Here is latest revised & corrected text of our booklet "The Grays From
Maine" with its Jan 2004 edition filed at most publc locations in
Fayetteville and Little Rock, plus GenWeb site for Dallas County, AR.

PHOTO: Virginia and Oliver GRAY

WHY are these two NOT honored today?

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The Grays were born in Lincoln County Maine, he in Jefferson,
she in Cushing, descending from Mayflower and Revolutionary War
families, adopting Arkansas as home after life in Maine, Minnesota, and
Mississippi, were caught up in the thirteen tumultuous years of civil
war & reconstruction turmoil.

The Grays came to Arkansas to educate its youth and did! She
for 21 and he for 45 years.

Virginia LaFayette (Davis) GRAY, began Arkansas Industrial
University's (AIU) Art Department, then called "School of Drawing and
Painting", also: wife, mother, friend, artist, author, educator, nurse,
-- a woman beyond her times, succumbing to cancer 2-months following
52nd birthday, leaving two enlightened children, Carl, 18, Ethel, 14 and
devoted husband of over 28 years, Oliver.

Colonel Oliver Crosby GRAY, a loving husband & father, beloved
teacher & mentor of all youth, handicapped or other, started AIU's Civil
Engineering School, instrumental in first public school built at
Fayetteville and its first principal, a fearless warrior, a respected
leader, died short of 73rd birthday, his loving family near.

<>------<>------<>

A. BIRTH

Doctor Peter Tufts GRAY (1787NH-1838ME), s/o Rev. Robert GRAY
(1761MA-1822NH) & Lydia TUFTS (1762MA-1801NH) --- married widow
Elizabeth (Kennedy) WEEKS (1802NH-1867MN), 30 Mar 1831, with 3 y/o son,
birthing first son Friday, 30 Dec 1832 in Jefferson, Lincoln County,
Maine, naming him Oliver Crosby, after his uncle Oliver Crosby GRAY
(1800-1827), with a older half-brother, Ambrose WEEKS born 1828, later
two younger brothers, Thomas Kennedy, 1833 and John D. GRAY, 1836.

Mariner Captain George DAVIS (1798ME-1870AR), s/o Cornelius
DAVIS (1765ME-1845ME) & Hoppy (Hope) ADAMS (1763ME-1853ME) --- and wife
Catherine YOUNG (1804ME-1849ME), two and a half years later, gave birth
to their fourth child, -- second reaching adulthood, Thursday, 19 June
1834, at Davis Point on Muscongus Bay at Cushing, Lincoln County (Knox
County created 1 Apr 1860), Maine naming her Virginia LaFayette, with
one older brother Byron born 1832 later two younger brothers, Ray, 1836
& Fred, 1840, -- Her father married his deceased wife brother's widow,
Elizabeth (Allen) YOUNG (1810-1888) in 1854, a younger step-sister
Fidelia (Delia), b. 1844 and two younger step-brothers, Hiram, 1846 &
Julian, 1848.

B. EARLY LIFE

Virginia (to family Jennie, to Fayetteville friends Vergie) &
Oliver ("Little Bada"), each lost a parent, were among several siblings,
& step children, within loving & religious families while growing up.
Her oldest two brothers on trip around world with father 1849-1851,
later she and step-sister to Europe with father. Oliver graduating Colby
College, Waterville, ME, class of 1855, moving with family, reportedly
becoming first superintendent of new Minneapolis, Hennepin County, MN
schools, returning to Cushing to marry Virginia LaFayette DAVIS Friday,
28 May1858.

Historians are wrong, --- exception in part, 1889 Goodspeed
Publication --- Jennie's letters say they moved to remote and new
Monticello, Wright County, MN, on southern bank of Mississippi River,
which she loved, teaching a year, birthing son Clyde Leslie, Saturday,
19 February 1859, removing to Wills/Wells plantation, 9-miles NW'ly from
Holly Springs, MS, on which were seventeen slaves.

Tolerating Mississippi life for only 1-year, from Napoleon, AR,
arrived in Princeton by stage coach, which lost its way, August 1860,
inspired by pea green spire in 15 year-old Dallas County, with its 8
year-old courthouse (see image & 17 Jul 1864 diary entry, which may well
been drawn by her), he as head master with WilliamC. Farham principal,
both teaching and lecturing at Princeton Female Academy.

C. NATION

Pre-civil war public schools were not generally organized.
Educators subscribed classes at $1 or more per head, per month,
educating anyone. Thus, less monied communities were without educational facilities.

Abe Lincoln's 1860 election brought unrest, tension and a civil
war, with Arkansas seceding Monday, 6 May 1861, becoming part of the
Confederate States, but he however did sign 1862 Morrill Act of land
grants for higher education, which Buchanan would not, thusly was used
in 1871 for Arkansas Industrial University, becoming University of
Arkansas, Wednesday, 8 Mar 1899.

D. CIVIL WAR

Oliver served over three years in Confederate Army, over two as
commander 3rd Regiment of Arkansas Cavalry, Company A, organized by
father of Oliver's 2nd wife, Colonel Solon Borland (1811VA-1864TX),
enlisting Monday, 29 Jul 1861 at Pocahontas, AR. He was 1st Sergeant,
1st Lieutenant, ending as Captain, appointed by Gen Armstrong as
Division Provost Marshall in late 1863, then 19 Aug 1864, allowed to
resign to join Confederate Navy (see 17 Jul letter).

1st Lt. GRAY served under Captain Wm.T.M. HOLMES, who arrived
in Princeton with parents Issac & Henriette HOLMES early 1840's from
Mecklenburg, VA. He bought Presley Watts hotel, he with wife Martha
Augustina (Gee) & their children, were Gray's friends. Daughter
Henriette (Holmes) Walsh, in 1862 named 3rd son Oliver C., Lou (Louisa)
E., married Col. Henry G. Bunn in 1865, later Roberta (Berta) F. Nash
(1845VA-1883AR), married but six months, and her mother Martha Augustina
(Gee) (1816VA-1901AR), buried next to Clyde Leslie GRAY (1859MN-1861AR)
and his grandfather Capt. George DAVIS (1798ME-1870AR) in Princeton cemetery.

Capt. HOLMES was killed Sunday, 5 Oct 1862, at Hatchee River
bridge, allowing General Earl Van Dorn's Army retreat from a bloody
defeat at Cornith, MS, losing nearly 5,000 confederate, while killing over 2,000 union troops.

Oliver then became Company A commander and in Nov 1862 was
dispatched to Princeton to gather their horses (see billing & diary entry 23 Nov 1863).

Saturday morning around 3:00 am, 20 Dec 1862, with the 3rd remounted,
Gen. Van Dorn & Col. Earle, seized Holly Springs, MS from, and
up-rooting Gen. U.S. Grant, as one of the greater overall victories of
the Confederate Army during the Civil War, delaying Vicksburg Battle for
months, Grant, his wife Julia and her slave, retreating to Memphis from
Colonel Harvey Washington Walter's mansion, "Walter Place", still
standing in all its splendor, due to courtesy shown Mrs Grant. Later,
Gen Grant likewise, disallowed ravaging homes on way to Vicksburg in Gen
Van Dorn's hometown, of Port Gibson, MS.

There after, Oliver served in a number of raids, skirmishes,
and campaigns including Thompson's Station, 5 Mar 1863, where Col Earle
was killed; Franklin, 10 Apr 1863; assigned to Nathan Bedford Forrest's
cavalry corps following Van Dorn's death by a jealous husband; the
Tullahoma campaign June 1863; bloody battle of Chickamauga on Sept.
19-20, 1863; siege of Chattanooga in Sept through Nov. 1863; siege of
Knoxville, TN Nov 1863 and near Sandtown, GA (Atlanta) 1864.

While under Col Hobson, Gen Humes, "Fighting Joe" Wheeler & Gen
Hood, Oliver submitted his 2nd request, 17 July 1864 at Sandtown, GA to
Gen. Cooper, to be allowed to resign Army and join Confederate Navy,
accepted 19 Aug. Atlanta was lost to the Federals 13 days later, when
Gen Hood abandoned it 1 Sep 1864. Its unknown if in Navy when Fed's
captured him Wednesday, 16 Nov at Choctaw Bend, MS, for he is listed,
incorrectly, Capt. 3rd Regt. Ark. Cav., inprisoned on Ship Island, off
shore of Biloxi, MS (see article & pictures), exchanged 2 Mar 1865, back
home in Princeton 1 Apr 1865 (see 3 Apr 1865 diary entry).

Oliver, physically unscathed, returned to wife Virginia and
Princeton Female Academy, however, --- no longer a stranger to bloody
battles, defeat/victory, prison nor death.

<http://www.battleofbrownsmill.org/>,
<http://www.ourgeorgiahistory.com/chronpop/2345>,<http://www.itd.nps.gov/cwss/soldiers.htm>,<
http://www.couchgenweb.com/civilwar/3cavA.html>,<http://sunsite.utk.edu/civil-war/>,<
http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/read/3rd-arkansas-cavalry/2004-01/1073841168>

E. ARTIST

Virginia was always, most actively, an artist and writer!

She is found on pages 209 & 210 in "History of the University
of Arkansas" (UA), 1910, by John Hugh Reynolds and David Yancey Thomas, to wit;

"...the art department makes
its debut in 1874 with Mrs. V. L. Gray as instructor. Apparently her
work was voluntary and her pay dependent upon tuition fee and in 1877
she presented the board with a painting of the university building and
grounds which they in turn presented to the executive office in Little Rock."

Don E. SCHAEFER, UA Publication Manager emeritus, about 1990
recorded from page 91 of the 1877 record;

"In 1877 Mrs. O. C. Gray, chair of
painting [Art Depatment], presented a painting of the A.I.U. building
and grounds to Gov. W. R. Miller to be a perpetual memento."

Realizing this a significant piece of art, Don searched without
success, --- then says he; "called Dr. Ferguson of the Arkansas History
Commission. He assured me that he knew about every painting in the
Capitol, the Governor's Mansion, and in the archives." After 126-years, painting is not found.

Mr SCHAEFER has been commissioned by University's Board to
finish his history book of UA buildings, including GRAY HALL. He also is
responioble for our great pictures of Grays gravestones.

A 'Query' was posted early on, in genealogy boards of Arkansas,
Maine, Minnesota, & South Dakota. Eleanor Gray KNUTSON's grandson
spotted it 9 Sep 2004, connecting us with his grandfather who has now
connected us with six of possible seven familys, all sharing photos and
materials. His daughter is heir to Virginia's, war diary, baby diary,
scriptural album, many pictures and family stories being shared amongest
family. The DAVIS family archives, include 30 letters written by Jennie,
is likewise being shared among family. This all is allowing Kathy
Martineu to update her on-line GRAY FAMILY TREE,
<http://worldconnect.rootsweb.com/cgi-bin/igm.cgi?op=GET&db=:2621954&id=I544058777>
and Jamila Sloan of Dallas County (AR) GenWeb, to update her site,
<http://www.rootsweb.com/~ardallas/>.

Until contact was establshed with Eleanor Gray KNUTSON's
family, only one piece of Jennie's art was known to us. Eleanor's heirs
"Scriptural Album" has some 50 pieces of art, most NOT signed nor dated.
Also Virginia's original 1863-1866 Diary, annoted and published in 1983
plus the unpublished 242-page "baby diary" kept about son "Tarty Jay"
from birth, 1867 in Princeton, to her death in Fayetteville 1886, with
page 243 written 6 months following "Little Mudder"'s death by her son
Carl Raymond GRAY, 17 Feb 1887.

Jennie's unpublished letters (1858-1886) to brother Byron
(1832ME-1865BEI), his widow, Nellie and daughter Kate, kept by his
g,g,granddaughter, speak fondly of her art, sketches, watercolors &
oils, and writings. Oct 1875 she is seeking materials for her classes of
40 & 50 students held in new University Hall, 2nd floor Clock Tower
studio.

Dr. Carl H. MONEYHON, collaborated with the great
granddaughter, Eleanor Gray KNUTSON (1923ME-1994MN), daughter of Carl
GRAY's 2nd son, in editing Jennie's diary for publication, when asked, he's unaware of any art work,
--- offering a copy of Virginia's picture (included), which provided identification to another picture
of younger Jennie in DAVIS family memorabilia (included). University of Arkansas Art Department
have also searched, as did Butler Center for Arkansas Studies at Little Rock.

Virginia's 1863-1866 diary, was annotated, edited, and
published in 1983 by Dr. Carl H. MONEYHON, University of Arkansas,
Little Rock, in Arkansas Historical Quarterly XLII (Spring), p 47-85;
(Summer), p 134-169, --- in which she speaks profusely of Princeton, AR
friends, ---- sisters, 23 y/o Lou (Louisa) E. and 18 y/o Berta (Roberta)
HOLMES, 16 y/o Fannie G.(Green) BORLAND (1848AR-1879TN) and 13 y/o
MaryM. (Melbourne) (Molly) BORLAND(1850AR-1938MO) (2nd Mrs. O.C. GRAY),
--- contributions & support of the civil war, nursing wounded and ill of
Union & Confederate troops, intrusions by Union Troops, awaiting word of
loved ones in battle, bonding with each other thru deaths, births,
marriages, until war ended.

Virginia Davis GRAY''s diary speaks also of her writings, such
as "her Cremona", --- when completed in 1865, she read to Mrs. Esther
(Hastings) COMPTON, (p. 168 & 169, diary) -- wife to Dr. F.M. COMPTON,
(brother of Arkansas Supreme Court Justice F.W. COMPTON), whose daughter
Kate's wedding plans she thought were as beautiful as money can make it,
when Jennie helped at Little Rock in1871.

Jennies diary entry of 27 Dec 1865, to wit:
"Our poem and paper were read tonight, with 'immense applause'.
Fannie said she sat in clover, I did not feel much excited."

This may well have been the "Violet Lea" poem, "The Dead Confederacy"
<http://members.cox.net/confed/poetry/poem99.html>, credited to Fannie
Green BORLAND (daughter of Senator/Colonel Solon BORLAND) written 1865
(signed copy at UA's Special Collection), published 21 Dec 1871 in
London's "Cosmopolitian", 21 Jan 1872 in Daily Arkansas Gazette with
story atached. It also was heralded by Father RYAN and Gen John M. HARRELL.

It was in Jennie and Oliver's Little Rock home, 21 Apr 1869,
that poetess Fannie Green BORLAND was married to James C. MOORES of
Memphis, TN, which The Arkansas Gazette page 2, column 5 said "The Bluff
City has snatched a lovely prize from our "City of Roses"."

Jennie, Fannie and others worked with Sarah LEA (Mrs George G.
LEA, Sr., he, brother of Judge COMPTON's wife) see 17 Nov 1863 and other
diary entries, whose art is better than "Grandmother Moses", according
to one critic, including one which favors a young Jeannie.

Jennie's older brother, Byron's, family have a scketch and a
painting (included), also undated, unsigned, found among DAVIS
materials. One which we have good reason to believe is Jennie's from
1860's of son Clyde Leslie, the other found in a envelope with a letter,
1880's, likely painted at her favorite spot, Davis Point, Knox County,
ME, where she was born and raised.

F. MOVE TO LITTLE ROCK

Oliver & Jennie moved to Little Rock from Princeton, --- from
county seat to state's capitol, --- he at start of reconstruction, and
school year 1867-68 which was start-up following Civil War, when school
was used as hospital by Confederates till 9 Sep 1863, then same by Union
forces. Jennie and "Tarty Jay", came by night stagecoach, about Nov 13th, following
his birth, Saturday, 28 Sep 1867. She arrived early and was unable to gain entrance to where
they were to stay. Maj Harold BORLAND (1835NC-1921AR), half brother of Fannie
and Molly smashed the door for her to enter.

Oliver was "professor of mathematics and principal of the
preparatory department" at prestigious Masonic, St John's College
(1859-1882), block east of U.S. Arsenal where General Douglas MacArthur
was later born in 1880 (see map), served as its president, last three
years, directly involved in "The Brooks-Baxter War"of 1874, protecting
Gov. Baxter with armed students under Major Peay! School served, first
the Confederates after Sep 1863, the Union, as a hospital during the war.

Jennie writes in 1870/71, of owning property 12-miles out on
Memphis Railroad line with plans to build and live there, apparently
didn't, -- instead they moved to house between U. S. Arsenal and St.
John's College, "Tenth, nr College", (see 1870 aerial) where a blue
eyed, blond headed, daughter, instead of expected son, was born Tuesday,
5 Dec 1871, naming her Ethel Davis.

G. RECONSTRUCTION

Monday, 22 June 1868, State of Arkansas was readmitted to
United States by congress. The Reconstruction Government of Arkansas
began with new constitution, ending with Constitutional Convention
of1874. Republican "carpetbaggers" ruled but were now split. "Most
native Arkansans considered elections a squabble among thieves
concerning who would rob them next", wrote Richard Owings.

These were, at best, six contentious years following Civil War!

'The Brooks-Baxter War' started Wednesday, 15 Apr 1874, when Mr
Brooks expelled Governor Baxter by seizing state house while OliverC.
GRAY, President of St. John's College (1871-1874) was arming his
students, because Governor Baxter was operating from within St John's.

"Pioneer and Makers of Arkansas", by Josiah H. Shinn, printed
originally in Little Rock, 1908, --- has "Major O. C. GRAY" mustering
and arming his student cadets, ready to do battle upon command in
protecting Gov. Baxter, similar notation appears in Masonic tribute to
Oliver, published Saturday 6 Jan 1906, for Baxter was operating from St.
John's College to be disposed to Anthony House under such notables as:
Judges Uriah Milton Rose, (1834-1913), (see article & photos), Augustus
Hill Garland (1832TN-1899AR), -- (1885 appointed United States Attorney
General, as first Arkansan serving in a presidential cabinet) along
with, Henry Caldwell, Sam W. Williams, Freeman W. Compton, Elbert H.
English, -- see also Dr. Carl Moneyhon's, "The Impact of the Civil War
and Reconstruction on Arkansas", p 247 & 260, --- with President
UlyssesS.Grant supporting Baxter as Governor of Arkansas, --- issue
resolved Friday, 15 May 1874, some say, "a hotch potch impossible to explain".

James H. Atkinson, a Little Rock Junior College instructor, explained events
exceedingly well, during those 30-days in, "The Brooks-Baxter Contest", found in The
Arkansas Historical Quarterly, Vol. IV, summer1945.

"The Brooks-Baxter War History", is an in-depth look, starting
page #203, 'EIGHTH PAPER', has St. John's College involvement, published
1893, by Slawson Printing, Co., St. Louis, author, General John M.
Harrell, former Arkansas Solicitor General and a Pvt. with Col. Solon
Borland Apr 1861 reportedly capturing Ft. Smith
(www.uttyl.edu/vbetts/little_rock_arkansas_true_democrat_1861.htm, to
May 2, p.2,c.6 ;Ft Smith 4/21/'61), later to command "Harrell's
Battalion" an infantry group organized Aug 1862, serving under Gen.
Cabell. Authoritarian sources at Arkansas History Commission and Butler
Center for Arkansas Studies, Little Rock said, this is 'THE CLASSIC
BOOK', we feel fortunate to have received a copy and other books through
InterLibrary Loan, at Naples, FL Library.

H. UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS

Arkansas' Supreme Court Justice, LaFayette GREGG (1825AL-1893AR),
formerly a Union Colonel, at home with parents in Washington County
during 1850 census, married Mary A. SHREVE in 1852, is credited for
college in Fayetteville, with sons Albert W., 18 y/o, Class 1876, and
Andrew S., 14 y/o, thus comprising 25% of first student body.

Oliver GRAY, President of, then prestigous Masonic, St. John's
College, was selected, Wednesday, 8 July 1874 by Executive Committee of
The Board of Trustees, appointed by governor of Arkansas, to become a
faculty member, professor of Civil Engineering and Mathematics (see page
31, Harrison Hale's "University of Arkansas, 1871-1948" and pages 95 &
320 of said 1910, "History Of University of Arkansas, by Reynolds &
Thomas), at newly created Arkansas Industrial University (University of
Arkansas after, Wednesday, 8 Mar 1899), first classes held Monday, 22
Jan 1872 in converted home of William McIlory (1812NC-1886AR) and
hastily built wooden buildings (see pictures) for classes, housing
students. William McIlory is buried next to plot 144, Oliver &
Virginia's, across road from Gov. Archibald Yell, in Masonic Evergreen Cemetery.

Wednesday, 8 Sept 1875, --- University Hall's (Old Main)
opening day, finds Virginia's "School of Drawing and Painting" (Art
Department) assigned 2nd floor 'Clock Tower', and Oliver's Engineering
and Mathematic's,"... in spacious 48 by 58 foot room with beautiful
pillars and arched windows.". Their daughter Ethel is listed attending
classes or special courses, 1878/79, 1883/84 and 1891 through 1896. Son,
Carl, had attended until 1883.

Harrison Hale's book "University of Arkansas, (1871-1948)",
commissioned by Board of Trustees, copyright by University of Arkansas,
1948, --- Chapter XIV, RECORDS, page 261, reveals, to wit;

"Gray, Oliver C., mathematics, logic, astronomy 1875-95",
below which, is;
"Gray, Mrs. V. L., drawing and painting1875-1881"

Retaining Virginia's services as AIU's 1st "Drawing and
Painting" (Art Department) faculty member Wednesday, 8 July 1874, is
mysteriously missing from said page 31, and/or elsewhere, (see comment
under, "E. ARTIST"), ---- none-the-less, Mrs. V.L. (Virginia LaFayette)
GRAY, was first chair of "drawing & painting 1875-81".

Mary R. GORTON, 1872-77, of Cook County, Illinois, retained 5
Feb 1872 for english and mathematics, at one time reportedly taught ALL
english and mathematics and with Miss L.J. STANARD, were half (1/2) of
faculty. 1875 Mary & sister, a senior student, lived on same hotel 3rd
floor as the GRAYS, (SOURCE: "History of The University of Arkansas" by
John Hugh Reynolds and David Yancey Thomas & Jennie's letters).

Chapter XIV, page 271, of Hale's book lists "Doctor's Degrees
-- Honorary", mostly LL.D's, among whom is: in 1909 U.M.Rose (see
article & photo), 1913 George C. Rose (see article & photo), 1917 JohnE.
Martineau, Class of 1896,

1929 Carl Raymond GRAY, [s/o O.C. & V.
L. GRAY, same honor from 3 other colleges, President 1920-1937, thence
Vice Chairman, Union Pacific Railroad, advisor to President Wilson &
Roosevelt, Vol. 1, pg. 479, Who was Who in America].

1947 John Wm. FULBRIGHT and John Wesley SNYDER [President Harry
S Truman's Secretary of Treasury, while Gen. Carl Raymond GRAY, Jr. was
Veterans Administrator, also in Vol. 3, Who's Who in America].

Tuesday, 10 July 1877, Oliver C. GRAY paid Judge LaFayette and
Mary A. GREGG $1,000 for southerly 16-poles (264 feet) of westerly
22-1/2 poles (371.25 feet) in northwest 1/4 of northeast 1/4, Sec 16,
T-16-N, R-30-W, now in Block 6A, sheet 141, Fayetteville, abutting north
side of W. Dickson St., between West and Gregg Avenues. Later, Monday 21
May 1888, Oliver C. GRAY for $1, deeded City south 13 feet 2 inches
between railroad property & Gregg Ave. and 18 February 1938 obituary of
2nd Mrs GRAY, noted some family structures remained at homestead (see attachments).

Hattie E. Williams' article in May 1958 issue of Washington
County Historical Society's, FLASHBACK, "OUR NEIGHBORS -- THE GRAYS"
described Gray's home as:

"It was a rambling English cottage
type, olive green in color, charming with ornamental woodwork at the
porch, and, with vines and shrubbery in just the right places. The large
yard was kept in beatiful order, both front and back."

Also of Jennie and house interior:

"Mrs. Gray was an artist. A quiet,
dark-eyed, gray-headed woman, whom I remember vaguely. Everything about
their home reflected her artistic taste. The mantel in the front room
was white, with a lovely spray of pink and white apple blossoms, her
work, painted on it, while in the long west room the fireplace was
surrounded by hand-painted tiles, I think perhaps to interest the
children." Hattie wrote of Oliver:

"I can see Colonel Gray now as he
moved energetically about his place, working the yard. He was tall and
well built, of fine military bearing, with iron-gray hair and long well kept beard."

She also wrote of Oliver:
".... it was Colonel Gray who at
time of celebration, led the parade of University cadets from old
frieght depot (then terminal) to town.", this, June 8, 1881,
celebration, less credit to Col Gray is found on pg. 51 of Harrison
Hale's "University of Arkansas, 1871-1948"

Also of the 2nd Mrs.Gray:
"Mrs. Gray was a lovely person whom I admired greatly. A daughter
of a former United States Senator [Solon Borland],she brought
distintinction to the new home."

1871, GREGG's built their new (now historic) home at 339 N
Gregg Ave., across street from GRAY's homestead of1877. Large house
originally on GRAY's tract had burnt, was left to weather with weeds
growing when they purchased this 2-1/4 acres, --- after fixing up
remaining house, GRAY'S gave/sold Mary Gray's (cow) yard, their easterly
portion, to Saint Louis and San Fransico Railroad Company, comonly
called Frisco RR.

A killer cyclone hit Sunday 18 Apr 1880 leaving much damage and
3 dead here and nearly a hundred dead elsewhere, first train arrived 8
Jun 1881 in GRAY's former yard, then a school rebellion, of sorts, is
reported in 1884-88 under Presidents Hill & Edgar when faculty disagreed
over severity of regulations governing students, faculty, etc., ---
result: ALL faculty 'chairs' retired 9 June1885.

Virginia resigned her "School of Drawing and Painting" (Art
Department) position in 1881, 1st starting 1874, due to 1880's economic
downturn, allowing more time with their children,l age 13, Ethel 9, and her painting.

Records show Colonel O. C. GRAY as Mayor of Fayetteville in
1886, & according to Hattie Williams' FLASHBACK article was instrumental
in building Fayetteville's first public school, the Washington School.
He was  a school board member according to Jennie's 11 Jul 1884 letter
wen new building was planned. He then becoming its principal, salary
$650 according to book prepared by Washington County Retired Teachers
Association in 1986 about county's education 1830-1950.

Oliver was also an Elder at their Presbyterian Church, with
Rev. S. W. Davies minister, served on Fayetteville's School Board, and a
highly regarded Mason, serving as Master, Commander and High Priest at
different times.

FLASHBACK's article Feb 1968 by Deane G. Carter (1894MO-1980AR),
among other nice things quoted from Campbells' History about Gray, to wit:

"He was an active home owner here,
mayor of town, principal of schools, and gave high tone to all he did."

Virginia died Tuesday, 1:30 pm, 17 Aug 1886, suffering from
cancer since Dec 1885 for which family found no cure, a loss to all
whose lives were blessed to know her, as on gravestone:

"None knew her, but to love
None named her, but to praise"

Friday, 20 Aug 1886 Fayetteville Democrat reported to wit;
"As a demonstration of sorrow and respect for
the burial of Mrs. Gray on Wednesday the business houses very fitly
closed their doors. An act which was right."

I. REINSTATEMENT AT UA & MORE

Records reveal that university attendance suffered from strict
regulations established by Hill and Edgar, thusly, were relaxed, with
three former faculty professors invited to return to their "chairs" July
1888, --- Colonel O. C. GRAY among those three, and had, faithfully
served the university's first six Presidents, Gates, Bishop, Hill,
Edgar, Murfee, & Buchanan as is documented in university's history books and papers.

Colonel Murfee became "president of faculty" 30 Aug 1888,
following Colonel O.C. GRAY acceptance of his returned "chair" in
mathematics, and assuming Murfee's chairmanship, serving until May 1895,
when Arkansas School for the Blind retained him as Superintendent.

Colonel Oliver C. GRAY's 50-years service following Colby
College graduation in Class of 1855, were creditable and extraordinaire,
--- an unselfish, distinguished professinal career and personal life,
concluding in death following 10-years service at The School for the
Blind, excepting two years as principal, Speers-Langford Military
Institute in Searcy, AR, 1899-01, dying following a lengthily illness
with cerebral-spinal-meningitis, Saturday evening, 9 Dec 1905 in his
home at school, with his family.

J. TRIBUTES DESTROYED

1. State of Arkansas razed Arkansas School for the Blind's
buildings at 18th & Center Streets in 1948, making room for new
Governor's Mansion. In so doing, demolished any/all honors bestowed to
Colonel GRAY of a 3-story brick building (see photos) built by Major
Samuel McCormick in 1869 in Gray's honor, as an appendage to a main
edifice, later built in 1885, it being a masterfully constructed and
strikingly beautiful building! In their place rose magnificent
Governor's Mansion, utilizing old bricks for new structure, by having
prisoners cleaning them, which reportedly in design, was to be painted
white, --- however because of beauty seen in old large bricks, was NOT.
--- First occupant, Governor Sidney McMath in 1950.

2. University of Arkansas, with $90K from state legislators in
early 20th century built six buildings, ie; $35K for CARNALL HALL,
lavishly restored in 21st century, --- $20K for GRAY HALL, honoring
Oliver Crosby GRAY, shamefully removed in 1966 for Mullins Library (see
article & photos), --- with its demise went honors bestowed Colonel
GRAY. WCHS FLASHBACK's February 1968 issue had article by university's
19 year employee Deane G. Carter (1894MO-1980AR), stating our point of view.

We understand the Campus History Commission, a
committe of five, in 2004 considered placing a historical marker in his
honor, but voted against any such restoration of honors for the GRAYS.
Two of the five, Jeannie M. Whayne and Ethel C. Simpson, have shown no
interest in correcting wrongs under their authority, after we documented
the errors. Hopefully they are NOT so small of mind, that this would
have been reason to reject any honors for the over-qualified GRAYS?

K. SON, CARL RAYMOND

Carl Raymond GRAY (1867AR-1939DC), tall, slim, intelligent, after
celebration of university cadets (see Hattie E. Williams' FLASHBACK
article and pg. 51 of Harrison Hale's, "University of Arkansas,
1871-1948"), -- led by his father and arrival of first passenger train
June 8, 1881 with 10 y/o SWANEY aboard (Mr. W.W. SWANEY, at age 94,
boarded last train leaving 18 Sept1965). Carl paid agent W.P. McNAIR
$5/month to teach him telegraphy at Fayetteville's Frisco depot, on
Gray's former property, while darting about town delivering telegrams for him.

Tuesday, 20 March 1883, Carl Raymond GRAY, age 15 launched a 56-year
legendary railroad career at newly created town of Rogers, AR, as Frisco Railroad employee.
In 1904, just 21 years later, at age 36, Carl gained the position held by the town's
namesake, Captain Charles Warrington (C. W.) ROGERS.

Carl returned home weekends, until 1884 promotion as Rogers
station master, then transferred to Oswego, Labette County, KS, meeting
and marrying his love, Hattie A. FLORA (1869KS-1956ME), Monday, 6 Dec
1886, on $60/month salary & $4.00 in pocket. Harriette Amanda, with
older brother Clarence Milton (1868KS-1924OK), two of three children of
John Andrew FLORA (1845IN-1934KS), ex-Army Indian scout, and Mary
Elizabeth SHULTS (1850OH-1874KS) were among first white children born in
Wilson, later Montgomery County, KS, which was Osage Indian Territory,
until 1867 with balance given up in 1869.

The 242 page "baby diary", kept by his mother, is so revealing, one
wonders how he survived those frontier years of Arkansas.

Harriette, Carl's loving wife, mother of his three sons, two of
whom are found in "Who's Who in America", Volumn 3, 1951-1960, shared
their 50th wedding anniversary with 1400 guest, (1200 older UP
employees), at Omaha, NE, reported in Life Magazine, 21 Dec 1936, pages
68-72 recording the gala event, --- page 17, Time magazine's 3 May 1937
issue, announced Harriette selected by Golden Rule Foundation as
"American Mother of 1937", was awarded Cross of Honor (Lady of the Flag)
by the United States Flag Association, a degree of Doctor of Letters by
Sioux Falls College of South Dakota, and traveled to Kansas City, MO
monthly from Omaha to conduct Bible Study Class, being one of first
women to have a national radio Bible Classes plus many other charitable deeds.

Carl, over six feet tall, a robust, handsome, man with
prematurely gray wavy hair since mid-forties who was a great story
teller, now found; 1)- with honorary LL.D. degrees from; a)- Maryland
State College of Agriculture, later U of MD, 1916, b)- U of Arkansas,
1929, c)- Washington and Jefferson College, 1937, d)- Sioux Falls
College, 1937, 2)- served many railroad companies as president, lastly
--- Union Pacific 1920-1937, 3)- provided nation; a)- first 'Streamline
Passenger Train', Monday, 12 Feb 1934, b)- fabulous ski-resort, at Sun
Valley, Idaho in 1936, 4)- advisor to president Wilson & Roosevelt, 5)-
Vice Chairman of UP, in "Who was Who in America" pg. 479 Volumn 1 and in
other prestigious publications.

Carl's 56 year career ended Tuesday, 9 May 1939, following
leisurely dinner with sons, Carl Raymond Jr, (1889KS-1955WS) & Russell
Davis (1899KS-1974NJ), coincidentally on business in nation's capitol,
dying in bed at Mayflower Hotel, Washington D. C., within a few hours of
historic Union Pacific engine arrival, used in exploitation of the
motion picture "Union Pacific", scheduled for exhibition in the Capital.

The motion picture was being shown at Strand Theater when news
of Mr. GRAY's death was announced!

L. SECOND MARRIAGE

Colonel Oliver Crosby GRAY married John M. BEATTIE's
(1840SCOT-1877TN, m. 27 Feb 1872), widow Mrs. Mary (Molly) Melbourne
(Borland) BEATTIE (1850AR-1938MO), Monday, 17 Jun 1889, youngest
daughter of 'greater-than-life', Doctor Solon BORLAND (1811VA-1864TX),
U.S. Senator, U.S.Army Major, Confederate Colonel, Ambassador,
Professor, Newspaperman, Oliver's first Army commander. Mary had two
daughters, 17 y/o Grace M.(1872TN-1954MS), 14 y/o Mary Borland
(1875TN-1962MS) and son, 11 y/o Godwin M.(1878TN-??). Daughters are
buried in Belzoni, MS cemetery. The 2nd Mrs GRAY's, Mary BEATTIE, ashes
buried, unmarked, next to Oliver in Evergreen Cemetery, Fayetteville
witnesed by daughter Mary and step-son Carl 19 Feb 1938, according to
obituary in Northwest Arkansas Times.

Mary (Molly) M. BEATTIE was, for many years, "Matron" at "Mute
Asylum" (Arkansas Deaf-Mute Institute, ADMI) as when Virginia (1st Mrs.
GRAY) visited fall 1883. Mrs. Mary M. GRAY was "Matron", 1 Oct 1896, at
The Arkansas School for the Blind (ASB) while husband Colonel GRAY, was
Superintendent. Daughter Mary Borland BEATTIE, 1896 AIU (UA), graduated
"with distinction" (1st class to wear Cap & Gown), listed in ADMI's
1899-1900 Sixteenth Biennial Report, pages 5 & 24, as Literary Teacher,
in Manual Department, having virtually been raised there, later marrying
Dr. John C.BELL (1874-1954MS). Eldest daughter Grace M. BEATTIE found in
1893 & 1894 City Directory, living & teaching at ADMI, then both at
Flint, MI about 1900, with only Grace at Colorado School for the Deaf &
Blind 1902-1944 -- (only ASB replied to our queries) -- Both were guests
at "Gray Rocks", the summer home, near his "Little Mudder's" birth place
Davis Point, of step-brother Carl in Pleasant Point, Knox County, Maine,
and in his 1939 will.

GraceM. whom I met in 1936 was a friend and
step-sister-in-law to our maternal grandparents, Maude (Wallick) FLORA
(1870IN-1940CO) and Dr. William Walter FLORA (1871KS-1922CO), Harriette
Amanda FLORA's brother, Grace's step-brother Carl Raymond GRAY's wife.

Molly's (Mary M.) sister, poet, Fannie Green BORLAND and
14-year older half-brother Major Harold BORLAND, (1835NC-1921AR), (1860
West Point graduate serving in Confederate service), were friends and
neighbors of Virginia's in Princeton, frequently mentioned in her
1863-66 published diary & unpublished "baby diary" of Carl. Molly's
4-year older brother George Godwin BORLAND (1846AR-1862TX), and two year
older sister Fanny Green BORLAND were named for Solon's uncle and aunt
who raised him in 1820, his son Harold in 1840 and nephew Thomas in
1850, --- George GODWIN & wife Fanny (Green) GODWIN of Suffolk, VA.---
died following Confederate service, near Clarksville, Texas, 24 Jun
1862, then mother Mary Isabel (Melbourne), from LA, died 23 Oct 1862 at
Little Rock, famous father Solon died, reportedly at William (Francis ?)
Lubbock's home near Houston, Texas 1 Jan 1864 (Arkansas Bar Foundation
erecting a memorial gravestone in 1992 at Mount Holly Cemetery, Little
Rock for Col Solon BORLAND). Solon, before leaving 14 Sep 1863,
entrusted his money and two slave girls with Martha Augustina (Gee)
HOLMES to look after his two daughters.

Fannie Green BORLAND was noted by General John M. HARRELL (1861
Arkansas Solicitor General) in;
<http://www.rootsweb.com/~ganews/CV/cv1894pg2.htm>. Scroll down perhaps
5 pages worth to "Gossipy Letter from Hot Springs ARK" speaking of her
poem, "THE DEAD CONFEDERACY" (written 1865, Princeton, as Violet Lea,
see 27 Dec 1865 diary entry),
<http://members.cox.net/confed/poetry/poem99.html>

One of Jennie's 1871 letters speaks to learning Fannie
(Borland) MOORES moved to Cincinnati where husband's family lived with
Molly joining them, however, it appears they moved shortly thereafter to
Memphis, caught up in its Yellow Fever Epidemic with 5,000 deaths, ---
widow Mary (Molly) is found, head of household, (as "Marg Beattie") in
1880 Census at Memphis, Shelby County, TN, less 8 y/o Grace M. (?), and
Fannie's son George B. with half-brother Harold BORLAND (under
"Bourland") in Cadron, Faulkner County, AR!

James MOORES'(1833OH-1878TN, m. 21 Apr 1869) widow, Fannie
(Borland) MOORES, mother of son George B. born Nov 1869, she died of
yellow fever, as did both their husbands in 1877-79 Memphis epidemic
which took 5000 lives and bankrupted the town, 23 Aug 1879, living with
sister Molly in Shelby County, TN.

 M. ++ HOW SOON WE FORGET++

Arkansas' current policy of honoring its outstanding citizens
is lacking prestige, thusly speaks poorly for State of Arkansas and its Academia.

Honoring people by chasing 'Bank Accounts' instead of
supporting 'Unselfish Deeds' earlier preformed by unselfish dedicated
people, such as Colonel/Professor Oliver Crosby and Artist/Educator
Virginia LaFayette (Davis) GRAY, now 'turned out to pasture' with honors
discarded to trash dumps with building debris, because obstruction of
new, convoluted, attitude by present money-wise generation, with its
lack of understanding words, either; "dedication" or "sacrifice", ---
honoring others with great (in their minds greater), accomplishments
that seem amazing feats, or families with large financial contributions,
--- NONE having approached level of dedication to Arkansas youth
education, nor overall contributions to Arkansas, in war, and/or
reconstruction, as have Oliver Crosby & Virginia LaFayette (Davis) GRAY
from Maine, --- all recorded in history books!

1. A fitting tribute to Oliver Crosby GRAY:

a. University of Arkansas'
Engineering school named ---OLIVER C.GRAY SCHOOL OF ENGINEERING, in
honor of his life-time contributions to Arkansas, its youth, University,
& engineering school of Arkansas Industrial University, in part set
forth in "History of University of Arkansas, Reynolds & Thomas, 1910
copyright!

b. Re-name a dorm in his honor!

2. A fitting tribute to Virginia LaFayette (Davis) GRAY:

a. University of Arkansas' Art Department be named --
VIRGINIA GRAY SCHOOL OF ART, with her artwork displayed for students and
public to enjoy!

b. Mount a memorial plaque at 2nd floor Clock Tower
denoting Virginia LaFayette (Davis) GRAY as First Chair of Art
Department, 1875-1881, and room first assigned art studio in new
University Hall 8 Sept. 1875!

3. The Arkansas School of the Blind could/should name
a building to replace one forgotten, which state removed for Governors
Mansion, at old campus, that had rightfully honored Colonel GRAY in
1869, also, provide an honor for Mrs. Mary M. (Borland) Beattie GRAY,
who served school ten-years!

4. A memorial monument installed at former site of St.
John's College (small or large), in Little Rock's MacArthur Park to
honor the GRAY's and St. John's College, where many of Arkansas' leaders
received their education & training under tutelage of Colonel Oliver
Crosby GRAY, JudgeU. M. ROSE (see articles & pictures) and others,
during disturbing reconstruction of Arkansas, with Oliver's seven year
term ending after "The Brooks-Baxter War"!

What, pray tell, is a true HERO if not The GRAYS FROM MAINE???

N. LAST RITES:

Colonel/Professor Oliver Crosby GRAY's Sunday, 10 Dec 1905
Little Rock afternoon services attended by hundreds of former students,
according to newspaper reports of the day, many of high positions in
life, from in and from out of state, such as; Honorable George B. Rose
giving tribute to his mentor and teacher, printed Monday 11 Dec 1905 in
The Arkansas Democrat, and 10 Dec 1905 the Arkansas Gazette (both
included) providing glowing reports of afternoons heart warming services.

Body of Col. GRAY was whisked away from Choctaw depot by
special train to Fayetteville for burial next morning with 1st wife,
mother of his children, Virginia LaFayette Davis into Lot 144, across
road from Governor (Col.) Archibald Yell's grave in historic Evergreen
Cemetery under auspices of Knights Templar with full Confederate
Military Honor, followed 6th and 29th of January with tributes in
Fayetteville Daily Democrat.

<>------<>-------<>

(FD35,2/12/05) Compiled from many sources with most valuable help from
cohort BarbaraJ. Holt, g-g-g-niece of Jennie's, by Bill Boggess (raised
in Carthage, MO), 1100 8th Ave. S. ; #109, Naples, FL 34102.

<>------<>------<>

PHOTO:
Grave site of Carl and Harriette at Druid Ridge Cemetery, Baltimore, MD

CARL RAYMOND GRAY, (1867AR-1939WASH) was born in Princeton,
Dallas County, Arkansas, noon-day, Saturday 28 September 1867 to
Virginia LaFayette (Davis) GRAY (1834ME-1886AR) and Oliver Crosby GRAY
(1832ME-1905AR). He the second of three children. First born was Clyde
Leslie (1859MN-1861AR) at Monticello, MN, buried in Princeton, AR, third
born was Ethel Davis (1871AR-1910IL) at Little Rock, AR, buried with
parents and daughter at Fayetteville, AR.

There are those who have personal information about Carl
Raymond GRAY who could better prepare a booklet about him. My knowledge
comes from preparing a booklet on our Flora family into which Carl
married. In doing research about Carl I became overwhelmed when
discovering his parents, see "The Grays From Maine", so with that said,
let us continue ------

"Tarty Jay", was his mother's pet name for him, but his story
is incomplete without telling of his parent's, so see "The Grays From Maine" booklet.

His "Little Mudder", Virginia LaFayette, born in 1834, was
fourth, but only second to reach adulthood, of parents Captain George
DAVIS (1798ME-1870AR) and Catherine YOUNG (1804ME-1849ME) of Davis
Point, since 1860 Knox County, along the Muscongus Bay of Atlantic
Ocean, near Pleasant Point, ME, Carl's "Gray Rocks", waterfront home
(1919-1943). Carl tried, but was unable to purchase his mother's birth
place, settling with the land nar to where his mother was raised, the
Clarence E. Payson property (see Knox County, B 275: P 526). Her father,
Captain DAVIS died in Princeton, AR where Virginia buried him on
Christmas Day 1870 next to her son Clyde Leslie. A monument was erected
later at Davis Cemetery on Davis Point, ME, in honor of George and
eldest son Byron, both died and buried elsewhere. (see photo)

Carl's father was Oliver Crosby, named for his uncle Oliver
Crosby GRAY (1800NH-1827NH), was first child born to Dr. Peter Tufts
GRAY (1787NH-1838ME) and widow Elizabeth (Kennedy) Weeks (1802NH-1867MN)
in Jefferson, Lincoln County, ME. His grandfather was Rev. Robert GRAY
(1761MA-1822NH), as a youth, a Revolutionary War veteran.

Following 1855 graduation from Colby College, Oliver became
first Minneapolis, Hennepin County, MN superintendent of schools. The
Gray family moved there about Oct 1855. He returned to Cushing, ME to
marry Virginia LaFayette DAVIS, 28 May 1858, then removed to Wright
County, MN as principal at Monticello. In 1859, it was then to Marshall
County's, Holly Springs, MS, both teaching, and in fall of 1860, became
headmaster of Princeton Female Academy, Princeton, Dallas County, AR,
where both taught and lectured (see her published war time diary)!

Oliver served three years in the Confederate Army's, 3rd
Regiment of Arkansas Cavalry, Company A, organized by his future
father-in-law, Colonel Solon Borland (1811VA-1864TX), enlisting Monday,
29 Jul 1861 at Pocahontas, AR. He was allowed to resign on 19 Aug 1864,
to join Confederate Navy, -- was captured 16 Nov 1864 by Fed's,
exchanged 2 Mar 1865, back home 1 Apr 1865.

Carl's mother Virginia, --- Jennie to family, Virgie to her
many friends in Fayetteville, and "Little Mudder" to Carl, was a
talented artist and writer. Her 1863-1866 diary was made available by
g,granddaughter Eleanor Gray Knutson (1923ME-1994MN), to be annoted by
Dr. Carl H. Moneyhon of University of Arkansas, Little Rock, then
published in 1983 Arkansas Historical Quarterly XLII (Spring), p 47-85;
(Summer), p 134-169. Other unpublished materials are: "Scriptural
Album", "baby diary" etc., were made available to us after contact with
Eleanor's surviving family 9 Sep 2004..
Late in 2003, thirty enlightening upublished letters written by Jennie
to older brother Byron, his widow and daughter, dated 1858 to her death
in 1886, along with other Davis material were made available by Jennie's
g,g,g,niece in New Hampshire.

Carl's parents moved to Little Rock following his noon-day
entry to this planet Sept 1867. Oliver taught at the re-opened (served
as hospital during war) Masonic St John's College, block east of
U.S.Arsenal where General Douglas MacArthur was born,1880, --- remaining
seven years, last three as its president, during last year involved in
"The Brooks-Baxter War". They lived on tenth between College and
Arsenal, where on 5 Dec 1871 blue eyed sister Ethel Davis was born.

Carl's maternal grandfather, sea Captain George DAVIS is in
their household for 1870 census, but died in Princeton.

The fall of 1874 found Carl and sister  with parents Jennie &
Oliver at Fayetteville's new Arkansas Industrial University (AIU), she
starting their Arts Department, till 1881, Oliver starting their
Engineering School, teaching also, math, military and other subjects
'till 1895, -- except for 1886, when Mayor and was instrumental in
building first public school, becoming its principal before called back
to AIU in 1888. He, for a long time, was a member of the School Board,
an Elder of his Presbyterian Church and a highly praised Mason. GRAY
HALL of the University of Arkansas was built in his honor in 1906, but
nothing built to honor Virginia's devotion to youth?

Carl's "Little Mudder" died 17 Aug 1886 of cancer, a big loss to all
that knew her, next Carl gained a step-mother, and step-siblings when
his father married, widow Mrs. Mary (Molly) M. (Borland) Beattie
(1850AR-1938MO) with two daughters and son, 17 Jun 1889, at Little Rock.
Virginia had visited Molly, their long time friend from Princeton, in
1883 at the "Deaf Asylum". Molly was their Matron after leaving Memphis
where she lost her husband, her sister Fannie (married in GRAY's home,
1869) and sister's husband to yellow fever in 1878/79. Her oldest
daughter Grace M., was mysteriously missing (??) in the 1880 Census.
Molly being the youngest d/o Arkansan, U.S. Senator, Ambassador, Doctor,
U.S. Army Major and a Confederate Colonel, Solon Borland
(1811VA-1864TX), Oliver's first army commander. Carl, with Molly's
younger daughter, Mary Bell (Mrs Dr. John Bell), buried her ashes next
to Oliver in 1938! Sadly, there is NO record we could find of her final
resting place, other than in the 18 Feb 1938 Fayetteville newspaper
obituary, and now here!

Carl's father died 9 Dec 1905 with the Arkansas Gazette, 10 Dec
1905 issue, paying high tribute to Col. O.C. GRAY, as did The Memphis
News Scimitar, The Fayetteville Democrat, and no doubt many newspapers
in and out of The State of Arkansas, for the Colonel was a truly
remarkable person as former student, the Honorable George B. Rose's
tribute given at the funeral stated, found included in The Arkansas
Democrat, 11 Dec 1905 (The Rose Law Firm, oldest law firm west of
Mississippi River).

Back to 14 year old, tall, skinny, Carl Raymond GRAY who was
taken back by the new Frisco (Saint Louis and San Francisco Railroad
Company) railroad system's operation. Its first passenger train arrived
in Fayetteville 8 Jun 1881 on land Gray's had earlier sold to Frisco,
formerly their backyard. 10 y/o W.W. Swaney was aboard, --- he also was
aboard at age 94 on Frisco's last train's departure, 18 Sep 1967. (This
was 'space age' experience for the nineteenth century). Oliver had
rallied the students and led a parade to town when the first train
arrived. See Washington County Historical Society's FLASHBACK when
Hattie E. Williams wrote of the Grays she knew.

Carl, reported in his Colorado Springs Gazette's obituary, paid
Fayetteville's Frisco telegrapher (W.P.McNair) $5/mo to teach him
telegraphy, while Carl worked without pay. After completing his
preparatory course at the university, Carl, age 15, began his
illustrious 56-year railroad career, 20 Mar 1883, as a paid railroad
employee in Rogers, AR (town just named for Captain Charles Warrington
Rogers, vice president and general manager of Frisco, position Carl held
starting 30 Oct 1904) -- station agent in 1884, the start of his
touching and benefitting thousands of lives and our national interest
during ensuing Great Depression and two World Wars.

Carl's love of and natural abilities pushed him up the ladder
of success, transferred to Oswego, Kansas where he met his true love,
Hattie A. FLORA, then to Wichita March 1886 until April 1887, then
promoted as clerk of traffic department.

Carl's beloved "Little Mudder", Virginia LaFayette (Davis)
GRAY, discovered she had cancer December 1885, dyeing after prolonged
battle in Fayetteville at 1:30 pm, 17 Aug 1886. The stores of
Fayetteville closed their doors to business for her funeral in show of
their deep respect for the lady they knew as "Virgie, the Colonel's
wife". She left behind her loving husband of 28+ years, 18 y/o son Carl,
13 y/o daughter Ethel and hundreds of friends and former students, all
better for having known her.

6 Dec 1886, Carl married his loving wife Hattie A. FLORA, just
before Christmas, in Oswego, KS, while earning about $60.00 a month with
only $4.00 in pocket. There is now, since 1989, a Union Pacific Caboose
at Oswego in honor of Harriette & Carl. Harriette Amanda
(1869KS-1956ME), and brother Clarence Milton (1868KS-1924OK), oldest of
John Andrew FLORA (1845IN-1934KS), ex-Army Indian scout, and Mary
Elizabeth SHULTS/SHULTZ (1850OH-1874KS) three children, who were among
first white children born in Wilson, later Liberty, Montgomery County,
KS, formerly Osage Indian Territory until 1867 & 1869.

Their life WAS NOT; "being served them with a silver spoon".

From April 1887 to July 1890 Carl became commercial agent at
Wichita, where son Carl Raymond, Jr., (1889KS-1955WS) was born. After
seven years as district and division freight agent, he was promoted to
division superintendent at Neodesha, KS on 17 Oct 1897. They then had
son Russell Davis (1899KS-1975NJ) in Wichita, both sons following
railroading successfully.

During next 12-years Carl was elevated to senior vice-president
and general manager, along with him was LeRoy Kramer, his personal
secretary, assistant, etc., who married Carl's sister Ethel in 1900.
Carl now occupied the position held by party for whom Rogers, AR was
named in 1881, --- thus moving to St. Louis, Mo, where their third son
Howard Kramer (1901MO-1955MN) was born. Howard became a surgeon at
Minnesota's Mayo Clinic, among many others such as James Roosevelt,
assisting our grandfather Samuel C. Boggess' illness in 1946.

"It was at Sherman that
8th child was born, the Gray is for Carl Gray who promoted him to
dispatcher & who was a good friend. In May 1904 was removed to Sapulpa
in which place remained until 1905. After being discharged by & through
the underhand work - personal connivance of one Clode Carter & Alex Lopp
augmented by an ignoramus of a Supt (RV Miller) the said Carter's wife
had been given previously advice & for her own good had taken it - but
when the two families came together socially there were hard feelings,
said Carter being acting chief dispatcher gave latter the worst of it on
all occasions. Carried his point to extent of getting said Mason's job."
SOURCE:<http://www.tmason1.com/pafn01.htm>

Rogers (Arkansas) Historical Museum plans to honor Carl Raymond
GRAY at special events from time to time for his start in railroading at
their fair town which was created for the Frisco Railroad just two years
before Carl's arrival. They also honor the Walton brothers, Bud & Sam,
for first Wal-Mart store, being at Rogers, as well as other "FIRSTS" in
their quaint town, located on U S Highway 71, just north of Fayetteville.

Harriette asked her niece, our aunt Harriette Pearl (Flora)
HOPKINS (1893MO-1973CO), to live with her & to instruct her sons on the
graces of life. Aunt Harriette GRAY would bid Aunt Harriette Hopkins'
family a good-night on her national broadcasts.

Carl became president of Spokane, Portland and Seattle,
Electric Railways in 1911, it being a part of Great Northern system,
following year was promoted to president of its parent company, Great
Northern Railroad Co., 1912 to 1914.

From 1914 to 1918 was president of the Western Maryland system
at Baltimore, MD, then director, division of operation under the
Director General of Railways during World War I, serving President
Woodrow Wilson, and the Federal Railroad Administration in Washington,
D. C. 1918 to1919. President and chairman of Western Maryland Railway
and chairman of Wheeling & L. E. Railway, January to December 1919.

1 Jan 1920, Carl joined the Union Pacific (railroad) Systems as
its president, serving W. Averell Harriman, Chairman after 1932 until,
retirement Oct 1937, then appointed vice-chairman. President Franklin D.
Roosevelt asked he advise his administration and had just completed an
important joint memorandum with Daniel Willard, president of Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad when he died.

Carl, over six foot tall, a robust man with prematurely gray
wavy hair since mid-forties and great story teller, is found; 1)- with
honorary LL.D. degrees from; a)- Maryland State College of Agriculture,
later U of MD, 1916, b)- U of Arkansas, 1929, (attached), c)- Washington
and Jefferson College, 1937 (attached), d)- Sioux Falls College, 1937,
2)- served many railroad companies as president, lastly --- Union
Pacific 1920-1937, 3)- provided nation; a)- first 'Streamline Passenger
Train', Monday, 12 Feb 1934, on which he invited our grandmother, Maude
Flora, his sister-in-law, to join them on its first trip, b)- fabulous
ski-resort, at Sun Valley, Idaho in 1936, 4)- Vice Chairman of UP, 5)-
found on page 479, Volume I, "Who was Who in America", with two of three
sons found in "Who's Who in America", 6)- helped organize the
Association of American Railroads.

Carl's 56-year, illustrious, railroad career came to an end
Tuesday, 9 May 1939, following a leisurely dinner with sons, Carl
Raymond Jr, (1889KS-1955WS) & Russell Davis (1899KS-1974NJ),
coincidentally on business in nation's capitol, dying in bed at
Mayflower Hotel, Washington D. C., within a few hours of historic Union
Pacific engine arrival, used in exploitation of the motion picture
"Union Pacific", scheduled for exhibition in the Capital.

The motion picture was being shown at Strand Theater when news
of Mr. GRAY's death was announced!

His wife Harriette was not just a pretty housekeeper, baby
sitter, nor shrinking violet, -- she was one of first white children
born on former Osage Indian Territory, daughter of former Army Indian
scout ---- she too was active as he so encouraged and recognized;
selected "American Mother of 1937", awarded Cross of Honor (Lady of the
Flag) by the United States Flag Association, a degree of Doctor of
Letters by Sioux Falls College of South Dakota, and traveled to Kansas
City, MO monthly from Omaha to conduct Bible Study Class and one of
first national radio Bible Classes plus other charitable deeds. A truly
loving person.

The Gray's were honored with a party of 1,400 people, featured
in Life magazine 21 Dec 1936, for their 50th wedding anniversary,
(attached) --- Carl is honored and written about in, Abridged
Compendium, Frederick Virkus, Dictionary of American Biography,
Supplement Vol 2, from which much of above information came and many
other prestigious publications.

Virginia LaFayette (Davis) GRAY, Carl's beloved mother, was a
9th descended of Mayflower Pioneer Reverend William Brewster, thusly
Carl a 10th descendant. He helped organize Nebraska Society of Mayflower
Descendants, becoming member No. 1, selected its first Governor
(1923-1938). Nationally member No. 5384.

Carl touched our life when our mother (Harriette's niece),
Frances Elizabeth (Flora) BOGGESS (1898MO-1928MO) suddenly died 2 Apr
1928 in Kansas City, MO when I was only 13-1/2 months old. Carl and
Harriette came from Omaha in his private railroad car to comfort her,
her mother and other family members, --- then transported her body, our
family and her friends to Carthage, MO for a double funeral held for our
mother and our grandmother, Kate (Knight) BOGGESS (1876-1928) who had
died 14-hours earlier in Carthage.

After nearly 70 years, I still recall Carl & Harriette were
once in Carthage, MO aboard their railroad car, parked on the siding by
Liggett & Platt. This had this 8 to 10 y/o kid excited. I don't remember
seeing uncle Carl nor aunt Harriette, but sure remember his private
railroad car (see photo), and remember it well when one appears on TV
show "Wild, Wild West".

A truly national hero from Arkansas was Carl Raymond GRAY, ---
who like his parents, provided a life of unselfish outstanding social
contributions for citizens in the State of Arkansas and our great nation
through the great depression and two Word Wars and two of three sons
found in "Who' Who in America"!

****     ****      ****

HARRIETTE FLORA GRAY
"American Mother of 1937"

"Just before Christmas in 1886, Harriette Flora, aged 17, married a
steady-going 19-year-old Arkansas country boy named Carl Raymond Gray.
Last year in Omaha, just before Christmas, the U. P. gave Carl Gray a
Golden Wedding party and beside him sat Harriette Flora of Oswego, Kans.
still pretty, still brightly energetic, and quite as much a personage in
her sphere as Carl Gray is in his. He made that very clear in his speech
of thanks to his colleagues and to her. And last week in Manhattan, just
after her eldest son's 48th birthday, the Golden Rule Foundation made it
still clearer by hailing her as the " American Mother of 1937" ...."
SOURCE: Time magazine, 3 May 1937, p. 17

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Harriette sold their Pleasant Point, ME "Gray Rocks"
home purchased in 1919, in 1943 apparently moving to 25 Hyler Street,
(see photo) Thomaston, Knox County, ME, They had bought the Hyler St.
property about 1923, and is where second son, Russell Davis GRAY, lived
& his children were born and raised while engaged with his Gray Boat
Building Company at the Old Toll Bridge west of town. This was her
residence before death at Knox Hospital in Rockland, ME at 12:30 am, 17
Jun 1956, following her sixteen day stay. Harriette is buried with
husband Carl Raymond GRAY in Druid Ridge Cemetery, near Baltimore, MD as
are, son Russell, his wife Eleanor Pitt with their infant son Russell
Davis GRAY, Jr., being watched over by the "Dark Saint"
<http://www.crowolf.net/illuminations/000039.html>

<>--------<>--------<>

Preparation of this booklet came about from researching our
mysterious maternal grandparents, he losing his mother at age 2, in
Kansas, she orphaned at age 7 in Peru, Indiana.

Harriette Amanda (Flora) GRAY was older sister to our
grandfather Dr. William Walter FLORA (1871KS-1922CO). Aunt Harriette
always maintained a close relationship with our family. Her marriage to
Carl Raymond GRAY helped spur him to national attention with her love &
kindness, sharing same with all she knew.
   Carl's parents, Oliver Crosby GRAY and Virginia LaFayette
(Davis) GRAY, are by far --- among the most interesting & fascinating
people we have come to know!

~~~~~~~~~~~~

The compilation of this booklet is gleamed from materials of
many others included or mentioned herein, mostly unselfish genealogist,
archivist, and historians who contributed freely. Without their help,
this booklet would be 'naught' --- instead it is a wealth of
information.

<>-------<>-------<>

PHOTO: GRAY Family, believed taken Dec 1936, for Harriette & Carl's
Golden and Carl Jr & Gladys' Silver wedding year, or 1937 for
Harriette's being, American Mother of 1937.

left to right, top to bottom.

Carl Raymond Gray, III (1914-1957), (General) Carl Raymond Gray, Jr.
(1889-1955), (Doctor) Howard Kramer (1901-1955), Russell Davis
(1899-1975), Charles Maxwell Dieffenbach, Esquire (living).

Dorthy Winter (?), Gladys Beach (1889-1959), DeWeenta Conard
(1901-1986), Eleanor Pitt (1899-1996), Gladys Ethel (Gray) Dieffenbach
(1912-1994)

Sandra Stuart/Stewart (1935-living) in mother's arms, Eleanor Howard
(1923-1994), Harriette Amanda (Flora) Gray (1869-1956), Carl ("Tarty
Jay") Raymond Gray (1867-1939)

Deweenta Russell (1929- living), Howard Kramer, Jr.(1927-living)