This is a Message Board Post that is gatewayed to this mailing list. Author: DorrieSimon Surnames: MOSS, NEVIUS, MILLER, GATES, MCMURTRY Classification: queries Message Board URL: http://boards.rootsweb.com/localities.northam.usa.states.kansas.counties.crawford/1024/mb.ashx Message Board Post: I'm hoping someone can help me solve a mystery. A Miller Family History and Joannes Nevius & his descendants (1900) lists that David N. Miller and his half brother Thomas O. Moss both died 24 July 1881 of "the damp" while digging a well in Liberal, WI. For some time now, this story has bothered me of why they would be in Wisconsin. Not only can I not find a Liberal in Wisconsin, but it doesn't fit where they were living in the 1880 censuses. Thomas O. Moss was born 6 Dec 1851 most likely in Bureau Co. IL. He was the son of Catherine (Nevius) and James Moss. He married Catherine Gates 5 April 1876 and they were living in Crawford Co, KS in 1880 and Thomas was a coal miner: 1880 Baker Twp. Crawford Co. KS Moss, Thomas, 29, coal mining, IL, IA, IL Catherine, 22, keeping house, TX, NC, LA Amanda, 4/12 Jan., AR, IL, TX Harron, George, 30, coal mining, TN, TN, TN David N. Miller was born 15 April 1860 in Bureau County, IL the son of Catherine (Nevius) & Christley Miller. Christley Miller died 2 March 1877 in Montgomery Co. KS. In the 1880 census, David N. and his mother Catherine are living with Catherine's brother George Nevius in Sheridan, Linn Co. KS. 1880 Sheridan Twp. Linn Co. KS Nevius, George G., 51, farming, OH, NJ, VA Catherine, 42, wife, keeping house, OH, OH, PA William, 20, son, works on farm, IL, OH, OH Elizabeth A., 17, daughter, IL, OH, OH Frances S., 14, daughter, at school, IA, OH, OH Charles E. 12, son, at school, KS, OH, OH Pearl E. 10, son, at school, KS, OH, OH Millie N., 6, daughter, KS, OH, OH Mary A. 2, daughter, KS, OH, OH Mathews, Demsy C. 19, nephew, works on farm, OH, OH, OH Miller, Catherine, 50, widowed, sister, housekeeper, OH, NJ, VA David M. 19, nephew, works on farm, IL, OH, OH Ida M. 11, niece, at school, IL, OH, OH Mathews, Zacariah M. 74, widowed, father-in-law, OH, MA, MA These families seemed to live in Linn, Montgomery and Labette Co. KS the later part of the 1800s. Catherine (Nevius) Moss Miller McMurtry is buried in Edna, Labette Co. KS. So it makes NO sense what-so-ever that Thomas O. Moss and his half-brother David N. Miller died digging a well in Wisconsin!! If someone could look in Crawford Co. newspapers around 24 July 1881 it may solve the mystery. I would imagine there was more to the story - as maybe the well collapsed or it wasn't a well at all but something to do with a mine? I understand that there was a Nevius Mine in Crawford Co. Any helps or hints would be greatly appreciated! dorrie 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.