A Concerned big sister...

Here is a letter written by Nancy, big sister to George, Robert & Roy.  It was written to Robert's foster mother-whose surname is Peterson but of no relation.  In this letter, Nancy mentions that Robert "has gone back to you."  My guess is that Robert decided to venture out on his own, but realized that he wasn't quite ready, came back.  I imagine that all three of the brothers at some point had difficulty sitting put and wanted to start their life.

A Strange Story...

Like I've mentioned before, Roy's life story is played out in Newspapers.  This time, Roy's half sister, Nancy Jane Peterson Harper comes into play.  She provides quite a bit of missing details regarding their families history.

Nancy & Roy Peterson, 11 May 1911, La Plata Home Press (MO)

Roy loses his arm...

Roy went by his foster father's name until he was about 18 years old.

Roy Peterson Lost Arm, Rock Island Argus., May 15, 1914

This account is different than what my father remembers.  My father believes that Roy was working at the railroad and lied about his age so he could get a job.  I wonder if grandpa (Roy) embellished his story a little over the years.  Either way, he was able to live a normal life despite the set back.  The following article talks about the aftermath of losing his arm.  It still fascinates me that grandpa's (Roy's) life is laid out in newspapers.

Roy Peterson, The Macon Republican, 17 July 1914