The O'Neal Genealogy Association Newsletter

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TOGA NEWS Volume III, Issue 12, December, 2003

On November 1915 Bulgarian Soldiers raided the American Red Cross Headquarters in Monastir, Serbia, where Mildred was located. She was captured by the Bulgars and treated roughly. In short order the American, German, Greek and Bulgarian governments were searching for Mildred and negotiating for her release. In December, Walter flew to Salonika, in an attempt to rescue his lovely bride himself. Reports show that he penetrated the front lines and was a mere ten miles from Monastir when he was captured by Bulgarian Officers and advised that Mildred was safe, ordered to return to Salonika. Nine days later, December 24th, 1915 the Bulgarian Government announced that Mildred and her companions were safe and that they were to be released.

On February 14th, 1916 her captors were still holding her. William G. Shepard, a United Press Staff Correspondent reported that Mildred was still being held and that she was in extreme danger as a result of the expulsion of the neutral consuls by the Bulgarian government. Shortly thereafter the Bulgarians bowed to the political pressure and released Mildred and her companions.

We assume that Mildred took a "breather" upon her return. We hear nothing about her from 1916 until 1921, when reports begin surfacing of her public appearances and social activities. Nor do we know if she and Walter had any children, or when they died. If anyone finds any further information on Mildred, please forward it along.

Bibliography:
Cordia Sloan Duke and Joe B. Frantz, 6,000 Miles of Fence: Life on the XIT Ranch of Texas
(Austin: University of Texas Press, 1961).
J. Evetts Haley, The XIT Ranch of Texas and the Early Days of the Llano Estacado
(Chicago: Lakeside, 1929; rpts., Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1953, 1967).
James D. Hamlin, The Flamboyant Judge: As Told to J. Evetts Haley and William Curry Holden
(Canyon, Texas:Palo Duro, 1972).
Lillie Mae Hunter, The Book of Years: A History of Dallam and Hartley Counties
(Hereford, Texas: Pioneer, 1969).
Selected newspaper Archives:
The Washington Post (Washington, DC)
Fort Wayne News  (Fort Wayne, Indiana)
Thanks to Bev Crowe for the source information for this article.