First I have many stories to tell. At first, I would send these stories out to family and friends by email. Then it became a Saturday night thing. A story you could wake up too on Sunday morning, and say to yourself "Danny has written another story", and then ponder what I wrote on that lazy day. Secondly, you will find what I have written has deep history significance. I believe that every subject in life, should have it's history studied first before you can make an objective decision!
My Grandson Conner turn 4 years old today. He has been a party animal all day, according to his Mother. He opened his gifts this morning and is doing second round of cake in a bit. He kept asking if it would be his birthday "all day, or just for a little bit" this morning. It was hilarious!
Orville Crawford Word , my Great Grandfather, owned Trading Post up and along the Santa Fe Trail, first in St. Louis, then later in Fort Smith. Fort Smith was the last stop before entering Indian Territory(Oklahoma), it was along the Trail of Tears, and was a main route for the Butterfield Stage Co. between the east and west.
My father is buried not far from Fort Smith, maybe fifty miles as the Crow flies. Odd that my father, and my Great Grandfather buried so close to each other. Maybe just by chance.
‘Hell on the Border”, Ft. Smith, Arkansas
The scrappy border town of Fort Smith grew up slowly around the walls of a small fort established in late 1817 on a high bluff overlooking the junction of the Arkansas and Poteau rivers. The site was familiar to hunters and trappers because it was the location for annual trade rendezvous' between frontiersmen and Native Americans. Named for General Thomas Smith at the federal garrison in St. Louis, the tiny outpost was originally built to promote peace between the warring Osage and Cherokee Indian tribes. Because of its unique geographical position - straddling the border between what became the state of Arkansas and what was known then as "Indian Territory" in present-day Oklahoma - Fort Smith by the mid-19th century was feared as "Hell on the Border," the gateway between "civilization" and the untamed West. Through this gate passed trappers canoeing upriver; Cherokee Indians on their fateful "Trail of Tears" journey; Forty-Niners seeking gold in California; the Butterfield stagecoaches linking St. Louis to Santa Fe; Confederate and Union troops skirmishing in the Civil War; outlaws seeking freedom across the border; and even cowboys and ranchers headed for Texas. During this period, bustling Fort Smith attracted people who later made brief marks on the pages of history - future president Zachary Taylor; Civil War general Benjamin Bonneville; "Hangin' Judge" Isaac C. Parker, the man credited with restoring law and order to the area; his feared hangman George Maledon; outlaws Cherokee Bill, Belle Starr and the Rufus Buck gang; and "Miss Laura" Ziegler, an enterprising frontier "madame."
The First Fort Smith On Christmas day, 1817, soldiers of the U.S. Army formally established the first Fort Smith. Isolated on the edge of the American Frontier, these men, under the command of Major William Bradford, were charged with keeping the peace between the Cherokee and Osage tribes. Officially operational for only seven years, the first Fort Smith marked the beginning of Fort Smith's eighty year history as an agent of Federal Indian Policy.
The Second Fort Smith The second Fort Smith was established by an act of Congress in 1838, two years after Arkansas gained statehood. Unwanted by the army, the fort was initially designed as a massive fortification. Construction of the garrison took eight years due to labor difficulties, budget overruns, and other reasons. When finally completed in 1846, less than half of the original number of structures were built. The fortification wall, intended to be twelve feet high, varied from six to twelve feet in height; cannon platforms at the corners of the fort were never completed, instead several were converted into warehouses.
The second fort gained a purpose in the 1850s as the "Motherpost of the Southwest," supplying military forts further to the West. The fort was a focal point of Civil War operations in the region, as both armies prized the facility and its location. At the end of the Civil War, the post's operational days were numbered; the facility did not age well, and within five years, both Officer's Quarters were destroyed in fires. In the summer of 1871, U.S. Army troops leave Fort Smith for the final time
The Trail of Tears and Native American History Fort Smith's history is strongly tied to the history of the removal of the five tribes, better known as "The Trail of Tears." The soldiers of the first Fort Smith were sent West to keep the peace between the incoming Cherokees and the Osage. The stockades fort was abandoned by the army and relocated prior to the forced removal. The second Fort Smith supplied the newly-relocated tribes as well as other military posts in the Indian Territory. The federal court for the Western District of Arkansas had the task of enforcing federal law in the Indian Territory in the decades following the Civil War.
Have a Good Week Daniel
Song of the Week You Tube has just become so big. You can get just about anything that has been recorded in the past at the website. Here is a original 1964 appearance of Johnny Rivers, playing "Memphis".
Les Paul passed away this last week. He was by all accounts a music legend. He invented the electric guitar, and the 8 track recording tape, among other things. He later married Mary Ford, and they had several big hits. One song, a number one hit, "How High The Moon", was one of my mother's favorites. You can read more about Les Paul on Yahoo.
My Great Grandmother was Nancy Caroline Gaddy, who married Albert Pike Word. Her father was John Price Gaddy, he was the son of Thomas Gaddy and Elizabeth "Betsy" Walker. Elizabeth Walker was the daughter of John Walker, who married Mary Harris.
I have been searching as to whether John Walker was the son of Dr. Thomas Walker of Kentuky. John was afterall, born in Virginia, and married in Kentucky, before moving on to Missouri. Maybe one of our Gaddy family members can put the two together.
Here is the story of Dr. Thomas Walker:
Although Daniel Boone is often remembered as Kentucky's most famous pioneer, Dr. Thomas Walker was actually the first frontiersman in Kentucky, preceding Boone by 17 years.
A physician and surveyor, Walker led the first expedition through Cumberland Gap in 1750. Dr. Walker was an agent for the Loyal Land Company of Virginia and was exploring the western wilderness seeking land for settlement. Near the river, which he named the Cumberland; Dr. Walker built the first cabin in Kentucky, a replica of which stands on the site today. Dr. Walker’s journal, recorded during his four-month exploration, described plentiful wildlife, thickly tangled woods and rugged terrain.
Allied soldiers would have currency signed by comrades, much like an autograph book. As one note was filled, another would be connected to the first (usually by tape), with more added as needed. A 10 foot long "train" of notes not being uncommon. This tradition began during World War I, heightened during World War II, and was carried on into the Korean War. A "snorter" is a drink of liquor, usually swallowed in one quick gulp. A"shortsnorter" is a drink of liquor that's not quite full. This term was adopted by the soldiers as the nickname for these notes.
This Shortsnorter belong to my Grandfather, Lloyd M. Rice. It is from World War I and list all the guys in his outfit. It is a Silver Certificate dollar bill.
The Japanese Never Got Past Tulsa
Back in the 70's, when you could drink and smoke on TV. This excerpt from Johnny Carson, and the "Rat Pack".
View of St. Louis. Lithograph by T. Moore's Lithography after E.W. Playter, ca. 1836.
The following is in relation to the Boone, Word, Prewitt, and Henry families.
The following history of Howard County is from The History of Howard and Cooper Counties, St. Louis: National Historical Company, 1883, pp. 88-99.
The French settled Canada and the northwestern part of the United States, as well as the country about the mouths of the Mississippi river. They came into the upper Mississippi and Missouri valleys in 1764, under the lead of Pierre Laclede Liguest, who held a charter from the French government, giving him the exclusive right of trade with the Indians in all the country as far north as St. Peter's river. Laclede established his colony in St. Louis in 1764, and from this point they immediately began their trading and trapping excursions into the unbroken wilderness. Their method of proceeding was to penetrate into the interior and establish small local posts for trading with the Indians, whence the trappers and hunters were outfitted and sent out into the adjacent woods. In this way, the country west and northwest of St. Louis was traversed and explored at a very early day, as far west as the Rocky mountains. But of the extent of their operations, but little has been recorded; hence, but little is known of the posts established by them. That these daring Frenchmen had explored that portion of Howard county lying contiguous to the Missouri river, even prior to the year 1800, there can be no doubt; that there existed within the present limits of the county a trading post, for several years before its settlement proper, there can be no doubt. The names of the streams, such as Bonne Femme, Moniteau, etc., attest the fact that they were of French origin, and had been seen and named by the French pioneers. Levens and Drake, in their condensed but carefully prepared history of Cooper county, say: "While Nash and his companions were in Howard county (1804), they visited Barclay's and Boone's Licks, also a trading post situated about two miles northwest of Old Franklin, kept by a white man by the name of Prewitt. The existence of this trading post, and the fact that 'Barclay's and Boone's Licks' had already received their names from the white persons who visited them, show conclusively that this portion of the country had been explored, even before this, by Americans. But no history mentions this trading post, nor does any give the name of Prewitt; hence, we are unable to determine when he came to the Boone's Lick country, how long he remained, and where he went; he evidently left before the year 1808, as Benjamin Cooper, who moved to Howard county in that year, said there was then no settlement in this part of the state." Boone's Lick, from which this region of country took its name, is situated about eight miles northwest of New Franklin, in Boone's Lick township, on section 4, T. 49, R. 17, on land owned by William N. Marshall. This place was visited by Daniel Boone at an early date, - the time not known. Here he found several salt springs, and as such places were frequented by deer and other game, he not only often hunted in the neighborhood, but, according to John M. Peck, who visited the old hunter at his home in St. Charles county, a few years prior to his death, pitched his camp there for one winter and put up a cabin. Mr. Peck does not give the date. The presumption is that he got his information from the lips of the old hunter himself, and he would further suppose that he camped there between the years 1795 and 1807.
Ok........keep in mind that Daniel Boone did not go to MO. until 1799. I suspect the Henry's, Word's, and the Prewitt's were right there with him. Later they migrated to Arkansas. The Federal Land Records show John Henry and John Word buying land in 1827, Hempstead County, believe it or not, only 10 days apart in the month of August.
It might be interesting to note that William M. Henry who married Martha Ann Word was a first cousin to Patrick Henry. Patrick Henry was the 4 time elected Governor of the independent Sate of Virginia. William M. Henry's Great Grandfather was Hugh Henry, and his brother John Henries Henry was the father of Patrick Henry. Patrick Henry first married Sarah Shelton and second married Dorothy Dandridge. Dorothy was a first cousin to Martha Washington. Between the two marriages, Patrick Henry had seventeen children. Patrick was named after his Uncle, Rev. Patrck Henry. He was outspoken in his opposition to British policy towards the colonies, particularly on the subject of the Stamp act(1765), and he made the first speech in the Continental Congress (1774). You can read his most famous speech "give me liberty or give me death" at this website. http://libertyonline.hypermall.com/henry-liberty.html
Song of the Week It was in 1966, my Dad would listen to Buck Owens. Here is his song "Tiger By The Tail".
Many have heard of the hole in one in golf, or you may have hit the lottery, how about finding your ancestry back to Adam and Eve. It is a happy day, after hours and hours of research for the last twenty years. I finally found my ancestry on both my Mother and my fathers side. It seems that Royalty has always kept there ancestry, from the beginning. Once you have tied in to Royalty, the rest is written in the Bible. The Royalty of my family actually comes from Rebacca Byan, who married Daniel Boone, my 5th Great Grandfather. If your family tree ties in to me, I can show you the way to Adam and Eve. I believe this is 95 generations, according to my software. The Following is from my Fathers side.
Daniel Rice Ancestry
Adam = Eve Seth Enosh Kenan Mahalaleel Jared Enoch Methuselah Lamech Noah Arphaxad Shem Cainan Shelah Eber Peleg Reu Serug Nahor Terah Abraham Isaac Jacob Kingof Goshen Judah Zerah King of Dardania Erichthonius Tros King of Trojans LLus King of Troy Laomedon King of Troy Priam King of Troy Troan Thor Loridi Einridi Vingethor Vinginor Moda Magi Sceaf Bedwig Hwala Hrathra Herman Heremed Scealdwea Beaw Taetwa Geat Godwulf Fodepaid Finn Frithuwulf Freawine Frealaf Frithuwald Woden (Othid/Odin) Bældæg Brand Frithugar Freawine Wig Gewis Esla Elesa Cerdic, 1ST KING OF WESSEX (d. 534) Creoda Cynric Ceawlin (560-592) Cuthwine Ceolwald Cenred Ingild (d. 718) Eoppa Eafa Ealhmund, King of Kent (784) Egbert (802-839) = Raedburh Ethelwulf (839-858) = Osburh Alfred the Great (871-899) = Aelhswith (d. 904) Edward the Elder (899-924) = Edgifu Edmund I (939-946) = Aelfgifu Edgar (959-975) = Aelfthryth Ethelred II the Unraed (979-1016) = Aelfgifu Edmund II Ironside (d. 1016) = Algitha Edward the Exile (d. 1057) = Agatha Margaret Atheling = Malcolm III King of Scots (1058-1093) Matilda of Scotland = Henry I of England (1100-1135) Empress Matilda = Geoffrey Plantagenet Henry II Plantagenet (1154-1189) = Eleanor of Aquitaine John (1199-1216) = Isabella of Angoulême Henry III (1216-1272) = Eleanor of Provence Edward I (1272-1307) = Eleanor of Castile Edward II (1307-1327) = Isabella of France Edward III (1327-1377) = Phillipa of Hainult Thomas Prince of England Eleanor De Bohun William Bourchier and Anne Plantagenet John Bourchier Humphrey Bourchier Margaret Bourchier Francis Bryan b. 1490 Francis Bryan b.1549 William Smith Bryan Francis Bryan Morgan Bryan Joseph Bryan Rebecca Bryan b.1738=Daniel Boone b.1734 Susannah Boone William Hays Jr. Eliza Hays Albert Pike Word Ira Belle Word Kenneth Word Rice Daniel L. Rice
Song of the Week
It seems that Miley Cyrus is not "Just For Kids Anymore". Check out this song "The Climb".
Michael Jackson is gone. Dead from Drugs, prescribed by Doctors, and most likely abused by Michael. This doesn't sway my opinion of him. He was a talent which we will all miss, and a talent we will not see come along again for many years. He was surrounded by controversy in his private life, but somehow always prevailed in these matters. He very likely had several health problems. He has been seen in the past years walking with a cane, he had back problems, and had to have severe joint problems. Think about it, he has been busting those joints, dancing, since he was seven years old.
But after all the dust settles, the spotlight, the money, the fame, the drugs, the controversy, the calamity, the bizarre, all of what made Michael......Michael Jackson!............Reality sets in that he was a father of three children, who loved him more than we did, and will miss him forever.
I grew up listening to Michael, I loved the Thriller album. I liked alot of his songs, some songs stood out more than others. My favorite was "I Just Can't Stop Loving You".
I hope everyone has a Happy 4th with your friends and family. My brother and I had a little time to go fishing yesterday. We went to Racoon Lake ,west of Indianapolis. He caught a 3 lb. Indiana Catfish. Stink bait works pretty good!
After so many of you has ask that I bring the blog postings back on Saturday Night, I have decided to make it happen.
"Love is a battlefield", and I have so much to give.
Patriotism
• Have you ever wondered what happened to the 56 men who signed the Declaration of Independence? • Five signers were captured by the British as traitors, and tortured before they died. • Twelve had their homes ransacked and burned. • Two lost their sons serving in the Revolutionary Army; another had two sons captured. • Nine of the 56 fought and died from wounds or hardships of the Revolutionary War. • They signed and they pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor. • What kind of men were they? Twenty-four were lawyers and jurists. • Eleven were merchants, nine were farmers and large plantation owners; men of means, well educated, but they signed the Declaration of Independence knowing full well that the penalty would be death if they were captured. • Carter Braxton of Virginia, a wealthy planter and trader, saw his ships swept from the seas by the British Navy. He sold his home and properties to pay his debts, and died in rags. • Thomas McKeam was so hounded by the British that he was forced to move his family almost constantly. • He served in the Congress without pay, and his family was kept in hiding. His possessions were taken from him, and poverty was his reward. • Vandals or soldiers looted the properties of Dillery, Hall, Clymer, Walton, Gwinnett, Heyward, Ruttledge, and Middleton. • At the battle of Yorktown, Thomas Nelson, Jr., noted that the British General Cornwallis had taken over the Nelson home for his headquarters. He quietly urged General George Washington to open fire. The home was destroyed, and Nelson died bankrupt. • Francis Lewis had his home and properties destroyed. The enemy jailed his wife, and she died within a few months. • John Hart was driven from his wife's bedside as she was dying. Their 13 children fled for their lives. His fields and his gristmill were laid to waste. For more than a year he lived in forests and caves, returning home to find his wife dead and his children vanished. So, take a few minutes while enjoying your 4th of July holiday and silently thank these patriots.
It's not much to ask for the price they paid. Remember: freedom is never free!
It's time we get the word out that patriotism is NOT a sin, and the Fourth of July has more to it than beer, picnics, and baseball games.
