Sunday 24 June 2007

Genealogy

Linda [lsfp1960] featured this clever play of words in one of her entries, and I take the liberty of copying - hope she doesn't mind.

An amateur genealogical researcher discovered that his great-great uncle, Remus Starr, a fellow lacking in character, was hanged for horse stealing and train robbery in Montana in 1889. The only known photograph of Remus shows him standing on the gallows. On the back of the picture is this inscription: "Remus Starr; horse thief; sent to Montana Territorial Prison 1885, escaped 1887; robbed the Montana Flyer six times. Caught by Pinkerton detectives. Convicted and hanged 1889."

In a Family History subsequently written by the researcher, Remus’s picture is cropped so that all that's seen is a head shot. The accompanying biographical sketch is as follows: "Remus Starr was a famous cowboy in the Montana Territory. His business empire grew to include acquisition of valuable equestrian assets and intimate dealings with the Montana railroad. Beginning in 1885, he devoted several years of his life to service at a government facility, finally taking leave to resume his dealings with the railroad. In 1887, he was a key player in a vital investigation run by the renowned Pinkerton Detective Agency. In 1889, Remus passed away during an important civic function held in his honor when the platform upon which he was standing collapsed."

8 comments:

  1. Guido, this is funny. Love it.

    lisa

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  2. Yep, saw it at Lindas. Funny. :)
    Sug

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  3. Lol! Now there is a play on words. (Hugs) Indigo

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  4. Very clever Guido.  Well done to Remus Starr's decendent for his engenuity   lol!
    I can see you are still humerous side out today....keep it up.  I'm enjoying the diversion.    Jeanie

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  5. Sorry about the sp. mistake..ingenuity it should read...typo...typo!   honest!

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  6. No I don't mind..there are more people that read your journal than there are mine.  The way Remus's story was re-written was very clever.   Linda in Washington state    

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  7. What a difference words can make

    http://journals.aol.co.uk/jeanno43/JeannettesJottings/

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  8. Oh my!  That is so hilarious!!  That was my first "laugh-out-loud" of the day.  Amazing the difference a few choice words make!
    Lori

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