This article, written by Todd Preston, President of the Magoffin County Historical Society, was taken from the March 17, 2005 issue of THE SALYERSVILLE INDEPENDENT newspaper.
 

            As we go into the second week of March it catches Ol’ Todd recuperating from the flu bug as well as Ol’ Arthur and it feels like a steamroller just pounced upon me and forgot to roll on over. (smile)

            I did get to attend, along with other DAV members, the STLP awards ceremony held in Louisville. How proud we were to see every school in our county receive gold awards and see our Salyersville Grade School win a First Place trophy with their project.  Our DAV chapter received a standing ovation for their participation.

            That trip cost me attending the annual Wild Game Supper sponsored by the Magoffin County Muzzleloading Club. I understand it went over with a “bang” without “yours truly”.  I hear that Ossie Prater captured Muzzleloader of the Year and John Blanton received the Worst Turkey Hunter of the Year award.  Had I joined in on the turkey hunting I’m sure I could have won that award!

            I also participated in the welcoming group for our returning soldiers from Kosovo. Chapter 15 DAV members who were there to meet them were R. C. Arnett, John Carpenter, Paul C. Lemaster, Melvin Blanton, Michael Blanton, Chester Blanton, Bill Caudill, Willard Risner, Luster Salyer, and Todd Preston.  Several other members including Randall Hardin wanted to be there but the time for the troop’s arrival was moved up and they missed connections.  Six of the soldiers returning had Magoffin County roots; they are Michael Kash Caudill, Scottie D. Cantrell, Ray Carty, Jr., John Phillip Conley, Danny L. Howard and Michael G. Taylor .  Other troops will be coming home so let’s make an effort to tell these young men and the others how much we appreciate what they are doing to keep America free. 

            Our window display this month features the Magoffin County High School girl’s and boy’s basketball teams and cheerleaders.  This year the girl’s team brought home their 2nd district tournament trophy.  They are coached by Stephen “Pup” Miller who happens to be my son-in-law, and he is very proud of their progress this year. We invite you to stop by and see our window display, featuring background quilts by Bessie Wireman and Elsie Howard.

            We want to thank Marcus Connelley of Salyersville, KY for the gift of “Old Glory” which he sent to us.  We also thank Clyle J. Alt of Monterey, California, Linda Barnett Harrington of Magnolia, TX, and Geraldine McCarty of Miami, FL for their monetary donations.

            I am running behind what with my doctor visits so will have to shorten this column.  If everyone would send birth, marriage and/or death dates when sending inquiries it would greatly cut our time in answering queries. 

            Alvie L. Davidson wrote to ask if someone could copy some obituaries. We have just printed this year a 230 page book of local obituaries. We also have the Prater & Dunn Funeral Home records from about 1930 up to 1970.  These may be helpful in your search.

            Dottie Woolum ([email protected]) writes that her grandparents Oliver and Phebe Jane Collins were found on the 1920 census in Portsmouth, OH and would like to know more about them. The 1900 Magoffin census has Oliver Collins b. 1881 m. 2 years to Jane b. 1880. They have one child Junnie b. 1899. The 1910 Johnson Co. census has Oliver Collins age 31, Janie age 27, children Junie age 11, one child with unreadable info, Ella age 6, Vicey age 4 and Rosa age 1 year 5 months. I can’t find the parent’s of Oliver or Phoebe Jane. Can someone help?

            We had a telephone call inquiring about Curtis Bailey’s discharge from military service and we have to have more info before we can apply for same. Our Bailey books lists Curtis Bailey b. 1919, never married, died 1974. He served in WWII then became a US security detective until his death.

            He was a son of Keenis Bailey b. 1868 d. 1961 and buried Patton Branch of Middle Fork. He was married to Lou Ellen Arnett b. 1869, dau of “Black” Rube Arnett and Arlene Gullett.  Can anyone furnish info on Curtis Bailey’s military records?

            Linda Brown Webb ([email protected]) writes she has come across a birth certificate for William Dean Arnett listing Alva Blair as the mother and info that she had three other children at the time. William Dean married Phyllis Gose.  William was born 24 Aug 1933.  He was the son of Dean Arnett and Alva Blair and m. 2^nd to Rachel Walters.  Phyllis Gose was a dau of Claude Gose b. 1891 and Rosa Patrick b. 1894, dau of Berry South Patrick and Josephine Arnett. Josephine was a dau of Logan Arnett.

            Ronald Koenig and family of Detroit, MI visited her researching their Baldridge and Whitaker connections.  Ronald is a son of Martin Koenig b. 1913 and Audrey Mae Baldridge.  Audrey is the dau of William Baldridge b. 1890 and Cora Whitaker. Cora was the dau of James O. Whitaker and Rebecca Puckett.  William Baldridge was a son of Henry C. Baldridge and Louisa Whitaker. Louisa was a dau of Thomas Whitaker and Louisa Puckett.

            Dallas Howard, P. O. Box 5, Liberty Mills, IN 46946-0005 wrote to ask if anyone had info on James, Jim, or John Hodge who married Jemima Arnett around 1875.  They had two children, Isabell and Nan. Isabell married Lewis Whitaker. He would also like info on Jemima Arnett and her 2^nd marriage to Lewis Howard.  The Arnett book on page 294 has info that Jemima m. 2^nd on 7 Oct 1882 to Lark Howard, Jr.  Can anyone help Dallas find some answers?

            Katherine Lorenz, 1292 Karnes Rd. #92, Longview, TX 75604 is inquiring about William Allen who may have been married to Sarah Ann “Sadie” Isom/Ison, dau of Argalus Isom and Mary Hannah. This family is listed in the 1870 and 1880 census records of Elliott Co. KY.  Sadie was born in 1852 and lived at home in 1880. She had a dau Delilah b. 1882. Sadie died in Nov. 1883 and dau Delilah was raised by Isom relatives in Elliott County. Family lore says William Allen returned to his family possibly taking a son with him.  Can anyone help with this query, write [email protected].

            The 1870 Elliott County census lists Argalus Isom age 50, wife Mary Hannah age 48, Eliza age 21, Sarah age 17, Perlina age 13, Argalus age 10, Mary age 8, and John age 4.

            The 1880 Elliott Co. census lists Argalis age 60, son Argalis age 28, Sarah age 27, John age 12, and Alamander age 8 (grandson).  Any help on these questions appreciated.

            There are more questions asked than answered this week so I hope these queries will be taken up by our readers and some help can be given.