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This tribute was written by Francis B. Outman, son of James Love
Outman, on January 25, 1938 at the time of his death.
JAMES LOVE OUTMANJames Love Outman was born on a farm in St. Francois County, near French Village, Missouri, May 8, 1858.He grew to manhood there and at Valles Mines, in Jefferson County, MO. On October 22, 1881 he married Anne Roberts. At an early age he learned to mine and worked at his trade at Pilot Knob, Flat River, Bonne-Terre and Valles Mines. He was especially good at cleaning ore, and was one of the few who cleaned ore at the wash places, therefore he was in demand. He did some prospecting but with very little success. He also followed farming and usually farmed a few acres in addition to his work as a miner. In 1900 he moved to his brothers farm near the Prospect School, and tried full time farming. In 1901 he met with some reverses. His wife died 15 January 1901, and with the terrible drought of 1901, closed with a total failure. The next three years were not very successful. In 1904 he moved to DeSoto, Missouri and obtained employment at the Missouri Pacific Railroad Shops as a boilermaker's helper. He worked in this capacity and as a shop laborer until the general strike in June 1922. Later he worked for the Pittsburgh Plate Glass Co. at Crystal City, Missouri. After more than a year he retired, due to ill health. After his retirement he followed truck gardening at DeSoto, MO. This was his hobby and it gave him a feeling of security and independence. He never wanted to be dependent and he had a desire to earn his way to the end. (An added note) In Jan. 1925 his son Frank and Frank's daughter Martha Lee, moved from St. Louis to DeSoto, to live with him and his daughter Ethel. Frank's wife had just died and he needed someone to take care of Martha Lee, who was only 4 years old. In 1933 he moved to St. Louis and lived with his son Frank and daughter Ethel and Frank's daughter Martha Lee until January 1937 when he went to live with his daughter Nellie, Mrs. Harry Owens, where he lived at the time of his death, January 8, 1938. He was a good father and always felt a keen sense of responsibility towards his children. He was home loving and a good provider. He was a tireless worker and gained a reputation for doing his work thoroughly. He had a knack for making friends; he could see some good in and have a good word for everybody. This accounts for his wide circle of friends. He loved to have company and was always happy in a crowd. In his later years he enjoyed the company of people his age and had such pleasure in the frequent reminiscence of his youth. One of his outstanding tales was of the deer hunt with Doc. Goff in which he killed the deer that Doc. was trailing. He counted among his best friends Robert Hearst, Willis Reynolds, Samuel Hale and the late Robert Cullion. |