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From: "Vera Reeves" <>
Subject: [ARIZARD-L] Duane Ball Mystery
Date: Sun, 16 Nov 2003 15:18:45 -0600


Calico Rock Progress - Feb 22, 1946

Tulsa Mystery May be Linked With Local Case



In hope that their son, Duane Ball, reported killed in an accident near an army camp in Texas in 1943, may yet be alive, Mr and Mrs Winford Ball of the Gorby Community, five miles, are investigating sensational reports from Tulsa, Okla., concerning a young man who appeared in that city a victim of amnesia. To that end, Mrs Ball left here yesterday, going to Tulsa, being called there by her sister, Mrs Wanda Ellis, a resident of Tulsa.

The mysterious youth first appeared in Tulsa in December and told a strange story of Jap torture. Since December he has been in the Veterans hospital in Muskogee, but returned to Tulsa last week and can give little information about himself and says his name is Bob Allen.

Mrs Ellis saw the picture of the boy in a Tulsa paper and went to the police station and talked with the youth she believed to he her nephew. Close questioning by Mrs Ellis produced facts to substantiate her belief that the boy was her nephew.

The above circumstances are more intriguing in light of developments connected with the reported death of Pvt. Duane Ball, who entered the army at Camp Robinson in September, 1943 and was transferred to Camp Fannin Texas. About two months later Mr and Mrs Ball received a telegram stating that their son had been run over by an army truck.

The mangled body was shipped to Calico Rock and was removed to the funeral home here. The casket was opened and the father and other members of the family viewed the body. It was plainly evident that they were disappointed.

Winfred Ball said at the time that the body was not that of his boy and citing comparisons, said "This boy has red hair, weighs more than 180 pounds, they say; and had large hands with reddish hair on the back of them. Duane Wasn't like that, This isn't my boy."

Later, after the body had been buried at Pirogue cemetery, Winfred Ball went to Camp Fannin, Texas, seeking detailed information as to the fate of his son. Army authorities told him they had no records of the case; No witnesses; and recommended that he contact the milk company whose truck it was that had run over his son.

The owners of the milk truck said the driver no longer worked for them; that there were no witness; that the army ought to know which was his son.

The only information that Mr Ball obtained during his trip to the Texas camp was that Duane had been outside the limits of the camp on his way to deliver a shaving bowl to a friend.

The milk truck incident took place on November 1, 1943 and as weeks and months passed the family gave up the search and accepted the facts as the Army presented them.

"Pfc. Bob Allen", the amnesia victim, was picked up in New Mexico in 1944 and authorities put him in the army. He said that when they asked him what his name was at enlistment headquarters he said at first that he did not remember.

"Then I said Bob Allen. It came to me from somewhere; I don't remember," he said.

These developments have created much interest locally, and Tulsa papers carry lengthy accounts of the case.

Summed up, questions uppermost are: If this is Duane Ball, how did he get away from Camp Fannin? Who was hit by the milk truck? How did he get to New Mexico? Whose is the body in the grave at Pirogue cemetery?

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Izard County cemetery book shows in the Jones Cemetery

Ball, Duane (Pvt US Arny)

27 Feb 1924 - 1 Nov 1945

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Does anyone know the rest of the story ???????









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