I visited Helena several years ago, driving all the way from Spring, Texas, just to see Cleburne's grave. I am sure that you know the circumstances surrounding his re-burial there. It was quite an occasion. Jefferson Davis was there, with a throng of others, and I think that the eulogy was done by Abram Ryan - another of my favorite people from that era.
I visit Ryan's grave in Mobile, and that of Rafael Semmes, in the same cemetery, each time I return to my native Florida to visit family. I also stop by Black, Alabama to tend the graves of Josiah and Matthew Spikes, his father, en route.
I do not know what to make of the facts as I related them to you. They are exactly as stated. I do hope that there is some explanation that would bridge the gap between your research and my experiences. The truth is the only thing that impresses me in any consideration.
Today I called the Strecker Museum, now a part of The Maborn Museum, in Waco, at 254-710-1110. I initiated an inquiry regarding the saddle through a lady named Patricia. She is going to have a staff member research it, and call me.
I told her that the director and his assistant originally said, in 1992 or thereabouts, that no such saddle was known to be among their collections, that an older employee had fetched it and showed it to all three of us, and that a current staff member may have to do a physical search for it. When I described the appearance of the director, she instantly recognized him, and said that he now works for a museum in New Mexico. If they cannot locate the saddle, they will give me his phone number, or at least the place of his employment, and I will contact him. He will surely remember the occasion, and may have some helpful information.
By the way, one of my past times is making and framing copies of short speeches or writings by Civil War Veterans that still move me......such as S.A. Jonas' "Lines on the Back of a Confederate Note", Mosby's speech to his Partisan Rangers on the occasion of their reunion, in Salem, in 1895, Ryan's "Better Than Gold" and "The Conquered Banner", Chamberlain's "The Whole Column Seemed Crowned with Red " (an excerpt from "The Passing of the Armies"), and Gordon's remarks about the private soldiers in his "Reminiscences".
Many years ago I was in Lexington, to see the graves of Lee and Jackson. I was grossly ignorant then. I did not know about the VMI Museum. When I inquired whether or not they had one, I was graciously allowed to not only see it, but to take a look at three boxes of letters and other mementos that the museum had just been given. One box had belonged to a descendant of Jackson and contained mementos relating to him, and two boxes had belonged to a descendant of Lee, and contained mementos related to him. The lady in charge actually allowed me to hold, and read, a couple of the mementos. What a priceless experience.
On another occasion, when I first visited Mount Vernon, I asked a volunteer if I could see the key to the Bastille, which had been given to Washington by Lafayette. She retrieved it, and added that no one had ever asked to see it. It now hangs on a wall there, for everyone to see. i saw it on my second visit.
One last thing, Alan......I recently bought, at an estate sale, a copy of "Mount Vernon and Its Associations", first edition, 1859. Due to taking care of my wife, who is handicapped, I have not been able to read it yet, but I am anxious to do so. The author had visited families at Arlington and other residences to see artifacts that had belonged to Washington. The sketches he made are beautiful, and his writing reminds me of yours.
I am a lucky man, am I not?
I will let you know if I come upon anything regarding Isham King...and King is my wife's maiden name, by the way!