On Monday morning, January 7, 1929, Latasca O. Shidler was killed instantly when his car collided with a Western Pacific passenger train at Constantia. Such traffic events were common then.
The 39-year-old Shidler had previously worked as a mechanic for the Western Pacific. However, at the time of his death, he was employed as a ranch hand for the Galeppi family at Constantia. One newspaper report cited that Shidler resided in the old Monastery, which in reality was the White House at Constantia. For whatever reasons, members of the Galeppi had no desire to reside in the 17-room house. After Shidler’s death, an elderly Indian couple by the name of Purdy, resided as caretakers in the house. With their passing by the end of the 1930s, the house was never occupied again.
Interesting. So what is your relationship to the “Old Indian Couple” named Purdy?