Item 38

                                                                     [Letterhead]
                                                    The Mercantile Insurance Company
                                                                       Of America

                                                       Laurence O. Weakley, Agent
                                                             517½ Francis Street
                                                             St. Joseph, Missouri

                                                              Office Phone: 6-0799
                                                          Residence Phone: 6-0763
                                                                  [End Letterhead]
                                                                                                           January 17, 1940.

Mr. Redmond S. Cole,
Box 92,
Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Dear Sire:
 I am in receipt of your letter of the 5th instant asking me for information in regard to the Beattie family.

 All I can tell you is that my father, Thomas B. Weakley, was a nephew of Armstrong Beattie.  The latter died when I was quite a young boy, and I can’t give you the date.  His wife, I think died about two years after his death.  There were no children.  The nearest relatives, aside from my family, are the R. L. McDonald family of this city, who might be able to give you the information you are asking from me.

 Mr. R. L. McDonald deceased [deceased is a handwritten insert] settled up the Armstrong Beattie estate, and he has a son, R. W. McDonald, address 824 North 9th Street, St. Joseph, Missouri, to whom you might write.
 The only other member of the family that I knew was a William Beattie who was a salesman for a wholesale dry goods house here, and who I think died a number of year [sic] ago.

 Mr. Armstrong Beattie did not leave an adopted son.  The probability is that it was my father, Thomas B. Weakley, who was supposed to be adopted, but never was although he was educated by his uncle, Armstrong Beattie.  Mrs. Armstrong Beattie had a niece whom she educated and who married the R. L. McDonald referred to above.

 Thjs is about all the information I can give you although I will be glad to assist you in any way I can.

          Very truly yours,
          Laurence O. Weakley [handwritten]

LOW:MJR