1911- Death of Lewis F.Garrison in Aline Ok

Keepsakes- large diamond from the Arkansas Diamond Mines, silver cup and spoon,  silver watch, crystal cup

kicked by a mule in the barn

probate

move to farm in Aline

My father thought perhaps he was kicked by a mule in the barn.

Lewis F. Garrison died on September 13, 1911. He and Nancy had been in Oklahoma for about 10 years.  

The funeral

His 74 year old sister, Martha Garrison Pedigo, traveled over 500 miles from Scotland County, Missouri for the funeral. She was accompanied by her son, 50 year old John Pedigo. John had leukemia, and would die several weeks after the journey.  

The death must have been unexpected as Lewis died without a will. This projected his widow, Nancy, into an expensive and lengthy probate. Her brother Robert J. Rodgers and neighbor Charles Farabee were sureities for the bonds of administration.  Although the probate process was surely painful for the family, it has left us with specific records which give us some insight into their belongings and lifestyle.

Lewis owned half of the farm that Jim and Mattie lived on in Major County, which still had a mortgage, and his portion was valued at $2000. He owned the homestead in Alfalfa county which was appraised at $7500.

From the personal property we get an idea of life on this farm;

Livestock:

2 adult mules and 2 yearling mules (one of which was likely the culprit); The adult mules would have been used for plowing, etc.

A blue roan mare, and a 2 year old bay colt

One sow and 4 piglets

1 jersey bull, and 3 jersey heifers (for milk)

2 red cows, and 1 calf

  Farm equipment:

riding plow, disc harrow and plow, cultivator, mowing machine, wheat binder, corn sled

Lewis had a half interest in a wagon which was not sold

All items had to be appraised for the auction; and the appraisers paid $1 each.

At the auction, Jim bought the blue roan mare for $160, overpaying his mother as it was appraised at $140...he did this for each item he bought, including the plow, harrow, drill, and harnesses. Friends and neighbors bought most of the other items. A neighbor Dan Elle had been helping with the farm work.

  

Lewis and Nancy had saved $851.37 in the bank. Now Nancy had to begin paying the bills. The probate process went on for over a year, and the fees mounted up. Payments went to medical costs, the funeral and burial fees, accounting fees, court and attorney fees, and payments to the Aline Chronical. 

One of the articles in the Aline Chronical was a search for a missing heir; Jim Garrison's brother, Robert Riley Garrison. He had not been seen or heard from in seven years.