Hi Betty, Jane and all... The Webster County query system is up and working at: http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgwqury/ky/webster/index.cgi If you have Webster County ancestors, you are invitied to visit and leave a query. Carole Palmer Webster County KYGenWeb page sponsor http://www.usroots.com/~cpalmer/index.htm Mirror site: http://www.rootsweb.com/~kywebste/

Hi I just visited Union County and Melissa has the new query system up and working.... Carole's got Webster County up this morning so all three counties have it. If you haven't visited please do and post your query! It's great! Betty Sellers

The following account of how Robards, KY, got its name was told by my Aunt Bea (Beatrice Eakins Sandefur Crowley) in 1990 to my first cousin, Charles Eakins. Aunt Bea is now 90 and still going strong. "This Eakins family was centered around a little town called Robards. Here is how Robards, KY, got its name. There was a family there named Robards and he married some lady from the Eakins family. So J.D. Robards sold his horse in 1869 for $75.00, sought his fortune by building a new general store in Henderson County, KY. That's the year that Enoch Marion Eakins was born--1869 (Enoch was Aunt Bea's father). Where J.D. Robards hoped to profit was from the gathering of the boys on Sunday afternoon to race and bet their horses on the half-mile frontier race track and "drink" a little--as was the custom at the time. The store did so well he expanded and later built a tobacco factory which eventually exported its products to Europe. Robards Settlement, 3 miles west of Robards--home of Pleasant Valley--became known as "Robard Station" without the "s" through the error of the L & N Railroad sign painters. Natives of Robard insisted on calling it Robards. The US Postal Dept, in the 1920's to avoid confusion, effected a name change to Robards which is in effect today. At one time the community, which now has a population of about 300, had a 22 ft. soft coal mine--Panama Coal Co--which employed about 30 men. The people now are supported by general farming and retirement incomes. So that's how Robards got on the map." In my mother's story, she describes Robards in the 1920's. "Our town of Robards was small, a general store, where you could buy what you need, also a post office, restaurant, three churches--Baptist, Methodist and First Christian which we went to. there was a stabes where you tied your horses when we went to town. there was a railroad (L & N) that went through the town and a depot you could get a ticket to ride to other towns. there were three passenger trains that stopped for people." She also said the train always stopped at Robards. When Al Capone was shipped to jail in Atlanta, Mom and her friends were at the depot waiting to get a glimpse of Capone when the train stopped. But the train didn't stop so they were disappointed they didn't get to see Capone.

The following story was gathered from Bessie Hester Busby, daughter of Gabrilla Sarilda Eakins and Cornelius "Neal" Hester, by my mother, Katheryn Lee Eakins Zuber, in 1955. Bessie died in 1961 and was a first cousin to my mother. It is written in my mother's words. " My mother, Gabrilla Sarilda, the oldest child was 2 yrs old when they built the old home. Grandma (Harriet Minerva Ford Eakins) was about 18 yrs old then. There were thirteen children borned. It was a place with beautiful flowers and trees, a big pine tree stood in the front yatd, their limbs were very low. I have seen Grandma kneel and pray under these branches. There was the sound of happy voices of children. Grandpa (Enoch George Eakins) cut the logs and hewed some of the door facings. I am the only grandchild that lives near the old homeplace. It is 100 yrs old this year, 1955. Now it is in the hands of strangers and it sadden me. The roof leaks and the floors are rotting. the old pine tree was struck by lightning twice one night last summer (1954). It took the bark off the sides. It is 75 years old and could be seen for miles. Grandma was good natured, everyone called her Aunt Harriet. If the children broke something she cherished, she would say, "Praise the Lord." Grandma wanted some of the branches put on her grave when she died. Grandma and Grandpa were each 71 years when they died." The cabin was located on Rock House Road was bought by a retired gentleman and moved to his farm in Robards. The cabin up updated with modern conveniences and is enjoyed by the new owner.

Hello everyone... We have a wonderful *NEW* automated query system now in place. Your queries will be posted immediately --- as soon as you submit a query you'll be able to read it. You will also be able to respond to the queries posted by other Union County researchers. Included in this *NEW* Program........ SEARCH CAPABILITIES! Click on "Perform a Search" from the index page, type in the surname you're researching, and you will quickly see if someone else has posted a query regarding that surname. We owe a **HUGE** thank you to PAM CAREY and NANCY TRICE for the query-search program. The address is: http://www.rootsweb.com/~usgwqury/ky/union/index.cgi Melissa Shreve-Owen County Coordinator for Union County KYGenWeb: http://www.rootsweb.com/~kyunion/

Hi ... I just wanted to let everyone know that ALL of the credit for the New and Improved Query Pages goes to Nancy Trice and Pam Durstock. As Betty knows, I had to work lots harder to implement and keep up the old system. Hopkins, Webster and many more counties now have the New Query Pages up, once again thanks to Nancy and Pam. Be sure and check out all of the new query pages for counties that you have an interest in. Jim Powell Jr Jim and Debbie Powell Family History Surname Connections Kentucky POWELL MADISON CLAYTON WINSTEAD BOURLAND HIBBS UTLEY EARLE BUNTIN MOORE WILLIAMS TAPP WICKLIFFE North Carolina/South Carolina WATKINS GADDY NORWOOD CROUCH REYNOLDS BOYD McGEE WHITTLE MADISON CLAYTON WINSTEAD BOURLAND TAPP FOWLER Virginia OWEN New York/New Jersey McCLELLAN LaPAGE Georgia HARRIS HODGE FOWLER Email: Jpowelljr@worldnet.att.net Family Homepage: Http://www.afn.org/~afn03098/ For slower connections: Http://www.afn.org/~afn04266/ Coordinator of Henderson County KyGenweb Page Http://www.rootsweb.com/~kyhender/

I must congraulate Jim Powell -- I was over on the Henderson County KyGenWeb page and he has the new query system up and running...... If you haven't visited Henderson County Lately go look at the wonderful job Jim is doing. I am quite enthused about the new query system as there will be a thread from the queries and you may read other researcher's response... Keep up the good work and please post your query in the new one and let's see the thread's grow... Betty Sellers

Betty I caught them this morning they are neat At 10:56 PM 1/17/98 +0000, you wrote: >I must congraulate Jim Powell -- I was over on the Henderson County KyGenWeb >page and he has the new query system up and running...... > >If you haven't visited Henderson County Lately go look at the wonderful job >Jim is doing. I am quite enthused about the new query system as there will >be a thread from the queries and you may read other researcher's response... > >Keep up the good work and please post your query in the new one and let's >see the thread's grow... > > Betty Sellers > > > >

Hopkinsville Kentuckian May 1900 (Lists a Webster County Lady as Survivor) Died Tuesday Night Mr. M. Adams Succumbs to a Complication of Diseases After a protracted illness, resulting from a general breaking down of health, Mr. Montgomery Adams died Tuesday night at his home near this city. He was a son of John and Elizabeth Adams, and was born near the farm where he died. He was about 57 years of age and was one of three brothers who have long been regarded as among the very best citizens of the county. He owned the old Adams homestead and every few years it has been the custom of the Adams brothers to hold a general family reunion on the premises, where a dinner barbecued meats and other good things would be serve dand the day spent in speechmaking, etc. The whole-souled subject of this sketch was usually the prime mover in these hospitable reunions and many friends would be invited to meet with the large number of descendants of the elder Adams, who bore the distinguished name of President of the United States. Many a heart will be saddened to know that Gum Adams, the clever gentleman, the upright citizen, the generous neighbor and kin hearted friend has attended the last family reunion on earth. He was twice married. His first wife was Miss Mollie Forbes, a sister of the Forbes Brothers of this city. One child was the result of this union, Mrs. J.S. Givens, of Providence,Ky. A second wife and several small children survive him. He leaves a handsome estate. Mr. Adams was a consistent member of the Christian church. His funeral services were held at the family burying ground Wednesday afternoon. Betty Sellers

Col. J. Henry Powell Paid a Distinguished Honor by Cultured Boston As indicated in Dr. Benjamin F. Trueblood's letter, which follows this introductory, says the Henderson Gleaner, our distinguished fellow townsman, Col. J. Henry Powell, was more than surprised on receipt of the letter, to know that he had been so highly honored and that too by Cultured Boston, for therein is the honor more to be appreciated. Entirely unsought and unlooked for as it was it is but natural that the Colonel should be proud of this very distinguished recognition of his worth as a man, as well as his great reputation in the lecture field. The Fleaner is glad to say that Dr. Trueblood's confidence has not been misplaced, but foruitously centered upon the right man for the place. Dr. Tueblood's letter Boston May 10 Hon. J.H. Powell, Henerson, Ky. My Dear Mr. Powell: I have planned a little surprise for you which, I hope, may be altogether pleasant to you. When I met you at henderson at the time of my lecture, I was so much pleased with your character and Christian sincerity that I have since hoped that we might have you associated with us in the great work in which the American Peace Society is engaged. I, therefore, proposed your name yesterday at our annual meeting and you were unanimously elected one of the vice-presidents of the society. The position involves no special labor and no necessary expense. I hope you may give us the great pleasure of allowing us to use your name and the influence of your standing in Kentucky in the interest of our work. With most pleasant remembrances, I am. Very sincerely yours, Benjamin F. Trueblood. Betty Sellers

Pat is going to Eddyville in the morning and may not get this link up --- to the Trigg, Lyon, and Caldwell pages. He will link it when he comes back. I'd like all of you to take a look at: http://www.comsource.net/~kyseeker/lbl/clean.html If you would like to help or have information about cemeteries, call (502) 388-4850 or 388-2555. This appeared in the Cadiz Record and is a wonderful story. Betty Sellers Betty Sellers

Hi, Starting the new year at the speed of a backward moving snail... Dyer Cooper Brisby b.June 5, 1887, Henderson County, KY - d. June 18, 1912. He is buried in Corydon, KY. The latest news "flash"...He was in a TB hospital somewhere in New Mexico and probably died there. That would explain why there is no death certificate in KY. Does anyone know about TB hospitals in New Mexico in that time frame? There couldn't have been many. What organization would have records? Any ideas which direction I go at this point. Thanks, Judith brumm@flash.net

This was on the news today. What does it have to do with genealogy? Jane McBroom wrote: > Brother accused in slaying > Suspect was to be picked up on mental detainer > warrant > > By JOHN LUCAS, Courier Western Kentucky bureau > (502) 333-4899 > > MORGANFIELD, Ky. — A 45-year-old Morganfield man is > undergoing psychiatric evaluation at Henderson’s River Valley > Behavioral Health after allegedly killing his brother Thursday > morning. > > Taken into custody at the scene was Jerry Ricketts, a > light-equipment operator for the Union County Road > Department. He was charged with murder and taken to the > behavioral health facility for evaluation, Union County Sheriff > Ronnie Girten said. > > The shooting occurred shortly before 9 a.m. at a small trailer > Ricketts was renting from McElroy Farms at 5693 Kentucky > 56, about five miles east of Morganfield. Police found the body > of John Ricketts, 48, near the trailer. > > An autopsy done Thursday at Regional Medical Center > determined John Ricketts had been shot four times in the > chest with a .22-caliber rifle, Union County Coroner Bob > Scarberry said Thursday night. > > The shooting occurred less than 10 minutes before Girten and > Deputy Sheriff Mike Thompson arrived at the trailer at 8:55 > a.m. to take Jerry Ricketts into custody on a mental detainer > warrant issued earlier that morning by Union District Judge > Rene Williams. > > That detainer, requested by a family member, would have > committed Ricketts to 72 hours of involuntary hospitalization, > Union County Attorney George Drury said. > > The sheriff and other court officials said confidentiality > requirements for mental health cases prevented them from > discussing the reasons for the detainer being issued. > > When the two officers drove up to the residence, located on a > bare hilltop, Girten said they saw a man on the ground in the > yard a few feet from the trailer. > > The sheriff said he checked the man, whom he recognized as > John Ricketts, while Thompson called for an ambulance. > > About that time, Jerry Ricketts came out of the door of the > trailer carrying a rifle, Girten said. > > “We asked him to put the rifle down, which he did,” Girten > said. “He stepped off the porch, and he surrendered to our > custody.” > > Girten said John Rickett’s wife told him her husband had gone > to the trailer to check on his brother. > > The sheriff said he had no idea why the shooting occurred and > was not aware of any trouble between the brothers. >

Jan 1887 Owensboro Messenger Constable Jo Stirman took Peter Coghlan to the Hopkinsville lunatic asylum again yesterday. Coghlan was first sent to the asylum last October, but escaped and returned home on foot. He was a very bright young man, the pride of his mother and relatives, and the development of unsoundness in his mind last fall was a distressing revelation in them. He had been studying for the priesthood in New York for about two years. The first symptom of insanity manifested was an hallucination that he had committed a grevious sin and the newspapers were about to expose him. ------- Jan 1887 Madisonville, Ky This community is very much shocked and full of regret on learning that Mrs. Gordon, wife of the Hon. W.L. Gordon, has become violently insane, so much so, that she was yesterday adjudged a lunatic and sent to the asylum at Hopkinsville. About six months ago she showed signed of insanity, thought in a mild and harmless form and until a few days since was thought to be almost recovered, when all at once she became so violent that it became necessary to restrain her. It was caused by religous excitement. -------- Betty Sellers

G.A. Clark was adjudged a lunatic in the Circuit Court Saturday last, and sent to the asylum at Hopkinsville. Clark is the same young man who sometime since secured a horse and buggy from a livery firm in this city on the plea that his aged mother who resided near town, was seriously ill, and he wanted the buggy, few hours to visit her. The kind hearted livery man took pity on him and gave him the rig. Instead of repairing to the bedside of his sick mother, Clark, drove to Calhoun, where he had a jolly time with the girls. He also appropriated a watch belonging to a citizen of Calhoun. In the meanwhile the livery man becoming uneasy about his buggy, set about a search for his property, and succeeded in finding it, together with young Clark, at Calhoun. Clark was at once arrested and brought to this city. He was duly indicted, and the case coming on for trial Saturday, a plea of insanity was entered and an inquest held with the above result. The watch was also recovered and returned to the owner. Owensboro Inquirer Betty Sellers

Henderson Gleaner Mr. Fayette Posey left for Hopkinsville Tuesday afternoon having in charge Mr. Conrad Sublette who was adjudged insane last week and ordered to the insane asylum by County Judge Dabney. Betty Sellers

Col. Ned Conway Dead Col. Ned Conway, who has been an inmate of the Hopkinsville asylum for several years departed fromthis life last Monday. Col. Conway was for a number of years a resident of Henderson and was sent to the asylum from this place. His remains were taken to Owensboro and interred in Elmwood cemetery. Betty Sellers

March 1900 Lunatic Murderer Escaped But Was Recaptured Near Kelly Few Hours Afterward Cicero Barnett, col., who brutally murdered his father with a hatchet at Owensboro a few months ago, escaped from the asylum here Saturday night, but was captured by the attendants Sunday, near Kelly. He was making his way to his old home when taken into custody. Barnett effected his escape by prizing apart the bars of his window and letting himself down to the ground by means of a rope made of his bed clothing. The negro, shortly after the murder, was adjudged of unsound mind, and brought to the Asylum. ------------------------------------- Death At Asylum Remains Taken to Madisonville For Interment Tuesday J. H. Moore, went to the asylum for treatment several weeks ago from Hopkins county. He died at the institution Monday night of exhaustion from acute mania. He was 69 years old. The remains were taken to Madisonville Tuesday for interment. ----------------------------------- Edward Thompson, of Eddyville was adjudged a lunatic Friday and brought to the asylum here the same day. -------------------------------------- April 1900 Died In Asylum Was a Confederate Soldier And Very Interesting Character Rev. Frank N. Bell, of Canton, died in Nashville a few days ago, where he had been confined in an asylum for several months. Rev. Bell was a most interesting character and was well known in this city. He was a native of Virginia and served in the Confederate army during the Civil war. He was about 75 years old. ---------------------------------------- April 1900 Lizzie Kendrick, of Bell, was adjudged a lunatic Friday and sent out to the asylum. ----------------------------- April 1900 From McCracken County Mr. Lee Nance, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Guy Nance was adjudged a lunatic today in county, Judge Tully's court and ordered to the Hopkinsville insane asylum. His uncle Mr. Ed Nance was appointed to convey him there. The unfortunate young man was stricken with typhoid fever in St. Louis several weeks ago and as a result afterward became violently insane. His many friends and those of his parents hope for his speedy recovery. Paducah News. ------------------- Betty Sellers

At 10:05 AM 1/16/98 -0800, you wrote: >Thanks Mary and it is a pleasure... > >Speaking of the courthouse. My sister in law Jane and I visited the >courthouse not too long ago and I >you don't know the feeling... I found the metal boxes with the wills stored >in them.... I saw and held the original wills of Isham Sellers, Isham >Cottingham, David Sights -- and just to think they had at one time touched >that papers.... > >The same in Webster -- which you can't do any longer -- when I saw the >original permission slips of Bill's great aunt's (pre 1900) what a thrill it >was to me. > > I felt the same way when I held a tin picture of my great grandparents! This is such a thrilling hobby! Thanks Jane Fagan fagan@ipa.net http:\\www.geocities.com/Heartland/Plains/7102

Thanks Mary and it is a pleasure... Speaking of the courthouse. My sister in law Jane and I visited the courthouse not too long ago and I you don't know the feeling... I found the metal boxes with the wills stored in them.... I saw and held the original wills of Isham Sellers, Isham Cottingham, David Sights -- and just to think they had at one time touched that papers.... The same in Webster -- which you can't do any longer -- when I saw the original permission slips of Bill's great aunt's (pre 1900) what a thrill it was to me. -----Original Message----- From: Mary Claunch Lane <marylane@1starnet.com> To: KYHENDER-L@rootsweb.com <KYHENDER-L@rootsweb.com> Date: Thursday, January 15, 1998 9:22 PM Subject: Special Thanks >This is a special thanks to Betty Sellers for her dedication and taking the >time to work with the list. I, for one, being so many miles away, am >enjoying it very much. Henderson is such a beautiful place to a gal from >Texas. > >Several years ago, James and I visited Henderson and camped in Audubon State >Park. It is beautiful. I had had surgery on my foot, due to a lawnmower >accident about 10 days before and was on crutches. When I went to the >courthouse, the lovely lady in the clerks office, told me that I couldn't >get downstairs to the records. My reply was "Watch me". I had a wonderful >time in that basement and found so much good information. Just wish I could >have stayed longer. Needless to say, My foot punished me for that >excursion, but it was worth every pain. > >Thank you Betty for all of your hard work. You are very muchly appreciated. >Mary Lane > > > >