Voting brings out family history stories

My father’s family was involved in politics for as long as I can remember.  Many of my ancestors were mayors, city council members, in state legislature, and heavily involved with running local elections.  Dad has always told all sorts of stories about growing up as part of a family heavy into the politics of the local area.

Which is why I did a double take this morning when I heard a brand new story.  Remember, I know all his stories, have heard them over and over again. So, to surprise me with a new story is a real gem. 

Standing in the cold this morning with my father, husband, and the youngest kiddo dad remembered a story about his brother, President Nixon, and a campaign dinner in his hometown.

First of all, President Nixon campaigned in our little bitty town?  Whoa, how did I miss that!?  I knew about FDR coming through by train on his way to the dedication of the George Rogers Clark Memorial in Vincennes, Indiana but that was the only presidential visit I knew about.

The event was the Lincoln Day Dinner and former VP Richard Nixon was the speaker for the event.  Just a few days before he had announced his run for President in New Hampshire, which made this event even bigger.  It was held in the new school gymnasium, which was medium sized for Indiana schools seating just under 8,000 people in the bleachers. 

It seems his brother, who was at the dinner with my grandparents, wanted to meet the President. 

Article from the front page of The Indianapolis Star

printed on Sunday 11 February 1968

Or, just prove how easy it was to jump up on the platform.  So, he ran up to the stage, jumped on it, slid across the floor, and stretched out his hand to Nixon.  Then was promptly tackled.

Dad was in college at the time and the day after the even classmates and his professors alike were asking him if he heard what happened in his hometown.  Well, no he had not heard, and he didn’t know it was his brother until he went home to visit a few weekends later and his father told him what happened.

Of course, my researcher brain was going crazy.  I HAD TO FIND THIS ARTICLE!  I mean, they would have put it in the news right?!  Well, I have not found a trace of it yet.  It seems in 1968 they only reported the news… no fun at all.

Which means I am still looking for proof of the family story.  In the meantime, I will just have to read the articles about the event which occurred on 10 February 1968 in Washington, Indiana.  If you find something, let me know!

Book Review: The Best of Roots and Branches

James M Beidler is best known for his books and lectures on German Genealogy research.  However, did you know he writes a syndicated Family History column for newspapers called “Roots and Branches” which can be read in Pennsylvania?  A column full of advice, quips, humor, and thoughtful insights into the world of family history.

The 4^th edition of his book The Best of Roots & Branches: Pennsylvania’s Only Syndicated Family History Newspaper Column came out in April of this year and is a great read.  The columns are broken into sections by subject so it is easy to find topics you are interested in reading about quickly.  Everything from research and methodology to DNA is discussed in the book.  In addition there is a full index which includes subjects, people, and places that are covered within the articles. 

With nearly 15 years of articles to choose from I am sure it was hard to figure out what “the best” was.  I know I am having a hard time deciding which of the articles I enjoyed the most.  Never one to beat around the bush, Jim’s straight to the point attitude and wry sense of humor on the subjects he writes about comes through loud and clear.  The personal family history discoveries sprinkled through the articles makes the stories personal and come alive to the reader.  Since I enjoy telling my stories on my blog, I can appreciate the excitement felt by these discoveries and the need to share them with the world.

If you want to read his articles as they come out check out the Lebanon Daily News and Altoona Mirror for upcoming articles.  You will not be disappointed!  

Yates family research time: or what you can find in a newspaper with only an hour

"The Lighthouse" from Palo Duro Canyon
State Park. Canyon City, TX borders this
park. Image from the Library of Congress.

A 2nd cousin twice removed to my husband contacted me a few months ago looking for information, and I was a bad, bad genealogist friend.  I forgot to write her back, but I thought I had.  Yeah, let the flogging begin!  So to make amends I did some quick research into a family story and whoa did I get a good surprise.

In the early days of my genealogy research I did what we are all told to do, I interviewed the family. Even if it was like pulling nails at times I tried to extract information from them in any way possible. My father in law knew some, but not a lot about his family beyond dates and names.  One statement he made to me that stuck was that someone in his maternal grandmother's side of the family owned a hotel in Canyon City, Texas. He wasn't sure if it was her father or someone else though.

Eventually I found my husband’s 2^nd great grandfather along with his wife and son living in Canyon City on the 1910 US Federal Census.  Eureka!  A Canyon City connection.  At that time however, that was all I could find. 

Through the Census records I learned he was still in Missouri during the 1900 census and then returned by 1920.  However, my skills weren’t the best in the beginning so this mystery sat while I worked on lines that needed more immediate attention.  Then the email came, and I felt awful.  So I sat out last night to see what I could find in a limited amount of time. 

In the 1900 US Census[1] Eugene, Missouri, and two of their children are living in the same household in Grand Pass, Saline County, Missouri.  I have located most of his children in the general area as well.  But what happened to get him to Canyon City in 1910[2] and then back to Saline County in 1920[3]?

This is when last night I stumbled on The Portal to Texas History from the University of North Texas Libraries.  They have digitized and searchable records from all over the state of Texas.  I was able to locate 4 newspaper entries for Eugene moving to Canyon City plus then owning and selling a hotel there.

Notice in paper[4]:

“Eugene Yates, of Mt. Leonard, Missouri, moved here last week and on Monday opened up the Rogerson Hotel business.”

  

Review of Hotel:[5]

“Hotel Rogerson,

Eugene Yates & Son, Proprietors.

  One of the popular hotels in Canyon is the one run by Eugene Yates & Son- Here every guest is made to feel at home and no pains are spared to make everything comfortable.  The dining service at this hotel is hard to excel.

  The writer has traveled in almost every state in the union and can heartily say that at no hotel has he received more courteous treatment.

  All the rooms are nice and clean and the full register each day shows that the traveling public fully appreciate the excellent service the management is extending to all.  When in Canyon do not fail to register at the Rogerson.”

Notice:[6]

“Eugene Yates has quit the hotel business and will more to his residence, now occupied by Mr. Hatchell.”

Notice:[7]

“Change in Management

E. Yates, a former hotel man of this city, announces that he has leased the Rogerson Hotel in this city and will take charge next Monday.  He invites his former patrons and other to call and see him.”

Now I have a larger line of inquiry to search out which might take longer than an hour on the internet!  I will be the first to admit that my Texas research skills are not strong so if you have any suggestions on what my next steps are I would love to hear from you.

---

[1] 1900 U.S. Census, Saline County, Missouri, population schedule, Grand Pass Township, p 159 A (stamped), dwelling 210, family 212, Eugene Yates family; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed January 2012);  citing NARA microfilm publication T623.

[2] 1910 U.S. Census, Randall County, Texas, population schedule, Canyon Ward 3, p 10 11B (written), dwelling number 193, family 207, Eugene Yates family; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed January 2012); citing NARA microfilm publication T624, roll 1584.

[3] 1920 U.S. Census, Saline County, Missouri, population schedule, Grand Pass Township, p 9A (written), dwelling 184, family 200, Eugene Yates family; Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed January 2012); citing NARA microfilm publication T625, roll 962.

[4] Canyon City News. (Canyon City, Tex.), Vol. 9, No. 33, Ed. 1 Friday, October 27, 1905, Newspaper, October 27, 1905; (http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth323011/ : accessed December 10, 2014), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, http://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries, Denton, Texas.

[5] Canyon City News. (Canyon City, Tex.), Vol. 10, No. 16, Ed. 1 Friday, June 29, 1906, Newspaper, June 29, 1906; (http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth323044/ : accessed December 10, 2014), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, http://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries, Denton, Texas.

[6] Canyon City News. (Canyon City, Tex.), Vol. 10, No. 49, Ed. 1 Friday, March 1, 1907, Newspaper, March 1, 1907; (http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth323078/ : accessed December 10, 2014), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, http://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries, Denton, Texas.

[7] Terrill, R. A., editor. The Randall County News. (Canyon City, Tex.), Vol. 12, No. 27, Ed. 1 Friday, October 2, 1908, Newspaper, October 2, 1908; (http://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth323158/ : accessed December 10, 2014), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, http://texashistory.unt.edu; crediting UNT Libraries, Denton, Texas.

Newspaper tells of car accident

I have bitten the bullet and jumped into the world of online historic newspapers.  Granted, I have found bits and pieces of information here and there thanks to Google from newspapers.  However, I had never jumped head first into the pool.  Oh noes…. This could be really bad.

This morning, while drinking my tea, I found an article telling about the car accident that ended my uncle's life on a rain soaked road, at 18, in 1959.  I have also found articles on my grandfather when he was running for the Indiana State House of Representatives.  Goodness knows what else I will find over the next few days, weeks, or months! 

It has been very fascinating to say the least.  I have to admit I was a bit disgusted at the 49 cents per pound for a roast in the 1964 newspaper I was looking at.  Mumble, grumble…..

 

Page 26, Anderson Herald Bulletin, November 14 1959

Three Added to Death Toll

United Press International

Three more traffic fatalities, all of them on the rain-drenched roads, sent the Indiana total moving steadily upward today as another weekend opened.

Two of the accidents occurred after the weekend count began at 6 p.m. Friday.  The other occurred a short time before the count began.

One of the victims was the son of an Indiana Legislator.  Another was killed trying to miss a dog in the highway.  The third was an old man in dark clothing who wandered into a busy highway in the evening gloom.

John Combs, 18, Washington, was killed early this morning when his car skidded off U.S. 50, hit a culvert and rolled over near Washington.  Combs was the son of Paul E. Combs (R-Washington).  Charles Shake, 20, Washington, who was riding with Combs, was taken to Daviess County Hospital with a back fracture and other injuries.

George Beatty, 81, near Columbus, was killed Friday night when he was hit by a car driven by Robert McKain, 35, Columbus, on U.S. 31.  Authorities said he fell or stumbled into the path of the car.

John Rue Mercer, 63, Indianapolis livestock buyer, was killed late Friday when his car collided with another vehicle as he swerved to miss a dog in U.S. 421 east of Whitestown.

State Police said the car skidded and struck a car driven by Harold Duckworth, 37, Frankfort.  Mercer was thrown to the pavement and died at the scene.  Duckworth was treated for a back injury at Clinton County Hospital in Frankfort.

 

photo credit: ShironekoEuro via photopin cc