Anyone in Andrews Know of these Families
E-mail me. There is a new Book out called Sam Bass Gang. I'm Working on the history of Frank Jackson who rode with Sam Bass

You might be interested in an attachment I will send along if you e-mail me requesting it at Glasgowtl@hotmail.com. It is an excerpt from our family's geneology which was done by my great uncle. Through the years they got the names a bit twisted, but that made me curious and I did some research. There is just way tooo much that points to my great great grandfather being "Frank Jackson", the only member of the Sam Bass gang uncaught and who simply vanished, to be mere coincidence.

My great-grandfather, Jim Murphy, who helped Texas Rangers capture Bass, considered Frank Jackson a good friend of his. If you look at the Texas State Archives, you will find handwritten notes from Jim to Major Jones, in which Jim pleads with the Major on Frank's behalf. Please contact me. I am working on my own family history and have something important to tell you about Frank. I will not write it here in a public forum (nothing bad---quite good, in fact).

Our family is looking for information on this Jim Murphy, who was supposed to be related. The notes are vague, though. There are some other interesting Murphy connections. Please email me...

Lynn, I'm anxious to chat with you about these possible family connections. I live in Denton, near all the Murphy family historical sites (the ones in Texas, that is). Perhaps we can arrange some private e-mail "conferences" on this...

You could email me at mercia1835@hotmail.com

I am forwarding the following excerpt from my family's geneology... maybe it will be of some help:

Key to I.D. numbers. Each letter or number represents a generation and child birth number in that generation: M = descendent of Martin Wiginton, 2 = second child of Martin Wiginton, 3 = third child of 2nd child of Martin Wiginton. Numbers are 1 - 9, letters are A - K, where A = number 10 through K = number 20. The first recognized Wiginton (Wigginton) ancestor in America was George, father of Martin, father of John, father of John J. In counting generations, add one generation "W" before "M" in the I.D.

While visiting in the home of Henry L. Wiginton on 1 October 1997, Clifford Autry Wiginton told the following legend that was passed on to him by his father, George Clifford Wiginton. who had been shown a newspaper clipping and a $20 gold piece by his father, Millard Wiginton, as he stated, "Son, I want to pass this story on to you then I am destroying the newspaper clipping."

The article was from a newspaper in Texas relating a story of a bank robbery where $30,000 in $20 gold pieces were taken by a notorious bank robber named Sam Bass. The posse had chased Bass and another man named "Jackson." Bass had been killed, no trace of Jackson nor the gold was found.

The story handed down by Millard and the $20 gold piece is that Johnnie Wiginton had left Mississippi with a Cherokee Indian wife named Sarah and moved to Texas. It was in the area where Sam Bass operated, had a hideout etc. Sam Bass was noted for using strong young men, who were unknown to the law, for associates when he would plan and execute a robbery. After the job was done, they would split the money and run without a trace. Sam also had an Indian wife and it is not known how Johnnie and Sam and the wives became friends. Sam planned a robbery; he and Johnnie carried it out and planned to go to Oklahoma. However, the posse of this town was fast and began to overtake them, so Sam told Johnnie, " They are going to catch us and will definitely kill me, so you take the money, go get my wife and your wife and head to Oklahoma. Johnnie apparently was able to do this and Sam Bass was killed, but no gold coins were found. The conclusion of the story is, Johnnie and Sarah wandered around Oklahoma territory and Texas, returning to Mississippi. Johnnie and Sarah raised thoroughbred horses until his death. At his death, there was $12,000 in $20 gold pieces left for his grandchildren.

M23. John J(ackson) Wiginton, b. 17 Jun 1836, Blount County, AL, son of John Wiginton and Peggy Thompson, m. Sarah Frances Marshall, 8 Aug 1858, Itawamba County, MS, d. 19 Oct 1921, bu. Liberty Hill, Alcorn County, MS. There is a Civil War record. He was a member of Liberty Hill Baptist Church. Nora Frances McNatt remembered that Grandpa's farm was where Millard Wiginton reared his family near Liberty Hill Baptist Church. 8 children, 5 living 1900.

Clifford Autry Wiginton

Can you tell me anything about Clifford Autry WIginton's birthdate, ancestors or descendants?

I'm wondering if there is a connection in family names to (Jim) Murphy, Smith, Autry (Gene Autry has a Murphy connection)

Barbara, Have you (or anyone else who reads this) come across the name of a John Elias Altman who, according to information that was given to me recently, was reported to have been a member of the Sam Bass gang? I would very much appreciate hearing from you.
Betty