night, and that the town marshal caught a number of them one night which ended that sport?)

The Carr children were Maude Lelia (Mrs. John Shipley), Loretta (Mrs. Jacobson), Monte, Clifford and Hollis. Of these, Clifford lives in Meadow Grove. Mrs. Mable Northouse is a daughter of the Shipley family.

When the John Shipleys were married, John lived on the farm now owned by the Koopman family and the buildings were southwest of where the Leon Koopmans now live. The Elkhorn River was out of its banks and the bridge north of Battle Creek (where the new bridge is presently being built) had been washed out so that in order to get to his wedding in Battle Creek, where his bride-to-be Maude Lelia Carr lived, he borrowed a boat from Joe Jackson, came by boat as far as he could and then walked into town. Then he had to go by train to Madison to get their marriage license and return to Battle Creek where they were married in the Baptist Church.

Mrs. Loretta Jacobson wrote that she graduated from Battle Creek High School in the class of 1906.

Some years ago when this writer was on a trip east he stopped in Independence, Virginia, in the beautiful and famous Shenandoah Valley (bread basket for the South during the War between the States), as he wanted to visit the area where all the Madison County Virginians came from. While he was waiting for his Mrs. to mail some cards, an old gentleman came from the post office and noted the Nebraska license. He came to the car and said, "You from Nebraskey?" The answer being yes, he asked, "Did you know Charlie Carr?"

"Yes, from Battle Creek and later from Meadow Grove?"

"Yep, he was my uncle." End of conversation and the old gentleman went on his way.

W. L. Boyer was another Virginian to settle in Battle Creek as a merchant. He first homesteaded in Cherry County then came to Battle Creek where he married Bird Osborn, daughter of Zach Osborn. After disposing of his Battle Creek store, he moved back to Valentine to open a store.

The presence of many of the Virginians of abut the turn of the century brought still others who settled for a while in our community and then drifted to other areas in the county or out of state. They were largely influenced by the organization of the Primitive Baptist Church. This congregation was organized June 25, 1892. Charter members were Randall Collins, Caroline Collins, Nancy Hale, Mark Sesler and Maggie Sesler.

The organization of the congregation took place west of Battle Creek and a church building was erected near the country school of District 5 to the northwest corner of the farm which was then owned by John Ott, later the Henry Praeuner farm.

By 1920, the congregation had grown to include the Austin family, the Dennis Collins family, Z. I. Jones family, the Lincoln

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