Washington County Tidbits 1930-39

Tidbits are newspaper articles, etc. which mention names, places, and other information possibly useful to the researcher.


E-mail your Washington County, MO Tidbit to Larry Flesher,


Submitted by Christine Lembeck

Edwardsville Intelligencer, Edwardsville, Illinois, July 12, 1930

Fred H. Hayes, 47 years old, was found dead in a cornfield at the farm of William H. Schafer, on the Fruit Road, six miles east of Edwardsville early this morning. He is believed to be a victim of extreme heat. It is believed Hayes expired late Thursday afternoon. The body of Hayes was found early this morning by Mr. Schafer about a quarter of a mile from the house. Mr. Hayes was lying on his back and probably expired after reclining to rest. He had been working at the Schafer home since Tuesday but Wednesday and Thursday complained of feeling badly. He did not put in full time on either day.

In the personal effects of the dead man were found a note book in which he had made a number of memorandums and he had an employment agency ticket through which identification was made and his wife, Mrs. Sarah Hayes, of St. Louis, was notified. An emblem of the order of Modern Woodmen of America was found on his coat.

The note book says he was born at Old Mines, Missouri, on August 29, 1883. He was at Belgrade, Missouri, in November 1929 and something that happened there caused him to make this notation: "Leaving Belgrade on the 30th of November 1929. Gone not forgotten. Remember the day and date." A St. Louis telephone number found in the book was called by Deputy Coroner B. H. Weber this morning. The party at the other end of the line said she was a daughter of Mr. Hayes. She said she would communicate with her mother who would advise later about disposition of the body. A coroner's jury was sworn over the body this morning but the official investigation has been deferred until some day next week.

Submitted by Thomas Fea

Unknown Newspaper August 1930

THOMAS TURNBULL
Thomas Turnbull, a brother of J. J. Turnbull of near Pleasant Hill, died at the home of Fred Laramore at Top Ozark, on August 27, 1930. Mr. Turnbull made his home with his son Roy at Pleasant Hill and was visiting a Top Ozark when taken ill. Funeral services were held Thursday at Undine, Mo.

The Lincoln Star, Lincoln, Nebraska, August 9, 1931

Potosi, MO - Aug 8
This mining community today was recovering from the horror of the wholesale killing of four persons and the critical wounding of a fifth following an argument between two miners in the bottom of a fifteen foot tiff mine.

Elliott Missey, 40, shot and killed John Pitzer, 55, after the had quarreled over the right of their mine holdings, Sheriff W. J. Simmons declared. Missey then turned his shotgun on Clarence Beach and wounded him critically. Climbing out of the mine pit Missey walked to the home John Coleman, another miner and shot and killed him. Missey then went to his own home, locked his six children in the barn and shot his wife to death. The miner then killed himself.

Submitted by Esther M. Ziock Carroll

Jefferson City Post-Tribune
30 Dec. 1932 - Price 2 cents

NEW 700-ACRE PARK GIVEN TO STATE BY ST. LOUISAN

Washington Day address By Gov. Caulfield In University City Said To Have Been Inspiration To Donor Who Prefers To Remain Unknown
A Washington Day address made by Governor Henry S. Caulfield at University City last February was the inspiration for the gift today of a 700-acre tract in Washington County, Missouri to the state for public park purposes. The donor is a wealthy St. Louis friend of Governor Caulfield & an enthusiastic state park supporter who desired not to reveal his identity.

The tract has been accepted by the State Park Board comprised of Governor Caulfield, Attorney-General Stratton Shartel, & John H. Ross, commissioner of the Missouri Game & Fish Department. It brings the number of state parks in Missouri to eighteen, with a total of 40,869 acres.

This is the fourth park acquired by the state during 1932, the others being Vanmeter State Park in Saline County, Wallace State Park in Clinton County, & Big Lake State Park, Holt County. The Vanmeter tract of 506 acres also was a gift. Missouri's first gift park was the 2,400-acre Roaring River State Park in Barry County, which was presented in 1928 by Dr. T. M. Cayman of St. Louis. The newest state park, to be known as Washington State Park, lies ten miles south of DeSoto in Washington County. More than a mile of it extends along Big River, & the entire tract is covered with native Ozark timber. There are many scenic points throughout the tract.

Washington State Park is little more than an hour's drive from St. Louis & is easily accessible as State Highway No. 21, traverses much of it.

Edwardsville Intelligencer, Edwardsville, Illinois, December 14, 1933

Miss Searcy Politte of Blackwell, Missouri, sister of Gentry Politte of this city, who underwent an operation at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital, Granite City, last Saturday, is reported improving.

Edwardsville Intelligencer, Edwardsville, Illinois, December 21, 1933

Gentry Politte of this city returned his sister, Miss Searcy Politte, to her home in Blackwell, Missouri, yesterday from the St. Anthony Hospital, St. Louis, where she recently underwent an operation. She is reported recovering.

Submitted by Sharon Hartzell Smith

January 18, 1934 Potosi Weekly Independent

P. C. Walton home burned
The 2 story home of Percy C. Walton at Mineral Point was burned to the ground Friday and nearly all the furniture and clothes of the family burned with the home. Mr. Walton is of the opinion the fire caught from a defective flue as the attic was in flames before the fire was discovered.

Edwardsville Intelligencer, Edwardsville, Illinois, February 3, 1934

Mr. and Mrs. Gentry Politte of this city spent Friday in Blackwell, Missouri, visiting with Mr. Politte's father, J. E. Politte.

April 1, 1934 Potosi Weekly Independent

Marriage Licenses Issued
January 24 Leo J. Snyder and Viola Salmona, Steeleville
January 24 Dolpha Ezekial Myers and Fannie Pearl Radford, Potosi
January 24 Wesley Keen, St. Louis and Marie Wilkinson, Cadet

F. R. Lynch Dead
Just as we go to press we hear that Floyd R. Lynch, former Collector of Revenue, passed away at his home in Potosi after a long illness. Mr. Lynch died at 12:30 noon, January 11, 1934. He is survived by his three brothers, Lloyd, Bryan and Bernice, to which we extend our sympathy. Further notice next week.

February 15, 1934 Potosi Weekly Independent

Bourgawich School
Irene Compton Teacher

Our attendance average was some higher this week. Exams for 3rd Quarter will be given Friday.

Jackie and Bessie Bays, Agatha and Rosemary Declue received 5 month certificates. Norma Kay, Lillian Thebeau and Agatha DeClue received reading circle certificates.

Those having perfect spelling grades - Annabel Akers, Norma Kay, Jackie Bays, Nancy Cresswell, Anna Marie Pashia, Eugene Thebeau, Lucille Cresswell, Lawrence Kay, Luther and Bessie Bays, Edwin Greenlee, Everett Pashia, Margaret and Lillian Thebeau.

Potosi Weekly Independent, March 8, 1934


Lewis P. Coleman
Lewis P. Coleman, age 77 years (couldn't make out months, 3, 6 or 8 months) passed at the home at Fletcher, on March 4, 1934. Mr. Coleman was united in marriage to Rosallie Bequette who passed away four years ago, March 13. To this union ten children were born, three of whom preceded him in death. He leaves seven children, three brothers, nieces and nephews to mourn his departure.

Joseph McKensie Forshee
Joseph McKensie Forshee was born at Hopewell, Mo. October 14, 1850 and died at the home of his daughter in Pittsburg, Ks. at the age of 83 years, 4 months, 14 days. His wife died 36 years ago. He was converted when a young man and was a member of the Rock Spring Methodist Church till death. He leaves to mourn his going three children, Mrs. Harry Benoist of Pittsburg, Ks., Jessie of Detroit, Mi. and Elvin of Bonne Terre, Mo.; two sisters, Mrs. Margaret Taylor and Mrs. Emma Lenza of Flat River, nine grandchildren and other relatives and friends. Funeral services were conducted at Hopewell, Friday, March 2, by Rev. H. W. Compton.

Mineral Point Rt. 1 News
Among those attending the funeral of J. M. (Uncle Kinney) Forschee at Hopewell, Friday, were Harry Benoist of Pittsburg, Ks, Jessie Forschee of Detroit, Mi., Elvin Forschee and two daughters of Bonne Terre, Mrs. Emma Lenza, Mrs. Taylor, Mrs. William McKinney and son Arch Ketcherside of Flat River, Ivan and Marvin Forschee of Frankclay and Mrs. William Anderson of Irondale.

Potosi Weekly Independent, March 15, 1934


Roxie Herbert Jenkins
Roxie Herbert Jenkins, son of Mr. and Mrs. Luther Jenkins was born May 26, 1932 and departed this life on March 10, 1934, at the age of 1 year, 9 months and 12 days. He leaves to mourn his death his father and mother and one sister, Chloe Burnadeen, two grandfathers and two grandmothers, Mr. and Mrs. Ed Eye and Mr. and Mrs. John Jenkins and a host of aunts and uncles and other close relatives. Funeral services were conducted at the White Oak Grove Church Monday by Elder L. H. Owens.

Former Potosian Dies
Mrs. Minnie Petterson (nee Van Alen) died at the home of her sister Mrs. W. W. Walton in DeSoto, Tuesday, March 3, 1934. Funeral services will be at the Methodist Church in Potosi, Thursday afternoon, March 5, at 2 oclock.

Jennie Maude (Blount) Roussin
Jennie Maude (Blount) Roussin was born July 13, 1872, parents were John and Mary Blount. Married to Theodore G. Roussin, November 27, 1895. Jennie died Friday, May 9, 1934

(This was a long obit and didn't get to copy, but wanted to furnish the dates)

Mrs. Robert Estel Ives
Jennie Mable Gunter was born January 3, 1891, near Wausaw, Indiana and died at her home in Belgrade, March 9, 1934. She was united in marriage, December 22, 1907 to Robert Estel Ives and to this union eight children were born, all of whom with their father survive. The children are Opal, Melvin, Robert, Verton, Willis, Lots and Wanda Lee of Belgrade and Mrs. Ollie Hayes of Leadwood. She is also survived by two sisters, Mrs. Fay Hall of Belgrade and Mrs. Goldie Crafton of Sheridan, Wyoming. Mrs. Ives was converted at an early age and united with the Missionary Baptist Church on Hazel Creek. Funeral services were conducted Sunday at Ramsey Grove Church by Rev. Shell, Pastor of Bismarck Baptist Church.

Mrs. Irene Farrer, died March 7, 1934
Sister of Eugene Wirth.

(Didn't get to copy article, but wanted to furnish the date of death)

James Sheridan Paul
James Sheridan Paul died March 11, 1934, 66 years, 3 months, 29 days. On March 23, 1902 James married Nancy Josephine Nothington.

(Didn't get to copy article, but wanted to furnish dates)

Buddy Blades
Buddy Blades marries Miss Bell in San Francisco, California, February 27, 1934. Buddy is the son of Mr. and Mrs. William W. Blades.

(Didn't get to copy article, but wanted to furnish dates)

Potosi Weekly Independent and Potosi Journal undated 1934

11 Week Old Baby Killed in Auto Accident
Little John Gibson, aged 2 months and 20 days, was killed instantly on Friday, August 17, 1934, when the automobile in which he and his parents and brother were driving, was overturned. The baby was a son of Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Gibson of Luxemburg, St. Louis County, and were enroute to Potosi for the weekend. Mr. Gibson, at the inquest held Saturday, said that it was so dark he did not see the turn in the road at the Frank Long place, near Shibboleth, and ran into a ditch, turning his Hudson car over and throwing Mrs. Gibson and the baby out. They were thrown about 50 feet, and when picked up the baby was dead, his skull being crushed. The remains were brought to Potosi where the inquest was held before Judge Sam Richeson, acting coroner and then taken to Luxemburg for burial.

Edwardsville Intelligencer, Edwardsville, Illinois, July 29, 1935

Potosi, MO, July 29
An inquest was held today into the death of Clifford Midgett, 24, of Quaker, Missouri, who was killed near Shirley Saturday night when a CCC truck overturned on a highway west of Potosi. Ten persons injured, two seriously. The party was traveling from Berryman, Missouri. The injured were taken to a hospital at Ironton.

Chillicothe Constitution Tribune, Chillicothe Missouri, Sept. 26, 1935

An unidentified bank bandit was shot when he emerged from the Irondale Bank at Irondale, Missouri, today, using William Jamison, cashier, as a shield after looting the place of an undetermined amount of cash. During the time the loot was being taken Jamison stepped on an alarm and the two men who answered the alarm opened fire on the bandit as he left the bank. Jamison fell to the sidewalk and escaped injury. The bandit was shot in the right shoulder and left leg. He refused to identify himself.

The Sikeston Herald, Sikeston, Missouri, January 2, 1936

Joe Morris, tiff mine union leader at Potosi, Missouri, who recently was fined for remarking that Judge E. M. Dearing of the circuit court "ought to be impeached" must go to jail for refusing to pay the assessment.

The State Supreme Court Monday refused to free Morris on a writ of habeas corpus and ordered him remanded to the custody of Sheriff Stephen Richards of Washington County.

Circuit Judge Frank Kelly of Cape Girardeau on December 11 fined Morris $50 on a contempt of court charge for remarks made against Judge Dearing, who had issued an injunction to restrain tiff miners from interfering with the operation of mine properties in Washington County.

Edwardsville Intelligencer, Edwardsville, Illinois, August 26, 1936

Potosi, MO - Aug 26
A request for national guardsmen will be made by Gov. Guy B. Park if there is any further rioting among 2,000 striking tiff miners in the southeastern Missouri, Major H. E. Dudley said today.

Submitted by Esther M. Ziock Carroll

Six Arrests For Drunkedness Friday & Saturday

Independent Journal - Pg. 1, Col. 2
26 May 1938

Six arrests are reported in Potosi Friday & Saturday of the last week for drunkedness on the streets. One of these men was released because of illness, & the other five pleaded guilty & their fines & costs amounted to $10.50 each. Two paid the amounts & the other three are serving the time out in jail.

Submitted by Esther M. Ziock Carroll

Three Fires Reported In County Past Week

Independent Journal - Pg. 1, Col. 2
26 May 1938

We learn of three fires in the county the past week. Lightening struck the large stock barn on the Jess Bust farm near Tiff Sunday morning & it burned to the ground. One mare, a lot of feed & some farm machinery, belonging to a Mr. Pierce, who has the farm rented, were burned.

Saturday night the home of Earl Isgriggs in Potosi was completely destroyed by fire. Mr. Isgriggs also lost all his furniture & clothing. He & his familly were away from home at the time & nothing was saved.

Tuesday the wash house at the Clarence Farrell home burned, together with an electric washing machine, clothes, oil stove, etc.

The Sikeston Herald, Sikeston, Missouri, March 30, 1939

Flat River -
An automobile tire blowout was attributed by state police Monday as the apparent cause of an accident near Potosi late Saturday night that took the lives of two young men and injured four others. Joseph Kusman, 27, of Flat River, was killed instantly and Goldman Caviness, 22, of Leadwood, died a few hours later at Bonne Terre hospital. Those injured were, Lyman Jenkins, Glenn Eddington, Vernon Bowers, and William Francis.

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Larry Flesher, Washington County, MO

lflesher@yahoo.com