Littlehouseonthemove
Findinglaura
by Thehouseofruthanne
It was a glorious day . October 2003 . Alan and Ruthanne Buchanan set out on a journey . Findinglaura .
Little House books along with Little House Television series starring Michael Landon and Melissa Gilbert was nothing compared to actually standing on the very ground that Laura Ingalls Wilder once walked. our guide ,Historian Hazel Maringer of Westville Florida took them to where laura once lived.
This what they found. "Rebuid and they will come " Ruthanne say. And they did.
Findinglaura brought Ruthanne Buchanan to Westville Florida. Small town community about 20 miles from her home, Woodlawn Florida. Postal office seems to be a good place for Ruthanne to get information. Hello! "Can any one point the way to the home of Laura Ingalls?" "You'll never find it" said one. "Its along side a road deep in the woods" another shouted. Donna Gills , polite courteous postal employee, wrote down some directions to New Hope Florida community where the old house site could be found, she than said "theirs' a man out side there, maybe he can help you." .
The sleepy old gent came alive with his story . "Yea! She came through town by horse and wagon. "What kind of person was she" Ruthanne asked . "Why !she was loud mouthed and carried a big gun." <after that moment all went silent.> Wishing and Waiting broke historian -history.
If there was one thing that Ruthanne regrets in her life ,this was it. To never have gone back to Westville for added information from the old gent, whom named totally escaped her memory. Also others like this elderly gent, that may have gotten photo's of Laura , family, wagon, horses , Laura's big gun . Anything that proved that Laura was really in Westville. Found out 3 years after the fact the man's name was Elton Brown and was deceased. Tried calling Buddy Brown. Elton's son numerous times but Buddy was never available for interview. Had to have been many folks at that time, late 1800's that probably had talked to ,Laura or Almanzo or held baby Rose or offered carrot to Barnum and Skip . <"Note Pa's horses were: Pat and Patty." >
Some say Laura came to Florida by wagon some say she came by train.
My theory is this: Laura came by train to Florida with wagon and horses.
When she arrived Westville she then drove by wagon to New Hope to where Peter Franklin Ingalls homesteaded. Often wondered how the passage through the piney woods was at that time also how long it took them to reach Peter's home. It takes the Buchanan's one hour going the Westville way by car using the modern roads of to -day to reach Peter's homestead.
If there is anyone from Westville Florida reading this material and has contact with a person or persons that may have photo's in old shoe boxes, albums, bibles concerning events of that particular day in history when Laura arrived Westville Florida Depot late 1800"s please contact :
Ruthanne Buchanan. Any minute findings would be wonderful.
rcassa@defuniak.com or call 1-850-951-1140.
October 2008 has come and gone . Preperation for next years reunion are getting underway. Something special will be happening. So!! Take care ,be safe on your particular trek in life.
See ya' then .
So ! the journey continues.
· 3rd Annual ·
- Ingalls Family & Friends Picnic -
Westville, Holmes County, Florida
Saturday, October 18, 2008 historically marked the day that the 3rd Annual Ingalls Family & Friends Picnic was held, on the grounds of Peter Franklin Ingalls Homestead, which is now the home of Gordon Huggins, Peter’s grandson, whom was our special host this year. At 10:00 A.M., Mary Jo Mims Craft opened with a warm welcome, and helped entertain the crowd, with her musical talent, under the tall pine trees all around. The crowd enjoyed dishes that were brought, that formed a feast for a special potluck lunch at noon, 11:00 A.M.-12:30 P.M., as everyone mingled and visited amongst one another. As usual, there was plenty of good food. Especially the peanut butter frosted cake! Just following lunch, we gathered for the afternoon program at the historical marker site.
As the afternoon program began, around 12:30 P.M., Mary Jo once again welcomed everyone to the historic site and program. She introduced the speaker, John Bass, from Ingalls-Wilder-Lane Historic Alliance (Shreveport, Louisiana). John spoke briefly about how much the site has improved, during the summer and fall efforts of Wayne Jack Ingalls, whom started the restoration project of the site. This restoration project consisted first of forming the new group, the Reunion Committee. The officers are Gordon Huggins, Chairman; Wayne Jack Ingalls, Coordinator; Mary Jo Mims Craft, Coordinator; and Edna Mims, Treasurer. The Reunion Committee was formed to oversee and maintain this site in general, and to take charge of the planning and arrangements of each years’ picnics, which were voted to be held on the grounds of the historical marker site. It was also voted that the picnic be held on the last Saturday in the month of September each year. Their first project was to take down and remove the old home of Peter Franklin and Mary Molly, as it was in an unrestorable condition. The walls and the roof were all caved in and beyond repair, and the house was basicly a hazzard. Some of the original wood was saved by the family, and the rest was burned. During this project, and as the cleaning of the grounds progressed, lots of old and rusted materials and artifacts were found. Amongst these were items like tools, nails, plows, farming aids, etc. A display board was erected near the historical marker to display these items, along with photos of the restoration and cleaning process. Wayne also began work to erect a special gazebo, where the home once stood. This gazebo has eight sides, which has a front and a back entrance. Each side, along with the two entrances represent the members that make up Peter Franklin and Mary Molly Ingalls family, the parents and their six children. Picnic tables will be donated and provided by each of the six children’s families, with their names on them. There will also be two extra picnic tables donated in honor of their parents. If any one wants to donate picnic tables in honor of Almanzo and Laura Ingalls Wilder, please contact us. So far, what a magnificent transformation, since we began three years ago! Next, John Bass turned the mic back over to Mary Jo, as she spoke on the “Trip Down the Mississippi” and her family history. Wayne Jack Ingalls then took the mic to begin his awards ceremony. Just to mention a few, as coordinator of the Reunion Committee, Wayne presented several certificates to some very special people. The first award certificate went to Lawrence Ingalls, as being the eldest of the family. Gordon Huggins received his award for his cooperation of hosting the reunions and picnics each year on his property and being a vital part of the making of history, allowing for the historical marker to be erected. John Bass received his award as a historian, whom is the reason for this historical marker and site, and the creator of the Ingalls Family & Friends Picnic (family reunions). Ruthanne Buchanan of Defuniak Springs, Florida also received an award for her work of her web site for Laura Ingalls Wilder and Little House on the Priaire and this site in Westville, Florida. She stays busy with her historical research of the area, helping to pin point different areas pertaining to history in Florida. Once again, Mary Jo gave thanks and adoration to Wayne for all his hard work, on this property, which he began and leads to helping and organizing the future reunions and projects, which are “keeping our history alive”! And last, but certainly not least, Mary Jo ended the afternoon program by introducing a very special guest from Chipley, Florida, Meroe Stanton Camp, whose mother, Meroe Stanton was a close and personal friend of Laura and Almanzo Wilder, while living in Missouri. Meroe spoke briefly about her mother telling stories of their friendship, and how she took over doing so, after her own mother passed away. Her daughter, Paula Meroe Camp Cunningham was also present. There is always something crafty and special to do during the day at these annual picnics, such a churning butter, quilting, future wagon rides, and more! Our next and 4th Annual Ingalls Family & Friends Picnic is set to be held on Saturday, September 26, 2009…mark your calendars early!
-Story by John Bass, Ingalls-Wilder-Lane Historic Alliance, Shreveport, LA
John Bass of Ingalls-Wilder-Lane Historic Allance {Shreveport, Louisiana has this to say about this years festivities.
Photo of T-Shirt, that was signed by Ingalls Descendants and how they are related to Peter Franklin Ingalls . Oct 18 2008
The real item will be displayed March 2009 at Rocky Ridge Store. The place where the Little House Books were written. . Laura Ingalls Wilder Historic Home & Museum Mansfield Mo.
This is how Peter's homestead looks today.
wayne Jack Ingalls, Historian John Bass receiving merit , and 200 year old Creeping Myrtle that was planted and cared for by Peter.
