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Aubrey Willie CLOWER
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Aubrey Willie CLOWER Shanghaied!
Aubrey Willie (or Willie Aubrey) CLOWER is my Great Grand Uncle. Below are the scanned images of a letter dated 24 Aug 1908 written by Florence
Myrtle CLOWER Key in Gurdon, Clark County, Arkansas, USA to her sister, Sallie.
The letter tells the story of their brother, Aubrey Willie CLOWER
being shanghaied.
Page 1:
Gurdon, Aug 24, 1908
Dear Sallie -
I am going to write you good news, but it is a long story but hope
I will get it told so you will understand it. We were made so happy
yesterday by receiving a long letter from Aubrey telling why he had
been silent so long. When he left to come here, he got to Memphis
to late for the Little Rock train so had to stay there till 9
oclock that night. Well he walk around all day that eveing got his
supper, walk around some more, than decided it time to go to the
depot.
Page 2:
Instead of going down Main St he just walked along 4st. and that
was a long the river and not lighted very well. While crossing one
of the dark places he was struck on the head when he came to his
self he was in such a dark place and found his hands and feet tied
so all he could do was to call when he did so some one answered not
very far away but to his supprise the other man (Albert Morison) by
name had been caught about the same way. Well after awhile they
began to move and they found out they were on a steam boat. They
were carried along in this dark little place with only half enough
to eat for 12 day then they were transfered to what is called a
whaling ship they are ships that are out to sea two and three
years, and they pay men so little that they cant get them so they
kidnap them as they did Aubrey. Oh they were treated so mean and
made to work there was only the Captian and two mates, one negro,
10 dagoes, Albert and Aubrey. They had stolen them all. I can't
tell you near all, but Oh, how we all
Page 3:
cried and laught but the letter was so sad he said he could have
stood the treatment and hard eating but then he would think of the
supence we and Tannie was in he would nearly go crazy. Well they
went along for some time still going South till a storm came up the
vessel was wrecked he and Albert wouldn't go in the life boat with
the captian but tied there selves together and jusp in the water it
was so cold they nearly froze. They caught on a piece of timber;
the storm didn't calm down till morning then they floated about
three
Page 4:
miles to an iland. It was all covered with snow they were froze so
stiff tell they could hardly move but he kept rubbing and beating
his self till he could walk, he had some matches but had to wait
for them to dry and out of they all he got a fire started poor
Albert was not able to do any thing and had such a cold and his
fever was being to rise, well Aubrey built a good fire then went
around to see what he could find, but the iland was small and only
found snow and ice. He came back to the fire and staid till morning
then went in serch of something to eat found a few fish came
Page 5:
and cooked them over the fire and eat them without salt or bread.
Albert was worse couldnt eat any thing poor boy grew worse and next
morning died just think poor Aubrey out on a lonely iland and the
only person on earth was there dead he buried him in a cave as he
nothing to dig a grave then he was there 14 day before a ship came
along I cant keep from crying every time I think of it I dont know
how he kept from going crazy but he said he knew it was our prayers
that saved him. When he saw the ship he said he nearly went crazy
for fear they wouldnt see him but he made a fire then took off his
shirt and made a flag and waved it and hollorred with all his
strength till they saw him they sent a boat out and took him on
board it was a French vessel bound for Sidney Australia the Captian
could talk a little English so he told his story he was sick for
two weeks but as soon has he was able he worked for his passage
they landed in Sidney the 20 of July started
Page 6:
back to the U.S. the next day on the San Predro working his passage
they landed in Seattle Wash. Aug. 19 and will come home as soon as
he get money enough but we can't wait for him to make it but will
send it to him. I just wish you could have read his letter it was
the sadest I ever read. The boy Albert hadn't seen his mother in 4
years and was on his way to see her when he was caught he gave A.
her address and told him to write her what became of him. I for got
to tell where the iland was. The captian of the vessel that picked
his up said he was 150 below Cape Horn just
Page 7:
think he has been around the globe, he wrote us and Fannie while on
board the ship and mailed it in Seattle as soon as he landed.
You may let Eugenia see this I have been busy writting letters
since yesterday. We are all so thankfun that we just held a praise
meeting all day yesterday.
We are all very well but moma I must go up there to see her this
eve. The boys went to Mrs. Gavins and got your cro. board but the
little rubbers are all off and no disk if you can get the disk
there send them
Page 8:
I will pay for them the boys are anxious to get them to pay
checkers.
Well I never would have known any better about the money for the
patterns if you had not writtin for I put in 16 cts and sent the
letter to Mr. Herren for the money for hers and he mailed it and
didnt put in any thing we had a big laugh about it he saw some
stamps in it and thought that was all we wanted. I have made two
waist by the big pattern and they are real pretty.
Aubrey got home all OK. & reported a nice time I have been thinking
I would write Eugenia ever since he came but it is to hot to stay
in at night & seems I never have time during the day. My dinner
dishes are on the table now waitting for Sallie to wash
them.
Everything is very dull so I cant think any more to write this time
but I guess this is enough for one time. I havent but one thing on
my mind any way & that is Aubrey & how God has taken care of him &
brought him back so we could hear from him just think if he had
died out on that iland we
Page 9:
would have never have known what became of him so rejoice with us
he is well and on the way home. Write as often as you can & get the
disk if you can find them
Your loving sister
Myrtle
Envelope :
Envelope with the text, "Aunt Myrtle's letter giving an account
of her brother, Aubrey's kidnapping and escape. Written Aug. 28,
1908. Mrs. Myrtle Clower Key - Mrs. Ira Key." This is not the
original envelope.
My Great Grand Uncle Aubrey Willie CLOWER was born on 4
Jul 1877 in Texas, USA. He died on 30 Aug 1909 in Nashville,
Davidson County, Tennessee, USA. Located in 1880 Census in
Youngsport, Bell County, Texas, USA. Aubrey came back
to Arkansas and went to work in a sawmill and in 1909 he was killed in a sawmill accident. He was 31
years old at the time of this letter.
My Great Grandmother Florence Myrtle CLOWER Key was born
on 21 Aug 1875 in Huntsville, Walker County, Texas, USA. She died
on 5 Aug 1946 in Smackover, Union County, Arkansas, USA. Located in
1880 Census in Youngsport, Bell County, Texas, USA.
My Grandfather Aubrey Terrell KEY was born on 19 Jul 1896
in Rogers, Bell County, Texas, USA. He died on 22 Mar 1983 in
Austin, Travis County, Texas, USA. He was buried on 24 Mar 1983 in
Seaside Memorial Park, Corpus Christi, Nueces County, Texas, USA.
Aubrey Terrell KEY remembered
when his shanghaied uncle came home. Uncle Aubrey arrived on the
train in the late afternoon or early evening and the family stayed
up all night talking and hearing the "story." According to my
Grandfather, the Captain gave Uncle Aubrey $10 when they
landed in Seattle with which he bought some clothes.
The letter mentions Tannie and Fannie but my mother thinks they
may be the same person - Uncle Aubrey's
wife.
Last updated on August 19, 2008
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