FRANCIS BRICKEY OUTMANBorn November 22, 1886 Severey, KansasDied September 13, 1942 St. Louis, MO Francis was the only one of 8 children of James and Annie Outman born in Kansas. James and Annie went to Kansas for James to work in the mines. James was an expert at cleaning ore. At the time they had two children, Harry and Mildred (Minnie) a small baby. Annie became pregnant and in November Francis was born. Being away from family and three small children to care for, Annie became homesick and James decided to take them back to Valles Mines, MO, their home town. In Valles Mines, Francis grew to manhood, and as a young man started to work for the Missouri Pacific Railroad as a baggageman. One of his first jobs was around Doe Run, MO. There he met and courted Lettie Turpin, daughter of Sarah and Joel Turpin. On the 9th of May 1909, they were married. How long after that, it is not known, they bought a house at 4338 Itaska St., St. Louis, MO. The street at that time was still a dirt street and gas lights out in front. Francis then was working as a baggageman on the St. Louis to Texarkana, Ark. Route. Sometime in 1919 Lettie called her sister-in-law, Ethel, out to the house and said she had some exciting news. Ethel came, not knowing what to expect, and the last thing she expected to hear was that Lettie was pregnant. Francis and Lettie had been married 10 years and everyone was sure they would be childless, including themselves. Both had wanted children very badly and had given up also. This called for a celebration as all the family was extremely happy for them. April 13, 1920 a daughter, Martha Lee, was born. After waiting for this event and nothing happening, Francis decided to go ahead and take his trip to Texarkana and was greeted when he arrived back to St. Louis, that he had a daughter, much to his delight. Sometime in 1922 Lettie discovered a lump under her arm. A doctor's appointment was made immediately and after examinations and tests, the diagnoses was Hodgkin's Disease, a form of cancer. The next two years were hectic for Francis, Lettie being in and out of the hospital, a little girl to take care of and having to make a living. Lettie and Martha Lee spent some time at Lettie's sister Runa's farm outside of Richwoods, MO. Her mother also lived near Richwoods. After a long battle Lettie lost the struggle and died on December 13, 1924, at home 4338 Itaska St. St. Louis, MO. Francis was left with a little four and a half year old daughter to raise and after much thought and praying, he asked his sister, Ethel, who lived with their father in DeSoto, MO., if they could come and live with them and if she would help take care of Martha Lee. Ethel, being the helpful kind person she was, immediately agreed. Francis and Martha Lee moved in January of 1925. Francis continued working for the Railroad, but had to take the train to St. Louis, MO to start his run. All was well till 1927 when Francis started running a high fever. He was taken to the Missouri Pacific Hospital in St. Louis, where he remained for a long time. Several times his sisters and brothers were called to the hospital as they thought he was dying. Through his prayers and deep faith in God, he recovered. He had a daughter he wanted to see raised until she was married, and God granted his wish. Francis' health improved and he was able to go back to work. In 1929 he took Martha Lee on a trip to Ottawa, Illinois. His brother Leonard and family had moved there sometime before that. This was a really fun trip, visiting Indian Mounds at Starved Rock, seeing the sights around there and visiting his father's brothers family, Alzoea, Amelia and Virgil, in Marseilles, Ill. Wm. H. had died in 1918. Ethel, Francis and Martha Lee took other trips to Shephard of the Hills, several trips to Arcadia, MO where the Methodist Church had a camp. Several family picnics were held at Valles Mines where Francis and his brothers and sisters were raised. Also attending these picnics were brothers and sisters of his father James. By 1933 Francis' health began to deteriorate, and the decision was made to move back to St. Louis. Francis then didn't have to wait for the next train to DeSoto after he checked in. April of that year the move was made with Ethel and James going also. By 1935 he was forced to give up the long run to Texarkana and take a one day run from Carthage, MO. This was so he could spend the nights at a boarding house and get a good nights sleep and was also able to take a nap before the train returned to Carthage. There, he met Kathrina Britton, who was teaching school in Carthage and staying at the boarding house. In May 1936 they were married. Not to long after that Francis was forced to take a disability retirement. He and Kathrina spent 6 happy years, taking short trips, visiting friends and family. During those last six years he was in and out of the hospital and each time continued enjoying life. His last visit to the hospital was in August of 1942 and that is where he died Sept. 13. Funeral services were held at Christ Methodist Church, where he was an active member and a devout Christian. Burial was in DeSoto at the City Cemetery next to his first wife, Lettie. Left behind, besides his second wife and daughter, several sisters and brothers, nieces and nephews and a host of friends. Francis was a very loving and kind person. I never heard him say a derogatory thing about anybody, he was always ready to listen to those that wanted advice and help. His nephews and nieces always knew where to go if they were distressed over something that happened. His nephews were scattered all over the United States, because of the War, but came back to his funeral. They all loved him. - Written by Martha Lee Outman Gruenewald in tribute to her loving father, Francis Brickey Outman |