Friday, July 19, 2019
Natasha & Dakota,
I wasn't sure how to contact you. I sent cards to Uncle Bill & the cousins. Gloria and Linda know I will be unable to be with you Monday due to family health issues. You are in my thoughts and prayers. I'll be watching the clock hard. I am so sorry for your loss. Of the 13 Womelsdorf, Anderson & Hyatt cousins I was closest in age to Debbie & Danny Boy and Bobbie & Terri Ann. We were the youngest, many good memories from when we were little. Life just happened, we grew up. I think I last saw Debbie in June 1977 at her wedding. The past 40 years kind of zipped by raising kids and working.
Also in the mail is a memorial check to the Xenia Masonic Lodge #47. At the time I did not know of your memorial and maybe the following information will make sense. Bill Otto, LeRoy, will be contacting the mortuary. Xenia has the oldest Masonic Lodge west of the Mississippi, still doing work in the tiny building in which it was chartered right after the Civil War. In general the Masons do good things for their communities.
Last year just before Christmas I purchased a reprint of the Bicentennial book for here. The co-editor will be 99 soon, I wanted to know more about the area & ask questions while there still was time. Preston Plumb, founded Emporia at age 20 in 1857. He was from Xenia, OH. Our Xenia was founded in 1858. He convinced thousands of families to leave the area and come this way including the Carmeans. Who knows how many never made the trip all the way to Kansas. The more I studied, plus I added my Bicentennial notes from Allen & Bourbon Counties, I learned a lot about our ancestors.
Mom died suddenly in March. I had made the memorial to the Xenia Lodge. I made the check presentation at the annual picnic in June. I learned Bourbon County had recently gifted the school house to the lodge. It is being used for community activities, Xenia is being revitalized! I donated new plates, glasses & bowls for future activities. Back in the day the school, lodge and old Baptist church were the place to be for community activities .All three buildings were close together. In the 1940's movies were shown on the side of the school. Dances were in individual homes, with the furniture moved out on the lawn. Aunt Toots and Mom did not attend the school, not sure about Aunt Eva. I do know Uncle Frank, Aunt Goldie & little Ola Mae and Pete & Bean Carmean and lots of other relatives did attend that school thru the many years. I am unsure when the school was built and when it ceased operations. It was really cool to see and quietly reflect upon the years, if only the walls could talk! These buildings from our past still stand strong safe from storms and fire. The old church was getting to be a safety hazard. It was so hot at the picnic I did not walk across the road to see if anything remained in the trees.
As for the Womelsdorfs I usually think of Mapleton. Henry & Leah operated the Xenia store. I know where Aunt Eva & Uncle Danny lived in Xenia when they first married. Ironically now I think a Xenia area resident has a Mapleton address.
This news hurts so much. I hope she is finally at peace. At the picnic an elderly woman made a gooseberry pie that could of easily been made by Debbie or Mom. The crust was perfect and it was good. I know they would of smiled.
Love,
Betty & Family
Emporia
