'ELEANOR WEBBER' (Con't) She Wanted A Husband. He Wanted Gold! ---------------------------------------------------------------------- The fresh team broke into a gallop, red dust flying about the huge wooden wheels. Eleanor caught at her bonnet and choked with surprise. Certainly it wasn't at all like the train ride. Soon the stagecoach was rolling down the curving road to the Bear River. A thick screen of pines and cedars shielded the mountains from view. Inside, the passengers were enjoying the merriment of Ryan who, after getting comfortable by a window, had broken into a repertoire of Irish songs. His lovely tenor voice delighted all. Eleanor, with thoughts of wedded bliss bracing her mind, consented to join in also. Her voice was true and sweet. Beyond the Bear River, the pace slowed for the long climb up the manzanita-covered slopes. The horses snorted and bobbed their heads. The singing inside continued despite the heat and dust, and Ryan passed his bottle to the other men. The stage had reached the lower acres of Sheet's Ranch, only five miles from the Grass Valley station, when four masked men stepped into the road. Seeing the road blocked, the driver quickly hauled back on the reins and slammed the brake with his foot. The team skidded and reared, tossing several of the passengers onto the floor. "By golly, if it isn't a holdup," Ryan bellowed in his rich tenor. Eleanor tried to look outside the coach, but the dust and the other passengers blocked her view. But she did hear the highwaymen yell for all the passengers to climb out. "What does this mean?" she asked. "Never you worry, little lady," Ryan said, taking her arm. "Soon as they get what they want we'll be on our way again." Outside the coach, Eleanor immediately saw the four double-barreled shotguns aimed at the driver. Scott was silent, keenly aware of what could happen if the wrong moves were made. "Everyone out," the bandit leader shouted," and unhitch the team." "What do you want?" the driver asked, although it was all too certain what they wanted. "The strong box with the gold," came the answer. "But it's on the other stage," Scott replied, attempting to thwart the robbery. "You know better than that," the leader shouted. "Everyone out. It's right here. You know there aren't two coaches running on Sunday." Eleanor's legs were cramped anyway, and she shook her shoulders, trying to regain her natural good posture. Despite the threatening situation she did not feel frightened. Instead, she was very curious about these men whose faces were covered by masks. The leader pointed to two of his men. They leveled their shotguns, knowing what to do next. "Over there," one shouted, using his gun to point out a clearing some thirty yards down the road. "Get over there and sit down, cross-legged, in a row." Eleanor, however, was allowed to remain standing, so as not to dirty her skirts. Meanwhile, the leader and one of his men had quickly uncovered the iron strongbox, attacking it with a miner's pick. They broke the outer lock, but were stopped from stripping it of its contents by a second padlock. "Going to take more than this pick," one masked man said to the leader. "Then get the blasting powder." A third man produced a canister of powder and some fuse. Suddenly Eleanor realized what was happening and nervously spoke up. "Gentlemen," she said. It is evident that you are going to use powder to blow open the safe. My trunk, which is on the deck of the stage, will in all probability be blown to pieces. It contains all that I own in this world. And while its destruction will not benefit you in the least, it will be an irreplaceable loss to me. Please, I beg you, take it down first." The masked bandit leader gallantly reassured her. "Certainly, Miss, with the greatest pleasure." Setting the canister down, he climbed up onto the deck of the stagecoach and carefully slid the trunk down over the boot to his waiting companion. The other masked man carefully carried it to safety. As the leader hefted the trunk, the wind tugged at his mask and Eleanor momentarily had a glimpse of the man's face. She smiled thinly, saying Thank you." Two men resumed tamping powder around the lock. After there was a sufficient amount inserted, they attached a long fuse and lit it cautiously. Rejoining the rest of the gang and the passengers seated on the ground, they waited quietly, flinching in anticipation of the explosion. There was no blast, however. After a full minute, the impatient leader walked up to the strongbox to see what had gone wrong. He glanced inside the coach and then jerked around, taking off at a dead run. The warning hiss of the burning fuse was swallowed up by a brilliant flash of fire and a great roar, which echoed off the immovable Sierras. To Be Continued . . . Quickly the bandits moved in... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert September 28, 2005 iggy29@rnetinc.net 'A Closed Mouth Gathers No Foot.'

'ELEANOR WEBBER' She Wanted A Husband. He Wanted Gold! --------------------------------------------------------------------- Gold was still being discovered and mined in California as late as the 1870s but its abundance and easy recovery were waning. Nevertheless, thousands of hopeful people were still braving the hazardous elements and coming west. Eleanor Webber arrived in 1873. A rather plain-appearing girl of proud parentage with a determined streak in her young mind, she also sought her fortune. But unlike the others, she did not come for gold. She had only one burning reason, and that was to get married. Arrangements had been made in the East, and while Eleanor had never seen her prospective spouse, friends who had known the tall and handsome man assured her she was making the right choice. Several letters of courtship passed through the mail between the prospective bride and bridegroom, and in the early spring, Eleanor Webber set out for California with a beautiful trousseau of silk and satin. She was confident of her future. Love would triumph over all. Taking the recently completed railroad across the great western frontier, Eleanor, tired but happy, alighted at the town of Colfax. From there she would board a large Concord stagecoach for the short journey to Grass Valley and her matrimonial union. The July afternoon was warm, the sky a cornflower blue, and the foothills tinged with summer green. Eleanor's heart was pounding excitedly. How long she had waited for this moment -- to be a married woman. The least attractive of the Webber children, Eleanor tried extra hard at being friendly and charming. She loved to clean house, crochet, and read. In the spring months she was the first to gather wildflowers in the woods, bringing home armfuls to grace the china vases in the parlor. And she also had a natural talent for writing verse. Eleanor also had large brown eyes. When she was younger, several naughty neighbor boys had called her "owl eyes," but as she grew up and her face filled out, the eyes looked better. They had always sparkled with innocence never revealing the hurt she sometimes felt. After all, being plain had cost her having beaus, and that was what she had dreamed of all those years growing up. But now her luck had changed. The time to blossom had come. Eleanor was going to marry a handsome and adventurous prospector who, according to his letters, was doing quite well in the West as a mine superintendent. Her heart skipped once more as she approached the waiting coach, the last lap of her journey. "Welcome aboard, Miss." Wells Fargo agent William B. Story extended his hand to assist Eleanor. "Going to be a fine trip this afternoon. Not too long a ride." "Thank you," Eleanor replied politely. "I will be so pleased to finally reach my destination. It seems I have been traveling forever." Despite the arduous journey, the thought of her impending marriage made her prettier than ever, giving her a certain sparkle. "Yes, ma'am," Story said, smiling. He rubbed his hands down the sides of his jeans, aware that they were not very clean. After all, this was a real lady, and there were still not too many of them out here. "You staying in Grass Valley?" he asked. Eleanor lowered her eyelids, glancing at a spot on the toe of her tiny leather shoes. "I'm getting married," she said, her long skirts rustling. "Ah, a bride," he said. "I thought maybe so. Well, it's good news for some lucky man. Just what this country needs -- pretty wives." Eleanor continued to smile; then, noticing the size of the coach, she asked where she should sit. "Why, take the inside seat in the rear. It's cushioned and extra soft." Story winked. "Besides, it's the richest and most expensive." Eleanor frowned and shook her brown curls. "I'm sorry, I don't know what you mean." "Oh, just a joke, Miss. The seats are all comfortable. But that one happens to be covering the built-in iron strongbox, where we keep the gold. Today it contains almost $8,000. We've carried more, back aways. But this ain't so bad either." "Oh," Eleanor remarked, smoothing down her long skirts. "Then I shall sit upon it. Besides, I wouldn't want to get dusty by the window." "Well, have a good trip, and best of luck." "Thank you," Eleanor said properly. "So you've come out West to meet your new husband," a passenger said loudly. E. Black Ryan, an Irish attorney, was next to climb aboard the stage. Grinning and smelling of Irish whiskey, he stretched out his hand. "A lovely lass indeed to keep us company during this short but discomforting ride." Eleanor acknowledged the new passenger, and after several minutes, a total of eleven men got on. Some were miners returning to the fields, others were merchants. Bob Scott, the driver, appeared, pulling on leather gloves and adjusting his wide-brimmed hat. "Grass Valley it be," he shouted. To Be Continued . . . The stagecoach... ------------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert September 28, 2005 iggy29@rnetinc.net 'A Closed Mouth Gathers No Foot.'

Phyliss, Thank you for posting this information. I don't have a connection yet to the Lucas County lines so I am going to email you privately. Jayne Mundell

'CASSIE HILL' (Con't) Wife, Mother, Telegrapher, Wells Fargo Agent ----------------------------------------------------------------------- At the time the old depot was destroyed, Cassie retired. She wrote a poem to commemorate its memory. After retirement, she invested her savings in the Cassie Hill building on Lincoln Street, maintaining a home on the second floor. The ground floor was then a jewelry store. In 1941 the building was purchased by John Leles, who operated a butcher shop and grocery store. Today this part of the building is occupied by a bar. Cassie continued to reside in Roseville until 1950, when the infirmities of old age compelled her to enter a rest home. In the year 1954 she celebrated her 100th birthday. Cassie Hill brought up five fine children, contributed a large share to the business growth of Roseville, and left a pioneer legacy of the historic Wells Fargo era. Quite a distinction for a young woman from Iowa. ~~~~~"THE OLD DEPOT"~~~~~ The old home is not what it used to be The thoughts lurk near me still; 'Tis but the fleeting past I see Where all is calm and still. Thirty years have past since first I trod its threshold dear to me, and now 'tis but a dream of yore, The old home I cannot see. My children, from their infancy, No other home they knew; And now how sad for them to see The old go for the new. Henry too has left me Pastures new to find But ponders o'er the past to see And dreams of things unkind. And Wonders why this change is made. The new town "is to be," But claims 'tis nothing more than this-- The cruel Espee. My greatest comfort now Is little Hillie dear With eyes of thoughtful earnestness And mind of gentle cheer. The food for grave inquiring speech He everywhere doth find And asks me o'er and o'er again Why were we left behind. No more will I the clatter hear Of instruments at my door; And wonder why the trains Don't stop as they did in days of yore. Goodbye Espee, I'll not forget you Nor all the kindness you have shown; You have sheltered me from girlhood. I for you, with age have grown. And now I am to leave you I scarcely know what to do; And everytime I think of it, It makes me think of you. ~~~ Cassie Hill To Be Continued . . . Eleanor Webber... ----------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert September 27, 2005 iggy29@rnetinc.net 'A Closed Mouth Gathers No Foot.'

'CASSIE HILL' (Con't) Wife, Mother, Telegrapher, Wells Fargo Agent ---------------------------------------------------------------------- How Wells Fargo & Company became part of the Southern Pacific Railroad in Roseville is also an interesting piece of California history, and it set the background for Cassie's life story. When the two great railroad lines joined at Promontory Point in 1869, stagecoaching was for all intents and purposes over. The romantic, rough mode of travel had given way to a better one. But would Wells Fargo & Company get the contract to handle express aboard the new steam-driven coaches, replacing their horse-drawn Concords? Since the stagecoach-banking firm had not been too friendly with the railroads, a future alliance was questionable. Then, in September of 1869, the Central Pacific Railroad granted the Pacific Express Company the exclusive privilege of handling express over its new tracks. Such a situation seemed ruinous to Wells Fargo, and officers of the company lost no time in seeking arrangements with their competitors. A Joint meeting of directors of both companies was held at Omaha on October 4. Representing Wells Fargo were the powerful William G. Fargo, Charles Fargo, and A.H. Barney. At this momentous conference Wells Fargo & Company was given, for a consideration of $5,000,000, the privilege of handling express over the Central Pacific, which later became the Southern Pacific Railroad. A stormy meeting of Wells Fargo stockholders followed on November 25th to discuss how to raise the necessary funds to conclude the transaction. It appears that this huge sum of money was raised by increasing the capital stock of the company from $10 million to $15 million. At the time the price paid seemed like financial hijacking, but it proved later to be sound banking indeed. For had Wells Fargo not made this investment, its express service might well have gone the way of its stagecoach line. Cassie Hill was soon doing an extraordinary job for the company, both as express agent and as one of the first women telegraphers. There is in the history room of Wells Fargo & Company the following personal memoir written about another Wells Fargo agent, also a woman. It describes a typical day for the express agent. "She took the job as agent following the death of her husband to support herself and her son. She would rise at 4 a.m. She always kept the outside door of her bedroom open to permit the chill night air to enter. This was the way, she felt, to keep one's self strong and vigorous. She would take a sponge bath with cold water, again to remain vigorous, and then rub herself with a coarse Turkish towel till warmth returned. Then, following the style of the day, she would put on layer after layer of clothing. She would wrap herself in a shawl and set out for the agency office which was also the town s Post Office. "The first thing she had to do was build a fire in the stove, then sort and stamp letters and unlock the heavy iron safe where gold and other valuables were stored. Following the arrival of the morning stage, she went back home for breakfast and then devoted an hour or so to tutoring the school children in spelling. "Then it was back to the office again, which she had to sweep out, bring in wood for the fire, bring her books up to date, and write her reports. She remained in the agency until the evening stage arrived, usually around 8 p.m So her working day for Wells Fargo and Uncle Sam ran from 4 a.m. to 8 p.m. At the time of Cassie's appointment, there was a saloon run by John Louis Buien at one end of the depot. The depot itself occupied the central portion of the long building, and Cassie and her family continued to live in the upper end. Forrest Hill, one of Cassie's five children, later recalled a particular job he had while the family lived there. As a small boy he had made a deal with a certain Tom Royer, whose big house and vast grounds were on Vernon Street, where the Bank of America building currently sits. He would sell grapes and other fruits from the Royer ranch to passengers on the trains and split the profits fifty-fifty. Hill remembered that this deal proved to be very lucrative. All the Hill children had various small jobs while they were growing up, and by all accounts Cassie managed the family resources quite well. She continued to make her home in the depot until 1907, when a new building was completed below the railroad "Y", and the old building was dismantled. Part of it was subsequently moved to Atlantic Street, where it was used as a saloon. To Be Continued . . . Cassie's Poem... -------------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert September 27, 2005 iggy29@rnetinc.net 'A Closed Mouth Gathers No Foot.'

I am new to this list, but I believe I can clarify some of the recent confusion re Boozell, Bozel and Busselle. Boozell is my maiden name and I have been researching this line off and on for over 20 years. Busselle and Bozel although the pronunciation is the same are not connected in any way to Boozell. Boozell/Boozel/Bosel/Busel is an old German name and is quite rare in the US and Germany today. Michael Stambaugh Boozell and his wife Marie (Moriah) Ellen Reader (my great grandparents) came to Lucas County from Fulton County, IL in about 1865 with six of their ten children, the last four were born in Lucas County. Florence Rosela Boozell married Aaron Lockridge 25 Feb. 1877, however, by the 1880 census they were divorced and she was living with her parents. There were no children from this marriage. She then married Daniel Marshall on 11 Oct 1882 with whom she had three children. Aurora Jane Boozell who married Andrew H. Chance, 1 Jul. 1877, was Florence's younger sister. Both were daughters of Michael and Marie. I have much info re the Boozell family, from the present back to the 1600s in Germany and would love to share with anyone who is interested. I have also written a book about the family, "The Hus Busel". Phyllis Boozell Quarg

'CASSIE HILL' (Con't) Wife, Mother, Telegrapher, Wells Fargo Agent --------------------------------------------------------------------- Woodland is a short distance from Roseville, where Cassie was to eventually settle and become somewhat of a celebrity. In those days wild roses mingled with the other native flora, and this contributed to the naming of this community, which became the home of an enormous railroad roundhouse owned by Southern Pacific Railroad. When Cassie was 22 years old she married George W. Hill. His family had come to California in the 1850s by way of Panama, settling first at Michigan Bluff and later in Auburn. Young Hill worked for the railroad, and shortly after his marriage to Cassie the newlyweds moved to Hanford, where he served as agent and telegrapher. With a family of her own, Cassie spent her days cooking and sewing for the children. She had always loved Roseville, and so when her husband was transferred there in 1881, her dreams must have been satisfied. "I'm sorry we have to make our home in the depot," the tall, slightly built Hill told his young wife, "with the continuous clamor of trains and people. But it's the best I can manage right now. Perhaps later we can have our own home and nice big yard." Cassie smiled brightly. "It's fine with me, George. We're all together here and I do so love Roseville. It's such a bustling community." Already Roseville was becoming an extensive shipping and trading center, having been the favored location for the railroad junction in the heart of southern Placer County's rich agricultural region. With an eye to the future, pioneer O.D. Lombard in August of 1864 drew up plans for a new city, to be called Roseville. But the existing town was already very nice. Recently planted orchards and newly constructed farms laced the surrounding countryside and dotted the prairie. To the eastward, the lofty, lavender Sierra foothills etched the horizon. It was no wonder that Cassie loved Roseville so much. The first building to be erected in Roseville Junction, as it was then called, was the freight depot, built and operated by Cyrus W. Taylor. It was here that George Hill worked, and the family lived in the upper end of the elongated structure. For a time it was the busiest spot in town, with trains and people arriving and leaving daily. But as cruel fate would have it, Cassie's dear husband died after only a few years at his job. She was left with five small children to rear in a railroad depot. The future was uncertain at best. Yet Cassie had that rich pioneer blood flowing in her veins, and she quickly asked to take over her husband's job. There was naturally some doubt expressed by the male members of the town. "But she's so young, and with all the children," one townsman said. "How can she run an express depot?" "And the telegraph -- she doesn't know anything about that," another said. "I know how to tap out the telegraph," Cassie said, speaking up with determination. "I've been helping George these past years. Let me try. I know I can do a fine job." "Well, I don't know," one man said. "You'd work long hours, daybreak to nighttime." But they also realized Cassie's desperate situation, and it was known that several other women had worked for Wells Fargo at other locations. Therefore, it was duly decided that they would try her out. When Wells Fargo agreed, Cassie took over her husband's job. Whatever doubts the residents Roseville had about Cassie were soon quelled by her performance. The impressive Wells Fargo & Company certificate that hung in her office must have given her pride. It carefully spelled out her duties, noting that Mrs. C. Hill was appointed as agent of Wells Farso & Company's express at Roseville on May 14, 1884. In those days, women held few jobs of responsibility. To Be Continued . . . How Wells Fargo & Company became part of the Southern Pacific Railroad... ------------------------------------------------------------------------ Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert September 25, 2005 iggy29@rnetinc.net 'A Closed Mouth Gathers No Foot.'

'CASSIE HILL' Wife, Mother, Telegrapher, Wells Fargo Agent ---------------------------------------------------------------------- My dear sister: Last Tuesday we had one of the grandest birthday parties our home has yet to have. Of course the beautifully decorated cake, with its pink and yellow roses reminiscent of old Roseville was special, the punch extra tangy, the guests most enjoyable. But it was the birthday girl who was spectacular. Not that she is a girl -- by no means. But her qualities, tiny build, twinkling eyes the color of ripening wheat, and a smile that reveals a lust for living, remind one of youth. That alone, I would imagine, contributed to Cassie Hill's 100th year on this great earth. Yes, I did say 100, and years full of abundant living, sensitivity and, I rather guess, a bit of sensationalism. She was once a Wells Fargo agent during the last century, a period when most women either took care of their large families or taught school. But Cassie wasn't a single woman without responsibilities, or one who had a man around to help with bringing up a brood of five. For a time Cassie had both. But she also had another career. In the misty sienna glow of the old Roseville railroad depot, with its wood-burning potbelly stove, iron scales, and straight-back chairs, Cassie took meticulous care of in and outgoing express, both human and otherwise, noting destination, weight, departure time, and content of packages to be shipped. Wearing the familiar green visor pulled down over her brown hair, white gauzy sleeves cuffed at the elbows, long skirts brushing the wood-planked floors, she treated each traveler with friendliness and respect "I'm looking for the Wells Fargo man," a burly, dusty cowboy asked, slinging his grips onto the oak counter. He dropped a smoke on the floor, killing the fire with the toe of well-worn boots. Getting up from the rolltop desk, Cassie pushed back the visor and smiled. You're looking at her." "You're the Wells Fargo agent?" He looked surprised. "Sure am. What can I do for you?" For a moment the cowboy was stunned, speechless. Three children darted into the room, one carrying firewood for the hungry stove, the oldest boy dragging a box of peaches he was going to sell to train customers, and a small girl kicking at a crate to make it move. Cassie paid little attention to her clamoring children. By now she was used to having them mix with the business of operating a Wells Fargo station. Finally the cowboy recovered from his initial shock; he shrugged his shoulders and proceeded to tell Cassie what he wanted shipped back East. "I reckon you can count alright. I've got two grips and this box. Want them to go to my mother in Philadelphia. Does your train go there?" "Sure will." Cassie took the pencil from behind her ear and got out an order form. Cassie Tomer Hill was born into a struggling Iowa family in August of 1854. Ma and Pa Tomer had six children and country living for them was difficult at best. After hearing all those exciting tales about the California Gold Rush, with creeks lined with precious ore ready for the picking, Pa Tomer must have decided he could do no worse out West. So he and Ma Tomer packed up all six children, and with their meager belongings, joined a train of some seventy-five covered wagons that were headed for California. Cassie was 2 years old at this time. It must have been pretty hard for that poor mother and all those kids in one wagon, all wishing they were already in the promised land. But then, it was determined folk such as the Tomers who built much of the great state of California. Each child had one toy, perhaps a cloth doll or a carved animal, to help idle away the time as they bounced along in the wagon. The weather changed from extreme cold to desert heat, depending on the altitude. Many fellow travelers became ill, and those who died were buried along side the trail, with a fallen tree for a headstone. Hardship was commonplace. The Tomer family traveled for five months and ten days to the Nevada territory, where they first settled. But living wasn't any easier there, and after four years of trying to satisfy the growing family's needs, Pa Tomer moved on, this time settling on a small ranch near Woodland, California. Northwest of Sacramento, Woodland was once a rolling, grassy prairie dotted with wide gangling oaks, brilliant California poppies, and waves of wild bush lupine and native weeds. In the summer the air was dry and lazy and warm winds danced across the rangelands. Jackrabbits and grey squirrels scurried easily between the woody coverings, and doves and noisy black crows abounded. The Tomer children must have had great fun in those vast and tranquil fields. To Be Continued . . . Woodland....... -------------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert September 25, 2005 iggy29@rnetinc.net 'A Closed Mouth Gathers No Foot.'

Hello Jayne, Glad you were able to find some good info or at least some leads, in what I had sent. There are a few Boswell's in the reference material. It sounds like you would benefit most by going further east and back further in time when there were so many in Indiana. In other words, who were the parents of those who settled in Ripley and Bartholomew Counties in Indiana? I imagine your sister delved into those records. Just took a quick look in the early Marriage Records for Lucas Co., p. 28: Two early Boozell gals were married in 1877: 25 Feb 1877 Aaron N. Lockridge, 20 m. Florence S. Boozell, 18 [ Florence R. Lockridge, 23, m. D. M. Marshall , age 24 on 11 Oct. 1882, p. 39. [ same Florence? both b. abt 1859. ]] 1 July 1877 Andrew H. Chance, 23 m. Arora Jane Boozell, 16. 2 Oct 1879 Thomas Lockridge, 20, m. Mattie Cook, 18. [p. 32] March 23, 1877, Edward Threlkeld, 19, [nephew to GG Grandma Sarah Threlkeld Davis, Mrs. John Davis] m. Lizzie Young, 19. [As you recall the Threlkeld's, et al, migrated from VA via Shelby Co., KY, Jackson Co., Indiana, Illinois to Iowa. ] Does Aaron Lockridge fit in your line ?? On might assume that Florence and Arora are sisters ?? There wer quite a few Lockridge marriages in the book, but no Sam or John. Have you canvassed Marion Co., ... between Wapello and Lucas Co.? There is a female, S. G. Laughren, who m. J. H. Spencer, male, on 4 Jan 1873 [no ages listed]. Might your Sarah J/G have remarried in Lucas Co., ?? :) There was a Samuel Lockard who m. Sarah A. Hale on 2 july 1864 [no ages listed]. Just watching for variations on a name -- possibilities. :) For your collection, I had saved the below article that Nancee sent out last year, about a 1906 fire. It mentions some Busselle names in it of possible interest to you. Subject:[IALUCAS] MIDNIGHT ALARMS - CHARITON FIRE. Date: 19:29:50 10.10.2004 From: Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert <iggy29@rnetinc.net> To: IALUCAS-L@rootsweb.com The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa Thursday, March 1, 1906 At about 10:00 o'clock on Monday night the fire alarm was given and the flames were seen issuing from the roof of the MCCOLLOUGH & BROWN Livery Barn, just south of the Christian Church. The fire company responded but it was evident that it would be an impossibility to save the building and all effort was directed to the surroundings after a short contest with the flames. The building belonged to L.H. BUSSELLE and was insured in full. The livery stock belonged to LON BROWN and ED. MCCOLLOUGH, which was uninsured. The rigs were got out but the hay, corn, harness, etc., were consumed. A number of horses and one cow perished in the flames and their charred carcasses presented a ghastly sight the next morning. The exact number of horses is unknown -- but a dozen or more. County Recorder HOLMES had his driving horse and rig in the barn at the time, and the BUSSELLE teams and the fine Shetland pony of E.D. VIERS were there meeting the same fate. Up to within a couple of weeks MR. BROWN owned all the livery stock but since that time MR. MCCOLLOUGH became part owner. As this fire was directly north of a half block of some of the best business houses and largest stores in Chariton, the hazards were great. Soon one of the ware rooms of the BUSSELLE BROS. was on fire and it and contents went down. The flames broke through into the shoe and cloak room of the Chariton Dry Goods Company and much damage was caused but by the heroic effort of the fire company all the buildings were saved. The store room of BREWER & BLAKE caught fire but it was soon extinguished. Goods were removed from the Chariton Dry Goods Co.'s Store the BUSSELLE Hardware establishment and from the BREWER & BLAKE Clothing establishment, but were replaced without further damage. The Fair, Flatt's and the grocery stock of F.C. STANLEY were in less danger and were unmolested. The losses are small compared to the insurance. The stock of the Chariton Dry Goods Company would invoice about $32,000, the firm receiving a shipment of $7,000 on the first of the month. The BUSSELLE Hardware and Implement stock would carry $15,000, a couple of car loads being placed this week. The BREWER & BLAKE stock was protected by $6,500 insurance, the only damage being disarrangement, which was the case in the other establishments, save the total consumption in the ware houses and cloak and shoe department. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Copied by Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert October 10, 2004 iggy29@rnetinc.net ==== IALUCAS Mailing List ==== David, railrider503@aol.com: Lucas County List Administrator, Website Coordinator, Lucas County IA Genweb - http://www.rootsweb.com/~ialucas/Main.htm end article. Here's hoping you or sis find some value in what I sent. If you want me to check on someting else, let me know. Mary Beth in Wisconin Descendant of a whole lot of Lucas Co. folks. Just a random act of genealogical kindness. :)

Wow, Mary Beth! You never cease to amaze me with your wealth of information. Thank you so much for your speedy and informative reply. My sister has spent many, many hours on our Laughridge/Lockridge line. She was also historian for the Lokrig Association until this year when she had to give it up. I am forwarding your information to her to see if we can fit our families in with any of these in Lucas County. They certainly were in the right area of Indiana. Our Laughridge line is a mess as there were several families in and around Ripley and Bartholomew counties in Indiana before coming to Iowa and elsewhere. Apparently there was a fire in one of those counties about 1829 which burned the court records. We did not know Sarah's middle or maiden name until quite recently when I stumbled upon the marriage record while helping a friend so some research. Sarah Jayne Bozell appears to be the daughter of Henry Bozell and Lucretia unknown and was born in IN about 1837. John Laughridge/Lockridge was born abt. 1832 in Ripley Co., IN and appears to be the son of Samuel Lockridge. Samuel & John reportedly moved to Wapello Co., IA around 1849 and are listed in the 1850 census there. Supposedly John went back to IN, was in Bartholomew Co. for the 1860 and Ripley for the 1870. Then we lose track of him until 1900 when he is back in IA, this time in Cedar County. With Wapello County being so close to Lucas County and with the road that you mentioned, there seems to be a distinct possibility that these Boozell/Bozell/Busselle and Laughridge/Lockridge families are probably all connected. Oh, and from some of the Bozell trees I have looked at, apparently the name is also given as Boswell. I have not delved very deeply into this line yet and the only true facts I have are John and Sarah's marriage record and the census records mentioned. Would love to connect our families to the ones in Lucas County! Thanks again so very much, Mary Beth! Jayne Lovell Mundell

Hello Jayne, Do you have any birth or death dates for your Bozell line ? Any Hale's or Armor, Armer's in that line? There are some early Bussell/Busselle's in Lucas Co., 1860 and 1870 census. In the 1870 census for Otter Creek, Lucas Co., IA there are two heads of family named James Bussell [b. abt 1828, TN] with wife Jane Armor/Armer [b. abt 1839, NY] and Wiliiam W. Bussell/Busselle [b. abt 1831, Indiana] with wife Anna [b. 1831, Illinois] and their family [ages 1-9, all b. IA]. Harris Rowland, 16, b. abt 1854 in Illinois was living with Wm. W. in the 1870 census. David Holmes Rowland link to my John Davis [b. 1809] & Sarah Threlkeld [b. 1822] line: David m. Keziah Lucinda Davis, dau. of John & his first wf, Sarah Jones. [ *** Keziah and her two siblings, Austin and Leah were all born at Bartholomew Co., Indiana ... where your Sarah Jayne Bozell m. John Laughridge/Lockridge.] LOCKRIDGE: Buried at Row 15 N-S, LaGrange Cemetery, Cedar Twp., Lucas Co., IA, near the Monroe County, IA county line are: Malinda ___? Lockridge, d. June 8, 1906 @ 83y 11m 11d, b. abt 1824 next to J. D. Lockridge, May 8, 1818 - May 5, 1902. Next to him are buried Thomas A. who d. Jan. 17, 1880 @ 20y 29d and next to him. Charles P. Lockridge, sn of J.D. and M. d. Sept, 29, 1872 @ 5y 10m. [p. 20 Lucas Co. Cemetery Records, publ by LCGS] I wonder if the Busselle and Boozell names are linked?? There is a Boozell line written about in the 1978 History of Lucas Co., IA book and in the Heritage 2000 book. Phonetically they could sound the same, one would think.? Are they one in the same family ?? Is Michael Boozell, b. abt 1831, a brother to James S. and Wm W. Busselle ?? Lucas Co. is one county west from the Bozell's in Wapello Co. and is on the frequently traveled road through Monroe Co. As for James and Jane Busselle: Jane Armer is dau. of Rev. John Armor and his wf Jane [Jane seen as Tamson A, age19 v. 29 in 1860 census, same place] . In 1870 census, Mrs. Armer, age 56, b. Ireland, was living with dau. Sarah, 18, b. NY. between James & Jane Bussell and William W. & Anna Bussell, in Otter Creek Twp., Lucas Co., IA. She was not there in 1860. Her husband, the Rev. Armor was the minister at the Norwood United Brethren Church at Norwood, Lucas Co., IA, in the 1860's, to quote: "A minister during this period was Rev. John Armor who became a chaplain in the Union Army and was killed under Sherman. His daughter, Jane, married James Busselle [sic]." p. 131 History of Lucas Co., IA. Members of the church included the Elmer Curtis family. Not sure if/how Elmer was related to my William Thomas Curtis, b. 1845, Zanesville, Belmont Co., Ohio. The Elmer Curtis family attended church with the Busselle's and the Armor's. Descendants of Michael Boozell 23 Michael Boozell .... +Maria _____ .. 24 Irvin Boozell ...... 25 Gideon Michael Boozell 1884 - 1945 ............ +Zora Belle Miller 1884 - ........... 26 Ruth Boozell 1912 - 1999 ................. +Clyde Jennings 1914 - 1996 ............... 27 dau. Jennings ..................... +_____ Husmann ........... 26 Raymond Boozell ........... 26 Dean Boozell 1918 - ................. +Susie M. _____ 1919 - 1967 ............... 27 Richard Boozell .................... 28 Curtis Boozell ........................ 29 Travis Boozell ........... 26 George Homer Boozell ........... 26 Neva Mary Boozell ................. +Leland Adams .. 24 John Jacob Boozell 1865 - 1946 ........ +Melissa Jane Hale 1881 - 1958 ...... 25 Pearl M. Boozell 1900 - 1985 ............ +Harley Sims 1899 - ........... 26 Hobart Sims ................. +Mary _____ ...... 25 Lillie M. Boozell 1901 - 1921 ...... 25 Earl L. Boozell 1904 - 1924 ...... 25 John H. Boozell 1910 - 1978 ...... 25 George W. Boozell 1915 - 1929 Heritage 2000, p. 124: [Lucas Co. History, publ by LCGS]] "John Davis came from Warren Co., Illinois, with the Threlkeld cousins in 1855 to Lucas County to near the tow of Russell. John Davis gave the land where the Ragtown School was built. From John Davis to now includes eight generations which hve lived within two and one-half miles of each other over a span of 145 years: 1. John Davis, 2, Austin Davis [son of John Davis], 3. Hattie [Davis] Miller [daughter of Austin Davis, 4. Zora [Miller] Boozell [daughter of Hattie Miller, 5.Dean Boozell [son of Zora Boozell], 6. Richard Boozell [son of Dean Boozell], 7. Curtis Boozell [son of Richard Boozell], and 8. Travis Boozell [son of Curtis Boozell]. Heritage 2000, p. 125: " John Jacob Boozell, son of Michael and Maria Boozell, was born in Fulton County, Illinois, on December 17, 1865, and died at his home in Russell, Iowa, on July 23, 1946. He married Melissa Jane Hale, daughter of Douglas and Lucy Bougher Hale, on January 26, 1899, near Coal Glen. She died at Baker Nursing Home in Charition, Iowa, on August 1, 1958. article continues with specific dates and names of children, then: " The family lived and farmed in Lucas County all their married lives, with the exception of three years ***which were spent in South Dakota and Oklahoma. The grandchildren remember Grandma Boozell telling about going to the Oklahoma territory and how the Indians would come to the back of the wagon wanting food." ... Submitted by Hobart and Mary Sims. *** John J. Boozell, b. abt 1868, Illinois is in the 1900 Census for Goodwin, Deuel, South Dakota. His parents were b. PA per the census report. Living with him were Melicy [Melissa Hale Boozell ] and Pearly M. Boozell b. Feb. 4, 1900, dau. BOZELL: Seemingly unrelated, in 1907, there was one Bozell that m. in Lucas Co.: "Subject: [IALUCAS] MARRIAGE LICENSES - 17 Jan 1907 Date: 16:53:14 22.11.2004 From: Nancee(McMurtrey)Seifert <iggy29@rnetinc.net> To: IALUCAS-L@rootsweb.com The Chariton Leader, Chariton, Iowa Thursday, January 17, 1907 MARRIAGE LICENSES: A.J. COX, 21 to OLIVE MAY BOZELL, 23." Let me know if we are on the right track or not. You will need to see possibilities within the dates listed here and compare to your known dates. Happy hunting, Mary Beth in Wisconsin

There's nothing especially complicated about why people moved to Iowa in general and Lucas County in particular. Our ancestors behaved then exactly as we do today, only the economy has changed. We go where the jobs are. They went where the land was. Although there had been settlement along Iowa's east coast during the 1830s, the state really opened up during the 1840s. South central Iowa opened up in 1843 with expiration of the Sac and Fox title beyond the Red Rock Line, thence in stages farther west to the Missouri. Settlement commenced in Lucas County during 1846, and so on. Iowa was the frontier. This was where you could buy land for $1.25 an acre from the government. The other great farming states --- Ohio, Illinois, Indiana --- were full-up. Missouri had been settled earlier and the best land was gone. Legally you couldn't settle west of Iowa because at that time the Plains were Indian territory. Iowa was the best game in town. Land at $1.25 an acre was a terrific deal. If you were poorer, you could afford the farm here that you couldn't afford in Indiana or Ohio. If you were richer, there was lots of money to be made by purchasing land for $1.25 an acre, then selling it for more to later settlers. If you were an aspiring merchant or professional, you had a better chance in a new market than you did in an established market. If you had a large farming family in Ohio or Indiana where the good land was occupied, you headed west where your sons and daughters had a better chance of getting a good start. Family followed family into Iowa and friends followed friends. All sorts of interesting groups settled in Iowa, but not because of persecution. Only the native population, persecuted and driven out, and the Mormons, persecuted and driven through, were motivated by fear. The land drew the others, as did the increased likelihood that their unique communities had a better chance of surviving intact in sparsely populated places. These include The Community of True Inspiration (the Amana Colonies), Old Order Amish, the Icarians in Adams County, Abner Kneeland's utopian community called Salubria near Farmington, and others. When the Plains state opened up, they were settled by Arkansans, Missourians, Iowans and Minnesotans who moved on because the land was cheap and opportunity beckoned. And so it went. It was always the land and the opportunity that drew them.

Greetings Sandy & Juanita, Who were your GGG grandpa's ?? I have multiple lines that migrated from the east to the west, some were in Indiana for atime, others Ohio, KY, Illinois, etc. before arriving in Lucas Co., IA. Yes, What was the big attraction? Were some Friends? [Quakers] escaping discrimination? Were they fearing the outbreak of the Civil War, seeking asylum from the strife? One good example or profile of westward movement to Lucas Co., is my Threlkeld m. Weakley line. Both were born in Virginia and married in 1800 at Shelby Co., Kentucky. They migrated westward to Indiana where Moses Threlked, 1777-1845 died at Cortland, Jackson County, Indiana., Later his wife, Elizabeth Weakley, 1781-1874 migrated westward from Indiana down to Lucas Co., Iowa arriving in 1852 with some of her children. By the 1870 Census of Lucas Co., IA, p. 73 [by gen. society], she was 89 years old, b. VA, and living with her son, Stephen W. & Susannah [Holeman, b. Indiana] Threlkeld. at dwelling # 439, Chariton Twp., Lucas Co., IA. Stephen's first wife, Martha James, d. sometime prior to 1844 when he m. Susannah and had c. 6 children, some of which were at Warren Co., Illinois. As mentioned Susannah was b Indiana. So, the family is plodding along westward. Stephen's older brother, Washington, 1802-1856, married Lucinda Shaure, 1803-?. Both of these were b. Shelby Co, KY, m. in 1835 in Indiana, and d. in Lucas Co., IA. Many of the Threlkeld's that migrated from VA, KY, Indiana, to Illinois are buried at Ragtown Cemetery, near Russell, Lucas Co., Iowa. Elizabeth Weakley Threlkeld first lived in Chariton Twp., upon her 1852 arrival to Lucas Co., IA with some of her children. Her son Noan D., 1820-1882; daughter, Sarah, 1822-1917 and son Moses Burgess, 1827-1872 were all born at Jackson Co or Wayne Co., Indiana. Moses B. was buried at Greenbush, Warren Co., Illinois. Sarah, b. 1822 m. John Davis, b. 1809, Guildford Co., North Carolina d. 1886, Lucas Co., IA. [John was son of Leah Smith & William Davis of Rowan/Davidson Co., or Guilford Co., NC] John and siblings [e.g. Joseph, Smith Davis] migrated to Bartholomew Co., Ind. before John continued on via wagon train to Lucas Co., Iowa. An insightful article from p. 496, Lucas Co. History, 1978 BOOZELL Family: "Gideon Michael Boozell was born near Princeton, Missouri. At the age of two his parents returned to Lucas County, Iowa. His grandparents had come by covered wagon from Illinois and his great grandparents from Pennsylvania. Gideon married Zora ... and had " five children , as listed herein. "...Zora was the daughter of Harriet Ann Davis Miller, and the granddaughter of Austin Davis. Our family history has it that John Davis migrated from Guilford Co., NC to INdiana in 1831. In May of 1845, John Davis again joined an emigrant train, this time settling in Warren County, Illinois near Roseville. In 1856 a wagon train left Roseville, Illinois headed for Lucas Co. Iowa. Wide wagons were purchased for the trip which were pulled by four yoke oxen. There is no written record of the organization of the party, but by common consent D. H. Rowland and John Davis, both of whom were experienced in wagon trains, must have been given leadership. It took a week to travel to the Mississippi River. There they waited until the ice was froze solid to cross. Then the wagons were loaded so the weight would be distributed evenly, and one by one each crossed the river safely. Next they replenished their supplies, made necessary repairs and planned the next section of their journey. Afer a long hard journey, they reached the Des Moines River near Eddyville. Eddyville was to be the nearest marketplace and station for receiving and sending mail. As they traveled they discovered log cabins of earlier pioneers. They were soon to the Western border of Monroe County, then on into Lucas County which was to be their new home. Here John Davis built his cabin with the help of friends. In a short time Austin, son of John Davis, built a cabin. Austin was the grandfather of Zora Miller Boozell. He returned to Roseville where he married Malinda Holeman on Jan. 6, 1861. He returned with his bride to establish his home in Lucas County, Iowa. This community was known as Ragtown. John Davis gave the land for the Ragtown School, also known as Bethel School District No. 3, February 27, 1861. He also gave the land for the Ragtown Cemetery in January 9, 1867. John Davis born in 1809 and died July 15, 1886 and is buried at Ragtown Cemetery." [Adrienne Pilz research indicated that John Davis was a Baptist.] In an email from David Niswender, Feb 7, 2003: "... Now as to whom the Threkeld's belong to, Noble Douglass' brother Martin and his wife Melinda Whedon. Had 3 known children so far. Mariah Douglass who married Strother Threkeld on 12/06/1839 in Jackson Co., Indiana, and Marcella ( Merschelia ) "This name is shown spelled a diffrent way each time" Marcella married Noah Threkeld. She was born 09/28/1923 in Indiana. Her grand parents are, Cyrus ( senior ) Douglass and Lydia Scott. Mariah Douglass-Threkeld's husband died early. She then married Jacob Wheeler 03/19/1844 in Jackson Co., Indiana. She had 2 known children with Strother and 8 known children with Jacob."

Hello Juanita: I saw your exchange with the IALUCAS group that we both subscribe to. Just wanted to let you know MY great great grandfather and family also moved from Indiana to Chariton, Lucas County and some of the family lived in and around Derby in Wayne Co. too - which is a few miles away. Matter of fact, the book "History of Lucas County 2000" which you can get from the Lucas Co. Genealogical Society if you wish, lists quite a few historys of various pioneer families and for the most part, they were from Indiana. Made me wonder what the heck was going on that so many of them headed to Lucas Co. Iowa about the same time. Quite a mystery to me. No doubt it had to do with land opening up or maybe they were all from a certain religion and moved together. Think mine were Protestant, but need to confirm it. Anyway, I thought it very interesting that a good many Indianians moved to Iowa during the 1855-65 time period. If anyone knows why, I'd love to hear about it. Sandy Childs (a transplanted Iowan) ----- Original Message ----- From: "juanita" <juanita2@cox.net> To: <IALUCAS-L@rootsweb.com> Sent: Friday, September 16, 2005 8:10 AM Subject: Re: [IALUCAS] ISAC WEBSITE > Thanks, Frank, for the info. That is probably what the date 1894 > refers to. I was just curious since I knew my great grandfather was > there by 1850. He was 21 yrs. old then, born in Indiana and went to > Lucas Co. from Putnam Co. IN. Within a few months others in the > family moved to Lucas Co. also. My mom was born on a farm in Lucas > Co., near Chariton. Closest town was Derby IA. She talked about > Derby and Chariton so much but I never got to visit there until long > after she died - to my chagrin. > > Appreciate your writing. > > juanita > >> The present Lucas County courthouse dates from 1894, so that probably >> is the source of that date. Lucas County does date from 1846 although, >> of course, there were no non-native residents at that time. >> >> Much Lucas County history is based on an 1881 history book that is not >> necessarily accurate, but tends to get endlessly repeated. >> >> William McDermott, for example, probably wasn't the first permanent >> settler, although he was the only one of the first who stuck around >> long enough to die in Lucas County (and lay claim to the title). >> >> Mormons were, indeed, the first non-native residents, but actually >> were around for more than a year. The northern branch of the Mormon >> Trail (known as the Trace) carried a majority of the Saints west from >> the summer of 1846 into 1849 (when a Chariton River crossing was >> engineered in extreme northwest Appanoose County). So thousands of >> Mormons passed through and Chariton Point (just south of where the >> city of Chariton is located now) seems to have been a fairly major way >> station (a lesser version of Garden Grove and Mount Pisgah) during >> that period --- not just a collection of six shanties occupied for a >> year. >> >> And so it goes ... >> >> Frank > > > > ==== IALUCAS Mailing List ==== > David, railrider503@aol.com: Lucas County List Administrator, > Website Coordinator, Lucas County IA Genweb - > http://www.rootsweb.com/~ialucas/Main.htm > > ============================== > Search Family and Local Histories for stories about your family and the > areas they lived. Over 85 million names added in the last 12 months. > Learn more: http://www.ancestry.com/s13966/rd.ashx >

As I was walking my 3 miles this morning, I was listening to a CD by LeAnn Womack. On it is a song written by Julie Miller -- as follows: ORPHAN TRAIN ~~~ Come all you broken hearted, Come and lay your burden down. Come kings and queens, Come royalty surrender up your crown. Come empty-handed, Come with nothing of your own to claim. Come naked, poor, Come like a child to ride the orphan train. Chorus: Come ride, ride on the orphan train. Put your ear to the track, you can hear your name. Come ride, ride on the orphan train, It'll take you all the way home. The way is narrow, it is steep That brings you to the door. But love awaits there to embrace Your heart forevermore. 2nd Verse: Come you abandoned, you forsaken Friendless and alone, Come refugees left homesick for Some place you've never known. Here princes, paupers, criminals And saints are all the same. No more or less than God's beloved child Aboard this train. It'll take you all the way home. It's gonna take you all the way home. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ The Iowa GenWeb has a lot of very good information about the orphan trains -- and links to other sites with so much more. http://iagenweb org/iaorphans/ As we (who were not orphaned) fuss about not finding our ancestors -- think about those who probably never will! Just a thought.. Best Regards, Nancee Decatur County Journal, Leon, Iowa Thursday, November 24, l904 A company of fourteen orphan children were brought to Leon last Friday under the auspices of the New York Children's Aid Society for the purpose of placing them in suitable homes. All of the children were well clothed and bore evidence of good treatment. They were in charge of B.W. Tice, the New York City agent, H.D. Clarke, the Iowa agent, and Anna Laura Hill, the matron of the institution. Messrs. Tice and Clarke are men of good judgment, business tact and ability, and are evidently the right men in the right place. The children are placed on trial for six months. They are to be well clothed and treated, given moral and educational advantages and must remain in the family until they are eighteen years of age. The society has a right to remove a child for reasonable cause and will again take charge of those found unsatisfactory. A large crowd gathered at the opera house on Friday at 2 o'clock p.m. and the distribution of the children occurred as follows: JAMES DECKER, aged 8 years, was placed with MILO MOORE and wife, of this city. The boy was born near Kingston, N.Y., and his parents are both dead. He belongs to an excellent family. His little sister and brother were present but were taken to Osceola as they could not be placed in the same family. NORA HENDRICKS, ll years old, was born in Marbletown. The father died and the mother deserted the child when young and her whereabouts are unknown. She was given to MRS. MARTHA HOLMES, of Decatur. ETHEL MAY DUNCAN, 6 years old, was born in Kingston, N.Y. She was abandoned by her parents; has a nice but old uncle residing at Port Ewan, N.Y. She had been an inmate of the Kingston Orphan Asylum and was given to MRS. FRED ORCHARD, of Decatur. GEO. ROBERT KILLORAN, l0 years old, was born in Ogdensburg, N.Y., and was given to ISAAC K. FISHER, of Decatur. The boy's sister, MARIAN KILLORAN, l3 years old, was placed with REV. and MRS. A.M. PILCHER, of this city. The parents of those children are living but (*can't read the next line.) MAGGIE ESTELLA REMORE, l2 years old, was born in Ogdensburg. Her parents are living but their whereabouts are unknown. The child was placed with MRS. LUCY RAY. BERTHA VIRGINIA BENNETT, l9 months old, was placed with MRS. E.H. PECK of Decatur. The child's father died in Canada a year ago. The mother, a member of the theatrical profession, made a legal surrender of the child to the society as she could not take care of it. She is a fine looking young woman about 22 years of age. MADELINE HELLER, 9 years old, was born in Brooklyn. Her father is dead and her mother deserted her. She was placed with DANIEL KLINE, JR. BELLE QUINCE, l2 years old, was taken from the Five Points Orphan Asylum of New York City. She has a splendid intellect and a fine ear for music. She was taken by MRS. J. STATZELL. MARGARET E. HUNT, aged l0 years, was an inmate of the Five Points Orphan Asylum. She has a sister and brother at Sidney, Iowa. She was given to MR. and MRS. J.W. ULM, of Eden Township. GEO. PETRIE, l3 years of age, was removed from a home in Missouri and was placed with W.J. BLADES, of Long Creek Township. On December 8th, the representatives of the society will be in Lennox with a dozen children for distribution. Copied by Nancee (McMurtrey) Seifert August l9, 200l ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Another excellent website of the Orphan Train Heritage Society is http://www.orphantraindepot.com/OTHSAMuseum.htm It has tons of wonderful information.

Thanks, Frank, for the info. That is probably what the date 1894 refers to. I was just curious since I knew my great grandfather was there by 1850. He was 21 yrs. old then, born in Indiana and went to Lucas Co. from Putnam Co. IN. Within a few months others in the family moved to Lucas Co. also. My mom was born on a farm in Lucas Co., near Chariton. Closest town was Derby IA. She talked about Derby and Chariton so much but I never got to visit there until long after she died - to my chagrin. Appreciate your writing. juanita > The present Lucas County courthouse dates from 1894, so that probably > is the source of that date. Lucas County does date from 1846 although, > of course, there were no non-native residents at that time. > > Much Lucas County history is based on an 1881 history book that is not > necessarily accurate, but tends to get endlessly repeated. > > William McDermott, for example, probably wasn't the first permanent > settler, although he was the only one of the first who stuck around > long enough to die in Lucas County (and lay claim to the title). > > Mormons were, indeed, the first non-native residents, but actually > were around for more than a year. The northern branch of the Mormon > Trail (known as the Trace) carried a majority of the Saints west from > the summer of 1846 into 1849 (when a Chariton River crossing was > engineered in extreme northwest Appanoose County). So thousands of > Mormons passed through and Chariton Point (just south of where the > city of Chariton is located now) seems to have been a fairly major way > station (a lesser version of Garden Grove and Mount Pisgah) during > that period --- not just a collection of six shanties occupied for a > year. > > And so it goes ... > > Frank

The present Lucas County courthouse dates from 1894, so that probably is the source of that date. Lucas County does date from 1846 although, of course, there were no non-native residents at that time. Much Lucas County history is based on an 1881 history book that is not necessarily accurate, but tends to get endlessly repeated. William McDermott, for example, probably wasn't the first permanent settler, although he was the only one of the first who stuck around long enough to die in Lucas County (and lay claim to the title). Mormons were, indeed, the first non-native residents, but actually were around for more than a year. The northern branch of the Mormon Trail (known as the Trace) carried a majority of the Saints west from the summer of 1846 into 1849 (when a Chariton River crossing was engineered in extreme northwest Appanoose County). So thousands of Mormons passed through and Chariton Point (just south of where the city of Chariton is located now) seems to have been a fairly major way station (a lesser version of Garden Grove and Mount Pisgah) during that period --- not just a collection of six shanties occupied for a year. And so it goes ... Frank

From: juanita Date: 09/16/05 09:28:15 To: IALUCAS-L@rootsweb.com Subject: Re: [IALUCAS] ISAC WEBSITE I looked @ Lucas Co. IA and wonder about the heading that says "date of origin 1894". Mr reference guides say Lucas Co. was created 1846. juanita ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Hi Juanita: I looked at it all again, but have no clue. I believe it has reference to some particularly important date. Anyway, I enjoyed all the information about the State of Iowa. Thanks, Nancee

I looked @ Lucas Co. IA and wonder about the heading that says "date of origin 1894". Mr reference guides say Lucas Co. was created 1846. juanita > Hi All: If you haven't seen this website -- it's worth looking at. > > http://www.iowacounties.org/About%20Us/AboutCoGov/County%20Pages/Lucas > .htm > > > Interesting info. on ALL Iowa counties.. Nancee > > > ==== IALUCAS Mailing List ==== > David, railrider503@aol.com: Lucas County List Administrator, > Website Coordinator, Lucas County IA Genweb - > http://www.rootsweb.com/~ialucas/Main.htm

Hi All: If you haven't seen this website -- it's worth looking at. http://www.iowacounties.org/About%20Us/AboutCoGov/County%20Pages/Lucas.htm Interesting info. on ALL Iowa counties.. Nancee