The search had been successful and the research for the parents had at least been interesting. Forrest was a mystery. Well we had decided to let it go for the sake of respecting the siblings wishes.
Joyce had the opportunity of a lifetime that she couldn't turn down. Lloyd her 90 year old Uncle in Law was taking a genealogical tour to cemeteries and court houses to search family history records of their family in the western and southern united states. He an amazing nonagenarian takes on new projects with zeal and excitement. His latest activities were the purchase of a computer (He was quickly becoming a whiz on the computer) and an R.V.
They set off on a 4000 mile trip. They planned to travel from Oregon through Idaho, Montana, South Dakota, Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, and Arkansas. It had been four weeks on the road and they were feeling excited with all their discoveries and their adventures. With plenty of time to chat on the road, Joyce shared another family history saga. The Loney Saga. Lloyd was fascinated by the tale!
Some of their discoveries led them to learn of some further leads in their own history to places in Louisiana and once there they wanted to go to Vicksburg, MS. However as they arrived in Vicksburg they discovered that they were experiencing some small RV troubles. They learned they would need a dealership for the repairs. The closest dealership was in Jackson, MS.
The repairs done, Joyce, the navigator with the map noticed that Sturgis was only an inch away. What did Lloyd think? Lloyd was game for some more adventure so they headed a little further east!
They were greeted on their arrival in Sturgis with flags and a rally. It was an annual Motorcycle rally. Joyce of course preferred to believe that this was a sign that the Loney family was welcoming her visit.
A quick stop at the post office quickly revealed what Joyce had discovered two years ago on the internet. This town was settled and full of Quinn's! The post mistress definitely knew Pat and Martha Loney. They were long time residents of Sturgis. Their son Forrest was in town she was sure at the rally that day. He and his new wife were the ones in charge of the motorcycle rally event. The parents would likely be there also, probably at the Town historical society booth! Couldn't miss it she was told.
The town of Sturgis is not too big, so they decided to park the R.V. and walk the main street lined with booths in search of the historical society booth. Joyce was fairly skipping down the street she was so excited about the prospects of being so close!
Just as they were approaching what appeared to be the grand stand for announcments or maybe an evening concert would be preformed there later that evening, our Patrick stood up to make an announcment! Our Patrick!?? WHAT? A double take! A triple take! She rubbed her eyes! There could be no mistake. It was Patrick. She knew she had to speak to this man. As he finished announcing a list of festivities and their locations he turned for the microphone and began to exit the little stand. Joyce fairly flew to the location calling out "Patrick!, Patrick!, or no Loney, Forrest, Loney Patrick Forrest Loney!"
He turned around. "Yes" came Patrick's voice with a strong Mississippi accent.
Tears were about to form. It was unbelievable. She began to blurt out who she was and could he possibly be Forrest Loney with parents Patrick and Martha Loney. How could he be anyone else... the resemblance!!
He smiled. "Are you telling me you know where my twin brother Patrick is all these years later?"
The whoosh from a nearby passing motorcycle could have knocked her down! A twin?!
After he made some quick arrangements with some buddies to take over announcing for a while he escorted Joyce, Lloyd and Muriel to the historical society booth to see his parents and discuss what he referred to as the saddest story you'll ever hear!
Pat A. and Martha were sitting both in wheel chairs in the booth. Martha was hooked to oxygen but she could communicate slowly. Pat A. was a thin, week old man, but his smile was genuine! After quick introductions and many exclamations of "Wow, you've found him!", the story began.
It was a cold winter in Wyoming in 1974. Kathy 5, Patrick and Forrest, twins, were 4 and Krissy was almost 2. Forrest had been a sickly baby and toddler and had often needed medical attention. It took a toll on the family emotionally and financially. They were living in a small trailer in Rawlins, WY. It was rarely warm in the trailer even with all the heat on.
Forrest had become very ill that winter and one evening his breathing became so labored that an emergency rush to a hospital 100 miles away became their only hope. A neighbour was called on quickly to watch the other children. Forrest made it to the hospital and was then admitted. It took many weeks before they knew that Forrest would be all right. During this time Pat A. also became ill and was admitted to the hospital. Martha did everything she could to arrange for the children at home to be cared for while whe went back and forth from Pat A's room and little Forrest's room and home. One night quite late while she was driving back the 100 miles from the hospital to relieve the sitter she didn't see the deer as it leapt onto the road.
Wyoming has long stretches of lonely, isolated roads. Hours and days can sometimes go by before someone might notice an overturned car in a ditch. This was the case for Martha. Many days went by before someone noticed her and she was rushed back to the hospital for treatment.
It was almost a month before she recovered and was able to be discharged but now she didn't have any means to return to Rawlins and learn what had become of her children. Pat A. and Forrest were still very critical and unable to leave the hospital. Her attempts to contact someone at home were not answered. She was worried and panicking. She was finally able to secure a ride to Rawlins with a trucker. She was desperate to return home to her three children. When she returned she found that the trailer had burned to the ground, as had the neighbouring trailers.
It took some time before she was able to learn that the sitter had decided that Martha had abandoned the children. The sitter cared for the children for over a week but had to go to town for more food. While she was gone she left 5 year old Kathleen alone to care for Patrick and Krissy. A fire began. Kathleen had been able to get the siblings out of the house but since there weren't any adults that came to tell the authorities anything about these poor children who were obviously cold and hungry and not being cared for they were taken to Casper, WY. There was a facility there for children.
Martha tried unsuccessfully to convince authorities and judges for years that she had not abandoned her children. Pat A. and Forrest did recover. Pat A. was never very strong after that. The anguish over losing his children drove him to drinking for many years. They returned to Martha's home of Mississippi where they lived to this day.
I hope you've all enjoyed today's April Fool Chapter... turn in tomorrow for the real Chapter XIII!!!
In honor of Paige's request that I not do a birthday blog for her birthday... I had to be a little more creative!
The song translated...
