"A Babe Six Weeks Old"

Finding traces of our ancestors in historical records is always an emotional experience, but few records capture the gravity of their struggles like this one. The following newspaper article, printed just days after my grandfather's birth, is likely the first public mention of him—though not by name, but as "a babe six weeks old." This tragic account tells the story of my grandfather, Royal Frederick Peterson, and his siblings, left in desperate circumstances after the sudden loss of their parents in early 1897.

The following account is probably the first mention of Roy F. Peterson in any form of public record. Royal Frederick Peterson was born on January 1, 1897 in Nevada, Missouri to John Robert Peterson and Mary Thompson.

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Nevada, Missouri, Thursday, February 11, 1897

SAD STATE OF AFFAIRS

The Father Dead, The Mother Dying; Children Destitute.

John R. Peterson died this afternoon of pneumonia at his home on East Sycamore Street. Mrs. Peterson is also critically ill with the same disease, and doctors doubt she will survive.

The family came to Nevada, Missouri, from Arkansas and had been relying on the aid of the Provident Association for food and clothing for the past six weeks.

Three young children remain:

• A babe six weeks old
• A child, three years old
• A child, five years old

With their father deceased, their mother near death, and no financial means, these children are in desperate need. This is truly a case for Christian charity.

Source: Nevada Daily Mail, Nevada, Missouri

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The three children mentioned in this report are:

6 week old: Royal F. Peterson
3 year old: Robert Peterson (uncle Bob)
5 year old: George Peterson