My friends - Greetings from Oklahoma City, where I will remain until late Thursday before returning home. My hotel is only a few blocks from the location of the Murrah Federal Building tragedy and I intend to visit the memorial if time will permit while I am here. While I am away from home, I will be bringing JP Vignettes to the List each day, with the exception of Thursday, as I will not be able to post anything after the conclusion of my business here, since I will leave for the airport immediately. Our subject for today's Vignette is from Calloway County(as will all of the subjects this week) - John McElrath Meloan.                                                                                  -B ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ ++++++++++++++ Jackson Purchase Vignettes # 24 - Calloway County - John McElrath Meloan "John McElrath Meloan was born in Murray, Calloway County, Kentucky, son of John Z[illerfrow] Meloan and Jane Clayton Meloan, and grandson of Major Obadiah A. Meloan, Mexican War and War of 1812[great-grandson of Obadiah Meloan and Rachel Ozier] . His father was a tanner by trade and a Confederate soldier. French descent. Father of Lt. John H. Meloan, USA Mexican border warfare and World War I. Educated in public schools and Murray Institute. Publisher, printer and journalist. Founder of Frankfort State Journal and the Paducah News Democrat in conjunction with the Hon. Urey Woodson. Owner of the Murray Ledger for many years. Member Kentucky Legislature, lower house, representing Calloway, in 1898. As Chairman of the Committee on Railroads, cooperated with Hon. C.C.McChord and Hon. William Goebel of the Senate in enacting important railroad legislation. Following was two years in office of Auditor - Public Accounts and in Office of Registrar of Lands two years. Official Reporter, Tennessee State Senate in 1915, and Statistician of Tennessee, four years following appointment of Tom C. Rye, war governor of the Volunteer State. Connected with newspapers and publishing houses in New York, St.Louis and New Orleans. Edited a number of  newspapers and participated in heated political campaigns in Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi. Married to Amanda Dale of Murray, December 17, 1890. In addition to their son, John, they have a daughter, Mrs. Elaine Mitchell, who has two sons, John D. and Harry Hendrick. Family residence: Murray, Ky. Was unanimously elected Superintendent of Public Printing by the Board of Printing Commissioners in 1926, Gov. William J. Fields being chairman of the Board. Re-elected in 1930."                                                                                             -Kentucky Blue Book, 1930                                                                                               By Frank Cavanaugh ++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ +++++++++++++++