Whitney Meglone Artifacts at the KY Historical Society

I was recently contacted by a researcher with the Kentucky Historical Society about this blog and my research specifically on Whitney Meglone. The researcher was looking for information about Whitney to include with some historical items that are in the collections of the KY Historical Society in Lexington: two rifles and a locket.

Needless to say, I was thrilled to hear from him and to learn that Whitney actually "made" rifles! I had just assumed he worked in a shop that may have mostly done repairs, or that maybe Whitney was still in an apprentice stage. The rifles are part of the Marsh Collection of the KY Historical Society which includes other rifles by gunsmith Benjamin Mills and his apprentices (Whitney was one of his apprentices!). The Marsh collection was covered in the publication KHS Chronicle. Benjamin Mills lived in Harrodsburg, KY, prior to and just after the Harper's Ferry incident, and continued gunsmithing there during the Civil War. Whitney's mother married a man from Harrodsburg about 1859/1860 so Whitney could have begun his apprenticeship at about that time, or earlier since the 1859 City Directory lists Whitney as a gunsmith.

The locket and rifles can be viewed at this link, or by going to http://history.ky.gov/ and clicking on "Search Our Collections," then click on the link to the KHS Objects Catalog and enter the search term "Meglone":

http://kyhistory.pastperfect-online.com/35577cgi/mweb.exe?request=keyword;keyword=meglone;dtype=d

Both rifles are muzzle-loaders and one is dated 1861, so it can be assumed the other is of a similar date or within a few years prior to that date, since it may not be likely that he built any rifles or guns during the Civil War because he spent so much of that time as a prisoner of war.

The locket was only recently posted to the online collection and reveals that Whitney apparently made the locket for his sister Mary while he was imprisoned at Camp Douglas. It is very detailed and looks like a small book, and is made of ivory and gold and silver decorative pieces. A small photo of Mary is still in place on the right side, but the photo of Whitney was stolen out of the locket in 1995, while in the possession of the Historical Society. Why someone would go to those lengths to steal a tiny photograph is beyond me. I can only assume that the photo must have been of Whitney in uniform and that maybe someone thought it had significant monetary value. So somewhere out there may exist this photo of Whitney, so if anyone has any information about the theft of this picture or has seen a photo of this small size that might be the one of Whitney that was stolen, please contact the KY Historical Society to let them know.

The engraving on the locket was done on the center decorative pieces on the front and back of the locket as well as on the latch. It appears that when the person stole the photo of Whitney that they may have also broken the piece of ivory it was set into, because it is now in two pieces but is still held together by the decorative metal pieces.

Did prisoners, especially at Camp Douglas, have access to these kinds of materials (ivory, gold, silver)? Could this locket have been made from items he already had on him at the time of his capture, or maybe that he could have bartered for amongst other prisoners or maybe Union soldiers? I don't know enough about the history of items made by imprisoned soldiers during the Civil War to know how he might have made something as delicate as this. Would he also have been able to have it sent to his sister while he was imprisoned?

Someday I hope that the picture of Whitney is found and that it is returned to it's rightful place back inside this locket. And who knows, maybe there are more rifles out there marked "W W Meglone, Lexington KY."

Fantastic!

Willie E. Meglone of Ohio 1 May 1868- ?

I have just come across another possible Meglone line after trying out the beta search at FamilySearch.org. I came across a listing for a Willie E. Meglone who was born in Townsend, Huron, Ohio on 1 May 1868. This is the first time I have come across this line and was very intrigued when I saw the name of Willie's father - Lewis Meglone!

Could this be a separate Lewis from all of the Lewis/Louis' we already have documented, or could this possibly be one of ours? How common was this name during that time period (especially for possibly unrelated Meglone lines)? I will have to do some more digging because this really has me wondering if this Lewis might be the father of Sam and Louis of Lexington and Paris, KY. Their father supposedly died in Kansas City just prior to the Civil War, and it is thought that maybe he either died in an accident or of illness while working for the railroad. I don't think there is any definitive proof of his death or where he may have been buried. His wife was Lucretia Taylor of Lexington. Wouldn't his body have been sent home by the company he worked for if he died away from home while working for them?

The Lewis who was the father of Willie E. was apparently married to Annie M. Huntley. Now I need to do some more digging on these folks and see if they stayed in Ohio or if they may have had ties to Kentucky.

Please feel free to post a reply if you have any info on this family line.

Kate and Edward Meglone 1871/1878-?

Siblings Kate and Edward Meglone appear on the 1910 census of Lexington, KY, in the household of their brother-in-law and sister Newton and Sarah Curtis. Kate would have been the oldest sibling at age 39, Sarah next at age 37, and the Edward at age 32. Kate and Edward were not married. All are listed as being born in Kentucky, and Edward's occupation is listed as farmer.

Please see the post on Jack Meglone for more information on the family of Kate and Edward Meglone.

An interesting article appeared in the Lexington Herald on 15 November 1908, when Edward would have been about 30 years old. He was apparently part of a group of men who took a large number of thoroughbred horses to Buenos Aires to be sold, and narrowly escaped a shipwreck in the process. Here is the transcribed text of the article:

"Fayette Men Tell Strange Tale of Being Shipwrecked
Young Men Return From Trip to Buenos Ayres With Elmendorf Horses After Exciting Adventures In Far-Off Southern Seas.
Messrs. George Bell, Allen Downing, Harry Talbott, J.D. Runyon, Joe Van Dornick and Ed. Meglone, six Lexington young men, arrived home last night from Buenos Ayres, after and exciting trip, including shipwreck near the small island of San Sabastiao, on the night of October 16.
George Bell, one of the party who left her in August with a consignment of sixty-five horses from Elmendorf Farm, told a thrilling narrative of their wreck and escape. In an interview last night he said:
Tells of Adventures.
'We left here August 15th with a consignment of horses for the auction sales at Buenos Ayres, going to New York to embark. We were twenty-six days out from New York to Buenos Ayres.
'The trip down was practically without incident, and we landed with our horses and waited for the first of the three sales scheduled. Among the horses were the stallions imp. Dieudonne, imp. Chapelle, imp. Arkle, Geraldstine and Mikado. We saw three of these sold and embarked for our return journey on the Velasquez.
Storm In Dark Night.
'It was a dark night with heavy rain squalls now and then. One could not make out an object more than two feet away. It was so dark that the steward and the captain could not see each other over the tray as the former handed the latter his tea at 9:30 o'clock.
'The ship about that time gave a jump and there was a grinding noise at the same time. She struck again and stopped. Over the starboard rail a large reef could be distinguished by means of the lights aboard ship. The passengers were many of them in a funk and were for doing this, that and the other thing, some praying, others shouting while pleadings and imprecations alike rent the air.
'The officers and crew behaved splendidly except the Spanish stokers who had they not been restrained would have jumped at once into the life boats. The captain brought them back quickly.
'Two boats were gotten out and all of the passengers, women and children first, were gotten into a boat and cleared of the ship's side. There were five other boats manned after this and all escaped, although not until many narrow escapes were had on the ship and with the boats owing to the necessity of opening the exhaust steam pipes to keep the ship from blowing up, during which time the water ran into the old of the vessel; the dynamo went out leaving the ship in total darkness. Within half an hour there was twenty-five feet of water in the engine room, the whole bottom seeming to have been torn out of the vessel.
Sea Dyed By Cargo.
'At daylight the whole face of the waters seemed to be covered with ink, owing to the cargo of dyestuffs having stained the surface of the sea.
'When we first left the ship, the chief officer sailed away with us to find a beach about two miles away, followed by the other four boats. We were landed on a rocky place inhabited by natives, who swarmed around us like flies at a molasses barrel, waiting until they could help themselves to what was left of the ship. The next trip of the boats was to go back after the mails and as much baggage as could be safely procured.
Send Native Messenger.
'A native was sent off to the nearest cable station with a message to the city of Santos. There we were kept for [two nights] and a day while the messenger was gone and until the steamer Milton could come out from Santos and take us aboard.
'We arrived in Santos the following morning after leaving San Sabastiao, and finding the Steamer Titian ready to sail for New York, our party embarked on her- and here we are.
'We had a good time and are no worse for our one rough experience, but we do not feel like tackling another shipwreck.'"

Robert C. Meglone 1904-1953

Robert Meglone was the son of Susie Cromwell Meglone and Lewis Meglone of Paris, Bourbon County. He may have been born just prior to or shortly after the death of his father Lewis in 1904. Robert might be the Meglone boy pictured in the Paris High School football team photo which appears in the book "Paris and Bourbon County."

The Lexington Herald, 28 July 1921:
"The Bourbon county boys returned from their two weeks' stay at Camp Daniel Boone this morning. Robert Meglone and Leslie O'Neill won honor for the Bourbon county group capturing the gold triangle, the highest award made at the camp. O'Neill and Meglone were the only boys to win the award during the third period."

The Lexington Herald, 5 March 1922:
"Among those from Paris who attended the State Basketball Tournament at Lexington were: Misses Mamie Lee Baldwin, Rubie Hall, Catherine Wallingford, Rose Trinna Duncan, Louise Collier, Eleanor Payne, Emily Fithian, Vivian Wallingford, and Nell Robins, coach: also Messrs. Clark, Wright, Meglone, Larkin, Rose, Tucker, Dalzel, McCarty, W.M. Sheffield and Prof. F. A. Scott."

Robert also appeared in at least one stage production:
"HIGH SCHOOL PLAY SUCCESS IN PARIS
'And Billy Disappeared' to Be Presented Tonight With New Cast
[Special to The Herald]
PARIS, Ky, May 11-- "And Billy Disappeared" a mystery play, was presented at the Paris High school auditorium last night before a large and appreciative audience. The plot centered around a mysterious young girl and an aviator, who have just returned from service in France. These parts were played by Elizabeth Rule and Rene Clark.
Miss Match, Elizabeth Lilleston, an old maid turned out to be a crook, Mrs. Gray, Marie Colliver, comes to the mountains in hope of finding her long lost husband. Among the guests of the inn are Mr. Bordin, Bob Meglone, district attorney and his two sisters, Nancy Borden, a popular debutante and Aggie (Annie Ewalt) a spoiled child. Gene Greener, Billy Wornell, a traveling salesman with a girl in every town.
One of the most interesting characters is Kitty, Mary T. Burns, the old black mammy, Bob Dusenberry, Reid Bishop, is a native of the mountain village. Milton Adair plays the part of a hermit, who turns out to be a detective.
Friday May 12, an entirely different cast will present this same play. There is great competition between the two casts. The best will be chosen from each to present the play in neighboring towns."

This is likely the same Robert Meglone who served as a Captain in the Army. He entered service 16 July 1942 and was discharged 16 July 1946. "Assigned to Recruiting Service in Cleveland, Ohio, Camp Atterbury, Ind., and Cincinnati, Ohio. Awarded Victory Ribbon and American Theater Ribbon."

More research needs to be done to locate any existing military records.

Robert Meglone was buried at Lexington Cemetery on 7 Feb 1953, Disposition number 35289, Section A, Lot 19, funeral director Hinton-Turner.

It is not known if Robert was ever married or had any children.

Lexington Cemetery, Section A

James Creed Meglone 28 March 1891-20 April 1937

Oldest son of Samuel M. Meglone and Frank George McCoy.

In the Bourbon News (Paris, KY), 24 Dec 1901:
"Master Creed Meglone, who has been attending Miss [Maria?] Tipton's school, in this city, left for his home in Lexington, Saturday, to spend Christmas with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Meglone."

In The Central Record (Lancaster, KY), 8 July 1904:
"BRYANTSVILLE
Master Crud Meglone has returned to his home in Lexington after a visit to Mrs. James Leavell and daughters."
**Who is this Mrs. James Leavell?

Appointed to West Point in 1909, but may never have attended the school.

From the Lexington Herald, 17 Feb 1909:
"Mr. Meglone is the son of Mrs. S. M. Meglone, 514 West Third street, who was formerly a clothing merchant of this city. He is sixteen years of age. He received his education at Millersburg Military Institute and the Lexington High School. He was quite an able pupil at these two schools, having won a declamatory contest in this city in 1904 among representatives of all the city schools. He is now connected with the furnishing goods establishment of Mr. J.D. Purcells's store."

Was it typical practice at this time to appoint a 16 year old to West Point? Had James Creed Meglone already completed high school at the time of his appointment, or was he still attending school? Did he pass the required examinations and actually attend West Point?

In the Lexington Herald, 12 July 1909:
"PURCELL'S WIN FROM KAUFMAN STRAUS'
Interesting Game On the Asylum Diamond Sunday Morning
The salesmen of Purcells' Racket store again demonstrated their ability as ball players Sunday morning by defeating on the asylum diamond the team composed of the salesmen of Kaufman Straus' dry goods store by the store of 12 to 4. The features of the game were the superb catching of Glaze and the excellent slab work of Irvin, who struck out sixteen men.
Following is the line-up of the two teams:
Purcell's-- Meglone 1b, Leming 3b, Stout 2b, Glaze c, Dawson lf, Bacon ss, Milton cf, Bendure rf, Irvin p.
Kaufman's-- Milwell 1b, Sladd lf, Brock p. Morton ss, T. Gree 3b, Beckers 2b, Johnson rf, Smith cf, Honaker c."
[Any chance the Milton who played center field for Purcell's was related to the Hugh Meglone Milton family?]

In the 1910 census of Lexington, James Creed Meglone was 18 years old and living with his mother, brother, and sister at their home and boardinghouse on West Third street. James Creed was a salesman at a "dry goods store" which was most likely the J.D. Purcell Company.

James Creed Meglone served as an umpire during at least one local baseball game in October of 1910.

The Lexington Herald, 10 Nov 1911:
"'DADDY' BOGGS TAKES RIDE IN WHEEL BARROW
Creed Meglone Trundles the Merchant Through Streets to Pay Election Bet
Hundreds of interested spectators watched Creed McGlone pay his election bet to "Daddy" Boggs. A wheelbarrow ride was the stake. Boggs picked Cassidy as a winner in the Mayor's race, while McGlone thought Duncan was the sure thing.
The two men met in front of the Phoenix Hotel, McGlone trundling a wheelbarrow, "Daddy," adorned by a big cigar, at Billy Klaire's favorite angle of 45 degrees, took his seat in the barrow. On his back he bore the legend, "I bet on Cassidy." Incidentally he was advertising the J.D. Purcell Company, of whose men's department he is the popular head.
McGlone, bearing on his back, "I bet on Duncan," took hold of the handles and the journey began. The procession moved down Main street, around the courthouse and back to the hotel. It was accompanied on the long journey by admiring scores and greeted on all sides by loud applause, especially by loyal Democrats. "Daddy" became so puffed up that he nearly fell out of the vehicle. McGlone says that in his future betting he proposes to leave "dead ones" alone.
It is rumored that the grand jury may consider the case."


By 1913, James Creed Meglone was still in Lexington. The Lexington Herald, 25 March 1913:
"J.C. MEGLONE GOES TO GREEBEL & HIRSCH
J.C. Meglone, for the past five years an employe [sic] of the J.D. Purcell Company, has resigned his position with that firm to accept a position with the firm of Greebel & Hirsch. He will have charge of the gents' furnishings and hat department and his many friends in this city wish him a great success in his new position."

On 16 Dec 1916, James Creed Meglone married Eva Aldean Long. They had two children, Frances Jane (14 Feb 1918-14 April 1986, married 15 Sep- to Martin William Terzin) and James Creed II (21 Jan 1920- 26 March 1992).

James Creed Meglone, Jr., may have descendants in the Los Angeles area. He was buried in Inglewood, CA, Plot 26 3052, buried 31 March 1992.

Frank George McCoy Meglone (Mrs. Samuel M. Meglone) 1866?-1943

Frank George McCoy was the wife of Samuel M. Meglone, the clothier of Lexington. Her children were James Creed Meglone, Mary Lucretia Meglone, and Coleman Meglone. There may have been another child, S.M., who died in infancy and is buried at the Lexington Cemetery.

1900 census of Lexington lists this family as "McGlone." S.M., F. George, J.C., Coleman, and Lucretia, living on Blackburn Ave. F. George is listed as having had 4 children and 3 are surviving. According to this census, F. George "Georgia" would have been born about 1866.

The Lexington Herald, on 7 May 1906, reported that Mrs. S.M. Meglone paid $33.82 in taxes for 1905 (paid in April of 1906).

In 1910, according to the Census of Lexington, "Georgia" Meglone was running a boarding house on West Third Street and her children were still living at home. There were eight boarders in the household, so the home must have been fairly large (this may have been at 517 West Third). In 1908, a Mr. and Mrs. Ben T. Head were living in the home, and later moved to Birmingham, AL.

After the death of her husband, Samuel Meglone, "Georgia" Meglone may have been left with some debts to creditors, but this has not been proven. There is one court case involving Frank George McCoy Meglone which needs further investigation- apparently she and her son Creed Meglone were called as witnesses in a gambling case.

The Lexington Herald, 18 October 1910:
"NO INDICTMENTS ARE FOUND BY GRAND JURY
2 MEMBERS EXCUSED
One Posts Books While the Other Is a Bartender At Strader's Place

The grand jury was in session throughout the entire day yesterday, but no indictments were returned.
Among the persons who appeared before the grand jury in response to a summons were Mrs. Georgia Meglone and her son, Creed Meglone, and George B. Strader.
Judge Parker yesterday excused R.T. Wallace and J.W. Lancaster from further service on the grand jury. Sheriff Daniel W. Scott was ordered to summon two other persons to fill the vacancies.
Mr. Lancaster said that he posted books for George B. Strader and Mr. Wallace said his son, Billy, was a bartender at Strader's saloon. The grand jury will spend some time in investigating the gambling question. A number of persons will be summoned to appear before the grand jury to tell what they know about the matter."

In the Lexington Herald, 11 March 1921:
"Parties for Mrs. Meglone
Mrs. Georgie Meglone has arrived from Chicago for a few days visit to her daughter, Mrs. O.H. Kemp [Henry Overton Kemp], at her home on Maxwell street. While in Chicago Mrs. Meglone attended a dinner given by Mr. and Mrs. R.C. Butner, of Glenwood avenue, formerly of Lexington, in honor of Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Long, of Georgetown.
On Tuesday evening Mr. and Mrs. Long entertained at the Edge Water Beach Hotel the following guests: Mr. and Mrs. R.C. Butner, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Libke, Mr. George Mather, Mrs. Georgie Meglone and Mr. and Mrs. G.C. Callerman."

Frank George "Georgia" McCoy Meglone is buried at Lexington Cemetery, disposition number 31450, Section A, Lot 47, Part S 1/2. She was apparently living in Springfield, IL at the time of her death. At the Lexington Cemetery website, "Georgia's" age at death is listed as 71 years old, which I believe to be incorrect. This would place her birth at about 1872 and her age at marriage about 11. Census records reflect this error in the recording of her age at Lexington Cemetery.

Lexington Cemetery, Section A

Sarah Meglone of Paris KY

Sarah Meglone was the daughter of Lewis Meglone and Susie Cromwell of Paris.

She appeared on the honor roll for grammar school in 1906 (fifth grade), 1908 for sixth, and in 1909 and 1910 for seventh and eighth grade, right alongside her brother Lewis.

Sarah was apparently a librarian in Paris, KY, according to this report in the Lexington Herald of 10 August 1916:
"LIBRARY CLOSES WHILE LIBRARIANS TAKE VACATION.
PARIS, Ky., Aug. 9-- The Paris public library will close after the regular hours Saturday and remain closed for two weeks while the librarians, Miss Imogene Redmon and assistant librarian Miss Sarah Meglone, are on their vacation. All books that have a return date of August 12 or before will have to be in on that date or the persons having them out will be charged for every day during the vacation."

Her obituary appeared in the Lexington Herald-Leader, 22 Nov 1990:
"PARIS-- Sarah Meglone, 94, of 121 Woodmont Drive, a retired Kentucky Utilities Co. employee, died Tuesday at Harrison Memorial Hospital, Cynthiana. Services 10 a.m. Saturday at Hinton-Turner Funeral Home. Visitation 4 to 8 p.m. Friday."

Lexington Cemetery, Section A