Sad Story of the Hayes Children

Interred at Bluffton Cemetery, all in one row

Phil says: "I have never visited Arkansas though my mother was born in Rocky Mount. Hopefully, someday I will visit there.
By the way, Ransom Marion Hayes and brother Joseph Alphan Hayes both homesteaded in Rocky Mount."

This is from page 75 of "Biographies of Van Buren County", By the VBCHS. Originally submitted by Sallie Parish and Julia Parish:

"Ramson Marion and Becky Hayes had 11 children, Tragedy was no stranger at Marion's door. Sons George and twins John and Joseph died of diphtheria within a period of 10 days in June 1887. In 1905, after taking Walter to a boarding school in Clinton, the family was returning home by horse drawn wagon and had to ford Archey Creek. In the middle of the stream a flash flood struck them, and Pearl and Garner were drowned. Marion and Becky barely escaped with their lives. Eight months later Mary was born but only lived one month. At the age of 35, their son Oscar died in an automobile accident while visiting relatives in Oklahoma. Five of their sons lived to be adults."

This is from Viola Puryear:
"My mother (Veronica Emerson) told me a little more of the drowning incident which she heard from Maggie Emerson. It seems that Marion was somewhat stubborn. He was told not to cross the creek because it was dangerous. He did so any way. Halfway accross the wagon started to float, and the floor board came up washing Pearl and Garner away. Becky had long hair, so Marion was able to grab it and save her.

P.S. My aunt told me this story about the children being swept away in the creek crossing, and said it is a true story, Rebecca J. (Byers) Hayes was her great aunt
Viola Puryear."

(See links to gravestones below)

Pearl and Garner Hayes
Drowned 1905, shared stone
George Hayes
Diphtheria 1887
John Hayes
Diphtheria 1887
Joseph Hayes
Diphtheria 1887
Mary Hayes
One month old