An 'incredible find'
By JENNIFER NELSON and LARRY SIEFKAS
Murray resident Darrell Siefkas, who was only 6 when his father died in 1935, was left with few possessions or memories of his father, until 70 years later when an ‘incredible find’ surfaced along the creek, that ran near the family farm, one summer day.
In 2010, Murray graduate Remington Siefkas, along with his younger brother Colton, Remington’s girlfriend Missy Kerry, and her little brother were walking under the bridge over Long Creek. The creek leads to and runs through the Siefkas farm in rural Murray.
During the walk, Missy looked down and noticed something shiny in the mud. It was an I.D. bracelet. The bracelet was covered with corrosion and mud.
After wiping the mud away Remington was able to read the first three letters of the first name – “CHA” and the last three letters of the last name – “KAS.”
Creek level was low
There had been quite a bit of rain that spring, so Long Creek had been running full at its bank. However, at the time the bracelet was found, the water level had gone down.
Remington took the bracelet back to his grandfather Larry Siefkas and asked if he had any idea who the bracelet might belong to. Larry’s father was a cousin of Darrell’s father. Based on the letters that could be seen, Larry said it was likely the bracelet belonged to Charlie.
However, the story behind the bracelet and when and why it became lost remains a mystery.
“There’s no one (still alive) who can tell us, who would remember the bracelet,” Darrell said.
Darrell said he’s not even sure his older sisters or mother, who are now deceased, would have known anything about it. Darrell has another brother. However, he was only 2 years old when his father died.
There was another heavy rain on the night the bracelet was found. Long Creek’s bank once again ran full.
“I’m sure that after that the bracelet would have been gone forever,” said Larry.
Family history
The bracelet was found on the farm where Charles was born, raised and lived much of his life. The farm was originally owned by Darrell’s great-grandfather. Darrell said logic tells them the bracelet was purchased by or for Charles sometime before 1920 and may have been lost about the same time. Charles was married in 1920 at the age of 21. Darrell said he thinks Charles may have had the bracelet as a teenager.
After Charlie died, Darrell’s mother Bessie was left to care for her four children during the Great Depression.
Presented to Darrell
After roughly cleaning the bracelet, Remington decided to present the bracelet to Darrell on Father’s Day during the Murray Church of Christ service.
“It was the first time I ever saw Darrell at a loss for words,” said Larry.
Darrell took the bracelet to a jewelers to have it cleaned and restored. Darrell said he was told if the silver nickel bracelet was underneath the mud it must have been preserved from the elements. However, parts of it still show the signs of corrosion.
Darrell now keeps the bracelet in a small case next to his chair. Siefkas said he’s thankful the bracelet was found by another family member. Had it been found by a stranger it could have easily been thrown away, he said.
Although Darrell and his wife Waunita don’t know the entire story of the bracelet, the story of how it was found is enough, they said.
“It’s just been a real special time for him,” said Waunita. “He enjoys taking it and showing it to anyone who knows his background.”
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