And David Yell, 59, of Mayfield Township, couldn't pay up they were surprised by a media circus with television station news crews and newspaper reporters on hand as well as a marching band. The mayor presented a key to the city, and showered them with gifts.

The fabled obligation began six decades ago, when David Yell's flamboyant ancestor, Archibald Yell, promised to give $50 in exchange for renaming an Arkansas town from Shawneetown to Yellville. Archibald Yell died before making good on his debt.

David, who was raised in the Bonnie Oaks School in Tennessee, an orphanage, had no idea who his relatives were, or that a town had been named for his family.

He and his brother became wards of the state because their parents were unable to take care of them. He was never adopted, and moved to Michigan at 18 for a time, living near his remarried mother.

David married Laura and the couple raised their three children, David, Ginger, and Dan, in Lapeer. All three graduated from Lapeer East High School. David retired from Ford Motor Company. When his children left home, he felt "disconnected" and began a genealogy search.

"My dad and Ginger did all the searching," said Dan Yell. "He came across Archibald Yell, who was a real character. He is my dad's great, great uncle."

Yell was an Arkansas governor, United States congressman, and a brigadier general in the Army. He fought in at least three wars.

"He was very charismatic, and had a lot of money," said Dan. "He wanted a town named after him to establish a legacy. Shawneetown, in Arkansas, agreed to rename their town for $50. They did it and Archibald died, so they were never paid."

On a lark, David decided to pay the debt and telephoned Yellville Mayor Janelle Kirkwood with his intentions.

"She thought it was a joke, until he called back again," said Dan.

Dan and Laura gave Kirkwood their travel plans.

"We had no idea it was such a big deal," said Laura. "I decided to stay with relatives, in Georgia, and I said he should drive there with his cousin Sonny."

The two were overwhelmed by the fanfare. Marquees and signs in the town welcomed them. The band played "God Bless America."

"I never expected it," said David. "It was amazing. It's something I'll never forget."