Update: Leonard Sims

I orginally posted in June 2010 Leonard Sims' headstone.

This week I recieved an email from Lawana whos great uncle was Leonard Sims.  She was so kind to provide the following information.

Leonard Sims was from Mountainburg, Arkansas and he purchased and operated the Silver King Saloon in Shawnee, OK. Leonard, Anne Long and her mother, Eula Long were having dinner when Charles McKnight came in and started cussing. This made Leonard very mad because you just didn't do that around women in 1901. Later on that night, about 11 p.m. he went to confront McKnight at the Betts Saloon where he was a Faro dealer. Sims attacked McKnight with a knife slashing him across the arm. McKnight drew a revolver, Sims grabbed it but Mcknight was able to pull the trigger. The shot passed through Sims' hand and struck James Hufstedler in the heart, killing him. Mcknight was able to free the gun from Sims and fired a second time. This shot struck Sims over the left eye killing him.

Lawana's grandfather Jesse, Leonard's brother, was there and saw the fight. Leonard was going to make him a partner at the Silver King Saloon in February when he turn 18. Jesse put Leonard's body on a train to be sent back to Arkansas. But he did not return with the body. Their father, Benjamin, and two other family members traveled to Shawnee and sold everything leaving Jesse out complete. After Mcknight was tired in court and acquitted the Sims family stood by watching one stormy night and just as lightning struck Jesse said "There is that son-of-bitch."  And with tears on his checks he made a sign of cutting from ear to ear. 

I was able to find the following information on http://www.ancestry.com/.

Information for Leonard Sims.

1880 United States Federal Census about Leonard Sims

Name: Leonard Sims
Home in 1880: Upper, Crawford, Arkansas
Age: 2
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1878
Birthplace: Arkansas
Relation to Head of Household: Son
Father's Name: Benjamin Sims
Father's birthplace: Missouri
Mother's Name: Rachel Sims
Mother's birthplace: Alabama
Occupation: At Home
Marital Status: Single
Race: White
Gender: Male
Household Members: Name Age
Benjamin Sims   45
Rachel Sims   29
Jane Sims  11
William Sims   9
Laura A. Sims   7
Martha A. Sims   5
Leonard Sims   2

1900 United States Federal Census about Leonard H Simms
Name: Leonard H Simms
Home in 1900: Shawnee, Pottawatomie, Oklahoma
Age: 21
Birth Date: Nov 1878
Birthplace: Arkansas
Race: White
Gender: Male
Relationship to head-of-house: Bar Keep
Father's Birthplace: California
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Marital Status: Single
Household Members: Name Age
Vol E Sayers   38
Harry Dreyfus   27
James Christopher   10
Charlie Mazzio   50
Henry Flynn   Unkn
Idella Gales   Unkn
May Brotherton   24
Lou Bullad   22
Frank Rhodes   Unkn
Walter L Dilworth   Unkn
A A Keappler   Unkn
William F Hanna   Unkn
William Irwin   Unkn
Leonard H Simms   21

Information for Charles McKnight.

1930 United States Federal Census about Charles P Mcknight

Name: Charles P Mcknight
Home in 1930: Shawnee, Pottawatomie, Oklahoma
Age: 52
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1878
Birthplace: Texas
Relation to Head of House: Head
Spouse's Name: Eula B Mcknight
Race: White
Household Members: Name Age
Charles P Mcknight   52
Eula B Mcknight  44

1920 United States Federal Census about Charles V Mcknight

Name: Charles V Mcknight
[Charles V Mc Knight]
[Charles P Mcknight]
Home in 1920: Shawnee Ward 2, Pottawatomie, Oklahoma
Age: 42
Estimated Birth Year: abt 1878
Birthplace: Texas
Relation to Head of House: Self (Head)
[Head]
Spouse's Name: Eula B Mcknight
Father's Birth Place: Arkansas
Mother's Birth Place: Arkansas
Marital Status: Married
Race: White
Sex: Male
Home owned: Own
Able to read: Yes
Able to Write: Yes
Household Members: Name Age
Charles V Mcknight   42
Eula B Mcknight   38
Morris C Mcknight   14

World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918 about Charles Parks Mcknight
Name: Charles Parks Mcknight
County: Pottawatomie
State: Oklahoma
Birth Date: 1 Sep 1876
Race: White
FHL Roll Number: 1852124
DraftBoard: 0

The Mills Family

I am posting these because I think the daughters name is one of the most unique ones I have found.  And wanted to know what are some of the most interesting names you have come across.

Located at Hall Cemetery in Natural Dam, AR.

Icypheny A

Dau of

C. & S. Mills

Died

May 10, 1874

Aged

19 yrs 3ms 21 ds

__

Weep not for Icepheny

Her gentle spirits fled

Caswill

Mills

Died

Aug 24, 1875

Aged

62 ys 10 ms 12 ds

Sarah

Wife of

Rev. C. Mills

Died 

Dec 14, 1888

Aged

70 ys 11 ms 7 ds

Soldier Epitaph

Located at Hall Cemetery in Natural Dam, AR

Co. D. 70th Inf. U.S.A.

Troy

Son of

E.O. - J. Routh

Mar 22, 1896

Oct 6, 1918

__

He left his home in perfect health

He looked so young and brave.

We little thought for how soon he'd

be laid in a soldier's grave.

Proud Of Your Job

Located at Hall Cemetery in Natural Dam, AR.

Beloved Father, Son & Friend

William H. "Billy"

England, Jr.

Sept 28, 1957

Aug 6, 2004

Information below was found on Find-A-Grave.

William H. "Billy" England, Jr, 46, of Gilroy, California died Friday August 6, 2004, in Gilroy. He was a transfer driver for Granite Construction, formerly with Don Chapin Co. and Ketih Day Trucking, and graduated from North Salinas High School, class of 1975.

Graveside service was held at 2 p.m. Saturday at Hall Cemetery Arbor in Natural Dam, Arkansas under the direction of Ocker Funeral Home of Van Buren.

He is survived by his wife, a daughter, a son, his parents, three sisters, and a brother.

Memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 1475 Bascom Avenue, Suite 103, Campbell, CA 95008.

An Interesting Bird

Not sure if this is an eagle, dove or pelican. But I thought it was interesting.

Located at Hall Cemetery in Natural Dam, AR.

James H

Son of J.H. & D. Carver

Born

May 11, 1873

Died

Nov 28, 1892

He is at rest in Heaven.

Damaged Caused by Abrasive

This is what improper cleaning can do to a headstone.  So before anyone clean a headstone please do a little research first.

Located at Salem Cemetery in Cedarville, AR.

Mary L. Riddle

Tedwell

Aug 9, 1902

Nov 17, 1924

Note: I believe her last name should be Tidwell.  She was next to a number of other markers with the last name of Tidwell.

Here is a good article about cleaning from The Association of Gravestone Studies.

"Review and Evaluation of Selected Brand Name Materials for Cleaning Gravestones" by Tracy C. Walther- Architectural Conservator.

Lovely Design

I believe this is one of the best designs I have seen incorperating an Order of Eastern Star emblem.

Not to mention how well it has held up.

Located at Salem Cemetery in Cedarville, AR.

Martha Ellen

Wife of

C.T. Snead

Born

Aug 16, 1857

Died

Jan 23, 1912



They Used Their Rocks

If you are unfamiliar with the Crawford County area in Arkansas, I will tell you this they sure can grow the rocks.  And since the rocks are readily available the sure used them.  I found more field stone markers and rock cairn in the few cemeteries I have visited the any other place I've been.

Located at Salem Cemetery in Cedarville, AR.

Resident is unknown. In the style of a cradle grave.

 Residents unknown. In the style of Rock Cairns.

 Residents unknown. In the style of Rock Cairns.

Resident unknown. In the style of a comb grave.

In the Style of a slot and tab grave.

Melvin G

Son of J & A. Speir

Born

Dec 30, 1856

Died

Sept 27, 1870

Orbs? Ghost? I wonder...

Located at Chester Cemetery in Chester, AR.

This was the only photo out of 200+ photos I took at this cemetery that theses orbs showed up.  It can not possibly be dust because it had just finished raining and everything was wet. So I wonder what it is.

James Nathan Cradduck

Dec 29, 1878

Nov 14, 1943

How Odd

Located at Chester Cemetery in Chester, AR.

I wonder if this person's last name was "X"  or if this is saying X marks the spot.

I Find This Sad

Guss Brown

1879 - 1937

I always think "how sad" when I see one of these place markers for someone that has never had a marker to replace it.  This one has been in since 1937.  Wonder why no one gave him a proper marker? But at least he has a great spot under a nice big tree.

A Mother And Her Children

Located at Gill Cemetery in Van Buren, AR.

Mother

Ollie Irvin

1872 - 1914

She is the only one in this grouping that had a name on the stone the rest just had dates.  Sadly they were all children.

War of 1812 Veteran & Vinet Fine's Son

Located at Newberry Cemetery in Alma, AR.

This Cenotph is located next to Vinet Fine's marker.

William Fine

1781 - 1865

Wed Apr 2, 1807

Catherine Fine

1791 - 1881

Buried in Greenland Ark

Catherine (Sivley) Fine

Daughter of

Jacob Sivley

And

Alsey Sivley

William Fine

Son of Vinet Fine

Born New Market Virginia 1781

Veteran War of 1812

Settled Fayetteville Ark 1828

Father of Johnathon Fine First

Settler at Fine Springs.

American Revolution Veteran - Vinet Fine

This is My first Revolution War Veteran. I was so excited to find him even if it is a Cenotaph.

Located at Newberry Cemetery in Alma, AR.

Vinet Fine

1755 - 1783

Veteran

American Revolution

1776 - 1781

Born in Virginia 1755, son of Phillip Peter Fine. Both fought along with 4 of Vinet's brothers in the American Revolution 1776-1781. Descendants of Dutch Settlers New York (New Netherland at the time 1609- 1664) Vinet and brothers moved to Newport, Tenn. 1781 where Vinet was killed by indians 1783. His body was placed under ice in what is now Fines Creek North Carolina. His body was not recovered and he never had a proper burial. This monument was erected in his memory. He is ancestor to all Fines and all Fine relatives in this cemetery.

Shibley's Old Cedars

These beautiful cradle graves are located at Gill Cemetery in Van Buren, AR.

Eliza A. M.
Wife of
Henry Shibley
Born near Frankford, KY
Oct 12, 1818
Died in Van Buren, Ark
Apr 12, 1883
Aged
64 Yrs 6 Mos

Henry
Shibley
Born
Dec 1, 1815
Died
Sept 22, 1902
Aged 87 Yrs

They are located beneath a group of wonderful old cedar trees. I was so pleased to find this sign nailed to the tree directly behind Eliza's headstone. What a wonderful tribute to his wife.

Theses Cedars were
planted Jan 1, 1891
by Henry Shibley and family.
(There is a bit more to the sign but I can't make it out.)

Return visit: More information on Legend Says...

I have found some more information to a previous post I made and thought I would share it.  I have always found local folklore interesting.  And this one is interesting as well.

Original Post - Legend says...

Follow up information.

Hope you enjoy the information.

Who was murdered by ...

(Located at Basham Cemetery in Mountainburg, AR.)

Leonard H.

Son of

B.F. & R.E. Sims

Killed

Dec. 28, 1901

Aged

24 y's 1 MO.21D.

In loving memory of our beloved son. Who was murdered by a traitor and coward, whose name is not worthy to appear here.

(Unable to read the lower part of the stone)

Upon researching the name here is what I was able to find.

Perry Journal, Oklahoma, 26 Dec 1901: Chas McKnight, a gambler of Shawnee, shot and killed Leonard Sims and J.C. Hufstedler last Saturday night at Shawnee. Sims attacked McKnight with a knife when the latter drew a revolver and fired, the first shot killing Hufstedler, who was an innocent bystander. The second shot killed Sims. Self defense will be the plea of McKnight. It is said the quarrel started over a woman.

An interesting little tidbit of information, This epitaph is also on Jesse James' headstone.

I emailed the historical society in the area trying to find any other information but have had no response.

Update

http://escapetothesilentcities.blogspot.com/2011/09/update-leonard-sims.html

"Killed by Accident"

This is the oldest marked grave at Love Cemetery. Sadly the stone had to be replaced with an exact duplicate because of vandalism in 1995.

(Located at Love Cemetery in Dean Springs, AR)

Moses

Husb. of

Elizabeth Ford

Killed on Mill Creek

through mistake

Apr. 23, 1870

Aged

45 Years

Legend says...

I found this grave at Fairview Cemetery in Van Buren, AR.