filled 16 ice forms. Ammonia coils surrounded the forms and froze the water into ice. The ammonia was pumped by compresors which were powered by the overshot water wheel. The springs produced approximately 700 gallons of water per minute (and still do). Bray's Mill is located 3 1/4 miles east on Highway 42 from Iberia. >From Iberia, cross Kenser Creek and take the first gravel road to the left. Proceed 2/10 of a mile to a Y junction. Take the left leg. You're there!" The last time I was over in Richwoods township it looked like Bray's Mill had been converted to a private residence. Hope this information helps! Karen [email protected] USGenWeb Census Project http://www.usgenweb.org/census/ http://www.usgenweb.net/census/ http://www.usgenweb.com/census/ Kansas Unknown Counties http://skyways.lib.ks.us/kansas/genweb/unknown USGenWeb Archives Oklahoma File Manager The Tombstone Project http://www.rootsweb.com/~cemetery/