Late 1920's photo of Derricks and Maidens

This snapshot was taken on the old Maiden place about 14 miles northeast of Chadron, Nebraska, probably in about 1929.  We can identify several of the people — but not all of them.  The five children standing in front are (left-to-right):  Lettie Maiden, Henry Maiden, Nettie Maiden, Betty Maiden, and Dorothy Maiden.  The dapper fellow standing in the back at left is either Monroe Derrick or his brother William Derrick; others in the back (l-r) are Leota Durham Maiden, Dora Derrick Maiden, William Joseph Maiden, Minnie Maiden (partially hidden), an unidentified lady, and the elderly lady in the black dress at right may be Nettie Derrick Bouma.  The Derrick-Maiden relationships can be a bit confusing.  Here's a simple explanation for the relationships in this photo only:  William (Bill) Derrick (and Monroe) is a nephew to Dora Derrick Maiden, who is the mother of William Joseph Maiden.  Cora Derrick Bouma is a half-sister to Dora Derrick Maiden.  Question:  what are the names of the dogs, to whom do they belong, and — more importantly — who is taking the picture?

Ray Scott passes away at age 77

Cousin Ray Scott passed away April 26, 2015 in Olympia, Washington.  He was 77 years old. Ray was the son of Bryan and Minnie (Maiden) Scott.  He grew up in the Kenwood neighborhood of north Chadron, taking a job sweeping out Joe Lichty's barbershop when he was just seven years old — followed by a job of setting pins at the bowling alley when he was 12.

After graduating from Chadron Prep in 1955, Ray married Melody Thomas of Chadron.  He went to work for a time with the Kansas-Nebraska Natural Gas Company and also had worked for fire departments in Rapid City, South Dakota and Gillette, Wyoming.  In the 1960's, Ray and Melody moved to Orting, Washington,  to where several other family members had moved.  He soon took a job as a fireman for the Olympia fire department, followed by a stint as a fireman for the Boeing Corporation.

Ray later worked as an over-the-road truck driver for Puget Sound Truck Lines and Arrow Truck Lines.  He retired in 2002, but after a couple of years, chose to return to work part-time with a security firm.

Ray is survived by his wife, Melody, and daughters Debby and Ramona, and sons Joe and Robert, as well as 10 grandchildren and 12 great grandchildren.  A daughter, Mona, died in an automobile accident in 1994.

A classmate of Ray's at Chadron Prep, Doug Wilson of Lincoln, Nebraska, had kept in touch with  Ray, and he also visited with Melody after Ray's passing, noting that "Ray will be remembered for his sense of humor, caring ways, and the interest he took in the well being of others."

A few years back, long after Ray had finally retired, Ray wrote to his cousin, John Miller, and said, "…I've had a whole lot of fun getting to where I'm at; I've got 10 grandchildren, 10 great grandchildren, and most of them have spent a lot of time crawling all over 'Papa.'  I wish we hadn't lost Mona,, and I wish I hadn't hurt a lot of people that I did, but all in all, if God has got a sense of humor, I think I'll be all right!  Ray."

We wish we'd kept in touch and had known Ray better, but sometimes we allow day-to-day life to get in the way of important things.  Our heartfelt condolences go out to Melody and all of the Scott family.  

Rest in Peace, cousin Ray.

About Martha Merritt Norman

Labeled "Grandma Norman," this is a photo of Martha Merritt Norman, who lived most of her life in Iowa, giving birth to 10 children, at least eight of them were girls.  Martha's granddaughter, Leota (Durham) Maiden would also raise a large family of mostly girls.  Martha Norman lived from 1835 to 1901.  She died in Cherokee, Iowa.  For a bit more about Martha Merritt Norman -- and a few more photographs as well -- visit our Maiden Gallery.  (Thanks to Doug Henderson for sharing this picture)