Marion Co TOC

       In his journey down White River in 1818, Schoolcraft described the surroundings. "The farms, the improvements upon them, and the road we traveled all appeared new. The houses were constructed of logs, and the lands fenced with rails laid in the zig-zag manner practiced in western Virginia and Kentucky."
       White River, beautiful and majestic as she is, can also be ugly and cruel. Many highly destructive floods have been recorded in her peaceful valley. The flood of 1824 was known as the "Pumpkin Freshet." There was another in 1826. John Gaskins stated that the flood of 1844 forced him to move from Marion County to Carroll County. The flood of 1856 was known as the Year of Great Inundation. Travelers in 1819 and 1820 were warned about the "overwhelming freshets" and "sudden floods" of White River that could raise the river level more than twenty feet in one night.
       S. C. Turnbo tells of the remarkable rise of the White in September 1824 - the "Pumpkin Freshet." He remarks that this was probably the greatest flood of this stream during the 19th century. The many torrential rain storms that produced this freshet were so frequent and so heavy that hunters were driven from the fields and forests, seeking shelter in their cabins or nearby caves.
       Turnbo, by way of description, goes on to relate this tale. Allen Trimble, son of Bill Trimble, was only nine when this high water swept over the [river] bottoms. Allen and two of his cousins, Bill and Herrod Coker, sons of Joe Coker, and Jesse Yocum, son-in-law of 'Buck' Coker, were all staying at 'Buck's' home on White River. When the river began to rise and threatened to reach the top of the bank, 'Buck' sent them all to higher ground. But he refused to leave his home. There was no canoe available, but Jesse Yocum owned a fine horse named Paddy that was known far and wide as a great swimmer.
       As the raging flood waters spread over the bottom land, Yocum swam his horse twice to the Coker dwelling to try to get 'Buck' to leave the house. But each time he refused. The river continued to rise rapidly and had become deeper each time Jesse made the swim. The raging waters rose to the level of the floor of the cabin while driftwood swirled over the cane and lodged against trees in the bottom. The noise was incessant. The family became alarmed. Jesse made one last trip through the hazardous current which grew swifter and deeper by the minute.
       When Jesse reached the house, he informed his obstinate father-in-law that this was his last trip to rescue him. The old man looked at Jesse and the tired horse as they stood in the ferocious, swirling water. Then he looked out at the mountains of water rising over his fields. He consented to go. The gallant horse, Paddy, carrying both men, swam through the swift current to high ground and safety. The highest stage of water reached the door head of the cabin before the flood began to subside. The most famous of the 19th century floods, however, was the one in 1844. This flood was preceded by a particularly hard winter. White River actually froze over in many places.
       Some of the early settlers on the Upper White include very familiar names. Augustine 'Teen' Friend was here in 1819 five miles below the shoals of White River. William Trimble and his wife, Sallie Coker, settled on White River before 1814. Henry Schoolcraft was noted to have stayed with Solomon Yocum and his son, Jacob, during his tour of the Ozarks in 1818 and 1819. John Tabor was said to be the first white child born in Marion County along White River. Dr. James M. Cowdrey is credited with establishing the first medical practice in Upper White River country, spending his first years in Batesville, then Fayetteville, and in 1836 moving to Yellville. Jacob Wolf and his brothers-in-law, John and Matthew Adams, settled near the north fork of White River around 1820. The Tutt and Everett families were among the very first whites to settle in Shawneetown. Brothers Frederick, Walter, Simeon, and Basil Talbert established Talbert's Ferry, the primary crossing on the old east-west Carrollton Road, in 1822. According to some sources, this was the only ferry above Batesville during the Territorial Period. The Thomas H. Flippin family came to White River with the Jesse Goodman party in 1837. The Wood family immigrated to the Upper White River Valley by the mid-1820s, marrying into the Coker family. Peter Keesee and Cage Hogan homesteaded in Cedar Creek township along White River before 1838.
       In the Ozark area the Civil War was between friends and neighbors and was characterized by murder, arson, robbery, and ambush. The suffering endured everywhere was the nation's most traumatic time; it was no different with the White River families. It was a terrible end to the memories of youth and the settlers' easy life. Many families were torn when their sons fought on both sides. The hunting continued, but now men hunted one another instead of the riches of Nature. All were reduced to eating wild onions, slippery elm bark, and cooked hides. Turnbo describes one event that occurred during these trying years.
       About six or seven miles below Oakland on the south side of White River in Marion County is a noted bluff which was made famous during the early part of the War Between the States. In a salt peter cave in these bluffs the Confederates kept a small force of men to protect the powder works and the employees while engaged in the manufacture of powder from the salt peter that whas found there. One report states that Captain Milton Burch of the 14th Missouri State Militia, with a force of 40 men, destroyed the works which included five buildings, one engine, 26 large kettles, six tanks, blacksmith and carpenter shops and tools, $6,000 worth of salt peter, 500 barrels of jerked beef, and took 42 prisoners. Another report, given by a Southerner, states that when the Federals attacked the site, there were 13 men present under the direction of Perry Tucker with Fate Moreland as cook and waiter. The camp was on the summit of the bluff and consisted of a few log huts, two of which were filled with dried beef. The men were paid 60 cents a day in Chattanooga money, which was good currency at that time. The report further states that the Federal forces numbered 150 men under the direction of Milton Burch. The Confederates were taken prisoner and the Union men burned their quarters and destroyed the other works except for a few large kettles.
       The White River was a major traffic way during the war. On 17 June 1862 at the Battle of St. Charles, the Mary Patterson, a 105-ton vessel owned and operated by Captain Bateman of Grand Blaize AR, the Eliza G., and the Maurepas were sunk to impede the ascension of Federal boats up the river. The end of the fighting brought the return of several familiar steamboat captains to the White. It also brought the return of excursion parties. The gracious hospitality of these captains provided White River Valley people with opportunities for gaiety almost forgotten during the long years of strife. During the Reconstruction Period, steam boat traffic remained unrestricted on White River, and an increase in steamboats hurriedly replenished the shortages of materials and supplies caused by the bitter years of fighting.
       So far as is known, ore was first discovered in North Arkansas in the Bull Shoals District in Marion County. There is a legend that the Spaniards built a lead smelter in the area of Bull Shoals Mountain, took lead from the mountain, smelted it, and used it for ammunition. The first actual attempt to mine this district was just before the Civil War. A Mr. Seawell of Memphis TN began mining lead and succeeded in shipping about 100 tons down White River on rafts. The ore was said to be so rich that Mr. Seawell was able to get it out without machinery. Federal troops drove him out. But, when ammunition ran low, Confederate men remembered the Seawell dig and, by scratching around with old grub hoes and axes, took out quite a bit of pure lead from which they made bullets.
       After the war, men were so busy tilling the soil to grow enough to replenish their much depleted larders that the lead diggings were practically forgotten. Too, almost all the old miners had either been killed or had moved from the area. But, around 1880, the interest in mining came alive again. Until well after World War I, White River was the only way to get the ore from the mines in Marion County to the buyers in Batesville and to the nearest rail head. It was a perilous 125-mile long voyage over the shallow shoals, around the sharp bends, beneath overhanging trees and rocks. And there was the ever present danger of a sudden great rise in the river or a terrific storm that could dash the barges to all but splinters, sinking the precious cargo to the bottom of the White.
       One of the first pioneer miners to attempt shipping his own ore was George W. Chase. He hand picked several tons of high grade carbonate of zinc. He built his own barge, loaded it with the ore, placed himself near the center with a man at either corner, pushed away from shore, and was off. They passed over Clabber Creek Shoals on Buffalo River safely, but that was only the beginning. When they reached White River, they turned south, breathing sighs of relief. But they still had nearly 100 miles to go. About the time they reached Calico Rock, a monstrous storm descended on them, and, but for a lucky stroke by the steersman who ran the barge to shore, Captain Chase would have undoubtedly lost barge and all. They rode out the storm snug against the bank of White River. With careful handling from then on, Chase finally got his ore to market. Many miners would float their ore down White River in years to come.
       The White River of today boasts four dams - Bull Shoals and Beaver in Arkansas and Taneycomo and Table Rock in Missouri - which control her angry floods, and the river no longer freezes over nor does it go dry. These dams have helped to create some of the greatest fishing in the world. Several resorts and fishing guide services are available to the traveler and the tourist. Marion County residents pretty much know, as did the early settlers nearly 200 years ago, where and when to find the wily trout and the trophy bass. And La Riviere Blanche is as beautiful and clear and majestic as she ever was. (Concluded.)
       SOURCES:
       White River Valley Historical Society Quarterlies
       Historical and Biographical Sketches of the Early Settlement of the White River Valley, Chap 5 by A. C. Jeffrey 1877
       World Book Encyclopedia
       Rude Pursuits and Rugged Peaks
       Ozark Journal 1818-1819 by Henry Schoolcraft
       Steamboats and Ferry Boats on White River by Sammie L. Rose
       Manuscripts of S. C. Turnbo by Silas Claiborne Turnbo

       I guess it's not too early to say Happy Pumpkin. And maybe it's not too early to say Happy Turkey. Wishing you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year this far in advance seems a bit silly, but we're doing it anyway. Remember, you'll not be hearing from us again until next year. We at Bramble Bush have had a wonderful 1998 researching and writing and collecting all the stories and lists and bits of info for you. We've received some nice words from you in 1998, and we're planning what we feel are some surprisingly exciting things for you in 1999.
       We are now "on the Net!" Marion County never looked better than on the Marion County web page that Linda Haas Davenport is coordinating. The Society really appreciates her hard work and her help in promoting Marion County history. Be sure to read about it in Mysty's http://www.*.* column.
       Please, please, please don't forget to send your membership dues for 1999 as soon as possible to ensure your issues of Bramble Bush . Many folks send them before they get caught up in holiday festivities, which is a pretty good idea, right?

       GENEALOGIES OF KENTUCKY FAMILIES. Family Archive CD 185. Purchased by the Society.
       GENEALOGIES OF VIRGINIA FAMILIES from William & Mary Quarterly. Family Archive CD 186. Purchased by the Society
       GENEALOGIES OF VIRGINIA FAMILIES. From Tyler's Quarterly. Family Archive CD 187. Purchased by the Society.
       MARCHANT by Nancy & John Nolan. 1998 Donated to the Society.
       NARRAMORE. Charles Narramore. 1995. Donated to the Society.
       OUR COKER KIN. June B. Barekman. 1967. Donated to the Society.
       PASSPORTS OF SOUTHEASTERN PIONEERS 1770-1823. Dorothy Williams Potter. 1982. Purchased by the Society.
       SOCIAL SECURITY DEATH INDEX 1937-1996. Family Archive CD 110. Purchased by the Society.
       TWELVE VIRGINIA COUNTIES; Where the Western Migration Began. John H. Gwathmey. 1937 Purchased by the Society.
       VIRGINIA GENEALOGIST, Vols 1-20. John Frederick Dorman. CD. Purchased by the Society.
       VIRGINIA GLEANINGS IN ENGLAND. Family Archive CD 186. Purchased by the Society.
       VIRGINIA VITAL RECORDS. Family Archive CD 174. Purchased by the Society.
       VIRGINIA COLONIAL ABSTRACTS. Family Archive CD 187. Purchased by the Society.
       WEBB FAMILY HISTORY by Wilma Jean (Webb) Fruge. Donated to the Society.
       YOUNGS, PATHWAYS IN TIME by Jerry L. Young. Purchased by the Society.

       Did you know Marion County AR has a Web Site? Well, we do. Jeana Houghton jeana@aol.com discovered no one was minding the store and decided to do something about it. Recently Jeana realized there was far too much wonderful information available about MCAR and asked for help. Linda Haas Davenport lhaasdav@mindspring.com answered the call. Linda is working feverishly to get all sorts of goodies typed, scanned, formatted, linked, legible, printable. It just gets better and better.
       Linda is asking all of us to contribute to this web site. Take a look at the site to see what's there and what she's using. Bible records, birth records, marriage records, military service records, obituaries - just one record - one tiny, little record - would be a welcome addition toward a marvelous site with marvelous data available to everyone in all of cyberspace and beyond.
       If you have a home page that includes ancestors found in MCAR and would like it listed on the MCAR Web Site, send your name, your e-mail address, your web page address, the name of your home page, the surnames of your MCAR ancestors, and a little bit about your page to Linda <lhaasdav@mindspring.com>
       To access this Marion County web site, go to http://www.usgenweb.com. Click on Arkansas. Click on County Records. Scan down to Marion County and click. Now you can just browse around to see what's there or you can click on specific interests. And plan to bookmark our page and go back real often 'cuz you never know what's going to turn up next.
       If you don't have a computer or aren't on line, ask a friend - or maybe your local library or historical society - to give you a look. It's well worth the effort; the information is fantastic. And it's all printable.

       Another fun site is ARMARION-L@rootsweb.com - a mail list initiated by Rhio Gillis rhioreh@mail.com so that people can ask genealogical questions about Marion County families. The only hitch is you have to "subscribe" in order to use the list. It's free. It's just a way of "managing" the hundreds of similar lists at Rootsweb and getting the mail to the right place. How-to directions are at the beginning. Once you "subscribe," you get all the e-mail queries that are posted to the list. You can pick and choose which ones to answer - or answer none of them. And you can "unsubscribe" with a simple e-mail. There are hundreds of lists - families, events, places - on Rootsweb. You just have to "subscribe" to each one you want.
o access information, go to http://www.rootsweb.com. Click on ROOTS-L. Take it from there.

JOHN "Jack" MORRIS b NC 1791 m ELIZABETH "Betty" ARNOLD b GA ca 1800. Moved to Big Flat, Searcy Co. AR ca 1850.

1. Children of John "Jack" & Betty (Arnold) Morris
2. MARY MARTHA MORRIS b Wayne Co. TN ca 1822 m Hardin Co. TN ca 1836 ZACHARIAH MITCHELL.
       3. MALINDA MORRIS b Wayne Co. TN ca 1823.
       4. HIRAM MORRIS b Wayne Co. TN ca 1825 m Lawrence Co. TN 23 March 1848 ELEANOR LANCASTER.
       5. MATTHEW M. MORRIS b Wayne CO. TN ca 1829 m/1 Independence Co. AR 9 May 1854 MARGARET JANE McCOY; m/2 1863 SARAH MORRIS. In Big Flat Township, Searcy Co. AR 1860.
       6. JOHN ELIJAH "E. M." MORRIS b Wayne Co. TN 1830 d Big Flat, Baxter Co. AR 10 March 1901 bu Big Flat Cemetery, Big Flat, Baxter Co. AR m/1 1853 SARAH "Sally" TREAT (daughter of Stephen "Steve" & Sarah Frances [Reece] Treat) b Bloomington, Monroe Co. IN 1832 d Batesville, Independence Co. AR 1878; m/2 1878 MAGGIE HARVEY. John was the Sergeant of Co. H, 14th AR Infantry.
       7. ELIZABETH J. MORRIS b Wayne Co. TN 17 Sep 1831 d Big Flat, Baxter Co. AR 15 May 1916 bu Big Flat, Baxter Co. AR m Big flat, Baxter Co. AR ca 1853 STEPHEN "Steve" TREAT (son of John B. & Margaret [Williams] Treat) b Fallowfield, Crawford Co. PA 14 April 1811 d Big Flat, Baxter Co. AR 27 March 1885.
       8. NANCY JULIA MORRIS b TN ca 1833 m ca 1851 JOHN BERRY TREAT (son of Stephen "Steve" Treat) b Bloomington IN 1835.
       9. RHODA MORRIS b TN 1836 m ca 1855 JAMES WILLIAM TREAT (son of Stephen "Steve" Treat ) b Bloomington IN 1837.
       10. JAMES D. MORRIS b TN ca 1842 d Blackfork, Scott Co. AR 1919 m Phelps Co. MO 23 July 1864 SARAH JANE HEFLIN.
       11. ELIZA CATHERINE MORRIS b TN ca 1844.

6. Children of John Elijah & Sarah "Sally" (Treat) Morris
       12. JOHN STEVEN JAMES MATTHEW MOORE b Big Flat, Searcy Co. AR 26 May 1854 d Luber, Stone Co. AR 28 Jan 1937 bu Case Cemetery, Stone Co. AR m/1 Independence Co. AR 12 Jan 1875 NANCY A. LANCASTER b 1854; m/2 MCAR 23 Oct 1883 MARY IDA THOMPSON (daughter of John Henry & Emily Louise [Payne] Thompson) b Douglas Co. MO 10 July 1861 d Big Flat, Baxter Co. AR 6 April 1935, divorced; m/3 25 Sep 1904 ADELIA EVELYN "Lena" BROYLES. He owned a sawmill, was a peddler and a music teacher.
       13. JESSE NEWTON MORRIS b AR 1856 m Baxter Co. AR 6 Sep 1874 MALINDA BETTY BRYANT.
       14. MARTHA JANE "Aunt Sis" MORRIS b Big Flat, Searcy Co. AR 10 Oct 1860 d MCAR 26 Dec 1939 bu Burnt School House Cemetery, Baxter Co. AR m Flippin MCAR 20 Nov 1874 JOHN MARTIN AVEY. She was a midwife.
       15. ANDREW JACKSON "A. J." MORRIS b Big Flat, Searcy Co. AR 4 Jan 1864 d Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Co. OK 12 July 1943 m1 Searcy Co. AR 31 Jan 1884 FRANCES MARY "Fannie" WYNNE b 1864 d 1914, divorced; m/2 DOROTHY ___; m/3 ALTHA MAY ___; m/4 ca 1896 ROSA ___; m/5 30 Oct 1906 ADA BEATTY; m/6 MAUDE HODGES; m/7 LILLIAN SNIDER; possibly more. He was a criminal lawyer in Indian Territory OK. Family tradition says he married 15 times, twice to previous wives. It is also said he never bothered about divorce - just gave extremely generous settlements.
       16. WILLIAM RILEY MORRIS b Batesville, Independence Co. AR 30 May 1866 d Big Flat, Baxter Co. AR 12 Sep 1933 bu Big Flat Cemetery, Big Flat, Baxter Co. AR m Searcy Co. AR 24 Oct 1889 SARAH JANE "Janey" WOOTEN (daughter of Dow & Elizabeth [Self] Wooten) b 1873 d 1953 bu Big Flat Cemetery, Big Flat, Baxter Co. AR. He owned a stave mill.
       17. SARAH ISABEL "Belle" MORRIS b Big Flat, Searcy Co. AR 12 June 1868 d Ponca City, Kay Co. OK 21 Feb 1958 m Dardanelle, Pope Co. AR 15 Sep 1882 EMMETT H. MERRILL; m/2 FRANK KENNISON; m/3 ___ BARBER.

5. Children of Matthew M. & Margaret Jane (McCoy) Morris
       18. ADALINE MORRIS b AR ca 1855.
       19. SARAH MORRIS b AR ca 1856.
       20. JAMES MORRIS b AR ca 1859.

6. Children of John Elijah & Maggie (Harvey) Morris
       21. JOSEPHINE MORRIS b 1878 m/1 BERT BAGLEY; m/2 VAIN HARVEY; m/3 ___ SMITH; m/4 ___ SUMPTER.

12. Children of John Steven James Matthew & Nancy A. (Lancaster) Morris
       22. WILLIAM LEVI MORRIS b 1876 d 1927.
       23. THEODORE MORRIS b 1878 d 1942.

12. Children of John Steven James Matthew & Mary Ida (Thompson) Morris
       24. JESSE HENRY MORRIS b Big Flat, Baxter Co. AR 12 Aug 1884 d Albuquerque , Bernalillo Co. NM 10 July 1951 bu Flippin AR m Stone Co. AR 12 May 1906 ETHEL IRENE LEE.
       25. GILBERT CLEVELAND MORRIS b Big Flat, Baxter Co. AR d Troy, Bell Co. TX 2 July 1959 m MARTHA FRANKIE ___.
       26. NEIL HAMILTON MORRIS b Big Flat, Baxter Co. AR 30 July 1887 d Heber Springs, Cleburne Co. AR 10 Dec 1965 m ALLENA "Allie" RISNER (daughter of James Monroe "Jim" & Fannie Elizabeth [Chambers] Risner) b Richwoods, Stone Co. AR 28 Feb 1890 d Mountain View, Stone Co. AR April 1935.
       27. WALTER FRANKLIN MORRIS b Big Flat, Baxter Co. AR 5 March 1889 d Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Co. OK 18 March 1958 m 29 Aug 1914 GERTRUDE NETTIE POWELL.
       28. EMILY FLORENCE MORRIS b Big Flat, Baxter Co. AR 11 July 1891 d Okmulgee, Okmulgee Co. OK 5 April 1964 m Big Flat, Baxter Co. AR 25 Sep 1910 WILLIE CARTER ROSE.
       29. JOHN AMBROSE MORRIS b Big Flat, Baxter Co. AR 24 Dec 1893 d Yakima, Yakima Co. WA April 1934.
       30. EDGAR EUGENE MORRIS b Big Flat, Baxter Co. AR 23 Jan 1896 d Yakima, Yakima Co. WA 26 Oct 1957 m ANN ___.
       31. SARAH ETHEL MORRIS.
       32. LOCKEY BELL MORRIS.
       33. LUCY MAY MORRIS.

13. Children of Jesse Newton & Malinda Betty (Bryant) Morris
       34. LORANZO MORRIS.

16. Children of William Riley & Sarah Jane "Janey" (Wooten) Morris
       35. ROSCOE MORRIS.
       36. MILLER MORRIS.
       37. HOBSON MILLER.
       38. LILLIE MORRIS m GENERAL WALLACE.
       39. ATTIE MORRIS m ___ PACK of Marshall AR.

23. Children of Neil Hamilton & Allie (Risner) Morris
       40. JAMES CORBETT "Driftwood" MORRIS b Richwoods, Stone Co. AR 20 June 1907 d Fayetteville, Washington Co. AR 12 July 1998 ashes scattered on his favorite Piney/Panther Mountain m CLEDA AZELIA JOHNSON b ca 1917/20.
       41. MAY MORRIS b Stone Co. AR ca 1909 d Stone Co. AR ca 1912.
       42. ANDREW JACKSON "Jay" MORRIS b Mountain View, Stone Co. AR m Mountain View, Stone Co. AR 12 April 1936 RUBEY ALTA BERNICE BRYANT.
       43. JEANETTE "Jeannie" MORRIS b Mountain View, Stone Co. AR 12 Oct 1914 m MAYS COPELAND.
       44. LILLIE MAE MORRIS b Richwoods, Stone Co. AR 8 March 1917 d Batesville, Independence Co. AR 18 Sep 1937 m BUCHANAN H. "Buck" MAYS Jr.

37. Children of James Corbett "Jimmy Driftwood" & Cleda Azelia (Johnson) Morris
       45. (child) MORRIS died at birth.
       46. CHARLES NEAL MORRIS b Timbo, Stone Co. AR 10 Nov 1938 d Marshall, Searcy Co. AR 26 Nov 1944.
       47. JAMES RISNER MORRIS b Timbo, Stone Co. AR 3 Jan 1940 d Timbo, Stone Co. AR 9 Oct 1967.
       48. BING LEE MORRIS b Timbo, Stone Co. AR 11 Jan 1943 d Timbo, Stone Co. AR 9 Oct 1967.

       Sadly, Jimmy Driftwood has no direct descendants. Although he and Cleda had four children, one died at birth, one died from acute appendicitis, and their remaining children - Bing Lee Morris aged 24 and James Risner Morris aged 27 - were shot to death at their home at Timbo in Stone Co. AR.
       A sixth grade teacher, Jimmy wrote The Battle of New Orleans under the name Jimmy Driftwood simply to make studying the War of 1812 less boring for his students. Little did he dream the eventual impact this would have on his life. Twenty years later Johnny Horton acquired the rights to record the song, it became a Billboard hit, Jimmy won a Grammy, and there was no turning back from the name Jimmy Driftwood.
       Family tradition tells us that some relatives weren't around for Jimmy's birth. To play a joke on these folks when they arrived to admire the new baby, a chunk of driftwood was wrapped in blankets and presented to them on their arrival. From then on he was called "Driftwood" by his close family. And that's how he came to be known worldwide as Jimmy Driftwood.

SOURCES: "Baxter Co. Beginnings," Baxter Bulletin, 25 July 1998; "Marion Co. Families 1811-1900;" John Groom III <PapaGroom@aol.com>; L. Don Ott, Rt 1 Box 270, Lakeview AR 72642 <dott@centuryinter.net>; Searcy Co. AR 1860 census

       I searched for this family for years, but could never find a trace of them. According to family members, my husband's ancestors Peter and Emily Osterman never lived in Marion County.
       Recently a ca 1916 plat map of Marion County was donated to HGSMCA. It's been very carefully preserved with archival materials and hangs in the Marion County Library. Members, I among them, were fascinated by it when it was unveiled at a recent meeting, pouring over it with oohs and aahs at the information it contains. Suddenly, I gasped. There - right there! - was a parcel of land labeled P. Osterman! Could this be Peter?
       Society members suggested searching the Real Estate Tax Assessment books the County had turned over to the Society. The approximate date of the map gave us a general idea of what years to search and the Section, Township, and Range description told us where to look. Lo! And behold! There they were - for several years.
       That information led to a search of deeds, personal property tax records, and other sources for that time period. A death certificate confirmed that the family in the MCAR 1910 census was indeed the same P. Osterman noted on the map. Deeds and personal property tax records confirmed that the family was indeed my Peter and Emily Osterman.
       Lessons learned: 1) Do your own research. 2) Confirm all family information through legal papers and documents. 3) Document all research. 4) When there are no other leads, follow up on anyone of the same surname in the area of research.

       24 January 1889:--The City of Kissee Mills is increasing rapidly. The family of Mr. J. W. Adams, consisting of Mrs. F. M. Adams, Miss S. F. Adams, and Miss Minty R. Adams, arrived from Marion County AR on Monday. Mr. J. A. Keeter and Mrs. S. L. Keeter also came from Marion County.
       18 April 1889:--Mr. Allen Trimble died suddenly at his home six miles south of Protem, Taney County, the 13 of April 1889. Mr. Trimble was born in Marion County AR 14 June 1815 and was, therefore, nearly 74 years old. He was married twice, his first wife was a sister to Uncle Jake Nave, and the second wife was Tom Brown's widow. Eight children and 46 grandchildren mourn his loss.
       19 December 1889:--Mr. Milan Wagoner and family, who have been living on Georges Creek AR, stayed all night Sunday with C. C. Casey of Kissee Mills on their way moving back to near Bradleyville.
       19 December 1889:--Among the many characters to be found in the valley of the White River who had come into notice east of the Mississippi was the Woods family - old man Woods and his son Big Bill Woods. They were worthy of note from being the father and brother of John Woods who was court martialed and shot in Jackson's army in the War of 1812.
       It seems that General Jackson had some trouble to enforce subordination, his army being composed of raw troops fresh from the country.
       Old man Woods and his two sons, John and Big Bill, enlisted in Tennessee for the campaign south against the Indians. The young men were good soldiers, but somewhat reckless. John Woods was on picket duty and left his post. He was court martialed and condemned to be shot, with a recommendation of mercy.
       Jackson had reprieved others, but notified the court he would not reprieve any more. John Woods was the next, and his life was in one end of the balance and General Jackson's word in the other. The general's word was the heaviest and John Woods fell.
       His father and brother stayed with him and cared for him - dressed him for death - and when the file of soldiers marched him off, they went in another direction in great agony, refusing to see him shot.
       They soon after deserted the army and came to White River and settled at the ford of the river three miles above Mt. Olive. It was believed that Jackson was glad they deserted as there was no effort made to bring them back to the army. Through life the old man and Big Bill took this unfortunate matter greatly to heart; at the mention of Jackson's name Big Bill would grow frantic with oaths, and the old man would melt into tears.

       Annual dues of $12 must be received by HGSMCA no later than 31 DECEMBER 1998 in order to continue to have Bramble Bush at your fingertips quarterly through 1998. Don't miss even a single issue. Get those dues in the mail today. THIS WILL BE YOUR ONLY REMINDER!
       Send your check for $12 to HGSMCA, PO Box 554, Yellville AR 72687

http://www.familytreemaker.com/users/l/e/d/Mary-E-Ledford/- LEDFORD FAMILY etc.

http://www.familytreemaker.com/iffintro.html - Find any family

http://www.genforum.com/ - Find family name or state or county or country; a forum awash with e-mails

http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/Estates/6780 - BIAS FAMILY etc.

http://www.greenheart.com/rdietz/gen_libs.htm - List of all geneo libraries in the USA

http://www.ionet.net/~jestes/ - ESTES FAMILY

http://www.jewelrycreations.com/roger/gunson.htm - ESTES FAMILY in England

RHIO GILLIS - Please change to - rhioreh@mail.com

ANGELA MILLER - Please change to - macian@earthlink.net

A very helpful HGSMCA member -Billy Beaty - billyb@mtnhome.com

BALES - Pam Long - rplong@rcip.com

JEFFERSON, C.C. RAY, ROWLAND - Hugh S. Jefferson - hujeff@email.msn.com

MCAR Web Page Coordinator - Linda Haas Davenport - lhaasdav@mindspring.com

SONS OF CONFEDERATE VETERANS -Troy Massey - mosbcg@alltel.net

TREAT, ARNOLD, MORRIS, etc. - Gary Treat - gdtreat@swbell.net

       Queries is published in Bramble Bush as a service to researchers who may wish to exchange information of mutual historic and/or genealogical interests. The charge per query is $3. Queries from both members and non-members are accepted, and are published in order of receipt, as space permits. If you respond to a query, kindly send a copy of your answer to Bramble Bush. Responsibility for accuracy of data in queries rests with the submitter.

       BALES / BAILS. Seek info BAILEY BALES b MO ca 1825 killed ca 1865 in Confederate army m MARY BEAN b MO ca 1822. In Jimmy's Creek Township 1860. Children: Elizabeth, Lydia, Thomas C., Hannah, Sarah, Polly A., Rachel. Blanche (Bales) Sirmans, PO Box 273, Hartshorne OK 74547.
       COKER. Seek parents of DELILAH COKER b MCAR ca 1835 m WILLIAM CHESLEY RADFORD. Children: David N., John Chesley, Minty Cordelia, Ephraim, William W., Emma D., Julia, Lily, Edna, Ola Bythenia, Quimby. She was an orphan and may have lived with NIPPS family. In Baxter Co. AR 1880, later moving to OK. Blanche (Bales) Sirman, PO Box 273, Hartshorne OK 74547.
       McLEAN. Seek info parents/birthplaces LAUGHLIN McLEAN d NC 1841 m NC 1841 SARAH ___ d MCAR 1880. Jonnie York, 3152 W. San Carlos, Fresno CA 93711.
       PREWITT / PRUITT. Seek death dates and burial places for DAVID PREWITT b NC 1808 and wife SARAH (DOWNS) PREWITT b NC 1803. Settled MCAR ca 1844. In Hampton Township MCAR 1850 with children, all b NC: Sarah 20, Elizabeth 19, Jain 18, Barbary 16, Lucinda 15, John 13, William 12, David 9, Elijah 6. In 1860 DAVID PREWITT is in White River Township with sons David and Elijah. Sylvia Wright Reding, RR 7 Box 40k, Brownwood TX 76801.
       TYLER. Seek info MARTHA TYLER (daughter of John & Jane [Reynolds] Tyler) m THOMAS BALES. Children: William J., George W., Mary Jane, Lucinda, Ellen, John, Henry, Jim. In MCAR 1860. Blanche (Bales) Sirman, PO Box 273, Hartshorne OK 74547.
       WRIGHT. Seek death date and burial place for GEORGE W. WRIGHT b 4 Aug 1861 d MCAR possibly between 1910 and 1914. A. E. Holland, PO Box 168, Chouteau OK 74337.

       SERVICE DIRECTORY is published in Bramble Bush as a service to those who may wish to advertise some of the many books, products, and services available that relate to historic and/or genealogical research. The charge per ad per year is $12. Ads from both members and non-members are accepted. The name and address of a contact person must accompany each ad.
       "EARLY DAYS OF MARION COUNTY" Lester & Marian Burnes, $25. Marian S. Burnes, PO Box 365, Yellville AR 72687.
       GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH . Marion Co. AR and surrounding areas. Experienced researcher. $10 per hour plus copy costs and postage. Vicki Roberts, HCR 66 Box 399, Yellville AR 72687; (870)-449-6195 aft 6:00 pm CST.
       GENEALOGICAL RESEARCH . Marion Co. AR area. $10 per hour plus copy costs and postage. Experienced researcher. Mysty McPherson, 35 MC 6023, Yellville AR 72687-1720; (870)-449-5223. E-mail: shakerag@mtnhome.com.
       "INDEX TO THE MOUNTAIN ECHO 12 March 1886 thru 26 June 1903." Births, marriages, deaths. $23.50 + $3.50 s/h. Margie Garr, 1505 Mistletoe, Mountain Home AR 72653, (870)-425-0405.
       IZARD CO. AR 1830 FEDERAL CENSUS , indexed, $4. Nancy A. Wood, 4643 S 28 Avenue, Tulsa OK 74107.
       MARION CO. AR 1840 FEDERAL CENSUS , indexed, $4. Nancy A. Wood, 4643 S 28 Avenue, Tulsa OK 74107.
       MARION CO. AR 1850 FEDERAL CENSUS , indexed, $10. Nancy A. Wood, 4643 S 28 Avenue, Tulsa OK 74107.
       "MARION COUNTY AR 1890 CENSUS." Reconstructed from 1880 & 1900 census; land, tax records, etc. Hardbound. $40. Helen McMindes, 626 West South Avenue, Harrison AR 72601.
       "MARION COUNTY CEMETERIES" Marian S. Burnes. Hardbound. $25. Marian S. Burnes, PO Box 365, Yellville AR 72687.
       "MARION COUNTY FAMILIES 1811-1900." Genealogies of 400 families settling in MCAR by 1900. Hardbound. HGSMCA $60 including postage. HGSMCA, PO Box 554, Yellville AR 72687
       "MARION COUNTY MARRIAGES 1888-1896" Marian S. Burnes & Vicki A. Roberts $12. Marian S. Burnes, PO Box 365, Yellville AR 72687.
       "MARION COUNTY MARRIAGES 1897-1906" Marian S. Burnes & Vicki A. Roberts $15. Marian S. Burnes, PO Box 365, Yellville AR 72687.
       "MARION COUNTY MARRIAGES 1905-1917" Marian S. Burnes & Vicki A. Roberts $15. Marian S. Burnes, PO Box 365, Yellville AR 72687.

       Membership in the Historical Genealogical Society of Marion County Arkansas is $12 per year
       Membership for one year runs from 1 January to 31 December of that year.
       Membership includes the quarterly newsletter Bramble Bush
       Membership begun later in the year includes all issues of Bramble Bush for that year.
       Make your check for $12 payable to HGSMCA and send to HGSMCA, PO Box 554, Yellville AR 72687-9612.

       Bramble Bush is published quarterly by the Historic Genealogical Society of Marion County Arkansas, PO Box 554, Yellville AR 72687. EDITORIAL STAFF: Editor, Vicki Roberts; Design/Production, Mysty McPherson; Art Work, Bonnie Sanders; Queries, Mary Birrer; Subscriptions, Barbara Holland; Printing, Quality Quick Printing, 828 Pine St., Harrison AR 72601; Contributing writers, Vicki Roberts, Mysty McPherson. HGSMCA OFFICERS: Chair, Vicki Roberts; Vice-Chair, Don Duggins; Secretary, Mary Birrer; Treasurer, Barbara Holland; Grants/Purchasing, Mysty McPherson.