Her mother is not listed on the document, but her father is listed as Elija Conely. The Elija that took her in when her father died was not a conely. There is a story that my grandfather, who was raised by Alice & Doug, told us, that I believe to be about Melinda's father, but I am still doing my research.
According to my Paw Paw Ocie, George Washington Conely served during the Civil War. His company came up on the home of a widow woman and his commanding officer gave him an order to take the chickens that belonged to her. George refused on the grounds that "I wasn't raised like that, I can't steal from a widow". His officer told him that if he disobeyed his direct order, he would be shot on the spot. Elijah still refused and asked if he could have one request before being executed. He asked if he could dust off the ground where he was to fall. His officer obliged, and after cleaning off an area behind himself, was promptly shot and fell to the ground that he had cleaned. True Grit
After speaking to one of my distant cousins, she had been told the same story by her mother who was one of Melinda's favorite grandchildren. She was told that Melinda was the daughter of George Washington Conely, again, still researching.
One more child of Doug and Melinda that I have not located yet: Myrtle. If anyone has info, please contact me.
Her mother is not listed on the document, but her father is listed as Elija Conely. The Elija that took her in when her father died was not a conely. There is a story that my grandfather, who was raised by Alice & Doug, told us, that I believe to be about Melinda's father, but I am still doing my research.
According to my Paw Paw Ocie, George Washington Conely served during the Civil War. His company came up on the home of a widow woman and his commanding officer gave him an order to take the chickens that belonged to her. George refused on the grounds that "I wasn't raised like that, I can't steal from a widow". His officer told him that if he disobeyed his direct order, he would be shot on the spot. Elijah still refused and asked if he could have one request before being executed. He asked if he could dust off the ground where he was to fall. His officer obliged, and after cleaning off an area behind himself, was promptly shot and fell to the ground that he had cleaned. True Grit
After speaking to one of my distant cousins, she had been told the same story by her mother who was one of Melinda's favorite grandchildren. She was told that Melinda was the daughter of George Washington Conely, again, still researching.
One more child of Doug and Melinda that I have not located yet: Myrtle. If anyone has info, please contact me.
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