Hi & Christmas Greetings to EVERYONE from the Bootheel of Missouri. This has been another year that slipped by & seems as if it was only six months ago that I was writing the 1995 Christmas letter. As usual, information from other family members will be included is this letter. The following information was received too late for the 1995 Christmas letter:

Danielle Perry Hart was born 14 Aug 1995 to Mike & Kelly Hart in Bellflower, CA. Congraulations to the parents, Mike & Kelly, & Grandpa, Richard Hart of Dexter & Great Grandma Ora Hart of Bell City, MO.

I mentioned in the 1995 Christmas letter that Cousin Vera (Hart) Ross fell on the 1st part of December & broke her left arm (wrist) while decorating for Christmas. The Doctor put her arm in a cast & told her that he may have to do surgery on it later. Well she did have surgery on the 14th of December. She went through Christmas & several weeks afterwards, with a lot of pain & suffering. It has been a year now & her arm has healed but it still gives her a lot of trouble & probably will from now on.

Kirk Gilbow & his wife, Judy came home from Aurora, CO to spend the Christmas Holidays with his Mother Vera (Hart) Ross & his brother Kerry and his family. Wish you all would have stayed & visited longer.

Mrs. Mildred (Hendrix) Ladd called me shortly before Christmas that her daughter, Shirley had died 8 Oct 1995 in Advance, MO. She was buried in the Balch Cemetery, near Advance. Shirley shared a lot of the Hendrix family information with me down through the years. Every year she would send me a list of those attending the Hendrix Reunion in Advance & the Hendrix Reunion that is held near Cottonwood, Gallatin County, IL. Shirley will be missed by so many as she did so much to keep the Hendrix Reunion going in Advance each year.

Received a note from Pat (Hart) Barrett of Salem, KY that her youngest Daughter Shelley had married William Curtis Swinford on the 22 of April 1995 in Livingston County, KY. Congraulations Shelley & Curtis.

PSALMS 33, V4: For the word of the Lord is right; & all his works are done in truth. Last year, I listed the death date of Beulah Hankins as 13 Feb 1994 & it was 13 Jan 1994. Sorry I read the obituary wrong.

Travis Swallows who is in the US Air Force & the son of Donna Swallows & Grandson of Neal & Christine (Hart) Mansfield went to Saudi Arabia for 90 days this summer. He is back in the states now (Dec 1996) & stationed at Shaw Air Force Base, S. C.

Jacob Hays arrived on the 5th of Jan 1996 at the Lucy Lee Hospital, Poplar Bluff, MO to Angie Hays & weighed 7 lbs 7oz. Congraulations Angie, Grandpa & Grandma Alan & Alma Hart & Aunt Teea.

Received the following from Billy Bowden of Florrisant, MO.
Verbal Melton Toler, 94, of Mansfield, TN, Route 1 died at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 7, 1996 at McKenzie Health Care Center. Her funeral was at 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb 10, 1996 at McEvoy Funeral Home with a grandson, Kenneth Frensley, officiating. Burial was in the Bevil Cemetery. Named as pallbearers are grandsons Jerry Carter, Tommy & Eddie Lankford, Randy Frensley, Benjamin Thompson, Billy Bowden and Don and Walter Mortensen. Visitation was at 4 until 8 p.m. Friday, Feb 9, 1996. Born Dec. 7, 1901, in White County, Ill., she was a daughter of Louis Franklin Melton and Ollie Mae Nelson, both deceased. She was married Oct. 8, 1921, to Jesse Earl Toler, who died March 19, 1975. A homemaker and member of Springhill Bapatist Church, she was retired from Salant and Salant, formerly of Paris, (TN). She also is survived by five daughters, Claudine Frensley of Henry, Carolyn Carter of Mansfield, Claire Nell Lankford of McKenzie, Chloe Bell York of Hobart, Ind., and Sue Mortensen of Arlington, Va.; one son, Earl Toler Jr. of Memphis; a brother, Elroy Melton of Louisville, Ky.; 18 grandchildren; 35 great grandchildren; and 17 great-great grandchildren. She also was preceded in death by three sisters, Bertie Gerber, Eva Rainey and Mina Bell Melton; six brothers, Willard, Nillard, Nelson, Noble and Jewell and Leman Melton; two grandchildren; and two great grandchildren.

Our Grandchildren, Shelly (Hart) Bader & Corey Hart, & our Great Grandchildren Dylan & Brooke Bader lost their other Pa Pa John Christian on the 27th of February 1996 at Cape Girardeau, MO after suffering a Heart attack on the 15th of February. He was born 24 Apr 1932 at Dexter, MO. He was buried at the Hagy Cemetery, Dexter, MO on the 29th of February 1996. They sure do miss him.

Carl Keith Goforth, the son of the late Clyde & Flossie Bell (Melton) Goforth & the husband of Carla Sue Goforth, passed away the 23rd of Jan 1996 at his home in New Haven, IL. He & his family found out last fall that he had Cancer. He was buried in the Union Ridge Cemetery, White County, IL. I met Carl & his wife Sue several years ago at one of the Melton Reunions & really enjoyed visiting with them at those Reunions. He will be sorely be missed by all.

On the 21st of Mar, 1996 (First day of Spring) & we got a few Snow Flurries. On the 5th of April, 2 days before Easter we had a few more Snow Flurries. We sure did not have very much of a winter 1995-1996. Look out next winter. The Summer was not bad at all this year, as we only had one day that the temperature reach 100 degrees.

On Sunday Morning, March 24th, I took Eloise to the Dexter Hospital Emergency Room, as her blood pressure was up to 233 over 115. She had to stay in the Hospital 2 days. They ran several test trying to find out what was causing her blood pressure to be so high? Took her to a hospital in Cape Girardeau a few days later for an Angiogram & she didn’t have any arteries or veins that was giving her trouble. It took several trips to the Doctor to get her on the right kind of blood pressure medicine to get her blood pressure under control. She sure has had a bad year, as she just doesn’t feel very good & her energy runs out before she gets started.

Robert Arthur Roussel graduated from the Highland High School, in Gilbert, AZ on the 23rd of May 1996. Robert is the oldest child of Bobby & Patti Roussel & Grandson of Marie (Hart) Roussel. Congraulations Robert, we wish you the best in the future.

Gabriel (Gabe) Martin Hart graduated from the Central High School, in Cape Girardeau, MO on the 31st of May 1996. Gabe is the son of Mitchell & Mary Hart & Grandson of Ora Hart & the late Amos Hart. Congraulations Gabe, we wish you the best in the future. How many of you remember when Gabe fell (bottom first) in the Soda Cooler when he was about 1 1/2 years old, at our Hart family reunion at the Dexter Park in 1979?

Lisa (Mansfield) Lucy daughter of Doug & Judy Mansfield told me at our Family reunion in June 1996, that her husband Stephan who is in the US Army will be stationed in Eygpt from Sep 1996 to Oct 1997. We wish them the best during his stay over there.

Missed the marriage of Kelly Eugene Livingston, son of Genesse (Hart) & Gene Livingston & LaNette Fischer who were married in 1995 in Zion IL. Congraulations Kelly & LaNette.

Kendel Jene Livingston was born 30 Jan 1996 to Kelly & LaNette in Zion, IL. Congraulations to the parents & Grandparents, Genesse (Hart) & Gene Livingston.

Correction - I listed the Granddaughter of Janet (Wilkinson) Sells & the Great Granddaughter of Patsy (Aslin) Lucas as Delilah Italia Gabriella Jones & it should be Gabrielah. Sorry about that!!!

Fletta (Williams) Guffey of St. Elmo, IL sent the following on her brother.
Everett M. Williams, DuQuoin Everett M. “Trigg” Williams, 85, of DuQuoin, formerly of Norris City, died at 9:15 p.m. Friday, Sept 8, 1995 at Fairview Nursing Home in DuQuoin. He owned and operated restaurants, trucks and was a houseparent at the Baptist Children’s Home in Carmi. Born July 11, 1910 in Herald, he was the son of Richard and Mae (Catlin) Williams. He married Florence Rebecca Hill Feb. 17, 1936 and she preceded him in death on April 1, 1983. Surviving are two sons, Don Williams of Wichita, Kas., and Paul Williams of DuQuoin; six sisters, Bernice Hale of New Haven, Mayme Harvey of Norris City, Aline Poshard of Vienna, Fleeta Guffey of St. Elmo, Opal Porter of Fayetteville, N.C., and Letha Porter of Norris City; four brothers, Shirley E. and Robert “Bob” Williams both of Norris City, Wilburn and Richard Jr. Williams, both of New Haven; six grandchildren and ten great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his parents; his wife; and two sons, Jack and Richard. Funeral services were held at 10:30 a.m. Tuesday, Sept. 12, 1995 at Campbell Funeral Home in Norris City. Burial was in IOOF Cemetery. “Everett’s mother, “May (Catlin) Williams” was a half sister to our Grandmother Hannah I. (Melton) Hart”.

Received a letter from Fleeta the last of November she told me that her sister Bernice (Williams) Hale passed away the 12th of September 1996 after being sick for over a year. Also that Leon Hale’s wife Wanda had passed away the 2nd of November 1996. We sure are sorry to hear about their death’s. If I remember correctly, Leon & his wife Wanda brought his mother Bernice to our Hart Reunion in 1985.

Andrea Michelle Hart arrived on 7 June 1996 at the home of Martin Allen & _________Hart in Longview, WA. Congraulations to the parents, Grandparents; Larry D. and Sandra S. Hart & the Great Grandparents; Ezra & Geneva Hart of Kelso, WA. Cousin Larry, if you will, please send me the name of Martin Allen’s wife??

Micheal Cameron Hart arrived 15 Aug 1996 at the home of Scott Miles & Cynthia Kaye Hart in Campbellsville, KY. Congraulations to the parents, & the Grandparents Miles Ezra & Wanda Hart of Henderson, KY.

Stephen Bret Hart and Kimberly Kelly married 8 June 1996 at Lakewold Garden, Tocoma, WA. Brett is the son of Stephen & Sharon Hart & Grand son of Uncle Ezra & Aunt Geneva Hart & Kimberly is the daughter of James M. & Kathleen O’Rourke. Congraulations & Best Wishes to Brett & Kimberly.

The descendants and friends of the late Martin A. & Hannah I. (Melton) Hart met for the 19th Annual Family Runion on Sunday, June 16th at the American Legion Hall in Dexter.

Those attending were: Lola Mae (Hart) Smith, Allen & Diane (Smith) Lloyd & Gertrude Luna Smith all of Patterson, CA; Dan Wilkinson of Beaverton, OR; Harold & Dorothy Hart, Angie (Hart) Maddox & Ora Hart all of Bell City, MO; Genesse (Hart) Livingston & Karla Livingston of Bowling Green, KY; Shelly (Hart) Bader, Brooke & Dylan Bader of Bloomfield, MO; Mitchell, Mary, Gabe & Hannah Hart & Bill Moyers of Cape Girardeau, MO; Janet (Wilkinson) Self of Jasper, TX; Bob & Margarete Alsin of Jonesboro, GA; Jay, Mandie (Jennings), Logan & Ian Tepe of Joplin, MO; Ezra & Geneva Hart of Kelso, WA; Patsy (Aslin) & Jimmie Lucas of Monroe, LA: John Aldredge of Mt. Vernon, IN; Mr. & Mrs. Charlie McNeil & Mr. & Mrs. Herdis Wells of Norris City, IL; Doug, Judy, Russ & David Mansfield & Lisa (Mansfield) Lucy of Pacific, MO; Dicky & Debbie Campbell, Glenn & Billie Campbell of Plummerville, AR; Sherry (Campbell) & Mike Eoff of Delight, AR; Fay (Hamlin) Hart, Joan (Hamlin) Allender, Lee & Doodie Hamlin all of Sikeston, MO; Jill (Jennings), Alex & Amy Noble of St. Charles, MO; Brian, Denise, Jack, Carl & Joshua Hart, Normalene Hart & Peggy Boshear all of Wappapello, MO; Anna (Hart) Mann, Lucille (Hart) Bennett, Connie Bennett, Vera (Hart) Ross, Donna Mansfield, Jack & Ruth (Hart) Jennings, Jeanetta Kleffer, Jeff, Beth, Nuranda & Bradley Swallows, Kim & Connie Hart & Kevin, Brittany & Amanda, Mary Lou Daun, M. A. & Eloise Hart, Neal & Christine (Hart) Mansfield, Dick Hart & Sharon Duffie , Mrs. Pugh & Wilma Quick all of Dexter & LeRoy Day of Columbia, MO.

Dick Hart called the short business meeting to order. Minutes and financial report was given be Ruth (Hart) Jennings & M. A. Hart made the introductions. Following the noon meal, a Fun Auction was held. Items offered included hand made craft items, an oil painting, bar-b-cue grill as well as many other items. Dick Hart served as auctioneer, with M. A. Hart assisting. This event was enjoyed by all and will be repeated at next year’s reunion.

Gifts were presented to the following: Dan Wilkinson - The person traveling the farthest, Anna (Hart) Mann - The oldest person attending, Bradley Swallows - The youngest person attending, Ezra & Geneva Hart - The couple married the longest, Bob & Margarete Aslin & The Brian Hart Family - Attending the Reunion for the 1st time.

I went to Carmi & picked up Jeff Bridgeman then back to Norris City, Illinois on the 23rd of June & we attended the Catlin Reunion. While there I met several members of the Catlin family that I hadn’t met before. Enjoyed visiting with everyone & the had a delicious meal.

Those in attendance were: Bob & Garnet Phipps, Jeff Bridgeman, Mr. & Mrs. Junior Williams, M. A. Hart, Crystal, Henry & Fleta Guffey, Shirley & Pat Williams, Logan & Charlotte Roark, Dwight & Ruth Catlin, Aubrey & Sue Catlin, Steve Catlin, Larry & Carla Clark & Mary Beth Tylor, Hurley & Verna Catlin, Don Jenny, Jennifer & Ashlea Catlin, Darrell & Darlis Newfarmer, William Catlin, Paula Pankey, Imogene Pankey, James O. & Minnie Catlin, Beulah M. Pool, Guthrie & Mariam Catlin, Jerry & Bonnie Holman, Jean & Orley Bryant, Howard & Kerry Young, Charles & Eva McNeil, Veda Stewart, David Stewart, Rosalyn Powell, Laura White, Phyllis Wells, Gene, Kim, Jared & Justin Williams, Lois Mick & Lee Frymere & Mary Baker. Fleeta sent the above list of those who signed the register & she said that she was sure there was some that did not sign in.

Ruth (Hart) Jennings & her husband Jack attended her Dexter High School Class of 1956 reunion (40 years) 5 July 1996 at the Hidden Trails Country Club at Dexter. Ruth, I always thought I was a lot older than you & now it seems as if you are catching up with me.

Cousin Bob Aslin & his wife Margarete who live near Atlanta, GA went to Germany this summer visiting with Margarete’s relatives. If my memory is correct, Bob spent several years there, in the Army & then after his retirement from the Army, work as a civilian over there.

Carolyn (Hart) Davis of Lucedale, MS called the 16th of August & told us that her husband Joe had died at the age of 42. They visited here a year ago in June & he was sick then. Carolyn is a descendant from the Jesse Jernigan Hart line & Jesse was a brother to our Great Great Grandfather John Henry Hart.

Richard (Dick) Hart & Sharon Duffie was married the 14th of September 1996, by the Rev. Mike Watkins, at the Friendship Baptist Church, Dexter, MO. Congraulations to Richard & Sharon & we wish the best for you two.

Received a nice letter from Kay Hart in October, who lives in Portland, OR & she brought me up to date on her family. Thanks Kay.

Cousin Christine (Hart) Mansfield & her her husband Neal went to the state of Washington in September to visit relatives there. First they visited Neal’s brother Ray & his wife Martha, in Vancouver for a few days. Ray is in real bad health. Then they went to Uncle Ezra & Aunt Geneva Hart’s in Kelso & visited their family for a few days. When they left Washington they came back by the way of Estes Park, Colorado & visited Christine’s brother Stan & his family there. Then on to Clay Center, Kansas to visit one of Neal’s old WW II Army buddies, Lawrence Koch. Christine came by in November & showed us the pictures that they made while on their trip. They made the trip in about 15 days in a 1979 Cheverlot Van with about 200,000 thousand miles on it. Neal said he took some of his tools & an extra fan belt just in case they had any mechanical trouble on the trip. According to Neal, the Van made it fine & they had a good visit with everyone.

Puxico Press, Puxico, Mo. Wednesday, Nov. 13 1996
Artist of the Month Jack Hart Jack Hart, the son of Brian and Denise Hart, of Wappapello, MO. an 8th grade student at the Puxico Schools was named Artist of the month for September 1996. His hobby is construction drawing & his future plans include becoming an engineer or a pilot. He is Grand son of Normalene Hart & the late Jack Hart. Congraulations Jack. Jack & Ruth (Hart) Jennings celebrated their 40th Wedding Anniversary at their daughter Jill’s home in St. Charles, Missouri on Saturday the 23rd of November. Their daughter’s Sandra, Amanda & Jill hosted the Celebration. (CHANGE) Congraulations Jack & Ruth.

Last year I mentioned at the end of our letter that Mom had a stroke on the 6th of December 1995 & that she had gone into the rest home. She stayed there all winter & went home the 9th of April. She improved a lot & at this writting she is still living at home & has been out raking the leaves in her yard this fall. She was 88 the 21st of October.

Eloise’s mother is still in the Nursing home here in Dexter & doing fairly well at this time. She was 89 the 4th of August.

Cousin Sue (Hart) Fulks & her husband Gene came in on the 20th of November from Tubeac, AZ to visit with her sister Christine & her family for a few days. If you will remember Sue & Gene was on their way to the Hart Reunion in June & while in Arkansas, Gene ended up in the Hospital a couple days before the Reunion. He had seven veins replace in his heart & has recovered very well. It was good to visit with then again.

It has been a few years since I listed items from the old White County, Illinois Newspapers on some of our relatives & thought I would include some this year. Hope you enjoy reading them as much as I did?

From the Community of Herald, 24 Jan 1901
Sharpy Hart (Grandpa Martin Allen Hart) visited relatives near Cottonwood Saturday and Sunday. (This was just a few days before he & Grandma Hannah Melton were married).

C. A. Catlin (Grandma Hannah “Melton” Harts Stepfather) attended meeting at Kingdom Saturday night and Sunday.

Uncle William Hedge’s wife and son Fulton, are visiting relatives in Missouri.

E. A. Pool has moved his saw-mill from above Carmi down to Martha Aud’s farm.

Rev. F. C. Pettypool and wife of Ridgway visited friends and relatives here Wednesday and Thursday. 28 Feb 1901 Mrs. Sina Marlin visited at her Father’s W. G. Aud Saturday.

Mrs. Martha Aud is very low with pneumonia fever at this writing.

From the Community of Iron, 25 Apr 1901
Richard Williams is employed for the summer by George Spence.

James Newcomb informs us that he is not going to work in his blacksmith shop this summer.

Willie Newcomb, son of F. L. Newcomb is at home from Texas to visit his mother. Willie is a railroad boy, $45. per month. He has been gone two years.

Fred Brockett’s wife was buried Friday at Moore’s grave yard. She died at Jno. Hart’s with consumption. She and her husband have been living in Missouri. She leaves a husband, five little children and many friends to mourn her departure. We sympathize with the sorrowing family and friends.

16 May 1901
Our Brownsville telephone line is in fine working order, and as soon as possible we will extend the line to Carmi.

The sad news came over the wire Friday evening that Joel Aud was dead. Mr. Aud formerly lived in this neighborhood. He was a good man, a good neighbor and a member of the Heralds Prairie congregation. He took dangerously bad with pneumonia fever, lay sick only a few days. He was interred in the Cottonwood grave-yard Saturday. Rev. Stukey preached the funeral. We sympathize with the sorrowing wife, children and many friends.

From the Community of Herald, 23 May 1901
Sharpy Hart and family visited C. A. Catlins Sunday.

Docia Bennett was a happy guest of A. G. Aud Sunday.

Guy Catlin made a business trip to New Haven Saturday.

Corn planting is about over within this part of the country.

Jake Aud visited friends and relatives in Ridgway Saturday and Sunday.

Thomas Hendrix and wife visited Mrs. Margaret Aud, of Cottonwood Sunday.

Most of the people of this vicinity attended meeting at Union Ridge (Church) Sunday, and the baptizing at New Haven Sunday evening. From the Community of Iron, 13 Jun 1901

The Regular Baptist held regular services Saturday and Sunday at Prairie Church. Rev. Stukey, their pastor, was present and they had a baptising communion and foot washing.

Rev. Martin Hart (Great Grandpa Hart) was at Iron Monday calling on the telephone for Dr. Boyer at Brownsville to come and see his daughter who was dangerously ill with indigestion. Dr. Boyer came and arrested the trouble.

Picture in original Newsletter not shown. Top Row: Marie, Lucille, Chris, Hank, Ed, Vick, M. A. & Jack - 2nd Row: Jerry, Bill, Harold, Margorie. Sue, Lola, Grand Ma. Hart holding Dick, Buddy, Vera & Helen - front Row: Niecie, Tom, Chester Catlin Clarice & Ruth - about 1940 or 1941 at Grandpa Herald, IL &

Not shown Grandma Hart’s home northwest of Dexter.

Another year is coming to a close & Eloise & I wish you all a

MERRY CHRISTMAS & A HAPPY NEW YEAR. GOD BLESS EACH OF YOU.
Love & Best Wishes,