Military Monday: An Error Corrected (Major R. S. Keyser)

Manassas Journal
13 April 1923

AN ERROR CORRECTED

Major R. S. Keyser Native of Thoroughfare, Not Front Royal

We wish to correct an error made in The Journal of last week in which we stated that "Major R. S. Keyser, of Front Royal, was recently presented with a distinguished service cross by Major-General Lejuene, commandant of the Marine Corps at Quantico, for bravery in action."

We have since been informed that Major Keyser is the son of Mr. Eugene Keyser, of Thoroughfare, and was born and reared in this county. We learn with pride that so distinguished a soldier is a native of Prince William.

Major Keyser is now the possessor of six medals: A Congressional Service Spanish War  medal, an International Sharpshooters' Rifle medal, won in the World War in France, a Loyal Leopold, two French Honor medals, won in battle, and the one recently presented at Quantico.

Newspaper Tidbit: Addendum -- Halloween Prank Ends in U.S. Prison

More than one person has asked if the investigation turned up the "pranksters."  The answer can be found in the following newspaper article --

Richmond Times Dispatch
17 March 1935

HALLOWEEN PRANK ENDS IN U.S. PRISON

One Gets Five Years, Two Others Less for the Despoiling of Grave

[Special to The Times-Dispatch]

QUANTICO, March 16 -- Three Quantico marines must serve sentences ranging from one to five years in the naval prison, Portsmouth, N.H., because they robbed a grave near here and dragged the corpse through local streets October 31 as a Halloween "prank."

Those convicted were Gene Cays of St. Louis, five years; Emil H. Hauch, Jamestown, N.C., two years, and John C. Killingsworth of Fort Gaines, Ga., one year. Hauch's parents reside in Washington.

At court-martial proceedings conducted here last month they were found guilty on charges of removing the corpse of John M. Rainey, World War veteran, from its grave Halloween night. The nude body was found abandoned in a front yard here the following morning.

Formal sentence of the marines came today following confirmation by Secretary of the Navy Swanson.

Newspaper Tidbit: Halloween Prank (1934)

Richmond Times Dispatch (Va.)
3 November 1934

BODY DISINTERRED, HALLOWEEN PRANK

Real Ghouls Stir Indignation of Quantico Folk

Quantico, Va., Nov. 2--(AP)-- Marine base authorities tonight sought to apprehend the real ghouls who were abroad Halloween night along with such legendary creatures as ghosts, witches and hobgoblins.

The morning after Halloween a naked body was found lying in a vacant lot almost under a street light. It was identified as that of John Rainey of Prince William County, who died September 29 and was buried in the Marine Corps Cemetery on October 1.

Further investigation revealed that the body had been dug out of its grave and dragged to the spot where it was found. Part of the clothing had been removed at the grave and the remainder scraped off as the body was dragged over the ground.

An empty wine bottle found at the open grave was the chief clue left by the perpetrators of the deed and plans were made today to examine it for finger prints. Indignant local authorities have called upon the Department of Justice to assist in the investigation.

New Materials Online: Kopp, Virginia by Raymond W. Woolfenden, Sr.

KOPP, VIRGINIA by Raymond W. Woolfenden, Sr.

"Kopp, Virginia", a book regarding the "lost" community of Kopp, Virginia, was formerly only available in a limited-edition printed form, including a copy residing at RELIC (Bull Run Library). The book was started by Raymond W. ("Cousin Ray") Woolfenden, Sr. and completed by his daughter, Casmere Woolfenden Kistner, with a number of people providing source materials.

With many thanks to the Woolfenden family, a digital copy is now free and available online under RELIC's digital archives!

Kopp, Virginia disappeared in the early 1940's when the Federal Government took the land via eminent domain and displaced the families to create Quantico Marine Base. Some of the families that lost their land include Abel, Arrington, Cole, Copen, Davis, Holmes, Keys, Lowe, Lynn, Suthard, Wood, and Woolfenden.

Military Monday: Instructions for Ration Book

Evening Star (DC)
17 October 1943

INSTRUCTIONS FOR RATION BOOK

Registration for War Ration Book No. 4 will be from 3 to 9 p.m. Thursday and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Friday, according to Richard C. Haydon, Prince William County registration chairman. County schools will be closed all day Friday in order that the work may be completed. Teachers in the following schools designated as registration places will have charge of issuing the new books:

Osbourn High School, Manassas, R. Worth Peters, chairman; Haymarket New School, Mrs. Nelson Lynn, chairman; Nokesville High School, C. O. Bittle, chairman; Occoquan High School, Mrs. Mae T. Sanford, chairman; Woodbine School, Miss Sue Ayres, chairman; Dumfries Graded School, Mrs. Wallace Lynn, chairman; Quantico Masonic Hall (for civilians), Miss Margaret Powell, chairman. A registration place within the Quantico Military Post for military personnel will be announced later.

Mr. Haydon requests that residents make applications as early as possible to avoid last-minute congestion. One member of a family, 18 years of age or older, may register for the entire family. The registrant must present War Ration Book No. 3 for each member of the household for whom application is made.

Did You Know?

Like most Virginia counties, birth and death records for Prince William no longer exist between 1896 and June 1912.   Only the cities of Hampton, Newport News, Norfolk, and Richmond have records spanning those dates.  That's not to say that you'll never find out when your ancestor was born or died if the event falls somewhere during that time period.  Fortunately, there are other sources for those records, like family Bibles, church records, cemetery records, draft cards, marriage bans, and obituaries.

  

Washington Times (DC)

March 17, 1897

An old man named J. Werner, living near Independent Hill, in Prince William county, yesterday evening drank a portion of a bottle of liniment, which had been given him by an acquaintance named Rosebury, and died from the effects of the dose before a physician could be summoned.

The Free Lance (Fredericksburg, VA)

March 30, 1901

Mrs. Kate Latimer, who died in Prince William county Monday, was buried at the Manassas cemetery Wednesday.  She was the only daughter of M. B. Sinclair, for many years clerk of the courts of Prince William county.

The Free Lance (Fredericksburg, VA)

March 4, 1905

Miss Carrie Patterson, formerly of Prince William county, died in Alexandria Thursday, aged 18.  The remains were sent to Quantico for interment.

Times Dispatch (Richmond, VA)

February 9, 1911

Alexandria, VA. February 8 – Rev. William D. Delaney of Portsmouth, was the celebrant of mass at St. Mary's Catholic Church this morning at the funeral of his father, Dennis W. Delaney, who died Sunday last at Hoadly, Prince William county.  Rev. Martin O'Donoghue, of Washington, was deacon and Rev. H. J. Cutler, of this city, was subdeacon.  Burial was made in St. Mary's Cemetery.

The Washington Times (DC)

February 9, 1911

The funeral of Ida Virginia Brawner, widow of John P. Brawner, who died at her residence, 113 South Alfred street, yesterday, will be held from the family residence tomorrow afternoon at 2:30 o'clock, the Rev. Edgar Carpenter, of Grace Church, conducting the services.  Interment will be made at Bethel Cemetery.

Mrs. Brawner was the daughter of John A. Stonnell, and a native of Prince William county, although she has lived in Alexandria for many years.  She is survived by three sons, Philip Brawner, George Brawner, and Emory Brawner, and one daughter, Mrs. Effie Clements.  She was fifty-five years of age.