James Runyon Speer

The 1880 census found James Speer -- Jamie, as he liked to be called -- living and working on the family farm in Kentucky, with his 10 siblings. But the next available census records of his parents in Kentucky in 1900 lacked a family member: Jamie had gone West to seek his fortune. And that restlessness may have proven his downfall.

Jamie travelled some 900 miles west between 1880 and 1890, meeting and marrying in Dallas, Texas, in 1892: He was 25, Elizabeth "Lizzie" Dudley was just 15. George Washington Speer was born a year later, in 1893, named for Lizzie's stepfather. The family moved West, to Arizona, where they lasted long enough to make the 1900 census, and then on to California, where Charles Albert was eventually born in 1903 (named for James's father). But something happened: James fell into licentiousness, stayed in Los Angeles, and Lizzie returned alone to Yuma.

Divorce

Lizzie filed for divorce on January 27, 1906, claiming that for the last 3 years, James has neglected her "by reason of his idleness, profligacy, and dissipation," and demanded custody of the kids. A newspaper clipping from February detailed the summons demanding that James appear in court. It was sent to his last known address, in Los Angeles, records show.

A lengthy court transcription of her testimony from April 13 of 1906 details his absence and fecklessness: "What did he do with his money?" she is asked. "I do not know. But I suppose it went to the saloons." Witnesses are called and heard as well, who speak to his gambling and drinking habits. James hmself does not show, and divorce is granted -- at which point James returns, and the couple remarries in 1908. Odd indeed.

But again, restlessness: James leaves a second time, and while the 1910 Yuma census doesn't show him, it does list Lizzie as married. She nonetheless remarries in 1913, to Don Juan of all men.

From California to Oklahoma

James continues wandering. A 1910 census records listed a John R Speer in Calexico, California -- on the border of Baja, 200 miles south of LA. Is it him? JR's father, Charles, also an abusive husband by all accounts, moved to Oklahoma right after the turn of the century; by 1920 James had joined him -- two lonely men living out their lives.