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Archiver > ARIZARD > 2003-11 > 1069028092


From: "janice" <>
Subject: Re: [ARIZARD-L] Duane Ball Mystery
Date: Sun, 16 Nov 2003 18:15:37 -0600
References: <000a01c3ac87$38835780$0b00a8c0@vera>


Where is the Pirogue Cemetery? Haven't heard of that one before?
----- Original Message -----
From: "Vera Reeves" <>
To: <>
Sent: Sunday, November 16, 2003 3:18 PM
Subject: [ARIZARD-L] Duane Ball Mystery


> 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?
>
> ****************
>
> Izard County cemetery book shows in the Jones Cemetery
>
> Ball, Duane (Pvt US Arny)
>
> 27 Feb 1924 - 1 Nov 1945
>
> *******************
>
> Does anyone know the rest of the story ???????
>
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>
> ==== ARIZARD Mailing List ====
> The US GenWeb site for Izard County can be found at:
> http://www.pastracks.com/states/arkansas/izard/
>
>

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