L A and E F Maxwell

The complete story with photos is at Luther Alonzo Maxwell.

Lt. and Mrs. Luther A. Maxwell

While I'm thinking of family stories, I'll add two that Grandma Maxwell always told. Her Houston ancestors came to America before the Civil war, but I don't now how long before. The family consisted of a man and wife and several children. Yellow fever broke out on the ship and the parents asked the Captain to promise to see that the children were settled somewhere together if anything happened to the parents. Unfortunately both the parents and the Captain died of the fever before reaching shore and the children were scattered. The members of the branch of the family from which she descended didn't know what happened to the others. Grandma was also told that the family women hid the men under leaves in a ditch when the soldiers came to get them during the Civil War. I don't remember whether they were to be drafted or whether the soldiers were the enemy coming to capture them. I haven't asked anyone to confirm these stories until recently and so far I haven't found anyone else who remembers them.
HISTORY
Luther Maxwell was born east of Lanty, Arkansas, probably at the home of his Grandmother Harrington on August 22, 1892. This was a location a little north of his father Alvus Maxwell's place east of Rayburn Moore's house. The logs from the old home place were later used in a barn which existed into the 1960's. His parents moved below Wonderview (or Pigeon Roost or Bull Mountain) after one season in Lanty. After another season or more, during which Uncle Noah probably was born, they moved to the 80 acres on top of the hill were Aunt Dove Maxwell Martin lived into the '50's. They rented the place for one season and then bought it.
Grandpa recalled the first day of school taught by Quince Adams at Lone Grove school. The school board met with Adams and got him to delay start of school for one week to allow time to complete the cotton chopping.

SONGS MY GRANDFATHER SANG

Dobbin Gray

I had a little pony. His name was Dobbin Gray.
I lent him to a lady to ride a mile away.
She whipped him, She lashed him, She rode him through the mire;
Now I won't let my pony out to any lady's hire.

Reubin, Reubin

Reubin, Reubin, I've been thinking what a grand world this would be
If all the boys were transported far beyond the northern sea.
Rachel, Rachel, I've been thinking what a queer world this would be
If all the boys were transported far beyond the northern sea.

Do Your Ears Hang Low

Do your ears hang low, do they wobble to and fro,
Can you tie them in a knot, can you tie them in a bow,
Can you throw them o'er you shoulder like a continental soldier?
Do you ears hang low?

Part of a song?
Good morning Mr. Zip, Zip, Zip,
With your hair cut just as short as mine!