He was moved from Miami Cemetery to Ronda Cemetery to make way for Turnpike in the early 50s.


Charleston Gazette
February 1, 1951

Man Who Strayed Into Mountains Is Still Missing
MONTGOMERY, Jan. 31—State Police today identified an old and enfeebled man who strayed into the
mountains around Handley Monday, and is still missing.
They gave his name as Jim Perry, 76-year-old retired miner who resided at Dawes with his daughter, Mrs. Lora Falin.
State Trooper K. H. Ellis of the Cannelton detachment said early reports indicated that the aged man was "dazed. " Later investigation proved that Perry had suffered from some type of encephalitis or
amnesia. Ellis said.
Police held out little hope for the safety of the man. He "couldn't walk too well " according to witnesses in the vicinity of Handley where he was last seen. It is feared by police that he may have
become lost in the below-freezing weather of the last two days.
A resident of that area asked the old man where he was going. He reportedly replied, "I don't quite
know." He was last seen going up a deserted tramroad away from homes or shelter.
State Police and volunteers tracked him in the mud of the tram road until the road ended at an abandoned oil well and searchers lost his trail in the frozen woods. Another party will search for the retired miner on Thursday.


Charleston Gazette
February 4, 1951

Lost Man found Frozen to Death
James Edward Perry, 76, of Dawes, was found frozen to death yesterday on Lower Creek south of Handley by a search party of 21 men after he had been lost since Monday.
He was last seen near Handley late Monday and appeared somewhat dazed, according to witnesses. State Police of the Cannelton detachment said the man was frequently a victim of amnesia.
Search parties organized by friends and relatives and State Police scoured the woods south of Handley for several days. The aged man was traced in the snow to the
point where he was found.
His body was discovered in an auto junk yard at the mouth of the hollow of Lower Creek. He was a retired coal miner and was a native of the Cabin Creek area.
Surviving are two sons, Charles Perry of Sherman and Everett Perry of Dawes; three daughters, Mrs. Naomi Griggs of Brighton, Mich., Mrs. Lora Falin of Dawes and Mrs. Zora Peterson of Detroit;
two brothers, Andrew Perry of Smithers and George Perry of Hugheston; five sisters, Mrs. Dora Chandler of South Charleston, Mrs. Mira Moore of Smithers, Mrs. Mary Bowers of Hugheston, Mrs. Geneva Stamper of Eskdale and Mrs. Ida Forester of Coal Fork; 28 grandchildren and seven great-
grandchildren. The body is at Pryor Mortuary of East Bank.