As told to Marilyn Herring Drew by her mother, Ruby, around 1919 she and her first husband, Joseph Cisco Griffin ran a cafe in Cyril, OK. Joe had a heart condition and apparently his doctor told him he had to give up the hectic cafe business and do something that was less of a strain. By 1920 Joe, Ruby and their two little daughters, Nettie Faye and Arlie Bell, were living in a tent with only a dirt floor. On the 1920 census it looks as if they were living on Will Herring's homestead. In late January of 1920 they all caught the flu. Ruby recalled that Joe died in bed while she lay next to him. Joseph Griffin died on 1 Feb 1920. Joe's funeral was delayed two weeks until Ruby was well enough to attend. It was known in the family that Will and Joe were good friends and Will promised to care for Joe's family after his death. Keeping his promise, 45 year old Will married 22 year old Ruby on 4 April 1920.
This is
Joe, Ruby and their two daughters Arlie Bell (Polly) and Nettie Faye. Arlie Bell
was born on 24 May 1916 and this picture was taken a few months after her birth.
Arlie Bell's nickname, Polly, was later given to her by her step-father, Will
Herring, because she liked to talk so much. The name stuck and she was known to
her family and friends as Polly the rest of her life.
Patrick Earl Herring, Sr.
E-Mail: imaherring@yahoo.com
Last Updated: 01/22/2005