Recently, while researching the Journal of Mississippi History for historical items of interest, I came across an article by William Jeanes in Volume LXV, no. 1 entitled, "Mississippi's World War I Airmen and the Naming of Keesler Air Force base. Jeanes reports that one "Shelby Batson of Poplarville flew thirteen missions as an observer with the 50th Aero Squadron. There is no complete list enumerating World War I observers by state of origin, . . . Some Mississippi airmen doubtless remain unidentified."[1]
Searching in several of the online resources for genealogical and military information I found Shelby's draft registration form, a ship's passenger listing of his return from France and his father and mother's names, and his date of birth and death. In the early 1900s a large lumber mill was operated by a Batson family and it would add greatly to the WWI exhibit at the Historical Society museum if we could provide a connection between Shelby Batson and the Batson Lumber Company.
Comments welcomed.
[1] Jeanes, William. "Mississippi's World War I Airmen and the Naming of Keesler Air Force Base." Journal of Mississippi History. Vol. LXV, no. 1 (2003), p. 125.
Do you know how I can read the Pearl River County Historical Society? My dad grew up in Pearl River county, as did his mother, her 13 brothers an sisters and my dad's 100? first cousins. I have an entire YouTube channel of my dad telling the family history and history of the area. I have one video where he shows me on the map all these roads named after his family and who they were named after and where they lived. I think the society would be really interested in this oral history, I just haen't been able to reach anyone. You can email me at leighannn1001@comcast.net if you would like.
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