The Springfield News-Leader from Springfield, Missouri • Page 14

4B Saturday, October 18, 2003 NEWS-LEADER Author treads lightly with St. Joseph-based legend Facts, fables of the Pony Express By Ken Newton ST. JOSEPH NEWS-PRESS ST. JOSEPH Christopher Corbett accepted some good advice while in St. Joseph researching his new book on the Pony Express.

It involved tinkering with legends. Don Reynolds, who long operated what is now the Pony Express Museum, counseled the writer, "Don't kill Santa Claus." Corbett never intended to. He loves the Pony Express as history, as lore, as a great American story. "This is a celebration of the memory of the Pony Express, not any attempt to debunk it," said Corbett, author of "Orphans Preferred: The Twisted Truth and Lasting Legend of the Pony Express." The title suggests the book's intent to examine the casual marriage of fact and fable involving the Pony Express. A veteran newsman, Corbett finds in this charm rather than dismay.

"It's sort of like the story of Paul Revere's ride," he said from his office at the University of Maryland Baltimore County, where he teaches journalism. "The Pony Express i is based in fact, but it's layered with almost a century and a half of fabrication." Most St. Joseph schoolchildren know the framework of facts involving the venture. Three men in the freight-hauling firm of Russell, Majors Waddell cooked up a proposal for skilled horsemen to relay mail from St. Joseph to Sacramento, in roughly 10 days.

On April 3, 1860, the first rider of the Central Overland California Pike's Peak Express Company (thankfully shortened to a convenient nickname) departed St. Joseph. Eighteen months later, the service stopped, immediately displaced by completion of the transcontinental telegraph. In that time, however, the Pony Express fascinated the nation with its mix of entrepreneurial audacity, individual courage and Wild West adventure. Corbett got hooked while working on a free-lance writing assignment in Nevada.

On a brutally hot day, he wandered out to a preserved Pony Ex- turned self-promoter whose Wild West Show did more than anything to keep alive the legend of the Pony Express. When Cody took his troupe to Europe, they performed at the Vatican and before British royalty. (Queen Victoria told the sharpshooter Annie Oakley, "You are a very, very clever The Pony Express remained part of the show until it closed in 1916. And Mark Twain, who passed through St. Joseph and encountered for about two minutes a Pony Express rider in western Nebraska.

Ten years later, writing in Hartford, he penned two chapters in "Roughing It" about the meeting. making pretty good use of your material, isn't it?" said Corbett.) But the soul of the book's characters resides in Robert "Pony Bob" Haslam, a rider's rider who once traversed the 400 miles of Nevada in two days. His adventures along the dangerous stretches of the trail became the stuff of dime novels. "He was a real American hero," Corbett said. "He's not legend.

He's not make-believe." In poignant conclusion, though, the West outgrew JIM BURGER THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Pony Bob. The man who delivAuthor Christopher Corbett is pictured in an undated photo pro- ered the first word of President vided by his publisher, Broadway Books. In his book "Orphans Pre- Lincoln's election through ferred: The Twisted Truth and Lasting Legend of the Pony Express," hostile territory ended up as a Corbett attempts to set straight some of the myths about the Pony greeter in a Chicago hotel, Express, but he is not looking to "kill Santa Claus." trading on past glories. He died broke at age 72, and Buffalo Bill press station. about 7:15 p.m., or about a half- paid for his headstone.

"It was marvelous and kind of hour after sunset. Corbett calls himself an unghostly," said the Maine native. But Corbett, 51, warms to abashed fan of St. Joseph, "I began to read more about the these discrepancies rather than where he spent considerable Pony Express, and the more I belittling them. time during four years reread, the more unusual the sto- "I'm not sure that anyone can searching the book.

He espery seemed to be." completely separate fact from cially likes the Patee House, His reading proved the elu- myth," he said. "It's a story that where the Pony Express made sive nature of details. Most ac- has a lot of legend attached to its headquarters. counts had Johnny Fry as first it, and that's OK." "It is the best of American in the St. Joseph saddle (though The author particularly loved history," he said of the oneit might have been Billy the cast of characters who time hotel, now museum.

"It's Richardson or Alex Carlyle or came in contact with the Pony like being in your great-grandeven Henry Wallace). The Express, and he populates his mother's attic." horse was either a sorrel or a book with them. And he believes the people of black or a bay. There is Alexander Majors, St. Joseph treat the Pony ExCharles Hargens' celebrated the Bible-thumping co- press with its proper respect.

painting of the first ride, long founder of the Pony Express "Some of this is a little like a remembered as an advertise- who made his employees for- fishing story, and people in St. ment for the Goetz Brewery, swear alcohol and profanity. Joseph understand that," he shows the horse galloping (Ample evidence exists that said. "It's a story of risk, away from the stables in bright they kept their oath only until courage and bravado. What's a sunlight.

In fact, because the out of his sight.) better American story than a mail arrived late on a train from And there is Buffalo Bill man racing across the country Hannibal, the first rider left Cody, a genuine frontiersman on a horse?" Senator asks for 'Truth in Deployment' By Jay Hughes THE ASSOCIATED PRESS LITTLE ROCK An amendment co-sponsored by U.S. Sen. Mark Pryor would require the armed forces to be more explicit about how long National Guard and Reserve forces called to active duty will be gone from home. The "Truth in Deployment" amendment on Thursday was attached to the Senate version of a bill that would authorize $87 billion for military operations and rebuilding in Iraq. Pryor, said Friday that the amendment was offered af- DEATH NOTICES Notices contain service and death information only.

Mrs. Barbara Ann (Reno) Allison, 64, Ozark, died Thursday in her home. Memorial services are 11 a.m. today in St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church with burial in Weaver Cemetery under direction of Adams Funeral Home, Ozark.

Mrs. Jewell O. Chaney, 85, home. Mr. Everett E.

Cross, 83, Rogersville, formerly of Oma- Springfield, a hospital ward clerk, died Thursday in Primrose Place. Graveside services are 10. a.m. Monday in White Chapel Memorial Gardens under direction of ThiemeShadel-Hicks Funeral Service at Midtown. Visitation is 2 to 4 p.m.

Sunday in the funeral ha, a retired soil conservation department employee, died at 12:26 a.m. Wednesday in St. John's Regional Health Center, Springfield. Services are 2 p.m. Sunday in SnappBearden Funeral Home, Branson, with burial at 2 p.m.

Monday in Missouri Veterans Cemetery, Springfield. Visitation is 1 p.m. to service time Sunday in the funeral home. DIVORCES Dissolutions of marriage issued in Greene County Darlene petitioner Cardwell, Erin respondent Gormley, Becky, petitioner Gormley, Warren, respondent Johnson, Dietrich, Lee, petitioner Johnson, Lyman Joseph, respondent Kauflin, Edward Joseph, petitioner Dodson, Angela Larae, respondent Munhollon, Stephen, petitioner Munhollon, April, respondent Pasco, Stephanie Kay, petitioner Nimmo, Clay, respondent Patterson, Marilyn, Renee, petitioner, name Hobbs restored Patterson, Billy Monroe, respondent Simmons, Brad petitioner Simmons, Gina respondent, name Rudder restored Vicat, Mark Edward, petitioner Vicat, Lori Lynn, respondent Dehaven, Donald Lee, petitioner Dehaven, Carol Ann, respondent Masaday, Autumn Dawn, petitioner Masaday, Philip Russell, respondent Norton, Davi Gene, petitioner Norton, Barbara Faye, respondent, name Lundy restored Dewitt, Benjamin Adrian, petitioner Dewitt, Keri Renae, respondent Haney, Karen Sue, petitioner, name Betteridge restored Haney, Robert Alan, respondent Richey, April Ann, petitioner, name Arbuckle restored Richey, Greggory Bryant, respondent Rogers, Andrea Lynn, petitioner, name Richardson restored Rogers I1, Roland, respondent Ruddle, Randal, petitioner Ruddle, Christine, respondent, name Mott restored Smith, J. Gregory, petitioner Smith, Garnetta Lee, respondent Tillman, Teresa petitioner Tillman, James respondent OBITUARIES The obituaries and memoriams listed below are paid announcements.

The death notices are published at no charge. Obituary charges are $2.75 per line Monday through Sunday (not including heading). Photos (color or black and white) are an additional charge of $49.50. Obituaries may be faxed to the News-Leader at (417) 836-1221 Monday through Sunday or e- mailed to by 4:30 p.m. You may call (417) 836-1183 or 1-800-695-1972.

Audrey L. Cowen Audrey L. Cowen, daughter of Adam and Arizona (Hughey) Graves, was born Oct. 3, 1904, in Aplina Pass, and departed this life Oct. 16, 2003, in Morton Terrace, Peoria, at the age of 99 years and 13 days of age.

On May 10, 1924, Audrey was united in marriage to Elbert Cowen. To this union five children were born. Preceding her in death were her parents, Adam and Arizona Graves; her husband, Elbert; one son, James; and three brothers. Survivors include two sons, Bill Cowen and wife Freda, Independence, and Ed Cowen and wife Lois, East Peoria, two daughters, Loretta Hartwell and husband Clifford, Elkland, and Glades Hartwell and husband Charles, Elkland; 17 grandchildren; 39 greatgrandchildren; 14 greatgreat-grandchildren; and a host of nieces, nephews, relatives and friends. Funeral services for Audrey L.

Cowen will be held at 2 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19, 2003, in Day Funeral Home, Marshfield, with Rev. Danny Hartwell officiating. Burial will be in St.

Luke Cemetery, near Marshfield. Visitation will be held one hour prior to service time on Monday at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Morton Terrace Activities Department and left at the funeral home. Bettie Arlene McNatt AURORA-Bettie A. McNatt passed away at 10:25 p.m.

Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2003, in Primrose Health Care Center, Springfield, Mo. She was born to Jake and Myrtle Ebert on Oct. 19, 1920, in Lincoln, Neb. Bettie graduated from Monett High School and shortly thereafter met her husband, Eldon.

They were married on February 26, 1942. Bettie was a devoted wife and mother of three. She was a member of Huffman Memorial Church in St. Joseph, the Aurora United Methodist Church, and was active in many other ministry organizations. Bettie worked for many years in the family business, McNatt Real Estate and Insurance, and was also involved in civic and philanthropic causes.

Bettie's husband, Eldon, her parents and sister Delores, preceded her in death. Survivors include her three children, Richard McNatt and and his wife, Nancy, of Vancouver, Ron McNatt and his wife, Linda, of Aurora, and Darlene Hazle and her husband, Mike, of Temple, Texas; seven grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; and many friends and relatives. Services will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, Oct 20, 2003, in Crafton-Cantrell Funeral Home. Burial will be in Maple Park Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Aurora United Methodist Church in care of the funeral home. Jeremy Wayne Brown October 18, 1970 November 11, 1999 We never tire of looking at your pictures and remembering what a good father, son, brother, grandson, uncle, nephew, and friend you were. We love you and miss you. Your Family Friends Robert Edward "Ed" Stephenson Jr. ter the Defense Department changed its policy on how deployments are calculated.

He said that, in the past, when a unit was called up for a 12- month commitment, the clock began ticking when they reported to their local armory. But now, the troops are not considered deployed and the clock does not start running until they arrive in the operations theater where they will be stationed, although they could be on active duty for months before and afterward. Pryor said he understands Mrs. Mary Frances Hill, 78, Willow Springs, a homemaker, died Thursday in Ozarks Medical Center, West Plains. Services are 2 p.m.

Sunday in Willow Springs First Christian Church with burial in Mackey Cemetery, Pomona, under direction of Willow Funeral Home, Willow Springs. Visitation is noon to 03 p.m. today in the funeral home. Mr. Loran Max Lewis, 75, Republic, a photography company regional manager, died at 7:40 a.m.

Friday in his home. Services are 2 p.m. Sunday in Meadors Funeral Home, Republic, with burial in Evergreen Cemetery. Visitation is 6 to 8 p.m. today in the funeral home.

Mr. Troy H. McDaniel, 82, Springfield, a retired railroad employee and World War II Army veteran, died at 2:55 a.m. Thursday in St. John's Regional Health Center.

Graveside services with military honors are 1 p.m. today in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens under direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home North. Mr. Clyde Richard "Pete" Peterson, 77, Springfield, died Tuesday in his home. Graveside services are 1 p.m.

Monday in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens under direction of Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home. that the military, especially the Army, is trying to stretch manpower at a time when the armed forces have numerous commitments worldwide, but he does not believe it's right. "If they can turn a 12-month commitment into 13 or 14 months, they're going to do it," Pryor said. "It's just not fair to the families or soldiers to change that without any notice or anything." The House and Senate voted Friday to spend the money that President Bush said was needed to finish a mission of securing Mr. Gail Jacob Pinkley, 77, Hermitage, a flour mill employee, died at 2:45 a.m.

Friday in his home. Services are 1 p.m. Monday in Montgomery-Viets Funeral Home, Buffalo, with burial in Macedonia Cemetery. Friends may call from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Sunday in the funeral home. Mr. Dale F. Pride, 87, Marionville, a retired medical correctional officer, died at 3:35 p.m. Wednesday in his home.

Graveside services are 10:30 a.m. today in Hazelwood Cemetery under direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home South. Mrs. Barbara Simon, 66, Springfield, a retired nurse, died Wednesday in her home. Graveside services are 3 p.m.

today in Greenlawn Memorial Gardens under direction of Greenlawn Funeral Home North. Mr. Doris 0. "D.O." Swearengin, 74, Nixa, a retired truck driver, died at 6:40 p.m. Wednesday in his home.

No services are planned. Cremation under direction of Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ozark. Other Deaths Mr. William K. Bell, 67, Hollister, Greenlawn Funeral Home, Branson.

peace and eliminating terrorist threats in Iraq and Afghanistan. A final version of the bill could be on the president's desk by late next week. Lt. Col. Christopher Rodney, an Army spokesman, said the change in the way deployment time is calculated was made to accommodate training before deployment and demobilization afterward.

He said that, with those requirements, a 12- month "boots on the ground" deployment could last up to 18 months. "It only makes sense," Rodney said. Mrs. Jean E. Brown, 65, Humansville, Murray Funeral Home.

Mr. Larry D. Byers, 61, Branson, Greenlawn Funeral Home, Branson. Mrs. Geraldine Carr, 77, Springfield, Gorman-Scharpf Funeral Home.

Mr. Ralph L. Davis, 83, Independence, Thieme-ShadelHicks Funeral Service at Rivermonte, Springfield. Mrs. Betty Goin, 69, Lockwood, Lockwood Funeral Chapel.

Mrs. Verda Huffman, 99, Marshfield, Day Funeral Home. Mr. M.C. "Mack" McKinney, 85, Springfield, Greenlawn Funeral Home North.

Mr. Lemuel "Shorty" Robertson, 90, Ava, Barnes Family Funeral Home, Ava. Mr. John B. Robinson, 90, Bolivar, Butler Funeral Home.

Miss Margaret Southard, 83, Springfield, Greenlawn Funeral Home South. Tech Talk Answers to your computer questions Mondays in Life. NEWS-LEADER Robert Edward Stephenson of West Point, and formerly of the Kansas City metro area, died peacefully on Wednesday, Oct. 15, 2003, just two weeks shy of his 89th birthday at North MS Medical Center, West Point, Miss. He was a native of Covington, Ga.

He attended the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), maioring in Chemical Engineering. He spent his working years in the meat industry in a number of management positions, and was proud of his work in the Kiwanis. He married Jane Elizabeth "Betty" Ward Stephenson on Nov. 18, 1934. She preceded him in death on Feb.

28, 2002. Ed and Betty were active in several Presbyterian Churches throughout the South, most recently the First Presbyterian Church of Covington, where Ed served as Elder and both taught Sunday School. Family and church were always the center of their lives. Survivors include two daughters, Dr. Ruth S.

Hassanein and husband Dr. Khatab of Liberty, and Mary S. Davis and husband Boyce of West Point, Miss; and two sons, Dr. Robert E. Stephenson Ill and wife Susan of Dunwoody, and Richard W.

"Rick" Stephenson and wife Rev. Sarah of Springfield, Mo. There are six grandchildren, including Dr. Sarah Hon and husband Rev. Jeffrey of Liberty, and 10 great-grandchildren.

Funeral services will be Saturday, Nov. 1, 2003, at 2 p.m. at the First Presbyterian Church, EPC, at East and Broad Streets in West Point. Visitation will be one hour prior to the service at the church. Burial will be at Greenwood Cemetery in West Point, Miss.

Calvert Funeral Home of West Point is in charge of arrangements. Ed and Betty Stephenson were the patriarch and matriarch of a large and loving family. Through years their family was the maior focus of their lives. Both were gourmet cooks and their welcoming hospitality was legend among their many friends and relatives. They were the epitome of has been called our "Greatest Generation" and they will both be sorely missed by all who knew them.

Memorials may be made to The T.N. Braddock Wing at Dugan Memorial Home, P.O. Box 698, West Point, MS 39773..