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quantrell Raiders

Re: Quantrill's Guerillias

Posted: 20 May 2005 5:15PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: FOWLER, EVANS, ADAMS, KEMP, SNOWDEN
AQ...

Let me first say that I know nothing of the Quantrill's or other bands of men like them. A post in here stated, basically, that Quantrill and many other bands like his, existed because they believed in the same things (naturally, not everything).

I'm thinking their common ground was probably politically motivated. Can you share, briefly, your thoughts about why they existed? Were they politically motivated? Were they noble in their cause? Were they southerners with southern sympathies or northerners with yankee sympathies?

These may seem like dumb questions, and I suppose they are, but I'm trying to rule out Quantrill or others like him for the death of a KEMP family of ancestors. I've done extensive search for this family and cannot even figure out which state they were in when they were killed. Then I read a post about the Quantrill's and thought maybe they could be a connection, and possibly a whole new search that could end up as fruitless as my past searches.

My Great Uncle Wilbur FOWLER of KY, b. 1914, stated in a letter to my mother in 1961, the following (NOTE: The father i've found out is George F. KEMP, born 22 Dec 1856, which would make the year of his family's killing about 1863. If I remember right, the Civil War ended in 1865 which would make the quote below inaccurate, at the very least):

"The father of your Grandmother Louise KEMP FOWLER was orphaned when he was just seven years old. His whole family was murdered by renegades and deserters from the Confederate Army after the Civil War. Some person got him across the river into Kentucky and left him alone in the woods, and he was found by a man by the name of Jim TANNER of Wickliffe and was reared by him."

He states later, "....on your Grandmother's side of the family, her Grandfather was a slave owner in Kentucky. They were raided by Yankee Calvary..."

If Quantrill and others politically like him, were southern sympathizers, I guess I could rule out any connection with the demise of the KEMP family IF the KEMP family were southerners (which they appear to be). Possibly, as good ol' Uncle Will stated, they were a mishap of renegades and deserters, except it happened DURING the war or George was not 7 years old when his family was murdered.

Any thoughts you or any one on this board has, are truly appreciated. Thank you,

Barbara

Re: Quantrill's Guerillias

Pamela Quantrille (View posts)
Posted: 19 Jan 2006 6:47PM GMT
Classification: Query
Greetings. I too, obviously, am a Quantrille. I have heard so much about him and did a term paper on him in 1966..when I was in college! So many rumors and so much folklore, naturally, regarding him. Is there a diary? I have a first edition of the book published in 1910. "A good book about a bad man," is how it was inscribed! It does seem to be that the Quantrilles were scoundrals or exact opposite law officers etc. What do you think of William Clarke? Thanks!

Re: Quantrill's Guerillias

Pamela Quantrille (View posts)
Posted: 19 Jan 2006 6:59PM GMT
Classification: Query
Hi Barbara,
I did hear, via family folklore and also read it in an early, but very inaccurate book..(I think we have to realize that he has all kinds of stories written about him and much from word of mouth tales, embellished everywhere!)..anyway, that he was a southern sympathizer operating in various areas, and at one time he was in the mountains in Kentucky. My father's family always said that he was unaware that the war had ended due to lack of communication, and wasn't the bad man people said. But also that he did ride with Jesse James. And that he was a hero in part of the country..a monster in another. And that he was responsible for the Lawrenceville Massacre. NONE of this I know from historical documents. I am fascinated to hear the "TRUTH" about him. When I was little, there was a movie about him (I am 62 years old now!) and I was in AWE to see MY name on the big screen! I just want to know!
Thank you for your input. Pam

Re: Quantrill's Guerillias

Barb Opitz (View posts)
Posted: 20 Jan 2006 2:52PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: TANNER, KEMP, FOWLER, EVANS, ADAMS, SNOWDEN, RUST
Pam,

Thanks so much for responding. I too was very little when I saw the movie about the Quantrills... LOL

I'm no further along with my research than when I wrote my original post a year ago. I think this side of the family will be gone forever, as unfortunately as many other ancestors in our nation.

And what's really unfortunate is that I didn't take an interest in this before Uncle Wilbur died (about 10 yrs ago). I know he had more information like who were his mother's siblings which I can't find either. I've even tried tracking ancestors of Jim Tanner hoping someone in their family may have passed along the story of "old Jim" who found a boy and raised him as his own. No luck there either.

I imagine finding the truth about your family will be nearly impossible too. The truth stretches each time its repeated, so maybe what is best for you is to at least document in your words what family has told you... that he was and wasn't a good guy.

I just read a good article ( http://www.thehistorynet.com/acw/blbittercivilwar/ ). I'm writing the author this morning to see if he has the name of KEMP in any of his research files! Could I be so lucky???!!!

Best wishes for finding the truth... as you know, it's sometimes stranger than fiction.

Barb

Re: quantrell Raiders

Posted: 30 Mar 2007 7:57PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: George, Owings
Oh My !!
You have recieved some serious misinformation.
My ancestors were among Quantrills Raiders and I can absolutely assure you that they terrorized noone except those who terrorized them first. Most of the Folks who rode with Quantrill were good church going farming families who wanted nothing more than to live a good life with their families and be left in peace.
Now that I am on the soapbox---I could go on all day but I will stop here.
The majority of Quantrills Raiders including my ancestors were from Jackson County Missouri the target of Order # 11.
This occcurred during the Civil War---1860's
Any other questions, I would be happy to answer if I can
Thanks, Tonya

Re: Quantrill's Guerillias

Posted: 22 Dec 2011 10:18PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Quantrill's Raiders
He was a bad man! He and his gang were in Lebanon, Laclede, MO in June, 1863, where he hanged my gg'pa from a tree in his yard while his wife and children watched, after the gang had pillaged g'gpa's farm. My g'gpa wanted to stay neutral. He supported neither the North nor the South - for all the good it did him.

Re: Quantrill's Guerillias

Posted: 6 Feb 2012 3:24PM GMT
Classification: Query
I would like more info on this, please.

Re: quantrell Raiders

Posted: 26 Mar 2013 3:44PM GMT
Classification: Query
Surnames: Cantrell (Quantrell, Quantrill), Everett
Our husbands must be relate. My husbands great great grandfather was the boy found alive by the Everett's, who had given him their last name because he did not know his. My husband (Chuck) mother was Jeannie Everett, daughter of Charlie (Shorty) Everett, Jr., who's Parents were Tobitha Cantrell and Charlie Everett.
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