Information obtained shows Hattie/Myrtle eventually settled in a complex of houses owned by T.J. Asher.  Myrtle had some memories living here.  She recalled there was a man living in the house with them but she did not remember his name.  

The exact date Myrtle arrived at the Children’s Home is unknown.  As written above, the petition from the Kentucky Children’s Home Society in behalf of MYRTLE NORRIS was dated April 5, 1907.    May 10, 1907 Eddie and Mollie Browning filed an application to FOSTER a child from the Children’s Home.  Eddie gave his age as 39, occupation FARMER and in good health.  Mollie gave her age as 31 and health not very good.  The nearest Post Office was at Falmouth, Kentucky in the County of Pendleton. They stated membership in the Christian church.  One other person, Ethel McKandliss, resided with the Browning’s.  Ethel’s relationship with the Brownings is unknown.  They stated the name of their pastor was Mize King of Williamstown, Kentucky.  The nearest telephone for emergencies was Ewing’s Store.  One question asked, “What is the object in taking a child?”  The Browning’s response: “TO RAISE AS OUR OWNE.”  They specifically requested a girl.  Another question asked, “Do you expect to treat, the child in every way as a member of the family?”  They answered,  “I DO.”  

 Three names were given for references:  

J.W. THOMPSON

WILL ROLE

ERNEST CLARK  

All resided in Falmouth, Kentucky.  

Mother had discussed her remembrances while living with Hattie Norris.  The MAN residing with Hattie was employed as a coal miner for Mr. Asher.  In the late afternoon my mother walked to a nearby bridge to greet the man.  A railroad track was located under the bridge.  She would carry the man’s lunch box back to their house.  Strangely, she appeared to display a satisfaction with her lunch box chore.  I’m wondering if this one instance gave her a feeling of being wanted?  She stated the man was big and strong.  There were no other comments about the man, negative or positive.  Presumably this man was the stepfather.  

She also said there were several houses in a row.  Apparently what she was recalling, Mr. Asher had several small houses constructed and rented them to his employees.  The small houses were all located across the road from the commissary.    

June 18, 1965 I finally received some documents from the Children’s Home in Louisville, Kentucky regarding my mother.  Attached are some of the documents.  

A month after I received the data from the Home, my wife, Colleen, and I traveled to my mother’s birthplace, Wasioto, Kentucky.  Upon our arrival in Wasioto I inquired about the ASHER family since T.J. Asher’s signature was on the release application.  I was advised Mr. Asher’s sons were now in control of the company and I would find them in their office.  This surprised me because it was Sunday morning.  After our introductions and conversation, E.O. Asher, stated he would do some research and mail the results to me.  They gave us a list of older individuals that perhaps would know my mother’s mother.  

I sensed the Asher Brothers were hesitant to become involved in assisting our search.  I tried to assure them the only purpose of our visit was to seek information regarding my mother.  We were not there to create a problem for anyone or embarrassment to any person.  We emphasized we had absolutely no interest in Mr. T.J. Asher’s involvement other than he was a source of information.  I wanted to reassure the Asher’s there been no animosity toward Mr. T.J. Asher or his family.   

T.J. Asher had died years before.  Mr. Asher’s wife was living but in very poor health.  

Colleen and I remained in the Pineville area for the next two days.  We talked to one individual, Ms. Smith.  For several years Ms. Smith was in charge of the local Post Office.  She was very cooperative and an excellent source for local information.  She related the history of the local area as it pertained to the years my mother resided in Wasioto.  

Mr. E.O. Asher advised he would attempt to locate information regarding my mother.  Mr. Asher advised he had contacted several individuals in the area but was unable to find any information regarding my mother.  I am grateful to Mr. Asher for his efforts.   

I also had information that Hattie Norris had an Aunt and her name was Ratha Penniful.  While in Wasioto, I inquired about this Aunt but no one recognized the name.  

Also, while in Wasioto we were introduced to a Ceber Pope.  Coincidentally, Mr. Pope was born on the same day as my mother, October 31, 1901.  He was surprised their birthdays were the same.  

Mr. Pope said he recalled one incident when he, his mother and father were out riding in their horse and wagon.  They were on a road that passed in front of the houses Mr. Asher constructed for his employees.  Mr. Pope overheard his mother and father discussing a pretty girl with dark black hair living in one of the houses. He stated the little girl was not being treated well and neighbors were aware of the situation.  Mr. Pope was the only child and he said his mother and father were discussing the possibility adopting the girl. They discussed it often and even to the point where Ceber was advised by his parents, someday he may have a little sister.  He was thrilled about the possibility of having a sister.   Mr. Pope concluded the little girl was my mother.  

The trip was interesting, educational but frustrating.  We could not locate anyone that was familiar with the name, NORRIS.  Ms. Smith was an excellent source, but she was not familiar with the NORRIS name.  We did have a conversation with an elderly gentleman named SONNY NORTH.  Unfortunately, Mr. North was in poor health and had difficulty maintaining a conversation.  The name NORRIS appeared to be nonexistent in the Pineville, Kentucky area.  All individuals we conversed with never heard of Hattie Norris.  Why is it the ONLY reference to a Hattie Norris was in the 1900 census?  Of course, the 1910 census would record her married name.  At this date, research continues to identify Hattie Norris.

Concentration will be directed to the census records for Bell County, Kentucky from 1880 to 1930.         

My mother was a very intelligent woman.   She learned to play the piano and the fiddle.  Information I received, she rode a horse to the music teacher’s residence approximately three to four miles one way.  The music teacher was a Ms. Bonner. She played the piano at the local church.  She was an expert in sewing, cooking, canning, cutting hair for all in the family, and, many other time-consuming chores.  For the most part, she worked outside the home, shoe factories, etc., to increase the family’s financial income.  She and my father produced seven children.   

She was in demand from others.  Example: Dr. William Singleton, a local Physician, would be on his way to a birth.  He would knock at our door and say, “Myrtle, so and so is getting ready to give birth, I need your help.”  Of course, there was no compensation for these services; she volunteered because she believed it was the right thing to do.   

During World War II she worked in a Defense Plant in Cleveland, Ohio.  While she and my father worked in Cleveland, other members of the  family maintained a home in southern Ohio.  Being separated from her children was difficult for mother.  Considering her childhood, one can understand her desire to be with her children.  

Fortunately, my mother had a sense of humor.  Referring to her birth, she said she was “put out on a stump and hatched.”  Referring to her seven children, whom she birthed at home, she said when Perry dropped his pants, “I got in the family way.”  With all the unpleasant experiences, she maintained a positive outlook on life and was always ready to laugh.   

To summarize: My mother was a very dedicated, devoted and dependable person. She was a “magnificent mother”; she was a “wonderful wife”; she was a “fantastic friend,” and, she was “interestingly intelligent.”  

NOTE:  I HAVE RECEIVED MORE INFORMATION FROM THE CHILDREN’S HOME 10/99.  SEE FOLLOWING: