Wednesday, July 30, 2008

Rootbound in the Hills #209:
24 Sep 1991

by Rocky Macy

Sometime between 1910 and 1918 a train-pedestrian accident in Benton County, AR, took the life of William POLSTON. The fatal mishap may have occurred between Siloam Springs and a farm that Mr. POLSTON owned just over the Oklahoma line. Now, nearly a century later, his descendant Lois BURCH (316 Elizabeth Drive, Riverton, WY 82501), is eager to find out the details of her ancestor's unusual death. Can one of our readers supply her with a newspaper clipping about this accident?

Orella HOLLOWAY CHADWICK (7650 Fairview Road, Tillamook, OR 97141) is the great-granddaughter of James Marian RALSTON (born 5 Mar 1837, Vigo County, IN; died 1 Nov 1913, Bates County, MO) and Elizabeth Ann McCLELLAN (1838-1881). James and Elizabeth are both buried in the Adrian Cemetery in Bates County, MO. Their son, James William RALSTON, was born 11 Feb 1864 in Vigo County, IN.

James William RALSTON (above) married Carrie LOCKE in Canon City, CO, on 8 Sep 1889. Their first child, Walter, died at the age of one month, and a second child died in Kansas where the family had gone to participate in the Oklahoma land runs. Family tradition states that the luckless young James William RALSTON planted his stake in the section of land that was reserved for education. The family returned to Colorado in 1893, reportedly so destitute that they had to shod their milk cows to pull the wagon. Anyone with a tie to this RALSTON line should contact Orella in Tillamook.

Betty J. LUNDAY (P.O. Box 240, Fairland, IN 46126) is seeking to learn the burial place of Richard S. LUNDY who died in Seneca, Newton County, MO, on 27 July 1917. Mr. LUNDY was born 1 Jan 1840 in Martin County, IN. He married Almeda TALLEY on 19 Aug 1860 in Greene County, IN, and they moved to Missouri in 1866. The couple later resided in Arknasas and Kansas before moving to Missouri for good in 1898. Mr. LUNDY was a veteran of the Civil War, having served from August of 1862 until May of 1865 in Company C, 59th Regiment, Indian Infantry.

Did Richard and Almeda LUNDY have children? Betty LUNDAY wants to know!

The PITMAN/PITTMAN/PITMON/PITTMON family group held their annual national reunion recently in Hurst, TX. More information on this group may be obtained by writing to FRANCES PITTMAN MALCOLM at 2116 Shady Brook Drive, Bedford, TX 76021.

And speaking of reunions, there is a sharp new magazine out on the market entitled Reunions. Rootbound has previewed a copy and found it to be very impressive. The focus of the magazine is on how to plan and stage reunions, and it also announces family gatherings. For a free copy of this publication, send information on your next reunion to "Reunions, the Magazine" at P.O. Box 11727, Milwaukee, WI 53211-1727. The publishers have also asked that you mention that you heard about their work through Rootbound.

Joe W. RAYMON (P.O. box 280, Skiatook, OK 74070) believes that his great-grandfather, (first name unknown) RAYMON, is buried in an unmarked grave in the Cowskin Prairie Cemetery near Southwest City, McDonald County, MO. Mr. RAYMON came from France. He reportedly married a French-Canadian woman around Southwest City. Our correspondent remembered the senior Mr. RAYMON, and they spoke of a Raymon swimming hole that local children played in. Who can supply Joe with more information on his ancestor?

Our magazine article, "How to Build a Better Query" continues to lead a life of its own. Rootbound has recently learned that the piece has been copied and distributed to genealogy students in classes sponsored by the Fremont County Genealogical Society in Wyoming. If you're curious as to what makes this little article so useful to so many, send for your own free copy by writing to Rootbound in the Hills in care of this newspaper. And don't forget to enclose that all-important self-addressed, stamped envelope!

Until next week...happy hunting!

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