Editor’s note: In the summer of 2012, I did some genealogy on the family of Mona (Blankenship) Carter, a friend of mine. When I ran across James McKinney and his story, I was very moved by the experience that he must have endured. Then it occurred to me that, in a way, it was representative of the hardships that a number of our Marion ancestors endured. That anyone could endure hardships like this in their lives and come out even reasonably normal is truly a tribute to the pioneer spirit. Continue reading →