Despite the unseasonably warm temperatures we have been experiencing the last few days, there is definitely the feeling of Christmas in the air here in Magoffin County! The Hometown Christmas program on Saturday, December 5^th was an excellent one with wonderful decorations everywhere, warm greetings among all those attending and a fantastic parade.

The program began here on the grounds of the Magoffin County Historical Society with the mayor of Salyersville, Dr. James M. "Pete" Shepherd welcoming everyone and presenting prizes to participating Magoffin County students. Our historical society offered cookies, hot chocolate and apple cider for those stopping by and were privileged to have the Rainbow Girls and their mothers come by to help. Ole Santa came by for a visit in our Pioneer Village in the Arnett/Fletcher cabin and enjoyed talking to youngsters and their families. Our reigning Miss Magoffin Kathleen Smith was one of our visitors. Not only is she a beautiful young lady but a very talented and gracious one as well. Ole Santa was very pleased to get to meet her and we are all cheering her on as she prepares for the Miss Kentucky pageant.

We have had visitors daily seeking more information for their various family genealogies. One intriguing request came from Rose in Tennessee who is a descendant of Dewey Caldwell who was born 5 Aug 1924 Magoffin Co. KY and died 29 May 1998. He is buried in the Forest Hill Cemetery in Piqua, OH. He was a veteran, serving with the US Army and was a prisoner of war in Germany. His obituary gives his 2^nd wife’s name as Jeanette Dugger Bowers.

He appears as age 15 and the oldest child in the 1940 Magoffin County, KY census with his parents Shady Caldwell and Tressy (Tressie) Arnett. Other children with the family were (2) Riley Caldwell age 12, (3) Edison Caldwell age 8, (4) Lahoma Caldwell age 5, (5) Arcie M. Caldwell age 2 and (6) Biddy J. Caldwell, a newborn.

Shadrach Caldwell, known generally as "Shade" or "Shady" was born 11 June 1902 in Breathitt Co. KY and died 24 January 1996 in Magoffin County. He is buried in the Patrick Cemetery on Johnson Fork. Shade was a son of George Washington "Wash" Caldwell and Lucy Caldwell. His obituary states he had five daughters and 4 sons (1) Lahoma Richard of Salyersville, (2) Arcie Mills and (3) Biddie Nealis, both of Jeffersonville, KY, (4) Virginia Harmon of Lima, OH and (5) Linda Russell of Florida. His four sons were (6) Dewey Caldwell of Jeffersonville, KY, (7) Edison Caldwell, (8) Eddie Joe Caldwell and (9) David Alan Caldwell all of Salyersville.

Wash Caldwell was born in 1863. He was married in 1892 to Lucy Caldwell b. 1865 Clay Co. KY. Lucy was the daughter of the Rev. Samuel Caldwell and Idress Brock. She was first married to Jim Collett and had two daughters and a son (1) Nancy Collett b. 1886, (2) Arcy Collett and (3) James Madison "Matt" Collett. Matt Collett was married to Rosa Slusher. He was a coal miner and died 23 October 1918 at age 35 from complications of influenza.

Jim and Lucy may also be the parents of Ailsey Collett and Willie Collett.

Lucy and Wash Caldwell were the parents of (4) Martin Caldwell, (5) Elizabeth "Betty" Caldwell 15 Feb 1895-8 Apr 1906), (6) Lora Caldwell, (7) Martha Caldwell (16 Nov 1903-28 Oct 1908), (8) Shade Caldwell and (9) Rebecca "Becky" Caldwell (15 Apr 1908-28 Nov 1911).

Wash’s wife Lucy Caldwell was a widow by the time of the 1920 Magoffin census. She lived in the Gifford, KY area of Magoffin County. She is buried in the Prater-May Cemetery on US 460/7 west of Salyersville. Her cemetery marker dates are born Aug 1855 and died 5 Jun 1943.

Shade Caldwell’s wife Tressie was born 12 Jun 1905 and died 21 Apr 1949 on Craft Branch in Letcher Co. KY. Tressie was buried in the Abel May Cemetery in Magoffin Co. KY according to her death certificate. She was a daughter of R. B. Arnett (b. 1881 d. 28 Apr 1922) and Biddie Bailey. Shade Caldwell and Tressie were married on 17 July 1920 in Magoffin County.

Biddie Bailey Arnett, born in 1885, was a daughter of Granville Pearl Bailey and Sarah Prater. Granville Pearl was born 9 May 1855 and died 2 Dec 1933, a son of Joseph Bailey and Jennie Runyon. His wife Sarah "Sally" Prater was born 22 May 1855 and died 11 Jan 1923 in Royalton, KY, the daughter of Riley Prater and Creasy Shepherd. Riley is believed to be the son of Jonathan Prater and Peggy Bailey. Jonathan was a son of William and Obedience Prater. Peggy was a daughter of John Bailey, Sr. and Susan who is said by descendants to have been a Patrick.

Biddie Bailey first married in Magoffin County on 6 August 1904 to R. Arnett and was the mother of Tressie who married Shade Caldwell. Biddie later married Floyd Ingram. She died in Menifee Co. KY on 15 April 1931.

R. B. Arnett was variously known as "R.", "Ar" or "Bluerock Ar". He was born in 1884, the son of Roland Arnett and Evaline Marshall. Roland was a son of Stephen "Nat" Arnett and Mary J. Risner. R. Arnett later married Margaret Allen. They had a large family and lived in the Royalton, KY area.

It is with much sadness that we learned of the passing of Tommy Cooley and Mike Lewis this week.

Tommy’s wife, Janice Shepherd Cooley helped the historical society with furnishings for the Pioneer Village. Visitors to our log cabin complex will see her name as contributor on several items.

Mike’s mother is Bernice Dotson Lewis Moore who has been a mainstay of the historical society for all our years. Bernice has helped us in every area of our work and is a huge part of our success as an organization.

Our thoughts and prayers are with the families.