Notes
Note N280 Index
He was killed April 2, 1862. His mother, Dempsey, had a strong premonition that he was dead and sent a Negro slave named Dan Sanders for his body. She accompanied old Dan and returned with Siguer's body and had it interred in the Calcote family cemetery in Lincoln County, Ms.
Siguer was killed the day before the Battle of Shilo. Frank Calcote has a photograph of the young Siguer.
Notes
Note N281 Index
Moved to New Orleans about 1896.
Notes
Note N282 Index
Denton County is just south of Cooke County, where the Rileys lived. Pilot Point in Denton County is just across the county line. It would appear that the Rileys lived in southern Cooke County on the other side, with Pilot Point the nearest "metropolitan" area.
The tree posted by Robin Sloan gives his birthdate as 12 December 1817. I do not know the primary source for this date, but I suspect it may be in the Edmund Eitel papers from the Indiana Historical Society. It is consistent with his reported age of 62 in the 1880 census. But it does not agree with the dates Mr. Skiles found on his tombstone.
Bob Skiles writes, "Dr. John S. Riley died in 1915 at the age of 101 years, six months, and was buried at Jones Cemetery; Dr. Riley's footstone was a military marker indicating that he served in Co. G of Wall's Texas Legion, C. S. A.; Dr. Riley's wife Martha Ann [266] and a daughter, Florence B. [227] were also interred at Jones Cemetery. The numbers in brackets are the grave reference numbers assigned by the Corps of Engineers Burial Relocation Division and appear in their report (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 1986)."
From the Pilot Point Post-Signal, 28 Jun 1907:
Dr. Riley at Sulphur, I.T.
-- Sulphur, I.T. [Indian Territory, now Oklahoma] June 25 -- Dr. J. S. Riley, uncle of James Whitcomb Riley and father of Rev. J. S. Riley, pastor of the Methodist church of this city, is resting and recreating at this resort.
Though ninety-two years old, the Doctor has a heavy head of hair, iron gray, and as long as poets wear it. Even on the crown of his classical head there is no sign of baldness. Dr. Riley is a man of powerful build. Was a lion in strength. He is scholarly and literary. Can quote the bible from beginning to end and can repeat from memory much of Shakespeare.
The doctor, like his famous nephew, is a natural born poet. While he has written many poems, he has not made the writing of poetry a profession.
He is a farmer and lives near Pilot Point, Texas, on an estate purchased and improved by him over forty years ago. He has the manner and speech of poets, and his prose writings are peculiarly phrased. Wrote an able article this week on the Platt Park and its beauties and springs.
The aged Doctor's erect and commanding appearance elicits many inquiries from health and pleasure seekers when he appears on the streets or at the springs in the reservation. Takes an active interest in the events of the day. Has been a democrat from the formation of the party. He is anxious to hear [William Jennings] Bryan tomorrow at the opening of the Epworth League Chautauqua, and the new State's democratic leaders who will speak here at the great political "gabfest" on the 4th of July.
Notes
Note N283 Index
Family tradition has it that Tom Short was murdered by a man named Doak Shepard who came to Franklin County, Miss. from Louisiana with Harrison Calcote. It was rumored that Doak was stealing a mule and Short followed him. A posse caught and killed Doak in the woods near McCall Creek.
(Letters written by Thomas R. Short; compiled by Janet Anderson)
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May 23rd, 1852 ?
Mrs. Mary C. Wilkinson
Dear Sister it is with the greatest pleasure that I attempt to address you a few lines to let you no that I am well and as fat as a bear. This has been some little sickness up hear this season and a deaths the flu and scarlet fever is the principle disseases. Thomas has been very low for the last two weeks with the inflamation of the liver tho he is getting well at this time. They sent for me and I went up and staid three or four days with him. I think if he does not get any backset he will get well. Tell Cage that I have the prettiest crops he ever seen. I am now done scraping cotton and is laying by corn and hilling cotton. I live very easy every thing get along just clockwork. Dr. Dodds has just got home from taking a pleasure trip up in the kinder County ? And him and Mrs. Dodds is going to start to Tennssee next Monday morning and I will be left alone for about two or three months. For that reason I can not come down on the fourth of July unless I can hire an overseer in the my place untill I get back And think that a very dificult job but if I can hire any one untill I can go down I will be down about the second day of July if nothing happens. I suppose you all was very mad because I got that ambertype when I was down last. I want you to wright to me and tell me all about it and tell the girls if they want to hear from me they must wright to me and they will soon hear from me. All so tell Frank to wright to me and to come to see me while Dr. Dodds gone for I will be very lonesome. I forgot to tell you that I have an old maid to stay with me in my lonly hours.
Thos. R. Short
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State of Miss. Franklin County Sept. 24th, 1856
Dear Cage:
I received your letter of August last which gave me much pleasure to hear from you all and to hear that you was all so well. We are all well at this time and doing as well as common. I am picking over my cotton the fourth time and I have a great deal open at this time I was at Meadville lkast week during Circuit Cout. I staid there 2 days and one night. The man by the name of price was sentenced to the Penetentuary for 5 years and one negro belong to right Seals was whippped and branded in the hand with a cross. I expect to start to Natchez next Wednesday morning. I can not tell when I will be down on you neighborhood. I wish you would attend to that note that berry hill holds against me and do not let them sue me. Tet the money from Aunt Em and pay the note. I will try and come down before long and see that (big fat gal) of your that is named Thos. Jefferson. Give my respect to all inquiring friend and connerson and the same to yourself and Mary. I head that Miss Nancy Short has lasorted? At Nelson McMamards last week. I expect they have another blowup. I received a letter from pa last week he rote very little nothing concerning his wife he has left C. N. Kansas and I do not know where he has gone he wrote that he was in bad health. I hope there will be some peace for that old man some day but it is not now. I was at the thradles? At a quilting and a frolic they danced hard?from the tomb? You and Mary must come up and see me as soon as you can come up and see me. I have a good pack of hounds. I kill a deer every noiw and then. I have aper fawn that we caught in the field. Give my respects and Mahala's to your father and all of his family. Mahala send her love to you Mary and the little gal. Excuse my short letter for the male rider is waiting. Nothing more at present.
Thos. R. Short
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Friendship, MS Feb. 1st, 1858
Dear Cage,
I received your kind and interesting letter yesterday which I perused with much care to get all the news from all Amite? and I hope it will not be the last time that I will have the pleasure of receiving a letter from you. I will acknowledge it has been some time since I have rote you a letter but it was not because I did not want to write but is so as because I just put off for one time to another till I did not write at all but I will try to be a better boy and write often. I am still in the same place and still am getting the same wages I got last year $650. We had another child come the 19th of November. It is a very fine girl but is the crossed child that I have saw–it is getting a little better, it does not cry so much now. Mahala has been in a bad health but her health is improving. It is very good at the present. Mother and Francis is even Francis can talk very plain now.
I went down to New Orleans on the 7th of January last - it would take me all night to tell you all the curiosities that I saw while I was in the City. Come and see me and I will tell you all I have not time to write it. On the money I owe you I will have to beg indulgence on it a little longer. I hope you are not needing it at the present. If you are needing of the money borry it and I will pay the interest on it. Tell James and don they must come and see Uncle Tome and their little cousins and pull them in their little wagon that I bought them when I was down in the city. I am glad to hear of so many weddings. I think Miss Jane and Herbert/Short played a strong game on them and success to them hoping they will do well together. We have but few weddings up with us. Gus? Calcote and Miss May Lambright ---------in December last. George is at Mr. Dodds overseeing he'll get $300.00 for the year - he was up here yesterday in good health and spirit I don't think he will be down soon. Here is our love to you and Mary and all the children. Give my best respects to your father and mother and their family, give my to grandfather Perkinson if you see him. I am afraid I will not see him alive again. The same to Aunt Emilin's family, Uncle Decatur and all the rest. Mother sends her respects too, and Mary, and told me to write to you and Mary to come and see us. Your brother, Thos. R. Short
PS: I will start 13 plow's to plowing for corn this week. I am through planting oats. I can not tell when I will be down - I sow corn as soon as I can. adiez TRShort
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State of Miss, Franklin Co. Feb 26th, 1859
Dear Cag
We received the little present that Mary send to your little pets Francis is old enough to speak for herself. She said that she like her Aunt Mary because she sent her a pair of little stockings. Martha is not old enough to thank you but she is very fond of her stockings. Every one that has seen the stockings say's that they are the finest that they ever saw. Mahala and her Mother is gone to church today and I am at home and I will try to scratch you a few lines. I have been sick for 10 days, cold and fever. I am not able to get about today. I am very lonesome I am getting along slowly in the way of farming. I have furrowed the most of my cotton land up and plowed 3 dayes for corn. I will hope? to go again on Tuesday next. I hope I will get through –etped to go down to New Orleans a few days it has laned to much up her to do any thing. We have some weddings. Anons Lofton's boy Zac married a few dayes ago to a Miss Tarber. He is about 17 years old and she is about 23.
I received the receipt for the old gentleman which I have filed carefully —had bring your mare up and leave her so she can get to sleep with Bricken. I think it will be good for her health. I can't tell when I can come down, not before next fair you must come and bring Mary and the children whenever you can get the chance.
Breckinridge will start out on his circuit the first day of March. I am in hopes that he will do a good business. I must come to a close. Give my respect to all. Mahala & Mother send their respects too and family. I am too sick I can't write any more. Write soon Thos R. Short
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State of Miss Franklin Co. 9th of May ______
Dear Sister
I received your letter and read it with great satisfaction. It found me enjoying good health. We have some very good weather for killing grass - the weather is very dry and warm at this time. I would like to see a shower about now we are needing rain very bad. I am getting along with mu crop very well. II have got it in good fix and it looks well concidering the spring?.
Times is very dull up here. I was up to brothers day before yesterday. They are all well but ?Vooy, she has been sick about two weeks but not dangerous. Brother has got a good crop. Mary (?) You and Cage must come up to Aunt Emil's and bring the boys. Me and Brother and sis will be down on the 3rd of July. I want you to meet us their. May (Mary) you must look over my bad spelling and wrighting for there is a yong lady here and she is bothering my mind. Give my best to Frank and tell him their has two wedding up here last week. Tell him that I have quit the girls and took the plow handles. No more at present but remain
Your brother Tn Short,
Geo, T, Short
===========================
-18 1861
Mr Micajah Wilkinson
Dear Brother
I received your very kind letter a few days since. I have concluded to answer it today. The family is all well at present - but little son he has been puny for a few dayes. Mahala was sick last week but she is up and about now. There is not much news up here to write to you. Celia is to be married to morrow night to one of the Williams Vaughn negro men. There has been a great deal of sickness up here mostly fever . You wrote to me that George read the letter that I wrote to you and that letter contained something in it about George . You will oblige me if you will send the letter back to me by next mail for I have forgot what I did write in it about Georg but I know one thing I did not write anything but the truth. George insinuated up here that you nor Mary did not thank me for writing any such a letter. When I wrote the letter I did not intend to hurt your feelings. I will be very careful who I write to next time and what I write. Be sure and send the letter back to me for George appears to be asby? about it and I want to know what I wrote in it about him when I wrote the letter I did not think the letter would be exposed. Mother and all the family send their love to you. All times is heard/.hard up here we are doing without meat. It is the hardest time that I ever saw. Write soon
Yours as ever,
Thos. R. Short
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State of Mis., Franklin Co. Jan. 20th 1862
Mr. Mycajah Wilkinson, Jr.
Dear Sir
This letter leaves us all well but Willis M. Calcote. He turned home from Shieldsboro about 2 weeks ago very sick with the Typhoid fever and he is very low yet - but we are in hope he is a little better. We have to set up with him every night. Mahala has a fine son. Was come the 25 day of Dec.I hope these few lines will find you enjoying good health. I received a letter from Norwood Short, he is in Tennessee and in good health..
JPB (?) You will find enclosed in this letter my tax return all made out ready to hand to the assessor. I wish you to hand it to him in time and tend to it for me. I have a deed for the west ½ of the SE quarter , sec. 39 T4, R2 and "have sun claims is". I wish you to attend to my land for me and not let it be sold and I will try and send you the money to the tax on it before it is to be paid.Yours truly,
Thos. R. Short
Our boy is named Willis M. Short after his grandfather. Write to me as soon as you receive this letter so I will know whether you have all the land papers.
Included with letters of Thomas R. Short
Thomas R. Short was born May 15th 1778
Susannah Short was born January 16th 1780
Alexander Short was born August 12th 1800
Fany Short was born December 11th 1802 and deseased the 4th of June 1805
Jefferson B. Short was born November 1st 1804
Don C. Short was born Novwember 10th, 1806
MDLoy Short was born March 3 1809
James M. Short was born November 22, 1811
Washington Short was born Oct. 9th 1813
Polly Short was born December 7, 1815
Eliza Short was born December 24, 1817
Sally W. Short was born January 8, 1819
Miram C. Short was born March 7th 1822
Elzira Short was born November 22nd, 1825
Powhatan B. Short was born May 16th, 1828
Prissilla G. Short was born Oct. 29th, 1830
Sucky R. Short was born June 29th, 1833
Hannah Short was born July 12th, 1835
Juan F. Short was born Nov. 29th,1837
Suchy has been dead two years the 25th of this month25th
(The dates above do not agree with dates on Census of 1850 entered below)
1860 UNITED STATES CENSUS OF FRANKLIN COUNTY, MISSISSIPPI; MICROFILM M653-581; FRIENDSHIP; PAGE 74; 29 SEPTEMBER 1860; DWELLING 519/FAMILY 510.
THOMAS R. SHORT 27, male farm laborer b. Mississippi
MAHALA " 19, female domestic b. Mississippi
SARAH " 4, female b. Mississippi
MARTHA " 2, female b. Mississippi
D. " 9/12, male b. Mississippi
DEMPSEY " 45, female domestic b. South Carolina
WILLIS " 17, male b. Mississippi
WILLIAM " 13, male b. Mississippi
LEE " 13, male b. Mississippi
male " 8, male b. Mississippi