Ancestry Magazine

While searching for an obituary for Frank’s son at the Oklahoma History Center in Oklahoma City, I stumbled upon an article in the Wewoka Daily Times Democrat dated Sunday, 11 January 1931. The article was titled “Frank Grall, For 38 Years a Peace Officer, Retires From His Office.”

Our Frank’s life read like an old western movie. When Alfred was appointed marshal of Shawnee, Frank worked as a deputy. There was no jail, so the pair chopped down trees and built Shawnee’s first jailhouse with their own hands.

I am trying to find the cemetery for my ancestor. He was an Indian guide, scout, buffalo hunter, and courier for Lieutenant Baldwin and General Miles. There’s a newspaper story about him riding for help for a cavalry unit under attack, and he rode with Wyatt Earp and Marshall Wormwood to arrest Big Nose George Parrott. But I can’t find out where he is buried. Can you help?

These days people may look at what’s happening around the world, especially when it comes to politics and politicians, and shake their heads in dismay, if not outright despair. Well, the news may be bad, but the scandals are first-rate. Pope Gregory put sins—and the scandals they create—into seven categories 1,500 years ago: lust, gluttony, greed, sloth, wrath, envy, and pride. American politicians have been putting their own twists on the big seven for a mere 400 years, but that’s been long enough to create some really great scandals.

“In 1946, Robert Leroy White came to our little town with his USN buddy. I was 16 and dated Robert during the summer. When he left, he left his family photos. I have kept them all these years. I am now 77 years old.”

There was a certain wistfulness to Mary Lou’s submission that tugged at me. It seemed that Robert rode into town, made an impression, and then left—only to pass away far too young.

My head hurts, and it has every right to. I’ve just come up for air after trying to determine the king or queen of America. Yes, I know we have no monarchy. But for the purpose of my exercise, that’s really just a technicality.

Here’s why: George Washington, our first president, was once encouraged to become America’s first king instead. Washington wasn’t so keen on the idea. But for those among us who like to play historical what-ifs, this is a biggie. Who would be sitting on America’s throne today if Washington had been king?

We are interested in knowing the significance of historical events in your family history, and so are offering this counterfactual poll. The results will be included in an upcoming issue of Ancestry Magazine.

My great-great-grandfather has a medium mouth. At least, that’s what some Joe Schmoe wrote on his passport application in 1892. Actually, that Joe Schmoe’s name is Horatio Pickett, and he also said my grandfather had a large nose. His description for my great-great-grandfather’s face? Common. C’mon, Horatio. Now you’re just asking for it.

I found all this in the U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925 collection on Ancestry.com.