Reuben and Caroline Rice

I recieved yesterday an old garden tool, handmade by Reuben Rice. It is probably post Civil War era. Thank you Jonnie.

This is the story of Reuben and Caroline Rice. Reuben was a Rice slave, which I assume he and his Daddy made the trip with Jonathan Rice, around 1835 to Polk County, Mo. In those days, it was customary for slaves to take on their master's surname. Reuben was born in 1825, KY, and his wife, Caroline, was born in 1845, KY. I have no record of when they were married, but in the 1880 Census, they list both of their parents born in Kentucky.

Gladys Rice McMehen wrote:
Slaves were very much a big part of life on a big farm. Both Jonathan and Elizabeth brought many slaves from Kentucky. From all accounts Jonathan was a very kind, indulgent master, some thought to a fault (as stated in his obituary). There was one young black male name Reuben, who had been a constant source of trouble for many years. Rather than physically punish Reuben, it became apparent the only solution was to sell him. A transfer was made with a Mr. Mckinley. who owned a large home just North of Walnut Grove, Mo.(known as the Wright place now, the old house, two story brick, slave made on the west end of the place, was torn down in about 1976.)

Mr. McKinley had quite a reputation of being a very brutal, mean master. (It has been said that slave footprints were on the front step, indented with heat--beatings were frequent. Another story, a slave was beaten unmercifully, his back open from the whippings and McKinley poured salt on the wounds. The pain was so intense and the beating so severe that the slave crawled to the front porch and died. McKinley was later killed by a slave who had taken all the brutality a man can. He killed McKinley, with an axe, as he sat upon his horse.) Reuben slipped away under the cover of night, and went to Jonathon Rice to plead his case. He promised if Rice would buy him back he would never again cause a problem. Mr. Rice went the next day and bought Reuben back from McKinley.

The large farm was in need of a blacksmith, so Reuben was apprenticed to learn the trade. Reuben made a fine blacksmith and a loyal servant. (Mother has a baking oven she used to water chickens, fireplace tongs, and a flatiron that were handmade by Reuben.)

(After the slaves were freed, Reuben and his wife, Caroline, continued to stay with the Rice family. Reuben and Caroline Rice--customary for slaves to take master names--are buried at Buckley Cemetary, close to their earthly master and friend.)

Jonnie wrote today:
You got it!
Hand made by Reuben!
After receiving the pieces and parts of the flax wheel - we decided you needed a piece of family history that did not require so much work.
I'm so happy to share with you - that is a piece I had intended to share with the Walnut Grove Historical Society in the future.
Reuben was one of the slaves that JR Rice agreed to sell - he was big and unruly, down right mean, as the story goes - he was sold to a very mean man by the name of McKinley. (who was killed by the slaves as he sat on his horse) - anyway, Reuben got word back to JR Rice - if he would buy him back, he would be a faithful servant. JR did buy him back - and, Reuben and his wife, Caroline continued to stay with the Rice's after the Civil War. Reuben became the family blacksmith. He died on the property, and is buried as close as possible to JR. Evidently, the Rice burial plot had a stone fence around it - Reuben is buried outside the wall but as close to JR as possible.
After Elizabeth and JR died, my grandfather/mother continued to live and raise their family at the home place - which included the slave cabins. My Mother remembers Reuben and Caroline, coming to the house for meals. They were fed along with the family in their final years.

In other news this week.....
- John Mark Karr is a Kook! who looks like Lee Harvey Oswald! Unless they find his DNA at the crime scene, he is just a Kook, wanting 15 minutes of fame.
- Israel continues bombings, enforcing the UN agreement that Hezzbolah can not re-arm themselves. But Iran and Syria continue
to give them weapons. So the War goes on!
- They are revamping our Solar System. Pluto is not a planet anymore. There are now more important planets they have found. I grew up with the old SS, I'll stick with that one. I liked
Pluto.....lol!
- Remember the story about Mahammed who was found to have 1000 Tracphones, later to be used as detonating devices. He told the FBI he was reselling them to put his brother through college. They
believed him, and they set him free. Geeeeezzzz!

Song of the Week
It's an old song from "Tears for Fears" called "Raoul and the King of Spain". I just love the way he sings RAAAAOOOOLLLLL!