Ref: John Singleton was awarded a railroad construction contract by the Terre Haute and Cincinnati Railroad and finished the first mile in Clay Co., IN in 1872. In the autumn of 1856, he taught his first term in Honey Creek Twp., Vigo Co., IN, and continued teaching in that county for three years. He then taught at Perry Twp. for three years, Posey Twp. for seven years, and back to Perry Twp. where he taught in the winter of 1870 - 71, his last term of teaching. He retired because of failing health. He then farmed for one year.

He was a member of the Christian Church and a prominent member of the I.O.O.F. He was active in politics and a member of the Democratic party. In 1860, he was before the Democratic Convention for the nomination of County Treasurer, but was unsuccessful. In 1862, he again made an effort, but was unsuccessful. In 1864, he was before the Democratic Convention for Recorder, but was again unsuccessful. In 1865, he was elected Trustee of Perry Twp., and served one term. In 1868, he was for the third time before the Democratic Convention for the nomination of County Treasurer, and again suffered defeat. In 1859 - 60, he as Assessor of Perry Twp., in 1869, Real Estate Appraiser of Perry Twp., and in 1880 again, Appraiser of Perry Twp.

Ref: History of Clay Co., IN, pg. 276 - John S. Dunham, son of Abijah and Margaret Dunham, is fifty years of age, and was born shortly after his parents moved to Clay County.

Ref: Ltr. dtd. 2 Aug. 1895 from John S. Donham of Cory, IN to Mr. Asa M. Nash of Watanga, Oklahoma Territory.

Dear Cousin, I have received letters from George W. Nash of Indianapolis, IN; Daniel S. Nash of McMinnville, OR, Alfred T. Nash, Perryville, IN; and Isaac C. Nash of Brownsburgh, IN in relative to your lineage and genealogy as Heirs of Joseph Ball, deceased Merchant of Philadelphia and also a stament purporting to be an affidavit, but it has not been signed by yourself, nor has the affidavit any date, to the Notary Public Juratt.

I return this to you to those defects corrected and enclosures find some other papers to further advance the business. I have seen most of the Heirs, myself, and they have signed like papers, the Power of Attorney should be acknowledged before a Notary but the contract will be witnessed only, by two witnesses.

My Grandmother, Betsey Donham, wa a sister to Hannah Nash. She has been dead several years. She died in Clermont Co., OH and my Mother, Peggy Donham is now living at the point of death. She was stricken with a stroke of paralyses last Monday morning and has only partially recovered. She is 80 years old last June.

If is convenient will you make a contribution to pay expenses for making abstracts, and recording documents, & c, to the amount of $5.00 or $10.00 which will be credited to your account in the first distribution.

Hoping to hear from you soon as I want to get this business closed as soon as possible. I have put in all of my time since April 1894, have been to Philadelphia and Washington twice in the interest of this estate, and have done nothing else in that time. I think I have the correct line and can't be mistaken in this matter. I have found sum nice property in Jos. Ball's name at the time of his death and no transfer from his legal Heirs, Yours truly. John S. Donham, Box 239, Cory, IN.

Ref: WILLIAM BALL ESTATE ASSOCIATION

President, C. C. Frisbey, 822 W. Kansas, Independence, MO; Treasurer, G. W. Bollin, 812 Cleveland, K. C., MO; and Secretary, A. F. Crist, 140 South Oakley, K. C., MO.

Advisory Committee: Dr. O. C. Haldeman, Chairman, K. C., MO; H. O. Ball, Avondale, MO; and J. R. Sutherlin, K. C., MO

Independence, MO Jan. 11, 1923

TO THOSE INTERESTED IN THE ESTATE OF WILLIAM
BALL DECEASED, AT PHILADELPHIA

As advised in our general circular letter under date of December 20th, regarding a meeting to be held in January 6th at Independence, we beg to report that said meeting was held and was quite well attended, as all of our meetings have been in the past.

The time has NOW ARRIVED when it is positively necessary to make some investigations at Philadelphia, or otherwise drop the proposition. Several members of this association have given many months of their time to the collection of different forms of data directly bearing on the estate, and it is their opinion that this should be followed up with an investigation by two men who are personally interested, and this information cannot be made any place except in Philadelphia.

The majority of the money received since our letter of December 20th was mailed, has been in amounts of $5.00, for a total, to date, of $325.00. Expenses for advertising, stamps, stationery, printing, etc., $52.80, leaving a balance of $272.20. We wish to state here that there has been no money spent for salaries or work in this connection, as all work in the connection therewith has been gratis.

We must raise $900.00 before these men, who are so willing to give their time to go to Philadelphia checking up the abstracts, making any and all investigations that are possible to be made, and certainly it is not fair to expect hem to give their time and most assuredly it is not expected by those who expect -- if we succeed --TO PARTICIPATE IN THIS ESTATE TO ASK THESE MEN TO PAY THEIR OWN EXPENSES. They have already paid out considerable money, have given months of their time and it was after considerable perouation that they considered to make this trip, which may take anywhere from two to six weeks, depending on the time necessary for this investigation, and we, EVERY ONE INTERESTED IN THE WILLIAM BALL ESTATE, should make it a point to immediately send a check for $5.00, $25.00 or $50.00 as your finances will permit, in order that these men can start to work shortly after the meeting to be held in Independence, January 20th.

If you can send $5.00, send it; if you can send $10.00, $20.00 or more, send it by return mail. Quite a few have said that when we were ready for money to go East they would send it in. NOW IS THE TIME TO SEND IT.

It is hoped that each member of the Association, who has paid $5.00 for membership, will appreciate and realize the necessity of raising this money for ACTUAL EXPENSES and that we may receive a check for from $5.00 to $20.00 apiece form the Association members.

If we find it is impossible to raise the necessary amount of money to pay the above mentioned expense within the next two weeks, or prior to January 20th, we might just as well drop the matter and forget it. The Association must have a certain amount of money, as stated above, and if we fall short six or seven hundred dollars, those who send in these donations will have the money returned to them. Unless WE ALL get in behind this, investigate it now, find out where we stand, and then proceed along the lines of business judgment, or if we find -- on investigation in Philadelphia -- there is no possibilities of making any recoveries, then drop it all time to come. IT IS ONE OR TWO THINGS.

"WE DO OR WE DON'T" Therefore if you will consider this matter the Association feels that it will not be necessary to go to the expense of writing another report at this time asking for the amount of money necessary, approximately $900.00 as we hope to conserve our cash so that when the representatives return from Philadelphia a very complete report will be made to each and every one who is a member or who had donated towards this expense.

We enclose stamped envelope for your convenience and hope to receive a check from each one who receives this letter. Please mail it to the undersigned, using the self addressed stamped envelope for return, and if possible attend the meeting January 20th at Independence City Hall, Corner South Main and Kansas at 2 o'clock in the afternoon. Yours very truly, A. F. Crist, Secretary, 140 South Oakley, K. C. MO.