State of Tennessee, Benton County, March Term 1846.
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March Term 1846
Upon the application of Daniel F. McElyea, who this day gave information to
the Court here that one Jordan Click, a Minor about the age of twelve years
was destitute of sufficient vituals, clothing &c, and that his mother was
totally unable to provide for said boy the common necessities of life and this
information having been supported by the testamony James R.
Childers it is considered by the Court that said Jordan Click should be bound
and thereupon he was bound to Daniel F. McElyea who appeared in open Court and
together with him Timothy Reaves his security who appeared in open Court and
acknowledged their bond conditioned that the said Daniel
F. McElyea will teach said apprentice art and Mystery of a blacksmith and teach
or have him taught the arithmetic to the rule of three and when he arrives at
the age of Twenty one to give him a good set of Smith tools, and two good suits
of clothes and during his apprenticeship shall constantly
provide him, the said apprentice, with sufficient diet, washing, clothing &
lodging suitable to an apprentice.
Athens Post 1872
Deaths taken from Microfilm by Marjorie Kent February 1975
1 August 1872 - Mrs. Mary C. McELYEA - wife of Wm. C. McELYEA
Alabama
Courier
19 June 1888
A MANIAC AT LARGE
He Escapes from his keepers and Cannot be Found.
Mr. Daniel McELYEA, of Athens, Ala., is in trouble. He is scouring the
city from centre to circumference to discover the whereabouts of a son, W. A.
McELYEA, who is violently insane. The police and deputy sheriffs have been
notified, and up to a late hour last night, had seen nothing of the fugitive
son.
Mr. McELYEA, Sr., accompanied by an assistant, started with his
insane son from Athens, Ala., day before yesterday to take him to the asylum.
They arrived in the city night before last, and were to change cars here for
Tuscaloosa. The parties went into the waiting room at the Union depot to await
the arrival of their train and while there the younger McELYEA asked to go out
on the street. The attendant went out with him, and as they got to the corner
of the depot, on Twentieth Street, the insane man, who was not secured in any
way, made a break for liberty and escaped. The attendant was somewhat under the
influence of liquor, and didn't know clearly what had happened. He didn't
report the escape until some time afterward.
Mr. McELYEA kept the matter quiet until he had made a thorough search and
failed to find his man. He then appealed to the police for help.
The escaped is described as a middle-aged man, clad in a full suit of gray
jeans. Both sides of his face bear wounds recently made by tearing the flesh
with his fingernails. He has two knife wounds on the top of his head. When
last seen, the blood from the scratches was still on his face. He is ordinarily
very docile, but at times has fierce fits of passion, and is very dangerous.
The wounds on the face and head were self-inflicted when in one of these fits.
The father is suffering much anxiety on account of his unfortunate son's
disappearance, and greatly fears he will be done bodily injury by someone
ignorant of his mental condition. A reward is offered for any information
concerning him. Mr. Daniel McELYEA's address is Athens, Ala.------
BIRMINGHAM AGE.
The above, taken from the Birmingham Age, refers to one of our
countrymen. Mr. William McELYEA the son of Daniel McELYEA, an old resident of
our county.
Mr. W. A. McELYEA became insane a short time ago, and during one of the
cold spells he ran away from home. He was soon followed by his brother who ran
him a long distance through the woods, through creeks, and over logs and brush.
When he was finally overpowered and carried home. We sympathize with his
relatives, and hope no harm may come to the unfortunate man.
Mtn. Echo, April 12, 1889
BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCH.
D. F. McElyea, one of the oldest citizens of our county was in town the other day and from him we obtained the following sketch of his life: He was born in Montgomery County, Tennessee, in 1815, and is therefore 74 years old. He is living with his second wife who is now 57 years of age. His father was a soldier under General Jackson during the War of 1812. He remembers the early customs and habits of the people in Tennessee, which will probably be of great interest to many of our readers. Emigrants coming from North Carolina to Tennessee would come in a cart rigged up in the following manner: the hub was made of black gum, spokes of white oak, felly of white oak, and tire made of splitting a small white oak sapling and nailing around the felly. One horse with a pack saddle on his back, pulling the cart with tugs made of white oak splits, with iron on each end. The families were usually walking, and seemed as happy as they could be. These emigrants would settle down and go to work, using shafts to the plow, and in a few years could be in good circumstances. Mr. McElyea worked at the blacksmith trade over 50 years. His family seems to be long-lived, his grandfather living to the great age of 104 years. He lived in Tennessee during the war and had two sons killed in the Confederate service. One of his sons was a member of Forest's famous cavalry and stayed with that General until the surrender. Thinks that people in his younger days were more happy than now, and that the women could do more hard work then than three can now. About 16 years ago Mr. McElyea came to Arkansas and has been a peaceable, quiet, law abiding citizen ever since. He has 8 living children, is in good health, and is as spry and vigorous as many men who are 20 years younger. He bids fair to live many years yet, but says he is ready to go when the summons comes. Do the young and rising generation respect age as it should? The old pioneers who conquered the great wilderness of the West, are one by one dropping into that "dreamless sleep" that will forever kiss their eyelids down, while we enjoy the fruits of their hardships. Thousands of noble men have fallen and "no friend taken note of their departure." This should not be, all should strive to make those who are in the evening of life as happy and comfortable as possible. The great dread of every ambitious, noble, great-souled man is, that when he dies the world will forget he ever lived. The very thoughts of this forgetfulness causes him to cling to life, and work with never ending energy, that their names may be honorably mentioned by generations that are yet unborn.
Alabama Courier - October 6, 1898 - page 2 B
On
Thursday the 22nd, death, the unwelcome visitor made and inroad into the family
of Mr. and Mrs. W.T. McELYEA and claimed as his victim their sweet and beloved
little daughter, Dollie.
From Cathy Beasley:
