KS Mary Henley, 25, Wichita, June 5, 1951

[Quoththeraven]

Absolutely, and maybe someone here might have an idea I can try.
Mary and Hubert Shepard did not have children. Hubert has children from a previous marriage. Those that are living are in their 80’s. And I hate the idea of disturbing someone of that age. I don’t like the idea of disturbing anyone. But I have reached out to what would be my peers, Hubert’s grandchildren. If they in turn decide to discuss this with an older family member to mine memories, I feel it would be better received. So far the family has not replied. I can’t push. Maybe they don’t know anything about Mary. Maybe they don’t trust my intentions. We live in a scammers world so I can’t blame them.
So there is no DNA connection to the Shepard family.
If MB lived did she ever have children? I haven’t successfully dug back through all the surnames yet.
My DNA is in Ancestry in the hopes of finding a “new” cousin some day. My mother was not interested in submitting her DNA. The thought of half siblings that possibly had a better, longer relationship with MB is too much for her.
I’m trying a new tactic to try to draw a comment from any Shepard family member.
I’ve added Hubert into my family tree on Ancestry, with an unverified note. And in searching through hints and his family I’ve messaged a few to see if they remember Mary. No response yet.
I added a photo of Mary Belle to Mary B. Shepard’s Find A Grave page, with a note that the two women weren’t confirmed to be one in the same.
My father is deceased and I never visit the site for him. I forget someone listed his grave half the time. But when I do if someone has left a photo it would 100% get my attention.
I try to be completely transparent in the fact that I do not know if the women are one in the same.
If they aren’t, it is disrespectful to the true Mary B Shepard and hinders the search for Mary Belle.
I/we may never know unless someone in the family says “yeah, that looks like her” or NAMUS has a DNA match.
Keep sleuthing! There has to be one photo of Mary Godsey Pierce Shepard somewhere!
I’m working on the Pierce surname now but not certain I have the correct groom, Albert maybe…
Breaks come in waves. I’ll have success for a bit and then months go by with nothing.
Thanks for the compliment. I feel as if I don’t do enough or I’m missing something. It drives me insane that I can’t locate my grandparents marriage records.
Mary Belle Davis and Herman “O.T.” Henley
Ringgold, Valdosta, GA
April 16, 1940
Per Herman Henley’s Divorce Decree in 1963
But that has nothing to do with what happened to Mary Belle.
Someone asked where Herman was in 1950 and the answer is I have yet to find him on a census, anywhere.
Try Dayton, Ohio. He ran away to family there often and occasionally worked there.
Marion and Abbey May where the parents of Herman’s half siblings in Dayton.
My oldest uncle told me once that when I die Mary Belle will be forgotten because no one cares as much as I do.
Individuals and volunteers who keep digging carry on when family no longer looks.
Unlike all of you, I am personally involved. Biologically involved. I can’t abide by some of the rules if this group because of who I am.I knew at 4 years old that I would find my grandmother. I remember when the article came out in the Beacon. I’m the little girl.
I won’t hider your search. If I can answer questions or clarify something I’ll be happy to but you all have fresh eyes. Thank you!

By typing in 'Herman Henley' into Google, up pops his name on FB. This elderly gentleman's bio states his hometown is Dayton, Ohio and he currently lives in Atlanta, GA. Worth a shot in checking it out.​

 

[SheilaRinks]

By typing in 'Herman Henley' into Google, up pops his name on FB. This elderly gentleman's bio states his hometown is Dayton, Ohio and he currently lives in Atlanta, GA. Worth a shot in checking it out.​

Herman Henley did not have a FB account. And he was white. And has been dead since 2007. Great thinking though, love socials for info.

 

[SheilaRinks]

Someone, somewhere, messed up the birth dates of Mary Belle. Her Florida gravestone shows a birthdate of Feb 8, 1926. The SS Application shows her birthdate as Mar 8, 1926. There's also a MISS Mary Belle Pierce of St. Joseph, MO, born in 1926, which is where the Florida Mary Belle is from and where she married Hubert Shepard. If this MISS Mary Belle Pierce is the same as the Florida Mary Belle Pierce who married Hubert Shepard in St. Joseph, MO, then she couldn't be the same as the Mary Belle Davis Henley since her maiden name was Pierce.

I also included a 1950 census which shows Mary Belle Henley was separated from her husband and living with her mother in Putnam County, TN in 1950. They were married Oct 16, 1940.

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Where did you find their marriage date as Oct 1940? And do you know where? The story was always Ringgold, GA and Herman gave the date of April 1940 During the Divorce in Absentia case in 1963. Thanks!

 

[SheilaRinks]

I've never submitted a potential match. Would you just contact NAMUS with this or what about the DOENetwork?

I think you should definitely submit it

 

[SheilaRinks]

One thing I find interesting is that the police said they had contact with her in 1951 but when the daughter tried to check it out they wouldn't let her. I wonder if now that answer would be different or if there's ways to find out what that "contact" was about. That could give some clue at least.

Short answer for now, in 1979 the police gave my mother half an answer. Detective Chisholm has been more forthcoming with me about what happened that night along with other information. The “contact” mentioned is a false lead, and juicy story. I’ll try to post as much as I can from MB time in town/with police tomorrow. Bedtime is calling now.

 

[SheilaRinks]

Short answer for now, in 1979 the police gave my mother half an answer. Detective Chisholm has been more forthcoming with me about what happened that night along with other information. The “contact” mentioned is a false lead, and juicy story. I’ll try to post as much as I can from MB time in town/with police tomorrow. Bedtime is calling now.

In 1979 my mother, Betty, was given limited information from Wichita PD due to privacy laws. They did answer as best they could in a veiled way, my mother just didn't see it. We still fight privacy laws because we are unable to prove MB's death. Det. Chisholm has been extremely helpful since speaking with him in 2023. Attached are notes from a police encounter with Mary Belle. My family has all of this information. Some do not wish to believe the arrest, some do not wish to read any of it. For what it is worth, I believe it fits with what I have learned of MB's life before she left TN. If we knew her today we would agree her to be an alcoholic, addictive personality, trauma survivor, physically and sexual abused wife. I will point out that the two men mentioned in the police encounter have never been person of interests or suspects. Also, the last family member to see MB alive, her youngest sister Fay, is not willing to discuss MB at all. There are some other items attached that will probably not help you but it may clarify the supposed marriage to Herman Henley and MB's physical makeup.

 

[SheilaRinks]

I do not specifically know why the police were called to the Royce. It could be a number of reasons. I do know that Albert Houston West and MB fought on a different date because she was out late drinking and gambling. She went to bed. He took a shower and went to work. According to him. I would assume there was a fight when MB found out West was married. Could that have all happened in one evening? West has never been suspected of foul play but it makes a juicy story.

 

[Quoththeraven]

In 1979 my mother, Betty, was given limited information from Wichita PD due to privacy laws. They did answer as best they could in a veiled way, my mother just didn't see it. We still fight privacy laws because we are unable to prove MB's death. Det. Chisholm has been extremely helpful since speaking with him in 2023. Attached are notes from a police encounter with Mary Belle. My family has all of this information. Some do not wish to believe the arrest, some do not wish to read any of it. For what it is worth, I believe it fits with what I have learned of MB's life before she left TN. If we knew her today we would agree her to be an alcoholic, addictive personality, trauma survivor, physically and sexual abused wife. I will point out that the two men mentioned in the police encounter have never been person of interests or suspects. Also, the last family member to see MB alive, her youngest sister Fay, is not willing to discuss MB at all. There are some other items attached that will probably not help you but it may clarify the supposed marriage to Herman Henley and MB's physical makeup. View attachment 565939

Can we assume the above photo is of Mary Henley? Her missing person description also states she has a mole on her chin. Under the below
Kansas District Court Public Access Portal there is a Mary B Davis re Marriage License Application in 1958. I would assume one would have to order a copy of the marriage license application to see the particulars.. Nothing under Mary B Henley.

As far as your above question where I got the marriage date of Oct 1940. I'm pretty certain I got it somewhere on Ancestry. I'll have to recheck the source. Currently my ancestry subscription ran out. I'm waiting for one of their eventual subscription discounts to come along before renewing.

 

[strangerthanfiction1200]

I do not know if it occurred in one night, but up to the late 50's early 60's women who had alcohol, drug, gambling or mental illness was not taken seriously. Reference librarians, historical society and newspapers at that time period can indicate where people went for entertainment. Another avenue is family stories if they know your grandmother's friends (a good source for newspapers at that time). By late mother reminded me that where there is smoke, some truth to the rumor.

 

[SheilaRinks]

Can we assume the above photo is of Mary Henley? Her missing person description also states she has a mole on her chin. Under the below
Kansas District Court Public Access Portal there is a Mary B Davis re Marriage License Application in 1958. I would assume one would have to order a copy of the marriage license application to see the particulars.. Nothing under Mary B Henley.

As far as your above question where I got the marriage date of Oct 1940. I'm pretty certain I got it somewhere on Ancestry. I'll have to recheck the source. Currently my ancestry subscription ran out. I'm waiting for one of their eventual subscription discounts to come along before renewing.

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Yes, you can assume the women is Mary Belle. She does not have a mole on her chin in her high school yearbook photo but she was years older when arrested, moles can happen with age. MB’s daughter believes it is her as do I. My oldest uncle doesn’t believe that is MB.
I’ve tried to connect that marriage before with little luck but new information is available all the time so I’ll work on it again.
1958 fits the timeline but the name is not one on Mary B Shepard’s death index. Could have slipped thru.
My mother would have been born in October 1940. If they were going to get married, in the 1940s) it would have been before MB condition was evident to the public.
I still believe they were might never have married. I’ve exhausted searching in 3 states. They would not have traveled farther. Interestingly, Esther kept a family bible with everything written down as was the practice. There is zero mention of her oldest daughter getting married.
The divorce in 1963 is the only “evidence” of a marriage.

 

[SheilaRinks]

I do not know if it occurred in one night, but up to the late 50's early 60's women who had alcohol, drug, gambling or mental illness was not taken seriously. Reference librarians, historical society and newspapers at that time period can indicate where people went for entertainment. Another avenue is family stories if they know your grandmother's friends (a good source for newspapers at that time). By late mother reminded me that where there is smoke, some truth to the rumor.

Oh for sure! Most women were locked away in homes for difficult women back then. We can add that MB may have had undiagnosed thyroid disorders that would also affect behavior. That got many women shut away in homes back then.
I believe MB’s wild behavior and abusive marriage may have caused Esther to kick her out and not want her back. Esther knew Herman would disappear and she could raise the children on her own.
MB’s friends weren’t friends of the family if that makes sense. She was wild and her sisters truly were not. I’ve mined as many memories as possible from those who remember her and my grandfather. None are good. The best (worst) is that MB was a prostitute and Herman was her pip. Possible but they couldn’t get along for 10 minutes so it would have been a forced arrangement by Herman. MB lived in Cookeville as she did in Kansas! She was no shrinking violet. She gave as good as she got and may have loved the drama. Until it possibly killed her. I believe individuals such as her rarely change their ways without major intervention. Most likely she finally met a man too dangerous. And he killed her. Or she unalived herself accidentally with booze. Det. Chisholm pointed me to Skid Row where someone like her would end up in Wichita in June 1951.
We know the “conflict” at the hotel was not a death. MB continued to write home after that date, even speaking of a disagreement as she put it. She was deeply sad that West was married and had lied to her. Again, KPD does not believe West harmed MB. Most likely they fought several times and went their separate ways leaving MB alone and in need of money to survive and possibly get home to TN. She probably continued hooking and then drinking her profits until either something ended her life or she was “rescued” and began the journey to become Mary B Shepard. The latter is a big stretch but if anyone could pull that long game con it was MB.
I assume, knowing what I know of her, if she became the woman that would end up as Mary B. Shepard she was marrying men to use them or until they had had enough of her and divorced her, then on to the next husband.
MB was probably the cause of the smoke, not the men!
That’s why I NEED to prove Mary B. Shepard is MB. I believe there are enough “coincidences” for it to be true. However, MB lived a fast, rough life and could have been killed several times over between 1951 and 2004.
Yes, libraries and newspapers are fantastic as well as state archives. I’ve dug thru decades worth in KS, TN and FL.

 

[SheilaRinks]

If anyone wants to dig into Albert Houston West there is a brief outline of his life and family on my Ancestry tree.
He is A H West. You will have to search.
He is not a family member but I dug into his life a few years back and stuck him in a corner of the tree where he has stayed.
You can easily find phone book records for him in Kansas.

 

[Quoththeraven]

If anyone wants to dig into Albert Houston West there is a brief outline of his life and family on my Ancestry tree.
He is A H West. You will have to search.
He is not a family member but I dug into his life a few years back and stuck him in a corner of the tree where he has stayed.
You can easily find phone book records for him in Kansas.

I see that A. West had ties to Georgia.

Kansas District Court Public Access Portal

 

[SheilaRinks]

I cannot reveal the letters we have of MB but I sort of feel comfortable making a timeline for you all. Maybe it might help you understand what I see and know without giving too much personal information away.
The letters are so precious to me.
They are the only thing I have of my grandmother. My only connection to her.
Hopefully, I can get that done tomorrow.

 

[SheilaRinks]

I think she could be the Blackhawk Jane Doe.

	Blackhawk Jane Doe UP14826	Mary Belle Henley MP110047
Sex	Female	Female
Race	Unknown, though reconstructions seem to have been done with a white woman in mind.	White/Caucasian
Age	17 - 30	25
DLC/DOD	Weeks prior to September 30, 1952	June 5, 1951
Height	5'7	5'8 - 5'9
Weight	Unknown	125 - 135 pounds
Hair Color	Brown/Black	Brown
Eye Color	Unknown	Brown
Distinctive Features	Prominent overbite.	Mole on chin.
Circumstances	Charred remains found under log.	Last known contact on June 5, 1951.
Distance	Wichita - Blackhawk	549 miles

My mother remembers a show You Asked For It in the 50’s that ran a photo and story of a woman burned in Kansas near the time MB went missing. The family watched the program at a relative’s home but my mother remembers nothing except she had a tween tantrum that evening, verified by my oldest uncle.
I have searched for that episode to no avail.

You Asked for It (TV Series 1950–1959) ⭐ 7.6 | Family, Game-Show

30m

m.imdb.com

 

[SheilaRinks]

I see that A. West had ties to Georgia.

Kansas District Court Public Access Portal
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Be careful with this one… it may be his son Jr., the Sr. would have been 108 in 2023… AH West Sr. died in KS in 1963.

 

[Quoththeraven]

Yes, you can assume the women is Mary Belle.

Wouldn't someone be able to use a facial recognition app to compare that photo with the one that appears at the beginning of this thread? That would be verification they are one and the same.

 

[SheilaRinks]

Wouldn't someone be able to use a facial recognition app to compare that photo with the one that appears at the beginning of this thread? That would be verification they are one and the same.

Absolutely!

 

[SheilaRinks]

Computer file is not cooperating so a screenshot will have to do.
I again caution that Mr. West was never a suspect or POI.
I also caution to be very diligent in researching names. Just because you get a hit does not make it true, even (especially) on Ancestry. Even records are very confusing when you don’t personally know all the players.
And as always the simplest answer is usually the correct one.
Either MB died shortly after June 1951 or she became Mary B. Shepard.
Until Mrs. Shepard can be ruled out through identification, the door is open for MB to be a JD.
Given Mrs. Shepard’s coincidences of identity in the death index (I don’t believe in coincidence) I tend to lean toward her being MB.
I don’t think I have anything else I want to share or add. Your process of dissecting this case is just beginning. I’ve worked it and lived it for my entire life.

 

[Quoththeraven]

I again caution that Mr. West was never a suspect or POI.

That Thursday, April 19 note below, is that referencing a letter from AHW to MB where he sends her money to come to Wichita? (That's a one day, seven hour trip by bus from Anderson, IN) And then she's arrested the following Friday, April 27 right after coming to Wichita? What does the Vag and Inv stand for on the index card? Then sends a letter to her mother and sister that she arrived in Wichita, May 1.

After AHW sent for her, can we assume they were together? Then why did she get arrested? Maybe AHW wasn't involved in her disappearance but he sure sounds involved in why she was arrested.
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