THE MAN ON A TALL HORSE

THE MAN ON A TALL HORSE

I will not deny it George Washington has been an incredible hero in my mind since I was a little girl and as an adult it has not changed much.

I can always imagine him on top of his big horse sitting proud and tall and he was tall for the times he lived in. One of his favorite horses was a beautiful chestnut horse named Nelson who was 16 hands tall which given to him as a gift by Thomas Nelson in 1778 when the horse was fifteen. After the war, Nelson and the other gray horse named Blueskin Washington rode during the Revolutionary War were retired. Both served Washington well during the war and he was atop Nelson when the British surrendered at Yorktown and the surrender was signed. He had great affection for his horses, when he would go out to the pasture nelson would neigh and run up to the fence to be petted.

George Washington was considered one of the finest horseman in Virginia and he was said to be “able to ride without bearing on his bridle even over fences” which meant he could sit a horse well jumping a fence and not pulling the horses mouth unduly, thereby he was gentle on the bit with his hands. How you handle your horse and his mouth is as important as how you sit in the saddle. Too much pulling all the time, your horse will get stubborn and tough mouthed and thereby not very reliable.

But besides Washington’s horseman skills, the incredible job he took on in trying to take a ragtag bunch of men and turn them into soldiers especially without money and enough trained officers was a daunting task. He lost lots of the battles and yet kept trying and he was shot at and had numerous bullets come close, go through his cloak or hat and I believe even horses shot out from under him and yet he was unharmed, he was certainly not a small target as he was over 6’ tall and sat a tall horse. I truly believe that God had a plan for him and he was protected throughout the war.

Also, people forget one thing as well, to go against the King of England (and yes our country was under English rule) meant that people like George Washington were considered traitors or worse and if the war had gone the other way, as in if the English had won then people such as George Washington would not only have lost everything but would have been hung or shot as traitors to the crown. Many of the founders of the war who had money also invested not just time but a lot of their own resources into the war, some to the point where they went bankrupt later, they believed so strongly in the cause.

Of Course, Washington was a human too and he had his quirks. He expected straight honesty and certain rigid perfectionism from himself and others as well and when they could not deliver the same morals or honor he himself displayed he was a sight to behold if he felt wronged or cheated. Sometimes this was good and sometimes not so much. He was a complex but unique human who came to greatness, not so much because he sought it but because he was a leader and people saw that in him and

asked him to help and he stepped up to the challenges offered.

He is probably the only man alive who could have become a king but was actually reluctant to become the 1st president, he did no campaigning and he did not even put his name forward but people unanimously voted him into office, they were not even sure if he would accept. He had said “ He had no wish which aspires beyond the humble and happy lot of living and dying a private citizen” at his Mount Vernon home.But when asked to, he accepted and served two terms in office for a country which was a baby still and had many struggles and problems but he was also not shy about getting down to business and to work on the problems.

But besides his love of his country and his family, one of his big loves was his home in Virginia along the Potomac river called Mount Vernon. Even during the war, he would write to his steward and direct things and have some things remodeled or changed, always improving. He inherited this house and he loved it very much, and I was able to go to Mount Vernon this summer on the 3^rd of July, the day before our country’s Independence day and see just a little of why George Washington loved his home.

To be continued…

THE HOUSE ON THE HILL

The House on the Hill

When Thomas Jefferson was a young man he would ride his horse to the top of a particular hill on his fathers’ property, often with his dear friend Dabney Carr and they would sit under a tree there and survey the view around them and look out toward the mountains; across all the hills and valleys. It was here that young Thomas determined he would build a house there when he was an adult and make his home in this beautiful spot.

He and his friend Dabney also made a pact that whoever should die first would be buried under their favorite tree down the hill from the house and ultimately be laid to rest next to each other.

It came to pass that the house did get built after Thomas was married, he designed the house himself and he did create a cemetery where both the friends could be buried together as well as their families.

But there is so much more to this story as we well know.

I had the great pleasure to get to see this home that Thomas Jefferson built, loved and that he called Monticello.

 

It is quite a sight when you come over the knob and it comes into view, It facade is stunning. On closer inspection it’s no wonder he wanted to build here it is so pretty and the view spectacular.

Thomas Jefferson is more than sprinkled throughout our early history and many people know he was the author of the declaration of Independence, that he became president and that he was very busy during the revolution but how many of us know the man?

Of course, we can only see him through the prism of years and what people have written about him and what he may have written himself over the years, but stepping into his home and seeing the rooms he lived in and slept in as well as his office and the desk where he did his writing really brought to life the man and what he was interested in.

Thomas Jefferson’s father died when he was still a very young which landed a lot of responsibility on his shoulders. He went to college in Williamsburg, Va. at William and Mary college in which he studied a variety of subjects including law. When he enrolled he was already proficient in the classics and could read Greek and Latin. He had an incredible love of books and his collection at Monticello was huge even by today’s standards; he owned 6,487 books! His famous statement “I cannot live without books” couldn’t be more true.

The grounds around Monticello are stunning and there is a lovely lawn where they would play lawn games. Also, a large variety of flowers and shrubs to see along the edge. A lovely walking area

As you walk around you can tour the many aspects of life at that time including a cabin that slaves would have slept in. We went on a tour about slavery at Monticello and it was very interesting. I think Thomas Jefferson was for freedom but yet because of the times he lived in slavery was an engrained part of the culture at the time period he lived. We will never know for sure what he thought about it but I like to think that our father of the declaration of Independence might have been divided on this issue in his soul and wished to live at a different time or a more clear-cut way to change the world on it. Of course, that came less than 100 years later and it’s too bad it required a war to resolve it. But that is for another day.

Part of the areas you could tour was to go under the house, see the storage and wine cellar as well as the kitchens and other work areas that would be required to run such a house and feed so many people.

The garden below the house shows an example of some of the vegetables that would have been grown at that time, of course it would have had to be much bigger to feed all the people who lived on the estate and worked there.

The house itself is a tour led by a guide, who tells you information about the house as you go along, I will say depending on when you go, if its real busy the tour will move along faster than I would have liked. If you can go at a less busy time it would be much better. They do not allow photographs inside the house so therefore I only have some post cards.

Regardless, the house is a masterpiece and even though small by some of today’s standards for a mansion; the woodworking and overall details are exquisite and lovely. One thing I did find funny is Jefferson did not build a big staircase as he felt it was unnecessary and a waste of room, so the stairway is narrow and steep which is a steep contrast to the openness of the other rooms.

When you first come into the house is an entryway with many artifacts on the wall as well as maps. The idea was to impress visitors with things from all over the world. A very unique collection of items too.

I can go on and on about this visit and home but the bottom line to really feel Jefferson, to really get a glimpse of the man, you need to go here and experience it for yourself. The tickets are rather expensive unfortunately but the money does go to preserve the estate which is important overall.

If you ever have a chance to visit this architectural masterpiece nearCharlottesville, Virginia it is well  worth the experience.Whether you spend an hour or two or spend the whole day as we did.Take a step into the history of our nation, you will not be sorry you did.

Even my dog liked sitting on the steps of the great house and so did I. To think Thomas Jefferson and scores of other important people walked on these steps. Incredible!

 

APPALACHIAN DRIVE

Appalachian Drive

On Friday July 1, 2016 we drove north on I-79 out of Charleston, West Virginia and took the scenic route up over the Appalachian Mountains, winding mountain roads, small towns and lots of green everywhere and many trees we have never seen before and have no idea what they are.

We took the interstate north till we got to highway 33 and went east and stopped in a couple of places. One thing that is so interesting is you cannot see very much into the woods, not at all like in Wyoming or Colorado. The brush and undergrowth is very thick. It would be hard not to get lost in the woods, I can only imagine back when explorers pushed west they had to follow rivers and creeks so as to not get lost. Truly, West Virginia is as they claim very ‘wild and wonderful’ in its mountains and natural wonders and lack of cities. It may not have the elevation we have out west but some of the scenes and mountains are just as rugged as some of the mountains west. Remarkable how steep some of the roads and passes were. Some towns are in canyons or gullies where yes a flash flood could take them out; and there is steep hills all around.

We stopped in one town called Weston for just a little while. I guess it is the town where Stonewall Jackson grew up. We tried to find the house on short notice but ran out of time. They also have a very old building built before the civil war, Gothic design that was a Lunatic asylum. Now called the Trans -Allegheny Lunatic Asylum formerly known as the Weston State Hospital it served the mentally ill until the mid 1800’s. We saw it from the road but did not have time to tour it. It was an incredible building though.

We also stopped at Seneca Rock which is a rock outcropping which is also a historical area at Seneca Rocks, WV. The rock formations contain quartz sandstone, thus eroding less quickly than the surrounding rocks. It stands 960 feet above the North Fork of the South Branch of the Potomac River. The magnificent outcropping has a whole legend to it as well as lots of natural beauty but I will not tackle that legend today.

The rocks have a lot of climbers but the area was also used by the 10^th mountain division for training before and during WWII. During World War II the whole area of the Monongahela National Forest played a key role in training our troops for the war.

At the same historical park there was also a wonderful old homestead that had the old home there. The man Mr. Sites built a log cabin in 1839 and then was added on to and now is a frame house. Interesting. They have planted a number of heirloom plants and a garden there too. It was fun to see the different plants, some of which I had never seen before. One thing of interest there is this orange day lily which is a native plant around here and you see it everywhere. Pretty! I found myself quite interested in the plants back east, so different from what we have out west. I may write more on this later.

The highest point in West Virginia as far as elevation is something around 4,863 feet. The roads some of them are as steep and winding as any in Colorado or Wyoming mountains. Driving with lower gears and so on so what they may lack in elevation does not deter from steepness and dramatic hills. Somewhere yesterday we crossed into the eastern time zone and today we dropped into Virginia.

I really liked parts of West Virginia and only wished we had had more time to explore the lovely mountains and get acquainted with the people who call this area home. Maybe someday I can come again.

We crossed a piece of the  beautiful Shenandoah National park and dropped down and eventually ended up in Charlottesville, VA where we stayed the night, with the next stop being Monticello, Thomas Jefferson’s home.

 

ILLINOIS, INDIANA, KENTUCKY, AND WEST VIRGINIA

Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia

4 states in one day

We left Vandalia, Il. and headed east on the interstate and crossed into Indiana and then into Kentucky at Louisville, Ky. at 12:00 noon and continued on for hours it seemed with a couple of brief stops.

We would have liked to have done some tourist things but we really couldn’t this trip unfortunately. I think Jim was sad we couldn’t but some things have to be cut now and then.

I liked Kentucky or rather all of it, it was green, hilly in places and lots of trees, we also crossed the Mississippi River and it is really big. It always surprises me how much bigger the rivers are as you go east. When I think of Kentucky I always think of Daniel Boone and his exploring and moving west and the Cumberland Gap. It makes me think of adventure and explorers and the movement and expansion to the west.

As we moved west it is so obvious how the progression of this country is a timeline, the further east you go the houses get a little older and a little older and so do the towns which is a classic case of how we oved west and expanded our country over the centuries.

We arrived in West Virginia and stopped in Huntington and discovered that bad rains and flood that the state had washed out some roads to the south so we decided to continue toward Charleston, WV and go north and up into the mountains and take the scenic route through the Appalachian Mountains.

We thought we would just stay in Charleston and then found out that about every hotel in town was booked that I called and since we did not know the area we decided to stop in a little town called ‘Hurricane’ and went to this small motel called American hotel and got a room. Well, that was a mistake as the room sucked and was dirty and nasty. I should have complained but after I paid I realized that it was non- refundable, anyway, live and learn I guess.

The small town of Hurricane was on the edge of the mountains. The one saving grace was we found a little Barbeque place that had food I could eat, everything was made from scratch and very yummy, the people were friendly and I didn’t get sick. BONUS!

 

Touching Abraham

TOUCHING ABRAHAM

We headed east and crossed the wide Missouri after driving on several country highways to get there. Then we were in Illinois heading toward Springfield.

In the process and looking at the map I realized that a little farther south we would have gone through Hannibal, Missouri where Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) lived as a boy! It’s funny how you read about places and unless you specifically set out to look or go see said places you get surprises like that and suddenly realize ‘oh, now I know where that is’.

Or we were just north of Nauvoo where Joseph Smith was Killed and the Mormons moved west. It’s interesting and a surprise that you can be almost anywhere and there is always a bit of history and something to go see.

But I digress, we finally arrived in Springfield about 4:00P.M. and had a hard time finding Abraham Lincoln’s home but finally we did but it shortened our time to visit. We did manage to each get on a tour of his home. We had to take turns because of the dog, but it was so worth it, to walk into his house and see the rooms where he sat, ate and lived with his family, of course before he became president.

I especially liked seeing his writing desk sitting in the corner of the parlor. It was simple but nice and to think he sat there and wrote out great works, that his brilliant mind was at work and the words flowed through onto paper. I so admire his fortitude and desire to learn, how he grew up and educated himself and never quit learning.

A lot of the furnishings in the home were original which is really cool. Like the parlor set which has black horse hair upholstery. It was also remarkable to climb the stairs to go upstairs and use the hand rail that Abraham Lincoln himself put the is hand on when he climbed the stairs himself. I touched something he touched, amazing!

Actually, the whole 4 block area is a national historic site with several old houses to see as well. We did not get to see everything as they close promptly at 5 but it was well worth the stop.

Actually, if you are in Springfield there is lots to see and much of it has to do with president Lincoln, like his law offices, the presidential library and museum and also his tomb.

But we had to get down the road a piece and made it as far as a town called Vandalia, Ill. We found out the next morning that it was the town with the oldest territorial capital in the state with a wonderful old building there.

Onward to the East

 

IOWA- A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART

IOWA -A SPECIAL PLACE IN MY HEART

Iowa has always held a special place in my heart. I was born in this wonderful state and every time I go back it invokes a special feeling of home. I associate it with my loving grandparents and my aunts and uncles, my cousins and all the relatives who have come before and who have left us even now. It has a feeling of coming home and seeing the green and rolling hills, the farms with their white houses and big barns, the rows of corn taller than myself; all make me feel warm inside. Even though I have not lived in Iowa since I was a little kid of about 5 it still means a lot to me, and I love to come here.

We headed north out of Lawrence, Kansas on Highway 59 toward Des Moines, Iowa where some of my family still resides. Goal was to see Uncle Mark, my Cousins Shelby and Addison and also with the hope of seeing Aunt Shirley and Uncle Rick and of course any other cousins who might be available.

We decided to take a different route; so instead of just driving up the interstate we took some country back roads and jig jogged back and forth even dropped in on Missouri for a spell till we came out in Winterset, Iowa which is well known for the covered bridges (as in “The Bridges of Madison County” fame). One time I went around with my grandma and saw most of those, it was really fun but more on that later.

Anyway, we arrived in Des Moines much later than expected but it was fun to see the country without the interstate. The interstate is great for making miles but not so much for enjoying the trip or seeing scenery especially if you are the driver.

We had dinner with my aunt and Uncles and cousins. I will admit I wondered if it would be weird since my Aunt Gwen passed away recently but it wasn’t and even though I miss her dearly and it was strange for her not to be there, I felt like she was there in spirit and we all had a wonderful visit and it did my heart good to see everyone, it made me feel warm and happy inside. It was over much too soon and we all had to wait till the next day to see some of them again.

The following day Tues. June 28th Jim and I had to drive over to Ivy Church in Altoona and meet the minister there. Jim’s great great Uncle Arthur Barton helped start that church and he was also a chaplain in the Civil war and was at Vicksburg, Miss. when Grant was trying to conquer Vicksburg during the Civil War. Anyway, Jim wanted to see the church and especially the inside as he had never got to go inside before. I had gone to a church service there one time with Jim’s parents and my grandparents when Rebecca was a baby. The little white church was built in 1876, it is quite lovely inside too and it was a pleasure to visit with pastor Forster about the church.

After the church Jim and I ate lunch at Cracker Barrel. I had never eaten at one before and always wanted to. It turned out to be fun, I had a basic meal of a baked potato, green beans, and ham but at least I did not get sick from it and it was good. We also had a stewed apple for dessert which was yummy. Then I looked around a bit. Basically, it’s just regular home type cooking. I call it simple but good home style and that is probably why people like it as there is something comforting in that type of cooking. The gift shop is reminiscent of a country store with a variety of things such as specialty jam and biscuit mixes, etc.

I had some errands which turned out to be a pain and Uncle Mark was tied up all day; so in the end it all worked out as Uncle Mark picked us up and we drove to Shelby and Ken’s house for dinner and Addison and her Husband Ryan came as well as us and Gwen’s friend Linda who is like one of the family really. Addison could only stop by briefly last night due to a previous engagement, so I was glad she could meet us this night.

Shelby and Ken fixed very Yummy burgers and brats along with grilled corn, watermelon and chips, too much to eat but wonderful good. The company, the visit and all was really fun, we all left too late and probably made everyone late too bed, but thank you just the same. The only regret I had was I forgot about photos until after Addison and Ryan had left.

Goodbyes are always the hardest and I always want to cry, wish there was more time and want to rush back but know I cannot for a while. Wanted to see more and do more as well but it is what it is I suppose.

Goodbye Des Moines and I will see you again, love and hugs always.

 

 

Wednesday morning, we set off again heading east on I-80 and then south to cross the Missouri river into Illinois but before that crossing to another state we made one last detour south east of Des Moines about 40-50 miles east we turned south on highway 146 and We drove to Searsboro, and saw the little town that my great great great grandfather Augustus O. Huston lived near. He was in the Civil War on the Union side and was in an Illinois unit and it was after the war they came to Iowa from what I have tracked down, he was a laborer and a farmer from census records I have dug up. I had hoped to find the cemetery but I forgot the info as to what cemetery and left it at home unfortunately and it was not just in the town of course. It is probably a rural cemetery near there. We did ask in the next town over but they did not know and when we were in Searsboro it was too early in the morning and we couldn’t find anyone to ask. The town was small and not much to it anymore except houses set in rolling green farm land. A pretty setting but the road awaited and so we didn’t dawdle much.

Next stop Illinois!

 

 

THE BURNING Of LAWRENCE AND OTHER STUFF

THE BURNING OF LAWRENCE

AND OTHER STUFF

 

We arrived safely to Lawrence and had a wonderful visit with Aunt Norma, Uncle Don and Jim’s cousin Kris. We also got to see Kris’ twin boys Jared and Jacob (both park rangers). And we got to see Jim’s other cousin Bob and wife Lisa. It was so great to see everyone and visit. They were all nice enough to take us around and show us some of Lawrence. Aunt Norma also took us to Ottawa and showed us where Grandma Nettie Dougherty Babcock had lived. The address was: 826 Cherry St.  Also, Jim’s mom Juanita was born in a little house behind there along with Norma and other siblings possibly. (it no longer exists) but Jim remembers his mom showing it to him when he was little. Grandma’s house doesn’t look quite the same now either but I have posted a photo of what it currently looks like.

 

Also, Uncle Jim Babcock (my Jim’s grandmother Cora Beulah Babcock Barton’s brother Jim) had a grocery store downtown Ottawa “Chaney and Babcock” was the name we think. We found the exact location. The store is still standing and is an antique store now. The address is: 534 Main St. Ottawa, Ks. Uncle Jim’s wife Weloma had a beauty shop and greatly influenced Juanita (Jim’s mom’s) interest in going to beauty school.

Lawrence, Kansas is an interesting town with a lot of history. One of the big things it’s known for is the fact it was burned during the Civil War 1863. Quantrill’s guerilla raiders sacked the town and burned it, killing men and adolescent young men. They had a list of people to hunt down and kill but they killed people randomly as well, over 200 I believe (definitely more than what has happened like in Orlando) even though it was called a raid, it was an act of terrorism, no doubt about it. There is a small museum in Lawrence downtown that covered the burning of Lawrence that we got to visit while there and I am sure other museums in town do as well.

There is a movie that covers the burning of Lawrence and its better than a lot of movies entitled: “Ride with the Devil” in which Toby McGuire plays a main character as well as the singer Jewel in this movie and as a matter of fact my husband Jim Robinson plays as an extra in the movie in the battle and riding scenes. They actually burned part of a real town for some of the scenes. The town was Pattenburg, Missouri. I was actually on the movie set for a few days when Jim was finishing up. Didn’t see any name actors or much really but it was kind of interesting. But I digress.

The museum that we went to was originally a bank and mortgage company. Beautiful architecture and so I have posted a few photos.

Also, Kris took us out to the area where it is supposed that Quantrill camped before their attack on Lawrence in 1863, There was a hill out there and a nice meadow below so it would have been a good location for it.

Uncle Don drove us out to see some of the KU campus and there are some neat buildings there. Lawrence is a big college town.

out at the lake there was all these lovely flowers

We also had a lovely lunch with Kris at a restaurant downtown called “Jazz” it was like creole food I think but was very good. I had blackened catfish and I had not had good catfish in a long time. I would definitely recommend this restaurant. They were also very willing to accommodate my food allergies.

We had nice visits and good meals and as always it’s hard to say goodbye to good company and family. Goodbye Kansas! See you next time.

Aunt Norma and Jim

 

 

LUCAS, AND ONWARD TO AUNT NORMA’S

LUCAS,

AND ONWARD

TO AUNT NORMA

 

We left Phillipsburg, Ks. This morning and drove toward Lucas. Just north of Lucas we turned on a country road heading north and after several twists and turns we found where Jim’s great great grandparents homesteaded. Jim had found it before, (the last time was about 20 years ago) but with memory he found it again and this time we documented distances and roads as now there is road signs out there which makes it much easier. (Instead of ‘writing turn at this silo and go left’ we can say ‘turn on country rd. such and such’) which is so much better to find a place.

If any of you Barton’s want to go find it, let me know and we will send you a map.

We found the homestead place, nothing there now but foundation remnants and some trees, a large field with corn growing but it was neat to see the place. When we were there before you could still see where the root cellar was which before that was the dugout home that they had lived in before they built a house. Great grandmother Mahala Barton used to carry a .45 revolver in her pocket because of rattle snakes. Jim’s grandfather Allan joked that he cut his teeth on a .45 because when he was little and teething sometimes his grandmother would take out the cylinder, empty the cartridges out and let him use the cylinder as a teething ring. Later, Allan and an accomplice took Grandma’s pistol and some silver dollars and buried them like a treasure in an old tin box and then they could never remember where they had buried it or locate it again. It still could be there I Suppose. I bet if Grandma was still alive at that time she would not have been happy.

On the way back to Lucas we stopped at Del Hi Cemetery and looked up where Jim’s Great great grandfather Samuel is buried along with several children and babies they lost too early. There was also some other Barton’s buried there but I don’t know how they are related exactly without looking it up and I don’t have the genealogy with us. But may write more later.

 

 

Back in Lucas we went and talked to a local lady who was also one of the librarians in town and she showed us where her mother had told her that the Barton Livery stable was possibly located west of main St. off of 2^{nd St.}  south of 2^nd along the alley between Russell and Wolf St.  There is a foundation there approx. the right size, etc. but to try to affirm this we are going to send the lady a copy of the picture and then she can tell us if the photo was the stable in Lucas or the one in Lincoln. This wonderful helpful lady also said she had seen a photo of the old frame house located where the Garden of Eden is now located but the frame house would have been where grandpa Allan Barton was born.

On our return trip we may try to stop there and measure what the dimensions are for sure. . If that is the stable location the gable ends would face east and west.

So, on to Lawrence we finally headed to arrive at Aunt Norma and Uncle Don’s later than expected but we arrived safe and sound.

 

 

 

 

 

 

LUCAS AND THE GARDEN OF EDEN

LUCAS AND THE GARDEN OF EDEN

In north central Kansas along rural east/ west highway # 18 is a tiny town called Lucas. In this town is a house made from stone but it looks like a log cabin and The garden of Eden. The house was finished being built in 1907 but the yard sculptures were continuously added onto. It was built by Civil War veteran Mr. Samuel Perry Dinsmoor. He was something of a folk artist and he not only designed all the sculptures and weird figures in his yard but he also built them including the unique house which is made of local limestone. Lucas and the surrounding area is considered post rock country where local limestone is turned it into fence posts and masonry stone blocks for buildings, etc.

 

 

Dinsmoor’s home was built to look like a log home which it does but the logs although hewn are made of rock which is quite unique. Each of those logs weighed a lot and required many men and pulley systems to raise them into position. The yard has many sculptures, some strange some represent moral rules from the bible and some are merely political or whatever his odd sense of artistry was. He art is considered a type of folk art by many. He also built a mausoleum and his 1^st wife Frances is sealed in the vault and he is in his coffin on top that is sealed but it also has a glass to over his upper half so people can view him even though he died 80+ years ago.

Mr. Dinsmoor was an eccentric to say the least. He remarried at 81 years old to a young woman named Emily who was 20 years old in 1924 and they had 2 children together.

He basically intended that at least part of the house was always to be a museum and to attract visitors. He even had some exotic animals in his back yard. Regardless it is well worth a stop in this little town. Another interesting item in his house was some game tables he built himself with intricate inlaid wood. A lot of work but really nice

Jim’s grandfather Allan McKnight Barton had a claim to fame he liked to say that “he was born before the Garden of Eden”. In a way it’s true as he was not only born in Lucas, Kansas but he also was born on the current location where the rock log house now resides. Of course it was just a little before Mr. Dinsmoor came along and built his log house but there was a frame house on that location when grandpa was born in 1903, so he truly could say he was born there!

 

WYOMING, NEBRASKA AND KANSAS

Road Trip

Wyoming, Nebraska and Kansas

We hit the road yesterday morning, after rising at 4:30 A.M. It took a while to get the rest of our stuff loaded, breakfast and all the rest before we were in the car and driving away after locking the door at 6:45 A.M. We headed south I-25 from Casper. Then we turned east to Lusk. Then we went south on old 85 to Torrington and then east toward Scottsbluff, Nebraska angling south to I-80. Then on I-80 east past North Platte and then south on Highway 183 to Phillipsburg, Kansas where we spent the night at a cute little motel called the Cottonwood Inn across from the golf course.

But I digress, on the trip to Kansas we took a minor stop in Jay Em, Wyoming long enough to take a couple photos I have posted below. For those of you who know and those who don’t in the Robinson side of the family, Jay Em was started by a man named Lake Harris. He was a cousin to Jenny Belle Harris who was great grandmother to Jim my husband and his Grandfather Rollin Robinson’s mother.

 

JAY EM HARDWARE AND GROCERY

We graciously went on a tour of the town led by a cousin Hazel Harris Mudgett a number of weeks ago. I will cover that more in detail at a later date. The town was started I believe in something like 1920 or slightly before. The old General store was really neat and there is an old bank, stone shop, hardware, garage, etc. in this town. Some people still live in Jay Em . It’s worth a stop to see. A unique spot on a road trip.

 

On our way into Kansas we drove by old Chimney Rock and took a quick stop there, I have been there several time but it never fails to intrigue me and make me think of the long hard trip the pioneers made on the Oregon trail going past the rock which was always a landmark for them as a marker to how far they had come and how far to go. Much of our drive yesterday hit parts of the Oregon trail. The saddest part for me has always been to go to the pioneer cemetery where so many children and especially babies are buried. It shows the hardships and how we take for granted that most of our children will grow up nowadays but back then many mothers lost more than one child and it had to be sheer heartbreak.

 

Further on we went by a town called Lewellen, Nebraska and saw a sign for the Elm Creek State Historical Site and some ways past that was a park and site that had an old Soddy cabin, it was very neat although time did not allow us to really tour the site only in passing. The area around Lewellen was very pretty with rolling hills and tall grass, green and lovely. Interesting scenery.

Onward to Lawrence, Ks. tomorrow