Richards from Wales to Kansas

When Mom came to the US in 1945, she brought a letter from her grandfather. It was written in Welsh.  Her grandfather asked her to take the letter to Newton, Kansas, to Rowland and Mary Richards.  They are relatives of our Richards line, but I haven't yet figured out how.  My great-grandfather kept in touch with many members of his family, the records and responses of which were lost (discarded) when the house was sold in the 1970s.  I'm still working on finding the connection, but it is slow progress from my location.  In the meantime, here is what I have found about Rowland Parry Richards and his family. 

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Rowland's father was Thomas Richards, born about 1849 in Goginan, Cardiganshire Wales, according to the 1891 and 1901 census records.  Thomas died in 1908.  His death was registered in the June quarter, so it was in April, May, or June of that year, in the town of Treorchy, Glamorganshire, Wales.  

       FreeBMD Death Index for Wales: Thomas Richards, 59, Merthyr T, Vol 11a, page 416

These census records show Thomas and his family:

1881 Wales, Merionethshire, Festiniog, Dist 5a / 393 Uncorn Terrace

Thomas Richards, head, 31, slate miner, b Cardigan, Aberystwyth / Ellen, wife, 31, slate miner's wife, b Cardigan, Llanrhystyd // Rowland, son, 8, scholar, b Cardigan, Llanrhystyd; Elizabeth, daur, 11 mo, b Merioneth, Festiniog /// David Richards, boarder, marr, 54, stone mason, b Cardigan, Llanrhystyd

1891 Wales, Glamorganshire, Ystradyfodwg / 8 Hermon Street

Thomas Richards, head, 42, coal miner, language Welsh, b Cardigan, Goginan / Ellen, wife, 42, lang Welsh, b Cardigan, Llanrhystyd // Rowland, son, 18, coal miner, lang Welsh, b Cardigan, Llanrhystyd; Elizabeth, dau, 10, scholar, lang Welsh, b Merioneth, Ffestiniog; Ellenor, dau, 8, scholar, lang Welsh, b Glamorgan, Ystradyfodwg; William, son, 7, scholar, lang Welsh, b Glamorgan, Ystradyfodwg; Evan J, son, 3, lang Welsh, b Glamorgan, Ystradyfodwg

1901 Wales, Glamorgan, Ystradyfodwg CP / 6 Abersystwyth Coffee Tavern

Thomas Richards, head, 51, coal hewer, worker, b Cardigan, Goginan / Ellen, wife, 51, b Cardigan, Llanrhystd // Elizabeth Jane, daur, 20, b Merioneth, Festiniog; William, son, 18, coal hewer, worker, b Glamorgan, Ystradyfodwg; Eleanor, daur, 15, b Glamorgan, Ystradyfodwg; Evan John, son, 13, b Glamorgan, Ystradyfodwg

This is the coffee tavern noted in the 1901 census.  Thomas and Eleanor Richards owned and operated it.  The photo was sent to me by a correspondent from Wales.

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Thomas married Eleanor DAVIES, daughter of Rowland DAVIES and Eleanor JONES.  

Free BMD Marriage Index record: Wales, Cardiganshire, Marriages, September quarter 1869, Newcastle in Emlyn, Vol 11b, page 27 - Eleanor Davies and Thomas Richards

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Eleanor Davies was born 1848 April 18 in Llanrhystyd, Cardiganshire, Wales, her birth registered June quarter 1848: Davies, Eleanor, Aberystwyth, Vol 27, page 28

Ellen is on these census records with her family.  I have not yet located the 1871 record for Eleanor and Thomas.

1851 Wales, Cardiganshire, Mefenydd Dist, Llanrhystid

74 Troedrhiw

Rowland Davies, head, marr, 35, shoemaker, b Llanrhystid Cardiganshire / Eleanor, wife, marr, 38, shoemaker's wife, b Llanfihangel Croyddin Cardiganshire // Mary, daur, 9, shoemaker's daur, b Llanrhystid Cardiganshire / Anne, daur, 7, shoemaker's daur, b Llanrhystid Cardiganshire / Cathrine, daur, 5, shoemaker's daur, b Llanrhystid Cardiganshire / Eleanor, daur, 3, shoemaker's daur, b Llanrhystid Cardiganshire / William, son, 5 mo, shoemaker's son, b Llanrhystid Cardiganshire

1861 Wales, Cardiganshire, Llanrhystyd Mefenydd

36 Troedyrhiw

Rowland Davies, head, marr, 45, shoemaker, b Cardiganshire, Aberystwyth / Elenor, wife, marr, 47, shoemaker wife, b Cardiganshire Llanfihangel Croyddin // Elinor, daur, 12, scholar, b Cardiganshire Llanrhystyd / William, son, 10, scholar, b Cardiganshire Llanrhystyd / Margaret, daur, 8, scholar, b Cardiganshire Llanrhystyd / Jane, daur, 5, b Cardiganshire Llanrhystyd

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Thomas died in 1908.  Immigration records show that William and Rowland had been in the US for three years before then.  When their father died in 1908, William returned to Wales and brought his mother, two sisters, and younger brother to Kansas.  Ellen and children arrived at the end of April 1910, so they don't appear on that Kansas census. 

Both the 1915 and 1925 Kansas state census records show Eleanor living with her daughter Eleanor's family:

1915 Kansas, Harvey Co, Burrton

90/96  F R Kiddoo, 37, b Missouri, to Kansas from California, millwright / Elinor, 29, b Wales, to Kansas from Wales /// Elinor Richards, 64, b Wales, to Kansas from Wales // Margaret Kiddoo, 2, b Kansas

1925 Kansas, Harvey Co, Burrton, Reno Ave

132/132  Kiddoo, Eleanor, head, 39, widow, b Wales, to Kansas from Wales, emig 1910, na 1912 // Margaret, dau, 12, b Kansas, school /// Richards, Eleanor, mother, 77, widow, b Wales, to Kansas from Wales, emig 1910, alien

Then, in 1930 Ellen is listed with daughter Elizabeth's family:

1930 Kansas, Harvey Co, Burrton Twp, 8 May

91/91  Rowlands, Daniel, head, 61, first marr at 43, owner, radio, lang Welsh, immig 1872, farmer - general farm 90, b Wales Wales Wales / Elizabeth J, wife, 50, first marr at 31, lang Welsh, immig 1910, b Wales Wales Wales /// Richards, Eleanor, mother-in-law, 82, wd, lang Welsh, immig 1910, naturalized, b Wales Wales Wales

Eleanor died in 1932 at Burrton, Kansas, and is buried in the Burrton Cemetery. 

Obituary:

-Mrs Eleanor Davies Richards was born near Aberystwith, Cardigan Shire Wales, on April 18, 1848.  She departed this live July 10, 1932 at the home of Mr and Mrs Dan Rowlands, having reached the ripe age of 84 years.  Mrs Richards spent 60 years of her life in Wales among the slate quarries of the north and the coal fields of the south.  She was the mother of five children, three sons and two daughters, who were all at her bedside when she departed this life.

-In 1908 her husband, Thomas Richards, preceded her in death.  Two years later, she, with her family came to America and located at Burrton, Kansas, where she has resided since.

-Early in life she accepted Christ as her Savior and Lord, and has lived a conscientious, consecrated Christian life both in word and deed.  She was a seeker after Spiritual truth which she found in the Word of God.  She memorized large portions of scripture and was a lover of music, especially the songs of the sanctuary, from the reading and singing of which she received great pleasure during her declining years.  She believed the Bible to be the infallible word of God, and that His promises will be fulfilled in due time.

-She leaves to mourn her loss, one sister, Mrs Jane Edwards, who lives near London, England.  Three sons, Rowland and Evan J of Burrton and William of Mulvane, Kansas.  Two daughters, Mrs Dan Rowlands and Mrs Nellie Kiddoo of Burrton.  Six grandchildren and one great-grand daughter.  A host of relatives and friends. 

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"The World recedes; it disappears,

Heaven opens on my eyes; my ears

With sound seraphic ring;

Lend, lend your wings; I mount, I fly!

O grave; where is thy victory?

O death; where is thy sting?"

"In our eyes and thoughts no other

Has so kind and saintly face,

And of all we fondly cherish,

None can ever fill her place."

IMMIGRATION:

---EllisIsland.org; from manifest:

Date of arrival 30 April 1910, departure Southampton, ship SS Philadelphia

-Richards, Eleanor, 62, female, widow, nationality British - Welsh; relative in home place - Sister, Mrs Davies, Dumfries St, Treorchy; destination - Kansas, Burrton; by whom was passage paid - self; going to join relative - Son, Rowland Richards, married and 16 yrs in the US, Burrton, Harvey Co, Kansas; health good, no disabilities; description: 5' 5", light complexion, grey hair, blue eyes; b Wales, Treorchy

-Elizabeth, 29, single, housemaid, going to join relative - brother; 5' 5", light complexion, dark brown hair, blue eyes; b Wales, Treorchy

-William, 27, single, miner, ever before is US - yes, Burrton 1905/1908; going to join relative - brother; 5' 6 1/2", light complexion, dark brown hair, blue eyes; b Wales, Treorchy

-Evan John, 24, single, miner; going to join relative - brother; 5' 6 1/2 ", light complexion, light hair, blue eyes; b Wales, Treorchy

-Eleanor, 21, single, dressmaker; going to join relative - brother; 5' 2", light complexion, dark brown hair, blue eyes; b Wales, Treorchy

Children of Thomas and Eleanor are:

Rowland Parry RICHARDS

Elizabeth Jane "Lizzie" RICHARDS

William RICHARDS

Evan John RICHARDS

Eleanor "Nellie" RICHARDS

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Rowland Parry RICHARDS was born 1872 December 10 in Llanrhystyd, Cardiganshire, Wales, died 1956 August 21 in Newton, Harvey Co, Kansas, and was buried 1956 August 23 in Burrton Cemetery, Harvey Co, Kansas.

1900 Kansas, Harvey Co, Burrton Twp, 15 June

212/212  Rowlands, John M, head, b Dec 1842, 57, marr 32 yrs, immig 1872, in US 28 yrs, naturalized, owner free, farmer - farm 67, b Wales Wales Wales / Mary, wife, b April 1844, 56, marr 32 yrs, 5 ch 5 liv, immig 1872, in US 28 yrs, naturalized, b Wales Wales Wales // Isaac, son, b June 1868, 32, single, immig 1872, in US 28 yrs, naturalized, b Wales Wales Wales; Daniel, son, b Jan 1870, 30, single, immig 1872, in US 28 yrs, naturalized, owner free, farm 68, b Wales Wales Wales; John R, son, b April 1871, 29, single, immig 1872, in US 28 yrs, naturalized, owner free, farm 69, b Wales Wales Wales; Mary E, dau, b Dec 1876, 28, single, b Kansas Wales Wales; Sophia, dau, b Nov 1879, 20, single, b Kansas Wales Wales /// Rowland Richards, nephew, b Dec 1872, 27, single, immig 1894, in US 6yrs, owner free, farmer - farm 70, b Wales Wales Wales

1905 Kansas, Harvey Co, Burrton

84/84  Rowland Richards, 32, b South Wales, to Kansas from Wales, farmer / Mary E, 28, b Harvey Co, Kansas, housekeeper // Eleanor M, 2, b Harvey Co, Kansas

1910 Kansas, Harvey Co, Burrton Twp, 30 April

232/257  Richards, Rowland, head, 37, marr 1, m 9 yrs, lang Welsh, immig 1894, naturalized, farmer - home farm 66, b Wales Wales Wales / Mary E, wife, 33, marr 1, m 9 yrs, 2 ch 1 liv, b Kansas Wales Wales // Elinor Mary, dau, 7, b Kansas Wales Kansas

1915 Kansas, Harvey Co, Burrton

40/41  Rowland Richards, 42, b Wales, to Kansas from Wales, farmer / Mary E, 38, b Kansas, housekeeper // Eleanor, 12, b Kansas; Lillian S, 4, b Kansas; Louise E, 1, b Kansas

1919 Kansas, Harvey Co, county census, Burrton, line 13

Roland Richards, Burrton, Route 2, 55 acres winter wheat in 1918; 60 acres corn

1919 Kansas, Harvey Co, county census, Burrton, heads of family

line 17, Roland Richards, 5 in family

1920 Kansas, Harvey Co, Burrton Twp, 7-8-9 January

30/30  Richards, Rowland, head, 47, immig 1894, naturalized 1901, lang Welsh, farmer - general farm 30, b Wales Wales Wales / Mary E, wife, 43, b Kansas Wales Wales // Eleanor M, dau, 17, school, b Kansas Wales Wales; Lillian S, dau, 8, school, b Kansas Wales Wales; Louise E, dau, 6, school, b Kansas Wales Wales

1925 Kansas, Harvey Co, Burrton, Rt 2 - 67

37/37  Richards, R, head,  owner free, 52, b Wales, to Kansas from Wales, emig 1894, na 1899, farmer / Mary, wife, 48, b Kansas // Eleanor, dau, 22, single, teacher - city g[rade] school, b Kansas; Lillian, 14, school, b Kansas; Louise, 11, school, b Kansas

1925 Kansas, Harvey Co, Burrton Twp, Agricultural Schedule

line 4 R Richards, Burrton

*acres in farm - 125

* acres of winter wheat sown in fall of 1925 - 68, sown in sring of 1925 - corn - 20; oats - 5, Irish potatoes - 1/4; acres sown or to be sown in 1925: kafir for forage and grain - 5, kafir for forage only - 4; acres of native prairie grass pasture - 12

*production 1924: bushels wheat raised - 950, bushels corn - 125

*pounds of butter made in family - 75; value of milk and cream sold - 50

*hens on hand - 125, value of poultry and eggs sold - 225; value of animals slaughtered - 85

*Livestock: horses - 4, milk cows - 3, other cattle -3

*cream separator - 1

1930 Kansas, Harvey Co, Burrton Twp, 5 May

73/73  Richards, Rowland, head, owner, 57, first marr at 28, farmer - general farm 72, emig 1894, naturalized, language Welsh, b Wales Wales Wales / Mary E, wife, 53, first marr at 24, b Kansas Wales Wales // Louise E, dau, 16, school, b Kansas Wales Kansas

1940 Kansas, Harvey Co, Burrton Twp, 12 April

48  Rowlands, Dan, head, 71, b Wales, in 1935 same house, farmer own account - farm 51 / Edna, wife, 52, b Illinois, in 1935 same house

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52  Richards, Rowland, head, 67, b Wales, in 1935 same house, farmer own account - farm 55 / Mary E, wife,  63, b Kansas, in 1935 same house

1948 Kansas, Harvey Co, Newton city directory

Richards, Rowland (Mary) h 813 N High

1955 Kansas, Harvey Co, Newton city directory

Richards Rowland (Mary E) retired 813 N High

BIRTH:

---FreeBMD  This is interesting.  Rowland doesn't show up on the birth records by the name Rowland Parry Richards.  Instead it shows Rowland Parry DAVIES - his mother's maiden name.  

The record is this:

Registered Dec 1872: Davies, Rowland Parry, Aberystwith, Vol 11b, page 51

Since Rowland is 8 years old on the first census on which he appears and the next child, sister Elizabeth is only 11 months old, is Rowland a child of Eleanor Davies and not of Thomas Richards?  Eleanor was born in Llanrhystyd; Rowland's death record shows his birth as the same.

MARRIAGE:

---Kansas, County Marriages, Harvey Co, 1901

License 453, Rowland Richards & Mary E Rowlands, filed Jan 7th 1901, J W Johnson, Probate Judge.  Recorded in Marriage Record D, No 2, page 227

Certificate of Marriage, State of Kansas

I, the undersigned, a Clergyman, of Burrton in said County, do hereby certify that in accordance with the authorization of the within License, I did, on the 31st day of December AD 1900, at Burrton in said County, join and unite in Marriage the within named Rowland Richards and Mary E Rowlands.  Witness my hand, the day and year above written.  C C Bradford, Presbyterian Minister

[Date filed is Jan 7 1901, not date of marriage as listed in some indexes.]

  Mary and Rowland April 20, 1944

DEATH:

---Obituary: Newton Kansan, Newton, Harvey Co, Kansas, Tuesday, August 21, 1956

Rowland Richards

-Rowland Richards, 83-year-old retired farmer of 813 High St, died early today at Bethel Deaconess Hospital.  He had been hospitalized since Aug 9.

-Mr Richards, a resident of Newton for 13 years, was born Dec 10, 1872 at Llanrhystid, Cardigan Shire, Wales and came to the United States at 21.  He lived in Burrton from 1894 to 1943.

-He was married at Burrton, Dec 31, 1900 to Mary Ellen Rowlands.

-He was a member of the First Presbyterian Church.

-In addition to his widow, survivors include three daughters, Mrs Henry J (Eleanor) Penner of Newton, Mrs David T (Lillian) LeFever of Phoenix, Ariz, and Mrs Eugene W (Louise) Medlock of Wichita; five grandchildren and two great grandchildren.

-Funeral services will be conducted Thursday at 2 p.m. at Moody's Funeral Chapel.  The Rev Floyd E Kaiser will officiate and burial will be in the Burrton Cemetery.

-Dr [sic] Richards' body will lie in state Wednesday at Moody's Chapel.

---Funeral card: Services for / Rowland Richards / born / Dec 10, 1872 / Llanrhystid, Cardiganshire, Wales / passed away / August 21, 1956 / Newton, Kansas / Services from / Moody's Funeral Chapel / Newton, Kansas / 2:00 p.m. August 23, 1956 / Clergyman / Rev Floyd E Kaiser / Interment in / Burrton Cemetery, Burrton, Kansas / Casket Bearers / John Koehn, Cornie Koehn, James Rutter, Ted Jones, Edward Nicholson, John Meek.

IMMIGRATION:

---EllisIsland.org

from manifest: ship Chester from Southampton, line 229, arrival 22 May 1894

Rowland Richards, miner, age 21, native country Wales, to Burton, Kansas, protracted sojourn, steerage, 1 piece of baggage

NATURALIZATION:

---First Naturalization Record:  State of Kansas, Harvey County, Before the clerk of the district court of the ninth judicial district of said state, personally appeared Rowland Richards, a native of Wales, aged about 23 years . . . Signed Rowland Richards, 4 November 1895.

---Harvey Co Naturalization Records, 1872 - 1928 index at Harvey Co Historical Museum, Newton, Kansas, shows that Rowland became a citizen 16 Nov 1905, Vol C, p 15, p 39, p 286. 

MILITARY:

---World War I Draft Registration cards

Rowland Richards, Rte 2, Burrton, Harvey Co, Kansas, 45 yrs, born 10 Dec 1872; naturalized citizen; farmer for self; nearest relative: Mary E Richards; description: medium height, medium build, light blue eyes, dark hair; registered 12 Sept 1918, Harvey Co, Kansas

FAMILY:

---Passenger list of SS Philadelphia, 1910:

Evan John Richards, destination Burrton, Kansas, where brother Rowland Richards is living. . . . Traveling with mother, two sisters, brother.

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Rowland married Mary Ellen ROWLANDS, daughter of John M ROWLANDS and Mary JONES, 1900 December 31 in Harvey Co, Kansas. Mary was born 1876 December 26 in Kansas, died 1957 March 2 in Newton, Harvey Co, Kansas, and was buried in Burrton Cemetery, Harvey Co, Kansas.

1880 Kansas, Harvey Co, Burrton Twp, 19 June

100/100  Rowlands, John M, 35, farmer, b Wales Wales Wales / Mary, 35, wife, housekeeper, b Wales Wales Wales // Isaac, 13, son, school, b Wales Wales Wales; Daniel, 11, son, school, b Wales Wales Wales; John R, 9, son, school, b Wales Wales Wales; Mary E, 3, dau, b Kansas Wales Wales; Sophia, 7/12, dau, b Kansas Wales Wales

1885 Kansas, Harvey Co, Burrton Twp, Burrton

39/39  J M Rowland, 41, farmer, b Wales, to Kansas from Wales / Mary Rowland, 40, b Wales, to Kansas from Wales // Isac, 17, male, b Wales, to Kansas from Wales; D, 16, male, b Wales, to Kansas from Wales; J R, 13, male, b Wales, to Kansas from Wales; Mary E, 8, female, b Kansas; Sophia, 5, female, b Kansas

[John listed as Rowland, rest of family as Rowlands]

1895 Kansas, Harvey Co, Burrton Twp, page 2

John M Rowlands, 50, b Wales, to Kansas from Wales, farmer / Mary, 50, b Wales, to Kansas from Wales // Dan, 26, b Wales, to Kansas from Wales; Isaac, 27, b Wales, to Kansas from Wales; John R, 23, b Wales, to Kansas from Wales; Mary, 17, b Kansas; Sophia, 15, b Kansas

unidentified newspaper

-Mrs Richards Taken by Death

Mrs Rowlands Richards, 80, of Newton died Saturday morning at Bethel hospital, Newton.

---Obituary, unidentified newspaper

-Mrs Mary Ellen (Rowland) Richards was born at Burrton, Kansas, on Dec 26, 1876, and departed this life on March 2, 1957, at Newton, Kas, at the age of 80 years, following an illness of two months.

-Mrs Richards was a daughter of the late John and Mary Rowland, pioneer Welsh settlers of the Burrton community. On Dec 31, 1900, she was united in marriage to Rowland Richards of Burrton, and they lived on a farm near there until October, 1943, when they moved to Newton. Their marriage was terminated after 55 years by the death of Mr Richards six months ago.

-To this union four children were born, a son dying in infancy. She is survived by three daughters: Mrs H J (Eleanor) Penner of Newton; Mrs D T (Lillian) Le Fever of Phoenix, Ariz, and Mrs E W (Louise) Medlock, of Wichita, with whom she had made her home since her husband's death.

-Mrs Richards was a member of the Presbyterian church at Burrton until it was dissolved. She joined the First Presbyterian church of Newton in 1944 and remained a faithful member until her death.

-Mrs Richards was preceded in death by two brothers, Isaac and Daniel. One sister, Mrs Rees Thomas of Newton and one brother, John Rowlands of Burrton, remain to mourn her departure. She also leaves five grandchildren and three great-grandchildren.

-Funeral services were held Monday afternoon, March 4, at the Moody Funeral Chapel in Newton, with the Rev. Floyd Kaiser of the First Presbyterian church officiating. Burial was in the Burrton cemetery.

Children from this marriage were: Louise Elizabeth, Lillian Sophia, and Eleanor Mary

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Why did Rowland and William come to the US? 

Why Kansas?  Welsh communities were all along the eastern US, especially in Pennsylvania and Ohio.  Rowland's immigration record says he was a miner.  Did he come away from that for a different life?  William and Evan were also listed as miners.  They all became farmers in central Kansas, a world as different from Wales as the moon is different from the sun.

One thing about all these records and trying to track the RICHARDS connection, is that Eleanor, mother of Rowland Parry Richards, was a DAVIES, which is a surname that appears in our family records for that line.  My great grandfather, John Richards, was the son of Mary Davies.  It's not only possible, but probable, that the connection lies in the Davies line, instead of - or in addition to - the Richards line. 

 

July 12, 1946, Rowland and Mary, Peg and Ray

 John Richards, Llanafan, Cardiganshire, Wales, 1933.  

My great grandfather who wrote to Rowland and sent the letter with Mom.

John Richards on the right with his parents David Richards and Mary Davies.

In 1951, my grandmother came from Wales to the US for several months and made several trips to Kansas to visit Rowland and Mary and families.

One of these days I will find the connection . . . 

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Visiting a Friend

Mom took notes on this trip while I did the driving, so the outline is hers, the fill-in is mine.

Thursday, May 2nd, was an overcast day as Mom and I left home about 10:30 in the morning, headed for Tulsa.  While we usually travel earlier, there was no rush to get on the road this time.  We would have to wait until my niece was home from work that evening.  We arrived at Jenks, the Antique Capital of Oklahoma, about 12:30 and for the rest of the afternoon browsed in the shops.

We visited with SS and Luke that evening and again in the early morning, then on Friday morning left Tulsa to double back westward - heading for Newton, Kansas.  It was misting when we left Tulsa and as we followed the 412 turnpike west toward Interstate 35, the heavy rain came and stayed with us most of the way to Wichita.  On to Newton and the Comfort Inn there.  The room, the service - everything - was great. 

After checking in, we found the Harvey County Historical Society and I began to look for information I might have missed the first visit several years ago.  Nothing particularly new on our Welsh cousins at Burrton, the farm community west of Newton, but still a good visit with an excellent staff and a refreshing of my mind with useful local information.

Mom and I were in our room early that evening, but were up and heading to Burrton by 8:30 Saturday morning.  Since it had rained so heavily - more so in Kansas than in Oklahoma it appeared - we didn't traipse all through the cemetery, but fortunately found our cousins not far from the drive into the cemetery.  Photos taken, we drove around Burrton. 

Normally that would have taken 5 minutes - or less - but we found a reason to stay longer.  After getting chilled at the cemetery, Mom wanted some hot chocolate.  I found what I think was the only place to get some - a big metal building labeled "The Barn".  I went in and ordered the cocoa, then looked around.  I decided that Mom had to see the inside of this place.  It was amazing.  I bought a t-shirt to remind me that it was a place to re-visit some day. 

After a pitiful lunch at the Applebee's at Newton, we headed northeast.  Our original plan was to head for St Joe since we had stayed there many years ago and liked the town.  But we didn't make it that far.  I don't like to drive late into the day for two reasons.  I want to be settled before dark and I want to easily get a room without having to drive to half a dozen places late at night looking for one.  I can always leave as early the next morning as needed, even before daylight, but don't care for the unknown of a dark evening when I'm tired. 

The Kansas turnpike, also known as I-35, got us to Topeka and then to Atchison, Kansas.  That was enough driving for that day.  We found a place to stay that we weren't familiar with - AmericInn.  It's a tricky name to say but the place itself and the staff were wonderful.  We began looking for them other places on the trip and stayed with them several times more.  All but one of the places was excellent. 

We left just before 8 o'clock the next morning with cool weather and feeling pretty good.  Mom's note says "best bed and sleep".   We stopped at the river park for a while and I took a good walk to clear my head and take in the scenery.  The Missouri River is a beautiful river, I think, and I enjoy seeing it over and over again.

Ready for scenic country roads, we curved around US Highway 59 through Rushville, until we met State Highway 116 and headed due east.  116 is a two-lane road through the countryside to the small town of Plattsburg.  Mom's notes:  "116 up and down, down and up, around the bend . . . great ride, Plattsburg fantastic old houses".  After oohing and aahing, we kept on east to catch I-35, stopping occasionally to take a break.  It was time to put some miles on the odometer. 

Grinnell, Iowa, was our last stop for the day, arriving about 5 in the evening.  It had been a long interstate drive, but well worth it since it was Missouri, one of my favorite places to be.  As we came through, we circled around an Amana village and thought we might stop on the way back. (Didn't happen.)  We had been to the Amana Colonies years ago and it still looked the same.  One of my favorite bookshops was there and I had hoped to visit again.  (Google doesn't bring up an active listing for the place.)

We stayed at another Comfort Inn.  Mom's comment:  "Blah!"  The weather was chilly next morning.  It was still early May and, at home, that means nice, but not necessarily cool, weather.  We were moving North and the weather was certainly reflecting that move.  Mom brought out her sweater and zipped in to keep warm. 

From Grinnell on Interstate 80, we picked up I-380 and travelled through Cedar Rapids, a place I like to see.  The Cedar River runs through town, or rather, the town was built up around the Cedar River.  The drive through downtown is impressive.  We were headed now for Dubuque, Iowa, so took off on US Highway 151 - more country roads.  Mom's note:  "Marion, Iowa - great old homes, weather ok, 59 degrees at 10 a.m.  1 o'clock or so, crossed the Mississippi". 

From Dubuque, US Highways 61 and 151 through Platteville, to Mineral Point.  We had been in this area before so we circled Mineral Point, but didn't stop.  It would be one of the places to spend some time on the way home.  On through Dodgeville, east to Mt Horeb and then north on State Highway 78 to Baraboo, Wisconsin.  This was where I wanted to spend some time. 

We stayed at the Best Western in Baraboo, and it was such a good place to stay we stopped with them again on the way back.  Next morning, we did our sight-seeing in town - we love the old houses we see on these trips - and parked in the town square.  I have two favorite bookshops in the Eastern Half of the United States and one of them is here: The VillageBooksmith.  And it's still there, thank goodness!  I found a Mary Stewart volume I had been looking for.  Mom says: "Great town square".  

These two photos are from another blogger, Indie Bob Spot.  I seem to have "lost" all my trip photos.  I think my computer ate them.

Just before noon we headed east on State Highway 33 to pick up north-bound I-35.  After a while we stopped at a very pleasant rest area for our snack lunch - grapes, cheese, turkey for Mom - I don't even remember what I ate.  "Weather fantastic" is Mom's comment, and "L is doing all the driving".  We had rented a van, thanks to a nephew who works for Enterprise car rental. 

The van was a Chrysler Town and Country, the same thing I drive every day, except this one was much newer, and much fancier - electric doors and more.  After trying several different configurations, I finally folded up the second row of seats and put down a small rug to cover the metal brackets in the floor and hung a thickly folded quilt on the seat near our entrance/exit to cover the metal brackets there.  The back seat was slanted so I filled in the gap with quilts and added layers to level and pad the seat.  We had pillows and small blankets for covering.

The idea was that Mom could get in the back and rest when she was tired of sitting up front.  After all, she is 92 and 11/12.  But it didn't exactly work out that way.  After she did that twice?, I was the one who ended up in the back resting at least once a day and sometimes twice.  I'd set my phone alarm for 20 minutes, open the side door, stretch out, close my eyes, and rest - while Mom read in the front seat.  It worked out perfectly for me and was our little cabin on wheels. 

We stayed that night in Rhinelander - at another AmericInn.  Big mistake.  They are all separately owned and this one was run by a curmudgeon or at least the desk clerks were both that, evening and next morning.  Mom's note: "Next time stay in Eagle River".  I stopped in Eagle River to take photos of a Huge Barn.  This isn't my photograph, but it's beautifully done.  You can see why it caught my eye.  It was cloudy all the way north, now, and there was snow on the ground in places.  Our UP friend, the one we were going to visit in Calumet, Michigan, had told us that the week before there had been snow.  Now we were seeing the leftovers from that.

Looking at the town of Calumet, when planning the trip, it didn't seem there was a reasonable place for us to stay, so my thought was to stop at Houghton before getting to the peninsula.  Friend Kathleen didn't agree with that and pleaded for us to come on to Calumet for our visit, rather than drive back and forth.  It was just as well that we did.  We stayed at another AmericInn, this one in Calumet, Michigan, and it was another perfect place to stay. 

The drive along this northern part of Wisconsin into Michigan, was great.  Lots of pine trees! lots of wood!, but the nice kind.  It was a good drive.  Kathleen met us at the hotel, took us to lunch, and we went back to her new home for the rest of the day. 

We had met Kathleen when she came to Oklahoma years ago. But that's another long story.  In the years since, we had become good friends and when she moved back to her old stomping grounds, we thought we ought to see where she lived.   And, we hadn't been to that part of Michigan before. 

We had previously made a trip to Bayfield, Wisconsin - in November of that particular year - and taken the last boat cruise of the season on a tour of the Apostle Islands.  From there we had travelled US Highway 2 through Ironwood and Iron Mountain down to Mackinaw Island.  That was pretty far north, but Calumet is on the crooked finger that sticks out into Lake Superior - a finger surrounded by water.  Deep water.  Cold water.  The Greatest of the Great Lakes.  It is the Upper Upper Peninsula.

Adventure is our game. 

Back at the hotel, we turned in for the evening.  It had been a long drive.  Next morning was a new world.  About 9 p.m., Mom was watching the snow coming down.  I slept through it all.  A storm came from the west and at breakfast I heard that the west side of the lake had 9 inches of snow that night.  We had only 3 or 4 there in Calumet.  Well, that sure as heck changed our plans. 

Kathleen had walked over to the hotel, well prepared for the weather.  We were prepared, too, for the most part - I didn't bring hip-waders.  We loaded ourselves in the van and drove slowly around town with our local tour guide.  The slowness wasn't due to the roads, so much, as looking and talking.  The soft snow was already melting, which meant that there was slush as well as snow on the streets.  At one place we stopped to go inside, I couldn't figure out how to get Mom from the street to the sidewalk and into the store without the chance of her slipping or getting her feet soaked.  We gave up and just drove and looked and talked.  We decided to cut short our visit, not knowing what to expect next from the weather and, after another great night at the hotel, left early Wednesday morning, the 8th of May. 

Mom's note:  "bitterly cold, snowed, 36 degrees, windy, chilly, Brrr.  Heading home. 9 a.m. thick fog, snow covered ground, very little traffic.  9:30 rain". 

We drove south through winter.  It was beautiful.  Since the temperature was above freezing, the roads were wet but clear.  Eagle River was even nicer - it's spread out for a long stretch - and we decided to come here sometime and stay in a cabin.  We stopped for lunch and kept moving back toward Baraboo where we planned to spend the night again. 

On the way into Baraboo, along Highway 33 east of there, we both spotted "Welsh Church Cemetery"!  How had we missed that the first time?  Well, we sure saw it this time.  I had to turn around after figuring out how to get to the place.  It fronts on the highway but the entrance road was at the back.  We walked and looked for quite some time.  'Williams, Jones, Owens . . . ' I took plenty of photographs.  After we returned home, I looked at Find a Grave and found that some of the marker or monument photos I took had not been posted, so I was able to add those to the memorials. There was a Welsh community in the mid-1800s and that's how the cemetery came into being.  That made our day.

Here are some links to cemetery information:

This one is on facebook (ugh!), but has some good photos of the monuments  The Welsh Church Cemetery, Portage, Wisconsin

This one is on Find a Grave.  Just type in any good old Welsh surname and take a look at the names and monuments.  It was established in 1856.   Welsh Church Cemetery   

We checked in at the same Best Western as before.  Mom's note: "still chilly, about 38 degrees, tacos for supper, shop Walgreens".  We had another good night's rest at the Best Western. 

When we began the trip, I planned to pretty much fast-track north, then stop and see the sights on the way back.  Mom, though, was getting tired of being in the van and the travelling.  I was thrilled that she had managed to keep going this long.  When we planned the trip, I told everyone that we would be gone either 3 days or 2 weeks, depending on how Mom held up.  She held up for 12 days and we had a good - and very long - trip. 

Next morning: "sunny day".  We took another tour around Baraboo.  That was a mistake on my part.  I became so disoriented I couldn't get us on the right road going south.  I don't think it was that confusing, it was just that I was brain-dead from doing the navigating as well as driving.  I finally stopped to ask directions, which didn't really help, but somehow found the right road on my own and we were on our way. 

When we got to Mineral Point, we stopped for a while.  We drove up and down - and I mean Up and Down - the main streets, then parked and visited a few shops.  It's a town now dedicated to artsy shops and, any other time, it would have been a good place to spend the afternoon.  But Mom wouldn't be able to manage the slope for very long and that settled it.  This is a borrowed photo that is labeled "age friendly" on the internet.  You can see the street for yourself.  

Back across the Mississippi we stopped at a garage sale - the first one we had seen - but it was a waste of time, so Mom says in her notes.  On to Newton, Iowa - long drive - and another AmericInn.  Mom says: "Best ever.  This is the kind of bathroom I need.  Fabulous".  By 9:15 next morning we were on the road again, "heading south, dark skies on the left, clear skies on the right.  Really dark ahead of us".

Since we were headed home, and I was running out of sight-seeing time, I decided that we would take country roads through most of Missouri.  When in Missouri, I'm not in a hurry to get anywhere and want to see what I consider a wonderful place.  So, from Des Moines over to I-35 to Bethany, we picked up State Highway 13 - a two lane country road.

At the town of Polo, in Caldwell County, Missouri, we stopped to have a picnic lunch.  While getting gasoline, a fella came up to us, all excited.  Our rented van had a Georgia plate.  He was originally from Georgia and thought we were too.  We still had a nice conversation about how long he had been in Missouri and how much he missed Georgia.  

I think that's one of the best things about travelling.  As well as seeing new places, you can meet new people.  It gives you a nice perspective on the parts of the country you are working your way through.  If you will take the time to talk.   Mom doesn't have a problem with that. 

We parked across from this Old Jail to eat our lunch, then headed south again.

It was a long drive, although beautiful, and the rain kept to either side of us.  We stopped for the night at Clinton, Missouri, at the Hampton Inn.  I like Clinton, having stayed there a few years ago.  But we were there on a Sunday and the places I wanted to re-visit were closed.  Timing is everything.

Mom's note: "8 a.m. leaving Clinton, fantastic views.  Stopped at Adrian."  We picked up I-49 south-bound here and by 9:30 Mom's note says light rain.  We came through Carthage and picked up Interstate 44 west-bound and homeward bound.

Today was Mother's Day and probably our last day on the road.  I thought it would be a surprise for Mom if we stopped at a casino.  She always alerts me to them as we pass one or even at times a billboard and I choose to not stop.  We have been in enough in years past to last me a lifetime.  But, it was Mother's Day and I was with my mother, so . . .

Downstream Casino  is in Oklahoma - and Kansas - and maybe Missouri.  It is operated by the Quapaw Nation and is a pretty grand place.  We ate lunch, played a few machines, and finally had enough "fun".  We each started out with 50 bucks; I ended up with almost all the money I started with; Mom with 24 cents. 

We were going to spend one more night on the road.  Since it was Mother's Day, we would stop in Tulsa again, only this time in a hotel - Hampton Inn at Tulsa Hills.  It was close to the niece and great-nephew (or grand-daughter and great-grandson, for Mom).  We did get to see the folks, but they had reservations for dinner and so it was a very short visit.  Which was just as well. I was plenty tired.

Monday morning, May 13th, we were up early and on the road - The Road! - Route 66.  We stopped in Stroud at a junk store on the main street.  It was Full of Treasures - that's not the name - just a description.  We each bought several things and didn't make a dent in their supply.  But we had a good time and at least that's close enough we can go back there any day and see what else strikes our fancy.

About noon we picked up food at the Chick-fil-A near us and were finally home.  More than 2800 miles.  Time to unpack, clean out the van and return our adventure vehicle to the rental lot.  It was a Very Good Trip.

the end