Walter Wendell Arnett’s half sister, Ruth Schoppe remarked once about their father Eugene Britton Arnett, "Eugene had a saying he told me once when I was asking him about his family’s origins, ‘Ruth,’ he said, ‘Every kettle sits on its own bottom,’ and he never spent much time delving into genealogy. He was interested in the politics and events of the day and reading many magazines." [Ruth]

The above quote from Bunyan’s Pilgrim’s Progress notwithstanding, in 1949, E.B. decided to make the following entry on some calendar pages:

"Events taking place during the life of Eugene Britton Arnett of Salyersville, Ky. I was born [March 26, 1873] on the Middle Fork of Licking River in a little one room cabin made of hewn logs, one story of the roof was made of white oak boards held in place by a log reaching clear across the house. The chimney was constructed of small sticks made flat and held together with a clay mortar. Wood was used in the construction of the fire place and the jambs were daubed with clay to prevent burning. Wood was used as fuel. The floor was constructed of long flat heavy boards laid flat. No nails were available to hold it down. I, E.B.A. was the only child born there. My brothers and sisters were Drury M. (departed), Erin M. (departed), Loulie wife of D. Glenn Sublett and Fritz Earl Arnett and Dooney (deceased.) My father’s name was Harris Gregory (H.G.). He was born October 8, 1848. I, E.B. was born March 26 1873. My first wife was Julia Sublett. To this union were born Helen (Donaldson), Junius Oakley (married Gracie Hickman of Ridgely, Tenn.), Ruth married Vernon Schoppe of Live Oak, Florida. E.B.A. was married a second time to Miss Lucy M. Jones of Tuscola, Ill. To this union was born Paul J. Arnett who married Miss Ruth Gillum of Salyersville, KY...Next we go to Wendell W. Arnett married Miss Leila K. Routh.... My father’s mother’s name was [Susan] Ray and she had a sister Abbey [Ray.] My father [H.G.] took Galen called Arnett whose father was Benny Howard. [Galen was born in 1855 a year after Ambrose Arnett--wife of Galen’s mother, Susan (Ray) Arnett--died.] My father’s family [H.G. and Rebecca (Higgins) Arnett’s children ] consisted of Logan, Ben F., and Ambrose and my father H.G. I engaged in the retail business of general merchandise in Salyersville, Ky owning my own building which I still own at this time, January 19, 1949. I sold my stock of goods to J.O. Arnett and Stanley Gardner for $30,000. I now own the home where Stanley Gardner lives which is a frame building join the store building occupied for general merchandise. I also own the two story stone building in which I now live. It was erected out of native stone by Italians the cost of which was $5,000. I also own a two story brick garage with two dwelling apartments above which rents for $30 each and now occupied by Rev. John R. Groves, a missionary, and Charley Williams, a carpenter. I also own a two story dwelling in Cheyenne renting for $35 per month now occupied by Charley McCormick..." [JWA-E.B.notes]

Eugene’s father, Harrison Gregory Arnett, spent most of his life in Hendricks, KY and wrote a ledger account of his life when he was about 82. John Arnett published an annotated copy of this journal in the fall of 1998 [copy online and in the Magoffin County Historical Society collection.] H.G. Arnett said his father Ambrose Arnett, a country doctor, was born in 1814 the year his family moved to the territory that later became Magoffin County. The Arnett name was originally spelled Arnott and in eastern KY the accent is on the first syllable. A David Arnott was the earliest documented ancestor. He came from Scotland (likely County Fife) and settled on the Copper Creek of Russell County, Virginia, and moved to Harlan (in an area that later became Bell County) about 1800. David had at least three children, Nancy who married a Lewis Green, Stephen (b. ca. 1780) who married Elizabeth Howard, and Reuben (b.ca. 1784), Ambrose’s father, who married Susannah Kilgore. Susan’s family lived on Copper Creek, and she was an illegitimate daughter (possibly of Hiram Kilgore), and likely related to Sarah Daughtery (also of a Kilgore mother) who married A.P. Carter. The Carter’s settled on Maces Creek one valley over from Copper Creek. (It was while searching out the Carter Family historical site in 1990 that I stumbled across Mrs. Salyers’ book on her family and the history of the Arnetts with a description of where they lived on Copper Creek.)

Reuben had ten children and one child, Randall, by Mary, a slave who accompanied him to Kentucky. Reuben was a farmer and settled on the Middle Fork in present day Magoffin County. His exact burial site has not yet been located despite the best efforts of Todd Preston and the historical society. Ambrose, as noted was a country doctor – actually an herb doctor according to Erin Arnett Beckham, and his inventory shows some saddle bags with medical books and various bottles of potions. HGA described him as a "good and safe doctor" and for awhile he practiced with Dr. Wheeler, "of fever fame" (see note about Dr. Wheeler in the H.G. Arnett book.) Ambrose was only 45 when he died in 1954 and left five children: Logan, Harrison G., Mary, Benjamin, and Ambrose, Jr. After Ambrose’s death, Susan Ray had a son (not by Ambrose) who was given the name Galen Arnett (b. 1864). Ambrose gravesite is on the Dyer farm just off the Middle Fork road. Harrison Gregory Arnett married Rebecca Higgins and they had eight children: Eugene Britton (b. 1873), Dury Mylne (b. 1874), Erin Mavoureen (b. 1877), Loulie (b. 1879), Nelus (b. 1882), Grover Cleveland (b. 1884), Dooney (b. 1886), and Fritz Earl (b. 1889). Harrison and Rebecca are buried in graves overlooking their former house in Hendricks. 

More detail about the life of H.G. Arnett may be found in the online account of his life referenced in the introduction to this memoir..  The following are excerpts of conversations with Ruth Schoppe and Wendell about their father, grandfather, and other Salyersville kinfolk and friends:

Logan Arnett, granddad’s [HG’s] brother, owned a lumber company. Galen Arnett was a farmer. He lived right down the road. Dury Thompson Arnett died pretty young, I don't know. He was on his roof and had a sun stroke and it killed him. Cleveland was a bachelor. He went to the Univ. of Kentucky. [Wendell]

He bought trees for like 50 cents a piece. He would put a mark on them. He was in the lumber business so he had contact with people with trees and he sold them for $1.00 a piece. He was a superintendent of schools before that. They say he was the first superintendent of schools that ever had as his motive educating every child in Magoffin County. He wanted a school over Hendricks, so he asked his brother Logan--he had a lot of land--if he would give him some land, he said he would give the lumber for the school. Logan did, so Grandpa had that Arnett school built, and it still stands today. [Ruth]

When we would go over to visit him, we'd go over in the wagon, Grandma would always have all the food in the world you know. We called it the Middle Fork. Hendricks is the Middle Fork. Grandpa always wanted to talk about current things - he never talked about the past much. He took the literary digest and he took current magazines and he always wanted to talk about politics. I remember one time I went over there and Louis Henderson was up to see me, he was one of my beaus, that is when I was teaching and he was a coach. He'd come up to see me and Grandpa said, "Well, Ruth, I understand that the young man that you were going to marry has been over to see you." I said, "Well now Grandpa, a young man has been over to see me but I'm not sure he's going to marry me or not," and he said, "Well, I won't ask you if he's rich or is he handsome, but I will ask you if he has good ole' common sense." He said if he has that he'll make it. But I didn't marry him. [Ruth]

Grandpa said, "Ruth, come in here; I'm doing something and I don't know what I'm doing." He said, "I'm getting awful tired of it - it’s an awful bore." He said, "These teachers bring this stuff in, and I have to work it out for them. There are questions to be answered and I answered them - I don't know what becomes of them. What are these?" I said, "Why Grandpa, you are taking correspondence courses for them and sending them off and getting them A's." [Ruth]

Grandpa Arnett and grandma didn't have regular church. They had quarterly church or something. Helen and I would go over the week before and Grandma would cook up everything in the world, you cannot imagine. They'd kill a calf and turkeys and everything. Then on Sunday they'd have this meeting -- it was primitive Baptist. People would come from everywhere and of course they stayed with Grandma. That is one of the times I saw my Great-Grandmother [John Higgins' wife] there. She was at Grandma's and I know we'd go down to the little church, some of the cousins and all of us would clean up the church. They would have these big dinners and have church and it would last about all day. I remember she had stacked pies. There little fruit pies between two crusts and she'd put something like dried apple filling between them and then she'd stack them until it looked like a cake. Then she'd cut it like cake. I remember it as being very good. [Ruth]

Grandpa was standing in the doorway and got a bullet in his shoulder - it was an accident. These two guys that shot him were shooting at each other and he got the bullet. Joe Higgins thought that there was a drunk that came to the store, and I think Joe thought that he was going to shoot him and he told dad to run and Joe shot and killed him. All the boy had was a rock. The boy kept going like he was gonna draw his gun. He was killed by Joe, and it was judged to be self defense. Grandma kept all of his people - she took the boy over to the house and took care of him before he died. They had a trial and I think Joe came clear. I know how dad [Eugene] said that he regretted getting that gun. Grandma said that that was a terrible time, and I'm sure it was. That's the way it was in the Kentucky mountains. Just shootin' down. [Ruth]

Many times we would go over to my Grandpa Arnett's home on what we called the "Middle Fork" or Hendricks, Kentucky which was four miles from Salyersville. Going over there by buggy or hack pulled by two horses, through the narrow, sometimes muddy, rocky road was something, for you really felt as if you had traveled twenty-five miles instead. The trip was worth it however, for Grandma Arnett, nee Rebecca Higgins, was a wonderful cook like my mother. They had a big two story house painted white on the outside with a tin roof, usually painted red. Each room had a grate and was heated by a coal fire. Across from the house was the big barn which contained tobacco hanging up and being dried. The loft of the barn contained loose hay and baled hay. They had horses and mules and wagons and plows for it was a very big farm. My cousin and I had much fun playing in the hay and building houses with them. My Dad's younger brother Fritz and his wife and two children lived with Grandpa, and later, when Grandma Arnett was bedridden [with a stroke,] Aunt Lula [Fritz' wife, Lula Dyer] took care of her and Grandpa and the house. Grandma really put a spread on the table and people coming by would always be welcome at her table. They used to say that Grandma killed herself cooking for all the people who would come by and eat dinner with them. [Wendell]

Both Grandpa and Grandma liked people, and Grandpa was an interesting conversationalist practically on any subject including politics, farming, schools, roads, timber or what have you. Daddy was the oldest of their children. They had four sons and two daughters and lots of grandchildren. At one time Grandpa was Superintendent of Magoffin County schools. One time before I was born Grandma Arnett got mad at Grandpa about something and she and he brother Tom Higgins ran off with Grandpa’s $10,000 in gold. They caught a train after getting to Mt. Sterling and headed toward California. They stayed out there for awhile and coming back they stopped off in Kansas where some wheat harvesters heard that Grandma was a good cook. She stayed and cooked for them awhile but soon got homesick for her people and for Grandpa. Daddy said the gold was still intact, for they spent very little of it. [In fact, according to Michael Arnett, they’d not even taken the gold with them but had buried it in some glass jars in the front yard of Grandpa Arnett’s yard before they left and told him they took it just to rile him.] Grandpa had made his money in selling timber which was quite a valuable property in those days. White Oak timber was especially valuable. The big distilleries in Louisville bought much of it for barrel staves in making whiskey barrels. [Wendell]

There were many killings and shootouts when I grew up as a boy. I remember about 1923 my grandfather, H.G. Arnett, lived at the old home place at Hendricks, which we called Middle Fork, (This house was recently designated a Kentucky Landmark) about four miles west of Salyersville. One day Grandpa was standing in the doorway of his home observing two men who were trying to kill each other with pistols. One of the bullets went astray and hit my Grandpa in the left shoulder. Word was flashed to Salyersville that Grandpa had been shot. Daddy saddled up his horse and took Dr. Walter Conley with him, and they rode over to the Middle Fork. Dr. Conley extracted the bullet and Grandpa recovered. [Wendell]

Grandpa had club feet and the story goes that when Grandpa was younger he went out on a drunk one night and his feet became frostbitten which left him crippled the rest of his life. Grandpa was a former superintendent of Magoffin County Schools and was very smart. He was a genius in math and he had a great knowledge of people, affairs of state and the nation. He loved tomato soup and whenever he came over to our house for a visit, my mother would always have a big kettle of soup waiting for him on the stove. I guess I get my taste for tomato soup from him. [Wendell]

About once a month dad [Eugene] would rent a hack (type of wagon) with four horses and have Charley Leggs Patrick drive the family over to the Middle Fork (Hendricks) where Becky would have prepared a huge meal with turkey, ham, potatoes and all the trimmings. Eugene "took good care of his dad" and Eugene would slip H.G. a hundred or two hundred dollars. H.G. by this time was mostly in a wheelchair and had various laborers to run the farm. Walt recalls that H.G. enjoyed talking about a wide range of topics though he can’t remember the topics at this time. Later on when Becky had her stroke, Walt recalls that she would often be in pain and cried out in a horrible way. [Wendell]

Branch Higgins was the oldest of those Higgins' they were a big family but Branch was the oldest and at one time Branch was the superintendent of the County Schools, he taught school, but in later life Branch was kind of a retired person. He built his house on Paintsville Street and he was married to a woman named Howard. Branch had well Virgil was the oldest, then Wise, Gene, then I'm trying to think of his children. He had about 8 or 10 children. He was grandma's brother. Her name was Rebecca Higgins. We called her Becky. She and Branch were very close. She was next to him in age. Then she had a sister and two or three others. She would ride in side-saddled to go see Branch. [Wendell]

Eugene studied law and got a certificate to practice, but he soon found his interest in operating a country store adjacent to his house in Salyersville and spent the better part of his life in that endeavor. He married Julia Sublett on Nov 1, 1899. To their union were born three children: Helen (1900), Oakley (1901), and Ruth (1904). Helen married William Clyde "Don" Donaldson, and they had a son Gene Donaldson who currently lives in St. Louis (more about him and Don’s family in the appendix). Ruth moved to Florida and married C.V. Schoppe; they had no children. Oakley "Oaks" married Gracie Hickman and remained in Salyersville, later running his dad’s store and then his own clothing store; Gracie and Oaks had no children. Julia developed TB and died July 7, 1907 at the age of 32. Subsequently, E.B. married Lucy Jones in 1910. To them were born three children: Paul (1911), Wendell (1912), and Bernice (1919). Paul became an architect and practiced in Charlestown, WVA. See the appendix for more information about Paul and his family. Bernice was born with Downs syndrome and also developed hypothyroidism. She stayed with her mother until her death in 1941.

An account in Who’s Who in Kentucky 1936 which was likely submitted by Eugene, states the following: "Eugene Britton Arnett...Democrat. Missionary Baptist. Mason. Taught school in Magoffin County seven years; developed oil in Magoffin County, Ky; has conducted general retail store, Salyersville, Ky., for past thirty-five years. Former chairman, Board of Trustees, Magoffin Institute. Mem. Ky. State Bar Assn. (granted license to practice law, 1905)"

Like his father, Eugene enjoyed reading and took it upon himself to study law and read enough on his own that he was granted a license to practice law in 1905 and admitted to the Kentucky State Bar Association. [Michael Arnett had saved his certificate and gave it to Carolyn Arnett who has it prominently displayed in her office.]

On July 30 1920 Eugene Arnett entered into a contract with Green Blanton whereby for the sum of one dollar cash, he was granted a 1/32 nd right to any oil or gas produced from Blanton’s 75 acre farm. The deed was witnessed by John M. Coffee and Lee Gullett. [Deed Bk. 41, pages 465-66]

Sometime prior to 1924 Eugene had been admitted to the Scottish Rite Masonry Association, and in the will he wrote out in 1924 made the following bequest: "In accordance with my solemn obligation at the altar of Scottish Rite Masonry, I give and bequeath the ring which I have worn and cherished throughout my life to Paul J. Arnett and charge him to cherish the same as the symbol of my compact with those "Whom virtue hat joined and death shall never separate." [E.B.A.’s will]

According to Ruth, "Eugene went to U. of K. briefly. He had some sort of diploma from there. He was never proud of it. If I ever said that he graduated from the Univ. of KY, he would say, ‘Oh no I didn't.’ He took bookkeeping and that sort of thing. He didn't consider that he was college educated. My Grandfather [H.G.] had a little store in Hendricks, and later Fritz, who worked on the farm, helped him with the store. The post office was there also. Eugene started the store in Salyersville, because my mother [Julia] was there. They had a big house on the hill ["College Heights"] and dad [Eugene] would come over to court her [Julia Sublett.]."

"Eugene didn't get any money from momma [Julia or Lucy] to start the store. It came from my Uncle Charlie. [Sublett] There used to be a big sign going to Grandpas, great big box-car letters SUBLETT & ARNETT. Long after it was just Arnett you know. Uncle Charlie started the store with him - he was his partner. One time I remember Uncle Charlie was talking about Dad and he said, ‘You'll never find another man like your Dad,’ said, ‘He's as straight as a string.’ They used to tie strings to make straight rows in the garden you know. ‘He's straight as a string,’ he said, ‘he put on the ledger in our books every time he used a one cent stamp. That man accounted for everything he spent and said he kept the best books in the world.’" [Ruth]

"The roll-top desk was in the store when dad bought the store from Uncle Charlie. Uncle Charlie and dad were partners and when my father took my mother to N.C. because she had T.B., he rented our house and Uncle Charlie continued in the store. After Daddy came back, I guess he bought him out."[Ruth]

Charlie wanted certain things done in his Will, one was he wanted the graves of his mother taken care of and a tombstone for himself. He wanted a wall built around him. They buried him in the Bluegrass. Of course Dad saw to it that all that happened. When he (Charlie) was living, Catlettsburg was a whiskey producing town.´[Ruth]

When he left it to us it was a Whiskey Town. He was always good to us. He was a half brother of Uncle Glenn. His mother was Aunt Rose [and father D.D. Sublett]. They go up to the Rose Reunion, up there in Wolf county somewhere. [Marcella "Markie" Dobbins maiden name was Rose.]

Uncle Charley was an only child and had no children. He liked Momma [Lucy]- she was good to him, she was good to everybody. He ended up dying at Aunt Roses, he wanted to come back home when he got sick. He sent for Dad, so Dad went up there, seemed like it was Columbus, Ohio, Dad stayed with him a long time and he wasn't getting any better - He told Dad that he felt like he was going to die so he wanted to come home to die. Aunt Rose had a little hotel, so he stayed at her hotel until he died. He left Bert [Rice] some money and he told dad that the reason he was giving it to Bert was because Bert was crippled with polio. [Wendell]

Once when Leila was in Salyersville, she remarked to Eugene that she didn't want to put them out, and Eugene reassured her saying, "You're as welcome as the flowers of spring." [Leila]

When my older sisters [Helen and Ruth] were courting at our house Daddy had a way of letting their boyfriends know that the hour was getting late. He would walk through the living room in his night shirt, part of his bald head shining, his stomach sticking out, sleeping cap on and an alarm clock in his hand and its bell ringing. He would be saying as he walked through, "Well girls, it's time to be going, the hour is getting late." The surprised boys couldn't get out the door quick enough after seeing this figure coming through. My sisters, Helen and Ruth, were always highly embarrassed. And speaking of being embarrassed, one summer Daddy took the oldest girls over to Virginia Beach, Va. My sisters Helen and Ruth got into their bathing suits very quick and headed for the beach to sunbathe. They were at the "boy struck" age and were looking for some member of the opposite sex. They had struck up a conversation with some boys when one of the boys said, "Look at that yonder"' My sisters looked up and saw it was Daddy coming down the beach with a straw hat covering his bald head, a striped bathing suit much too big for him and the legs of the suit way down past his knees. His skin was white as a sheet (for Daddy had never been swimming in his life, let alone worn a bathing suit,) and his big stomach sticking out. He came over to where my sisters were and they tried to hide and let the boys know that they didn't know who this character was. They headed quickly for the water. My Dad thought it was great fun! [HR42]

Eugene’s letters

Eugene wrote the following card to Paul and Wendell who were visiting with Lucy their grandfather in Bourbon, Ill
May 10, 1918 c/o Mr. D. W. Jones
Salyersville, Ky 5/9
Dear Paul and Wendell: I received your cards Paul and was so glad you enjoyed riding the iron horse. Wendell, I wonder if you see any pretty little "doggies" up there. The chicks are all living yet – We are getting along just fine.
Lovingly. Dad.

The following was a typed Christmas card E.B. apparently sent to Friends, Patrons, and Vendors:

Salyersville, Ky
December 23, 1922
To My Friends and Patrons;
‘Tis Christmas Time---the season of good cheer and Santa Claus; and I want to take this opportunity of extending my heartiest greetings and to wish you a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
And, too, may I say a word of thanks for the business you have so kindly turned my way during 1922? This business has been sincerely appreciated, and I trust it has been so handled as to justify a continuance of our past pleasant relations.
Resolve when planting the old year under the sod;
To speak of the good in man and please your God;
Don’t trifle with character it is not to be bought;
Let your words portray a careful thought;
Boost your fellow-man with honest praise;
And help the world grow better in these latter days.

Cordially yours,
E.B. ARNETT.

Ruth and C.V. Schoppe were married June 3, 1932, and received this letter from E.B. shortly thereafter:

June 7, 1932
Mr. and Mrs. C.V. Schoppe
Live Oak, Florida

My dear Ones,
Accept my hearty congratulations. I had just left the store and gone to the house to shave when I was notified of a message for me. I told Wendell and Ida that I was sure it was a message from you telling of the wedding and that is just the way it read when I reached the phone. What do you call that? – Telepathy. Well after all, it was quite a surprise. I do sincerely trust however that this sacred compact will redound to your mutual joy and unbounded happiness. Ruth, in giving you up you can hardly realize that I am parting with one of my most precious jewels. One whom I have idolized. Nothing has been too good for you. My heart has been set on giving you the very best opportunities possible in keeping with my pocketbook. I am pleased to say that I have always had implicit confidence in you and I assure you that I can fully rely upon your good judgment in the selection of your companion. I now extend to you both a hearty welcome to our home and it shall always be the uppermost aim in my life to fully c00perate with you in every way possible to make you both happy. Always remember that when I can be a help to you it will afford me great joy. Paul is still at Georgetown. The poor boy is having the battle of his life to get through. It becomes necessary for him to attend summer school to finish up. The Dancing teacher I fear has been preying too much upon his good time. We are looking for you.
Bushels of love, Dad

In 1937 Eugene wrote the following letter to his daughter Ruth Schoppe then living in Florida:
E.B. Arnett Department Store
Salyersville, Ky
Sunday, December 1937
Dear Folks: ---------
As the Holiday rush shows some momentum, will try and get off a few lines before it gets to be too exciting. You doubtless read of the duel between Lewis Marshal and Wiley Salyer. Marshal, Town Marshal arrested Salyer and committed him to jail, but failed to search him. He afterwards returned to jail and demanded Salyer’s pistol--then the shooting took place. After the din of battle had cleared away, Lewis was dead and Salyer found in a dying condition. Both were buried same day. Wendell seems to have up a serious case with an Oklahoma girl--working in office Sunday School Board, Nashville. Paul has turned over plans for Court House Greenup. He is working hard and can’t save a penny. Trade is holding up very well..am retrenching. Oakley returns Jan 3, 1938. [see "Oaks and Gracie" section below.] I do hope he is a changed boy. If not I shall stage a close out sale and clean up. It may be that I shall put on a sale in January and leave for the South during Feb. and March. I am trying to place $500 with each of you. Paul and Oakley have each had this amount. Have paid Wendell $139.67 of his quota. Am enclosing check for $100 on your quota and shall continue to forward payments, as the business will warrant until the full amount is liquidated. I bought wrist watches for Paul, Oakley and Wendell, #32 each. Not knowing whether you or Helen wanted watches, I left them off and am enclosing my check for $32, and if you would like a 21 jewel Waltham wrist watch I can procure it for you. Think I have about covered the ground. Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New year. --Lovingly, Dad

Eugene mailed the following letter to Ruth from Good Samaritan Hospital in Lexington on July 24, 1942:

Dear Ruth: --
Received your letter this am. The suspense in Schoppe’s case is not very pleasant to say the least. They are so slow reaching the climax. The war is growing more sickening every day. The Allies appear to be almost bottled up on account of the submarine menace. I can’t see where or when U.S. can be of much help and right at a time when Russia, China, and Aleutian Isles are in desperate need of everything. Going in on a second front means a loss of millions of our boys. Well am planning to go home Sunday. Oakley and Gracie are coming after me. I will have rounded out a two weeks stay then. If I have benefited in a way I am unable to notice it. I came down weak, no pep, no appetite, and I feel that I am going back the same way. My trouble seems hard to diagnose. Was under Dr. Hall for over a week and he said he was unable to find anything. Have been under Dr. Scott at this place for 2 weeks making thorough examinations and he has found the trouble yet. The varicose veins is the source of most of my pain when standing on my feet. Doctor is supply tablets which this pain under control. I put one over on the Doctor the other morning when I asked him frankly to show me any way I had benefited since I had been here and he called my attention to a little rheumatic trouble in my ankle joint and a "crick’ like condition in my neck. I dismissed those tow minor disturbances. I said to him Doc you have not touched the outstanding ailment. He then wanted to know what it was. I replied that I did not know unless it was something like lassitude. He came back with something and had occasion to refer to Rome then was my chance and I said yes Rome burned while Nero fiddled. That brought the house down. Doc laughed heartily and replied that he had not been fiddling. Gracie and Oakley were down Wednesday. Have just read a letter from Helen, says Don is expecting a transfer from that Co. You have read Happy Chandler’s sell-out for a swimming pool. I expect to vote for his opponent John Young Brown. Will keep you advised when I get home. Am trying to scribble this at a great disadvantage in bed. Lovingly, Dad.

Ruth liked to talk about intellectual things that Daddy liked to hear. They would discuss a lot of things like that. Now Helen was a lot more down to earth. Helen had a great sense of humor. Ruth was always kind of reserved. [T11]

When Eugene became ill in his later years, he lay in a bed which they moved to the first floor in the dining room, and Leila recalls Mrs. E.B. Arnett stroking his hand as she took care of him there. [1024]

Eugene died July 28, 1950 at his home in Salyersville of cirrhosis of the liver. At the age of 77 yo alcohol had finally done him in! He had made out a will in 1924 as previously noted, but it was lost and not found until it or a copy surfaced in 1952 when the estate was probated. [The courthouse didn’t burn down until 1957] The will directed 1) that just debts be paid, 2) his Mason ring be given to Paul and 3) the property be distributed according to Ky Statutes of Descent and Distribution except that "Bernice’s share of the whole estate was to be augmented by an extra one sixth share of the whole estate, she being the youngest [as it turned out, though, she died in 1941, nine years before her father.] J. Oakley Arnett was appointed the Executor of the Last Will and Testament. The will was witnessed by W.J. Patrick and Grant Rice. [jwa-records]

During the years of her husband’s failing health she looked after him, and they set up a bed in the dining room on the first floor of their home. Eugene died July 28, 1950 of heart failure. During the funeral Lucy looked around nervously wondering if any of Eugene’s paramours would appear, but apparently none did, and the funeral and subsequent settlements of Eugene’s estate were concluded without incident.

On one or two occasions, according to comments she made to Paul’s Ruth, she’d discovered him with another lady when he was supposedly working at the store late at night. "I deserved better than that," she told Ruth. Before he’d married Julia Sublett, Eugene had fathered two children probably by a Josephine Patrick, but Daisy and Orion Henry were reared by Josephine and her subsequent husband Jim Henry. Nevertheless, Eugene’s father, H.G. saw fit to enter the names of Daisy’s and Orion’s children in his ledger as his "illegitimate" grandchildren--or wood’s colts as such were sometimes called in the mountains--and there are some ledger entries suggesting that H.G. or Eugene made attempts to assist with some child support. Such situations were known in the community but not openly talked about. Indeed, some "illegitimates" such as Charlie Sublett were well respected, and one of Charlie’s "woods colts" was allegedly an ancestor of a Governor of Ky. Alvin Arnett, a grandson of Eugene, called EB the "Squire of Magoffin County." Wendell knew Orion Henry, and that there was some scandal associated and that Eugene was likely his father. Walt didn’t remember Josephine Patrick and didn’t think that his mother knew of the situation with Orion. [1024]

Eugene Briton Arnett obituary in Salyersville Independent:

Eugene Briton Arnett, oldest child of Harris G. and Rebecca Arnett, was born at Hendricks in Magoffin County, Kentucky on March 26, 1873 and died at his home in Salyersville, July 28, 1950 at the age of 77 years 4 months and 2 days.  He received his education in the Magoffin county schools, Hazel Green Academy, and the old A&M College in Lexington, Kentucky. His early years were occupied in the teaching profession, and associated with his father in lumber and farming enterprises and the mercantile business. In 1901 he entered into the general merchandise business in Salyersville which he operated continuously until his retirement in 1944. In 1899 he was united in marriage with Julia Sublett, daughter of the late D.D. Sublett of Salyersville. To this union were born three children: Helen, J. Oakley, and Ruth. Julia passed away in 1907. He entered into marriage in 1910 with Lucy M. Jones, daughter of the late D.W. Jones of Tuscola, Illinois. To this marriage were born Paul J., Wendell, and Bernice. Mr. Arnett, a pioneer merchant, was engaged in business for over forty years in one location in Salyersville. He was well known an enjoyed an enviable reputation throughout this section of Kentucky. He was a member of the First Baptist Church, Past Master of the Salyersville Masonic Lodge, member of the Eastern Star, a 32^nd Degree Mason and a Shriner…..Eugene was buried in the Gardner Cemetery."

"I was two years old when daddy went down to Asheville to be with my mother, Julia, who was being treated for TB there. Oaks and Helen went down there also. They stayed there and I read a letter that somebody wrote about Oaks, and he said he missed by everybody in town. My mother said that she was so homesick that if she could just see a dog from home, she would be happier. She was lonely, sick with T.B., three little children to look after and daddy was gone all day, he had to go to the fruit place to keep books. Julia died July 7, 1907 when I was three." [Ruth]

Helen tells some funny stories about what happened in Asheville. On one occasion Momma sent Oaks and Helen to town, they evidently lived in walking distance to send children, they were sent to town to get some bread, and they got the bread, and I think they pinched on it all the way home. They didn't get home with much of it. But in the store of Mr. McConnell I think, Helen saw some luscious looking strawberries so she just took one. Oaks said, "Now, Helen you take it." She said, "All right, if you won't tell," She said, " 'pond your honor, you won't tell," and he "'pond" his honor. So he couldn't wait to get home and tell that Helen had stolen a strawberry. Dad tried to impress upon her the importance of not taking anything that didn't belong to her. He said, "Now you have to go back and tell Mr. McConnell that you stole a strawberry," and Helen said it about killed her. He gave her a penny, and I guess she called Mr. McConnell and told him that Helen was coming down there and said make her think it's serious. Evidently he did, these big brown eyes with tears rolling down, and he gave her some strawberries, he told her it was very bad to steal and everything but he would give her some strawberries. [Ruth]

Dad used to kid me; we would have company and he would say, "Ruth, where was it that you were burned." Well, one morning Dad was taking up the ashes in the grate and they said the grate was red hot and it looked like a little stool to me, and I still had on my little nightgown, so I just came and sat down on it. Said Daddy, "Get the medicine quick." He would tease me. [Ruth]

Daddy had been working in a fruit company in Asheville, NC. They said he was working for Mr. McConnell. They said that Mr. McConnell said that he had never seen such books as my father kept. Wendell, you were talking about them today, saying you wish you had those books, that they were like copy books. His printing was beautiful. He'd work on those books for hours. Helen has told me about funny stories about him. I had a letter that my mother wrote back to Aunt Rose, I sent it to Jean and it was a very nice letter telling about the prices. She said "Oh, the prices are so high here. Eggs are about 20 cents a dozen or something like that. Bread is maybe 15 cents a loaf. The water was so good and the climate was good. They took a colored girl with them to take care of me, Mert Gibson. My grandfather [Glenn] Sublett gave Mert to my mother [Julia] when she married. Mert, she stayed with me, I remember her well and I don't remember my own mother. But, I remember Mert, and Dad got rid of her because Aunt Rose told him that someone had reported that Mert was jerking me across ditches and things. That she would take me by the arm and jerk me and all. I took up for Mert and I said, no she never did. Mert never did jerk me, and she didn't [drag me across ditches.][Ruth]

"My mother [Julia] died [1907]at my Aunt's [Lizzie Sublett Atkinson] who lived in Harrodsburg; she was my mother's sister. My mother was so homesick that Dad said he'd take her home. They had to travel by train and they got as far as Harrodsburg and she died that night. I've always felt that she sort of willed herself to live so she could get back to Kentucky.)... Well, one time they were all sitting around at my grandmother's, Colonel Sublet's house, Daddy was sitting in that same leather chair you spoke of Wendell, and I was behind it, but they didn't know it. Aunt Lizzie [Atkinson] asked Daddy if she could have me, said "Now I can give her advantages that you can't possibly give her up in these Kentucky mountains," and said, "My children are much older, they will be leaving home soon and I would like to take Ruth." They said that I came crawling out, I crawled up in Daddy's lap and said, "Now Daddy, you wouldn't give me away now would you?" He said, "Honey, never as long as I live." When we were walking down the stairs, when Helen was getting married, he said, "Ruth, I can't ever give you away can I? I promised you back then I wouldn't." I don't remember anything about that. [Ruth]

I do remember Mert Gibson, and I remember my childhood after that. I remember staying at the store with my father. Dad was still a young man and you know, he said "You can take those two, but I'll keep the baby." He rigged up a room at the store, and I stayed in the back room at the store with him. We took our meals across the street at Plynie Patricks. I remember she made me a big rag doll and I thought it was great. Daddy would get a bolt of ribbon every Sunday and he would take it over to Plynie and tell her to tie it on my hair. He thought I ought to have a ribbon on my hair for Sunday school. I went to Sunday School every time I was growing up until he married again, which was the best thing he ever did. My Mother died in 1907, and I think it was 1910 when he remarried. Daddy was so anxious to get us all back together - and you know Helen was at Aunt Roses, and Oaks was over at Aunt Lula's [Sublett] so he tried to get us back in the house. He got the house back - we couldn't go to the house because it was rented and we had to wait until those people found a place and got out. [Ruth]

The old house that we lived in, it was built before the Civil War, and they said, and I guess it's the truth, that somebody that had lived there, it wasn't any of us, but somebody who had lived in that house killed a man on the stairway. One of the Yankees started up the stairs and she saw him coming and she crouched down and hit him over the head with a skillet, I don't know what she was doing with a skillet upstairs. She killed him with a skillet. Going up that stairway, there was the most beautiful lamp, I wish we would have saved it. It was beveled, it was a melon shape and there was a little wrought iron thing for a candle, that's how primitive it was, this little wrought iron had ivy and this ivy would go around that globe and it was on a chain. You had to go half way up the steps to get it, and you would pull the chain and it would come down and you could light the candle. It made a beautiful lamp. They said that old house was built before the Civil War. In the dining room there was a lamp that I'm sure was Tiffany. Looked like stained glass window. [Ruth]

Lucy Jones family lived in Bourbon, Douglas Co, Ill, and for that reason, the Arnett family didn’t have that many stories of their family. Research over the years, however, has disclosed much more information which will be uploaded in due time.  John Bell Jones was Daniel’s brother. He used to ride the big gray horse and was the sheriff of Pulaski county.

Lucy’s father was Daniel Webster Jones and was born in Somerset, KY. He owed a $600.00 note he had with his brother-in-law. He [his brother-in-law] never did make good on it. He had to pay $600.00 - so after he paid it off himself, he said, I'm going to leave this state and I'll never come back. [And he didn’t.] Mother [Lucy] was the oldest. Then there was Lillian, Aileen and one brother, Ivor. Ivor died at forty of a heart attack. They found him out feeding the hogs when he died. He married Aunt Jenny from Indianapolis; they never had any children. We were crazy about her. We'd go out there in the summer. Aunt Lillian never got married. She stayed right there in Tuscola. She kept house for her dad on the farm, a big farm there. Charles B. Taylor lived in Tuscola the town. He married Aileen Jones. They had two children, Lawrence and his sister, Martha. [Lawrence moved to Arizona and Martha lived in Chicago for awhile before moving to Deltona, Florida][Wendell]

Daniel Webster Jones used to have a storm buggy, pulled by horses. He had tractors on his farm, 348 acre farm, richest land in the United States there. When they sold that, they didn't know anything about the mineral rights, and they struck oil. It made us all very wealthy. They all wanted to sell out. Daddy went up there to help take care of the things. Daniel was a farmer, he raised corn. Paul and I went out there in the summer of 1937. Hoover was President. The railroad ran right through his farm, big trains coming from Chicago to New Orleans, came right through his farm. We'd wave to the Engineers as they'd go by. That was right near the Wabash. Came right down towards the Wabash river. There was Arcola, Tuscola and Bourbon all those right together. Used to tell a story about that guy on that train, this town next is Arcola and the next town Tuscola and this guy said, well I guess the next one is Coca Cola. [One day the train stopped on the farm and one of the brakemen on the train came up to Paul and Wendell and asked them for a drink. They ran into the house and brought back a large glass of milk.] [Wendell]

Aunt Lillian took Sally Gruelle’s place to take care of the house, cooking and everything.

I inherited a talent for drawing from my mother, whose mother [Sallie Gruelle Jones] was a Gruelle, a first [actually second] cousin of Johnny Gruelle who wrote and illustrated the Raggedy Ann books. My mother was born in Tuscola, Illinois, in Douglas County, where her father had a very large farm in the richest corn belt section of Illinois. [Wendell]

Lucy Jones was born Jan 8, 1879 in Bourbon, Ill about ten miles south of Tuscola. Her father, Daniel Webster Jones, was originally from Somerset, Ky; her mother, Sallie Gruelle, had been born in Ill, but their family had migrated there from Harrison Co, Ky. Lucy’s mother died (1893, 46yo) when she was nearly fifteen, and Lucy helped her dad rear her three younger siblings: Lillian (b.1881), Aileen (b.1883) and Ivor (b.1886). After Lucy left for college, Lillian who never married took care of her dad who died in 1930. Lucy had inherited some artistic ability from the Gruelle side of her family and was the second cousin of Johnny Gruelle, the originator of Raggedy Ann. Johnny’s father was an accomplished landscape painter and their family had lived for a few years in nearby Arcola, Ill., before moving to Indianapolis, IN. [John]

Lucy’s great uncle, Malden Jones who lived on the adjoining farm in Bourbon, was a State Legislator and strong Republican who had on at least one occasion entertained Abe Lincoln in his home during one of Abe’s trips to visit his parents in neighboring Coles Co, IL. In about 1893 Lucy accompanied Sen. Jones to Chattanooga, TN and assisted him in the dedication of a monument on the crest if Missionary Ridge memorializing the Illinois troops who had fought during the Civil War. [John]

She graduated from the public schools of Tuscola and Ohio Wesleyan University at Delaware, Ohio. In her graduating class was baseball's great man Branch Rickey [manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers during the 1947 season when Jackie Robinson became the first black baseball player in the modern era] and Homer Rhodeheaver, the gospel singer and musician with Billy Sunday. Mama had her heart and hopes set on becoming a missionary to China under the auspices of the China Inland Mission and spent two years at the Dwight L. Moody Bible Institute in Chicago in preparation for missionary work. However, her father [Daniel Webster Jones] was opposed to her becoming a missionary to China and she never got to do it. One of her closest friends at Ohio Wesleyan, Maude Muller, from Philadelphia, did go to China and served for many years as a missionary there. Mama kept up correspondence with her and there was always the desire in her heart to serve as a missionary herself. After her two years in Chicago, she taught elementary grades in the Tuscola, Ill school system for six years.[Wendell]

Newspaper item: "Sixty Years Ago: Members of the graduating class of 1899 at Tuscola High School were Ora Goff, Eva Dragoo, Lucy Jones, Alma Hansen, Maude Moon, and Mattie Gresamore. The senior year book was the ‘Studentana.’"

During her college days at Ohio Wesleyan, Lucy took a few art courses and did an excellent charcoal sketch of Sir Galahad which was displayed prominently in her granddaughter, Diane Miller’s home near San Francisco.

Doors have a way of opening for people who have their hearts set on something and when the door to China seemed closed, mama made application to teach at Magoffin Baptist Institute, a small denominational school which she had heard about in the eastern Kentucky mountains. Sensing this was to be where she would do her "missionary" work, mama accepted a teaching position for a new school in Eastern Kentucky which had just been started by the Home Mission Board of the SBC. In 1908 she packed her bags and settled in Salyersville and began teaching elementary grades at Magoffin Baptist Institute.

Magoffin Baptist Institute, founded in 1908, was a boarding school at Salyersville, Magoffin Co, Kentucky. It was one of several such schools operated by the Home Mission Board of the Southern Baptist Convention in Atlanta. Two of these schools were in Kentucky while others were in the North Carolina and Tennessee mountains. Dr. Brown, the superintendent and his assistant Dr. Crowe, both lived in Asheville, North Carolina and it was their job to oversee the schools and hire the teachers. The schools offered boys and girls in the remote sections of the mountains an opportunity to come and live in a boarding school and get a good education under Christian leadership and highly trained teachers. The public school of Salyersville at that time could not offer this kind of training because it did not have teachers as well trained as those at Magoffin Institute. The first principal and "founder" of the school was A.C. Harlowe, who brought my mother to be a one of the first teachers. Dr. Harlowe was from Virginia and had a decided Virginia accent. His son, Julian, whom my mother rocked as a baby, is now a dentist in Louisville, Kentucky, where I live. Following Dr. Harlowe as principal were Dr. Lambright of Savannah, Georgia. Dr. Tanner from North Carolina and Dr. Skinner from South Carolina. (Someone said that we should have had Dr. Skinner first so that he could "skin the pupils and then Dr. Tanner could tan them") The first graduate of M.B.I. was Nelson Howard.

Many of the teachers who came to teach in Magoffin Institute married local people and remained in the Kentucky mountains. This brought new blood into the area and it was often said facetiously that it was a good thing new blood did come into the mountains, since there was so much blood being let by the feuds! One of those who married and remained in Salyersville was my mother. In 1910 she married Eugene Britton Arnett, a local merchant whose first wife had died leaving three small children, Helen, Oakley and Ruth. As a stepmother Mama was moving into a situation that was not easy, but she was accepted and did a remarkable job. Later, three children were born to Daddy and my mother: Paul, Bernice and myself. During the remainder of their lives, no difference was ever shown in the two sets of children. My father died in 1950 after having been in the general merchandising business for fifty years. My mother died in 1960. [Wendell]

After her wedding in May 4, 1910 she discontinued her teaching career at the end of that school year and chose to devote herself to the rearing of three stepchildren and eventually three more of her own. She also taught in the Baptist church, assisted Eugene in the operation of his store, and looked after her daughter, Bernice, who had Downs Syndrome and died of heart failure Feb. 18, 1941. Though short in stature, she was revered for her saintly qualities by most in the town. Momma was good in mathematics or anything like that. She was a great help for daddy in the store. You know everything was a fraction, you know, measuring out women dresses, you know, Just a fraction of an inch on some of this stuff. I guess I would have been good at it but I just never applied myself. It just didn't appeal to me. Momma had the same feeling towards Helen and Ruth and Oak as she did toward me. I was her flesh and blood and the other children were Just as much her children as I was. They all liked her too. Oak would pour out his heart to her about lots of things. She would have been a great missionary. She had a great friend in Philadelphia who was influencing her at Ohio Wesleyan I guess. I guess she was disappointed that she never got to be a missionary at the time. But in a way she became a missionary to the mountains of Eastern Kentucky. [Wendell]

Ruth Schoppe wrote a letter to Wendell about some poetry that E.B. liked to quote:
"Dad liked that one too – I guess he had me memorize it for I know it – It goes like this:

As one who comes at evening
‘Ore an album all alone
And muses on the faces of the
Friends that he has known.

So I turn the leaves of fancy
‘Till in shadowy design
I see the smiling features of
That old Sweetheart of mine

The lamplight seems to flicker
With a glimmer of surprise
And I turn it low to rest me of
The dazzle in my eyes

I light my pipe in silence
Save a sigh that seems to yoke
Its fate with my tobacco and
To vanish with the smoke

For to dream the old dreams over
It’s a luxury divine
When my truant fancy wanders
With that old Sweetheart of mine.

Tis a fragrant retrospection
For the loving thoughts that
Start into being
Are like perfume from the
Blossoms of my heart

Etc etc etc –

I won’t quote it all but you remember that that old sweetheart was his wife." [Ruth]

Lucy was active with the Red Cross in both World Wars and a member of the Eastern Star.   She was especially faithful in attendance at the First Baptist Church where she taught a class, sometimes played the piano, and led the GA's (Girl's Auxiliary). Even though not an active teacher at Magoffin Baptist Institute she remained an active supporter of the school.

In 1921 Lucy wrote a letter to the WMU of Crescent Hill Baptist Church in Louisville asking for assistance:

Salyersville, Ky
July 9, ‘21
Dear Sisters,
We are coming to you with a matter which we hope you will consider.  Salyersville is a mountain village six miles from a railroad. Seventeen years ago the Home [Mission] Board [of the SBC] started a Mountain Mission School here. It is beautifully located on a slight elevation facing the winding Licking River. Dr. Brown showed much wisdom in his selection of a location. The people for the most part are financially unable to send their children away to school; the public schools are very inferior; yet the hope of the mountains lies in giving higher ideals to our youth. With help from the 75 million fund a new administration building is nearing completion. Two much needed dormitories will be erected in the next few years. But the furniture is in a dreadful condition. Two dozen mattresses, springs, bowls, pitchers, dining room chairs, blinds, and a cook stove are absolutely necessary if the students are to be comfortable next season. These articles can be moved into the new buildings.  There are no funds available for this purpose so our few faithful women have undertaken it for the summer. We must earn most we give so this with church obligations make a difficult task but we accept it gladly for we believe it well worthwhile. Many of these young people are above the average in native ability and should be given a chance.  I have been in close touch with the school for thirteen years – part of the time as a teacher and I am increasingly impressed with the importance of this work. The school is exerting a great influence for good in spite of inadequate equipment and buildings.  We thought you would be glad to help when you knew of the need. It is an opportunity to have a share in Kingdom building. Heaven alone will reveal the far reaching results.

Sincerely,
Mrs. E.B. Arnett
Ref –Rev. L.F. Caudill – Pastor; Mr. Geo. Carpenter, Pres. of bank.

The WMS minutes of CHBC of July 1921, reported that a letter was read from a lady in Salyersville who needed supplies for her mountain school. WMS made a motion to give up to $25 or goods amounting to that. The October minutes stated that bedsprings were sent to Salyersville and a not of thanks was extended to Mrs. T.W. Moran [Gaga Woodward’s grandmother] for paying the freight on the merchandise.[notes from CHBC history]

Letter from Lucy to Leila 1951 when Leila was in hospital during Elaine’s birth. Leila sent Lucy the copy of the hospital diet June 11, 1951. John and Mary Lou had been taken to Salyersville to stay there while Leila was recuperating.

Tuesday pm.
Dear Folks, The hospital must be on a more direct line as the letter you wrote yesterday came today. The children were delighted with their letters when Stanly brought them in. I am so glad that you are getting along so well. I hope you have plenty of milk for I believe you will save time and get more rest. I notice articles are advocating breast fed babies if it is possible. The children had a good time with Sheryl yesterday afternoon playing in the yard. Stanly is always afraid she will bother. She is a sweet little girl. She starts to school this fall. Don’t worry about John and Mary L. They are not a bit of trouble, and they hang to Barbara who is an experienced hand with children. I’m afraid we will have more rain before Earl finishes the garden. He missed a good day yesterday because he was sick. I am glad the sweater fit. If you will give me the color you want for M.L. I’ll make one for her to wear this fall. The worst of the garden work will soon be over and I like to have something to do when I am sitting around. The children are ready to go to the post office with Barbara to take this. I am like the children eager to see the baby. Go slow. Much love, Mama

Letter from Lillian Jones, Lucy’s sister, written from Villa Grove, Ill, where Lillian was a librarian:

Aug 5, 1956
Dear Ruth,
Have been planning to write since coming home, but was so tired and the heat have been too much. I want to thank you for your many kindnesses to me on my visit. It was such a joy to know you. Lucy is so proud of all you children as she has a good right to be. I wrote Lucy it was so nice to known such a charming person. Don’t get the big head. Ha. Haven’t heard form Lucy yet. Hope so much visiting was not too much for her. I know it was extra. With love and best wishes to you and Schoppe. Lillian.

August 6, 1956 letter from Lucy to Ruth and C.V. Schoppe:
Dear Folks,
I’m slow with a letter. Ruth, I’m so glad you reached Live Oak safely after that long trip. It was such a disappointment that you didn’t stay another week. You are a real boost to morale and it was good to have you here. I’m plugging on as usual – eating more vitamins and potassium, actually am drinking milk without the chocolate. So my weight should increase soon. Paul left on Friday noon. He had Martha making beds and Charles sweeping down the stairs all so afraid I would overdo. Rather thought Alvin and Nancy would get in Saturday night but there was a terrible storm about the time they would start and he hadn’t finished some work for Mr. Petry. Called Paul’s on Wednesday night , said he’d call before they started. Thursday night a bout seven here they came. Had rained so they couldn’t work and came on but had to leave next morning and spend the remainder of the day painting. I sent them out to see his grandmother, etc., while I got supper. Soon had it ready chicken from Saturday ready to fry, corn, mashed potatoes, tomatoes, called Warick for ice cream and cookies. After supper they went to Oakley for a little while. Alvin looks so well and Nancy looks better with her hair longer. She was dreading to leave her mother with so much to do. They were to start early this morning so are well on their way. Suppose they will be with you tomorrow night. She said that stopover and the visit with friends in n. Car. Was such a help to them. They had pictures of their home and it looks nice. I understood her to say sheets pillow cases and spreads were also furnished. She had been making curtains for the bedrooms. The Speaks left for Cumberland Falls this morning, will be back Wednesday night. Had a card from Lillian but no other information. Still haven’t heard from Helen. The Speaks had a letter from Don and the children were later than they expected getting out. Said they had heard from Gene and they had found a house and were then buying furniture. I hope they get what they want and not too expensive. Richmond is here this afternoon waging war on the weeds. Has one more evening to come late to avoid the sand hornets. Chas Caudill just bought me a letter from Helen. She says that their house is $100 per month reasonable in the city. Buying the furniture they absolutely need and can pay cash. I believe they are good managers. I hope your flowers continue to grow and since these went through so well, I’ll send more that you may want. Do you want any Jew? I never thought of that and there is an abundance of it. Psalms 121 is one of my favorites and that article is sensible, the lack of faith seems to be our big trouble. Thank you for sending the article, and all they other nice things you did while here. That chair is a real comfort. Those new recipes to me will b ea help. I just feel dreadful that you didn’t stay longer. I hope that Schoppe feels much better and that you both will feel rested when school starts. Tell your aunt that every on who comes in admires the napkin holders and I especially like it. So very much love and appreciation. 
Mama

Letter from Lucy about 1958:
Dear Leila and Wendell,
I was so glad to get all the notes and to know that you had such a happy Christmas. I am especially glad to know that John Wendell was able to go to Atlanta [aprox 1958, John (14yo) attended a Training Union Convention with David Graves…took the train from Louisville]. I know the trip meant a lot to him. We didn’t try to have turkey for Christmas. We’re just glad that Ruth was able to be home. But Diane thought there should be a turkey during the holidays, so she bought one of New Year’s. Can’t get any but frozen turkeys during the year here. I was thinking they could get them the year round in Louisville. I think Ruth is doing very well, but she keeps me uneasy for I think she overdoes. It will be three weeks tomorrow since the operation and she still has pain naturally. But she reaches etc which I think she shouldn’t do..a woman in today said she was exerting herself too much. See they used these steel stitches. She goes back for a check up the fifteenth and I hope she doesn’t have a set back before that time. The children started back to school this morning. It is hard for Jimmy to get down to studying again. Your children are certainly doing well. Elaine is sailing right along. I’ll send some Salyersville papers in a few days. Edith Prater is still alive. Had a card from Gracie written Friday at Bowling Green as she was on her way to Tennessee. Suppose that she will stay about two weeks. Then bring her father to Vo to get his cataract glasses. Think I told you that Dale Sublett died. Saw…… [rest of letter lost]