James W. Cox, speaking from the grave

A couple of years ago, my grandchildren participated in Ken and Lisa Mark's fabulous haunted cemetery tour

at the Old Baptist Cemetery. My grandson, Andy, took a divining rod and was pulled to the gravestone of James W. Cox. Out of curiosity, I looked up Mr. Cox's death notice in the Hannibal newspaper. It turns out, Mr. Cox was a long-time employee of George D. Clayton of Hannibal. Here's the notice from the June 9, 1930 edition of the Hannibal Courier-Post.

Hannibal Courier-Post

June 9, 1930

James W. Cox, colored, 607 Mark Twain avenue, died at 2:05 o’clock this morning in Levering hospital, at the age of about 60 years. He had been ill for several months.

Cox was born at Frankford, Mo. For years he had been employed by George D. Clayton as janitor and house man. Surviving relatives are his wife, Mrs. Mary Fannie Cox, four daughters, Jessie, Virginia, Hattie Bell and Elizabeth, and a step son, Guy.

The remains were removed to James O’Donnell funeral home and prepared for burial and Wednesday morning will be taken to the family residence, 607 Mark Twain avenue. Funeral arrangements have not been made.