This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: bookman51 Surnames: Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.kansas.counties.cowley/176.1.1.1.2.1.1.1/mb.ashx Message Board Post: I can tell the story that came down my side of the family. YOur great-grandmother was known as "Mert" by Ben's daughters. She was the new step-mother and not well-received the grown and almost grown daughters. My grandmother "Jennie" said she and the youngest daugheter (Pearl) "went out the back door when the new wife came in the front door." Pearl was a bit more diplomatic, and said, "We did not approve of the woman Pappa married." As I wrote earlier, my mother had been told Ben was having an affair with Myrtle before his first wife died, but that could be the story told by one or more of the "step-daughters" who did not want a new mother. Send me your e-mail and I will see what pictures I have, if any. The house and buildings are all gone, and the current owners have a newer house up away from the creek. The one living grandson told me the house was built of walnut because that was what was convenient in the area. Don't know of that is true or not. I may have the! legal description of the land. I am pretty sure it was sold around 1940 and the daughters, one son, and your grandmother split up the proceeds. I was told she did not want to sell. I was also told that she and her son and daugheter-in-law lived on the place for several years without paying rent. Not exactly several year if left by 1926...and I would think a widow due some consideration. So one of those family issues from almost a 100 years ago!! Good to hear from you and I will see what more I have. Larry Hardesty ebony51@frontiernet.net 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.