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Note: The story of Franklin Williams death in August, 1864, during the war, as related by Sarah Alice (Williams) Whisenand to her daughter, Coatney.
Franklin was burning a "brick hill" (probably meant a kiln) on his homestead in White Township, Macon Co., Mo., when he was taken captive. He was forced to walk from there to Tullvania (about 5 or 6 miles) while all the others rode horses. They were trying to force some information from him & would partially hang him & would then release him for a while, but he did not reveal whatever they desired. It seemed to be regarding membership in some lodge organization. While they were conferring among themselves about what to do with him, he stood leaning against a building & whittled on its side. Finally, they took him out, shot him, & rode off. This took place on the John Lile farm, northwest of Tullvania.
This same group came by Jordan Ratliff's homestead, located about 1 mile east & south of the Williams' homestead. Jordan hid in a cornfield & escaped, but his oldest son, Thomas B. Ratliff, was taken captive & led to a creek. The members of the group lined up & ordered Thomas to run down the line while the members were to fire at him. If he got to the far end of the line, without being hit, he was to go free. Instead of running, he walked down the line & called each member by name as he passed. None of them fired & he was set free. Thomas married 1st Willie Elizabeth Williams. After her death he married her sister, Mary Alice Williams. His sister, Louisa Ratliff, married his wives' brother, William Ambrose Williams.
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