Trial Will Be Held For Johnson Boys

 The Johnson Boys Preliminary Trial Will Be Held Oct 8

Particulars of the Tragedy of Graydon Springs Last Saturday--A Deadly Knife

Virgil Johnson, who killed Ed Anthes at Graydon Springs last Saturday by stabbing him in the heart, was arraigned yesterday and admitted to bail in the sum of $1,500. On recommendation of the coroner's jury, Lomar Johnson, a cousin of Virgil, was also placed under $500 bond as accessory to the murder.
Virgil Johnson is about 17 years old and weighs 120 pounds. He is very youthful in appearance and does not look like a boy who would be guilty of wilful murder.
The Anthes boy was 20 years old and somewhat larger than Johnson. The two became involved in a quarrel in the Graydon Springs post office. Both of them had out their knives and Anthes slapped Johnson in the face. One then dared the other out of doors to finish the fight. They went out and renewed the quarrel. In the meantime, Lomas Johnson took a hand by throwing rocks at Anthes. The latter fought both as best he could. He knocked Virgil down with his fist. When the latter got up he had his knife open and made a lunge for Anthes' heart. The knife went straight to the mark and Anthes was soon a corpse.
The Johnson boys will have a preliminary hearing at Bolivar October 3. W. G. Robertson of this city has been engaged to defend them.

 The above article was first printed in the Springfield Leader and Press (Springfield, Missouri) 28 Sep 1893 Tues Page 8

Listed below is the link to findagrave.com which has the memorial for Edward Anthes. At one point, whoever setup the memorial had the wrong years for Ed. I sent a message to them and gave them the correct information. It was the least I could do since it was my great grandfather who had killed the young man.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/36379337/edward-anthes

I am in the process of trying to find a photo of Virgil Eagleton Johnson and Edward Anthes. I think there should be one of Virgil that might have been taken at the time of his arrest. 

Great Grandpa was a Hell Raiser for sure. I don't think there was an ounce of Holy Roller in him.

Great Grandpa - A Bloodthirsty Dude

                                         Stabbed To The Heart

W.H. Anthis Murdered by Virgil Johnson at Graydon Springs Yesterday
The Bloodthirsty Youth Captured by Officers Kennedy and Bechtell

Virgil Johnson and W.H. Anthis, youths of about 17, living at Graydon Springs, Polk County, have been for some time at variance as to which was the better man of the two, and in order to settle the question they fought not long since, Anthis proving the victor. It is narrated that Anthis vaunted his conquest and promised to repeat the beating when occasion offered.

In the meantime it is said Johnson got into a difficulty with a quartette of boys, two of whom he carved with a convenient pocketknife, the other two taking to their heels at the sight of blood. This adventure whetted Johnson’s ambition to wipe out the stigma and cloud under which his prowess rested by reason of the defeat he had suffered at the hands of Anthis, and in order to be equipped for deadly work when the next meeting occurred, he bought a new knife with a long keen blade.

Yesterday the boys met in the post office at Graydon Springs, when the old quarrel was immediately renewed and Johnson, whipping out his ready weapon, plunged it into his hated adversary’s heart.

Graydon Springs Post Office

There was a crowd standing around, but the crime was so suddenly and unexpectedly committed that no one had time to interfere, and indeed it was not known that Anthis had been done to death until the cowardly perpetrator had made good his escape. Notwithstanding the heavy rain which fell all day yesterday Johnson walked to Springfield and was captured last night while eating supper at Fay’s restaurant by Officers Kennedy and Bechtell, who are holding him for the Polk County officers.

Johnson, who lives a short distance out of Graydon Springs, says that Anthis hit him over the head, after which the cutting was done. On the fugitive’s person, when arrested, were found a ticket to Vinita and $14.50 in cash, so that he evidently did not expect to show up in his former haunts until his crimes had been forgotten. He says that he left the knife with which the deed was done at home, so that he probably ran to that refuge after leaving the post office and secured all the money he could raise to get him out of the country.

Johnson’s Version

Virgil Johnson was seen by a LEADER reporter and the story as he gives it does not involve his act in the malice with which it is invested by rumor.

Johnson who is confined in the calaboose (jail) had just finished a breakfast of ham and eggs, which he relished, when the reporter saw him. He said, in substance.

Anthis and I had a difficulty about four or five days ago and he got the best of it. He is a full-grown man 21 years old and weighs about 150, while I am only 17 and don’t weigh more than 120. Yesterday morning at 11 o’clock I went into the post office and Anthis struck me on the head, not hard, but just in a tantalizing, bullying way. I went out and he followed me, catching me by the coat and kicking and beating me. I wasn’t any match for him physically, so I cut him with my knife and then ran home. I got some money from father and then rode to Willard on horseback, to which point I was accompanied by a cousin who carried the horse back. I there bought a ticket to would return to Graydon Springs this morning and let the ticket go, but the officers arrested me while I was at supper, and here I am.

I heard that some of the people were going to treat me roughly because I cut Anthis. They were friends of Anthis and I thought it best to get away from there. Father told me to stop at an uncle of mine and tell him and the boys to keep out of any fuss. I did that before leaving.

That story about my having a new knife is not true. I had an old knife which originally had two blades, but one was broken out. When I changed clothes, I left the knife in my pants pocket.

Father has intended leaving Polk County for some time and sold out his interests there a few days ago. He was to have left today, but I suppose this trouble will interfere with his arrangements.

Members of the train crew stated to the reporter that Johnson did not come in on the train but his ticket from Willard is punched showing that he rode from that point. The boy is lanky and loose jointed, and does not realize the enormity of his offense, talking about it with the utmost composure if not indifference. In reference to the fight, he had with the four boys he cut a couple of them because he did not care to be beat to death by the gang. Public sympathy was on his side in that case, and he was not arrested. He also said he was a farmer, and he went to town two or three times a week.

Notice has been sent to Graydon Springs of Johnson’s arrest and an officer is expected this afternoon to take him in charge. 

The above article is the original. I typed the story from it since the article is so difficult to read. It was first published in the Springfield Leader and Press (Springfield, MO) 23 Sep 1893, Sat Page 4

I obtained the photograph of the Graydon Springs post office from the Facebook site Graydon Springs & Greene County, MO Photos & More with the permission of the owner. Their Great Grandmother had been the postmaster of the post office. 

https://www.facebook.com/GraydonandGreene

What Did I Think

What did I think and how did I feel when I read this article? I was thinking, did I really descend from this boy/man? This boy who was capable of killing another man? And, I was thinking it certainly didn't affect his appetite. He was packing the food away when the reporter saw him.
The reporter stated that he didn't think Virgil realized the enormity of what he had done. I think Virgil did realize what he had done and he just didn't care. 
There will be more to come regarding the death of the young man, Ed Anthis by the hand of Virgil Johnson. 

                                    -Stay Tuned-        

A Deplorable Homicide Occurred by two Teenage Johnson Cousins

Here We Go

When I first ran across this article, I wondered if I might be related to some of the Johnsons mentioned in this article. One of my Dad's brothers was named Virgil and he had another one named Jasper. I didn't know who Joseph Johnson was but it wasn't long before I figured out that they were speaking about Josiah Johnson, my 2nd Great Grandpa.

I have gone back and forth with myself. Should I write about what I know about my Johnson line?  Do I really want the whole world to know about how bad and crazy, or would that be bat $hit crazy some of them were? Well I have decided to do it. Just remember, there are some good Johnsons that come from my Johnson line.

A Deplorable Homicide Occurred

A deplorable homicide occurred Graydon Springs in this county last Friday. Ed Anthis, a young man 20 years of age, was killed by Virgil Johnson, a boy of 17. Johnson is a son of Joseph Johnson and was raised in the neighborhood. Virgil and his cousin, Loman Johnson, a boy of 15, and a son of Jas. Johnson are under arrest and have given bond for their appearance before Squire Johnson next Tuesday, at which time their preliminary examination will be held. As the cases are in court we forbear comment further than to say that public opinion is somewhat divided as to whether the killing was justifiable or not.

The article above was originally published in The Index (Hermitage Missouri) 5 Oct 1893 Thur Page 3

My Dad used to tell me that his Grandpa, Virgil Eagleton Johnson was a very mean man. There were a lot of people that were afraid of him.

As it turns out, the boy Virgil Johnson that is referenced in this article was my Great Grandpa.  He was not quite 17 when he killed Ed Anthis. I think Loman, who was Virgil's first cousin was there for moral support.

I have decided to write about Virgil E Johnson at least, although there were others that came after him who did the same thing if not worse. I have their trial records and their prison records.

There are other articles that were published regarding this murder that I will include them at a later time. I will also write about and include GG Virgil E Johnson's trial records as time allows. They were all handwritten since it was so long ago and are difficult to read.

Tudy and Her Bottle

Looking for Tudy's Bottle

I remember when my baby sister was about 18 months old, my Mom and my Grandma Smith were trying to put my sister down to sleep. 

They were putting her down in the bed in the room that served as the kitchen, dining room and bedroom. The front room served as living room, and bedroom for Grandma and Grandpa. That was when Grandma and Grandpa only had two rooms to their house.

Anyway, Tudy would say she wanted her bottle.  Every time Mama would give her the bottle she would throw it and cry for the bottle again. Tudy wanted to go outside to get her bottle.  So we all went outside (except for Grandpa) with the flashlight looking for Tudy's bottle. We get out there and what does Tudy do?  She crawls under the house and comes back out with one of Grandpa's wine bottles!

That was back when Grandpa still drank alcohol. He would drink wine and beer.  Grandma never allowed anyone to bring alcohol into the house so Grandpa would drink outside and he hid his wine bottles under the house.  Tudy must have been watching Grandpa and decided she wanted to try out some of the stuff Grandpa was drinking.  The house was up on blocks so there was space under the house.

Of course Tudy wasn't allowed to have any of Grandpa's wine but leave it to her to have us going on a wild goose chase right from the start.  Never a dull moment with that girl, I tell ya even when she was a baby.

Jump genealogy : an American family from colonial times

Jump Genealogy

The title of this post is also the title of a genealogy book written about my Jump line.  It also mentions other Jump lines that we may or may not be related to.

I have a copy of this book and have included a copy of the Table of Contents of the book here. 

I used this book to help me prove my lineage to John Jump who served in the Revolutionary War. 

If anyone believes they are descended from the Jump line and if you have any questions, I would be happy to look the information up for you.  Obtaining a copy of this book is not easy.  I was able to get a copy from a member of the Polk County Genealogical Society in Bolivar, Missouri.  I am very grateful to Carolyn for helping me out!

Thank you to Janet Pease and others who worked so hard researching the Jump Surname.

Please feel free to send me an email or contact me through this blog.

This is Part of Mine and my Daddy's History

Daddy And I Both Loved Elvis

Since this is a family history blog, I would like to share a song and a video by Tom Jones about Elvis, The King of Rock and Roll.  Tom and Elvis were very good friends. 

Here is another one, where Elvis is introducing Tom in Las Vegas, then Tom talks and sings a new song for Elvis " I was thinking about Elvis......watch till the end......

I was fortunate enough to be able to see both of them perform in person.

Hope you enjoy.

                                                
            

Hartwell Johnson and Son Jasper

Closing in on Hartwell Johnson Jr.
 
As you know, I did a timeline on my 4th Great Grandpa, Hartwell Johnson Jr.  I have since updated it with a small bit of information that I discovered recently.  However, this small bit of information is huge in the world of genealogy.  Please see latest timeline for Hartwell.  The update I made is in red.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1LwjJboStsKTg-OWGAYM_5Q46CAQOOhhrJwGqrRkdAE0/edit#gid=293211040

Jasper Johnson's Civil War Prison Records 

 

When I found my 3rd Great Grand Uncle Jasper Johnson's Civil War prison records, I became very excited.  I knew that I had hit pay dirt.  What I found out....

Transcription of attached records in link below:
 
Gratiot Extract: From roll of prisoners of war sent forward from Little Rock, Ark, Dec 2, 1863. By order Sg? Col J.S. Chandler P-- War Genl.  Jasper Johnson, private teamster, captured near Benton in Ark, Nov 17, 1863.

Examination: Jasper Johnson of Polk County, Missouri. Taken the 6th day of January, 1864. Confined at Gratiot St. Prison, St. Louis, MO.  Taken by George H Richerson.

Statement of Jasper Johnson, a prisoner at the Gratiot St. prison, St. Louis, made the 6th day of January, 1864.
My age is thirty six years.
I live in Polk County, Missouri
I was born in Halifax County, VA
I was captured in Arkadelphia, Arkansas on or about the 28th day of October 1863.
The cause of my capture was I was a Rebel Soldier and was driving a C.S.A team and was taken prisoner by some Iowa troops, I think.
I was in arms against the United States, and was a Private in Captain Mitchell's company "G", Burn's Inftry Reg, C.S.A., I was sworn into the Rebel service about the 15th day of October 1862, by Col Burns, in Arkansas for three years during the war.
When captured. I was first taken to Little Rock, Ark and remained there about three months and was not examined there and was sent to Gratiot St Prison about the nineteenth day of December 1863.

Question, Answer session....
Q. How many times have you been in arms during the rebellion?
A. Once

Q. What commanders have you served under?
A.  Burns
Q. What battle or skirmishes have you been in?
A.  None, was driving team all other times
Q. Have you ever furnish arms, or ammunition, horse, provisions, or any kind of supplies to any rebels? State when, where, and how often.
A.  Never furnished anything
Q.  Have you ever been with any one taking horses, arms or other property?
A.  Never have
Q.  Are you enrolled in the E. H. H.- loyal or disloyal?
A.  I am not
Q.  Are you a Southern sympathizer?
A.  I am
Q.  Do you sincerely desire to have the Southern people put down in this war, and the authority of the H. J. government over them restored?
A.  I do not
Q.  How many slaves have you?
A.  None
Q.  Have you a wife--how many children?
A.  Wife and 1 child
Q.  What is your occupation?
A.  Farmer
Q.  What relatives have you in the rebellion?
A.  Don't know of any
Q.  Have you ever been in any Rebel camp? If so, whose--when--where--and how long? What did you do? Did you leave it or were you captured in it?
A.  Something about Arkansas....handwriting difficult to read, and Done teamster duty in ?

On the examination intake form, it asked....

What impression does the prisoner make--
The answer was, truthful, candid, mild, vigorous, healthy.  Recommend that prisoner be exchanged.


Jasper was forwarded to Rock Island prison, Illinois, on January 18, 1864. 

In the link below, you will find Jasper Johnson's statement swearing that he will defend the Constitution of the United States, etc., that he signed at the Headquarters, Rock Island barracks, Illinois on March 20, 1865.  In the statement a physical description of him is provided.  He is described as having a fair complexion, light hair, and grey eyes and is 6 feet inches high, and is 36 years of age. 
https://app.luminpdf.com/viewer/kJEdHF9yYq6XHGJEp/share?sk=bb15e8c2-851e-4b50-8f60-b99e1e3699df




                                                                         

Jasper Johnson, son of Hartwell Johnson and Lydia Shaw Johnson

I have highlighted the answers that Jasper gave in his prison examination, in turquoise that I either know to be false or suspect.
His answer about only being in arms once during the rebellion, I believe  to be false.  He was only "caught" with arms once during the rebellion.

His answer that he didn't have any slaves was false.  He did have slaves.

His answer that he never furnished any guns, any provisions or any kind of supplies to any rebels is suspect.  That is what teamsters did.  They provided supplies, and food for the troops.

His answer about not having any relatives in the rebellion was false.  His father Hartwell was involved in the rebellion as well as three of his brothers, Leonard, John, and Gideon.  As a matter of fact, Hartwell, Jasper, Leonard, and John are all on the list of "The Rebels of Polk County".  The list was drawn up in 1861. I will write about that another time.

The fact that Jasper Johnson made a good impression on the Yankees, all I have to say, is "Boy did he have them snowed"!  I'm sure he was quite charming, but the fact that many of his answers were false says a lot.  Of course, he was doing what he needed to do to survive.

The items I have shaded in yellow are important.  Hartwell started showing up in tax records in Halifax County, VA for the period of 1805-1820.  Some of his children were born during this time period but I never had documentation showing that they were actually born in Halifax County.  Since Jasper provided documentation that he was born in Halifax County, and the census records put his birth at about 1826-1827, we can assume that the Hartwell Johnson family lived there until they moved to Tennessee in around 1830. 
this is important because I know where to look for records for the family and especially Hartwell in order to trace our Johnson line.

The other item I highlighted in yellow is of the physical description of Jasper.  Luckily we also have a photograph of Jasper but that isn't always the case.  The physical description provides details that the photo doesn't and that is his height and age at the time.

Well, I covered a lot of information today.  On my Geni Bucket list is to find out who Hartwell's Daddy is.  With each little piece of information uncovered, I am getting closer.

Until the next time, the Johnson Saga continues....

Genealogy Vacation to Polk County Missouri and Nearby Areas

Searching for Ancestors and Their Secrets

A few months ago, we made a fact finding trip from California to Missouri to conduct genealogy research.  We also met up with some cousins, and friends that I have made through the years over the phone and online.


I met with my cousin Linda Ivy, face to face for the first time.  She and I both descend from Hartwell Johnson and his oldest son, Williamson Johnson.  We have been communicating for years through Facebook, Ancestry, and email.  We first met on Ancestry through our DNA.  We had a wonderful time together!

I also met with Mike and Mona Duby who are possible cousins from the Griffin side.  We had a ton of fun together too!

We all met at the Polk County Genealogical Society in Bolivar, MO, for the first time.  I also met Susan Sparks, the president of the society, face to face for the first time as well that same day. 


We  spent the day at the Society research center researching our ancestors.  During my visit to Missouri, I came away with some additional bits and pieces of family history to add to the files.  The folks at the Society are very helpful.  They have been assisting me with my research efforts from afar for several years.  Susan, has been especially helpful.


During this trip, I came away with the court records for the trial of my Great Grandfather, Virgil Eagleton Johnson and his cousin Loman Johnson.  I will not say at this time, what the trial what about.  Suffice it to say, that it wasn't for something that was frivolous. 


My Johnson line is one of the main reasons I named my blog, "Hell Raisers and Holy Rollers" although, I can't place all of the blame on them.  The Johnson Family were Baptist.  Back in the day, when they weren't being good Baptist, you can rest assured, they were raising some kind of hell.

I also came away with an obituary for the last one of Hartwell and Lydia's children to pass away.  In it, the person who preached at her funeral and wrote the obituary mentioned how close he was to the Johnson family.  He also mentioned the Johnson sons that he had fought with in the Civil war on the Confederate side.  Apparently, Leonard Johnson saved his life.  I will write about that and include the obituary at another time.

The Old Johnson Cemetery

We all met up in Morrisville, Cousin Linda, her husband Charles, Cousins Mike and Mona Duby, Lisa Ann (lives in area), and Frank and me. We proceeded to drive out to what used to be part of the old Johnson farm but now has a new owner.  It is my understanding that Hartwell's former farmland was split up and two different people own it now.  The owner that has the land with the cemetery on it, allows the Johnson descendants to visit it whenever they want to.  It is in the middle of a pasture.  The pasture was really overgrown, and we were a tad concerned that we might start a fire driving through it with our cars. Please see attached films of the caravan of cars.  Please note, we were the number two car in a caravan of four cars going there.  There are two other cars behind us.

Here are a couple of films showing us leaving the Cemetery with HJJR narrating.  That's me :-) 

Below are photos of gravestones taken in the Johnson Cemetery.  I would have taken more, but there were a lot of critters out there.  Charles and Frank cut down quite a bit of brush.  The cemetery is located in the middle of a pasture. 

 Hartwell's stone is flat on the ground and had been buried under over 100 years of dirt and debris.  That is probably why it is so well preserved.   The above photo was taken before it was cleaned.

 This photo was taken after Hartwell's stone was cleaned with water.

 Lydia's stone had been broken off of the base when a big storm came through.  We found it propped up against a log.

 These were the children of someone, but I wasn't able to make out the parent's names.

We finally found Hartwell Johnson's gravestone with the help of Lisa Ann.  I met Lisa on ancestry a few years ago on a message board and we have been in contact ever since.  She is writing a book about the area and is quite knowledgeable about the family history of various families in the area.

Above are some of the photos we took while at the Old Johnson Cemetery.  Some of the gravestones were difficult to read until they were cleaned.  I took jugs of water, gloves, and rags to clean some of them off with.

Below are several photos of historic and old buildings located in the town of Walnut Grove, MO.  My Great Grandfather, Virgil Eagleton Johnson was born in Walnut Grove.
                                                   

Hay!

Below are photos of the Brighton Post Office.  This is the very same Post Office that Hartwell Johnson used.  He sent and received many letters regarding his fight to obtain his pension from the War of 1812.  He conducted much of his business in Brighton as well, buying dry goods, etc.                                                    

We also visited many antique shops and a few historical sites while we were there.  Of course, we didn't have nearly enough time to do everything we wanted to do.  I, at least will be back.  It reminds me of my hometown of Poplar, CA.  I love the people in Missouri.                                                                                                


                                                                    

Evelyn Duvall Meek's Genealogy and Historical Books

Evelyn Duvall Meek

Evelyn is married to Walter Meek who is my Father's first cousin.  She has written several books about the places she has lived.  I would classify these books as Genealogy/Family History books.  As you read, you will find yourself caught up in the story.  Evelyn is a wonderful writer!

Evelyn's Woodville Story

Evelyn's Woodville story tells about how her family was struggling financially, often times not having enough to eat when they were living in Comanche, Oklahoma. She tells about their decision to move to California.  She also describes the trip from OK to CA and some of the experiences she had.  She tells the reader how her family moved into "Dewey Meek's Camp".  The Meek Camp was in the town of Woodville, CA.  It was a cotton laborer's settlement where people came and went depending on the work available in the fields.  Woodville is also where one of the Farm Labor Camps is located.

There are several other families mentioned in the book as well as the Duvall family.  This is a wonderful book that gives one a good idea of how the "Okies" had to live when they first came to California.

Evelyn's Poplar Story

From 1947 When we came to Poplar from Woodville to 1950

Evelyn's Poplar story describes the family's move from Woodville to Poplar.  She tells of living in a tent because they had to save money to buy the materials to build a house.  She talks about how life was in Poplar where many families were living in tents.  The reader learns about the bars and the churches in Poplar as well as the various families living there.  She mentions the Bunches, the Poseys, the Fred Smith family (my Grandma, Grandpa, Mother, Aunts and Uncles), the Kaisers, etc.  She describes the town and the culture of Poplar, CA to a tee.  This book is wonderful for anyone who has roots that go back to the central valley of California.                                              

                                              

Evelyn's Poplar and Boron Story

A True Story about the Duvall and Meek Families from 1950 to 1967

In the Poplar and Boron story, Evelyn tells the reader about how her Father finally got their house built and how excited she was about it. She tells about her rigid Christian upbringing, more about the people in Poplar, and having to work in the cotton fields.  She and Walter Meek got married and started having babies.  She talks about Ola Findley Meek and Wesley Meek (my Uncle).  Evelyn provides the reader with a lot of Poplar history and information about the families living there at that time as well as her own family.  She tells about the move to Boron, CA and what her life was like there while raising her children.  In this book she tells how my Mother and Father met and mentions my sister and me.  She describes my sister and me as...."They were beautiful, sweet little girls".
This is a great genealogy/history book!

                                                 

 

At this point and time, Evelyn and I are working with the LDS Family History Library-Donations, to donate her books so they will be available to everyone online for research.

I found these books to be invaluable.  While reading them, it took me right back to my childhood in Poplar, CA, how we lived and the people we knew.  Thank you cousin Evelyn!

Charles Paul Johnson

His Final Farewell-Entertaining as Usual

Uncle Charlie was the third child born to Lawrence Earl Johnson and Cora Lee Meek out of a family of five children.

Throughout his lifetime, he had several hobbies and interests.   He was a photographer, gold miner/panner (had his own claim), pot grower (always the entrepreneur), politician (ran for Mayor), genealogist, and these are just a few.  He was a fun loving guy who really enjoyed life and people.

He taught himself how to use a computer when he was in his late sixties.  He was very active on ancestry dot com, and responded to emails, etc. 

When he was dying from lung cancer, he had his sons, nieces and nephews drink a shot of whiskey to celebrate his life.  He also had one of his sons roll a joint for him.  He said he was going to smoke it but he wasn't in any shape to smoke anything.  He really wasn't a pot smoker but, I think he was wanting to use it for pain.

When he passed away, the family didn't have the funds to give him a funeral and burial.  My cousin Trish and I were trying to figure out how we could bury him.  We went shopping for caskets online, and did a lot of research.

He had already bought his burial plot in the cemetery up the street  next to Aunt Francis, his wife. 

I was thinking about using my van to transport him to the cemetery and my daughter was freaking out.  So then, I decided that I would rent a truck to transport him instead. 

Fortunately, his boys were able to come up with the funds to give their Father a funeral and burial.  So, in the end Trish and I didn't need to use any of our ideas.

While we were waiting for the people from the funeral home to come and get Uncle Charlie, we each took turns going into his bedroom to say goodbye.  His son Ed was running around looking for a crucifix for his dad.  Someone else put his favorite shot glass with him.
 
The attendees from the funeral home arrived after a while.  When they picked Uncle Charlie up to put him on the stretcher, the joint  that he never smoked fell out.  We all had a good laugh over that.  Uncle Charlie would have had a good laugh too if he were there.

Uncle Charlie was buried with the joint in one pocket and his favorite shot glass in the other pocket. The Crucifix is there somewhere too.  He would have gotten such a kick out of this!

We lost Uncle Charlie on January 11, 2013.  He had just turned 82 years old a couple of days before on January 9.

Good 'ole Uncle Charlie, always entertaining and good for a laugh.

Uncle Charlie as a young man

Uncle Charlie as a Biker

Uncle Charlie-right and Ed-left at the Claim

We miss you Uncle Charlie!

Civil War Battle of Port Hudson

From Port Hudson---Battle Expected

Intelligence, reliable and of the greatest importance, has been received from the front.  Preparations are being made by Banks' army which point unmistakably to an early advance.  Seventeen Mortar boats and sloops of war, and the Mississippi gunboat Essex, are now anchored at Baton Rouge.  Banks' force is thirty thousand.  Ambulances and litters are being prepared.  It is the opinion of the Military at this point that we will be attacked within a few days.  The utmost confidence prevails among boyh officers and men of our ability to defeat the enemy.  The report that our pickets have been driven in is unfounded, but an immediate advance is anticipated.  The latest information confirms the dissatisfaction in the Abolition ranks.  It is reported that Banks is opposed to the attack, but has orders from the War department. 

Battle of Port Hudson: Conflict & Dates:

The Battle of Port Hudson lasted from May 22, to July 9, 1863 during the American Civil War. 
The Union was under the command of Major General Nathaniel Banks with about 30,000 men.
The Confederate soldiers were under the command of Major General Franklin Gardner with about 7,500 men.

Taken From:

http://pth.thehardyparty.com/soldiers.htm

Confederate Soldiers Who Served at Port Hudson

(Includes Soldiers from AL, AR, KY, LA, MS, TN, TX, and Staff/Misc. Units)

The Siege

The siege period was a progressively miserable period for the Confederate soldiers inside the fortress.  They had no source of outside supply, and food, ammunition, and other essentials were consumed rapidly.  As the siege went on, they ate the horses, mules, dogs, and even the rats to survive.  They were subjected to constant bombardment by Union artillery ringing the garrison, and from Farragut's ships on the river.  Many were killed or wounded by sniper fire from Union troops, who were approaching ever closer to their lines by digging trenches, or "saps".  In spite of these hardships, they held out and kept the Federals at bay.  With little chance of rescue by other Confederate forces, their situation was ultimately hopeless.

The Union troops also suffered greatly during the trench warfare of the siege.  Most were unaccustomed to the summer heat of Louisiana, and a large number of these men became ill and died, or were disabled.  Over 4,000 Union soldiers were hospitalized due to sunstroke or disease during the fight for Port Hudson.  They were also subjected to constant sniper fire from the Confederate sharpshooters, which took a terrible toll.  Morale was low among the troops.  Many of Bank's regiments were made up of men who enlisted for only nine months, but they were held over until Port Hudson surrendered, causing much dissention in those regiments.

General Banks planned another all-out attack for July 11.  On June 15 he had called for a thousand volunteers to form a storming party, known as the "forlorn hope", which would serve as the spearhead for the coming assault.  The approximately 1000 volunteers had been pulled from their regiments and formed into a unit, to train for their coming assault.  Union soldiers had dug tunnels under the Confederate fortifications and planted large mines which were to be exploded at the beginning of the assault, giving the storming party an avenue to rush into the fortress.  But Vicksburg, under siege since May 22nd, fell on July 4th.   Banks received the news on the 7th, and the Confederates quickly were told by shouts from Union soldiers.  But General Gardner wanted to see proof.  When Banks showed him the dispatches from Vicksburg, he agreed to surrender.  The 48 day siege, the longest in American history, was over.  Banks agreed to parole the Confederate enlisted men, but sent the officers to prison.  Of the prisoners, 5,593 were paroled and some 500 sick and wounded were retained in the hospitals.  General Gardner reported his casualties as 200 killed, between 300 and 400 wounded, and about 200 died from sickness.  Only about 2,500 men were fit for duty at the time of the surrender.

The battle was over and the Mississippi River was in the hands of the Union, and the Confederacy was cut in half.

Both my 2^nd Great Grandfather Francis Marion Meek and his brother, James Monroe Meek fought in the battle of Port Hudson, were captured and paroled.

Francis Marion Meek


Francis Marion Meek was my paternal Grandmother, Cora Meek's Grandfather. 

Francis M Meek military record.

Record of Release as prisoner captured at Port Hudson

James Monroe Meek (Francis'  brother) was born April 5, 1839 in Carroll County, Arkansas.  He was still single when he became a private in Co. E, Hill's Regiment, Arkansas Infantry (which later became Co. E, 16^th Regiment, Arkansas Infantry). He was captured and released on parole at Port Hudson, Louisiana in July, 1863.  He died on May 9, 1864 of Civil War wounds. 

Mrs. Ona Twilleager recalls her grandmother, Mary Meek Parker, saying that one of her brothers “was shot through the tongue and couldn’t eat; they finally got him home and tried to feed him soup.”  This was apparently James.  He was buried in the (Meek) family cemetery, Carroll County, Arkansas.            

As documented by Larry J Gage, Houston, Texas