Published: February 15, 2008 04:47 pm            

Kansas resident searches for Berry, Odum ancestors in Parker County area

By Evlyn Broumley, Genealogy

Query 2008-4

I am still researching the BERRY family that lived in the Smith Valley area in southern Parker County near the Brazos River. The Parker County history books say that he was hauling pumpkins in Smith Valley in September 1864 when he was attacked, scalped and killed by the Indians. It is also noted that Mr. BERRY was the son-in-law of Olen ODUM. We believe this man was Robert Wilson BERRY who was married to Meda ODUM, the daughter of Olen ODUM and were my husband’s great-grandparents. Meda ODUM BERRY takes her children to Hill County, Texas, after losing her husband. I would like to have any information from any sources about the Indian attack, or the BERRY and ODUM families.

Mrs. Sam Berry, 312 Victor Avenue, Scott City, KS 67871.



From the past

Items from the WEEKLY EXPONENT, Saturday, March 29, 1879:

“Springtown Scraps by Bum Fuzzler.

“The Harrison’s flouring mill is in full blast, running day and night and making the best turnouts in quantity and quality of any mill in the country.

“We have a neighborhood northeast of Springtown known as ‘Terrapin Neck’; and every man, woman, boy and girl in it can play the fiddle. When a traveler wants to stay all night they hand him the fiddle, and if he plays it, he stays for nothing and is one of them. But if he cannot play, he can’t stay for neither love or money.

“The man who was found in Springtown some time ago, nearly smothered to death from bleeding lungs, and for who J.S. Matlock made up money to get him to his friends, turned out to be the Master Tramp of America, a fraud and imposter. When he left Springtown, he went to Cottondale where he got on a big drunk and was flashing money. Squire Banks recognized him, and his name is Seymour.

“Judiaville Jottings by Rusty Cuss.

“Our Dry Creek farmers are busy with their farm work, some corn planted some time ago, was nipped by the last cold spell.

“We have a new school now in session at the Dry Creek schoolhouse, under the supervision of Professor E.J. Flynn.

“Bro. Clark, of Thorp Springs, preaches for us at the Dry Creek schoolhouse, once a month, the third Lord’s Day. Bro. Stewart has been preaching once a month, on the fourth Lord’s Day.

“There have been several deaths since we last reported. The wife of Bro. Hasle, the wife of Mr. Rea, the wife of Mr. Cooke, and a few children, our sympathies to all.

“Mr. Rea has sold out his improvements to a Mr. Collins, and is going to start to the southern portion of the State.

“We are to have a post office before long at J.F. Judia’s store, to be called Judiaville, probably.”

More anon.

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Evlyn Broumley’s column, “Kissin’ Kin,” appears Sundays in the Lifestyles section. Send inquires to Evlyn Broumley, 3802 Lake Shore Drive, Weatherford, TX 76087 or email www.evlynbroum@ prodigy.net.

        

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