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Prompted by Evelyn, a follow member of my local genealogical society, I decided to jumpstart my research. With two and a half weeks left of free database access to “Try-It! Illinois 2016”, available only to U. S. residents in the State of Illinois, I immediately went to ProQuest Historical Newspapers: Chicago Defender. I did my same ole search, articles about Starkville and Oktibbeha (County, Mississippi) and not surprisingly, I found nothing that I didn’t already know.
In search of something different, something new, I reviewed the search options and there it was: a full page option. Having never seen an actual paper copy of “The World’s Greatest Weekly”, my respect for Robert Abbott’s vision increased a thousand fold as I looked over page ten of the June 8, 1918 edition.
The page was sectioned by states! Louisiana. Mississippi. Arkansas. Florida. Oklahoma. With laser light focus, I located—Starkville, Miss., June 7—in the Mississippi section. Looking for names, I sighed with disappointment as I read many names that weren’t family: Geo. Evans, Thomas J. Butler, and Miss Mary Curry…
What’s black and white and red all over? And, it hit me: like a two by four. What’s black and white and READ all over! I took a second look at the Mississippi section and skimmed the serpentine list of towns: West Point; Pass Christian; Crawford; Corinth; Moss Point; Tupelo; Moss Point (again); and Bay St. Louis. After doing a Google search for Pass Christian (Harrison County), Moss Point (Jackson County), and Bay St. Louis (Hancock County), I felt comfortable eliminating all of them based on distance. On the other hand, I had cousins-in-law from Crawford and I had traveled through Corinth, Tupelo, and West Point—on my way to Starkville. Going forward, I would read all the social columns within reasonable proximity of my dad’s hometown. About to give up on the West Point happenings, I came across this gem:
Mrs. R. L. Hatch gave a reception in honor of the little Misses Lacy and Charlie Ann Hill—That was Grandmama and Grandmama’s sister!—after the closing of the West Point graded school. Present, Mmes. Mary Westmoreland and S. A. Woodwood, and 21 guests. Born December 6, 1904, and September 26, 1903, respectively, she and (Great) Aunt Charlie Ann would have been 13 and 14 years of age at the time of the newspaper’s 1918 publication date. So, it was possible that they would have been in grade school—but all the way in West Point? Today, West Point is a good 40 to 50 minutes from Starkville—by car. What would have been the traveling time between the two towns? By railroad (assuming that there was a railroad line between Starkville and West Point)? By horse and buggy? By car?
After my initial shock waned, I wanted to know more about the mysterious Mrs. R. L. Hatch and her relationship to the girls. Was the kinship familial? Or, were they fictive kin–that’s to say, a kinship based on a social network rather than blood ties or ties of marriage. Several days and 100+ searches later, using ProQuest’s Advanced Search feature (for “Hatch” AND “West Point”), my bloodshot eyes hurt from all the reading but the full-fledged profile of Mrs. Hatch and her FAN—Friends, Associates, and Neighbors—club made every grueling minute worthwhile.
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1) The Women’s Foreign Missionary Society is in a prospering condition here. Thursday evening, Feb., 17, they met at the home of Mrs. Charlie A. Hatch(West Point, Miss., 1916 Feb 26:3).
2) The Rosebuds and Petals met with Miss Hattie Pyles Thursday afternoon. Miss Pyles proved a most charming hostess for the club. Whist and old maid were the games enjoyed. The honored guests were Mesdames Riley Hatch and M. S. Whitfield. At the close of the games the hostess served a delicious salad course (Old Mississippi, Aberdeen, Miss., 1916 Apr 22:8).
3) Mrs. Annie Byas, Greenwood, Miss., visited Mrs. Riley Hatchand then left for Chicago (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1917 Aug 11:12).
4) Mrs. Bessie L. Baldwin of Aberdeen is the guest of Mrs. Riley Hatch(Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1917 Aug 25:5).
5)Mrs. R. L. Hatch gave a reception in honor of the little Misses Lacy and Charlie Ann Hill after the closing of the West point graded school. Present, Mme. Mary Westmoreland and S. A. Woodwood, and 21 guests (Mississippi, West Point, 1918 Jun 8:10).
6) The speakers at the Children’s Day celebration were Messrs. Ernest McDaniel, David Blair, Willie Owens Hatchand Misses Volia Caldwell and a number of others…Master Willis [sic]Owens Hatchgave a reception recently in honor of his class mates and teacher (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1918 Jun 22:12).
7) A. D. Perkins, the nephew of Mrs. R. F. Hatch, was here visiting Mr. and Mrs. Riley F. Hatch left Thursday for Camp Meade, Maryland…Mrs. Charlie Ann Hatchleft Sunday on a tour for Cedar Bluff, Starkville and Rock Hill, Miss (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1918 Jul 6:11).
8) Twenty-five draftees left here and in the rural districts Monday for Camp Funston, Kan (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1918 Aug 3:16).
9) The nephews of Mrs. R. F. Hatch, Messrs. Nash and Muldrow Montgomery left last week for Camp Funston…Mrs. Charlie A. Hatchspent Sunday in Moon Valley and resides on School street (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1918 Sep 21:2).
10)Mrs. C. A. Hatch will visit friends and relatives in St. Louis and Carbondale, Ill. Master Willie Hatch is selling the Defender (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1919 Apr 5:6).
11) Mr. and Mrs. Riley Hatch and son Willie left for Cedar Bluff, Miss., Sunday (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1919 May 3:11).
12) Mrs. Riley Hatch left recently for Carbondale, Ill., to visit relatives (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1919 May 10:15).
13) Mrs. Rillie Hatch is visiting her niece and nephew. Mrs. Tom Holden entertained Mrs. Rillie Hatch and Mrs. Holden’s mother of West Point, Miss., Sunday. Mrs. Amelia Cross is visiting her daughter, Mrs. Tom Holden, and Mrs. Ella Montgomery (Prairie State News, Carbondale, Ill., 1919 May 17:13).
14) Mrs. Riley Hatch of West Point, Miss., who has been visiting her nephew and niece, Mr. and Mrs. Alex Montgomery, returned home. She visited friends in Murphysboro while here (Prairie State News,Carbondale, Ill., 1919 May 31:13).
15) Mrs. R. F. Hatch has returned home after spending several weeks in Carbondale, Ill.; she reports a very pleasant time (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1919 May 31:18).
16) I would like very much to join the Bud Billiken Club. Enclosed you will find my application blank. I go to West Point High school and I am in the seventh grade. My uncle reads the Defender: I am 13 yrs old. I will write more next time. I would like to receive a card from the boys and girls of the Billiken Club. –William Hatch, West Point, Mississippi (For Young Folks, Chicago Defender Jr., By Young Folks, 1921 Jul 16:8).
17) Mr. and Mrs. C. A. Hatchand Mr. and Mrs. John L. Cox spent a —tk— outing —tk— and fishing on Tombigbee river…Mrs. C. A. Hatchwill leave for St. Louis and Carbondale…Willie Hatchleft Sunday for Starkville. He will reside at 612 Vine street (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1921 Sep 3: 13).
18) Mrs. Alex Montgomery and two nieces of Carbondale, Ill., have been visiting her aunt, Mrs. Riley F. Hatch. Mrs. Montgomery left for her home Sunday, September 4 (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1921 Sep 17: 13).
19) Mrs. Charlie Ann Hatch reported a very delightful time in St. Louis. She was royally entertained by the West Pointers of St. Louis (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1921 Sep 24:14).
20) Mesdames Hatch and Lodia B. Coxmotored to Starkville last Sunday. Mrs. Cassie Montgomery has returned home after spending a few days in Starkville, Miss (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1921 Nov 19:12).
21)Mesdames C. A. Hatch and John L. Vox[sic] spent Sunday Dec. 25 in Mahoon [sic] Valley, Miss., attending the marriage of Mrs. Owens (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1921 Dec 31:13).
22)Willie O. Hatchspent a few days in Cedar Bluff last week (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1922 Jan 14:11).
23) Mrs. Cora Bridges has returned to Carbondale, Ill., after visiting Mrs. Hatch, 51 Crowell street (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1922 Mar 4:8).
24) Willie Hatch and Miss Katie Mae Perkins left last week to attend Campbell college, Jackson (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1922 Oct 21:19).
25) Miss Virginia Clair, Chicago, Ill., visited Mrs. Hatch last week…Mrs. Georgia Montgomery, Carbondale, Ill., visited Mrs. C. A. Hatchrecently (Mississippi,West Point, Miss., 1923 Feb 3:18).
26) Riley Hatch is sick in bed this week (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1923 Mar 24:19).
27) Willie Hatch[,] Jackson arrived recently from Jackson (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1923 Jun 2:19).
28)Mrs. C. A. Hatch, accompanied by her son, Willie, visited Cedar Bluffs, Miss., recently (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1923 Jun 9:8).
29)Mesdames C. A. Hatch and Lodia B. Coxare visiting relatives and friends in Carbondale, Ill (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1923 23 Jun:15).
30) Willie Hatchleft for St. Louis last Sunday (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1923 Jul 7:14).
31) Mrs. C. A. Hatch and son, Willie, have returned from St. Louis, Mo (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1923 Aug 11:17).
32) Mrs. Georgia Montgomery of Carbondale, Ill., is visiting Mr. and Mrs. Riley Hatch…Mrs. Cassie Montgomery entertained her mother of Storkville [sic], Miss., recently (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1923 Sep 1:19).
33) Mrs. C. A. Hatchroyally entertained Mrs. Lula Walter of Los Angeles and Miss Lillie Lee of Washington (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1923 Sep 22:15).
34) The annual conference of the A. M. E. Church is in session. Bishop Beckett presiding. Bishop Beckett of the A. M. E. Church is the guest of Mrs. C. A. Hatch(Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1923 Dec 1:20).
35) Mrs. Virginia Dawnway of Chicago spent the holidays with Mrs. C. A. Hatch. Ellect [sic] Montgomery and C. H. Herrings of Carbondale, Ill., spent last week at the home of Mr. and Mrs. R. F. Hatch. George Cunningham of Starkville, Miss., spent the holidays at the home of Mrs. C. A. Hatch(Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1924 Jan 19:22).
36) Mrs. C. A. Hatch, 31 Crowell St., entertained visitors from Chicago and Carbondale, Ill., recently (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1924 Feb 16:23).
37) Mrs. Cora Montgomery of Carbondale, Ill.., is here as the guest of Mrs. C. A. Hatch(Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1924 Aug 2:23).
38) Mrs. Riley Hatch is visiting in Cedar Bluff (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1924 Aug 16:18).
39) Mr. and Mrs. Riley Hatchentertained the Rev. and Mrs. J. L. King and the Rev. Mr. Scribens, presiding elder, with a 6 o’clock dinner…Mr. and Mrs. Riley Hatch spent their vacation in Cedar Bluff, Miss (Mississippi,West Point, Miss., 1924 Oct 11:19).
40) Mesdames Charley Ann Hatch, Cora Daniel, Cassie Montgomery and Chester Daniel motored to Rock Hill to the marriage of Miss Charley Ann Hilland Edward Kelly (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1925 Jan 17:24).
41) Mrs. C. A. Hatch entertained the stewardess board of A. M. E. church (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1925 May 23:16).
42) Mrs. C. A. Hatch is recovering from a short illness (Mississippi, West Point, Miss.,1925 Oct 24:23).
43) Mrs. E. A. [sic] Hatch visited in the home of her sister, Mrs. A. Montgomery (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1928 Jun 23:19).
44) Miss Moline Jenkins of Moons [sic] Valley spent the week-end with her uncle and aunt, Mr. and Mrs. Muldrou [sic] Montgomery…Mrs. C. A. Hatch is at home again after spending her vacation in Memphis (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1928 Jul 21:18).
45)Mrs. Charlie Ann Hatch, 51 Crowell St., is on the sick list (Mississippi,West Point, Miss., 1928 Aug 4:16).
46) Mrs. John L. Cox gave a fishing party in honor of her guest, Mrs. Bobbie Harris, on Walker’s lake Thursday. Those included were W. E. Austin, Mr. and Mrs. R. F. Hatch, Mrs. Bobbie Harris, Mrs. John L. Vox [sic] and daughter, Edythe Lyle (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1928 Aug 11:23).
47) Mrs. Lena Moore of Starkville, Miss., is visiting Mrs. Cassie M. Montgomery…Mrs. Addie Montgomery visited her sister, Mrs. R. F. Hatch(Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1928 Aug 18:21).
48) Mrs. C. A. Hatch, her nephew and his wife motored to Starkville, Rock Hill and Cedar Bluff, Miss., and report quite an enjoyable trip…Mesdames C. A. Hotch [sic],Dova [sic] Moore, L. W. Westbrooks and John Dixonmotored to the Sunday school convention of the A. M. E. church (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1928 Sep 1:20).
49) Jim Hatchis expecting to be married to Miss True Lane Wynn (Mississippi, Storkville [sic], Miss., 1928 Sept 8:20).
50) Mrs. Fannie Perkins of Cedar Bluff is visiting Mrs. C. M. Montgomery, A. S. Perkins and Mrs. Leather Perkins is visiting Mrs. C. A. Hatch(Mississippi,West Point, Miss., 1928 Oct 13:16).
51) Mr. and Ms. Lottie Mose of Jackson, Miss., after spending several weeks with Mr. and Mrs. Rylay Hatchhave returned home (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1928 Oct 20:20).
52) Mrs. C. M. Montgomery visited her mother, Mrs. Lena Moore, in Starkville, Miss. …Mrs. C. A. Hatchspent the week-end in Moon Valley, Miss (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1928 Oct 27:21).
53) Mrs. Emma P. Young of Ceda [sic] Bluff returned to her home after spending some time visiting her aunt, Mrs. R. F. Hatchof this city (Mississippi,West Point, Miss., 1928 Nov 10:16).
54) Mrs. C. A. Hatchvisited her niece in Cedar Bluff last week (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1928 Nov 24: 15).
55) Rev and Mrs. E. M. Smith returned Wednesday night from Texas and are stopping in the home of Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Hatch(Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1928 Dec 22:18).
56) Mrs. Violet Ivy of Coahoma, Miss., visited here Saturday, Jan. 12, as the guest of Mrs. C. A. Hatch(Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1929 Jan 26:16).
57) Miss Virginia Blair of Chicago, Ill., is visiting her aunt, Mrs. R. F. Hatchand her cousin, Lodie R. Cox and other relatives. She is accompanied by her little daughter…Mrs. A. S. Garner of Birmingham, Ala., was a pleasant visitor in the home of Mr. and Mrs. R. F. Hatchand Rev. and Mrs. W. H. Lampley recently (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1929 Feb 9:18).
58) The sick are Mrs. C. A. Hatch, Miss Leola Goens, Miss Sarah Davis, J. S. Rush, Mrs. James Garth and family…Mrs. Addie Montgomery and Mrs. Ada Shaffer are guests of Mrs. C. A. Hatch(Mississippi,West Point, Miss., 1929 Mar 16:17).
59) Mrs. C. A. Hatchand Mrs. Lena Moore left for Storkville [sic]., Mrs. Lena Moore of 47 Crowell St., had as her guest: Chiles Montgomery, Tork [York] Powell, Jr., R. Hunter and Mr. Perry (Mississippi,West Point, Miss., 1929 Jul 6:12).
60) Mrs. C. M. Montgomery was hostess to the Phyllis Wheatley club at her home August 8. Business was the main feature of the meeting. Visitors were Dr. T. L. Zuber, Mesdames Tommie Lowery, Frazier of Louisville, Miss Brock of Scooba, Miss.; C. A. Hatchand Mrs. Ella Matingly. The hostess served a delightful ice course and adjourned to meet with Mrs. M. M. Peterson (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1929 Aug 24:18).
61) R. Perry of Starkville, Miss and Mrs. C. A. Hatchwere guests of Mrs. Lena Moore last week (Mississippi News, West Point, Miss., 1929 Dec 7:17).
62) The following persons took part in the affair at the parsonage, given for Dr. and Mrs. E. M. Smith: Rev. Mr. and Mrs. Lampley, Mr. and Mrs. E. E. Gray, Mr. and Mrs. R. F. Hatch (Mississippi , West Point, Miss., 1930 Feb 1:21).
63) Those who attended the funeral of Mounch Smith were: Mr. and Mrs. Jim Watts, Mrs. Fannie Hill, C. A. Hatchand Mrs. C. M. Montgomery. Revs. O. J. Turner and Washington Winston officiated (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1930 Apr 26:16).
64) Riley Hatchleft to attend the ball games (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1930 May 3:37).
65) The Church express satisfaction with the administration of Rev. Smith, Mr. and Mrs. R. T. [sic] Hatch, Rev. and Mrs. E. M. Smith…Mrs. R. F. Hatchand Mrs. E. M. Smith made a visit to the home of Mrs. Jim Shaffer, 25 Lake St., Siloam, Miss (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1930 Oct 11:15).
66) Mrs. Willie Hatch has returned to Memphis (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1930 Nov 8:20).
67) Those taking active part in preparing dinners for Rev. and Mrs. E. M. Smith, pastor of St. John’s A. M. E. church were Mrs. C. A. Hatch, Mrs. Bell Wilson and Mrs. Maria Osby (Mississippi,West Point, Miss., 1931 Jan 17:10).
68) Those who took active part in the district council of the West Point district of A. M. E. Church were: Mrs. Sarah Fields, Mrs. R. E. Harris, Roema Steele, C. A. Hatch, Ella Mattingly, Della Williams, L. T. Westbrooks, Maria Lee, S. L. Gray, Mable Smith and Mrs. Pheba Edwards (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1931 Jan 31:16).
69) Mrs. Addie Montgomery of Mhoon Valley was the honored guest of Mrs. C. Hatch and Mrs. C. M. Montgomery (Mississippi News: West Point, Miss., 1931 Feb 14:7)
70)Mrs. C. A. Hatch is on the sick list (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1931 Apr 18:20).
71) Rev. and Mrs. E. M. Smith of Clarkdale [sic], Miss., are visiting the city as the guests of Mr. and Mrs. Riley Hatch…Rev. E. W. Smith of Clarksdale, Miss., returned home after spending a few days with Mr. and Mrs. Riley Hatch. Mrs. Mabel Smith of Clarksdale is visiting Mrs. Hatch(Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1931 Jul 4:18).
72)Mr. and Mrs. Riley Hatch, Rev. W. H. Lampey, Miss Mabel Smith of Clarksdale, Miss. Mrs. L. T. Westbrooks and Lon Westbrooks Jr. left for Silvan, Miss., to attend a fish fry party on Walker lake (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1931 Jul 11:12).
73) Mr. and Mrs. John Dixon and son, Mrs. C. A. Hatchand Mrs. L. B. Westbrooks and son had a fish fry on Walker’s Lake (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1931 Sep 12:17).
74) Mrs. Paralee Gregory, Mr. and Mrs. John Dixon, Mrs. C. A. Hatchand Mrs. Roena Harris motored to Clarksdale, Miss., as guests of Rev. and Mrs. E. M. Smith. (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1931 Oct 10:18).
75) Those on the sick list are Prof. B. W. Foree, Mrs. S. M. Henderson, Mrs. C. H. [sic]Hatch and Mrs. Rosa Morten (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1933 Feb 18:21).
76) Mrs. C. A. Hatchis very ill. Relatives are here at her bedside (Mississippi,West Point, Miss., 1933 Jul 1:24).
77) Those on the sick list are Mrs. Riley Hatch, Mrs. W. T. Goens Sr., Eugene Kirby and Miss Sarah Monroe (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1933 Sep 23:22).
78) Mrs. C. A. Hatch and Sarah Monroe are up and out again (Mississippi State, West Point, Miss., 1933 Oct 21:18).
79) Mrs. Elizabeth Monroe and Mrs. W. T. Goens Sr. are still on the sick list, also Mrs. C. A. Hatch (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1933 Oct 28:19).
80) Those on the sick list are Mesdames M. J. Stalling and C. A. Hatch(Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1934 Jul 14:22).
81) Mrs. Rilay Hatch, who has been ill for some time, died Monday, and funeral service was conducted from her home on Tuesday. She is survived by a husband, Riley Hatch, and several nieces ad [sic] nephews, also one sister (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1934 Oct 27:21).
82) Mrs. Charlie Ann Hatch passed away at her home Monday. Rev. B. C. Gorden officiated at the funeral services. (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1934 Nov 3:20).
83) Those on the sick list are Railey Hatch, Miss Malina Lockett, and Consuelo Kelley (Mississippi, West Point, Miss., 1935 Apr 27:22).
At Ancestry.com, I can’t begin to tell you how relieved I was to see Riley Hatch, widowed, appear on the 1940 U.S. Federal Census in West Point, Mississippi!
