One Causality of the Crossing

In Wyoming is a location called the Lander Cut-off, it was on a trail which was a cut from the famed Oregon Trail.  It saved time but was harder to travel and many lost their lives along its path.    There is  state historical marker there marking the grave of one Elizabeth Mortimore Paul, who died there after giving birth in July of 1862.

The company paused long enough to not merely bury her but to construct a small fence around her grave.  She left six children, including the new born.  Others coming up the trail after them, were sobered by the sight of the grave and the evident grief.  Read their comments here.

Patsey and Plymouth Mortimore

Elizabeth was the daughter of  Plymouth Mortimore, born in North Carolina and died in Kansas (various spellings exist for his name) and his wife Patsy Driscoll (or Driskel, various spellings exist for her name).  

GEORGE W. HURST - UPDATE!

George W. Hurst, was born Feb. 2, 1921 in Okmulgee County, Oklahoma. He died in 1983 in Dubois, Clark Co., ID.
His father was Richard Fleming Hurst  and his mother was Lucy (or Lucille) Elizabeth Ray Hurst Lords.  

 He did serve in the military during WW2 was listed for a time as missing in action and then changed to recuperating.   He married Mary Black in 1941 in Idaho. 

Left, Effie Algerty Ray Conner Hudson Tucker, 188- - 1972
Born in Illinois and died in Kansas
Right, Lucy Elizabeth Ray Hurst Lords, 1883-1948
Born in Ill and died in Idaho

Both were daughters of Drury Edward Ray and Harriet Ann Rowe.

THEN AND NOW: VIEWS OF A VACATION SPOT

In  August of 1965, the Hudson family (Curtis, Virginia, Roy, Ray, and Marvin) went to the Grand Canyon and one of the photos taken was of the Hopi House, originally built in 1904, and a demonstration of Native American dance.

In 2005, another Hudson family also went to the Canyon, staying at the historic El Tovar Hotel and visiting the newly renovated Hopi House, now an upscale art and crafts gift center.

Daughter of Jess and Effie Hudson

In the Okmulgee Cemetery is this small, flat stone next to the headstone for her father, Jess Hudson.  Her mother was Effie A. Ray Conner Hudson Tucker. They had just recently moved to Okmulgee from Butler Co., Mo, and were living in a canvas tent made from the cover from the husband's teamster setup and wagon when she gave birth.  Unfortunately, Dorothy did not live long enough to enjoy the prosperity moving to the booming region would bring the family in the next decade.  Jess himself would die suddenly in a gas line explosion in Bristow in 1929.

TAKING MOM FOR A RIDE

Hudson Family Photographic Collection, Hudson Files.  Family of Jesse Hudson and Effie A. Ray.  Victoria  Waters Hudson Easley, Jess's mother is the woman holding the baby, Freeman Conner aka "Red", stepson of Jess and son of Effie Ray Conner Hudson is in the back closest to opening, Jess may be driving  (M.Hudson, 2008) Location: Probably Butler Co., MO.

Hudson Boys and Sharp Wheels

Hudson Family Photographic Collection, Hudson Files.   Curtis Hudson and J. Marvin Hudson, son of Jesse Hudson and Effie A. Ray.  (M.Hudson, 2008)  Probably taken in Poplar Bluff, Butler, Mo.

Gone Fishing, Boating or Anyplace Outdoors

Jesse Marvin Hudson aka "Rocky" loved the great outdoors and had since a child in the Ozarks and eastern Oklahoma.  Here he is shown with his wife ca 1960's in possibly Arizona or California.  He was the eldest son of Jess Hudson and Effie Algerty Ray Conner Hudson Tucker.

Mystery Remains - But May Be Closing

This image is identified as being taken in Okemah, Oklahoma.  Hudson Family Photographic Collection, Hudson Files.    (M.Hudson, 2008)

FAMILY IDENTIFIED!

Hudson Family Photographic Collection, Hudson Files.    (M.Hudson, 2008)

Originally found in the files of Effie Algerty Ray Conner Hudson Tucker, the only identification was pencil written on the back: Anna, Nellie, Nettie.  Who were they though?  The facial resemblance of at least two indicated they were probably from Effie's side of the family.  The Ray family but which of several children?  Finally, records related to Mary Louisa Ray, sister to Effie have emerged.  They show she married a Charles Carter and had daughters - Anna, Nellie, Nettie. They lived around Poplar Bluff, Butler Co., Mo. along with other member of the extended "tribe".

THE BOX

John King Terry and wife Mary Ann

My father, Roy D. Terry, told me this story about his grandfather John King Terry.  During the Civil War John joined the Union Forces and his wife went to live with her family at a nearby farm.  

John served with a Capt. John Kelso, whom he much respected, and would later name a son for the man.  Out on patrol  hunting marauders, John recognized they were near his in-laws house.  He offered his captain and men a home cooked meal and rest for the horses.  They quickly agreed and set off.

Unknown to John, the mauraders had already hit the home of the inlaws (who had run away to remain hidden in the nearby woods).  The marauders had made off with many of the few remaining valuables of the family. They had taken a wooden box John had once kept ammunition in and had scooped up the family's silver spoons and valuables from their ancestors.  They had then ridden off when alerted to the approaching soldiers.

Seeing the family safe, John and the men immdediately set off trailing the thieves and trapped them in a cave.  The command was given to 'Fire until there is no reason to fire anymore.'   The goods of the Terry and Riddle families were recovered - along with valuables from other homes nearby. 

The box went on to serve the family for many years, and came to my father as a keepsake.  During the 1930's in the Ozarks times were very hard and one family down the road could not even afford a coffin when their small baby died.  My father gave them the box- once used to carry off a family treasure - in order for it to once more hold a family's small treasure taken too soon.

 Somewhere in the hills of Barry Co., Missouri a small wooden box from one family holds the remains of another family.  The names are gone but the story remains.

Marilyn A.  Hudson