My grandfather B. J. Lincecum (1932-2014) was a diarist and picture-taker. Though his modus operandi changed with the times and technology, as far as I can tell he practiced those two family history chronicling pastimes for the bulk of his life. He was also a regular sightseer and traveler, so his images didn’t always only involve family.
— Some of B. J. Lincecum’s Picture Booklets
Though I’ve been through some of his photo albums before, I’ve only just begun delving into these picture booklets. I adore them for many reasons, of course, but a big one is each booklet tells a little story.
Here’s a picture of B.J.’s son (my dad) by a river “on the way to Marrakech,” taken when the family was stationed in Morocco.
— “Mike by the river on the way to Marrakech. We stopped by road to ‘rest.’ Was very pretty view.”
What about a fun outing to a ballgame? Grandpa was at Sportsman’s Park / Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri in 1956.
— Busch Stadium, home of the St. Louis Cardinals, in 1956.
Or we can get a peek into something a little closer to home. Delta (Cape Girardeau County, MO), where my great-grandparents owned and operated Lincecum Grocery, had to deal with a bit of flooding the latter part of May 1957. The bottom image in right side of collage shows their storefront.
— Delta, MO flooding in May 1957.
I treasure each image, and would like to share them with those who follow Lincecum Lineage. It is unlikely, however, that all will make it into the database. So I invite you to follow me on Twitter — I’m “southerngraves.” I have shared what you see above and more there, and will continue to share more as I uncover interesting images. (Full disclosure: I tweet about genealogy, all sorts of history, and cemeteries / tombstones. Every now and then a nature or book/reading tweet will make it onto the timeline. If we have similar interests, I’ll be happy to follow back.)
IN MEMORY OF: Bonnie Huffman and LaVerne Sullinger.
The image above is from a “where are they now” type booklet given to those who attended a class reunion in 1990. This was the 40-year reunion for the 1950 graduating class from Delta High School in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri. Here is Grandpa’s page (no. 3 cropped out to protect the living):
As was not uncommon at rural, small-town Missouri schools, Grandpa was related to a few of his classmates. Previously, I shared the story of Bonnie Huffman’s murder. She was Grandpa’s 7th cousin-in-law.
Virgie LaVerne Sullinger was more closely related to Grandpa, as she was his third cousin. LaVerne was born 25 January 1933 at Advance, Stoddard County, Missouri. Her parents were Claude E. Sullinger and Maudlue Tidwell.
LaVerne graduated from Delta High School in the Spring of 1950, and within a couple of years was married to George Thomas Reeves (1928-2011). The couple welcomed daughter Rebecca Anne in February 1953.
Five years later, a “tragic series of mishaps” would conclude with the deaths of both LaVerne and Rebecca.
Daily Standard (Sikeston, Missouri) Monday, 29 September 1958 – pg. 1
Search Fails In Effort To Recover Body Of Girl Drowned Near Allenville CAPE GIRARDEAU — An unremitting search had failed to recover the body of [5-year-old] Rebecca Ann Reeves, who drowned through a tragic series of mishaps in the diversion channel near Allenville shortly after noon Saturday.
Mr. and Mrs. George Reeves, the parents who live in Cape Girardeau, had gone fishing with their two children and, in some manner, Rebecca fell into the water. The father went to her rescue, got her to the bank where Mrs. Reeves came to help her on land. Mrs. Reeves slipped and also went into the water and all three went under. In the struggle, the girl slipped loose from her father’s grasp.
Mrs. Reeves was given artificial respiration en route to the hospital and was apparently in good shape when she reached there, but today it is reported her condition is critical, mostly due to shock.
— Source: Newspapers.com
Daily Standard (Sikeston, Missouri) Wednesday, 1 October 1958
Mother Of Drowned Girl Died Monday Evening Mrs. George Reeves, of Cape Girardeau, who was rescued from drowning near Allenville last Saturday, died in a Cape Girardeau hospital Monday night. She had suffered from injuries while being rescued from a drainage ditch and from a subsequent attack of pneumonia.
Her daughter, Rebecca Anne Reeves, who fell into the water at the time her mother did, was drowned and her body was recovered Tuesday half a mile from the point of drowning.
Funeral services for Mrs. Reeves and her daughter were held in Cape Girardeau this afternoon.
— Source: Newspapers.com
LaVerne and Rebecca were buried together in Union Park Cemetery at Chaffee, Scott County, Missouri.
— Image by Brenda Johnson (2018) via FindAGrave. Permission for use granted in bio.
It’s been more than 65 years since Bonnie Loretta Huffman, my 8th cousin, was murdered in Delta, Missouri.
I was reading through my grandfather’s (Billy Joe Lincecum, 1932-2014) high school graduation — “Baccalaureate Ceremonies” — program and found some surnames of a few of his fellow graduates were familiar. There were only thirty students graduating from Delta High School in Cape Girardeau County, Missouri for the year 1950, so it wasn’t a long list. Trying to chase down any possible familial connections led me to Miss Huffman.
Bonnie Loretta was born 19 November 1933 at Whitewater, Cape Girardeau County, Missouri. Her biological father, Otto W. Huffman, died thirteen months later. By 1940, Bonnie’s mother Lillie Bollinger (1909-1997) had re-married to Millard Thiele (d. 1989). The family, including two more Huffman daughters and a Thiele son, were residing in Bollinger County, Missouri.
In the spring of 1950, Bonnie was the valedictorian of her high school graduating class. The following year she was a freshman studying Elementary Education at Southeast Missouri State College.
The first sad research surprise was finding out Bonnie died at the young age of twenty years. The second was the cause of death: homicide. Per her death certificate, Bonnie died of a “fracture of the 3rd cervical vertebrae.” The coroner’s jury verdict was also noted: “Death from hands of person or persons unknown.”
Next was combing through all the newspaper articles and headlines. First up is from the Detroit Times (Michigan), dated Tuesday, 6 July 1954.
Teacher, 20, Found Slain DELTA, Mo., July 6 (AP) — Bonnie Loretta Huffman, 20, a rural school teacher, her neck broken and her jaw fractured, was found dead in a culvert near here last night.
Police found no signs of a struggle at the spot where her body was discovered, but her dress had been torn and signs of a struggle were found near her abandoned car.
Glasses she had been wearing and her purse and necklace were missing.
Miss Huffman had gone to a movie Friday night with friends and after the show had left for home alone.
Deep impressions in the gravel near the abandoned car, police said, indicated another car had been started at high speed. They said the gravel indicated her car had not been stopped suddenly.
Police said they found an ear ring on the left running board and the other ear ring and a small seat cushion in the road. Police believed Miss Huffman stopped the car for some one she knew, then was forced into the other car.
“Teacher, 20, Found Slain,” issued 6 July 1954, accessed 3 April 2020, name of interest: Bonnie Loretta Huffman, Detroit Times, Detroit, Michigan, online image (GenealogyBank).
— Evening Star (Washington, DC) – Wednesday, 7 July 1954
— San Diego Union (California) – Wednesday, 7 July 1954 – pg. 5
— Boston Daily Record (Massachusetts) – 7 July 1954
The next day it was reported a “novelty salesman” was being questioned about Bonnie’s murder, but nothing came of it. And the following was published in the Chillicothe Constitution-Tribune (Missouri) after five more days went by with no developments:
No New Leads in Slaying of Bonnie Huffman DELTA, Mo., July 13. (AP) — A coroner’s inquest last night failed to turn up any new leads in the mysterious slaying July 3 of Bonnie Loretta Huffman, 20-year-old school teacher.
The coroner’s jury found that Miss Huffman, discovered dead of a broken neck in a weed patch two miles from her abandoned car, “died at the hands of a person or persons unknown.”
…Among the six witnesses at the inquest were the victim’s mother, Mrs. Lillie Thiele, who appeared composed as she testified, and Bobby Gene Thiele, half brother of the slain teacher.
A fund being collected under the sponsorship of the police department of nearby Cape Girardean [sic] and the Southeast Missourian in that city as a reward for information leading to arrest and conviction of the killer had grown to $997. Contributions were being received in amounts as small as 15 cents…
About a week after the one-year anniversary of the slaying of Bonnie Huffman, a “mysterious” cross appeared at the site where her body had first been found. Following from St. Louis Globe-Democrat (Missouri) dated Tuesday, 19 July 1955 (page 3):
Where Pretty Teacher Found
White Cross Mysteriously Appears at Slaying Scene DELTA, MO., July 18 (Special). — Police are investigating a large white cross found at the exact roadside spot where the body of a pretty rural school teacher, victim in an unsolved slaying, was found a year ago.
The wooden cross was found Saturday, half a mile north of here, the body of Miss Bonnie Loretta Huffman, 20, was found there July 5, 1954…
The cross was carefull [sic] made, about 6 feet tall, the planks painted white. Painted in black on the cross in neat letters are the words:
“To the memory of Bonnie Huffman, July ?, 1954.
“I am the resurrection and the life: he that believeth in Me, though he were dead, yet shall be live: St. John 11:25.”
State highway patrolmen removed the cross this morning, and so far have been unable to offer an explanation.
Hundreds of sight-seers were attracted to the cross over the week-end, and automobiles were lined bumper to bumper on the county road where it was located.
It was pointed out that the deadline for a substantial reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the girl’s slayer had passed at midnight Wednesday. A total of $1453 was raised for the reward fund, and authorities are now in the process of returning the money.
The slaying has remained a deep mystery. About 50 men were given lie detector tests during the extensive inquiry by state, local and county authorities, the Attorney General’s office and the Circuit Court grand jury also made investigations.
The remains of Bonnie L. Huffman were buried in Bollinger County Memorial Park Cemetery. Lillie Bollinger Huffman-Thiele-Snider was placed beside her in 1997.
The case of Bonnie Huffman, I believe, remains open. The following is on her memorial record at the BCMP cemetery’s website:
Sgt. Friedrich is currently assigned the case. If you have any possible information or possible items that have been around since 1954, please contact Sgt. Friedrich, the Cape Girardeau police or your local police, with any and all possible information or evidence.
— bcmp.org
In the 65 years since Bonnie’s murder, the case has been written about from time to time. See also >>
Though my grandfather is the one who linked me to Bonnie, he was only her cousin by marriage. His wife, my grandmother, Betty Sue Campbell (1934-2014), was Bonnie’s 7th cousin. Their shared ancestor appears to be great-grandfather Hans Georg Hoffman.
[Originally posted on previous platform September 2016.]
Percy Aubrey Cardwell was born 15 November 1892 in Gonzales County, Texas to William Alexander Cardwell and Edna Katherine “Kate” Lincecum. He married Emma Kate Lankford 5 May 1923 in Bexar County, Texas. Percy died at 1:30 p.m. on 25 November 1957 in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, just ten days after his 65th birthday. He was laid to rest at San Jose Burial Park in San Antonio.
Individual Facts:
Census: 8 June 1900 / Gonzales, Gonzales County, Texas
Occupation: April 1910 / Retail Grocery Store Clerk at Bexar County, Texas (probably worked for his father)
Census: 19 April 1910 / San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
Occupation: June 1917 / Government Clerk at Bexar County, Texas
Address: June 1917 / 345 Bill Green St, San Antonio, Texas
Occupation: January 1920 / Public Bookkeeper at Bexar County, Texas
Census: 5 January 1920 / San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
Address: April 1930 / 228 Sycamore St., San Antonio, Texas
Occupation: April 1930 / Real Estate Broker at Bexar County, Texas
Census: 2 April 1930 / San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
Address: 1942 / 1109 W. Craig Place, San Antonio, Texas
Occupation: 1942 / City Tax Department at San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
Address: abt March 1945 / 1109 W. Craig Place, San Antonio, Texas
Address: abt August 1946 / 1109 West Craig Place, San Antonio, Texas
Occupation: abt 1957 / Clerk for City of San Antonio, Texas
Address: abt 1957 / 1109 W. Craig Place, San Antonio, Texas
Notes:
– Percy’s description from his WWI draft registration card (dated 5 June 1917): tall, slender, grey eyes, brown hair.
– From U.S. Passport Applications, 1795-1925:
P. A. Cardwell, age 27 (dated 20 March 1920)
destination: Tampico, Mexico
objective: Commercial; “to accept position with Tampico Banking Co.”
using port of Laredo, Texas
physical description: 6′ 2″ tall, long chin, brown hair, gray eyes, fair complexion, prominent nose, long face, (including a distinguishing mark of) “Long scar right temple near eye”
Also included with Percy’s passport application was a notarized letter from his father confirming Percy’s paternal parentage, birth date and place.
– From Border Crossings: From Mexico to U.S., 1895-1964:
P. A. Cardwell, age 28 (dated 30 December 1920)
occupation: Material Agent
from Tampico, Mexico to San Antonio, Texas (admitted at Laredo, Texas)
– Per his death certificate, Percy died at 1:30 p.m. on 25 November 1957. Emma Kate Cardwell was the informant. Cause of death: Apoplexy, acute, severe, terminal (30 min). Hypertensive cardio-vascular disease (15 yrs). Arteriosclerosis, generalized, and severe of both legs with avascularity (6 mos).
[Originally posted on previous platform September 2016.]
Edna Katherine Lincecum was born 30 September 1866 in Washington County, Texas to Lachaon Joseph and Elizabeth (O’Banion?) Lincecum. She most often went by “Kate.” I’ve seen her referenced as “Katie” once – in a marriage index which states Katie Lincecum married Willie A. Cardwell 20 January 1892 in Caldwell County, Texas.
The marriage date carries with it a bit of contention, though, since census records suggest Katie and Willie had at least two children prior to that date. I suppose the children could belong to another union. I don’t know at this point. The four children I have ascribed to Kate and William are as follows: Lottie Kate, William E., Percy A., and Thomas A. (also known as “Tom”).
Edna Katherine Cardwell died 1 March 1945 in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. She was laid to rest at Mission Burial Park. I have requested a photo of a grave marker via FindAGrave.
Individual Facts:
Census: 28 September 1870 / Burton, Washington County, Texas
Census: 3 June 1880 / Williamson County, Texas
Census: 8 June 1900 / Gonzales, Gonzales County, Texas
Census: 19 April 1910 / San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
Residence: 1920-1945 / San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
Census: 5 January 1920 / San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
Census: 14 April 1930 / San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
Residence: April 1935 / San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
Census: 12 April 1940 / San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
Address: abt 1945 / 419 Harding Pl., San Antonio, Texas
Occupation: abt 1945 / Housewife at Bexar County, Texas
Note:
– Edna’s son Percy A. Cardwell was the informant listed on her death certificate. Cause of death: Generalized Arteriosclerosis with marked secondary anemia.
[Originally posted on previous platform August 2016.]
On private property in Brenham, Washington County, Texas is an unmarked cemetery. At one time, “most of the people who have lived in the area for many years” indicated the only identifiable grave in the cemetery was that of Col. Samuel D. Lauderdale. Col. Lauderdale and his wife Sarah Hawkins were the parents of Edna Caroline Lauderdale.
Edna married Lucullus Garland Lincecum about 1853 in Washington County, Texas. The couple had at least five children, including a girl named Ida. She was born about 1861, but was gone by the 1870 census.
Research conducted by members of the Washington County Genealogical Society of Brenham, Texas, suggests Ida could have been laid to rest in the Lauderdale Family Cemetery. But little girl Ida hopefully would not have lain there alone. It’s possible her mother and grandfather rest nearby.
For a more thorough report of the Samuel Lauderdale family and a listing of other possible burials in the cemetery, visit the Washington County Genealogical Society at bluebonnetgenealogy.org.
[Originally posted on previous platform August 2016.]
I know very little about the wives of Haywood Lincecum, so figured it would be easy enough to combine them into one post.
Mary Ann Brown and Haywood were married 3 January 1850 at Noxubee County, Mississippi. She was born about 1827-1828, possibly in South Carolina. Mary A. and Haywood had at least one son, Olympus Lincecum (1851-1938). This family can be found in the 1850 and 1860 census for Oktibbeha County, Mississippi. Mary A. presumably died before Haywood married again, so prior to 1869.
Mary E. Perkins and Haywood were married 21 February 1869 in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi. Mary E. brought children from a previous marriage to the family. She was born about 1833, possibly in Tennessee. Mary E. and Haywood had at least one daughter, Otelia Lincecum (b. abt March 1870). This family can be found in the 1870 Oktibbeha County, Mississippi Federal census. Mary E. presumably died before Haywood married again, so prior to 1873.
Elizabeth “Betsy” R. McIlwain/e and Haywood were married 21 January 1873 in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi. She was born about 1840, possibly in South Carolina or Alabama, a daughter of Samuel and Susanah Conn McIlwain/e. Elizabeth is listed with her parents for the 1860 Cherokee County, Alabama Federal census, and with Haywood for the 1880 Oktibbeha County, Mississippi Federal census. Elizabeth and Haywood had at least one son, Orono Brooks Lincecum (b. 1874).
According to FindAGrave, Elizabeth died 27 March 1890. She was laid to rest at Sanders Cemetery in Oktoc, Oktibbeha County, Mississippi.
[Originally posted on previous platform August 2016.]
Inquiring minds want to know. It seems the two are one, but please tell me your thoughts. I would especially appreciate a share if you believe there is conclusive proof one way or the other.
Travis Haywood Lincecum is named a child of Grabel and Wilmoth Lincecum in Grabel’s 1836 last will and testament made in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi. Much of the time, I find an individual presumed to be this son simply with the name of Haywood Lincecum. Then, at times, he is found as Haywood H. Here is a list of names come across in research, thinking Travis Haywood and Haywood H. are one in the same:
Haiwood H. Lincecum
Hayward Linsecum
Haywood Lincecum
Haywood H. Lincecum
Haywood Howard Lincecum
Haywood T. Lincecum
Heyward Lincecum
Travis Haywood Lincecum
Haywood was born between 1824 and 1826 in either Alabama or Mississippi. I lean toward Mississippi, though his father, uncles, and grandfather did stay for a bit in Alabama before settling in Mississippi. Judy Jacobson’s Alabama and Mississippi Connections provides the following:
According to Old Tuskaloosa Land Office Records, on September 5, 1822, a “Gravel” Lincecum of Monroe County, Mississippi was awarded land in Sec 26 T 16 R 17 W…The only other land granted to a Lincecum by the Tuscaloosa land office was given to “Grabel” Lincecum on December 11, 1822. That property was described as Sec 26 T 16 R 17 W in Monroe County.
Haywood married three times. First, to Mary Ann Brown, 3 January 1850 at Noxubee County, Mississippi. This union resulted in a son, Olympus. Next, H. H. Lincecum married Mary E., formerly the wife of a Mr. Perkins, 21 February 1869 at Oktibbeha County, Mississippi. This union resulted in a daughter, Otelia. Lastly, Hayward Linsecum married Elizabeth “Betsy” McIlwain/e, 21 January 1873 at Noxubee County. This union resulted in a son, Orono Brooks.
H. H. Lincecum has a tombstone at Soule Chapel Cemetery in Macon, Noxubee County, Mississippi. The birth date inscribed is 20 February 1824, and the death date is 9 April 1900.
Individual Facts:
Census: 1840 / Noxubee County, Mississippi – Mrs. W. Lincecum household
Occupation: November 1850 / Farmer in Oktibbeha County, Mississippi
Residence: 9 November 1850 / Oktibbeha County
Occupation: July 1860 / Farming in Oktibbeha County
Census: 18 July 1860 / Starkville, Oktibbeha County
Occupation: August 1870 / Farmer in Oktibbeha County
– According to a 1900 Macon Beacon, Heyward [sic] Lincecum, age 75 and a Mexican War veteran, died on April 9, 1900 leaving a son Brooks Lincecum and a sister Mrs. J. B. Cole. Ducianna Amanda Lincecum, also a named child in Grabel Lincecum’s will, married Josiah B. Cole 23 April 1854 in Noxubee County, Mississippi.
In the name of God Amen, I, Grabel Lincecum of the county of Oktibbeha and state of Mississippi being mindful of my mortality do make this my last will and testament in manner and form following to wit) I give and bequeath to my wife Wilmoth Lincecum all my property real & personal during her natural life or widowhood though in case of marriage then and in that case I wish all of my property equally divided between my several children. To wit) Travis Haywood Lincecum Bartly Case Lincecum Elizabeth Lincecum Willmoth M. Lincecum Ducianna Amanda and Grabel E. Lincecum. I wish my wife to have the entire controle [sic] of my property I wish no Administrator. I want the money due me to go to the payment of my debts and the residue to go to the support of my family or used as my wife may think proper
Given under my hand & seal this the 9th day of Nov 1836
Grabel Lincecum
Willmoth Lincecum
Attest
I. P. Thompson
Josiah Watkins
Wm. H. Anderson
Wm. C. Shaw
*Will admitted to probate by judge and witness 1st May 1837 in Noxubee County, Miss. “Recorded the 19th day of April 1838 in Record of wills (A) page 13…”
*Wilmoth, widow of Grabel, would go on to marry James P. Haynes in 1842.
They who knew him best will bless his name
and keep his memory dear while life shall last.
(Inscription on John’s tombstone)
[First posted on previous platform August 2016.]
John C. Roberts was born on Christmas Day of 1837 in Winston County, Mississippi to Alexander Roberts and Sabra Vise. Alexander Roberts [first] came to Texas in 1836, and helped the Texans fight the battles of the Republic for nearly four years, being in many engagements with the enemy, the most noted of which was the Plum Creek fight. This was written in a book by Dan W. Roberts, son of Alexander and brother of John C., titled Rangers and Sovereignty (first published 1914).
Sabra, on the other hand, thought the Texas frontier unsafe for her family. She, more than once, returned with her children to Mississippi. The family, all together, finally settled at what soon came to be Caldwell County about 1843.
John C. was one of three Roberts boys to marry three Lincecum girls. His choice was Fernandella Brazoria “Della” Lincecum (1840-1933), daughter of Garland R. Lincecum and Emmaline Jones. They were married 9 August 1857 at Caldwell County. The couple went on to have six sons and one daughter: Jacob Garland, Alexander Chalmus, Daniel Brazos, Louada, James Travis, John B. J., and Sullivan Ross.
John C. Roberts was a farmer, and during the Civil War, a cattle driver. He died 25 March 1919 at his home “8 mi east of Lockhart” in Caldwell County, Texas. John C. was buried in Lincecum – Roberts Cemetery, sacred land originally owned by his father-in-law.
Individual Facts:
Residence: 1839 / Texas
Census: 11 November 1850 / Caldwell County, Texas
Occupation: June 1860 / Stock Raiser at Caldwell County
Census: 20 June 1860 / Lockhart, Caldwell County
Occupation: August 1870 / Farmer at Caldwell County
Census: 27 August 1870 / Lockhart, Caldwell County
Occupation: June 1880 / Farmer at Caldwell County
Census: 12 June 1880 / Caldwell County
Occupation: June 1900 / Farmer at Caldwell County
Census: 8 June 1900 / Caldwell County
Occupation: May 1910 / Farmer of a General Farm at Caldwell County
Address: May 1910 / Union Grove Road, Caldwell County
Census: 10 May 1910 / Caldwell County
Occupation: October 1914 / Farmer at Caldwell County, but not able to work
Address: October 1914 / RFD #1, Dale, Caldwell County
Notes:
According to the 1870 Caldwell County, Texas Federal census, J. C. could not read or write.
From October 1914 Indigent Pension Application (No. 28601) of John C. Roberts:
When asked of what state was his command, he replied with Texas. John went on the say: “Enlisted at Austin July 1863. Served until May 1865…Was immediately detailed to serve in Subsistence Department and was put to work gathering cattle for Luckett’s Regiment. My entire time was put in driving Beeves for the command. I did not serve in any company as a soldier.”
A Mortuary Warrant submitted by D. B. Roberts, John’s son, states John died of heart disease at home.
John’s wife also submitted paperwork regarding his death as part of her Confederate Widow’s Pension Application. Image above, detailing burial expenses, was included.
![By self [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/c/ce/Mississippi_Territory_dark.gif "By self [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons")
Haywood was born between 1824 and 1826 in either Alabama or Mississippi. I lean toward Mississippi, though his father, uncles, and grandfather did stay for a bit in Alabama before settling in Mississippi. Judy Jacobson’s 
