Mattie is one of the people I am researching for my next book. She was the town dressmaker and quite popular. There are many mentions in the paper of her business and civic dealings. She was married for a time to the local barber, R. T. Lynch, but he was shot and killed in 1903. His murder was never solved. In 1909 she married the blacksmith, Peter Bloom, but he sued her for divorce in 1912. In 1928 she married W. R. Evans and they were together until his unexpected and unexplained death in 1933. Mattie died in 1941 and her hand-written will, scrawled on tiny note paper, is still on file in the local court house.
The Last Will and Testament of Martha A. (Mattie) Cooper Lynch Bloom Evans
May 24, 1940
This is my last will, written in haste. I want all I have sold at my death. My home has been such a worry to me I want it sold, don’t want someone else to worry as I’ve had to worry the last 7 years. May God bless them and lead them to a happy life with someone they love & care for.
I want one hundred dollars placed in the bank to be paid out one dollar a month to the cemetery fund. Also want the house on my home lot to go to the Baptist Church as an annex for class rooms for our girls and boys I love so much. In memory of one who loved them dearly for years past & gone.
My Bro. A. G. Cooper will be my administrator and do as he thinks best for all. If oil should develop here & I get what would come from the Theden place- do as you think best A. G. & divide with all the heirs in a way you think best. I leave it to you. Oil was struck when a man named Theden was having a well dug there some 40 years ago.
Wish I could kept what I’ve lost and been able to helped all some. I made a nice start in life & lost it. Also lost my health. Oh, if Judge could be with me now I’d been able to helped in the store & been going any place in my car. He was such a fine man and he made me so happy. Hope to be with him when you get this will. May God Bless me & give me more work to do among the young folks. Martha Cooper Evans
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