Hello,

I am conducting research for my Cousin whose father was Edwin Belk b. 1893 to William Walker and Eva Elvira Belk. My cousin's father never spoke to him about his life or anything about his parents and family. My cousin only had a few pieces of information and from that I was able to track down more. Now my cousin who is an elderly man is deeply desiring to reconnect with any living relatives he may have back in Christian County Missouri.

What is known:

William Walker Belk b. 30 Sep 1854 d. 4 Jul 1927
Eva Elvira b. 23 Mar 1855 d. 25 Mar 1931

they had the following known children:

i. Cora
ii. Edward/Edwin
iii. Laura

Laura married a Baker and had two known children. Catheline and Willie. Both are found living at a young age with their grandparents William and Eva's. Eventually they change their names to Belk. It is known that Catheline marries Alfred W. Prewitt. Eventually it is known that there is another granddaughter, Effie M. Smith. It is believed that Cora married a Smith.

What my cousin knows of his father in addition to what I have uncovered is this.

Edwin Belk marries first to Carrie F. Mitchell 28 Aug 1912 in Christian County. Eventually they move to Pritcher County Colorodo. My Cousin recounted a tale his father told of this journey and the eventually return following the alleged infadelity of Carrie. The marriage results in two children Herbert and Helen.

Edwin marries second to Verna Lou Dye who was previously married to Johnny Coats. Verna and Johnny had the following known children:
i. Earl Coats
ii. Lois Coats
iii. Betty Coats
iv. Mary Coats
v. Johnny Coats
vi. Vicky Coats
vii. Lewis Coats

It is not known if Edwin and Verna had any children together but eventually moved to Lee County Mississippi by 1930. Edwin's mother Eva is living with them following the death of William. She dies a year latter and is buried beside William in Eisenhower Cemetery in Christian County Missouri.

Edwin eventually marries a third time to my Cousin's mother Ethel Mae Reeves back in Mississippi. My Cousin recalls his father as being a rattle snake and is possibly responsible for multiple murders and disappearances across the country from Missouri, Colorodo, Mississippi, Alabama, Florida and so forth. He states that by 6th grade he had been enrolled in 16 different schools and that his father never stayed in one place too long.

It is interesting to note this as in 1912, William Belk sues N.V. Stewart who allegedly set fire to Belk's property. Stewart would appeal the verdict of the first trial and be found not guilty. It is during this time that Edwin takes off for Colorodo. It is not known if anything happened to Stewart, the question has been postulated this insident between William Belk and NV Stewart, sparked Edwin's temper leading to eventual violence.

Therefore with all this in mind. It is the desired question or questions:

Are there any living relatives of William and Eva Belk that my Cousin Edwin "Ed" Belk Jr. could reconnect with?

Is there any information on the Belk family that I may be able to pass on to Ed, so that he can no more about the missing half of his family tree?

Did Edwin Belk kill a man in Missouri or Colorodo? We are sure he killed men in Mississippi and a lady in Alabama.

Thank you in advance for your assistance in this matter and both Ed and myself appreciate any help in shining light on this matter.

Sincerly

Jonathan Reeves
Genealogist
Chickasaw County, Mississippi