There was not sentiment romance in all this to me; it was stern unflinching duty. Uncle Dan may have told you of the murder of John Markwell. Uncle Dan was with him when he was shot by the same band of thieves and murderers. Mr. Markwell was a large man weighing over 300 pounds. My mother and two other women and myself with an ox team went some six miles for the body was loaded on the wagon and brought home the next night by some means or other. The usual mysterious means the rumor came that they intended to kill Uncle Dan and remove all evidence of the killing. The settlement was alarmed and all preparations were made to protect his life. He was living with us and it was surmised correctly that they would come to our house first. Uncle Dan was sent into hiding and finally sent to Aunt Mary Jones. Some preparation was made for their coming. My mother and I kept watch at the front window. My father remained in the kitchen to escape at once -- he could [not] be persuaded to go before because he would remain inside close to the family. It was in mid winter with a heavy snow on the ground as I remember it now. I know it was very cold, near midnight they came and demanded both Uncle Dan and my Father. My mother faced them at an open front window determined to kill. She struck a match and recognized to them that and the noise of cocking her revolver frightened them and they withdrew hastily to the side of the house. Just then my Father left the kitchen door making some noise. One shot was fired in his direction. My mother and I at once left the [house] to search for him. The Jayhawkers hastily mounted their horses standing in the yard and left. Call a man's home his castle or any other name, I presume when attacked he prepares to kill without thought of consequences. I know this is the first time in my life I made up my mind to take a human life. My mother and I both armed started to find my father and whither found or not to go by a short path to cut off these outlaws (tolerate it is me) at a cut bank which they must pass and kill as many as we could. We found Father who was in his sock feet and who had run into one foot a corn stock (stalk) and could hardly walk. He wisely persuaded us to go no further for had we killed one of them the whole family would have been wiped out.

I have among my memory treasures a commonwealth [land] patent to our grandmother, Lorona [Lavina] Thomas for 50 acres on the waters of Salt Lick adjoining land owned by your father and mine, dated May 7, 1838, signed by James Clark, Governor, and John Bollock, secretary of state. Also a church letter to Uncle Dan from the Christian Church of Salt Lick Creek near Esculapia Springs dated April 6, 1856, and signed Daniel P. Mosley, elder and George T. Thomas, elder. The letter shows that Uncle Dan was a deacon; also a tax receipt 1847 Larvna [Lavina] Thomas $1,360 taxable property, signed by W.L. Halbert for R.D. McLane & Co., also a receipt Feb. 6, 1857, to my father for $600 for a judgment paid for Uncle Henry McCormick signed by Geo. T. Halbert, clerk. This one of a long history of my poor father's [George W. Thomas] generosity. And I have an old money pocket large leather pocket books once belonged either to our Grandfather or Grandmother [George and Lavina Thomas]. Its condition and construction show its age. I have many other things which have and do now interest me very much.

I remember cousin May Halbert lives near you and is still May Halbert. Tell her it is not fair but I am often teased because they say that most of my lady friends are old maids. I should be glad indeed to see her. I wish you would give my love to her. Aunt May Jones like[s] so much to have her recollection detailed. Could she be induced to relate them to someone? I would consider it a great favor if she would and send me a copy. If any member of the family will give me a record of the names, dates of birth, marriages, husbands, wives, and children down to the end, I will, with the data have, compiled a record of the Thomas family and send to each a copy. I would like to know the names of the husbands of each of our aunts. I don’t know the wives of Uncle Lige [Elijah] and Dan, a record of his character might be of some value or interest to our children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

I was about six years old when I left Kentucky. My brothers, James, Milton, George, Henry, Robert, Wilson and my only sister, Mary Laurina [Lavina?] were born in Kentucky. I remember or think I remember that Aunt Halbert had two girls. I recall that I was at Aunt Mary Wilson's and it seems to me that it was near the Ohio River and I saw a steamboat boiler half buried in the ground standing at quite an angle which they told me came from a steamboat explosion, a miracle if true. I remember many minor things about our old home. It appears to me the house stood in or on the side hill with trees above. The porch opened on the ground from the second story. There was rock or shell slate on the hill that the stable and yard was below toward down stream. There was a big corn crib that jimson weed grew in the barnyard. I remember the graveyard on a hill where or which way I don't know. I recall a little country store below our house and Grandfather McCormick. The name of he who kept it I don't or can't think just now. I think they said he was a Yankee. I remember there was a tanyard near Grandfather's that Uncle Henry kept a store in the corner of the hotel yard that one time many men came to Grandfather's Hotel with many dogs. I remember how the Hotel looked -- the wide yard in front down to the road. The schoolhouse near the creek not far away for one day Tom and I ran away to go to school. He was wiser than I and he helped me across the creek on a board or log. He walked across first and then came back as I couldn't cross. Enough.

This letter must end somewhere and it may as well end here. If you will show this to Aunt Mary, to the Halberts, cousins, and to any other member of the family whom you think might be interested in such things. Any of them who cares to write to me and will do so the debt and pleasure will be mine. And I will appreciate it. I have a weakness for the tribe of Thomas down the entire line. I have here outdone myself and may never be able to brace myself to such another effort to my dear wife have I written such a length. We have a nice little home, a house of many rooms occupied just now by myself and wife alone. The oranges and lemons hang on the trees, ripe and beautiful. The flowers bloom in the dooryard. Come to see us; we will be glad to entertain you. Pardon the length of this letter.

I am your cousin,
Charles W. Thomas

P.S. Thinking of what I intended and haven't said in the foregoing letter, I cannot refrain a p.s. I don't want you to think I am a pedigree hunter for I am not. I have not pitched the family wagon to a star, nor am I adverse with the idea of proving myself kin to the whole world through the Garden of Eden. It is said that we Americans are descendants or kings and Beggars, but I am not searching for either Kings or Beggars. I shall never be other than loyal to the household whoever and wherever its members are. Mr. Stitt whose children reside in this county and who recently died at Vancvill [Vacaville ] has often mentioned you. He has many nice and complimentary things to say about you. Your and he were in the Kentucky Legislature at the same time. He had a very high regard for you.

As others may see this letter, permit me (to write about) my own family or branches beginning with my all dearest brother. James Milton Thomas died Fort Worth, Texas. His wife and children live there. His children are William, Lee (deceased), and Charles W. who has children -- names unknown to me. Brother James was a farmer, George Henry Thomas was a machinist; he lives with sister Mary at Forest Grove, Oregon. His children are Dorothy (a graduate of Kirksville, Mo., Normal School -- now a teacher in the Lebanon Co. High School. Fannie, wife of Ernest Stout -- one child Charlotte. C. Harriett Billar has children living at Hutchinson, Kansas. Charles W. Thomas -- my wife was Saralda (?) whose grandfather on her father’s side was a Lee from Virginia and her other was a Wilson from Kentucky. We have two children as before stated. Herbert Wilson Thomas lives at St. Joseph, Missouri, is a veterinarian surgeon, dealer in stock, has exhibited in Kentucky near you. He has two children Pearl and Larry. Launa Boyd lives at Forest Grove and has six children: Clarence Susie (married), Dorothy, George, Edna and Ruby. Matt Bruce Thomas is a farmer and lived around Mount City, Missouri. He has three children: Grace (married), Pearl, and Blair. I.P. Thomas is a farmer and lives near Forest City, Missouri and has five children: Mary, Joe, Fred and Dorothy Helen. Two brothers and a sister died in infancy. I think I have some photographs of my children which if I find them I will send to you. I am passed (past) page 13 so I will close.

Yours & C (Cousin),
Charles W. Thomas

Notes by William Talley: The above document was copied from a handwritten copy by Mrs. Helen L. Smith and some of it has been difficult to decipher; therefore, in some cases we have tried to write what we think would have been the logical wording.

The Thomas family would have been very brave to leave Kentucky in 1858 (before the Civil War started), later finding themselves helplessly and innocently caught up in a border war in conflicts with the Jayhawkers of Missouri and Kansas. Many of the brutal conflicts mentioned in this letter took place in the Missouri counties that lay near the border with the state of Kansas, namely Clay, Cass, Jackson, Bates, Platte and Buchanan.