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From: Lanita Sconce Smith <>
Subject: [MO-OREGON-HISTORY] Happy Mother's Day!
Date: Sat, 12 May 2007 15:27:30 -0500


Happy Mother's Day to all Mothers! In an effort to pay honor to those
ancestral mothers gone before us, please tell us about one of your
mothers and why you are so proud to be connected to her. Here's one of
mine to give you an idea for yours.



Ladora Olive "Ollie" DAVIS. Ollie was the 5th child and 2nd daughter of
Littleton H. and Jemima MADDOX DAVIS. Born on Jul. 21, 1851 in prob.
Murray Co., GA., Ladora Olive "Ollie" dies in Apache, OK, on Aug. 24,
1919, of TB. She is 68 and is buried in Fairview Cemetery, Apache, OK.

Ollie was one smart cookie. An incident happens during the Civil War
that shows her quick thinking and cleverness. The story, told in a
couple of the lines, is validated by it being the same story told by
family members who have had no contact with each other for over 70
years. First, remember! Raiders from both sides were in the area and
were hungry, causing many soldiers/scalawags to raid farms for their
supplies and goods. They came in, stealing farm and family supplies and
sometimes, killing the residents...all for the groceries, livestock and
other farm equipment. The Littleton and Jemima DAVIS' farm is no
different from the others in the area. Like many, they have all these
children to feed and clothe, so what little food and supplies they
have, are obviously needed.When raiders come to the DAVIS farm, Ollie
meets them outside. Bearing in mind that she is no younger than 9, and
no older than 14, depending upon the year that the encounter happens,
it is amazing how the quick thinking and determination of a young girl
saves not only her family's rations, but possibly their lives. Here's
the story:

"One day during the Civil War [1861-1865], Confederate Troops come to
the DAVIS farm in Oregon Co. to raid their home and farm for supplies.
Ollie goes outside and asks one of the officers, "Do you know Jeb
DAVIS?" When the officer in charge states that he indeed did know Jeb
DAVIS [Jefferson DAVIS, President of the Confederacy], Ollie replies,
"Well, he's my brother!" Upon hearing that, the officers gather in a
group huddle to discuss the matter. After haggering back and forth,
they come to a decision. They order the troops to leave and leave
without taking a thing or harming anyone."

Lanita's note: I checked the genealogy records of Jefferson DAVIS.
Olive "Ollie" DAVIS BENNETT was NOT Jeff DAVIS' sister. It was all a
bluff! However, because of her ingenuity, she saved her home, farm
supplies and possibly their lives. Several descendants claim that Ollie
was either a cousin of Jeb DAVIS, or had some other kind of kinfolk
connection. I have been unable to confirm any of that.

In 1870 when Ladora Olive "Ollie" is 18, she marries Rev. James Madison
"Jim" BENNETT, son of Welcome K. BENNETT and Elizabeth "Betsy"
STOGSDILL, in Oregon Co., MO. Born on Sept. 22, 1845 in Oregon Co., MO.
James Madison dies in Carter Co., MO, near Fremont, on Aug. 11, 1901
after baptizing people in the creek. Suspected cause of death is a
heart attack. He is 55. They have the following children:
i.William W. Willie BENNETT [1870-1944]
ii.Eliza BENNETT [1871-1906]
iii.Perry BENNETT [1875-1936]
iv.Littleton Lit Horace BENNETT [1877-1957]
v.Lanora "Nora" BENNETT [1880-1966]
vi.John Dow BENNETT [1882-1960]
vii.Linna/Linnie BENNETT [1884-1938]
viii.James Henry BENNETT [1888-1964]
ix.Cora Ida BENNETT [1895-1973]

Thanks Grandma Ollie for your courage, spunkiness and ingenuity to save
your family and their livelihood!

Lanita Sconce Smith
GGGranddau of Ollie DAVIS BENNETT

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