I am looking for any information on family members. John Highley he was from S. east Mo. and served in the Missouri State Guard and Later in the Second Mo. Cav. He deserted and returned to Missouri. He listed in the official record as a Guerilla, and probably was one of Hildebrand's men. John Highley was killed by Hb Milks 3rd Cav MSM April 6th 1864 (the correspondences about the fight is dated April 8 and 9th but the headstone reads the 6th). I have searched the online provost marshals records because I have a book by Bob Schmidt on the 2nd Mo cav, which mentions a news paper article about Couzins and Grady and Highley burning the Big River Bridge. I found Bob Grady was married to John Highley's niece, mentioned in the testimony against Grady in the Provost records. I found many mentions of Bob Highley aka Bob Hiley this man is the son of John Highley, Robert H. Highley, he served in the 3rd regiment Mo Cav CSA. He is also mentioned in a news paper article according to the chapter notes on Kirby Ross's book on Hildebrand, it says St. Louis Democrat July 1869 Sam Hildebrand cruelly and wantonly outraged his wife and within the same hour held her hands so to allow Bob Hiley to accomplish the same diabolical purpose. Bob Hiley is also mentioned in reference to Oscar Davis getting in trouble in a saloon in St. Louis where he claims to be part of Bob Highley’s gang. I found that information in Fellman's book.

I know the Highley's were connected with Hildebrand as my Great Great Great Great Grand father William Madison Highley (buck) is mentioned Hiding Hildebrand after the war in Farmington News paper article as Sam had a man take him to Highley’s after being wounded, where Buck took Hildebrand to his Uncles house. I know Buck Highley was married to a McKee and Hildebrand’s mother was a McKee. This incident was in June 1869.

I recently vested the area, and have family that lives there now. However most of the family stories are lost. I do know its family lore the Sam Hildebrand would hide out with the Highley’s in Flat River.

I was just wondering with all of the historians on this page, if anyone remembered anything else that would help me educate my self about ancestors.