James Washington Worley

James was no stranger to hard work, trying to raise their large family. He worked in Crawford County cutting ties, logs and cord wood. Also worked at Sligo Furnace Company. Just as it takes 2 to make a living now, it also did back then years ago. Mary would often take her gun and head for the woods to kill & clean a mess of rabbits or squirrels for supper. Anything eatable was never thrown away. Vegetables were grown & stored, canned or dried for the hard winter. Mary was also well known for her trips to the creek for a day of fishing. She took along her pipe for smoking to make the fish bite good. James & Mary worked hard to raise their family, but they took time to enjoy their children. They both played music, the banjo, violin or whatever would carry a tune. Often friends, relatives and neighbors were be called in for an all night of music, dancing and fun. A fire was built in the old stove and a big black kettle of chicken soup or whatever there was an abundance of, at that time, was prepared for the event. About daylight the music would stop and those who could find beds would sleep. Others would start the noon meal. After dinner women & children would visit, the men would play marbles. Mary & James moved several times, mostly to follow work. The moves took them to the lead mines in Leadwood, Missouri & to Peoria, Missouri which was a small town in Washington County. And later to St. Mary's, Missouri to work on a farm. Here is where several of the Worley families are scattered over the area.