Earlier this year, my mother received a letter from an older relative relaying some personal stories of Lulu Mae (Monroe) Arnold (1874-1918), w/o Wilbur Wirt Cheatham (1868-1944). One story involved Wilbur being shot during a robbery attempt at his store. Since no date was given nor name of the offender, I thought it would be quite a bit of work trying to learn any further details. However, as I went through this group's message archives, I found a posting of 18 Dec 1998 "Wirt County Journal, December 9, 1998, Courthouse History Wirt County Journal December 9, 1998." It was providing information about the Wirt County Courthouse fire of 15 May 1910. What was of interest to me was the report of the two prisioners being held at the time including "Ned Clark awaiting trial on a charge of shooting W.M. Cheatham." Hopefully this is a typo and should be W.W. Cheatham. So now I have a more definite time period for the incident. So where would I inquire as to further details (criminal court records, etc.)? According to the "family story", it was Lulu Mae who collared the young man: "At some point she asked the man why he had wanted to rob the store. He said he was sorry he had hurt Mr. Cheatham, had not intended to. He wanted to get out West and needed money. He had heard Mr. Cheatham always had a lot of money in the store....Whenever Daddy [W. Guy Cheatham] told this story, he would say, 'She wasn't afraid of the Devil himself!'". I will add my voice to those who much appreciate the postings of the "Journal" to this list. It is a great source if not for information then at least potential leads. H. Michael McTeer 29 Palms, CA