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CIVIL WAR PENSION FILE WIDOW'S CLAIM FILED BY AMERICA MILLER-BOONE - 1897 Transcribed by Lisa J. Rieger - 1996 (contains numerous typos as this time!)ENJOY!
FIRST CHAPTER DISCOVERY
June 25, 1897
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- July 27, 1897 FORM LETTER FROM DEPT OF INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS TO AUDITOR FOR THE WAR DEPARTMENT WASHINGTON, DC. SIR: .....Will you please to furnish, in your possession relative to the service of the above named soldier............ ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- September 20 1897 From Treasury Department, War Department,
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- October 5, 1897
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- November 17, 1897 GENERAL AFFIDAVIT H.R. Parsons, aged 59, resident of Edina, County of Knox
Signed H.R. Parsons ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- February 1, 1898; (rec'd by Pension Office) General Affidavit, State of Missouri, County of Knox.....
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- February 12, 1898
I do Certify that on the 12th day of March, 1846, I solemnized the rite of matrimony in the in the County of Knox between Mr. Mr. Parks Boon and America Miller Granville D. Turner The foregoing certificates was filed in my office for record on the 30th day of March AD 1846 Jesse John Clerk ------------------------- State of Missouri : : ss County of Knox : I, J.W. Ellis, Clerk of the Circuit Court and Ex-Officio Recorder in an for said County, hereby certify that the above is a true copy of the record as the same appears of record in Marriage Record Book I at Page 3 in my office. Witness my hand as Recorder and the seal of said Court. Done at office in Edina, this 12th day of February 1898. J.W. Ellis, Recorder. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- March 30th 1898
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- June 30, 1898 (Stamped as received back from postmaster July 8, 1898) FORM LETTER FROM DEPT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS, TO THE POSTMASTER, EDINA, KNOX, CO., MO Sir: To aid in the settlement of the above-entitled claim for pension, kindly advise this Bureau as to the standing in the community and general reputation for truth of Thomas B. Davis and Samuel C. Barnhill. Please return this letter........ Sir: In reply to the above inquiry you are informed that the reputation of Thos B. Davis & Sam. G. Barnhill for truth and veracity is good. C I Handman, Postmaster ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- July 8, 1898 General Affidavit of JOHN R. NOBLITT, resident of NEAR EDINA, aged 52
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- October 29, 1898 General Affidavit of AMERICA BOONE, wife of PARKS BOONE, October 29, 1898, aged 72 years, resident of Edina, County of Knox, State of Missouri
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ November 5, 1898
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ July 12st, 1899
Very respectfully, M.V.Tierney -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANOTHER CHAPTER INITIAL AFFIDAVITS May 19, 1900
Letter from DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, BUREAU OF PENSIONS, Hannibal, Missouri, dated typed as follows: May 19,900. TO: HON. H. CLAY EVANS, COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, Sir: I have the honor to return herewith the papers in the pension claim No 657,409 of America Boone, alleged widow of Parks Boone, Co. K.2nd.Prov.En.Mo.Mil., and to submit my report on the same. This claim was referred to the S.E.Div. for special examination "to determine date and cause of disappearance, whether steps have been taken to locate him, and whether he has been heard of since"----in order that the "Bureau may determine intelligently "whether , or not, presumption of death can be accepted.". Also as to whether the claimant has remarried, and any other services of the soldier, "incidentally". The case came to me for the initial investigation. I called on the claimant, gave her notice, and she desired the investigation to commence at once. I explained to her fully all her rights and privileges, and she waives notice of further examination, being too old to attend, and having no one to represent her. I found the claimant at her son's, John H. Boone, on a visit, although she generally lives with her son-in-law, John R. Noblitt. she is very old and feeble and suffers much from rheumatism, but her mind is about as clear as could be expected for a woman of her age and bad health. She is highly spoken of by all who know her, and vouched for by some of the best citizens of Edina, MO. Capt. Parsons and Phillip P. Linville are about the two wealthiest men in Edina, and men of high standing and both gave her a good character,which was born out by other parties, witnesses and those not witnesses. From the testimony I have produced it will be seen that it is very doubtful if the soldier is not now alive and living somewhere else, probably in Texas, with another woman, although it is quite possible, owing to his advanced age, nearly 78, he might have died since he was last seen in Texas, in which event the claimant would be entitled, if it can be proved. From inquiry I made as to the soldier's character I became satisfied he was a man of bad morals, and unfaithful to his wife. He was well known as a fast man, and a follower of fast women, although it is possible his wife and children did not know this fact. The Boone's however, were considered people of good standing in Knox County, and fairly well-to-do, and representative people. It is the belief of the soldier's widow, or wife, and her children, that Frank Boone, really knows, and has known, just where the soldier is, but will not reveal the fact. The fact that he went to his brother's just the night before he left and got a pair of saddle bags from him, and never spoke to his wife when there, just slipping out again, certainly looks as if his brother must have known something about his intentions, and the testimony of John H. Boone that he heard him tell a man named Crockett Burns that his father was in Texas tends to strengthen that impression. I made every effort possible to find the man named McAuliff, or McAulispe (the spelling is uncertain, no one knowing exactly) among the oldest inhabitants in Edina, and learned that either he, or his brother John (Wm. or John) was seen in Kansas City, Mo. about a year ago. I got this from a man who sells trees and travels about, and also from the assistant postmaster, who said that in 1886 he had a small carpenter shop on the Corner of 18th and Grand Ave. Kansas City. this he thought was Wm. McAuliff, but the witnesses are uncertain whether it was John or William gave the information, most of them thinking it was William, but Mr. Linville it was John. Mr. Linville is very old and feeble and I would take the statement of others on points of that kind in preference. There were four of them lived in the neighborhood of Knox City 20 years ago, viz: John, William, Frank and Michael. If any one of them can be found John and William can be traced, if alive. John R. Noblitt testifies that the soldier served in Co.E.50th En. Mo. Mil. for several months in 1864 with him and it might be well to call on the proper official for a search of the records as to any such service, although I am under the impression this organization was never in the U.S. service, and there is probably no record of it. He also states the soldier was in the 1st or 2nd NE MO home guards. These two regiments were consolidated in the Fall, or in Dec., 1861, and called the 21st. Mo. Inf., and some of the men were kept in the consolidated regiment and others discharged. I know this from having had claims of these organizations to investigate. A proper call would show the soldier's service in the 1st. or 2nd NE MO Home Grds. I asked everyone I could think of for fuller information as to his service in this organization, but could not find anyone who knew. Mr. Noblitt was under the impression it was not taken into the U.S. service, but I know the members of the organizations named are now drawing pensions. If the soldier is ever found he can explain this service and other points. I found by examining the records there was a mortgage put on the farm for $283.in Feb.1869 by Parks Boone to Knox County for school tax. The testimony of Mrs. Noblitt was the only definite information I could get as the year the soldier disappeared. She says it was in 1869, and showed me an old pencil mem. showing the month. The mortgage was put on Feb.5th.1869. claimant says she never signed any mortgage as his wife,and that she should have retained her dower interest had she wanted to when the place was sold but had an idea her husband might turn up, then, a few years after he left, and compromised the matter. There was also a mortgage put on the property April 14, 1863 to Jospeh (sp) Boone, which never apears (sp) to have been released, for $593. I do not see how, unless the soldier is found to be dead, this claim can be allowed, taking all the circumstances into consideration. I recommend further examination as follows, as to the whereabouts of the soldier: First: for the testimony of Frank Boone, Kirksville, Adair Co., Mo. I might respectfully suggest that it would be well for the Special Examiner to learn first what the address of Crockett Burns, in Lancaster County, (note handwritten: "No such county in MO.") is from Mr. Frank Boone, without mentioning his official character or purpose. It is possible Mr. Boone may refuse, or evade, giving any information about his brother, even if he knows where he is, or was. He can then fire his questions at him as he deems best to get the information desired. Mr. George Boone, and Mr. Crockett Burns can then be seen. After this, if necessary, the case should go to Kansas City, MO for information as to the McAuliff, or McAulipse, as above indicated. If no information is ascertained as the result of these steps the case can then go to Somers, Venturs Co. California for the testimony of Elias Boone, as to what he knows about the soldier's disappearance, his financial condition at the time etc. The P.O. appears as Somis in the Postal Guide. I also stopped off at Lewistown, MO. to try and find what William Burch would know of the soldier, but found he had gone to Callahan, Siskiyou County, California, and if the parties above referred to furnish no material information as to the whereabouts of the soldier the claim will have to go there for his statements, at the same time the oldest son is seen. Burch and the McAulifs do not bear a good reputation, but that does not effect the information they may give. Very respectfully, R.S. Trakier Special Examiner. P.S. This is one of the cases received prior to Oct 1, 99 I was directed to complete leaves(?) only one more to be returned next week. ? find no trace of the Levy family. I did not see Saml? (RST) C. Burnhill as he was not at home and gone some miles away to see one of his sons and he had no information additional to that taken, I was told by Mr. Noblitt and others, and it would have consummed another day. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- May 15, 1900 DEPOSITION "A" - AMERICA MILLER I am 75 years of age; my post office address is Edina, Mo. I am not employed. I am the wife of Parks Boone. I can't remember the Co. and regt he severed in. I have been told but I forget. I married him in March 1846. I can't give the day of the month. Did he have more than one service? I can't tell you now. I forget. No, I can't remember whether he went and came home again, or not. Mr. John R. Noblitt is my son in law and he knew my husband before the war and during the war. I think Mr. Noblitt was in a military regiment, but his is not drawing a pension. My maiden name was America Miller. I had never been married before I married Parks Boone, or he before he married me. I was just 21 post when I married him. He was about 2 years older than I was. How long had you known him before you married him? I had known him 4 or 5 year before I married him. We were married at my father's Wm. Miller, 4 miles N.W. Edina. We were married by Mr. Granville Turner. He was a Xian preacher. Where did you live after you were married? We lived close to my father's until 1860, then we moved to within 2 miles of where I live now on Mr. Noblett's farm. My husband owned the farm we lived on. There was a mortgage of well near a thousand dollars on it. We sold the place after my husband left me in seven or eight years afterwards. My husband was raised and born? in Ohio before the war. His father and mother moved here from Ohio and lived and died here. They are dead. I came here from Marion Co. Indiana when about 14 years old. I think he was about 16 or 17 when his parents came here. I don't know what part of Ohio his parents came from. Has he any brothers or sisters living? He has a brother George lives in Brashear, Adair Co., MO and a sister lives in Min? His brother Frank lives 3 miles NE of Kirksville. He is about 60 years of age. They all run between sixty and seventy. They would know where he came from in Ohio. Tell me all about your husband's leaving you? Well sir, I was visiting at his brother's house the day he left. At Frank Boone's his wife's house. It was about 12 miles from home. He was at home and my oldest daughter, Mrs. Noblitt, was at the house when he left. He went off on one of his own horses. He had been to see me at Frank Boone's the day before the evening before he went home that evening and left on horseback the next morning. Did he say anything to you about where he was going? No sir, he did not. We had no conversation. I had been staying with my mother and had gone over to Frank Boone's to spend the night. My husband did not have any conversation with me the evening he called there and the next day he left home. Had you and he had any misunderstanding, any quarrel, as the reason for his not saying anything to you? No sir; we never had any trouble in our lives - we always got on peaceable together. I had had no quarrel with him. I thought he had came & was going to stay all night but he went out with Frank and he did not come back in the house again. I don't know what conversation he had with Frank but we asked him after he disappeared and he said he did not know where he had gone. My husband left the morning and I got home the evening of the same day. My daughter Mrs. Noblitt told me that my husband had gone off on horseback. Yes, she said he had taken one of the horses with some of his clothes packed and? a saddle bags. He had gotten the saddle bags from his brother Frank that evening he called. Did he tell your daughter where he was going? No sir, we never saw him after that and never were able to find any trace of him. Was he in debt for anything, or had he gotten into any trouble? He owed his father something but I don't know how much. But he had no trouble with his father about it. He had put a mortgage on the farm for several hundred dollars before he left. I can't say how long before he left. How much money did he leave when left? I don't know how much but he left no money in bank, or in the house. What year was it when he left? I can't give you the year. No I am not certain it was in 1869 but it was ? in 1867 or 1868. It was in there somewheres. It was during the winter in cold weather, but I can't be sure it was January. What efforts did you make to find him after that? My oldest boy Elias W. Boone, Somis, Calif. made all the efforts were made. He simply wrote to different post offices. I don't know where he wrote to. How long was it after he left was it you realized he had gone? Well Sir, it was not long because my daughter said he had taken his clothes, in the saddle bags he had borrowed from his brother Frank. My oldest boy made all the efforts he could to find him. Nobody went on any search for him. We did not have any funds to hunt for him. He left me with 9 children, my youngest John H. Boone was 5 or 6 years old then. My daughter Mrs. Noblett was the oldest and Elias the next oldest. Had your husband made any complaints about such a large family to support? No sir, he had always provided plenty of everything. We lived on the farm five or six years after he left and then we sold it. I have not remarried since my husband left me. Who can testify about the circumstances of your husband leaving you? Mr. John R. Noblitt lived in 2 miles of us. Capt H.R. Parsons knew us then. Phillip B. Linville lived in Edina then. Jacob Pugh, John A. Stander knew my husband. Thomas D. Davis, Saml. C. Burnhill and Saml. Calloway were our neighbors then. My oldest son attended to all my business after my husband left me. Did you every get any letters from your husband after he left? No sir. I never got a line, or word from him, or any intelligence about him, or never hear of him again. I am correctly recorded and questions understood
America x Boone Witnesses John Henry Boone, Annie L. Boone. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ May 15, 1900 DEPOSITION "B" - JOHN H. BOONE I am 37 years of age; my post office address is Edina, MO. I am a farmer. I am a son of America Boone and Parks Boone. I was too young to more than have an in distant recollection of my father. I don't know anything about the circumstances of his leaving home except what I have heard. I know my uncle Frank Boone, lives 3 miles NE of Kirksville. When I was about 21 or 22 years old I was on a visit to his house and there was a man in sitting my ? named Burns, they called him Crockett Burns, and they got to talking about my father and they did not know I was present and Frank Boone said to Burns "why he is in Texas", referring to my father, and then when he saw me his face coloured up and he never said anything more about my father. My brother in California tried to get him to tell where he was but he ?not talk about it. He would say he did not know. My impression is he gave the town in Texas in that conversation and I think it was Dennison? Texas, but I never wrote there and I never could get Uncle Frank to tell us where he was. Crockett Burnes lived then somewhere in Schuyler Co., I can't give his address. Frank Boone would know. That is all I ever heard about my father. I am correctly recorded and questions understood. Signed: John Henry Boone. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- May15, 1900 DEPOSITION "C" - PHILIP P. LINVILLE. I am 85 years of age; my post office address is Edina, MO. I am a banker. I know Parks Boone. How long before the war had you know him? I had known him as far back as 1844. His parents come from Ohio. They are both dead. He was Sheriff here before the war, of this county. Can you give me the date he disappeared from here? I can not give you the year. It was after the war. What are the circumstances of his leaving here? I heard he left here with a young woman and went from here to Keokuk and from there to Texas and was living on a farm somewhere in Texas. I got this from a man named Wm. Burds? who now lives in Lewiston MO. He did a year ago. I can't remember the name of the woman he went with, I also hear from a man named John McKillup and he said he had stayed all night with him in Texas and he was living with the girl. That has been some 20 / (30?) years ago and I don't know where McKallup lives now. He has a brother lives in Kansas City, MO I think. Parks Boone was never married before he married America Miller nor was she before she married him. I never heard of any trouble between them. I don't know of any cause for his leaving, except he went off with another woman. I know Frank Boone, his brother. I have talked with him about his brother but I don't remember what he said about him. Parks Boone was a little older than his wife. She has never married since her husband left her and she is a woman of good character. She has no property real or personal. I know of I know her husband put a mortgage on the farm he had but I don't know how long that was before he went off. He was not a ? I am correctly recorded and questions understood. Signed Philip B. Linville. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- May 16, 1900, County of Knox DEPOSITION 'D' - SAMUEL CALLAWAY I am 60 years of age; my post office address is Edina, MO. I am a farmer. I know Parks Boone. I had known him since I was a boy. I knew him before the war. He was deputy sherriff, not Sherriff, of this county, before the war. I lived about a mile of him when he left here. He was farming then. Tell me the circumstances of his disappearance? The day he went away he passed me and said he was going to Quincy, ILL. He was riding a gray? horse. He had a pair of saddle bags on. I talked with him and he just said he was going to Quincy. He was by himself. I never saw him or heard of him after that day. Did you every hear he ran off from here with a woman? I heard it, but I don't know it as a matter of fact. The woman's name was Mrs. Ely. Her husband was kind of half witted. She left here about the same time. Either before or after and the Ely family - none of them have heard ? heard of since. Did you ever hear he was living in Texas? I heard it from a man named John McKullufe, but his was a noted liar? He left here and has never been heard of since. He told me he saw him in Texas, but I can't say where. That was over 20 years ago and I don't know what has become of the man. He was a bad ? Did you never hear from any of Boones' Brothers what had become of him? No sir, none of them ever did say. No sir, I have no information whatever what become of Park Boone. His wife has never remarried since he left and she has not property, real or personal and is a woman of good character. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- May 16, 1900 DEPOSITION "E" - EVALINE NOBLITT I am 52 years of age; my post office address is Edina, MO. I am the wife of John R. Noblitt and daughter of America and Park Boone. I am the oldest child. I was at home the day my father disappeared. It was in 1869. I remember the date from the fact that my uncle Joseph Boone's daughter, America Eveline, was born in Feby 1869 and I was called there when she was born. It was a short time - a few weeks after my father left. My mother was at her mother's, and? Frank Boone's, the day my father left. I was at home and my brother Elias Boone, Somer, Calf. The Boys were out at work and my father saddled a bay mare and went off, he told me to Edina. He had saddle bags, and afterwards we found some of his clothing was missing. He got the saddle bags from his brother Frank. We did not see him again after that day. Had he put a mortgage on the farm just before this? There was a mortgage on the farm put on before he heft. There was about 160 low acres of land. We did not know there was a mortgage until afterwards. The farm was sold more than 5 years after he left and we got just a few hundred over the mortgage. My father's parents came from Ohio. Either Zanesville or Dayton, Ohio. Did any of you make any effort to find your father? Only by inquiry by writing. Did you ever hear your father was in Texas? There was a man named William McCalliff spread ? a rumor but my husband was in Texas after that and never could find any trace of him. My father had had no domestic trouble. He and my mother had never had a quarrel of any kind. I am correctly recorded and questions understood. Signed Evaline Noblitt ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- May 16, 1900 DEPOSITION "I" - JOHN R. NOBLITT I am 54 years of age; my post office address is Edina, MO. I am a farmer. I knew Park Boone. I served with him in Co. E. 50 En Mo. Militia in the Fall of 1864. We were not out more than 2 months. This organization was never taken into the US service. Under the present law I understand the members are not entitled to pension. Prior to that he served in the 2nd Prov En Mo. Vol?. Those were the only 2 services he had, except before that he was in the N.E. Mo Home Guards, either in the 1st or 2nd NE Home Guards, sometime in 1861, that was afterwards made the 21st Mo Inf. under Col. Moore. He was in the Home Guards sometime in 1861 - several months. I was not with him in the NE Mo Home Gds. I was living within about 2 miles of Park Boone when he disappeared. I married his daughter in 1875. Tell me the circumstances of his leaving home? I had not seen him for several days before he left. He just left home on horseback one day and has never been heard of since. Did you ever hear he ran off with another woman? Yes sir, I heard that. I heard he ran off with a Mrs. Jane Ely. She had a husband who was kind of simple minded. Bill Ely. He and his wife had left about a year before. They went it was said to Davies Co. Mo. to join Ely's son and it was rumored Park Boone had joined her somewhere. They lived as neighbors to Mr. Boone sometime before he left. I don't know where any of the Ely's are now. I don't know their post office then in Davies County, MO. I have never heard anything about Park Boone anywhere else. I heard through Bill McKellup that he had seen Park Boone near Dennison, Texas. He/no? heard it through some parties he had told it to. I forget who and when. I was in Texas in 1874. I looked the matter up. Yes, I made inquires in Dennison, but could never find any trace of him. I inquired all through Northern Texas for him, as Sherman, Dennison, Gainesville, St. Jane? and Burlington and could never find any trace of him. He has two brother in Adair Co., MO, George and Frank Boone. A sister in Min? Mrs. Arminda Shannon. Mrs. America Boone has never remarried since her husband Park Boone left her and has no property real or personal. She has never applied for a divorce. The words "I am correctly " and "property real or pers" erased before signature. I am correctly recorded and questions understood. Signed John R. Noblitt --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- May 16, 1900 - Knox County - at Witness Home DEPOSITION "C" - THOMAS B. DAVIS. I am 53 years of age; my post office address is Hedge City, MO. I am a farmer. I knew Park Boone. I knew him at the time of the war and after the war. I lived within 2 miles of him at the time he left here. What year was it he left his home? I can't give the year, but it was several years after the war, 2 or 3 years, or 3 or 4 years. Did you see him that day he left? No sir; but I probably saw him a couple of weeks before he left. I understood he left in the winter. He had sold some hogs and he took the money he got for them and pulled out. Did he go away by himself? It was reported he ran off with some woman, Mrs. Ely. She lived on a small farm adjoined his farm. He left home by himself but it reported the woman left pretty nearly the same time. I don't know, but it was reported they went to Texas. I think the rumor cam through Bill McCalliper? I don't know where he is. Mrs. Ely's husband was name Wm. Ely. I never heard what became of him. I don't know where any of the Ely family are. Mrs. Ely was a woman between 25 and 30 when she left here. I have never seen or heard of Park Boone from that day to this except as I have stated to you. Mrs. America Boone has not remarried since her husband left her. She is without any property, real or personal and is dependent on her children. I am correctly recorded and questions understood. Signed Thomas B. Davis ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- May 17, 1900 - Knox County, MO - in Edina DEPOSITION "H" - H.R. PARSONS I am 61 years of age; my post office address is Edina, MO. I am a Banker. I knew Park Boone. He served under me in Co. K 2 Regt Prov En Mo. Mil. I have no personal knowledge of his service in any other organization. I don't know of his being in the N.E. Mo Home Gds. I knew him in the service, not before the war. What year was it he disappeared from here? I can't be positive about the year. Yes, I gave it at 1867 in the affidavit you show me, but I got the information somewhere else at the time and I can't swear it is correct. Can you tell me the circumstances of his disappearance? Well, he went away all and , & I did not hear of it for oh several months afterwards. It was rumored he had run off with another woman. It was a woman lived in the neighborhood. No, I can't swear to her name. I don't swear it was a Mrs. Ely. Did you ever hear anything of him again? It was rumored he was seen in Texas but I can't tell where that rumor sprang? from. Yes, I think it came from a man named McCallip, now you speak of it. It was over 20 years ago. I don't know where he is or any of the family. I have no other information about him but this. His wife has not remarried since he left her. She was never divorced from him that I know of. She has no property, real or personal to my knowledge. I am correctly recorded and questions understood Signed: H.R. Parsons Sworn to and subscribed before me this 17 May, 1900 & I certify contents were fully made known to deponent before signing Signed R.S. Trakier --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- May 17, 1900 - Edina, Knox County, State of Missouri DEPOSITION "I" - JACOB PUGH I am 78 years of age; my post office address is Edina, MO. I am a retired merchant. I knew Park Boone. I knew him before the war. I had a farm in the country and lived within several miles of he and his wife. He was a deputy sherriff, or sherriff, of this county before the war. Please tell me the circumstances of his disappearance? I heard of his disappearance within a month after he left, but I don't know the particulars about it. I can't swear now it was Jan 1869 but it was about that time. Did you hear he had run off with another woman? He was accused of it but I have no personal knowledge of it. No, I can't swear it was a Mrs. Ely. Have you ever heard anything about him since he left here? Not a word. I never heard he had been seen in Texas since he left. No, I dont know where any of the McCallips are. They left here 20 years ago. Mrs. America Boone has never remarried to my knowledge. She has no property real or personal to my knowledge. She was never divorced from Park Boone I ever heard of. I am correctly recorded and questions understood. Signed: Jacob Pugh -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- May 18, 1900 - Edina, KNOX COUNTY, MO - DEPOSITION J - JOHN A. STAUDER I am 74 years of age; my post office address is Edina, MO. I am a blacksmith. I knew Park Boone. My wife is his first cousin. My wife came from Ohio somewhere near Columbus, Ohio, I think. I knew Park Boone before the war. I served with him in the 50 En MO. Mil between 2 and 3 months. It was a state organization. I don't know of any other service he had. I was living in Edina when he disappeared from here. I am not sure of the year he left here now. I can't swear to it if I did before but it was after the war sometime. I can't swear whether he was a sheriff, or deputy sherrif of this county, before the war. I can't swear how soon after he left I heard of it, whether a month, or more. I don't recollect how he left or what induced him to leave. Did you ever hear he ran off with another woman? Yes, I heard it after he left here he had run off with a woman. I never heard the woman's name. I heard from a man here named McCallip that he had seen him in Texas. The impression I give it was a town on the Miss River, north or south of Vicksburg, Miss, on the Texas side. I can't remember the name of the town. He said he got him to go out with him to has farm. Do you know where any of the McCallips live? No sir, I do not. They were carpenters, John and William and Michael and Frank McAllips. I don't know where any of them are. I have not seen or heard anything of Park Boone, except what I have stated. Mrs. America Boone has not remarried. She was never divorced to my knowledge. She has no property real or personal I know of. I am correctly recorded and questions understood. Signed: John A. Stauder ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- May 15, 1900 CLAIMANT'S STATEMENT - DEPOSITION K On this 15 day of May, 1900, at witness home, county of Knox, State of MO, before me, R.S. Trapier, a Special Examiner of the Bureau of Pensions, personally appeared America Boone....... Q If it should become necessary to further examine your claim by taking testimony of witnesses elsewhere, do you desire to be present............. A. 'NO' Q. State the names of the person or persons instrumental in the prosecution of your claim for pension, and their post-office addresses. A. I can't remember the name of my atty in Wash. Mr. Noblitts would know. Q. State what contract or contracts you have made with such person or persons for their services in prosecuting your claim for pension, and whether such contract or contracts were written or verbal. A. I understood I was to pay $10 to the atty. if the claim was allowed. Q. State the amount of fees paid by you or at your instance, to whom paid, and all the circumstances connected with the transaction. A. I have pd out some small amts, at different times - don't know how much. Please give me the names of all witnesses that you desire examined elsewhere, with their post-office addresses, and also state what you expect to prove by each witness. A. Only those named to you. Q. Do you desire to introduce any more testimony before me? A. None Witnesses John Henry Boone and Annie LS or LP Boone, Signed by an X by America Miller ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ANOTHER CHAPTER More affidavits September 16, 1900 LETTER TO THE HON COMMISSIONER OF PENSIONS, WASHINGTON, D.C. FROM H F BONORDEN, SPECIAL EXAMINER. Orig. #657.409. Act of June 27, 1900 America Boone alleged widow of Parks Boone lat of Capt Budds Comp 1 NE Regt. Mo Home Guards. Late Priv Com K 2 Regt Prov Enn MO Militia. P.O. Address of alleged widow, Edina, Knox County, MO ----- Milan MO September 16, 1900 Sir: I have the honor to return herewith all the papers in the above entitled pension claim together with my report thereon. June 30, 1897 one America Boone filed her claim for pension under the Act of June 27, 1890, alleging that she is the legal wife of one Parks Boone who served 90 days in the army of the U.S. during the was of 1861/65. That said Parks Boone left here about 1869 and never was heard from since, and that she believes that he is dead, and she asked to be placed on the pension rolls as his widow. The papers were referred to the S.E. Div for special examination to determine whether the claimant is the legal widow of the said soldier. The papers came to my hand, with notice? waived for the testimony of Frank Boone, George Boone, and one Crockett Byrns as to the issues involved. I submit the depositions of these witnesses for consideration. The witnesses' reputation for truth and veracity is good, and all appeared to be willing to assist the claimant to obtain her pension, but their testimony only establishes more fully the fact that the soldier run off with Jane Ely and had good cause to hide his whereabouts, and fully explains his absence, and the case comes fully under the ruling in Davis v. Briggs. (97 US.628). and could be justly rejected. However to give the claimant the full benefit of the special examination I recommend further examination as follows.
At Andover, Day Co., S. Dakota for the testimony of Aminda Shannon sister of the soldier. Deposition "A" - FRANK BOONE at "3 m. N.E. of Kirksville, County of Adair, State of Missouri"
I am 70 years of age; my post-office address is Kirksville MO., I am a farmer. I was not in the army of the U.S. only a little while in the militia. I was born in Brown Co. Ohio. My father was Joseph Boone, my mother's maiden name was Maria (Marva?) Nickell. Both parents are dead. I came to Mo. in 1841. I was 11 years of age and settled with my parents on a farm near Edina, Mo. I had eight brothers and three sisters. Q. How many brothers were living in 1869, please name them? Answ. There were, to the best of my knowledge, six of us, myself, Parks, George, Elias W., Joseph and Milton C. I know there are three of them living George, Milton C. and myself. George Boone lives near Brashear MO. and Milton C. Boone near Fabius P.O. Knox Co. Mo. There is one sister living perhaps? Aminda Shannon near Andover South Dakota. One sister was named Ann Elizabeth Hart she is dead and Sarah A. Miller was the other she is dead. I know a man named Crocket Byrns. I think his P.O. address is Willmathsville, MS. I knew a family McCauliff in Knox Co. Mo. I do not know where any of the members of that family live. There were John, William, Michel and James McCauliff. I do not know where Wm. McCauliff is. I have an idea he is dead. I think John and William McCauliff went to Texas, John came back but went again he is a kind of a roving fellow. I do not remember whether Wm. McCauliff came back from Texas. I knew a family named Ely, I do not remember the man's name, it might have been William, he was not very bright, his wife's name I think was Jane Ely. The woman run off and it was said she run off with brother Parks Boone, it is a fact; her brother told me so; his name was Davis. I do not know his given name. I do not know where he is, he was in Iowa and went to Kansas.
Parks Boone was married first to one America Miller; he was then about 21 or 22 years of age. I was about 14 years of age when he married. America Miller never was married before she became brother Parks wife. They lived together in Knox Co. MO until he left her in 1869. I think it was that year. They lived very agreeably together and raised a large family. Parks owned a farm in Knox Co. MO, a good farm. Brother became a little involved, he owed perhaps $1200.00. I expect the farm was sold on foreclosure. The day before Parks Boone left he came to my house with his wife, I think he wife came first, and Parks obtained a pair of saddlebags from me worth about $15.00, he said he wanted to go the Palmyra, MO to buy some land so he told me. There was no trouble between him and his wife. I think he stayed over night at my house. I think it was the latter part of February or March. I did not want to let him have the bags, but he begged to let me have them. He went home and left his wife at my house. I never have seen him since. He was a sound and hearty man when he left, small and wiry. He had borrowed some money shortly before he left and the securities had to pay it and I think he had some stock sold, he raised all the money he could he must have had $5 or $600 Dollars at the time he left. I heard from him from Texas. About a year before Parks Boone left for good, he brought M. Wm. Ely and his wife Jane to the Mississippi River near Warsaw, La Grange or ? might be to Quincy Ill?. I understood that Ely and wife seperated and he Wm. Ely went to Indiana and Mrs. Jane Ely went to her brother ...Davis in Iowa. I have no idea where Davis lived. The fall after brother Parks had left I met this...Davis in Edina Mo. he told he came from Kansas and was hunting for Parks Boone; his brother in law as he supposed. After brother left for good, we heard he had crossed the Mississippi at Warsaw, and Davis told me that he came to Iowa to his house and stayed quite a while and Davis thought he was Jane/Ely/ his sister's husband. Davis never knew Parks Boone before Parks Boone came to Iowa. I saw Mrs. Jane Ely one in Knox Co. Mo., she was in a wagon with her husband, and I thought she was a filthy looking woman - I talked to Parks about her and he expressed himself as her being good looking. I did not know that he was infatuated with that woman then, but events showed it. Parks Boone rode off with his son's Perry's bay mare and he brought that horse to Iowa and brought another horse and was telling that he wanted to go back to Knox Co. to his farm and children; he had represented to ...Davis that he was a widower before he got acquainted with Jane. I remember now that Parks was once before in Iowa visiting...Davis and his sister as he had my brother's Sylvester's gold watch at that time and gave it to...Davis to take care of. Davis told me all this and he seemed very much chagerined when he found out from some of Parks Boones sons that Parks had left his wife and children and went off with Jane his sister. Parks Boone had no cause to leave his wife and children but he was infatuated with the woman Jane Davis, married to Wm. Ely. John McCauliff met brother in Texas he stayed with him two nights. McCauliff told me as and that he had a house keeper and McCauliff saw some children around. McCauliff told me he slept with Park's two nights. Bill Burch also saw Parks in Texas; I do not remember what I heard when Parks Boone was seen in Texas. I understand he had a house and a farm in Texas, but I am unable to state in what County in Texas. I do not know where William Burch is. One Mr. Braxton Wells went from here to Texas, he was a patent gate? man and wanted me to meet him at Dennison. I could not meet him, I told him to look for my brother and described to him about where he lived between Dennison and another place I think brother Parks lived somewhere between Dallas and Dennison. I think McCauliff told me about Park's whereabouts about 18 or 20 years ago but I do not now remember the place. I have not heard from brother since about 1880 when I met John McCauliff. I heard you read the testimony obtained by Spec. Exam. Trapier and I will say that John McCauliff was the party who saw brother in Texas and told about him. I do not remember of having any conversation with one Crockett Byrns in the presence of young John Boone. I never had any inclination to hid brother Parks Boone and I very much would like that his wife should get a pension as she needs it. I have told her sons all I ever knew about brother Parks and kept nothing secret. I? all the time knew and believed that Parks acted very mean to his wife in leaving her and her children, and in beating me out of my saddlebags and in obtaining some of the money when he left. I do not know but I believe brother Parks is dead. I do not think that he ever married that woman Jane Ely as McCauliff told me he had no wife but a house keeper and he did not sleep with anyone except McCauliff when McCauliff visited him. I have an idea that brother left the place where he was seen, where he found out that inquiries were made and his whereabouts was ascertained. Brother parks was 7 years my senior. I have no interest in the matters under investigation and my answers are correctly stated. Signed Frank Boone ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- September 5, 1900 DEPOSITION "B' - GEORGE BOONE - AT BRASHEAR, ADAIR COUNTY, MO I am 75 years of age; my post office address is Brashear, Mo. I live about 2-1/2 miles N.E. of that town. I was a Capt of a Militia Comp. Comp. F 50 MO Enn Militia, my Comp. was raised along the line between Knox and Adair Co.s MO in Aug 6 - 1862 and I was in service off and on until the close of the war of 1861-1865. After the war I lived about 12 miles due West of Edina MO and about 17 miles from my brother Parks Boone. I knew his wife, born America Miller, she was a good and true woman, I do not believe that she ever gave a cross word to her husband Parks Boone, never heard that they ever had any quarrel or domestic trouble, what Parks Boone did she thought was right, he had no cause in the world to leave her. He had been gone about 3 months before I knew he was gone, and all I know about the circumstances of his going was from, or is from hearsay. I never met him since 1869 and never received any letter from him. I do not know whether brother Parks is dead or alive. I think a Ely family lived once on brother Parks Place. I do not know the man's name neither do I know his wife's name never met them. I think this Ely woman separated from her husband before brother Parks left for good, I heard this woman's maiden name was Davis. I never met her brother do not know where he lived nor what his christian name was. I heard from Elias and Perry Boone, that about 2 years after Parks hed left, they met or over took one Davis, who claimed to be the brother of this Ely woman and he hunted? Parks in Knox Co. MO to winter?, and he said that Parks was his brother in law that he married his sister (Jane) this Ely woman. Davis further said that Parks came to him and said his wife was dead, and Davis claimed that he started from his place with the Ely woman, for Knox Co. Mo and that was the last Davis heard from Parks and the Ely woman. John McCauliff, about 6 or 8 years after brother Parks left, told me that he met him in Texas and stayed all night with him - if I remember right he said he met him about 7 or 8 miles from Dennison. The McCauliff family knew brother Parks well before and after the war. He further told me upon inquiry that brother Parks had a house keeper; but John McCauliff was a story teller, but I think he had no object in telling me a lie in this matter. I do not know where John McCauliff is. One Bill Burch was in Texas before John McCauliff was and coming back he told me he heard of Parks but did not see him, that he lived 7 or 8 miles from Dennison Texas. Knowing htis before McCauliff told me about Parks made me believe that McCauliff told no story. I do not know where Bill Burch is. I do not remember that one Crockett Burns ever told me anything about brother Parks whereabout, after he left in 1869. Brother Parks financial was embarrassed before he left, he had a good farm but encumbered heavily, he collected all the money he could get hold of. He told his wife before he left that he wanted to go the Palmyra to buy some other farm. I heard from Fab? on a Mock now dead, a few months after brother Parks left, that he Mock met him at Alexandria MO and that brother wanted to go to Iowa. I did not know that the Ely woman went to Iowa. I never heard that Parks went to Iowa before the time he left for good. I think Parks had about $900 with hm when he left for good and when he said he wanted to go to Palmyra MO to buy some land. Parks was in the 50 MO En. MO but I do not remember in what Co. Capt Poague. Comp. he was in another service but I do not remember in what organization. I am not interested in the claim pending. I fully understood all questions and my answers are herein correctly stated. Signed George H. Boone ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- September 6, 1900 DEPOSITION "C" - DAVID CROCKETT BYRN - AT 5 MILES N OF WILLMATHSVILLE, COUNTY OF ADAIR, STATE OF MO I am 63 years of age; my post office address is Willmathsville, MO. I am a farmer. I was a member of Captain Bell's Co. of MO Home Guards. The Company was raised in Knox, Adair and Schuyler County MO. I knew a man named Parks Boone when I lived in Knox Co MO during the War. I could not tell where I lived after the war. I think I was in Schuyler Co MO. Parks Boone was not in my Company. I knew claimant America Boone born Miller. Her husband abandonned her so I understood; I lived in the neighborhood of America Boone for about a year after her husband had gone. I do not recollect Wm Ely and his wife Jane Ely. I heard that Parks Boone left his wife for another woman. I do not recollect her name. I heard this from the brothers and sister of America Miller. Gert. Miller, Larkin Miller, Add Miller and Abe Miller, and Phoebe Boone born Miller. Gert Miller is dead Larkin and Abe Miller are dead. Add Miller lives near Edina, MO I do not recollect a ... Davis the alleged brother of Jane Ely. I do not now know where any of the McCauliffs are. I did know Bill Burch but I do not know now where he lives, if living. I do not recollect now when I heard last of Parks Boone but there was a rumor, it seems to me, that he was seen somewheres in Texas. Q. Did you ever have a conversation with Frank Boone in the presence of John H. Boone about the whereabouts of Parks Boone, the father of John H. Boone? I do not recollect. I may have had such conversation if Frank Boone told me where Parks Boone was living about 16 or 20 years ago. I have forgotten, but we often talked about this matter of Parks Boone leaving and abandonning his wife. I do not remember of hearing the McCauliffs stating that they met Parks Boone in Texas. I do not recollect if I ever knew, any of this circumstances connected with the abandonment of Claimant by her husband Parks Boone. I am not able to state when Parks Boone left for good. I do not know in what military organization Parks Boone served. But I heard that when Parks Boone left, he left with or on account of a woman not his wife. I am not interested in the claim pending; I fully understood and comprehended all questions asked and my answers to the same herein correctly stated. Signed D.C. Byrn
ANOTHER CHAPTER FINAL CORRESPONDENCE 10 YEARS LATER.....
January 6, 1910 Department of the Interior Bureau of Pensions, Washington, DC Mrs. America Boon, c/o J.R. Noblitt, RFD #4, Edina, MO Madam: This Bureau cannot undertake to determine from the statements contained in your letter of the 3d instant, received today and herewith inclosed, whether it is probable that you are entitled to a pension under existing law. If you will return the same with an endorsement showing to what company and regiment Parks Boon belonged, the period of his service, and when and the circumstances under which he left home, and your reasons for believing him to be dead, you will be further advised in the premises. If you are unable to state the official designation of the organization to which your husband belonged, you should state as accurately as the circumstances of the case permit, the date and place of his enlistment and discharge and the names of any of his officers or comrades which you are now able to recall. Very respectfully, J.E. Davenport Commissioner (Stamped by Record div 2/2/1910 and Pension office 1/31/10) --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- January 28th 1910 Mr. J.L Davenport Commissioner of Pensions Washington D.C. Your favor of Jany 6 at hand Enclosed you will find a statement from Mr. H.R. Parsons of Edina MO who was Captain of the company that my husband Parks Boon served in My husband left home about February 1869 he left home on horseback for Lewis County Missouri to buy 40 acre of land that joined the home farm Have not herd from him since and have never met any person that has ever seen or herd from him under these circumstances I presume him dead awaiting your reply I am resp her America x Boon mark S.G. Mason witness Edina MO J.R. Noblitt witness Edina MO P.S. FR Bledsoe and John A. Oldfather both of Edina MO were comrades of Parks Boon -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- February 14th, 1910 HAND WRITTEN LETTER So Div Wid org No 657-409 America Boone Parks Boone Co K 2nd Prov En MO Vol Mrs. America Boone c/o J.R. Noblitt Edina Knox County, MO Madam In response to your communication of the 28th ultim, received the 31st. you are advised that your above entitled claim for pension under the act of June 27, 1890 filed June 30, 1897 was rejected May 11, 1901 on the ground that there is no evidence whatever to show the soldier is dead, and the circumstances of his disappearance were not such as to justify the presumption of his death under the act of March 13, 1896. It appears that the soldier raised all the money he could, deliberately abandoned you and disappeared with another woman of which action you have been advised. N? R com Last edited: 12/09/2002
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