Mysteries

We always have a mystery or two to solve as family historians and genealogists. When we find one answer, it usually leads us to another mystery.

I had some information about my gret-grandfather, Simon Peter Loop. He was born in 1839 in McKean County, PA. He married Clara Tucker in Missouri. He lived in Valley Township, Rice County, Kansas, near a small town named Alden. He was a farmer and well thought of in the community. Four of his children were born in McKean County, PA; two were born in Missouri, and twins were born in Rice County, KS.

I knew he moved to Oklahoma at some point in time but I didn't know when. There was my mystery.

He lived in Manchester, OK. I discovered this town was located in Grant County so I checked out the Grant County web site. I posted queries on the Grant County web site and the Loop list. I checked out various parts of the web site. There was one button that said "Homesteaders Memorial." I ignored it "until I have more time."

I received several answers to my queries. One gave information about a book on the Loop family in America. The other told me about the pioneer monument in Medford, OK, with emailed photos of the monument itself.

This is when I went back to the Grant County web site and I clicked on the "Pioneer Memorial" button. This was a monument to the early settlers, many of whom took part in the September 16, 1893, Land Rush. There was a picture of the Oklahoma Homesteaders Memorial located the the Grant County seat. The names of the pioneers were engraved on the back of the memorial. Simon Peter Loop, his son George Amos Loop, and George's son, Fred L, were listed.

I believe those three took part in the 1893 Land Rush but I do not have conclusive proof because the names engraved on the memorial also included other early settlers. Even though I found Simon Peter Loop's name on the memorial, there is still the mystery of proving exactly when he went to Oklahoma.

So you see, there is always another mystery to solve!

A Poem

This was written in Denver, Colorado, when I visited my Mom and brother Bill. The words all came to me while I was reading a book. A very insistent message came to me to put down the book and write the words. It took a couple messages before I put the book down. The words were all there. I did not change one word.

April 21, 1991
In a book I read
"I'll speak to you day and night,"
You said.

The messages that come
By day
I hear and see
with small delay.

Those messages that come by night
Seem to be hidden
From my sight.

I ask from you
Some hints
To help my struggles
Make more sense.

I ask that you
Open my eyes
That I may see
Your planned surprise.

I ask that you
Open my ears
That I may hear -
Even through my tears.

I give you thanks
For all of these -
The messages I
Hear and receive.

As you guide me
On my way
I give you thanks
Every Day.