Higginbotham Murders

Article - St. Paul Journal, Neosho Co., Ks. Jan. 2, 1902

Lawton, Ok. Dec. 21 -- John Robert, G. N. Higginbotham and his two sons Oliver and Ed were poutting up hay on shares, twenty-two miles northwest of Lawton. Thursday night Roberts attacked the Higginbotham boys with a pair of brass knuckles. The Higginbothams disarmed him, taking his revolver and knuckles from him. Roberts borrowed a shotgun, saying he was going deer hungtin and met the youngest of the Higginbotham boys on his road to Lawton with a load of hay. Roberts shot him in the back. He then went farther along the trail and met G. N. Higginbotham who was watching his oldest son coming up the trail. Roberts shot him also in the back and then the eldest son rushed up and was trying to raise his father, he, too, was shot. The boy had the revolver taken from Roberts the night before and opoened fire. Roberts waited until he had fired three shots and then walked up to the wounded man and killed him. There were four witnesses to the tragedy. Roberts mounted his horse, rode down to the camp, bade his wife good-by and left. Kansas City Star

G. N. Higginbotham was the only living brother of Mrs. I. J. Davis of this city. He was one of the early settlers of this county, coming here in 1866 and locating east of town. He married Miss Nancy Weaver whose home was on the farm now occupied by M. Herman in east Mission. In 1881, they moved to Meade Co., Ks. and remained there until a few months ago. Mr. Higginbotham drew a claim last August and later moved to it. He resided on his claim when the above sad catastrophe occured. His two sons, Ed and Oliver, who were also kill by Roberts, were 22 and 19 years old. Ed was born in East Mission but was a little child when his parents moved from here.

Note: George N. Higginbotham was the son of John F. & Caroline Ashmore Higginbotham. He was born 1856 in Adel, Dallas Co., Ia. He and Nancy had three sons; Philip, Edward and Oliver.

Caroline Ashmore Higginbotham married after John died to William Davies in Adel, Ia. After the death of Wm. Davis, she and some of her children came to St. Paul, Neosho Co., Ks.

One of Caroline's daughters was Harriet Janette born Aug 5, 1851 Coles Co., Ill. She married Edward Maher in Neosho Co., Ks. (submitted by Ann Baughman)


Issacor John Davies/Davis

Born Apr 9, 1844, Cardiff, Wales. Died Aug 17, 1909 St. Paul, Ks. Married Mary Saphronia Higginbotham, daughter of John F. & Caroline Ashmore Higginbotham, on Dec. 24, 1865, Adel, Dallas Co., Ia. She was born Aug 6, 1847, Coles Co. Il. and died Aug. 17, 1922, Erie, Neosho Co., Ks. They came to Neosho Co. in 1857.

Issacor ran a mill at the Osage Indian Mission. Also named street commisioner at St. Paul; ran the Benedict Elevator at Erie. Also known as Isaac. He was a grain dealer and employed his son Thomas.

Obit - St. Paul, Ks. Journal Aug. 25, 1909

Issachar J. Davies, notice of whose death was made last week, was born Apr. 13, 1844 in Glenmorganshire, So. Wales. He settled in Adel, Ia. where he resided a number of years. He was united in marriage to Mary Higginbotham, Dec. 24, 1865. Ten childten were born to this union.

Mr. Davies enlisted in the Civil War in Co., C., 39th Ia. in 1862 and served til the end. Ten months of this time was spent as a prisoner of the war.

He came with his wife to Osage Mission, Ks. in 1870 where he resided up to the time of his death on Aug. 17,1909

He is survived by his wife and six children; a sister and two brothers.

For several years he was the manager of the St. Paul branch of the Chanute Grain Co. and was reputed as one of the best grain buyers in this section.

Obit - St. Paul, Ks. Journal Aug. 1922 (Submitted by Ann Baughman)

Mary S. Higginbotham (Davies) was born in Woodward Co., Il. on Aug. 6, 1847, departed this life Aug. 17, 1922 after an illness of several months, aged 75 years and 11 days. When a child she moved with her parents to Adel, Ia. and was united in marriage to I. J. Davies on Dec. 24, 1865. Ten chioldren were born to this union, four of whom and the father, proceeded her to the other world. The living children are: Mrs. John Doherty of Helper; Mrs. W. D. King of Russell, Ks.; Mrs. F. J. Sevart of St. Paul; Charles of Baxter Springs; Thomas of Alma, Ks.; Frank of Alhambra, Ca. All except Frank were with their mother during her illiness and at her death. (Submitted by Ann Baughman)

LAUFFER, MARY MITCHELL

CHANUTE TRIBUNE
October 9, 1950
Front pg.

INJURIES FATAL IN FALL HERE

Mrs. Mary Mitchell Lauffer, 63, of Riverton, was fatally injured when she fell down a flight of steps Sunday afternoon at 301½ E. 22nd.

Mrs. Lauffer was taken by ambulance to the local hospital after the accident and she died about 20 minutes after entering the hospital. A severe head injury was given as the cause of death.

Mrs. Lauffer was enroute to Halstead to visit a son, Clifford Shenk, and she had stopped to visit Glen Hardy who resides at the address where the fatal mishap occurred.

Mrs. Lauffer was born June 7, 1887 at Riverton. Beside the son at Halstead she is survived by a son, Clifford Shenk of Lawrence and three grandchildren.

The funeral will be Tuesday afternoon at Riverton with burial in the Friends cemetery there.

Submitted by Juanita Alloway

POLLMAN, MILDRED DORIS

CHANUTE TRIBUNE
October 9, 1950
Pg. 2:

OBITUARY

Mildred Doris Pollman daughter of John and Lily Russell was born in High Prairie community near Chanute, Kansas, January 9, 1916. Her death occurred September 29, 1950 at the age of 34 years, 8 months and 20 days.

She was married to Merle H. Pollman, May 10, 1935. They were parents of three children, Doris Faye, Karen Ruth and Robert Lee.

Mrs. Pollman was a member of the First Baptist church of Humboldt, Kansas.

She was preceded in death by a sister, Doris Helen and her father, John Russell. Survivors are her husband and children, her mother, Mrs. Fred Kuhn and step-father, Fred Kuhn, Humboldt, four brothers, Kenneth Russell, The Dalles, Ore., Lester Russell, Portland, Ore., and Clyde and Edgar Russel, <sic> Austin, Tex, a sister, Mrs. Marjorie Cook, San Diego, Calif., two step-brothers, Calvin Kuhn, Austin, Tex., and Harold Kuhn, El Paso, Tex., and a step-sister, Mrs. Rex Martin, Salinas, Calif.

She will be missed by many friends and loved ones."

Submitted by Juanita Alloway

LAST FORMATION IN CHANUTE

CHANUTE TRIBUNE, October 9, 1950.
Front page:

Picture captioned:
LAST FORMATION IN CHANUTE for Company C, 835th aviation engineer battalion was early today when the troops received instructions shortly before loading on waiting Greyhound buses that were to take them to Fort Leonard Wood for basic training. Approximately 200 wives, families and sweethearts assembled at the armory to see the men off.

(Picture with "Where's Daddy Going?"
"Vicky Jo, 18 months inquires of her mother, Mrs. N. Eugene Dunaway. They came to see Sgt. Dunaway board the bus for Fort Leonard Wood today").

FAMILIES MEET FOR FAREWELLS AS UNIT LEAVES

Tears and Joking Are Mixed Reactions When Troops Depart

Wives, families and sweethearts numbering nearly 200 gathered at the armory early today to see the members of company C, 835th aviation engineer battalion off for Fort Leonard Wood where they will take their basic training. The troops boarded Greyhound buses and pulled out at 9:35 a.m.

Nearly every type of reaction to the situation could be seen in groups milling around the area -- tears, joking to keep from crying, soberness and almost everything except complete indifference. One little boy around 2 years old knew something was happening that he did not like and started crying. "But daddy's coming back real soon, honey," said the GI on the bus.

"No, no," choked back the answer. "I want my daddy."

Typical of the American soldier was the guy who hung his head out of the bus window to cheer up the wife."Honey, I want you to write our congressman - this darned bus hasn't even got a radio on it," he grinned.

"Well, dear, you can always sing, "Goodnight Irene" to the boys," she returned. Then she turned her head momentarily while her lip stopped quivering.

Capt. James O. Adams, company commander, was running here and there trying to get things lined up so they could be on the way. He explained that only 88 men were taking the bus trip. The rest had gone in private conveyances or had been sent on an advanced detail.

"This is the day he said, "And all I'm interested in at the moment is loading on the buses and getting started."

BARHAM, L. K. JR. ~ OLD, ARDIS

Another set of newlyweds was in the group. Recruit L. K. Barham, jr., RFD 1, announced his marriage to Ardis Old, Yates Center, Satuday and was passing out cigars. They were married in Bentonville, Ark., and had a brief weekend honeyoon in the Ozarks. They had planned to get married later but the calling of the local unit necessitated a change in plans. He is 21 and she is 17. Mrs. Barham is a senior in Yates Center high school and will remain with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. R. Old to finish out the year, then will join her husband. Barham is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lloyd K. Barham."

A picture of the couple is on the front page, captioned

"MARRIED SATURDAY were Recruit and Mrs. L. K. Barham, jr., shown here as Barham prepared to board the bus with his buddies in the aviation engineers battalion today."

Submitted by Juanita Alloway

CHANUTE TRIBUNE
October 9, 1950
Page 2

VISITORS

Mrs. Louise Fairchild, Osawatomie, Mrs. Moreata Hull, Ottawa, and Mr. and Mrs. Charles Harsha, Nowata, visited Sunday with Mrs. T. R. Kyner, 1316 S. Santa Fe.

Mrs. James Davis, 907 S. Highland, went to Burlington Sunday for a few days visit with her parents.

Mr. and Mrs. Tom Moffatt, with daughters, Susan and Sally, of Wichita, were weekend guests of their parents, Mr. and Mrs. S. G. Moffatt and Mr. and Mrs. C. E. Welsh.

Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Cook and Marjorie Cook returned Sunday from Kansas City where they visited Mr. and Mrs. Sam M. Cook, Karen Abbey, Sam M. jr., and Courtney, at Mission. Mrs. Cook and Miss Cook went to Mission on Thursday and were joined Sunday by Mr. Cook, for his birthday celebration.

Weekend guests of Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Stanley, 817 S. Grant, were Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Stanley, Judy and Clark. Mr. and Mrs. Forrest Stanley, Sondra Sue and Ronnie, Mound City, Mr. and Mrs. Rex Stanley, Kansas City and Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Stanley, of Tulsa.

Mr. and Mrs. Carter Brookhart, Jane, Barbara and Jackie, were in Columbus Sunday, their former home, for the dedication program at the Presbyterian church, which was celebrating the 81st anniversary. A new organ was among the gifts dedicated.

Mrs. Mary J. Williams is expected home today from a 4-month stay in California.

Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Ingle, of Tulsa, spent the weekend with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. C. Cowen and Mr. and Mrs. Grand Bond.

Submitted by Juanita Alloway

COMPROMISE LED TO TUMBLING ACT

Fourteen years ago Wilbur Luman said he did not approve of tap or ballet lessons for his three sons. His wife, Lois, loved music and wanted her sons to have dancing lessons.

A compromise was reached. The boys were enrolled in tumbling lessons. Twins Lyle and Lynn were 7 years old and Ron was 5. Mrs. Luman thought the boys would soon tire of tumbling but their interest grew. The boys grew.

More room was needed at home for their practice sessions. The Lumans bought a large older house, laid new hardwood floors in three adjoining rooms with 10 ½ -foot-high ceilings. A

forty-foot-long runway for the tumblers was made through the three rooms with 9 ½ -foot-high

archways.

Mrs. Luman found a challenge in keeping up with the boys. Between regular trips to Wichita and Kansas City for lessons, Mrs. Luman also chauffeured the young trio to performances at county fairs in Kansas and surrounding states. The boys are billed as the "Luman Brothers—Lyle, Lynn and Lee."

In preparation for the many trips, Luman gave his wife instructions on emergency automobile repairs. Her mechanical aptitude grew as rapidly as the boys' tumbling ability.

The boys have recently studied with contortionist Meribeth Old at her dance studio near Yates Center.

Highlights of their career include performing at the Six Flags over Texas entertainment center near Dallas in the summer of 1966; Six Flags Over Georgia in the summers of 1967 and 1968; and at Cedar Point Park, near Sandusky, Ohio, this summer. Last year the brothers had an opportunity to travel professionally in Canada and to Paris, but declined in order to continue their college studies.

Lyle and Lynn, 21, are seniors at Wichita State University. Lyle is majoring in engineering and Lynn is studying medical technology. Ron, 19, is a music major at Neosho County Junior College here, and is a part-time assistant at the Meribeth Old dance studio.

Meanwhile, Mrs. Luman has continued to study the automobile—American and English varieties. With three American and two English cars in the family, there has been ample

opportunity for practice.

She changes the oil and filters regularly, repairs starters and carburetors, and has helped her husband overhaul the engine of an English Ford.

A petite five-footer, Mrs. Luman is the only member of the family small enough to work

under their English Fords. The boys are each over six feet tall.

With the boys in school or performing, and her husband working at the cement plant here, Mrs. Luman assumed that she was the logical person to make auto repairs.

"It helps the family keep mobile," she said. (Ottawa Herald, Tuesday, July 15, 1969 (Ottawa, Kansas), submitted by Dawn Old)

SUCCEEDS JUDGE STILWELL

James A. Finley of Chanute, Neosho County, has been appointed judge of the Seventh Judicial Distrit by Governor Hoch, after the latter received a letter from Judge Leander Stillwell refusing to recall his resignation. Finley is 32 years of age and has been for a number of years the law partner of J. J. Jones at Chanute. He is married. (Wichita Searchlight, August 31, 1907, page 3)

back to index