I did not marry an "Olney Man" myself, but my grandmother sure did! Edna May Reiche Olney met and fell in love with Benjamin Wilder Olney in 1927. Wilder, as he was called, was a charming man with a big wide smile and a heart to match. They were together well over 50 years. Edna was a sturdy, stubborn and loving woman. One would need those characteristics to be married to an Olney man. Their life together was up and down, sometimes frustrating but surely never boring.
You might wonder why I would choose to write a blog with such a title as this one when I am not, by definition, an Olney woman myself. Well, the Olney men in my line have been fairly well researched and written about. They were tough, adventurous, independent, and sometimes rowdy men. I can't imagine they were very easy to live with. This blog is an attempt to get to know these women and to share their stories with you. It is my hope that through this journey I will arrive at a place of compassion and understanding about my family history and what makes me who I am.
I hope you will join me.
Cheers, LYN
Posts
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Acquitted
The podcast began the story about the arrest of Lavina's husband Ben. Ben went willingly with the Sheriff because he knew that would be the only way to tell his side of the story. Because of the miner's strike and the fact that Ben was a mine guard Ben's lawyer did not think that he would be able to get a fair trial in Globe. They asked for a change of venue and the request was granted. The trial was moved to Graham County, which was where Ben and Lavina had family and friends for support. The trial took place June, 1918. Ben was found not guilty of any crime.
When I went to the Graham County court records office they told me that the court records for the trial were destroyed because Ben was acquitted. Apparently there was no need to keep the records. The only records that still exist are the change of venue records.
My grandfather, Wilder, told me many times that he was a witness at the trial of his father. He was only 12 years old. The county clerk told me that if my grandfather had testified the judge would have taken him into a private chamber and his testimony would then be recorded and read to the jury. This procedure was to protect the minor witness. Grandpa told me that the judge praised him for being a good and honest young man.
What a trying experience for this little family to go through. After it was all over they remained in Graham County and opened a restaurant in Safford on Main Street. Lavina was an excellent cook. Grandpa said that his mom would cook, his sister Grace would wait the tables and he was the dishwasher. This restaurant was their support until 1922 when the family moved to Los Angeles, California.
When I went to the Graham County court records office they told me that the court records for the trial were destroyed because Ben was acquitted. Apparently there was no need to keep the records. The only records that still exist are the change of venue records.
My grandfather, Wilder, told me many times that he was a witness at the trial of his father. He was only 12 years old. The county clerk told me that if my grandfather had testified the judge would have taken him into a private chamber and his testimony would then be recorded and read to the jury. This procedure was to protect the minor witness. Grandpa told me that the judge praised him for being a good and honest young man.
What a trying experience for this little family to go through. After it was all over they remained in Graham County and opened a restaurant in Safford on Main Street. Lavina was an excellent cook. Grandpa said that his mom would cook, his sister Grace would wait the tables and he was the dishwasher. This restaurant was their support until 1922 when the family moved to Los Angeles, California.
4 comments:
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Lynette,
This is a real good story with a good outcome, and you have a real interesting way of relating it. -
March 8, 2010 at 8:12 AM
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Don't you want to scream when records were destroyed! Especially intentionally!! Ahhh!
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March 8, 2010 at 1:39 PM
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Interesting story.
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March 19, 2010 at 1:31 AM
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I agree with Duncan! Glad it all worked out for the better for the family!
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April 12, 2010 at 6:47 PM
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