Southern Graves

Thomas Charles Rauls (A Personal Tombstone Tuesday)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Tue, 14 May 2013 08:14:00 +0000

Thomas Charles Rauls
Apr 16, 1886 - Nov 30, 1937
Gone But Not Forgotten
--------------------------------
Whitener Cemetery
Marquand, Madison Co, MO

Isn't he dashing?

Thomas Charles Rauls (my 1st cousin, 4x removed) was a son of Powhatan Rauls (1849-1922) and Hannah Yount (d. 1891), as well as the husband of Myrtle Alexander (1894-1960). The final resting place for Thomas and his wife is Whitener Cemetery in Marquand, Madison County, Missouri.

Photos from original images by David & Judi Cloninger via FindAGrave. Enhanced images shown here by S. Lincecum, © 2010.

Faithful is the Word (Today's Epitaph)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Fri, 10 May 2013 12:55:00 +0000

[Originally posted at the Rose Hill Cemetery blog.]

William G. White
Born Aug 12, 1841
Died Jan 22, 1885
One Word Tells The Story Of His Life
"Faithful."
Husband. Father.

Husband of Annie Amos White (1842-1929), who is at rest beside him in Rose Hill Cemetery at Macon, Bibb County, Georgia.

The Monument to Count Pulaski: a Tombstone or Not?

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Wed, 08 May 2013 12:58:00 +0000

Yesterday, I shared with you a couple of photos and information regarding the monument to General Nathanael Greene in Savannah, Georgia. That monument, more than 70 years after it was originally raised, became a tombstone for General Greene and his son. Did the same thing happen with the monument to Count Pulaski?

Though originally planned for Chippewa Square, the cornerstone for the monument to Casimir Pulaski was relaid in Savannah's Monterey Square in 1853, with the finished product being dedicated a couple of years later.

From Lucian Lamar Knight's Georgia's Landmarks, Memorials, and Legends:

"...It is fifty feet in height; a column of solid marble resting on a base of granite and surmounted by a statue of the goddess of liberty, holding a wreath in her outstretched hand..."

The Goddess of Liberty atop the Pulaski Monument
Photo © 2010-2013 S. Lincecum

"...On each of the four corners of the base is chiseled an inverted cannon, emblematic of loss and mourning. The coats of arms of both Poland and Georgia, entwined with branches of laurel, ornament the cornices, while the bird of freedom rests upon both..."

Upside down cannons,
and Georgia shield below eagle.
Photo © 2010-2013 S. Lincecum

"...Pulaski, on an elegant tablet of bronze, is portrayed in the act of falling, mortally wounded, from his horse, at the time of the famous siege; and the whole is a work of consummate art..."

"...It was executed in Italy at a cost of $18,000 and was considered at the time one of the most elegant memorials in America. The inscription on the monument reads:"

Pulaski, the Heroic Pole, who fell mortally wounded, fighting for American
Liberty, at the siege of Savannah, October 9, 1779.
Photo © 2010-2013 S. Lincecum

But is this monument also a tombstone? Well, there's conjecture. The Casimir Pulaski historical marker situated near the monument reads: "Doubt and uncertainty exists as to where Pulaski died and as to his burial - place. A contemporary Charlestown, S.C. newspaper item and others sources indicate that he died aboard a ship bound for that port. It was generally believed that he was buried at sea. A tradition persisted, however, that General Pulaski died at Greenwich plantation near Savannah and that he was buried there. When the monument here was under erection the grave at Greenwich was opened. The remains found there conformed, in the opinion of physicians, to a man of Pulaski's age and stature and were re-interred beneath this memorial in a metallic case in 1854."

Wikipedia has a bit more to say: "...Remains at Monterey Square alleged to be Pulaski's were exhumed in 1996 and examined in a forensic study. The eight-year examination, including DNA analysis, ended inconclusively, although the skeleton is consistent with Pulaski's age and occupation. The remains were reinterred with military honors in 2005."

So is this a mere memorial or a tombstone, too? I guess no one knows for sure.

The Reinterment of the Remains of Major General Nathanael Greene (Tombstone Tuesday)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Tue, 07 May 2013 21:28:00 +0000

A monument to Major General Nathanael Greene has been standing in Savannah's Johnson Square since before 1830. The "shaft of granite, fifty feet in height" has bore two tablets made of bronze since about 1885. One on the south side portrays the full figure of Greene, sword at his side. The other provides an inscription:

Major General Nathanael Greene
Born in Rhode Island 1742
Died in Georgia 1786
Soldier. Patriot. The Friend of Washington.
This Shaft has been reared by the people of
Savannah in honor of his great services to the
American Revolution.

Since 14 November 1902, this monument has also been General Greene's tombstone. After a long search and recovery, the remains of Nathanael Greene and his son George Washington Greene were placed here. Directly above where they were interred is a bronze wreath placed by the Savannah Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. It reads:

To Commemorate
The Reinterment of the
Remains of
Major General
Nathanael Greene
Beneath this Shaft on
November 14, 1902

From the Rending Gloom to the Blaze of Day (Today's Epitaph)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Mon, 06 May 2013 01:19:00 +0000

In Memoriam
W. B. Marshall
Son of Stephen & E. Marshall
Born May 16, 1796
Died June 24, 1874

O happy stroke! that burst the bonds of clay,
Darts through the rending gloom the blaze of day.
And wings the soul with boundless flight to soar,
Where dangers threat and fears alarm no more.

For fifty five years a member of the
church which in him ever found
a generous supporter.
A kind husband, father, and friend.
Useful, laborious and public spirited.
Ever he lived to do good to others.
His excellent sense, sound judgement
and inflexible integrity gained for
him many positions of honor and trust,
yet he never lost his native modesty.
His warm and generous heart gained
for him many friends who will ever remember
him with gratitude and admiration.

Waverly Hall Cemetery
Waverly Hall, Harris County, Georgia

Another Ride on the Genealogy Roller Coaster (This Time It's Personal)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Fri, 26 Apr 2013 23:48:00 +0000

A couple of months ago, I posted about the death of my 4th cousin, L. B. Lincecum, who was killed by 33,000 volts of electricity. At the time I had newly requested a photo of his burial site via FindAGrave, and today, contributor Lewis Bean fulfilled my request. **Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy!**

After viewing the image of Buster's tombstone, I sighed with a bit of sadness and disappointment. See that empty oval to the left of his name? I'm 99.9% sure it once contained a photo of dear cousin L. B...and the genealogy roller coaster took me for another ride.

L. B. (Buster)
Son of L. G. Lincecum
Jan 5, 1906
Jan 10, 1930

Columbia Cemetery
West Columbia, Brazoria County, Texas

Photo contributed by Lewis Bean via FindAGrave.

The Hanging, Burial, and Reburial of Andrews Raiders

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Thu, 25 Apr 2013 08:12:00 +0000

Along the outer wall that parallels Memorial Drive SE in Atlanta's Oakland Cemetery is a historic marker that tells the story of the final result of the acts of seven of Andrews Raiders, as well as James J. Andrews himself:

Photo by S. Lincecum

"280 feet south of this location on June 18, 1862, seven of the Union Army's brave Andrews Raiders were hanged and buried. On April 12, 1862, 22 Andrews Raiders seized The General, a tender and three boxcars at Big Shanty (now Kennesaw) and raced toward Chattanooga on the Western & Atlantic Railroad in an effort to burn bridges and otherwise dismember a supply artery vital to the Confederacy. They had covered 87 miles when The General was overtaken by valiant pursuers led by Conductor Fuller. Of the Raiders, only these seven plus James J. Andrews, their leader, were executed by the Confederate Army. In 1866, remains of the seven were exhumed from this location and reinterred at the National Cemetery at Chattanooga. Andrews' remains were reinterred at the National Cemetery in 1887. The first awards of the Congressional Medal of Honor were made to members of the Andrews Raiders.

* * * * *

Executed June 18, 1862, at Atlanta City (now Oakland) Cemetery

· John M. Scott - 21st Ohio Vol. Inf.
· Marion A. Ross - 2nd Ohio Vol. Inf.
· Samuel Robertson - 33rd Ohio Vol. Inf.
· Charles P. Shadrack - 2nd Ohio Vol. Inf.
· Samuel Slavens - 33rd Ohio Vol. Inf.
· George D. Wilson - 2nd Ohio Vol. Inf.
· William H. Campbell - Civilian, Salineville, O.

Executed June 7, 1862, Downtown Atlanta

James J. Andrews - Civilian, Flemingsburg, KY."

Andrews Raiders Memorial
Chattanooga, Tennessee National Cemetery

Photo © 2006-2013 S. Lincecum

Grief Personified (Wordless Wednesday)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Wed, 24 Apr 2013 08:27:00 +0000

General Engineer Jeff Cain (a Great Locomotive Chase Tombstone Tuesday)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:19:00 +0000

Several days ago, I concluded a short run of posts about Anthony Murphy, a man who figured prominently on the Confederate side of the Great Locomotive Chase of 1862. That same day, over at the Rose Hill Cemetery blog, I posted about Peter Bracken, another prominent figure in the chase. Since it seems I have a little theme running here, I'll now share with you the burial site of Jeff Cain, engineer of the famed General seized by Andrews Raiders.

Jeff Cain (1827-1897)
Photo © 2013 S. Lincecum

Jeff Cain, as does Anthony Murphy, rests in Atlanta's Oakland cemetery. He actually isn't far from yet another famous interment, golfer Bobby Jones. The back of Mr. Cain's tombstone gives a rendition of his role in the chase, though it is somewhat misleading: Jeff Cain. The historic engineer of the W. & A. R. R. manned the famous General on the thrilling wartime run. It was he who drove the locomotive in the historic chase of the Andrews raders May 12, 1862.

Here's an obituary for Jeff Cain that may also contain a couple of minor inaccuracies:

"JEFF" CAIN AT REST.

His Chase of the Andrews Raiders in Georgia in 1862 Made Him a Famous Engineer.

ATLANTA, Ga., Feb. 12. -- "Jeff" Cain, an engineer made famous by his connection with the Andrews raiders in 1862, died here yesterday, from consumption, and was buried today. Cain was born in Pennsylvania, in 1824, and came to Georgia in 1857 to run an engine on the Western & Atlantic railroad, running from Atlanta to Chattanooga.

His train was boarded in Atlanta one day in 1862 by a dozen men, countrymen in appearance, but in reality union soldiers, who had been detailed for the hazardous duty of tearing up the Western & Atlantic road. As soon as the train was in motion they seized Conductor Fuller and Engineer Cain, dropped them off in the woods, and, putting on full steam, started north.

Cain and Fuller secured another engine, chased and captured the raiders, seven of whom were shot in Atlanta. When the war closed and the road, which is the property of the state, was put in order again, Cain was re-employed for life, and a pension ordered to be paid him whenever he became unfit for duty.

Mr. Cain was a union man at heart during the war, and really sympathized with the raiders, but felt that his duty as an employe [sic] was to his superiors, whom he faithfully served. [Plain Dealer (Cleveland, Ohio), 13 February 1897, pg. 3]

According to a route map provided by AndrewsRaid.com, engineer Jeff Cain dropped out of the chase just north of Kingston, GA, when the Confederates had to continue again on foot. This might have been due to Cain's ill health with tuberculosis.

The Gossip Surrounding Murphy's Will

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 08:22:00 +0000

Anthony
Murphy

TWO SONS SLIGHTED IN MURPHY'S WILL

...was the headline that ran in the Macon Telegraph (Georgia) little more than a month after the death of 80 year old Confederate veteran and builder of Atlanta, Anthony Murphy.

The short article continues:

Widow and Other Son Divide an Estate of Half a Million in Value.
ATLANTA, Ga., Feb. 2. -- The will of the late Anthony J. Murphy, famous as one of the captors of the Andrews Raiders in 1862, was admitted to probate in Ordinary Wilkinson's court this afternoon. It disclosed the fact that two of the sons were cut off with only $2,000 each, which they lose if they contest the will. The estate, which is valued at $500,000, is divided equally between the widow, three daughters and a third son, Charles Murphy.

Wait! Wasn't there another son?

An article in the Constitution (Atlanta, Georgia) goes into a bit more detail.

The will of Anthony Murphy, Atlanta's pioneer citizen who recently died, was recorded yesterday in the office of the ordinary.

The will gives no estimate of the value of the property left by Mr. Murphy, but it is believed to be over a million dollars, consisting of real estate, bonds, and other securities.

The will was written with pen and ink and probably by a lady member of his family. It fills four and a half pages, and was signed on May 26, 1909, less than a year ago...

Details of Murphy's real estate holdings are given. He owned quite of bit of property in Atlanta, as well as Haralson, Polk, and Cherokee counties, Georgia. He also held "mineral interests where there is gold, in 40 acres in Cleburn county, Ala." All of this was to be sold, and taxes and legal liabilities were to be paid. Here's where it gets interesting:

To John K. Murphy, $2,000; to Anthony Murphy, Jr., $2,000; the balance of the proceeds to be equally divided between Annie E. Tanner, Kate M. Sciple, Adelia M. Robinson and Charles C. Murphy.

The next paragraph states that all money, bonds, notes, stocks, etc., shall be equally divided between his wife, Mrs. Adelia R. Murphy, Annie E. Tanner, Kate M. Sciple, Adelia M. Robinson and Charles C. Murphy, or their heirs.

I still think someone's missing.

It is stated that all the debts due the estate by R. E. Murphy, John K. Murphy and Anthony Murphy, Jr., shall be cancelled, provided they do not try to contest the will.

A further provision is made that if either John K. or Anthony, Jr., contest the will they shall not receive the $2,000, and what they owe the estate shall be collected.

Well, there you have it. Sounds like three of the boys got their inheritance while Daddy was still alive and well. Of course, that's pure speculation on my part.

Obituaries Abound for Anthony Murphy

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Wed, 17 Apr 2013 08:30:00 +0000

On the morning of 29 December 1909, much of the east coast of the United States woke up to find this on the front page of their newspaper:

ANTHONY MURPHY DEAD.

From the Tampa Tribune (Florida), all over the state of Georgia, to the Charleston News and Courier (South Carolina), and even up to the Washington Post (District of Columbia) -- Most ran the same general obituary, but some had a nuance or two. Each and every one described Mr. Murphy's participation in the Great Locomotive Chase to some degree.

The Macon Telegraph (Georgia) added that Murphy was a builder of Atlanta and that he left a fortune estimated at between two and three hundred thousand dollars.

Died Wealthy was part of the headline in the Augusta Chronicle (Georgia). It stated, "The war left Murphy penniless, but he set out to work again cheerfully and when he died, had amassed a fortune of half a million dollars in the saw mill and lumber business."

The Charleston News and Courier (South Carolina) lauded him a southern pioneer.

Anthony Murphy
Born Nov. 29, 1829
In County Wicklow, Ireland
Died Dec. 29, 1909
-----------------------------
Adelia R. Murphy
Born Hall County, GA
Sept. 11, 1840
Died Atlanta, GA
Dec. 13, 1916

Oakland Cemetery, Atlanta, Georgia
Photo © 2013 S. Lincecum

LAST SAD RITES HELD OVER ANTHONY MURPHY

Funeral Services of Pioneer Atlantan Held Wednesday Afternoon.

The funeral services of Anthony Murphy took place from the residence of his daughter, Mrs. C. E. Sciple, 916 Peachtree street, yesterday afternoon at 3 o'clock, and the interment was in Oakland Cemetery.

A large gathering of friends were present to mourn for their departed fellow, and the floral offerings were many and beautiful.

The city has never seen a more public-spirited citizen than Anthony Murphy. He grew up with the town, and his every public action was directed toward the progress and welfare of Atlanta. His private life was above reproach. Considerate of everyone and having a deep understanding of and sympathy for his fellows, he made thousands of friends.

The following friends of the deceased acted as pallbearers: Frank Rice, John L. Tye, Archie Forsyth, J. R. Gray, Frank Hawkins, Preston Arkwright and A. J. Orme. [The Atlanta Constitution (Georgia), 30 December 1909 -- viewed online at Ancestry.]

Anthony Murphy, More than a Machinist (Tombstone Tuesday)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Tue, 16 Apr 2013 12:27:00 +0000

Oakland Cemetery, Atlanta, GA
© 2013 S. Lincecum

Anthony Murphy's claim to fame is most likely his participation in the Great Locomotive Chase of 1862. Yet he was alive for more than 29,200 days, and that was literally just one of them. From Memoirs of Georgia (Southern Historical Association, 1895):

Anthony Murphy, capitalist, Atlanta, Ga., son of Thomas and Elizabeth (Keyes) Murphy, was born in County Wicklow, Ireland, Nov. 6, 1829. [Tombstone says Nov. 29.] ...They emigrated to the United States in 1838, and settled first in Schuylkill county, Pa...Anthony was nine years of age when his parents emigrated to this country; he lived with them until he was eighteen years of age, and was educated at the public schools. At the age mentioned he went to Trenton, N.J., where he was apprenticed to the machinist's trade. After serving three years he went to Piermont, N.Y., worked there a year in the Erie railway shops, and then went to the Pittsburgh (Pa.) shops, where he worked at his trade another year. In 1854 he came to Atlanta, and after working four years as a machinist, he ran on the road as a locomotive engineer eighteen months. After this he was made foreman of the motive power and machine shops of the Western & Atlantic (state) railway, which position he held until 1861. That year he went into the employ of the Confederate states, but at the end of six months he went to Columbia, S.C., as master machinist of the Columbia & Charlotte railway. After a short stop in Columbia he returned to Atlanta, and soon afterward went to Montgomery, Ala., and took charge of the motive power of what is now the Louisville & Nashville railway, and remained there until driven out by Gen. Wilson's raiders. After the war he came back to Atlanta and engaged in the saw-milling and lumber business. In 1869 he built a saw-mill in Dodge county, Ga., with headquarters in Atlanta, which he continued until 1882. In this venture he was phenomenally prosperous, and at the date last named retired from active business and has since operated as a capitalist. It was during Mr. Murphy's connection with the Western & Atlantic railway (April 12, 1862) that the famous "engine chase" and capture of the locomotive "General" occurred. He was foreman of the machine and motive power, which was absolutely under his control. That morning he was called to examine an engine which supplied the power to cut wood and pump water for the locomotives at Alatoona. While at breakfast at Big Shanty (now Kennesaw) he heard a noise as of escaping steam, and at the same time noticed that the engine was moving, and remarked to the engineer and fireman, "Some one is moving your train." On reaching the door he saw the engine with three cars moving out of sight. Sending a man on horseback to Marietta to wire the superintendent, he started with the conductor and engineer on foot, knowing there was a squad of section hands with a hand, or pole-car, just ahead. Taking this the pursuit was continued until farther on they obtained an engine, with which, after overcoming all obstructions they overtook the engine just north of Ringgold, where the raiders had deserted and taken to the woods. But for his knowledge of the road and his control of the motive power which he utilized, the result might have been very different. Mr. William Pittinger, one of the Federal raiding party who escaped, in a book published by him, says: "The presence of Anthony Murphy that morning was purely accidental. As an officer of high authority on the road, commanding all engineers and firemen, knowing all the engines and everything about the road perfectly, his presence at that time was most unfortunate for us. He was a man of great coolness and good judgement. His first act was far-sighted. He sent a man on horseback to Marietta to notify the superintendent at Atlanta by wire." To Mr. Murphy, more than to any other man, is due the successful termination of that exciting "engine chase." In 1866 he was elected a member of the city council of Atlanta, and served by re-election nearly three years, and was again elected in 1870. This service was rendered during the most trying period of Atlanta's history and rendered efficiently. He originated the water works movement in 1866, was president of the water works board for some years, floated the bonds issued for their construction -- the work being completed in 1874. During this period he originated and superintended the construction of immense cisterns for saving water for fire extinguishment, was the principal mover in the matter adopting steam fire-engines and purchased the first steam fire-engine, and actively co-operated with Dr. O'Keefe in establishing the present magnificent public school system. Mr. Murphy's early training, together with his practical common sense and strictly business methods, made his services at this time of inestimable value to this city. Mr. Murphy was a jury commissioner for a number of years, and served two terms on the county board of roads and revenues, of which he was chairman of the committee on buildings, and built the present model alms-house. He advocated the building of the Georgia Air Line (now R. & D.) and represented the city's stock, was an important factor in saving what is now the Georgia Pacific railway, was one of the promoters of the building of the Atlanta cotton factory and as one of its board of directors was an earnest and watchful worker during its construction, was one of the committee of forty-nine who formulated the present city charter which saved the city from threatened bankruptcy, and was appointed by Gov. Gordon one of the commissioners to appraise for the state the value of the road, rolling stock and betterments of the Western & Atlantic railway. Quiet, reticent, undemonstrative, he is yet an almost invincible power when brought into action -- it is only then that his true value is developed. A more evenly balanced mind is rarely found. While his head is cool, a warmer heart throbs not in the breast of man. Blessed with a sound judgement, an unbending integrity and governed by the most scrupulous exactitude in all business transactions, it excites no wonder that he has been deservedly financially successfull and is held in the very highest esteem by all who know him. Mr. Murphy was married in 1858 to Miss Adelia McConnell, who, and her parents before her, are natives of Georgia...This union has been blessed with eight children, seven of whom are living: Annie E., wife of G. H. Tanner, clerk of Fulton county superior court; Kate F., wife of Charles E. Sciples, of Sciple Sons, Atlanta, Ga.; Robert E., John K., Adelia, Anthony, Jr., and Charles C. Mr. Murphy is not a member of any church (though he was raised a Roman Catholic), but is Catholic "in spirit and in truth," liberally contributing to the dissemination of Christianity irrespective of the agency. He keeps fully abreast with the progressiveness of the age, is fully alive to the highest interests of Atlanta and is an earnest and energetic worker in promoting those interests.

Whew! Believe it or not, there's more to come about Mr. Anthony Murphy.

Peavys in the Barber Cemetery (A Personal Tombstone Tuesday)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 08:42:00 +0000

Thomas J. Peavy and Sarah L. Mills were my 2nd Great Grand Uncle and Aunt. They, along with at least three of their seven children, were laid to rest in Barber Cemetery at Concord, Gadsden County, Florida.

Thomas J. Peavy (1842-1921)

Sarah L. M. Peavy (1851-1935)

Maggie E. Peavy (1872-1896)

Olliver D. Peavy (1875-1899)

Annie I. Peavy (1884-1899)
Died just 5 days after her brother Olliver.

Moultrie was Murdered! (This Time It's Personal)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 20:23:00 +0000

Photo by S. Lincecum

I've been a frequent visitor of Byron City Cemetery (Georgia) for several years now. And every visit includes stops by the graves of cousins, one being that of Moultrie Alfred Warren, Jr. He was a third cousin of mine by way of his mother, Sadie Almira Peavy Warren. Engraved on Moultrie's ledger marker, in addition to his birth and death dates, is "Professional Engineer." And those aforementioned dates reveal Moultrie died at the young age of 43 in 1956. I have often wondered what was the cause -- now I know.

Via FamilySearch.org

A World War II draft registration card from 1940 shows a 27 year old Moultrie Alfred Warren, Jr. living in Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia and employed by the United States government and the science organization of Geological Survey (USGS). In 1947, Moultrie became engaged to Ruth Tomlinson, daughter of Homer R. Tomlinson. Moultrie and Ruth were a very studious couple. Ruth was a graduate of Winthrop College (Rock Hill, SC). She also attended the graduate schools of the Universities of South Carolina and Florida, as well as studied at Bellevue Hospital and Cumberland Hospital in New York.

Mr. Warren attended the University of Georgia and was graduated from the Georgia School of Technology. He served as a lieutenant in the Navy and, at the time of his engagement to Ruth, was attending the graduate school of the Department of Agriculture in Washington.¹

Moultrie and Ruth had one son, born in 1950.

A 1955 city directory for Savannah, Georgia listed Moultrie Alfred Warren as eng in charge US Geological Survey.² About a year later, Moultrie was dead -- beaten to death by a co-worker:

Ex-Lincolnite Held In Georgia Slaying
...Man Studied Geology at U of N
SAVANNAH, Ga. (AP) -- The head of the U. S. Geological Survey office was beaten to death with a window sash weight Monday by a fellow geologist whose work he had criticized, police reported.

The body of Moultrie A. Warren Jr., 40, Savannah, was found in his Customs House office after Coast Guardsmen in a recruiting office across the hall heard a scream and investigated.

Police quoted the Coast Guardsmen as saying Fred B. Hudson, 35, a geologist formerly of Lincoln, was striking Warren with the sash weight when they rushed in.

Hudson, who came to Savannah from Lincoln in 1954, was arrested on a warrant charging that he "hit Warren on the head with an iron sash weight with malice aforethought, thereby killing him within the confines of the U.S. Custom House."

Hudson was given a hearing before U.S. Commissioner William A. Wells Jr. No request was made for bond.

Wells said Hudson pleaded guilty and quoted him as saying he killed his superior because Warren had been "harassing" him over a period of months and casting reflections on his ability as a geologist.

Investigators said the two men had been working together since the geological survey was set up in Savannah in 1954 and quoted workers in the building as saying there had been no previous indication of bad feelings between them.

Warren was married and had one child, a son. Hudson was single.

Studied At NU
Hudson studied a general geology course at the University of Nebraska and also took graduate work there. His University instructors said he had a "general breakdown" during an interruption in his studies before he left Lincoln in 1954.

They described him as a quiet student, almost a recluse. They also said he was older than most of his fellow students.³

Sash Weights.
Photo by WithAssociates via Flickr

An additional news item, in the form of a photo caption, stated the following: "A Federal grand jury will determine charges since the slaying took place in Mr. Warren's Customs House office." [Omaha World Herald (Nebraska), 2 May 1956, pg. 34.]

The grand jury must have come back with a murder charge, but at some point or other over the next four years, Hudson's sanity came into question:

Ex-Professor's Sanity Hearing Set
SAVANNAH -- Frederick B. Hudson, former professor at the University of Nebraska, will undergo a sanity hearing here Wednesday to determine if he is mentally competent and able to stand trial for the death of a government worker in 1956. Hudson, 39, has been held in the Chatham County jail since arriving from the U. S. medical center in Springfield, Mo.

The former professor is charged with the death of Moultrie A. Warren, Hudson's superior in the customs building in Savannah at the time of the slaying. Hudson...was committed as mentally ill after the death of Warren, bludgeoned with a window sash weight in April 1956.

Hudson, if adjudged sane, will face a murder charge. A medical petition declares the ex-teacher is paranoid, suffers delusions and is dangerous. It asks that he be recommitted.⁴

The verdict? This headline ran a couple of days later in the Omaha World Herald:

Suspect in a Slaying Sent Back to Asylum

So, was the confessed killer ever put on trial? Um, I don't know. I'll have to keep digging!

Footnotes:

1. "Tomlinson Engagement Is Announced," Richmond Times (Virginia), 27 April 1947; digital image, GenealogyBank (http://www.genealogybank.com : accessed 3 April 2013), Historical Newspapers.

2. "U.S. City Directories, 1821-1989 (Beta)," database and images, Ancestry.com Operations Inc., Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 3 April 2013), entry for Moultrie A. Warren, 1955 Savannah, Georgia.

3. "Ex-Lincolnite Held In Georgia Slaying," Lincoln Star (Nebraska), 1 May 1956; digital image, Ancestry.com (http://www.ancestry.com : accessed 3 April 2013), Historical Newspapers Collection.

4. "Ex-Professor's Sanity Hearing Set," Marietta Journal (Georgia), 13 September 1960; digital image, GenealogyBank (http://www.genealogybank.com : accessed 3 April 2013), Historical Newspapers.

Relocated Southern Cemeteries Index, 1787-1975 (and Tombstone Tuesday)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Tue, 02 Apr 2013 18:36:00 +0000

Less than a week ago, I logged on to Ancestry.com to find a newly added database entitled Web: Tennessee, Relocated Cemeteries Index, 1787-1975. In case you were not aware, an Ancestry database that is prefaced with the word "Web" is usually readily accessible on the internet without a subscription. While the convenience of searching through Ancestry is nice, since I'm already a subscriber, I went directly to the source and gave it a browse. After all, I was not even aware it existed online!

The database is part of the Tennessee Valley Authority website as TVA's Cemetery Relocation Database:

To carry out its mission in the Tennessee Valley, TVA had to alter the landscape. The agency’s major construction projects required relocating roads and utility lines, as well as inundating many acres of countryside. As an extension of these construction projects, TVA undertook the difficult and delicate task of relocating thousands of graves.

Surveys were conducted of all cemeteries in the project areas. Beginning in 1933, more than 69,000 graves were investigated, and over 20,000 graves were relocated. TVA moved the graves from areas that were to be flooded and from isolated sites to comparable burial places nearby.

The removal was done in accordance with state law and the wishes of the next of kin. In addition to relocating the graves, TVA cleaned, repaired, and reset monuments and headstones at the reinterment sites.

Entries in the database which can be viewed in PDF or Excel format provide first and last names, birth and death dates, project name, state and county, original cemetery and grave number, year the grave was relocated, and new cemetery name, number, and grave number.

Photo by Larry & Edie Doepel
via FindAGrave

An example is this entry for Silas Arthur:
ARTHUR SILAS / 1848 1923 / Norris Reservoir / TN CAMPBELL / BAKERS FORGE 240-602 / 1934 / BAKERS FORGE MEM 4 WH,A,X,7

Silas' remains were relocated about eleven years after his death in 1923 and original burial in Bakers Forge Cemetery. The new site selected is in Demory, Campbell County, TN and named Bakers Forge Memorial Cemetery.

A bit of information about the Norris Reservoir project from Wikipedia:

Photo: Brian Stansberry
(Creative Commons)

"Norris Dam is a hydroelectric and flood control structure located on the Clinch River in Anderson County and Campbell County, Tennessee, USA. Its construction in the mid-1930s was the first major project for the Tennessee Valley Authority, which had been created in 1933 to bring economic development to the region and control the rampant flooding that had long plagued the Tennessee Valley...The building of Norris Dam and its accompanying reservoir required the purchase of over 152,000 acres (62,000 ha) of land. 2,841 families and 5,226 graves were relocated. The community of Loyston, located about 20 miles (32 km) upstream from the dam site, was entirely inundated. Approximately one-third of Caryville, at the head of the reservoir's Cove Creek embayment, was flooded and a number of structures in the town had to be moved."

I'm compelled to mention that one should not assume Tennessee is the only state represented in this database. You can also find projects and relocations that effected Alabama, Georgia, Kentucky, and North Carolina (and that's just viewing the surnames beginning with the letter A).

Her Body Still Warm: Is She Dead or Not?

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Sun, 24 Mar 2013 13:21:00 +0000

HER BODY STILL WARM

At midnight last night Marya Webb, the girl who died at 82 Forsyth street, was still warm. The girl had been dead then thirty-six hours, but no change in her temperature had been detected. The skin was still apparently moist and the people who were about the body during the day assert that the girl is not dead. During the day several physicians examined the body and all of them pronounced the girl dead. Her mother, however, will not credit these statements, and when an undertaker is suggested becomes perfectly frantic. She will probably be buried today unless some signs of life are detected, which is hardly possible. [The Atlanta Constitution (Georgia), 21 November 1885.]

THE BODY BURIED
Maria Webb's Body Grows Cold and She is Laid to Rest

Maria Webb, the girl whose body remained warm too long after she quit breathing, was buried late yesterday afternoon.

There is now no doubt about her death.

Her body maintained the same temperature from her death up to three o'clock yesterday afternoon. About the time the temperature of her body began to change, and in less than an hour

THE JOINTS WERE STIFF,

and the body presented the appearance of death. The mother of the girl finally became satisfied that life was extinct, and allowed the undertaker to take charge of the body. Late yesterday afternoon the body was interred in Westview cemetery. When the girl was placed in the coffin her body was as cold and stiff as a lump of ice.

Maria Webb was a girl of fourteen years of age. She lived at 82 Forsyth street, and was always remarkably healthy and strong. Two weeks ago she was taken sick for

THE FIRST TIME IN HER LIFE.

At first nothing was thought of her illness, but within a few days after its inception she was unable to leave her bed. The physician who attended her pronounced her disease a fever, and gave her every attention, but notwithstanding the care given her she died Thursday morning about nine o'clock. Soon after her death her body was shrouded for the coffin and then laid upon the bed. No one there thought of disputing the girl's death, but later in the day someone observed that her lips were

NOT ENTIRELY DEVOID OF COLOR,

and that there was a faint tinge of color on her cheeks. In looking at these unusual accompaniments of death, it was discovered that the girl's face was warm. Then it was found that her body, even to the tips of her fingers and the ends of her toes was warm. This discovery created quite a surprise, for the girl had then been dead four or five hours. Later in the day the body was again examined and again found to be warm. The mother was notified of this strange circumstance and was unwilling to believe her child dead. Several physicians were sent for and every one of them agreed in

PRONOUNCING THE GIRL DEAD,

but none would venture an opinion as to the cause of the warmth of her body.

The intelligence of the strange case spread and Patrolman Harris' presence was required to keep the crowds out of the house. Hundreds of curious persons, however, gained admission and looked at the dead girl. She did not look like a corpse and but for the cloth about her head, would have looked like some one asleep. On Friday other physicians looked at the body and agreed with those who seen it Thursday.

Yesterday morning about ten o'clock the first change was noticed in the girl. Her feet began to grow cold and about noon they were as cold as ice but for more than two hours the coldness did not spread. Finally about three, her body generally commenced getting cold and rapidly the temperature changed. Every physician who saw the girl was positive that she was dead. [The Atlanta Constitution (Georgia), 22 November 1885.]

Couldn't think of anything to add, so figured I'd let the news articles do all the talking!

Deep in Remembrance (Wordless Wednesday)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Wed, 20 Mar 2013 08:15:00 +0000

Thomas Theus' Dying Request

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Thu, 14 Mar 2013 20:31:00 +0000

Thomas N. Theus
A Confederate Soldier
Died Nov 28, 1903
Eliza Wilhelmina
The Devoted Wife Of
Thomas N. Theus
Died February 21, 1895

"DEATHS

Thomas Nichol Theus.
SAVANNAH, Ga., Nov. 28 -- Thomas Nichol Theus, a well known Savannahian who was prominently related in Georgia and South Carolina, died at an early hour this morning. He made a dying request that he be buried in Confederate gray, and he himself named six pall-bearers, all Confederate veterans." [Macon Telegraph (Georgia), 29 November 1903, pg. 2 -- Viewed online at GenealogyBank.]

From Savannah to Manila

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Wed, 13 Mar 2013 23:41:00 +0000

Capt. Robert H. Anderson
9th U.S. Infantry
Died Manila, Philippine Islands
November 7th, 1901
1861 - 1901
STEADFAST

"CAPT. ANDERSON DEAD.

Died of Pneumonia at Mobile -- Was Appointed From Georgia.

Washington, Nov. 7 -- A cablegram received at the war department today from General Chaffee, at Manila, announces the death from pneumonia of Captain Robert H. Anderson, of the 9th infantry.

Captain Anderson was appointed to the army in 1884 from civil life, being credited to Georgia.

Savannah, Ga., Nov. 7 -- Captain Robert H. Anderson, of the Ninth regular infantry, was born in this city in 1861. His father was General Robert H. Anderson, of the Confederate army, and for many years chief of police of Savannah. Young Anderson was appointed a second lieutenant in the army by President Arthur, in 1884. He served gallantly in Cuba, and afterwards in China and the Philippines. His family connection in this section are extensive and prominent. He leaves a widow and two children." [Columbus Daily Enquirer (Georgia), 8 November 1901, pg. 1 -- Viewed online at GenealogyBank.]

Capt. Anderson rests in Bonaventure Cemetery at Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia. There is a beautiful carving on the foot of his gravestone:

The laurel wreath symbolizes "military as well as intellectual glory and was also thought to cleanse the soul of any guilt it had over the slaying of enemies." [Douglas Keister, Forever Dixie: A Field Guide to Southern Cemeteries & Their Residents (Utah: Gibbs Smith, 2008), 155 & 156.]

Note: In the obituary at top, the subheadline reads, "Died of Pneumonia at Mobile..." I deem this a mistake. Am I wrong?

Col. Aaron Wilbur Made it Home to Georgia (Tombstone Tuesday)

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Tue, 12 Mar 2013 18:29:00 +0000

DEATH OF COLONEL AARON WILBUR. -- Colonel Aaron Wilbur, for many years a prominent citizen of this city, died at his residence last evening, at 10 o'clock. He was a native of Vermont, but removed South soon after he became of age, and located in Richmond, Virginia, from which city he removed to Savannah in 1853, since which time he has been engaged in the insurance business. His energy and well known business capacity secured for him the position of manager of the Southern branch of the Knickerbocker Life Insurance Company of New York. He was also President of the Home Insurance Company of Savannah, and a Director in the Merchants' National Bank.

During the war he was appointed by Gov. Brown on his staff, with the rank of Lieutenant Colonel, which position he held for some time. At the close of the struggle he engaged extensively in business and succeeded in saving from the general wreck that followed that event a large portion of his fortune.

Last Spring, while on a tour North, he was taken sick and at one time it was thought he would not live to return to Georgia, but he so far recovered as to be able to make the trip, and on the day of his return to the city spent several hours in his office; from whence he went to his residence, never more to be seen "amid the busy haunts of men," and after a week of great suffering breathed his last. He was about fifty years of age. - Savannah News, 6th. [Augusta Daily Constitution (Georgia), 8 December 1869, pg. 4 -- Viewed online at GenealogyBank.]

Aaron Wilbur
Born Barnard, Windsor Co, Vermont
December 12, 1821
Died Savannah, Georgia
December 5, 1869
Aged 48 Years

"Asleep In Jesus."

Bonaventure Cemetery
Savannah, Chatham County, Georgia

Photo © 2007-2013 S. Lincecum

So What Happened to John Latham?

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Mon, 11 Mar 2013 00:22:00 +0000

View from the upper walkway near memorial.

When visiting Fort Pulaski near Savannah, Georgia, one of the things you can do is walk around an upper deck that circles the fort on the interior. There are several cannons strategically placed, giving you an idea as to how things were during the early part of the Civil War before the surrender to Federal troops. Along the walkway, I saw this plaque:

This memorial commemorates the act of Lieutenant Christopher Hussey
of the Montgomery Guards and Private John Latham of the Washington
Volunteers, the first volunteer regiment of the state of Georgia.
While under fire during the bombardment of April 11, 1862, they
recovered the Confederate colors which had been shot down and raised
the flag on this parapet.

Subsequent research lead me to the Historical Record of the City of Savannah (pub. 1869). Page 85 gives a bit more detail about the incident described above:

The asterisk by Lt. Hussey's name lead to this:

Entry to Catholic Cemetery.
Photo by Linda Wallis via
FindAGrave.

A search of FindAGrave revealed "A List Of The Known Confederate Sailors And Soldiers Buried In [Savannah's] Catholic Cemetery." There are no markers, only office records. A Capt. Christopher Hussey was included with "Co. E, 22nd GA Hvy. Arty." -- the Montgomery Guards. A John Latham is also listed, but there is no identifying information such as the unit with which he served. I wonder, is this the same Pvt. Latham who rescued the Confederate colors? If so, what was the ultimate cause of his demise? Anyone out there know?

Top 2 photos © 2010 S. Lincecum.

Robert Rowan had Nothing to Do with the Civil War

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Fri, 08 Mar 2013 23:15:00 +0000

In Memory of ROBT. ROWAN of No.
Carolina, Lieut in 1st Regimt of Artilrst &
Engirs of the U. States Troops who died
March 3d 1800, Aged 25 Years.

I wonder how many visitors have paused at Lieut. Robert Rowan's tombstone. How many times it's been photographed. I'll bet the numbers are staggering. You see, young Robert's final resting place is a cemetery on Cockspur Island, right outside Fort Pulaski -- a defender of the ports of Savannah, Georgia during the Civil War. This is also the place where 13 of the Immortal 600 were buried.

Lieut. Rowan, however, had nothing to do with the Immortal 600, or any part of the Civil War for that matter. He was already dead. Robert Rowan died at the young age of 25 in the year 1800. A full 60+ years before the drama at Fort Pulaski. Back when the fort on Cockspur Island was Fort Greene, built in 1795 and named for Revolutionary War patriot Nathanael Greene.

Robert Rowan's death did make the newspaper --

Died, at Fort Greene, near Savannah, on the 3d instant, lieut. Robert
Rowan, of the 1st regiment of Artillerists and Engineers.
[Charleston City Gazette (South Carolina), 22 March 1800, pg. 2]

-- but I can't help but wonder if, under different circumstances, we would even be aware there ever was a Lieut. Robert Rowan. I, for one, think it's cool we are.

Top Image © 2010 S. Lincecum

Georgia's Cincinnati Cobra

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Thu, 07 Mar 2013 09:33:00 +0000

Did you know the famous boxer, Ezzard Mack "Cincinnati Cobra" Charles, was born in Georgia? Me, neither. He is the March 7th subject of the Georgia Historical Society and Georgia Public Broadcasting collaboration, Today in Georgia History.

FindAGrave Memorial Photo by Anonymous

Military Monday: Specialist Edwin Freeman Ussery

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Mon, 04 Mar 2013 09:55:00 +0000

Edwin Freeman Ussery
Georgia
SP - 2
World War II
Korea
September 19, 1922
August 6, 1955

Edwin Freeman Ussery was born in Hart County, Georgia.¹ He died in service to his country while in Korea, 6 August 1955. Specialist Ussery was honored with an upright marble headstone placed at Blue Heights Baptist Cemetery in Mountain City, Rabun County, Georgia.²

Sources:

1. "Georgia, World War II Draft Registration Cards, 1940-1942," index and images, FamilySearch (https://familysearch.org/pal:/MM9.1.1/V2MR-CMQ : accessed 03 Mar 2013), Edwin Freeman Ussery, 1941.

2. Ancestry.com. U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1925-1963 [database & images on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012. Entry for Edwin Freeman Ussery.

William J. Trusty, Tank Destroyer

noreply@blogger.com (Stephanie Lincecum) — Sun, 03 Mar 2013 20:52:00 +0000

William J. Trusty (1919-1949)

William Jack Trusty rests at Blue Heights cemetery in Mountain City, Rabun County, Georgia. The stone I photographed was a government issue granite marker. I was not familiar with all of the abbreviations on the stone, but was able to decipher it easily after reading the headstone application on Ancestry.

From Wikipedia

As part of his service for the U.S. Army during World War II, Corporal Trusty was a member of Company B, 638th Tank Destroyer Battalion. He enlisted 23 September 1942 and received an honorable discharge 18 October 1945.

This information was great, but it didn't tell me why William J. Trusty died at the young age of 30 years. In viewing several family trees online, the consensus seemed to be that he died in Pontiac, Michigan. However, not one of those I saw offered a source for this vital fact. Going ahead with this data, though, I did find a blurb in The Daily News (Ludington, Michigan - 25 July 1949, pg. 3):

PONTIAC -- Jack Trusty, 35, of Bloomfield Hills, died Sunday of burns suffered in a fire which destroyed his trailor early Sunday morning.

The Record-Eagle of Traverse City, Michigan stated the same while offering the age of 32.

I searched Oakland County, Michigan's death records index online and found a William Trusty died there 24 July 1949. It's not proof, but those online trees might just be right.