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Post by Diane Merkel on Aug 25, 2004 19:32:29 GMT -6
I just received the obituary of William E. Morris, dated November 27, 1933, who was a Municipal Court Judge in New York City and died at the age of 72. The obit states, in part:
"Justice Morris was born in Worcester, Mass. When he was 16 years of age he left school to fight the Indians on the Western frontier. He found all the fighting he desired. . . . Morris was stationed with Major Reno about two miles from the scene of the Custer massacre. . . ."
The profile of Morris on our website states that he was born in Boston in 1854, enlisted with the 7th in 1875, and was wounded during the battle. The death date listed is that of the Morris in the obit, but the other dates seem troublesome. Justice Morris would have been born circa 1861 and would have been 14 if he enlisted in 1875. In addition, the obit makes no mention of him being wounded.
Can anyone confirm that Justice Morris is "our" William Ephraim Morris?
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Post by Ephriam Dickson on Oct 22, 2004 16:14:42 GMT -6
Yes, this is the same man. See his obituary in the New York Times, November 27, 1933 page 17 which in part says:
"When the battle of the Little big Horn was fought in June, 1876, William E. Morris was 17 years old. He had advanced his age four years to obtain an enlistment in Boston, his birthplace. At the time of the battle his regiment, the Seventh United States Cavalry, was divided into three columns. Trooper Morris, in the one led by Major Reno, fought most of the engagement in the valley. Custer was on the other side of the hill. As he moved off with the Custer column, Bryon L. Tarbox, half-brother of the justice, called out to him: “Look out for your scalp, Bill. The Indians don’t like red headed fellows.” The justice had red hair in those days. But he lived to tell the tale and he never saw Bryon alive again.
The Reno column reached the top of the hill after many losses. Justice Morris was wounded, but managed to entrench himself and spent the night firing at flashes below him. After two months in a hospital he served throughout the Nez Perce campaign. His son last night was reluctant to say that his father was the last surviver of the battle, but he knew of no other."
Ephriam
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Post by Walt Cross on Oct 23, 2004 9:52:40 GMT -6
Bryon Tarbox served as a private in Co L commanded by Lt. James Calhoun. Of course, he perished with his commander. As Custer's rearguard Company L put up a stiff resistance before succumbing to the Indian attack.
What is the source of Tarbox's statement you quoted?
Walt
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Post by Walt Cross on Oct 23, 2004 9:54:28 GMT -6
My error, you did list your source, thank you.
Walt
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Post by Ephriam Dickson on Oct 25, 2004 1:20:36 GMT -6
Yes, William Ephraim Morris and Byron L. Tarbox were half brothers, sharing the same mother.
Byron L. Tarbox was born in 1852 in Brooksville, Hancock County, Maine, the son of Valentine C. Tarbox and Lavina Tibbitts. Why Valentine and Lavina Tarbox divorsed is not known.
William E. Morris was born about 1858, to William E. Morris and Lavina Tibbitts.
Hope this clarifies.
e
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Post by ephriam on Apr 13, 2007 13:26:11 GMT -6
Thought you might want to re-read some of the discussion regarding Morris from a year and half ago. Answer any of the questions?
e
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