Monday, June 27, 2011

Mystery Monday - Charles Y Trice Marriages

Charles Yancy Trice was married two times, according to his obituaries.  The mystery is where and when was he married?  Was he married to two women at the same time?  Did he get a divorce?

My grandmother was the daughter of Charles and his second wife Luna (Lena) Estelle Drake.  C Y, by which he was often known, supposedly married Luna about 1891.  They had three children, three girls.  Ruth was born in 1892 in Bourbon County, Kansas, and died in 1901 in Lamar, Barton County, Missouri. 

My grandmother Katherine knew her half-brother and half-sister.  Harriet and Odon were born in 1885 and 1886 respectively, so they were much older than my grandmother and her sister. 

The real mystery:  According to a headstone in Belle Vista Cemetery, in El Dorado, Kansas, Parlee (include various spellings) died in 1893.  There is also a death notice in the courthouse in Butler County, stating that she died in 1893.  However, Ruth daughter of Luna (second wife) and C. Y., was born about 1892 according to 1900 census records and obituary for Ruth. 

So, did Paralee and Charles get a divorce?  Were they ever married?  Or did Charles Y. Trice really marry Luna?  Just one of the numerous mysteries I need to solve.