Thank you Bill, I appreciate. I actually think most of the Dodge family is in Ste Genevieve. I have a letter (well almost a letter, it's more then tattered) written I believe it was 1845/6 that was sent to one of the Haydens (can't make out the name) that I believe is accusing my ggrand father of murdering a John Dodge. It well could have been the Apple Creek Diggings in IL altho the letter came to Cape G and then was apparently forwarded on to grpa in St Louis. This letter is written to Dear Friend and signed, Your Friend, lots of help. As it was with his belongings when he (grpa) was murdered in TX I presume it was ment for him, plus in 1847 he writes a letter in TX refuting it. (the murder) Seems the Dodge and Love families were looking for him, and it is thought that perhaps this might have caused his demise in 1864. So I'm trying to locate a John Dodge that perhaps was shot about 1845, trying to find more on the story. Appeciate your taking the time to look. Maggi