Duchess & Sadie's Domain

Bayfield, Colorado - Well! From a Pug's point of view, it has been a bit warmer here in the SW Colorado San Juan mountains this last week. I am not complaining, though. I love sitting on a mound by my owners pickup and watching the wildlife.

We hear Tornadoes and Red Flag warnings are blowing through Oklahoma and neighboring states. Is that so?

Many of you sent messages of "Thanks" for the beautiful Northwest Oklahoma sunsets in last week's OkieLegacy eZine. Thanks to Robert L. Wagner for submitting those photos!

Can someone out there in Northwest Oklahoma help the following person find directions to the "Old Farry High School?" One of our readers left the following OkieLegacy Comment, concerning, Feature #801 -- "I am trying to find directions to the old Farry High School. I remember going to the family farm (John and Gladys Smith) and going by the old school house after it burned. Any help can be sent to Email: dandaspringer@zianet.com. My dad was Gerald Smith, who died in 1972."

Before this Duchess Pugster turns this over to NW Okie to publish this week's newsletter, we would like to wish an early "Happy Birthday" to Amber McGill Colon with the below musical, birthday video we made up.

An Early Birthday Wish! -- Happy Birthday, Amber! Someday your wishes will all come true, but Today we are simply wishing you a "Happy Birthday" and wishing you many more to follow!



Good Day! Good Luck! AND for ALL having a birthday this week, . . . HAPPY BIRTHDAY! View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

This Day In History (April 18)

America - On this day in history, April 18, 1906, a major earthquake struck San Francisco and set off raging fires. More than 3,000 people died. It was 5:13 in the morning when a terrific earthquake shock shook the whole city and surrounding country. One shock apparently lasted two minutes, and there was almost immediate collapse of flimsy structures all over the city.

On April 18, 1857, Clarence Darrow, the defense attorney in many dramatic criminal trials, was born. Following his death on March 13, 1938, his obituary appeared in The Times.

On This Date, April 18:
1808 - A law prohibiting the importation of slaves into the United States went into effect.

1892 - The Ellis Island Immigrant Station in New York opened.

1898 - New York City was consolidated into five buroughs.

1901 - The Commonwealth of Australia was proclaimed.

1919 - J.D. Salinger, author of "The Catcher in the Rye," was born in New York City.

1953 - Country singer Hank Williams Sr., 29, died of a drug and alcohol overdose.

1958 - Treaties establishing the European Economic Community went into effect.

1959 - Fidel Castro led Cuban revolutionaries to victory over Fulgencio Batista.

1979 - The United States and China established diplomatic relations.

1984 - AT&T was divested of its 22 Bell System companies under terms of an antitrust agreement.

1990 - David Dinkins was sworn in as New York City's first African-American mayor.

1993 - Czechoslovakia peacefully split into two new countries, the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

1994 - The North American Free Trade Agreement went into effect. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

NW Okie's Ancestrial Lineage

Flatbush, New Amsterdam ( - [Photo on the left, seated down front, left to right: Sarah Francs Conover, Henry Clay Paris and Arthur; backrow, left to right: Volney, Decatur, Myrtle and Ernest]

Last week we brought you one of our maternal side of our ancestors via the HURT / HURTOSCI family lineage. This week we venture into yet another maternal family lineage of the CONOVER / COUVENHOVEN / KOUWENHOVEN / COVENHOVEN ancestors that married into our Henry Clay PARIS family lineage.

Our Great Grandmother, Sarah Frances "Fannie" CONOVER, was born 12 June 1848, in Petersburg, Menard, Illinois, the daughter of Peter CONOVER (1821-1900) and Melinda Pierce (1826-1896). Sarah Frances was the oldest child and daughter of Peter and Melinda CONOVER>. Sarah died 20 February 1924, Chester, Major County, Oklahoma, and is buried in the Orion Cemetery, northeast of Chester, Oklahoma.

Before we give our family lineage, let us take you to our 5th Great Grandfather, Dominicus Covenhoven (a.k.a. Dominicus Conover, Dominicus Van Kouwenhoven), who was born ca. 1724 at near, Freehold, Monmouth County, New Jersey; baptized on 7 June 1724 at Dutch Reformed Church, Freehold-Middletown, Monmouth County, New Jersey; this was possible, unnamed child baptised this date same parents, Jan Willmse Kowenhoven and Jacoba Cornelisse Vanderveer. Dominicus Covenhoven married Mary Updike ca. 1747.

During the Revolutionary War, Dominicus Covenhoven served as a Private in Capt. Robert Nixon's Troop of Light Horse, Middlesex County Militia. He left a will on 18 April 1778 at Windsor Twp., Monmouth County, New Jersey. In his Will dated April 18, 1778, Dominicus Covenhoven of Windsor Township, yoeman, mentioned his wife Mary and five sons, John, William, Garret, Levi, and Peter. The executors were his wife and sons John and William. The witnesses were Moses Groom, Elisha Cook, and William Slayback. His estate was proved on 23 June 1778. He died on 28 June 1778 at Windsor Twp., Middlesex County, New Jersey, at age 54. Dominicus was killed by lightning and his funeral was held on June 28, 1778, the day of the Battle of Monmouth (American Revolutionary War, 28 June 1778, New Jersey).

COUWENHOVEN Family Lineage:
* Jan Van Kouwenhoven (1495-1550), 11th great grandfather
* Gerritt Jansz COUWENHOVEN (1529-1604), 10th Great Grandfather
* Wolphert Gerritsz2 VAN KOUWENHOVEN (1579-1662), 9th Great Grandfather
* Gerret Wolfersen VAN KOUWENHOVEN (1610-1645), 8th Great Grandfather
* Willem Gerretse COUWENHOVEN (1636-1663), 7th great Grandfather
* Jan Willemse COUWENHOVEN (1681-1756), 6th great Grandfather
* Dominicus John Covenhoven (1724-1778), 5th great Grandfather
* Peter CONOVER (1769-1835), 4th great Grandfather
* Jonathan Coombs CONOVER (1797-1859), 3th great Grandfather
* Peter CONOVER (1821-1900), 2th great Grandfather
* Sarah Frances CONOVER (1848-1924), 1st great Grandmother
* Ernest Claude PARIS (1879-1959), Grandfather
* Vada Eileen PARIS (1916-1992), Mother
* Linda Kay MCGILL, 3rd daughter of Vada Eileen

Good Night, and Good Luck Searching Your Roots! View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

The Dunmore War & Battle of Point Pleasant

Highland County, Virginia - Did your ancestors around Virginia fight in the Dunmore War and the Revolution? We learn that the pioneers of Highland were zealous supporters of the American cause.

Dunmore's War (or Lord Dunmore's War) was a war in 1774 between the Colony of Virginia and the Shawnee and Mingo American Indian nations. Lord Dunmore, the Governor of Virginia, asked the House of Burgesses to declare a state of war with the hostile Indian nations and order up an elite volunteer militia force for the campaign.

There were 11 companies in the Augusta Regiment, under Colonel Charles Lewis; 8 companies in the Botetourt Regiment, under Colonel William Fleming; and 7 companies in the Fincastle Battalion, under Colonel William Christian. In addition, there was one company of Minute Men from Culpeper county, under Colonel John Field, (acting Captain); a company of Volunteers from Dunmore (now Shenandoah) county, commanded by Captain Thomas Slaughter; a company of Riflemen from Bedford county, at the head of which was Captain Thomas Buford; and a company of Kentucky Pioneers, led on by Captain James Harrod. The war ended soon after Virginia's victory in the Battle of Point Pleasant on October 10, 1774.

Battle of Point Pleasant

From 1764 until 1774 there was once more nominal peace with the Indians. BUT . . . the persistent pressure of the whites led to some mutual outrages, and war broke out in the summer of 1774. Governor Dunmore led a force down the Ohio from Wheeling, while General Andrew Lewis with the militia of the Valley reenforced by a few troops from Bedford and Culpeper, marched down the Great Kanawha, reaching Point Pleasant early in October.

In Lewis' army (1,100 strong) there were four companies from the present counties of Bath, Highland and Pendleton. The captains commanding them were John Dickenson of Bath, Andrew Lockridge and Samuel Wilson of Highland, and John Skidmore of Pendleton. In the companies there were 22, 26, 27 and 32 men respectively. Considering the population at that time, this region was well represented in the expedition.

With the Virginia forces divided, the Indians attempted to surprise and overwhelm Lewis, intending then to dispose of the governor and his army. Had they succeeded, the effect on the border settlement would have been like another of Braddock's defeat. The influence on the Revolution, which broke out the following year, would have been serious indeed. The Battle of Point Pleasant was well contested on both sides. The fighting was almost hand to hand, the lines being seldom more than 20 yards apart, and sometimes no more than six.

The Virginians lost 75 men killed and 140 wounded, the more slightly injured not apparently being included. The numbers and losses of the Indians are unknown, but were probably somewhat smaller. At the close of the day the result was thought by some of the whites as no better than a drawn battle. Yet the Indians were disheartened, and agreed to a peace which lasted until they were stirred up by the British in 1778. The army of Lewis returned in November.

From Col. William Fleming's Orderly book dated Monday, October 10th, 1774, it is written, "This morning before sunrise two men came running into camp and gave information that a considerable body of indians were incept about 2 miles up the Ohio a small distance from it, who made a very formidable appearance. This important intelligence was quickly confirmed by two or three more. The drums by order immediately beat to arms and 150 men were ordered to be paraded out of each line and march against the enemy in two columns. The right column headed by Col. Chas. Lewis with Captains Dickinson, Harrison, and Skidmore. . . . ."

You can read more of the "Dunmore War & Revolution," in The History of Highland County, Virginia by Oren F. Morton below. Those killed of the Augusta Line in the action on 10 October 1774 were Col. Chas. Lewis, Capt. Samuel Willson and Lieuts. Hugh Allen and 18 Privates, 2 Capts., 2 Lieuts. and 51 Private wounded.

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Highland County Virginia Pioneers & Battle of Guilford

Highland County, Virginia - The "History of Highland County Virginia", by Oren Frederic Morton, shows that our Paternal 4th Great-Grandfather, Capt. David GWIN, fought in the Battle of Guilford.

The History of Highland County Virginia, also states this about the Augusta pioneers, "The Augustans also backed up their words with bullets. Men who at that time or later were residents of Highland served in Washington's army. They also helped to guard the western frontier against the Indian allies of the British. Highland county men under Captain David GWIN marched to the support of General Greene in 1781 and took part in the Battle of Guilford.

There a large majority of the Virginia militia fought so well that Greene wished he could have known of it beforehand. He had reason for his doubts, because the American militia had often behaved badly in battle. But on the field of Guilford the raw Virginians helped very much in making the nominal victory of Cornwallis a crushing defeat in reality. He lost a third of his men and had to get out of North Carolina in hot haste.

The companies raised in Augusta were expected to consist of expert riflemen. Each man was to "furnish himself with a good rifle, if to be had, otherwise with a tomahawk, common firelock, bayonet, pouch or cartouch box, and three charges of powder and ball."

What was a "cartouch box?"

On affidavit that the rifleman could not supply himself as above, he was to be supplied at public expense. For furnishing his equipment he was allowed a rental of one pound ($3.33) a year. His daily pay was to be 21 cents. Out of this was an allowance for "hunting shirt, pari of leggings, and binding for his hat."

Our KINCAID Family Lineage and how it fits in to our GWIN Lineage with Captain David GWIN. See below:

* James Kincaid (1612 - 1700) is your 8th great grandfather
* James Kincaid V (1635 - 1700) Son of James, 7th great grandfather
* David KINCAID (1683 - 1779) Son of James, 6th great grandfather
* Jean Kincade (1718 - 1790) Daughter of David, 5th great grandmother
* David (Capt.) GWIN (1742 - 1822) Son of Jean, 4th great grandfather
* James GWIN (1774 - 1844) Son of David (Capt.), 3rd great grandfather
* Samuel GWIN (1825 - 1871) Son of James, 2nd great grandfather
* Signora Belle Gwin (1860 - 1934) Daughter of Samuel, great grandmother
* Constance Estella WARWICK (1882 - 1968) Daughter of Signora Belle GWIN, grandmother
* Gene M MCGILL (1914 - 1986) Son of Constance Estella, father
* Linda Kay MCGILL, 3rd daughter of Gene McGill & Vada Eileen PARIS View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Virtual Keyboard On the Web

For those interested in piano, music and a virtual keyboard online this virtual keyboard is for you. Not knowing that much about piano and music, I managed to punch out and learn to play a couple of little tunes that some might recognize: Happy Birthday and Do Re Me. Play around and see what you can learn to play.


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America's First Jet Flight (October 1942)

America - Ellis sent us this following link to the first jet flight of October 1942. America's first jet airplane, the P-59, was first flown in October 1942. In 1942, this was a Top Secret project located at Edwards AFB.

When the dry lake flooded, they had to transport it by road so it was disguised with a dummy wooden propeller on the front and covered with a shroud. There was also a story behind the derby hats and gorilla masks that were worn by the test pilots. The story went something like the following.

"On one test flight the jet was spotted by pilots getting checked out in P038s operating from Van Nuys Airport. When the P-38 pilots reported seeing an airplane with no propeller, their account met with skepticism but the story kept circulating, so on a subsequent flight the test pilot of the P-59 dressed up in a gorilla mask, put on a derby hat and smoked a cigar. He then made a point to fly next to the P-38 pilots and waved at them. When the P-38 pilots got back to the base, they told everyone about the plane with no propeller flown by a gorilla wearing a derby and smoking a cigar. The result of their report was total disbelief, so the airplane remained a secret until after the war."



The P-59 was the first US Jet aircraft developed in secrecy. Its genesis came at the personal direction of Gen. "hap" Arnold. Bell Aircraft was chosen for the project in part because of its location near the General Electric engine plants in New York and Massachusetts.Aircraft flew almost exactly a year after development began.

Col. Laurence C. "Bill" Craigie became the first USAAF pilot to fly a jet when he made the type's "official" first flight on October 2, 1942. The first jet flight made by a USN aviator came on April 21, 1943, when Capt. Frederick M. Trapnell flew the XP-59 at Muroc AAF, California.

The 412th Fighter Group became the first USAAF jet fighter unit when it was formed in 1943 and stationed at Bakersfield, California, and then later at March Field, California.

This unit primarily served as a jet pilot training unit. The P-59 was never a great performer and was quickly overtaken by development of other jet aircraft, mainly the P-80 Shooting Star. Only in operational service for about a year, the type was phased out of service by 1949. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Battle of Guilford (15 March 1781)

Greensboro, North Carolina - The Battle of Guilford Court House was a battle fought on March 15, 1781 in Greensboro, the county seat of Guilford County, North Carolina, a part of the American Revolutionary War. It was Major General Lord Cornwallis against Major General Nathaniel Greene, with around 1,900 British against 4,400 Americans.

After two years of the toughest campaigning in South and North Carolina, Cornwallis pursued Greene's army in an attempt to defeat him before launching the final and ill-fated British invasion of Virginia.After a headlong march in which Major Greene kept ahead of the British force, Greene halted to give battle at Guilford, as he formed his army up at the Courthouse. Cornwallis rushed to attack him on the morning of 15 March 1781 with hungry, tired troops.

The first American line was formed across the northern edge of the first clearing and extended into the woods on each side. The NOrth Carolina militia, Washington's Legion, Lee's Legion, and Campbell's riflemen, with Lee's and Washington's cavalry holding the flanks.

350 yards further back in the woods was a second line of Virginia militia and at a similar distance to the rear at the courthouse was the third line of two more guns and Greene's Continental Infantry.

The Americans opened fire as the British appeared at the edge of the first clearing. Cornwallis formed his line format he tight with Bose's Regiment and the 71st commanded by Major General Leslie and the 23rd and 33rd commanded by Lieutenant colonel James Webster of the 33rd. The second line comprised the two battalions of Foot Guards, the Light Infantry and the Grenadiers commanded by Brigadier O'Hara of the 2nd Coldstream Regiment of Foot Guards. Tarleton's Light Dragoons formed the final reserve.

The British suffered significant casualties as they advanced across the cleared area under heavy musket fire. The British line attacked the second line of Virginians who had been reinforced by Washington's and Lee's men and some of the North Carolina militia. Webster pushed hard at the right flank of the American second line and forced it back. His men then immediately attacked the Continental troops in the third line. A heavy fire and a charge repelled Webster's 33rd and O'Hara's jaegers and Foot Guards. At one point in the battle Major Greene withdrew leaving his guns to the British. There was no pursuit. Cornwallis was left on the field, but his army was in a sad state. He had suffered heavy casualties which could not be replaced. Cornwallis had no supplies and it began to rain heavily. Webster had been killed and O'Hara was wounded."

British casualties were 550 dead and wounded. The Foot Guards had lost 11 officers of 19 and 200 soldiers of 450. The American casualties were 250. In addition the North Carolina militia who left the field did not return. Following the battle Cornwallis began his move into Virginia which led finally to Yorktown and his surrender. View/Write Comments (count 0)   |   Receive updates (0 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe

Battle of Point Pleasant (1774)

Highland County, Virginia - In Chapter X, of A History of Highland County, Virginia, by Oren Frederic Morton, we learn a bit about the Battle of Point Pleasant, letters describing it, the Revolution (began half year after the Battle of Point Pleasant), Resolutions by Augusta people, Augusta men in the war and slight outward change under independence.

The temper of the Augusta people appeared in the following instructions, drawn up at Staunton, February 22, 1775, given to their delegates to the House of Burgesses:

"The people of Augusta are impressed with just sentiments of loyalty to his majesty, King George, whose title to the crown of Great Britain rests on no other foundation than the liberty of all his subjects. We have respect for the parent state, which respect is founded on religion, on law, and on the genuine principles of the British constitution. On these principles do we earnestly desire to see harmony and good understanding restored between Great Britain and America. Many of us and our forefathers left our native land and explored this once savage wilderness to enjoy the free exercise of the rights of conscience and of human nature. These rights we are fully resolved with our lives and fortunes inviolably to preserve; nor will we surrender such inestimable blessings, the purchase of toil and danger, to any ministry, to any parliament, or any body of men by whom we are not represented, and in whom we are not represented, and in whose decisions, therefore, we have no voice. We are determined to maintain unimpaired that liberty which is the gift of Heaven to the subjects of Britain's empire, and will most cordially join our countrymen in such measures as may be necessary to secure and perpetuate the ancient, just, and legal rights of this colony and all British subjects."

The Augusta pioneers showed that the frontiersmen of Augusta knew how to use their mother tongue with clearness and force. It was a breathe of conviction that their claims were just and a resolution to defend these claims to the utmost. It also asserted a national difference between America and the British Isles.

There was a memorial from the county committee, presented to the state convention, May 16, 1776, the first expression of the policy of establishing an independent state government and permanent confederation of states which the parliamentary journals of America contain. It reads as follows:

"A representation from the committee of the county of Augusta was presented to the Convention and read, setting forth the present unhappy condition of the country, and from the ministerial measures of revenge now pursuing, representing the necessity of making a confederacy of the United States, the most perfect, independent, and lasting, and of framing an equal, free, and liberal government, that may bear the trial of all future ages."

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The Good With The Bad Ancestry Stories

Highland County, Virginia - There are probably some out there that only want to learn the good about their ancestors and sweep the bad under the rug.

Besides the good, this NW Okie is in search for the alleged bad side of her ancestors, if that be the case here. Doesn't it gives a particular flavor and character to those who came before us? How do you feel? Do you embrace both the "good" and "bad" stories of your ancestral lineage?

The reason we brought this up is a story we re-found in the History of Highland County, Virginia, page 230, by Oren Frederic Morton. Morton wrote, "The good record of the county in this respect was marred by a lynching in the month of January 3, 1884."

Morton goes on to state that a man from Michigan (he may have been originally from Massachusetts), Porter (alias Atchison), came to the west of the county after his release from the Pocahontas jail. It was believed that Porter was not a well-behaved person, and during a game of cards with a citizen of Back Creek, a quarrel arose between two intoxicated men. Porter (Atchison) being one of them. Atchison struck the other person a blow with his knife, but inflicted only a slight wound in the breast.

You know how exaggerated reports of the altercation can spread like wildfire. As the story goes . . . a party of citizens broke into the jail, shot Atchison in his cell, and then hanged him to a tree on the Vanderpool road, where the same crosses the brow of the conical hill south of the town.

Although I have not seen the news clippings, it was reported that all but one of the lynching party was identifiable. One citizen was tried by a jury of Rockbridge men but was acquitted. The others who were assumed to be implicated in the unfortunate occurrence left the county never to return.

History of Highland County Virginia, page 230 -- This was all that we found in the History of Highland County, Virginia history book. BUT . . . a year or so ago we heard from someone that had done more research on the Highland county lynching of 1884 through news clippings and interviews of grandnephews of those involved. What he had to add to the story is below and may have included some of our WARWICK relatives from Highland County, Virginia. We are still not certain if the Robert Warwick concerned here was the same as our Great-Grandpa or if it might have been Great-Grandpa's uncle with the same name.

1884 Lynching in Monterey, Virginia

This story takes us back to the old days when laws were carried out when mobs of intoxicated men carried out justice with lynchings from an infamous hanging tree. Monterey, Virginia had one of those lynching mobs back in January 3, 1884.

What we have heard from other's research, on Christmas Day, 1883, E. D. Atcheson and Sidney Ruckman got into argument while drinking. Atchison did not wound Ruckman badly. Ruckman did not pursue the matter with the authorities.

It is rumored that Atcheson had a reputation as a "mean" man and as someone of less than stellar integrity. He had served most of the past year in a Pocahontas County, West Virginia, jail for stealing a horse, and that had been the latest of his "deeds."

Word of Atcheson's "assault" on Ruckman spread around the community, and Atcheson was immediately arrested and placed in the Monterey jail on or about January 3, 1884. Once in jail, Atcheson reportedly stated that he had at least "seven men to kill and one woman."

The one woman it is alleged was his estranged wife, Gladys (Howdyshell) Atcheson. The seven men could have possibly been the family or families who lived close by to Ruckman.

It was alleged that the members of the "mob" had met at Lightner's Store near Mill Gap in Highland County to put together their plans for getting Atcheson before he got them. It was further stated that Atcheson had previous run-ins with many members of the mob, including a rather nasty fight at the local saw mill only weeks earlier. Once Atcheson started threatening from his jail cell that he had people to kill, the plan was put into place to get Atcheson first.

It was thought that Atcheson was serious, given his previous actions, and it probably boiled down to a "Get him before he gets one of us" kind of situation.

When the mob arrived at the Monterey jail, they demanded the keys from the jailer, Joseph Hiner. Hiner refused, and the men promptly left. They returned a short time later armed to the teeth with guns, pistols, and shotguns and with a rather large log. Their intent was to ram the door of the jail with the log in order to break in and to then extract Atchison.

Joseph Hiner stood between the men and the door and refused to budge. It was reported that as Hiner stood in defiance of the men, Robert Warwick raised his shotgun and fired at Hiner. However, at the very last possible moment, another member of the mob, Henry Morgan Tomlinson, struck a blow to the underside of the neck of Warwick's rifle causing the shot to go into the air over Hiner's head.

If not for the actions of Tomlinson, Hiner would have been killed himself in the defense of Atcheson. It is believed that, at that point, Hiner had his own life in mind and he moved out of the way, realizing there was little to nothing he could do.

As we are told from other's research and news clippings that we have not seen, on the night of January 3, 1884, the "mob" of ten men reached the Monterey jail after an evening of drinking. The jailer on duty that night, Joseph Hiner, stated that all ten of the men smelled of alcohol.

The mob demanded that Hiner turn over the keys to the jail as they were there to get Atcheson. Hiner stated that he "was not in possession of the keys" and could, would not open the jail and cell. At that point, the men took out their pistols and began shooting up the jail.

Hiner reported that they began firing into the cell holding Atcheson and were, at times, at such close range that Atcheson actually knocked the guns away of at least 2 men. After nearly 2 hours, the men finally were able to bust into the jail and get Atcheson.

Hiner reported later that Atcheson was shot at least 4 times and was nearly unconscious and dead when the men pulled him from the jail. Atcheson was quickly bound by the hands and feet and dragged away from the jail. As they left with Atcheson, one of the men yelled to Hiner that he could find Atcheson "by a particular tree in Monterey in the morning."

When daylight broke, Hiner followed the trail in the snow and indeed found Atcheson hanging by the neck from the tree, dead. He had been lynched.

Hiner immediately swore out warrants for the 10 men in the mob. Though they had arrived wearing masks, Hiner testified that the masks had either slipped off or came off altogether as the hours wore on while the men were firing their weapons into the jail.

Hiner stated he could identify 9 out of the 10 men. He saw the face of the tenth man but did not recognize him. Arrest warrants were then sworn out for the following 9 men:

* John Anderson Chestnut
* James Beeson
* Joe Beath
* Luther Wade
* L. N. Gibson
* Giles Harrison Gum
* Henry Morgan Tomlinson
* John Adam Lightner
* Robert Warwick

In the immediate aftermath of the lynching, most all of the men fled the area. Several of the men, including Giles Harrison Gum, Henry Morgan Tomlinson, John Adam Lightner, and Robert Warwick, all ended up in Coldwater, Kansas.

As I said earlier, the information is a combination of information researched by another and from Giles Harrison Gum's grand-nephew as well as from news articles and accounts in different newspapers at the time. News of what took place was published in newspapers as far away as New Jersey and New York Times! This NW Okie has not seen those news clippings herself until recently in the Daily Dispatch of Richmond, VA

Giles Gum, his brother-in-law Henry Tomlinson, and Giles' eventual son-in-law, John Adam Lightner, all lit out for Coldwater, Kansas. Before they stopped talking altogether, a descendant or two of Giles and Henry stated that Giles and Henry hid their belongings in 4 wagons of straw, then climbed in under the straw, and the wagons were pulled out of town in order to make their escape. Giles' wife, Hester, and Henry's wife, Priscilla, returned to Highland County, Virginia, in 1891 and quickly and quietly sold their respective farms. Arrest warrants were still in effect for Giles and Henry, so they didn't dare make the trip back to Virginia to sell the farms themselves. After the sale, the wives high-tailed it back to Kansas.

John Adam Lightner eventually married in 1892 to the daughter of Giles Harrison Gum. Giles Gum and Henry Tomlinson were brother-in-laws as Giles married Henry's sister and Henry had married Giles sister. Both Luther Wade and John Chestnut were distant cousins of them as well. They were all connected either as "family" or as neighbors in Highland County at the time.

John Adam Lightner was a first Cousin to our Great-Grandpa John Robert Warwick. Lightner's mother, Nancy Jane (WARWICK) Lightner (a younger sister of John Robert's father, William Fechtig Warwick). Plus, upon Lightner's death in Coldwater, Kansas, on June 16, 1925, the following lines were published as part of his obituary:

"Mr. Lightner is also survived by two brothers and two sisters, Robert and Brown Lightner and Mrs. Etta Gum and Mrs. Cena Cleek, all of whom live in Virginia. A cousin, Robert Warwick, and Mr. Warwick's daughter, Mrs. Wm. McGill, both of Alva, Okla., arrived here in time to attend the funeral."

As I said earlier, I am in search of who was the lone, identifiable man in the lynching party who was tried and acquitted by a Rockbridge jury of men? Could it have been my great-grandfather or his uncle with the same name? Or another Robert Warwick?

So has not been easy to pin down the exact Robert Warwick listed in the list of the ten men. I am also trying to research and pinpoint the exact time that Great-Grandfather John Robert Warwick and his wife, Signora Belle Gwin, and his daughter, Contance Estella Warwick (1882-1968), and a son, Robert Lee Warwick (1887-1952), came to Oklahoma Territory by way of Kansas. I know that John Robert taught school in a rural school in Coldwater, Kansas before he made the Run into Oklahoma Territory in 1893.

I need to make a trip to Virginia (Rockbridge & Highland counties), to search through their historical files to sort all this out for myself! View/Write Comments (count 2)   |   Receive updates (2 subscribers)  |   Unsubscribe