1. Presenting the chronicles of Mary Will Myers Marion, Louisiana *

4. The 1880 Census Of The Will family Marion, Louisiana Father Mother Mary * Correct age is 6 *5 years old

5. Around 1891, 17 year old Mary Will Meets a 25 year old Lumberjack named John Miles On Palm Sunday April 10, 1892 Mary age 18 and John Miles age 26 jumped the Broom in Marion, LA. They stayed in Marion and had two children. Around 1895 they moved to Arkansas, John’s home.

6. The Return Home Upon their return from Arkansas nine years later and three additional children, John and Mary purchase land in Marion in 1904. They bought 120 acres for $150.00.

7. Three years after they bought the land, in 1907 there was a Boll Weevil infestation. A tiny insect pest devastated their cotton fields and forced farmers like John to pursue mixed farming and manufacturing. John and Mary had seven children to support and in need of income. They sold 80 of their 120 Acres to the Union Saw Mill Company On Thursday October 22, 1908 to support the family. The Southern Lumber Company and Union Sawmill were purchasing land. John and Mary entered the market. They originally paid $1.25 an acre for their land and sold at $1.87 an acre, a profit of 62 cents. They got their $150.00 back by selling 2/3 rd of the land.

8. The Miles Family 1910 Marion, Louisiana Shelly died in Breckenridge Township, Arkansas before she could take a picture in Los Angeles… John Allen Emma Ora Edna Columbus Jack Oliver Trudy Shelly Hazel Lou 1893- 1895- 1897- 1899- *1902- 1904- *1907- 1909- Mary and John’s Children

9. Around 1912 John and Mary abandoned their 40 acres and moved back to Arkansas. The abrupt move was brought about by a slapping incident between Mary and a White Man in Marion. When they arrived in Breckenridge, Arkansas, John changed his name to Sam and the family surname to Myers. 1920 Census Breckenridge, Arkansas Sam Myers Mary Columbus Oliver Trudy Shelly Hazel

10. The depressed economy around 1920 was creating hardship in Arkansas. Work was becoming scarce and times were tight. Mary and Sam gets word from older son John Allen that there is work out west. Mary and Sam sends the children one by one to Los Angeles to stay with their elder son John Allen. Daughter Shelly develops TB and dies around 1922 before she could go. Before Mary and Sam could pack up and move, Sam dies around 1924. Mary, heartbroken of the deaths moves with younger daughter Hazel to LA to be with the other children. Emma the oldest daughter remains in Arkansas with husband and children. The family goes west John Allen Myers

11. The Myers Children -1925 John Allen Emma Ora Edna Columbus Jack Oliver Trudy Hazel Lou 1893- 1934 1895 -1928 * 1897- 1967 1899 -1927 * 1902- 1975 1904 -1925 * 1909 -1931 * Life Span When Mary Myers arrives in LA the heartbreak continues. The children were getting sick and dying randomly. By 1934 only two were living, Mary lost Six children and a husband within 12 years Mary Myers and surviving Children

12. Great.. Mary My Father Harold 1930 Census Edna * Hazel Jack Breckenridge to Boyle Heights 1930 Census 1930 Census for Los Angeles County

13. Mary Myers and family in Los Angeles Mary Wills Myers Odessa Will Carr (Niece) Jack Myers (Son) Edna Magness (Daughter) ca 1950 Thanksgiving Dinner * * * * *Grandchildren Mary Myers, 76 years old Edna Magness, 53 years old Jack Myers, 48 years old

14. Mary Wills Myers 1874 - 1963 Mary Lou Myers On Tuesday June 4,1963 Mary Myers dies on a Los Angeles City Bus

15. …… Thank you, slides presented by Rodney Walters