Chat
|
Daily Search
|
My GenForum
|
Community Standards
|
Terms of Service
|
|
|
11-11-99
Hello Phil,
My purpose in bringing Betty Duke’s work to the Genforum and through my e-mail list has been basically three-fold:
1. I want to flush out those of varying opinions so that everyone could have a fair and complete look at all sides.
2. I want to help clear the smoke and confusion that some have created to avoid dealing with the whole preponderance of facts.
3. I want the whole, and not the part, truth to prevail on this issue.
From my questions I have been both enlightened and at times corrected. One cannot have one without the other if truth is to be known. It is not any easier for me to accept that reality than anyone else, but unless I did, I would become victim to emotional hype, prideful stubbornness, and close-mindedness. Also it helps, as I am not locked in to having to defend a particular preconceived position, right or wrong. As I have told you before, my concern is not who is right but what is right. I think that advice is good for all concerned.
My comments have not been to irritate you but to involve you and others in what I see as a necessary historical investigation. It is only in the public arena that Betty Duke can and should have a truly fair and effective hearing.
Let me respond to a few of your 11-10-99 remarks.
1. Quote from you: “I must advise you that Betty is losing supporters....fast!”
I believe that may be more of wishful thinking on your part than reality. As far as I know those who were real supporters of Betty still are. The mail, e-mail and phone calls Betty has received since September 17 have indicated not only a growing support, but have brought more data to support her position. Here lately Betty has been steadily researching various historical leads that she has been given. She will share new and significant information in the near future.
2. Quote from you: “Your initial response to the Judge's refusal to exhume the body was more than "sprinkled" with accusations and speculation, including the implication that several individuals from Missouri, Clay Couty, the James Farm Museum, and perhaps even myself, were involved in the "plot" against Betty and in financing the legal staff against her! David, I have MUCH better things to do with my time and money! I took more than a few risks with my job and reputation to send letters to the Judge in support of Betty's request, and I do not appreciate being accused of having participated in the efforts against her! I don't know who financed the lawyers, nor do I really care!! But its just not a wise decision to accuse CREDIBLE authorities who are trying to support her!”
Say what, Phil? Let’s go back to my questions posted on the Genforum on 10-3-99 and review what I actually said:
“13. Was there an outside interest that helped fund the opposing side? If so, why? Why was the question never explored?
14. Is there a direct or indirect connection in any way to the certified genealogist from Kansas City, MO and the nearby James Farm?
15. If any outside interest has in fact supported Max Courtney in any way, then why would they do so if they are certain that the real Jesse James has been properly identified and was actually buried in Kearney, MO? Wouldn’t a confident opposing outside interest be more than happy for Ms. Duke to proven herself wrong in the most convincing way? Wouldn’t this way be through the DNA testing as she has requested? Wouldn’t then they surely be anxious to support her quest?”
Now who is exaggerating, accusing, and speculating, Phil?
From what I know about historical sites, they barely survive from self-generated income, private donations and funding from some level of government. Since you work for the James Farm-well, I don’t figure either of you made the contributor list. Sorry. (Of course if Jesse left his gold in Missouri then maybe you could have…well no, that could not be right, because Betty said that Jesse brought the gold to Texas. Well, I guess that leaves you all off the hook for sure.)
The James Farm was mentioned in context to Kathy Reynard who was a (surprise to me) witness from Kansas City. As she spoke softly, others and I thought she said she uncovered a considerable amount of research data in “four hours”. The quality of her research made that time frame improbable. I naturally wondered if some of her data came from the James Farm archives. Later she informed me that she had no connection to the James Farm and it had taken her “four weeks” to complete the work. I accepted her word. You can find our complete correspondence on this matter in the Courtney Genforum at 10-3-99.
3. Quote from you: “I am an historian! And a damned good one! Believe me David, I
could have ripped her apart in that courtroom if I had wanted to!… I am also a writer,
have literaray contacts across the country, and can easily respond to Betty's book or
the writings that are being generated from it! For the most part, credible historians
have just left this subject alone because most consider it too rediculous to spend any
time on! But everyone has a point where a response is necessary, and we're getting
dangerously close to mine!”
All right!! Now you are telling me that you and qualified others have been sitting silently and idly by for the last two plus years and you could have proven Betty wrong, and you haven’t? You mean that you let others and myself suffer in abysmal historical ignorance and hysterical confusion while you could have kindly saved the Courtney family from the grief, trauma and expense of the exhumation hearing with a few correct words of historical insight. Shame on you. I would expect far more from a “damn good historian.” So please, would you and those other “credible historians” out there, get together and provide this forum a list of your top ten or more “credible reasons” of why Betty is in error. Then give her fair time to respond. Finally at last, maybe we are getting somewhere???
4. You said, “Before I close, I want you to know that this is REALLY nothing personal!”
I agree and that is where we will leave it.
Till next time, take care.
David
Followups:
|
| http://genforum.genealogy.com/courtney/messages/505.html | ||
 |
Agreement of Use Link to GenForum Add Forum |
|