Does anyone know this story and can shed some light? Curtis CRANE was born June 1, 1897. His friends called him "Dixie"; he grew up in Tennessee, and later changed his name to William LYELL, never telling anyone why, other than sometimes stating he did so after committing a crime. He was born to Sally ASHBY and his father’s last name was CRANE, a farmer. William received an appointment to West Point but never attended. While in his twenties, he had a song and dance act with a man named Frank PIGG and they went by the name of "Pigg and Crane. Julia