This message was sent by a person using an addy not subscribed to our mailing list, I am passing it along, to respond to this person please use the addy at the btm. of their message, Thanks, Edith these were found in the democrat obits section in lookups that glen has already done.... on the monroe county tn website Madisonville Democrat, Wednesday, February 17, 1932: "Skull Believed Identified---A skull believed to have been part of the body of Doodney Bivens, about 48, who disappeared from the Ball Play Community of Monroe County two months or more ago, was found last Thursday by Ersa and Emma Bivens in a branch at a point where the stream is crossed by a trail. The lower jaw was gone, but there was no evidence that the skull had been detached forcibly from the torso, and an examination of the skull failed to reveal evidences of foul play. The manner in which the man met his death is a mystery. The skull was taken in charge by the Biereley Funeral Home here. Identification was established by the teeth, according to relatives of the missing man. Bivens was a man of nomadic habits, remaining for a time with a relative or friend, and then moving to another place. He lived last with Carroll Hawkins in the Ball Play section. He had no enemies, as far as known, and was in general an inoffensive person. Efforts are being made to find the remainder of the body, which it is believed is not a great distance from the place where the skull was found, as the stream did not appear large enough to wash the skull a great distance at a time. Bivens is survived by four brothers, Cora Bivens, of Petros; Charles and Henry Bivens, of Ball Play community and Jim Turner Bivens, of Loudon County, and two sisters, Mrs. Rebecca Jones of Madisonville, and Mrs. Edgar Bivens, of Canada." Madisonville Democrat, Wednesday, March 2, 1932: "Not Guilty---Mrs. Phoebe Henry and Charlie (P.M.) Bivens were arrested last week by Sheriff Crowe and Deputy Hugh Webster, charged with the murder of Dudney Bivens. It will be remembered that a human skull was found a few weeks ago and was identified as that of Dudney Bivens. The officers had what they considered good circumstantial evidence, hence the arrest. They were given a preliminary hearing Monday afternoon before Justices Kimbrough and Barr, but were turned loose for want of evidence. Several witnesses testified that the skull was that of Dudney Bivens, but they were unable to fix the guilt on the defendants." Madisonville Democrat, Wednesday, February 24, 1926: "Grover Bivens Killed---Carl Bivens of the Ballplay neighborhood, shot and killed his brother, Grover Bivens, last Saturday. The murder seemed wholly unwarranted, as no hard feelings existed between the two men, but rather a case of too much liquor. Grover Bivens was moving out of the valley and had everything on the wagon, with the exception of his rifle. When he went for his gun, Carl had picked it up and when Grover asked for it, Carl replied, "No, I'll not give you the gun, but I'll give you a bullet at a time" and fired three shots in the body of his brother. He was brought to Madisonville and lodged in the county jail. His preliminary hearing will be had next Saturday. It is said that Carl is very penitent and is at a loss to know it all came about. He does not remember of having committed the crime and is very much worked up over the entire matter." Madisonville Democrat, Wednesday, March 24, 1926: "Fifteen Years In The Penitentiary---The trial of Corra Bivens, charged with killing his brother, Grover Bivens, was had Tuesday and the jury sentenced him to the penitentiary for fifteen years. The crime took place a few weeks ago in the Ball Play community, without any provocation. Grover was moving and had all of his goods, with the exception of his gun, which was in Corra's possession. When he asked for the gun, Corra is quoted as saying, "Yes, I'll give it to you, but only a ball at a time," when he began shooting, killing him instantly. The affair is a very unfortunate one, as Corra is a young man, and should he serve his sentence, the best part of his life will be spent behind bars. Surely "The way of the transgressor is hard." Madisonville Democrat, Wednesday, November 24, 1926: "Cases Confirmed---The State Supreme Court handed down the following decisions last Saturday in Monroe County cases: Corra Bivens, for the murder of his brother, Grover Bivens, who was given 15 years in the penitentiary." hope that helps some! candy ****************************************************************************** ************************ Email addresses: [email protected] or [email protected]