(Published at Champaign,

Illinois - Sept. 27, 1963) NEWSLETTER - NO. 5

EDITORIAL CHAT

September is here, and with it comes. the beginning of another school year, autumn, and the beginning of winter, and also another newsletter, but because your response has been so great, and because our circulation has gone beyond the one-hundred mark, we will only publish our Hurt Notes every three months from now on, instead of every two months as in the past. The next issue will be published in December -- in time for Christmas. The price of the newsletter is still the same -- 10 cents or a stamped envelope for a single copy. Most of you have been very generous in your contributions, and are paid up months in advance.  We do want to say "thank-you" again for all the money received. A careful record is kept of each person's credit.

Research on our family history is being continued by your editor and staff. The winter months ahead will find us reading reference books and genealogical publications, corresponding with county clerks, census readers, more Hurts and Bryants, and so forth. We feel that we have accomplished much during the past year, and with luck and persistent efforts, we may have traced our family back to Europe by this time next year. As usual we will keep you informed of important findings.

Hildreth Hurt Johnson, Editor

Box 753

St. Joseph, Illinois

-by Helen Jenkins

On Sunday, July 14, my husband Maurice and son Ray and I headed for Kentucky for a weeks vacation. Our first stop was in Louisville, Kentucky, where we visited with George and Fannie Lotz. From there we went to Fort Knox, Kentucky, where we made a tour of the army base. There is a plaque there dedicated to a Rev. John Hurt, who was the first minister at Fort Knox.

We visited Ed and Minnie Hulette, Cora Green, Ida Hurt, Eliza Ann King, and Mrs. John Ledford, all of Paint Lick.

We had dinner on Tuesday night with Leland and Maggie Hardwick and children on Sugar Creek. Other guests were Peachie Mae Montgomery of Danville, Kentucky, and Mrs.Janette Ray and children of Lancaster.

Then, on Wednesday morning, we went on to Somerset, Kentucky, where Maurice and Ray spent the rest of the week fishing in beautiful Lake Cumberland, while I visited with relatives, making my headquarters at the home of Red and Lucy Adams. At the same time, Cousin Sam Hurt was visiting there also. Lucy is Sam’s niece.

We made a trip to Brodhead, Kentucky, where I visited with Charlie and Lena Hurt. Then on to Crab Orchard to see Mrs. Frazier Hurt, where I was able to get a picture of my great-uncle John Hurt, and also names and dates from his family Bible.

All too soon the vacation came to an end, and we had to return home -- and back to work
 
 

Mr. and Mrs. Shelburn Adams, of Somerset, Kentucky, spent their vacation in Indiana, visiting Mr. Adams’ father. They also stopped in Louisville, Kentucky, to see Mrs. Adams’ sister, Mrs. Myrtie Lawson.

Mr. and Mrs. Luther Wrenn and children, Sue Ann and Luke, of Franklin, Indiana, spent the weekend of July 26 with their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Bethel Wrenn and Mr. and Mrs. Ed Hulette of Paint Lick, Kentucky. They also visited freinds in Lexington, Kentucky.

Several of the Hurt Clan attended the annual Farm Bureau Fish Fry at Paint Lick, Ky., on August 8. Kentucky farmers are busy now, housing their best money-making crop, "tobacco". They have had a very good season.

Ronald and Marilynne Johnson of Champaign, Illinois, traveled to Ft. Madison, Iowa, on September 7, to partake in the festivities of Cheyenne Frontier Days. They also visited in Burlington, Iowa, before returning home.
 
 

The seventh annual HURT reunion was held Aug. 18, 1963, at the city park in Allerton, Illinois, with 100 registered persons present. (There may have been a few who didn't register)

A business meeting was held following the delicious basket dinner, with Hildreth Johnson reading the minutes of the last meeting and giving the treasurer's report, substituting for Christine Neidigh, who was unable to attend. New officers elected for the coming year were: Jim Hurt, president, and Beulah Monroe,, secretary-treasurer.

Prizes were awarded as follows: Mrs. Nell Hurt, age 83, oldest person present; David Shouse, age 7 weeks, youngest; and Donald Hurt of Alburquerque, New Mexico, the person traveling the greatest distance to attend the reunion. Alva Hurt's family was awarded the trophy for having the largest branch present. Thirty-six members of his family turned out for the occasion.

Joseph Heldt acted as master of ceremonies for the entertainment program. Country music was furnished by Jerry Johnson and Bob Ohls.

Our genealogy booth was a popular area for genealogy discussion, and one of the main attractions was the family history chart on display. Actually there were two charts drawn up and displayed by Ronald Johnson, our recording secretary. One chart listed the names and dates of Eli Mitchell Hurt and Nancy Jane Bryant, and their descendants. The second chart, with the names of James Hurt and Elizabeth Morris at the top, listed the names of as many of their descendants as were known to us.

Members of the Hurt family present were: Alva Hurt, Nell Hurt, Beulah Monroe, Mrs. Harold Hurt, Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Hurt, Carole, Michael & Rebecca, Mr. & Mrs. Earl Hurt, and Mr. & Mrs. Shelby Hurt--all of Casey, Illinois; Eunice Walters, Mr. & Mrs. Harold Reeder, Randy Hurt, Keith Reeder, and Elaine Reeder--all of Greenup, Illinois; Mr. & Mrs. Eli Hurt, Nancy & John, and Mr. & Mrs. Robert Hurt--of Allerton, Illinois; Tell Hurt of Martinsville, Illinois; Mr. & Mrs. Dale Mitchell, Carolyn, Bill, Jan & Becky--of Homer, Ill.; Mr. and Mrs. Larry Chouning, Lori and Jeff--of Tilton, Illinois; Mrs. & Mrs. John Chouning, Jane & John--of Crete, Illinois;
Mr. & Mrs. Howard Wilson, Mr. & Mrs. Clarence Lutz, and Jerrie, and Mr. & Mrs. Robert Shouse & David--of Danville, Illinois; Mr. & Mrs. Maurice Tabbert & Carrie--Mattoon, Illinois; Mrs. Janice Wallace & Jon--of Oak Lawn, Illinois; Mr. & Mrs. Ernest Burt, Steve, Allen & Mark, Mrs. David Fell & Kimberly, Mr. and Mrs. Ronald Swallow & Doug, and Mrs. Helen Jenkins, Linda & Ray--all of Urbana, Illinois; Mrs. Hildreth Johnson and Mr. & Mrs. Jerry Johnson & Jill--of St. Joseph, Illinois; Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Johnson--Champaign, Illinois; Mr. & Mrs. Harold Sweet, Kathy Shelby, Beth Shelby, and Mr. & Mrs. Alva Simerl--of Covington, Indiana; Mr. and Mrs. Wayne Hurt, Cathy, Karen & Wayne Allen--of Crown Point, Indiana; Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Heldt & Michael, and Sharon Kincade -- of Gary, Indiana; Mr. & Mrs. Jim Hurt, Rosemarie, Brenda & Andy -- of Highland, Indiana; Mr. & Mrs. Donald Hurt, Roger & Ricky, and Matt, Cathy & Chandelle Redding -- of Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Guests present were Bob Ohls, Havana, Ilinois, and Sara Robinson and Royce Adamson, of Allerton, Illinois.

All in all, it was a very successful reunion, and we are already looking forward to the "third Sunday in August -- 1964".

Blanche Heldt wishes to announce that she has a few pictures left of our grandmother, Nancy Jane Bryant Hurt.
She distributed some at the reunion. Pictures of Nancy Jane are very scarce. The one was taken inthe late 1920's, when she was in her 70's. It measures 3 1/2 in. x 5 in., and if you are interested in a copy, you may have one for the low price of 10 cents plus 5 cents for postage. Send your requests to your newsletter editor.

Jerry Johnson and Bob Ohls introduced a new song at the reunion, called "The Legend of The Hurt Boys". It is sung to the tune of "The Legend of The Johnson Boys", recorded in an album by Flatt & Scruggs. We changed their word a bit, and added a few verses of our own. The song proved to be a hit at the reunion, and we have had requests fro the words, which you will find printed on the following page. (Get out your guitars and start singing.)

Jerry A. Johnson, Staff Researcher Ronald Johnson, Recording Secretary

Box 753 202 South Fair Street

St. Joseph, Illinois Champaign, Illinois

Lyrics--H. K. Johnson

Music--J. A. Johnson

Have you heard the many of stories

Told by old and young with joy

Of the many deed of daring

That was done by those Hurt Boys,

That was done by those Hurt Boys.

Those Hurt Boys were boys of honor,

They knew how to court their maid,

They know how to hug and kiss ‘im,

Hop up pretty girls, don't be afraid,

Hop up pretty girls, don't be afraid.

They were lads of skill and courage,

And their size was six-foot-four,

And they joined their country's service

In that awful Civil War,

In that awful Civil War.

They were scouts in Lincoln's army,

And were known far and wide,

When the Rebels saw them coming,

They'd throw down their guns and hide,

They's throw down their guns and hide.

And when the cruel war was over, 

Grieving still for those who died,

Those Hurt boys went back to Back Creek,

Took unto themselves a bride,

Took unto themselves a bride.

Those Hurt Boys' feet were itchin'

So a few began to roam,

Left the hills of old Kentucky,

And in other states built homes,

And in other states built homes.

Now there's a Hurt in Indiana,

Quite a few in Illinois,

If you travel out to Kansas

You will meet some more Hurt Boys,

You will meet some more Hurt Boys.

Those Hurt Boys raised sons and daughters,

And had grand kids by the score,

Scattered over this great nation,

There’ll be Hurts forevermore,

There'll be Hurts forevermore.

And each year the Hurts reuinion

Beckons Hurts where'er they be,

Carries on the Hurt tradition,

Those Hurt Boys of sixty-three,

Those Hurt Boys of sixty-three.

Helen Hurt Jenkins, chief reporter

1308 West University Avenue

Urbana, Illinois

Mr. Leland Hardwick, Jr., of Lancaster, Ky., was injured on September 6, when a piece of steel became imbedded in his eye. He was taken to a Lexington, Ky., hospital for emergency treatment, and later moved to a hospital in Cincinnati, Ohio, where he underwent surgery.

A son was born on September 18,1963, to Airman First Class and Mrs. David Fell, of Urbana, Illinois. Sue Fell is the daughter of Mrs. Ernest Hurt, Urbana. The baby has been named David Scott. 

The sheriff of Garrard County is Leonard Hammons, who married Virginia Hurt. His deputy is Clifford Hurt, and the state police representative in Lancaster is Junior Schooler, whose mother is Elveree Hurt.

Miss Ida Hurte, who lives in Paint Lick, Ky., is the daughter of William and Cassandra Rhodus Hurt, and a granddaughter of Smith Hurt. She started teaching school at the age of 15, and taught for 55 years in the Garrard and Madison County schools. After her retirement at the age of 70, she worked in the local post office as clerk for several years. She was in the hospital for the first time at the age of 76. She has never had a shot of any kind, and she had her hair done at the beauty shop for the first time this summer. Miss Ida Hurte is 87 years old--a truely remarkable woman.

"Ancestors are found along with old furniture and captive skeletons in all our best regulated families. Ancestors consist of forefathers and foremothers, to say nothing of foreuncles and aunts. Being an ancestor is one of the easiest and most attractive of jobs. It merely consists of being boasted by one’s descendants. Thus many ancestors have been enabled to make good after they are dead. 

Ancestors are one of the most valuable possessions. They are non-taxable and cannot be stolen. Their upkeep is practically nothing, and they do not deteriorate with age and neglect. In fact, they increase in value as they grow older. An ancestor 600 years old is worth a whole mass meeting of 56 year old ancestors. Adam is the oldest ancestor. He is 6,000 years old, and has a fine record. But he is a common possession, like education and
liberty, so he is not valued very highly."

An obituary colum is something we had hoped never to have in our newsletter, but recently we have been greived by the death of three members of our Hurt family:

Funeral services for Ernes Hurt, 47, 1208 North Broadway, Urbana, Illinois, were held September 3 at the Bishop Funeral Home in Greenup, Illinois, with graveside services at Woodlawn Cemetary, Urbana. Rev. Fred Carlin, of Casey, Illinois, officiated at both services.

Mr. Hurt died suddenly Saturday evening, August 31, at the home of his father, Alva J. Hurt, near Casey, Illinois. A heart attack was given as the causes of death in an inquest held September 1 at Greenup.

Mr. Hurt was born May 6, 1916, near Greenup, Illinois, son of Alva J. and Sarah Lewis Hurt. His mother preceded him in death in 1951.

He married Maxine Burwell Sisney in January, 1949, at Greenup, Illinois.

Surviving are his widow; three sons at home in Urbana--Steven, Allen and Mark Hurt; three stepchildren--Mrs. Shelly Fults, Seymour, Illinois, Mrs. Sue Fell, Urbana, Illinois, and David Sisney, Seymour, Illinois; three brothers--Wayne Hurt, Crown Point, Indiana, Donald Hurt, Alburquerque, New Mexico, and Jim Hurt, Highland, Indiana; three sisters--Mrs. Hildreth Johnson, St. Joseph, Illinois, Mrs. Blanche Heldt, Gary, Indiana, and Mrs.Helen Jenkins, Urbana, Illinois; five step-grandchildren, and several nieces and nephews.

Mr. Hurt was a veteran of World War II, and a member of the Moose Lodge, Champaign, Illinois. He was employed at the Auto Doc Body and Fender Shop in Champaign, Illinois.

Mr. Grover P. Schooler, Sr., 73, Lancaster, Kentucky, died unexpectedly at 10:30 A.M. Wednesday, August 7, 1963, at the Garrard County Memorial Hospital.

Funeral services were held at 2:30 P.M. Friday, August9, at the Ramsey Funeral Home in Lancaster, Kentucky, with the Rev. R. Henry Campbell officiating. Burial was in the Lancaster Cemetery. Mr. Schooler was a member of the Baptist Church.

Survivors include his wife, Mrs. Elveree Hurt Schooler; a son, Grover Schooler, Jr., Lancaster, Kentucky; a daughter, Mrs. Harry Barker, Lancaster, Kentucky; two brothers--Ray and Herbert Schooler, Lancaster; two sisters--Misses Betsy and Margaret Schooler, Lancaster; and five grandchildren. Mr. Schooler was a retired farmer.

Mrs. Sallie Hurt Ray, 69, Lancaster, Kentucky, died at 5:00 A.M. Saturday, August 24, 1963, at the Pattie A. Clay Hospital, Richmond, Kentucky, after a long illness. She was a member of The Liberty Baptist Church.

Funeral services were conducted at 2:30 P.M. Monday, September 26, at the Lancaster Baptist Church by Rev. B.V. Filson and Rev. Aubrey Eckenroth. Burial was in the Lancaster Cemetery. Ramsey Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Survivors are to sons--L.B. Ray and Gilbert Ray, of Garrard County, Kenctucky; Five sisters--Mrs. Leland Hardwick and Mrs. Joe Edgington, Mrs. Pearlie East, and Mrs. Marion Sebastian, all of Garrard Co, and Mrs. Walker Montgomery, Danville, Kentucky; three brothers--Herbert Hurt, and Kirby Hurt of Lancaster, Kentucky, and Ted Hurt of New Albany, Indiana; seven grand-children and 2 great-grandchildren.

"I cannot say, and I will not say that he is dead. He is just away!

With a cheery smile an a wave of the hand,

He has wandered into an unknown land, and left us dreaming how very fair

It needs must be, since he lingers there.

Think of him faring on, as dear in the love of There as the love of Here;

Think of him as the same, I say,

He is not dead--he is just--away!"

--From the poem, "Away" by James Whitcomb Riley