Update: Joplin - Neosho Train Crash

Back in May of 2010 I posted a blog on the Joplin - Neosho Train Crash featuring the memorial I found that listed only 15 of the 43 people that perished in the accident.  I set out to see if I could find all the names of the victims and any additional information.  I am happy to say I was able to find 31 of the 43 victims and some additional info.

From Railway age gazette, Volume 57

The following is from The Railroad trainman, Volume 31 By Brotherhood of Railroad Trainmen

Unusual Cause of Death - Run Away Mules

Located at Elm Springs Cemetery in Neosho, MO.

Benton Elam

1865 - 1924 

Cause of death: Team mules running away he became entangled in the lines neck broken
Death Certificate located at Missouri Digital Heritage.

Raupp Monument

Located at Pierce City Cemetery in Pierce City, MO.

Luise

Wife of

C.A. Raupp

Born Dec 21, 1848

Died Mar 16, 1886

From "A Reprint of Goodspeed's 1888 History of Lawrence County; Reprint Lawrence County Section of Goodspeed's Newton, Lawrence, Barry And McDonald Counties History; published by the Goodspeed Publishing Co., in 1888; Reprinted by Litho Printers Of Cassville, Missouri In 1973." as transcribed by JJR.

Pages 246-247:

C. A. RAUPP, furniture dealer and undertaker, and manufacturer of lime at Peirce City, Mo., was born in Baden, Germany, May 4, 1845. His parents, G. F. and Elizabeth RAUPP, were born in Germany also, and were the parents of ten children. C. A. Raupp was educated in Baden, and there learned the cabinet maker's trade. At the age of twenty-one he came to the United States and settled in Cumberland, Md., but afterward located in Sandusky, Ohio, where he married Louise SEUFERT, October 5, 1867. She was also born in Baden. After his marriage he moved to Peirce City, Mo., and engaged in his present business. February 10, 1879, he began manufacturing lime, his kilns having a capacity of 250 barrels every twenty-four hours. He is one of the progressive and enterprising citizens of the county, and takes great interest in educational matters. He has been secretary of the school board for five years, and is a well-informed and well-to-do citizen. He has the pioneer furniture house of Peirce City, which is yielding him a lucrative competency. He has three children: William, Clara and Nellie

Killed In Battle

Located at the I.O.O.F Cemetery in Monett, MO.

Russell L. Hobbs

Born Feb 23, 1895

Killed In Battle

Oct 5, 1918 

1st Div. 5th  F  A

Bat. A  A.E.F.

1917 - 1918

Sommerville Sector

Ansonville Sector

Montdidier Sector

Cantigny

Soissons

2nd Battle Of The Marne

St. Mihiel

Argonne & Meuse

He is listed under Privates on http://genealogytrails.com/mo/military_ww1_soldiersofgreatwar.htm

The Bright Murders

I have been trying to find information on this sad story for some time but have been unable to find much.  The following is all I have found.  If you have any info you would like to add about this post please feel free to either post a comment or if you wish to remain anonymous email me at nailgal123@gmail.com. To protect the privacy of the living, any person named, will not be posted unless there is a specific document or web link that can be cited. I'm more interested in the story then at pointing fingers.

*****

Information from Find-A-Grave.

Bobby was shot to death along with his sister, Carol, and his mother, Jewell, by his own brother. He was the son of Earl and Jewel Bright, and was born in Bentonville, AR. After killing his mother, brother and sister, the 12-year-old sibling shot himself in the left side of his chest. He survived. The boy told authorities that he became angry when his mother ordered him to go out and round up the cattle. (His father was hospitalized at this time, having been injured in a farming accident). Bobby was survived by his father, Earl; his grandfather, Robert L. McGaugh of Springdale, AR; two uncles, John V. and Melvin L. McGaugh of Springdale; and an aunt, Mrs. Dorothy Rivers of Chattanooga, TN.

Located at Hart Cemetery in Bentonville, AR.

Mother

Jewell Irene

Bright

Oct 11, 1922 - Nov 26, 1957

Son

Bobby Don

Bright

Jan 18, 1955 - Nov 26, 1957

Daughter

Carol Lynn

Bright

Jan 28, 1953 - Nov 26, 1957

***************

Thank you LaDonna for sending me the following newspaper clips.

Date: 1957-11-26  Paper: Marietta Journal  http://www.genealogybank.com/ 

Date: 1957-11-27; Paper: Oregonian http://www.genealogybank.com/

Update:

http://escapetothesilentcities.blogspot.com/2011/07/update-bright-murders.html

Guardian Angel

Located at Elmwood Cemetery in Wagoner, OK.

Jeraldine Lenora

Odom

July 19, 1922

Nov 9, 1963

Mistaken For A Burglar

Located at Elmwood Cemetery in Wagoner, OK.

M.I. Price

Born

June 21, 1834

Died

Jan 9, 1917

Aged 83 Years

Gone but not forgotten

A precious one from us has gone

A voice we loved is stilled

A place is vacant in our home

Which never can be filled

M. I. Price, the aged father of our well known citizen, Mose Price, was shot and instantly killed at about four o'clock Tuesday morning, January 9, 1917, by Ralph Herndon, who lives with his mother across the street from the Price home on west Cherokee. The old gentleman would frequently get up in the night, but the family always watched him very carefully.

He was an early riser and would always insist on helping do the chores and never failed to milk at least one cow notwithstanding his advanced age of 83 years.

He had arisen between two and three o'clock that morning and was dressed when his son Mose awoke. The father insisted that it was chore time, but Mose convinced him that it was only the moon making it light and got him back to bed. After a half hour Mose fell asleep and again the father got up and dressed and slipped out without anyone hearing him.

After leaving the home, he must have become bewildered and wandered over to the Herndon home, when at five he shook the back door trying to get in, thinking, no doubt, he was at the door of his own home.

Thinking a burglar was at the door the boy called several times to know who was there, but no answer came, but the door knob kept shaking, the boy pulled the trigger of a big revolver and shot through the door, the bullet passing though the aged man's heart. He cried, "My God" and fell dead.

Mr. Price was born in Kentucky 83 years ago. He was born June 21, 1834. His wife died several years ago, but he left eight children, five boys and three girls, most of whom live in Colorado. Funeral services were held Wednesday afternoon, conducted by Rev. Jamison of the Baptist Church and the body was laid to rest in Elmwood Cemetery.

It was a sad death of a fine old gentleman and the son Mose Price and family have the sympathy of many kind friends and neighbors. (Obit found at www.Findagrave.com)