1. The Angels Took "Mudder" Away

RCHS Blog Post Number 1.

The Angels Took "Mudder" Away 

Winchester Journal, 1915

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    Few youngsters have created more interest in a trip across the country than has a little four-year-old Floyd Davis, who arrived Monday morning at the house of his grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Macon, who reside eight mile south of Winchester on the Lynn Pike. He left Missoula, Montana, Friday, August 27. He arrived in Chicago, Sunday, August 30, leaving there in the evening and reached Ridgeville, Indiana at three o'clock Monday morning where he was met by his grandfather, Andrew Macon and Dell Hinshaw. In a short while he was at the Macon home where he is being tenderly care for and attracting a great deal of attention from the neighbors.
    The boy's mother, who maiden name was Ethel Macon, died last March at the family home in Missoula. The boy's father is John M. Davis, son of George Davis, of near Bloomingsport. They located in Montana soon after their marriage. The father is left alone and it was thought best to send Floyd to the home of his grandparents where he can be better cared for.
    The little fellow created quite a stir in Chicago. He was given every attention and the Chicago Herald published a picture of him holding his grip in one hand and a doll baby in the other. The following write-up accompanied the picture:

    As a long distance traveler, "Tiny Floyd" Davis is in a class by himself.  "Tiny Floyd"- He is only four years old- Stopped over in Chicago yesterday long enough to enjoy a spin over the boulevard and pose for a Herald photographer. He is en route from Missoula, Mont., to the home of his grandparents in Lynn, Indiana.

    He had intended to make the trip with his mother, but he explained, "Angels too Mudder away," and he was compelled to make the long journey alone.
    The child traveler arrived at Union Station on the "Olympian" of the Chicago, Milwaukee and St. Paul Railroad.
    He was entertained in royal fashion by passengers en route. He displayed a pocketful of coins and a rag doll when he stepped from the train. Women passengers insisted upon showering him with all sorts of gifts.
    Several asked permission of John Gilbert, Passenger Agent at the Union Station, to take the boy home with them, but their requests were denied. Instead "Tiny Floyd" went motoring in the passenger agent's machine.
    "Mighty fine boy," Gilbert volunteered upon their return to the railroad station. "Wouldn't mind keeping him here for myself. He behaved like a little gentleman."
    "Tiny Floyd" rather seemed to enjoy the fuss made over him. He was especially pleased when his picture was "tooken." He left at night for Ridgeville, Indiana over the Pennsylvania Road. His grandparents have arranged to meet him there.

Headstone of "Tiny Floyd" in
Mount Vernon Cemetery, Mount Vernon, Skagit County, Washington.
Source: Find A Grave, November 2021. 
Noted obituary is on his Find A Grave record.
It states he was a 1929 graduate of Lynn High School.  

    Do you know any of the people mentioned in this article? Would you like to share their story? We'd love to hear it! Just stop by the Randolph County Historical Museum in Winchester, Indiana to tell us your tale!

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Randolph County, Indiana 1818-1990
Commonly referred to as "The Red History Book"
Compiled by the Randolph County Historical Society, 1991, Second reprint 2003.

Read page 246-247 article "Railroads" to learn a bit more about transportation history in Randolph County.

To obtain your own copy of "The Red History Book" stop in at The RCHS Museum Shop or send an email to arrange placing a mail order.

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