mtaggartI have never known anyone who hijacked anything, so when Mary said she remembered the day her grandpa hijacked the car, she had my full attention.
A few months ago I decided to round up descendants of John Monroe Ganus in a Facebook group. I am a member of several Facebook family groups and have enjoyed the association. The results of such groups seems to vary, but I was hopeful that this one would prove successful.
Over the years I have been in touch with a few distant Ganus cousins, but I didn’t expect that there would be very many on Facebook. As I’ve shared many times on this blog, my grandfather was orphaned at 8 and sent from Oklahoma where the Ganus family was living to Colorado to live with his mother’s family, so I didn’t grow up near any of my Ganus cousins and have never met any of them in person.
While initially the group was composed of just a small handful of cousins, and I do mean a small handful, word soon spread, and the cousins I contacted began to tell other Ganus cousins and soon our group began to grow and so did the online chatter.
Mary Jo Shaw Tedder, the granddaughter of Robert Lee Ganus is one of my newly discovered cousins. Robert Lee Ganus was born 29 May 1870 in Polk County, Georgia to John Monroe Ganus and Olivia Rainwater. He married Stella May Montgomery 8 July 1900 in Indian Territory, Creek Nation, Oklahoma. He was the youngest of John and Olivia’s children and 17 years younger than their eldest child, my great grandfather William Franklin Ganus.
Mary has a delightful talent for writing and sharing her memories. When she shares a story, I feel that I am right there with her. With permission I want to share a memory that she recently shared with our group.
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| Stella May Montomery, Andrew Monroe Ganus, Robert Lee Ganus Shared by Floyd Ganus |
I will have to start by confessing that the title was a bit of a tease. He didn’t really hijack the car. It was his car but the other adults in the family much preferred he didn’t drive it. We’re talking early 30’s and no particular skills were required it seems – and no driver’s licenses. I was about 5 years old which meant there weren’t more than 5 other grandkids in the area – all of us outside of course. My Aunt Olivia was a pretty “together” person so I was rather startled when she came running out the back door yelling – yes she was yelling – “gather up the kids and get them in the house. Papa’s gonna drive the car.” Kids were quickly gathered up and moved to a safe place. Grandpa came marching (I always think of him as marching rather than walking or strolling) out of the house and headed for the car. He got it started, ground the gears and lurched toward the road. It’s true all the kids were safely in the house or the fenced in yard but the chickens were on their own. There was much squawking and running and I swear some of them tried to fly to get out of the way of that car. Grandpa didn’t seem to notice. He got to the road, turned left and lurched away. The end of the story is anti-climatic I guess. He did come back and I never knew where he went or why. I sometimes wonder if those chickens were traumatized and unable to lay eggs at least for a few days.
I have laughed and laughed at this story. Thank you Mary for sharing your fun recollection! From the description of Robert marching out to the car, to the kids scattering and the chickens squawking, I can envision it all.
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| Robert Lee Ganus and Stella May Montgomery |
It’s only been a couple of months since the group was first formed, but what a joy it has been already! We have laughed together and felt touched by the many photos and memories that have been shared. I am amazed at how quickly things have come together and how much it has already blessed my life by helping me become acquainted with my Ganus cousins, both past and present.
As each person in our group has shared what they have or know about our family, each has given us something that can not be found in any document. Say what you want about Facebook…..but it’s been the setting for a wonderful reunion. Stay tuned for more stories in the coming months!
Copyright © Michelle G. Taggart 2015, All rights reserved
I can also hear Olivia and see her gathering the kids. The way the car lurched down the road – that could be a scene from a movie. I'm glad your FB group has taken off with such a fruitful outcome.
What a fun post! And that story! Oh that story. What a hoot!
Mary certainly does have a gift for writing. It must run in the family since you have that same gift. Thanks for sharing!
Oh! I loved Aunt Stella. She was a wonderful woman.
I envy those of you that lived near these folks and remember them.
Thank you Jana. I am so grateful she is sharing this talent with me.
Mary does write in a way that we can imagine it all. The FB group has really paid off and been a lot of fun.
Love your stories, Michelle.