NEWSPAPER: Adair County News, Feb. 27, 1901 USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet, data may be freely used by non-commercial entities, as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages cannot be reproduced in any format for profit or other presentation. Commercial entities must ask for and receive permission from submittor before downloading. ======================================================================= File contributed by: Carol Moody ======================================================================= Some items of genealogical interest from THE ADAIR COUNTY NEWS Wednesday, 27 Feb 1901 In Memory of Mrs. Belle JONES: When the spirit of this estimable Christian lady took its fight Tuesday morning on the 19th inst., there was removed from the social walks of life a pure and spotless woman, one who was loved by a large circle of friends, and worshipped by four loving children and a devoted husband. Born and reared in Columbia, testimony upon testimony could be given of her pure life here. After her marriage to Mr. G. F. JONES she became a resident of Jamestown where she lived happily surrounded for more than twenty-five years. She was a long sufferer, but no word of complaint ever fell from her lips. Born of Christian parents, H. G. and Eliza ATKINS, she was taught to believe that God did all things for the best, and while her body was sorely afflicted she never lost faith in the Giver of all that is good, looking to Him for a brighter and peaceful home beyond the skies. As an evidence of her goodness the rearing of four high-minded, dutiful children is the best earthly evidence that she was dilligent (sic) in her admonitions for good. It is said that she never received an angry word from one of them, and their conduct has been such as to require no words of reproof from her. When friends separate, one going on a long journey, with the hope of meeting again, the shaking of the hand is a serious thing and the word "farewell" hard to say, but to take leave of a dear mother though she leaves evidence that her spirit has gone to a better world, no pen can picture the anguish. No sadder words were ever written than "mother is dead," and it would take hearts of stone to not overflow with sorrow when such an affliction comes to their family. The devotion of the bereaved husband and his four children to this wife and mother has never been surpassed, so watchful were they to see that every earthly wish was gratified. Her children are all members of the church, and while it is impossible for them to ever see their mother again in the flesh, they can so live that when life's troubles are over they can meet her in that heavenly home where there is no sorrow and where separations are unknown. The funeral services were conducted at Jamestown Wednesday afternoon by Eld. Z. T. WILLIAMS, of the Christian church, who spoke in the tenderest sympathy of the life and character of this good woman. In health she was an active church and temperance worker, being a devoted Methodist and a zealous member of the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. To the husband, a life long friend, to the children, brothers and sisters, I tender my deepest sympathy. --J. E. MURRELL Women Soldiers: Mrs. Mary SAWYER, who now lives at Sawyer's Springs, on Walden's Ridge, a short distance from Chattanooga, Tenn., has been a most remarkable woman in business as well as the social life of Rhea county, Tenn., where she was born and reared, and has a interesting history. During the war Mrs. SAWYER raised and equipped a company of young girls, which was mustered into the Confederate army. Mrs. SAWYER was Miss Mary McDONALD, of Ross county. She was, at the outbreak of the war, a young woman, in her teens, and the belle of Rhea county. As the Federal forces began encroaching Southward the original idea entered the mind of Miss McDONALD to raise a company of young girls for the Confederacy. This was in 1862, and she lost no time in carrying this idea into practical effect, organizing a company of something over 100 girls. She was elected Captain of the company which was actually mustered into the service at Washington, Rhea county, Tenn., by Capt. W. T. DARWIN, of General BRAGG's army. Most of the young women realized that the company was organized more as a bit of pastime, but Capt. McDONALD's foresight had long before seen where such a body could be of practical value, and no sooner were they mustered in than she began putting them through such drills, teaching how to dress wounds, and was just beginning to receive equipment from the Confederacy, the use of which she was setting about to teach her company, when the Federals entered Chattanooga. General STEADMAN sent a certain Capt. WILD up to Rhea county, who very ungallantly arrested the entire company, including the Captain, and brought them to Chattanooga, where they were arranged before Gen. STEADMAN in his headquarters in what is not the local guard's armory. Here the young women were requested to take the oath of allegiance to the Federal government. Some of them were a trifle unruly, and Gen. STEADMAN was given more than one sample of Rhea county "sass," but when he finally threatened to send the entire company to Ohio, the girls, urged by anxious relatives, all took the oath, and after dinner at the old Planter's House, returned to their homes. A number of women now residing in Chattanooga were members and officers in this company, and entertain pleasant recollections of the time when the girls of Rhea county started to turn the tide of the was in favor of the Confederacy. R. C. MORTON, aged 20, manager of a stock farm neat Owenton, was found dead with a bullet hold in his temple. It is believed he committed suicide. Mrs. Vincent BOERING has been granted a divorce from her husband. She was not given alimony, but the cost is paid by the defendant. >From Gradyville: --An infant child of Tim CORBIN died a few days ago with whooping cough. --S. D. CALDWELL and wife, of Portland, celebrated on the night of the 23rd, it being the 19th anniversary of their daughter Miss Carrie. The evening will long be remembered by all that were there. --Died on the 24th, the wife of Thos. MOSS with pneumonia, in her 32nd year. She was a good woman, a loving mother and a devoted wife. She leaves a husband and three children with four sisters and one brother and the entire community to sympathize with them in their sad bereavement. The funeral services were conducted by Rev. T. L. HULSE and the remains interred in the family burying ground. >From Purdy: --Mr. Charles SHEPHERD was married to Miss Mary BURTON, of this place, last Sunday morning. Several of their friends were present. Mr. M. R. MEDARIS and family, of Fairplay, this county, left for West Point, Ky., Tuesday, where they will make their home. >From Greensburg: --Several deaths occurred in and near town last week. Among them was the death of Mrs. Sarah DURHAM, wife of J. S. DURHAM, Sr. Mrs. DURHAM had been a sufferer with a complication of diseases for several years. She married the husband she left about 6 years ago. She leaves no children except an adopted daughter who a few months ago was married to Mr. J. HANCOCK a prosperous young school teacher of the county. She was buried in the Greensburg cemetery by a large crowd of friends and relatives who followed her to her last resting place. --News reached our town last Monday morning that a dead body had been found in Green river just below the ford at Roachville, and J. J. COURTS, Justice of the peace, proceeded at once and held an inquest by jury over the body. The verdict was that the deceased was Moses JOSEPH, seen on the fourth of this month in the Roachville road going toward the river in his buggy, and had not been sees since until he was found Monday morning, February 18th. His body was well preserved, all of his belongings together with his horse and buggy were found some distance below him in the river. Rumors were afloat that it was robbery and murder, but such was not the case. Parties along the river say, that about that time there was a clear freshet in the river, and by the river being clear he was deceived in its depth and once in he could not turn round, and not being able to swim, he was drowned. The horse's hind feet were wrapped up in the lines when found and was lose (sic) from the buggy. His remains were brought here Tuesday morning and shipped to Lebanon. His brother met the corpse here and accompanied it to his home in Bradsfordsville. >From Creelsboro: --BLANKENSHIP-GRIDER On last Wednesday afternoon at the hour of 3, Mr. Luther BLANKENSHIP and Miss Lettie GRIDER were made man and wife, Rev. Tom WINFREY officiating. After the ceremony was said the guests were invited to partake of the bounteous feast that had been prepared by skilled culinarians. The weather being so inclement, but few were permitted to be present. The ones who braved the cold North wind were Misses Sallie JONES, Effie BLANKENSHIP, Sallie BARNES, Andey COFFEE, Sally VIGLE and Mrs. John W. COFFEE and her little son John. The young gentlemen present were Lewis CAMPBELL, Franks VIGLE, Cosby COFFEY, J. P. and A. A. CLAYTON, Perry PERKINS, Johnnie BOB, Gordon WOOD and T. L. HIGGINBOTTOM. After the repast was partook of the older people took their departure, leaving the young people to enjoy themselves till a later hour, being well entertained by the bride's sister, Miss Maud. --Another account of the Wedding: On last Wednesday at 4 o'clock in the afternoon at the residence of Dr. Grider, near Creelsboro, Mr. Luther BLANKENSHIP and Miss Lettie GRIDER were married, Rev. Tom WINFREY performed the ceremony. Mr. BLANKENSHIP is well known in this county, and has for several years been one of Russell county's best school teachers. The secret was kept from even their nearest friends, and when Luther announced his intention to take a trip to Albany to spend a few days with his old friends, everybody believed him, and the surprise was complete, when it was ascertained that he had gone to call at the clerk's office at Jamestown. An elegant supper was served at the home of the bride, also a lovely dinner was prepared for the couple at the home of the groom, Thursday. Luther is an industrious young man of good business habits, while his bride is one of the prettiest and most popular young ladies of this vicinity. The young couple recieved (sic) many nice presents. Their host of friends wish them much joy. --S.D.B. >From Milltown: --Mr. Claud HATCHER, near this place, and Miss Annie VAUGHAN, Cane Valley, were united in the holy bonds of matrimony last Wednesday evening. Rev. Nicklis officiated. --Mr. Wes SKAGG and Miss Minnie BEARD were married last Sunday. >From Pellyton: --Mont HARDIN, a colored boy well known in Columbia, and Fannie WILKERSON (col.), were married last Monday evening. --Mr. John MAUPIN and family will leave for New Market, Marion county, in a few days where they will permanently locate. Falls Dead Across Husband's Grave Mrs. Sarah KRUGMAN, of Brooklyn, met death recently where she often prayed that she might; falling dead across the grave of her husband in Mount Nebob Cemetery. Mrs. KRUGMAN, who was 52 yers (sic) old, had been in the habit of paying a weekly visit to the grave of her husband, who died a year and a half ago. "Heartbroken and ill, she had frequently remarked to whatever member of her family accompanied her on these occasions: "If I would only fall dead on his grave, how happy I would be!" Mrs. KRUGMAN went to the cemetery with two of her married daughters, Mrs. Ida GRABGELD of Allenville, N.J., and Mrs. Jeanette KEENEY of Brooklyn. As they entered the gate Mrs. KRUGMAN remarked: "I hope my prayer will come true to-day." While the daughters were placing flowers upon their grave their mother knelt in prayer. Several minutes later they heard her say: "Lord, take me to-day from this earth to him in whose grave I buried my heart months ago." Slowly rising to her feet, the heartbroken woman then kissed her weeping children, and placing her arms about them said: "I fell that my prayer is about to be answered. I am being overcome by a strange feeling, and my strength is going."Hardly had the words passed her lips when she fell dead across the mound. For half an hour the two daughters wept over their mother's body, and then strangers, passing the plot, summoned the superintendent, who removed the body to the cemetery office. Obituary: Mrs. Mary KELTNER (nee COFFEY) was born in Green county, Ky., on Dec. 14, 1815. At the age of 14 she was married to John KELTNER and removed to Adair county where she lived until her death, which occurred on 15th day of Feb., 1901. Her husband was born in With (sic should be Wythe) county, Va., and at the time of his death lacked only a few days of being 96 years of age. –Mrs. KELTNER was the mother of eleven children, five of whom died when they were quite small.-- At the time of her death she had 48 grandchildren, 147 great-grandchildren, and 12 great-great-grandchildren, making a total of 218, including her own children. "Aunt Polly," as she was familiarly called, was a member of the M. E. Church South, and during her long and eventful life lived a consistent Christian. Her last years were spent at the home of her son, C. L. KELTNER, who cared for her as a loving son should. She was near 86 years old, and will be greatly missed. --R.F. WALKER