| Notes |
- From the McCreary County, Kentucky: Histories and Families Book,Published 2000 by McCreary County Historical and Genealogical Society.
Page 222: "SPRADLIN-BRUCE". When McCreary County was created in 1912,William "Bill" and Luverna Spradlin were living on a large farmbetween Coolidge and Smith Marsh's lumber yard (Present MarshesSiding). Their farm lay on either side of the Jacksboro Road and closeto the Cincinnati Southern Railroad. While sitting on the front porchof his large, two story farmhouse, Bill Spradlin had a commanding viewof the fields and outbuildings that helped make him one of the moreaffluent citizens in southern Pulaski County.
William Spradlin Jr. was born on January 2, 1854, the son of WilliamSpradlin and Ellie Watters. While yet a boy, he became seperated fromhis parents and was taken in by William and Betty Bruce who becamesurrogate parents and brought him to maturity. The Bruces lived onLaurel Creek, east of Coolidge.
Living with the Bruce family put young Bill in daily contact withRebecca Luverna Kelly Bruce, the attractive daughter of William andBetty Bruce. Love developed between the two young people, but whenthey sought permission to marry, William Bruce discouraged the idea onthe grounds that Bill and Luverna were like brother and sister.
Undeterred, Bill Spradlin took what little money he had and bought asmall wagon with a canopy and a team of horses. Returning to the Brucefarm, he helped Luverna load her posessions, mostly clothes, into thewagon and drove off with her.
They found a justice of the peace in Coolidge, married, and wentoutthe crude road which led toward Hen's Nest Creek. At the end of thisroad (near the present Sand Hill Camp), they stopped. Luverna pinnedtogether articles of clothing to make a crude quilt and the newlywedsbegan their married life in their covered wagon. The year was 1870.
Bill Spradlin built a small cabin, which he improved as the years wentby, and began clearing new ground. Children began to be born to himand luverna. Several died durning infantcy and childhood, but somesurvived to maturity, including Henry, Laura, Belle, Jeff, and Frank.When William Bruce died in 1872, Luverna's mother moved in with them.
While building up his farm and family, Bill Spradlin had assumed"squatter's rights" and had neglected to acquire clear title to theproperty upon which he was living. John A. Geary, a land speculator,had bought vast tracts of land near Coolidge in 1879, including theland being farmed by Bill Spradlin. However in 1887, Geary, in returnfor a york of steers, deeded 50 acres of land to Bill Spradlin so thefamily would not be disposed.
By 1900, Bill Spradlin had accumulated enough wealth to purchas a 100acre farm from Thomas and Mary Swain near the railroad. There theymoved and it was there that Bill Spradlin died in 1931. Luvernafollowed her husband in death less than a year later. Both are buriedin Holloway Cemetery.
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1854 - 1931 (77 years)
Siblings
