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The State Historical Society of Missouri

COLUMBIA, MISSOURI BOARD OF EDITORS

LAWRENCE 0. CHRISTENSEN SUSAN M. HARTMANN University of Missouri-Rolla Ohio State University, Columbus

WILLIAM E. FOLEY ALAN R. HAVIG Central Missouri State University, Stephens College, Warrensburg Columbia

JEAN TYREE HAMILTON DAVID D. MARCH Marshall Kirksville

ARVARH E. STRICKLAND University of Missouri-Columbia

COVER DESCRIPTION: In the late 1930s the Farm Security Administration initiated an ambitious project to resettle and rehabilitate sharecroppers in southeast Missouri. In the cover photo, a family awaits completion of their new house. Jeff Hearne examines the first year of this venture in "The Beginning of LaForge: An Experiment in Rural Homesteading," beginning on page 301. [Cover photo from Library of Congress Farm Security Administration Collection] MISSOURI HISTORICAL REVIEW

Published Quarterly by THE STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MISSOURI

COLUMBIA, MISSOURI

JAMES W. GOODRICH EDITOR

LYNN WOLF GENTZLER ASSOCIATE EDITOR

LEON A S. MORRIS RESEARCH ASSISTANT

ANN L. ROGERS RESEARCH ASSISTANT

Copyright 1994 by The State Historical Society of Missouri 1020 Lowry Street, Columbia, Missouri 65201

The Missouri Historical Review (ISSN 0026-6582) is owned by The State Historical Society of Missouri and is published quarterly at 10 South Hitt, Columbia, Missouri 65201. Send communications, business and editorial correspondence and change of address to the State Historical Society of Missouri, 1020 Lowry Street, Columbia, MO 65201. Second class postage is paid at Columbia, Missouri.

SOCIETY HOURS: The Society is open to the public from 8:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M., VOLUME LXXXVIII Monday through Friday, and Saturday from 9:00 A.M. to 4:30 P.M., except legal holidays. NUMBER 3 Holiday Schedule: The Society will be closed May 28-30 for Memorial Day and July 2-4 for Independence Day. APRIL, 1994 THE STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY OF MISSOURI The State Historical Society of Missouri, heretofore organized under the laws of the State, shall be the trustee of this State-Laws of Missouri, 1899, R.S. of Mo., 1969, chapter 183, as revised 1978. OFFICERS 1992-1995 AVIS G. TUCKER, Warrensburg, President JAMES C. OLSON, Kansas City, First Vice President SHERIDAN A. LOGAN, St. Joseph, Second Vice President VIRGINIA G. YOUNG, Columbia, Third Vice President NOBLE E. CUNNINGHAM, Columbia, Fourth Vice President R. KENNETH ELLIOTT, Liberty, Fifth Vice President ROBERT G. J. HOESTER, Kirkwood, Sixth Vice President ALBERT M. PRICE, Columbia, Treasurer JAMES W. GOODRICH, Columbia, Executive Director, Secretary and Librarian

TRUSTEES Permanent Trustees, Former Presidents of the Society WILLIAM AULL III, Lexington LEO J. ROZIER, Perryville FRANCIS M. BARNES III, Kirkwood ROBERT C. SMITH, Columbia RUSH H. LIMBAUGH, Cape Girardeau JOSEPH WEBBER, St. Louis

Term Expires at Annual Meeting, 1994 ILUS W. DAVIS, Kansas City DALE REESMAN, Boonville JOHN K. HULSTON, Springfield ARVARH E. STRICKLAND, Columbia JAMES B. NUTTER, Kansas City BLANCHE M. TOUHILL, St. Louis BOB PRIDDY, Jefferson City HENRY J. WATERS III, Columbia Term Expires at Annual Meeting, 1995 WALTER ALLEN, Brookfield W. ROGERS HEWITT, Shelbyville JAMES A. BARNES, Raytown EMORY MELTON, Cassville VERA H. BURK, Kirksville DOYLE PATTERSON, Kansas City RICHARD DECOSTER, Canton STUART SYMINGTON, JR., St. Louis

Term Expires at Annual Meeting, 1996 HENRIETTA AMBROSE, Webster Groves FREDERICK W. LEHMANN IV, H. RILEY BOCK, New Madrid Webster Groves LAWRENCE O. CHRISTENSEN, Rolla GEORGE MCCUE, St. Louis ROBERT S. DALE, Carthage WALLACE B. SMITH, Independence

BOARD OF TRUSTEES The Board of Trustees consists of one Trustee from each Congressional District of the State and fourteen Trustees elected at large. In addition to the elected Trustees, the President of the Society, the Vice Presidents of the Society, all former Presidents of the Society, and the ex officio members of the Society constitute the Board of Trustees.

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Eight Trustees elected by the Board of Trustees together with the President of the Society consti­ tute the Executive Committee. The Executive Director of the Society serves as an ex officio member. WILLIAM AULL III, Lexington, Chairman BLANCHE M. TOUHILL, St. Louis FRANCIS M. BARNES III, Kirkwood Avis G. TUCKER, Warrensburg H. RILEY BOCK, New Madrid JOSEPH WEBBER, St. Louis JAMES C. OLSON, Kansas City VIRGINIA G. YOUNG, Columbia ROBERT C. SMITH, Columbia EDITORIAL POLICY The editors of the Missouri Historical Review welcome submission of articles and documents relating to the history of Missouri. Any aspect of Missouri history will be considered for publication in the Review. Genealogical studies, however, are not accepted because of limited appeal to general readers. Manu­ scripts pertaining to all fields of American history will be consid­ ered if the subject matter has significant relevance to the history of Missouri or the West.

Authors should submit two double-spaced copies of their manuscripts. The footnotes, prepared according to The Chicago Manual of Style, also should be double-spaced and placed at the end of the text. Authors may submit manuscripts on PC/DOS, 360K disk. The disk must be IBM compatible, preferably the WordPerfect 5.1 program. Otherwise, it must be in ASCII format. Two hard copies still are required, and the print must be letter or near-letter quality. Dot matrix submissions will not be accepted. Originality of subject, general interest of the article, sources used, interpretation and style are criteria for acceptance and publica­ tion. Manuscripts should not exceed 7,500 words. Articles that are accepted for publication become the property of The State Historical Society of Missouri and may not be published else­ where without permission. The Society does not accept responsi­ bility for statements of fact or opinion made by the authors.

Articles published in the Review are abstracted and indexed in Historical Abstracts, America: History and Life, Recently Published Articles, Writings on American History, The Western Historical Quarterly and The Journal of American History.

Manuscripts submitted for the Review should be addressed to Dr. James W. Goodrich, Editor Missouri Historical Review The State Historical Society of Missouri 1020 Lowry Street Columbia, Missouri 65201 CONTENTS

"IT LOOKS LIKE WE ARE IN PARIS": THE LETTERS OF JEFFERSON BRIDGFORD. Edited by Richard E. Ahlborn and Lisa C. Thompson 243

WAVES OF REVIVALISM IN CLAY COUNTY, 1840-1918. By Louis W. Potts 262

PROHIBITION VINEYARDS: THE ITALIAN CONTRIBUTION TO VITICULTURE IN MISSOURI. By Robert F. Scheef 279

THE BEGINNING OF LAFORGE: AN EXPERIMENT IN RURAL

HOMESTEADING. By JeffHearne 301

HISTORICAL NOTES AND COMMENTS

Society Schedules Western America: Landscapes and

Indians Exhibition, May 23-August 15, 1994 317

Society Libraries: Western Historical Manuscript Collection 317

News in Brief 320

Local Historical Societies 323

Gifts 334

Missouri History in Newspapers 338

Missouri History in Magazines 344

In Memoriam 351

Graduate Theses Relating to Missouri History 353

BOOK REVIEWS 355

BOOK NOTES 360

HISTORIC MISSOURI COLLEGES: WILL MAYFIELD COLLEGE Inside Back Cover Jst&iS

}f,H J/um** §m^!^ff^K:, Courtesy Scotts Bluff National Monument Thousands of Americans headed west on the California-Oregon Trail in 1850. Unlike most, Jefferson Bridgford joined with a company of men driving cattle to sell for a profu to beef-hungry miners.

"It looks like we are in Paris": The Letters of Jefferson Bridgford

EDITED BY RICHARD E. AHLBORN AND LISA C. THOMPSON* A 1992 donation by Anne Bridgford Forrester to the State Historical Society of Missouri contains seven letters written between May 1850 and July 1851 by her paternal great-great-grandfather, Jefferson Bridgford of Monroe County, Missouri.x Written to his wife, Margaret, and their infant son, Eugene, the letters provide a personal record of an early Missouri cattle breeder who drove stock to the California gold fields, but found no "sighns" sufficient enough to keep him from returning to his cherished family and friends. The Bridgford family had a history of moving west. Jefferson Bridgford's

*Richard E. Ahlborn is the curator of the Division of Community Life, National Museum of American History, Smithsonian Institution, Washington, D.C. He received the B.F.A. degree from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and the M.A. degree from the University of Delaware, Newark. Lisa C. Thompson is a graduate student in the Department of History at the University of Washington, Seattle. She received the B.A. degree from Stanford University, Stanford, California. The editors wish to acknowledge the support given by Anne Bridgford Forrester in loan­ ing the Jefferson Bridgford letters to the Smithsonian Institution. 1 Jefferson Bridgford Letters, Western Historical Manuscript Collection, University of Missouri-Columbia.

243 244 Missouri Historical Review forefathers left colonial Virginia for Kentucky, and in 1836 his father, Richard, moved the family to Monroe County in northeast Missouri. Jefferson was born in Georgetown, Kentucky, in 1822.2 In May 1850, he headed west again, this time as an entrepreneur rather than as a settler. Young Bridgford joined a company of Monroe County men, six wagons and hundreds of "beefe" bound for the gilded streams of California. Planning for the trip must have begun in 1849, probably soon after word of the California gold strike reached Missouri. The first letter in the collection is a brief note dated February 26, 1850, apparently written by Jefferson's older brother, James, to Jefferson's wife, Margaret, in Randolph County, Missouri.3 It reads: "Mrs. Bridgford will pleas send by the Boy a deed from Samuel Glover to me which you will find in the upper part of Jefs Trunk in the pocket. I am going to Palmyra to morrow and want to have it recorded. Yours Respectfully, Jas Bridgford N B Jeff will be at home to morrow J B." Legal details were evidently being settled prior to Jefferson's lengthy absence. The Bridgford letters depict a confident, conservative individual, not unlike other hardy, middle-class pioneers from the upper South. Bridgford's writing style suggests a modest education, with many phonetic spellings, weak punctuation, simple construction and sentiments typical of his day; he retained the elegant long colonial "s." In the letters he repeatedly made ref­ erence to business concerns, other Missouri adventurers, personal health and feelings and his home and family. The physical character of the envelopes and letters confirm their period and authenticity. Most of the letters were written in a dark brown ink on a light blue, rolled paper, about 19 cms wide by 25 cms long, and sealed with red wax. The second letter had a black circle cancellation from St. Joseph, Missouri, dated August 10, almost fifty days after it was written at the Platte River ferry. The third was cancelled at Weston, Missouri, on August 19, again about fifty days after it was written at South Pass. The second California letter consisted of two sheets of tan paper written on both sides. The next, written from Marysville, had a return address of "Fremont Cal"

2 History of Monroe and Shelby Counties, Missouri (St. Louis: National Historical Company, 1884), 526; John Ashton, "History of Shorthorns in Missouri Prior to the Civil War," Missouri State Board of Agriculture Monthly Bulletin 21 (November 1923): 69. 3 James and Jefferson Bridgford both had wives named Margaret. James married Margaret Campbell on October 18, 1838, and Jefferson and Margaret E. Waller were married on March 28, 1848. Mrs. Howard W. Woodruff, comp., Marriage Records Monroe County, Missouri, Book "A" 1831-1849 And The Death Register 1883-1885 (Kansas City, Mo.: Mrs. Howard W. Woodruff, 1971), 11, 37. In the 1850 census the thirty-six-year-old James, his wife, Margaret A., age thirty, six other adults and six children are listed in the John Carrol household. The five Bridgford children were born in Missouri, all the others in Kentucky. 1850 Federal Census of Monroe County, Missouri (Chillicothe, Mo.: Elizabeth Prather Ellsberry, n.d.), 79. "It looks like we are in Paris" 245 and was marked "Paid 40." Bridgford penned the final letter on a lightly lined paper measuring 20 by 25.5 cms that carried an embossed manufactur­ er's mark of a crown-over-shield inscribed "ANGOULEME MILL." The editors have used the following symbols in transcribing the letters: (?) for unclear words; x for letters capitalized by the editors; and [x] for edi­ torial insertions or conjectures. Crossed-out words have been deleted. To facilitate reading the letters, the editors have added punctuation and estab­ lished paragraphs, but preserved the original spellings. Some individuals could not be identified from internal information or secondary sources. Bridgford wrote the first three letters within a month while traveling on the main California-Oregon Trail. Each message noted the progress of his company relative to other trains crossing the plains and recorded the names of other "Monroe [County] boys." Clearly, Bridgford was in the selling business and well prepared for the trip; he wanted to get ahead and stay there. He may have seen a few forty-niner letters that stressed the impor­ tance of starting early, bringing only necessities and traveling quickly. Lagging behind could result in less grass available for stock, contaminated water holes and snow-packed mountains. Another traveler in 1850 counted 9,971 dead stock animals and estimated that he saw 3,000 abandoned wag­ ons in a forty-mile stretch of the Humboldt Sink in western Nevada.4 Bridgford and his companions had another motive for wanting to be at the front of the pack. His company and at least one other from Monroe County were driving cattle across nearly two thousand miles, not to start ranches, but to sell the stock for top dollar to hungry miners. The ambitious project to drive cattle from Missouri to California for sale appears to have been a success. Reduced use of the California Trail, which provided better forage after 1850, and Bridgford's success perhaps encouraged another Missourian, J. W. Gibson, to drive cattle to California in 1852, 1853 and 1854.5 Men like Gibson and Bridgford may have reacted to the gold-rush country boom in cattle sales enjoyed by ranchers from southern California, Oregon and even Texas in 1849 and 1850.6 By every measure of the day, the Bridgford drive was an exceptional achievement. The first surviving "trail" letter establishes the tone of the trip.

4 George R. Stewart, The California Trail (New York: McGraw-Hill, 1962), 310. Other sources of geographical information consulted included The American Heritage Pictorial Atlas of United States History (New York: American Heritage Publishing Co., Inc., 1966); Merril J. Mattes, The Great Platte River Road (Lincoln: Nebraska State Historical Society, 1969); and Milton D. Rafferty, Historical Atlas of Missouri (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1982), map 46. 5 Dale Morgan, ed., In Pursuit of the Golden Dream (Stoughton, Mass.: Western Hemisphere, Inc., 1970), xxxiv. 6 John Walton Caughey, The California Gold Rush (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1975), 208. 246 Missouri Historical Review

Valerie Smith The numbers (1-7) on the map indicate Bridgford's location when he wrote each of the letters included in this article.

Bridgford measures his progress against other companies, remarks on his improving camp skills and his surroundings and fatalistically notes his far- distant family. The second letter, written at a major crossing on the Platte River, provides a vivid description of trail life. In his third letter, Bridgford frets about keeping his train together, being "unworthy" of his wife and missing his son, but he rejoices in the fine weather and rapid travel. Finally, he comforts himself by noting all the men from home, exclaiming, "It looks like we are in Paris"—the Monroe County seat.

Fort Chiles, May 28th 18507 Mrs. M.E. Bridgford8

7 Robert B. Roberts, Encyclopedia of Historic Forts: The Military, Pioneer, and Trading Posts of the United States (New York: MacMillan Publishing Co., 1988), 483-484, identifies this as Fort Childs, or New Fort Kearny, in southeast Nebraska Territory. It was established in May 1848 on the Platte River under the supervision of Missouri Mounted Volunteer Lieutenant Ludwell E. Powell. 8 Margaret, the thirty-one-year-old, Kentucky-born wife of Jefferson, is listed in the household of Gerard Fowkes with one-year-old Eugene; Jefferson, despite his absence; six other Fowkeses; and Amanda Wilson. 1850 Monroe County Census, 12-13. Charles Lloyd Mallory, "Pioneer Families of Monroe County, Missouri" (typescript, n.p., [1978]), 118, records information from a Mrs. Vern Miller of Paris: "Margaret Waller, b. 8 May 1832, Scott County, Kentucky, m. Jefferson Bridgford" and had eight children. Eugene was the eldest. "It looks like we are in Paris " 247

Dear wife & child I have once more embraced an oppertunity for the purpose of communi­ cating to you by letter as that is the only way by which we can communicate to each other and I do assure you it is a source of pleasure to me to have that oppertunity. We are now in sight of the Fort Chiles. We have arrived this far without an[y] bad luck. The company is all in good health and the stock all look well. Some of them has improved on the rout. I suppose we have passed some four hundred waggons on the way. We meet some trappers the other day from the mountains and they said we were amongst the formost ox teams and as to the horse teams, I do not fear them mutch as we are trav­ eling as fast as the most of them at the start and some of them we are leav­ ing behind. The Middlegrove company & John M Glenn & Col[onel] Nelson has passed since I have commensed writing.9 We are traveling all pretty mutch to gather. I think there companys are all well. I have heard of no sickness amongst the emigrants since I left. As for myself I never have enjoyed better health and I have just eat a harty meal of Antelope for the first since I left. There was some of us went a hunting on yesterday and Killed one Antelope, one Buffalow & six wolves. Antelope is very plenty here but I donot expect to hunt them mutch. The time has passed of[f] remarkably fast to me since we left Independence,

9 Middle Grove is a village in southwest Monroe County where the company must have been organized. John M. Glenn, 38, is listed in the 1850 Monroe County Census, 122.

By the time Bridgford and his company reached Fort Kearny, reports estimated that between 3,400 and 5,000 wagons had already passed the fort that spring. Harold Warp Pioneer Village Foundation 248 Missouri Historical Review mutch faster than before as we allways have something new to look at.10 I have spent one week a cooking on the way and I think I can bake as good bread as the best of the cook in the state. I donot mind it near as mutch as I expected. We have had one one or two meal of fresh fish on the way. I think that W Williams & Robersons train of cattle is about 3 days ahead. I wrote to you from Union Town on Caw River last, whitch I suppose you have received bfore this time.n I requested you to write to me at Fort Larime and I am in hopes to receive a letter there from you, whitch would gave me great pleasure indeed to hear from you all once more.12 I am very mutch in hopes that you will enjoy your self well while I am gone, as I think I will pass off the time more agreeably than I expected. If the hardship is no greater than they have bin this far, I do not mind that part of the trip atall. In fact I donot regard the trip the least particle if it was not for leaving you & our dear little Eugene, whitch I would be very glad to see. But it is entirely out of my power at presant as we are about 475 or 500 miles a part and a probability that we will be a great deal farther before we will have an opper­ tunity of meeting again. But if we should have the good luck to meet again, it will be no doubt as happy a meeting as we have ever experienced.

The third page of this letter is too damaged to read, but Bridgford notes that he hopes to receive a letter in "Sacramento City" and makes reference to a Willson, George Burton, Brother William, "Col Fowks" and "backing- out men." 13

Piatt Ferry, June 20th 185014 Mrs. M. E. Bridgford

Dear wife As I have annother opportunity of sending a few lines from the ferry, I

10 Independence served as a major Missouri trailhead for routes to the West. 11 Union Town was a northeast Kansas site also known as Potawatomi Mission, and the Caw, or Kaw, River was also called the Kansas River. 12 Fort Laramie was a major military and trading site in Nebraska Territory, in what later became south-central Wyoming. 13 City was later dropped from the name of California's capital. "Fowks" probably refers to the sixty-year-old Gerard Fowkes cited in note 8, also called "Uncle Fowkes" in a later let­ ter. Forty-two-year-old William Bridgford and his wife, Sarah, both born in Kentucky, and their six children, all born in Missouri, were enumerated in Monroe County in 1850. Only three other households are listed between theirs and the John Carrol household, which includ­ ed James Bridgford and his family. 1850 Monroe County Census, 78, 79. 14 The Mormon, or Platte River, ferry lay west of Fort Laramie. "It looks like we are in Paris' 249 thake this opportunity of writing as I do not know when I will meet with a chance again. So if you donot receive another shortly, you must not be uneasy; but I will be certain to write to you every safe opportunity. We are know at the Piatt River ferry about 800 miles from the states. We have only laid by one day since we left the line. The road has bin very rough & hard since we left Fort Larime and some two or three of our catties feet has got alittle sore, but we are over the wost part of the road for wearing there feet and it is said they will improve from here to the Salt Lake.15 Our teams look well, all except one or two, & one of them has bin sick for a day or two but is now well. They have a fine lot of boats at the ferry for crossing and can cross some 500 waggons a day. This ferry is one of the greatest fortunes I have seen for a long time. The supposition is that the ferry will clear some two hundred thousan dollars in about two or three months. They charge 5 Dollars per waggon and two dollars a head for cattle & one dollar for hors­ es. They make about 250 Dollars per our some days. There has some one or two persons bin drowned here yesterday in attempting to swim there horses but we donot intend to run an[y] sutch a risk. We are agoing to ferry our waggons & horses & swim the cattle. These few lines leaves me in fine health and all the rest of our com­ pany. All the medicine they need at presant is something to eat. We are getting along well. We are some a head of J[ohn M.] Glenn at presant; he

15 The lake and the Mormon settlement of Salt Lake City lay on the southern, later the "Pony Express," branch of the northern California Trail.

State Historical Society of Missouri 250 Missouri Historical Review stopet below here to ferry his waggons himself and we passed him while crossing. I have nothing of any note to write at presant as I wrote to you about six days ago. I have writen to you several times on the way and will still continue to do so every chance. We are now about to commence ferrying our waggons and I must begin to close. I think this is the only river of any size that we have to cross. You need not be uneasy about my venturing in these streams of watter as I am not agoing to do any venturing on this trip. If the mail does not leave before I get ferried over I will write a few more lines, but I have not time at pre­ sant. Hoping those few lines will find you all in good health, the time is passing off very fast to me on this trip. Col Fowkes is well and in fine spir­ its. Nothing more at presant but remain your sincere husban. Yours in haste, Jefferson Bridgford to M. E. Bridgford & child

South Pass, June 28th 185016 Mrs. M. E. Bridgford & child

Dear wife I am once more favoured with an opportunity of writing to you by whitch you will be informed that I am still in good health & fine spirits and getting along well. I have just finished eating a very harty Breakfast and feel like I can make a fine days travel. I wrote to you from the Piatt ferry whitch I suppose you have received or will receive before this comes to hand. We have had very indifferent grass for a week or ten days but the grass has great deal more strenth in it than it has in the states. Our cattle all look well. I think some of them will be very fare beefe when we get to California. We are now going on the last half off the road. I begin to feel like I was getting towards the digging.17 We are know in sight of plenty of snow; the tops of the mountains are coverd with it. It looks very strange at this season of the year to see so mutch. We have had plenty of it to eat. The boys took a round snow balling a day or two ago. We had a considerable snow on us the 17 of this month, but it soon went off. We have divided our company of waggons, as I wrote to you we ex­ pected to do, and I think we will now get along a little faster. We have the same six wagons in our company that we started with from Middlegrove

16 South Pass City State Historic Site Curator Todd Guenther said in a phone conversa­ tion, 12 January 1994, that of several locations in the Rockies of western Wyoming, then the Utah-Nebraska territorial border, Bridgford's stop was most likely the last crossing on the Sweetwater River at Berts Ranch. 17 Bridgford used the term "digging" to refer to the California gold fields. "It looks like we are in Paris " 251 and we expect to go through to gather.18 The Monroe [County] boys are all very close to gather. There is Glenns Co & Col Nelsons Co & Thomas White & Co & John Bryant & Winchel & R Twiman; it looks like we are in Paris some times. I think we are all in about one mile & 1/2 of each other except Glenn; I think he is some five miles [back]. I think they are jenerally well. James Withers is a little complaining at presant but I think will be over it in a day or two and as to myself, it would do you good to see me eat.19 I can eat about every two ours; I think I will get very fleshy before I get back If I should keep my health. I was reminded more of home yesterday than I have bin on the rout. I was traveling along and passed a waggon or two that was laying by resting and I looked around & I saw a little child about the size of our little Eugene a running about with a stick in his hand, and I dont think I ever saw a child that looked more like him in my life. I was almost tempted to go and kiss him in the place of ours, but I thought it would not be like one from Eugene; but I will try and wait untill I see him again. If the time all passe off like it has done since I left, I do not mind it. I am a going to try to make every day count when I get to the digging. I expect this perhaps is the last opportunity that I will have to write to you betwen here & California, so you must not be disappointed if you donot hear from me any more untill we get to California. Then I will try and write as often as I can convienently, and you must be certain to do the same. I shall expect to get one from you as soon as we arrive there. We have beat Co[lonel] Nelsons time from the states here some fiften days and he got to the digging about the tenth of Agust, so I think we can easily get in in as good time as he did after gaining so mutch on his travels this fare. Tell Uncle Fowkes that Col is well and harty and also all of the company, except J. Withers.20 I expected to find the weather very warm out here but it is quite differ­ ent from what I expected. The evenings & mornings are cooll and fine. It is jenerally warm for about four ours at the turn of the day and the knights are cooll enough to sleep under two pair of heavy blakets. I think it is the snow on the mountains and our being so high is what makes it so cooll. Dear, I have nothing of interest to write to you more than I wished to let you know how we are and where we are, so I must begin to close. James & George get along fine on the trip.21 I will close by saying that I am still you[r]

18 Bridgford used "company" to refer to a supply wagon and an entire train. 19 A twenty-two-year-old Kentuckian, Withers is listed in the 1850 Monroe County Census, 19. 20 See note 8 for Fowkes. 21 Bridgford may be referring to Margaret's brothers, James Harvey and George Waller. Mallory, "Pioneer Families," 117-118; History of Monroe and Shelby Counties, 225. 252 Missouri Historical Review most unworthy and affectionate husban. Give my respects to all the family & all enquiring friends and receive a double portion to your self & child, and remember that your best friend is fare a way at presant but hope it will not be the case allways. Yours with respect, so fare well again, Jefferson Bridgford to M E Bridgford & child NB You must be certain to take good care of Eugene and do not let him get crippled by a horse as he is a part of my fortune JB

As Bridgford predicted, he sent his next letter from California. His exact date of arrival and whether he bettered Colonel Nelson's time remain unknown, but driving cattle was only the first of his business ventures. In his next letter he explains that he has turned from mining to "teaming," the "hailing" of supplies to mining camps with horse, ox or mule teams. In the following letter he refers to his provision store, "mule speculation," hauling, a fire in town and a ring of California gold. In the sixth letter he reports dri­ ving cattle up the rugged Feather River and, with a three-month-old letter from Margaret in hand, mentions missing the community life in Missouri. Bridgford notes in his last letter that he has sold his two shops and is work­ ing for the buyers, but he remains focused on his goal to earn as much money as possible to return to "the states."

Sacramento City, Oct 26th 1850 Mrs M. E. Bridgford

Dear wife I seat myself this evening for the purpose of Dropping you a few lines by which you will be informed that I am yet numbered with living and enjoying a reasonable portion of Health. I am now in Sacramento City but I am a going to leave to morrow morning if nothing prevents. I have quit mining for the presant and gone to teaming. I have two good teams here to start for the mines to morrow, a distance of fifty five miles. I get six Dollars & fifty cts per Hundred for Hailing. My loads will amount something near four Hundred Dollars and I can make the trip in about six day. I expect to try to make something worth while by Hailing when the rainy season sets in as Hailing gets very High then. George is also in the city & is well. Joseph R[oger] come in last evening to by his winters provisions; He sais J Acuff is also well.22 I left James Waller

This may refer to seventeen-year-old Joseph Acuff. 1850 Monroe County Census, 11. "It looks like we are in Paris' 253

^ ^ ^i^>^

State Historical Society of Missouri Bridgford mined gold for a period after arriving in California and then turned to hauling supplies to mining camps. & T [Abarlin] at Rough & Ready.23 They are with Hartford & Asher Carroll & A Noonon.24 They were looking out for some winter digging & then they were a going to put them up a house. I expect when I stop Hailing to winter with them. Richd Fowks left Here Day before yesterday in com­ pany with Leo Green Driving a team; he is also well.25 I have not Reed but one letter from you yet, though there has another come for me & James Bridgford sent it to Rough & Ready, and I left there before it come. I am very anxious to see it although I have heard from you severall times lately through other letters, one from Brother Richd dated August 26. You must write often & I will Do the same. There is some report here at this time about the colerea. There is some 4 to 7 cases per day but I consider the jeneral Health good. If it gets bad here I am agoing to make myself rather scarce about Here. There is a number of the Monroe boys that will start Home in a few days and I shall send this By some of them, perhaps Doct [Gore]. You must excuse my short letter as I am in great Haste, & I though if thay boys went Home and I sent no letter you perhaps would think that I had almost forgot­ ten that I had a family; but I do assur you that will never be while on this earth. I want to see you all very mutch, but nowing it is out of my power to do so for a while, I will bear with it with patience and want you to do the same.

23 This is the name of mining towns in Placer and Nevada counties; Bridgford is proba­ bly writing about the one in Nevada County, near Nevada City. Erwin G. Gudde, California Gold Camps (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1975), 297. 24 See note 3 for Carrol household; Hartford was twenty-three and Asher, twenty-one. 25 Richard was the twenty-one-year-old son of Gerard Fowkes (see note 8). 254 Missouri Historical Review

Nothing more at presant as I have nothing of interest to write more then we were all well. So I will close by giving my love to all enquiring, & receive a Double portion to your self & child. Yours truly, Jefferson Bridgford to M E Bridgford NB tell James wife he is well. I will write to you again in some two or three weeks.

Sac[ramento] City, Jan 25th 51 Mrs. M. E. Bridgford

Dear wife I am now at the table for the purpose of communicating to you once more. These few lines leaves me in perfect health at presant, hoping when they come to hand they may find you and child enjoying the same blessing. I received a letter yesterday dated Nov 1. I was glad to hear that you had received a letter from me after my arrival in California, as I new you were getting very anxious to hear from us as you have Doubtless heard many reports about the emigrants that was exagerated very mutch. The trip was bad enoug without making it any worse. I am now as heavy as I ever was in my life. I weighed a few days ago and weigh 166 pounds and as harty as I ever was in my life. The weather is still warm and beautiful. We have not had as mutch rain this winter as we have in Mo, but it has disappointed every person. The miner has not done well this winter owing the scearcety of water in the dry digging to wash their dirt. But my impresion is that they will do well next summer as the Rivers will get so low that they can get to work in them very early in the season and that is where they get the most of the gold. There is a going to be a great many persons that will go north to what is called Scotts & the Clamoth Rivers, as there is new discoveries mad[e] there and they are said to be very rich.26 I have not bin doing as well in my provision store as I expected as the roads has bin so that waggons could hall all winter.27 Georg has just got back with my teams. He has bin to the mines with two loads for me, whitch I done well with. I have bin engaged in the last week in buying stock. I am in a mule speculation at presant with J M Glenn & Willcox. We are buying a lot to take to Redings Spring, whitch is the starting point for these new mines.28 It is said that they are very high there at this time. They are looking

26 The Scott River is a tributary of the Klamath River in Siskiyou County. Gudde, Gold Camps, map 1. 27 The dry weather allowed Bridgford's freighting competition to cut into the profits he had anticipated making during the normally rainy winter. 28 Reading Springs, later Shasta, was the center for northern mining. Gudde, Gold Camps, map 2. "It looks like we are in Paris' 255

State Historical Society of Missouri up here very fast as there is sutch a demand for them to pack over the moun­ tains. George and James is both well and harty, also [J] R Fowkes.29 I expect Georg will go with us to Redings Spring. There is no late deaths amongst the Monroe boys that I have heard of. They are all well so fare as my know­ ledge extends. You must not look for the next letter from me so soon as you jenerally get them as I expect to be gone perhaps som six weeks and donot know of any opportunity I will have to get a letter to the city untill I return, and you know it is some what uncertain about what time traders get through. So you must not get uneasy if you do not get one for some time; but if there is any chance to send one, I will be certain to do so. But I want you to continue to write regular, as you have done, whether you get mine regular or not. I have receive all the letters you have written up to Nov 1. I am Glad to think you write so regular as it is a great sattisfaction to me to hear from you often. I received a letter from little Adelea A. Bridgford a few days ag[o] whitch gave me great pleasure to think that I had a little niece that was so thoughtfull as to write to me; tell her that I feel under great obligations to her and will answer it soon.30 We had a fire to brake out in town last knight but it was soon stoped. There was one large building burned was all the damage that was done.

29 This may refer to Gerard Fowkes's thirty-two-year-old son, Joseph. 30 Adelea, or Ardelia, was the eleven-year-old daughter of William Bridgford. 7850 Monroe County Census, 78. 256 Missouri Historical Review

I had no newes at first of importance to write and I still have none, but as Doct Huitz is a going to start for home, I thought you would be expecting a letter by him.31 I send to you by Doct Huitz a ring of California gold, as I have never sent you a presant worth notice before and this is a small presant but hope to bring a better one when I bring myself. This is the latest fashion for California. It is a choice of Mr Deyoungs.32 You can tell his wife he is well and harty. George says he is a getting very tired a looking for a letter from home as he has never received any from any of them yet and he says he is not a going to write any more unless they write him. I must come to a close as it is a growing late. Give my best respects to Mr Fowkes and family and all enquiring friends and relations, and receive a double portion to your self an[d] kiss our little Egene for me. I want to see you all very mutch. So fare well for the presant. Hoping to meet aga[i]n, Yours truly, Jefferson Bridgford to Margaret E. Bridgford & child

Maryesville, April 2d 185133 Mrs. Margarett E Bridgford

Dear Wife & child I am once more permitted to seat myself for the purpose of Dropping you a few lines, whitch leaves me still in perfect health, hoping when they come to hand, they may find you & child & all my friends & Relatives enjoying the same blessing. I received a letter from you last week Dated Jan 1 whitch gave me great sattisfaction to hear that you & Eugene were enjoying perfect health, but was somewhat surprised to hear of so many weddings. Tell Mary Jane I think some of them had better waited until I got home, as I should have liked to have bin at some of their weddings myself as it has bin some time since I was at one; but I wish them all the great luck immaginable and hope they may live a long & pleasant life.34 I received a letter a few days ago from Wat Waller whitch informed me of several weddings in his neighbour­ hood. 35 I think times must be improving in that country from the number of Mariges that is going on.

31 Doctor Huitz probably refers to P. A. Heitz, a thirty-year-old German emigrant. 1850 Monroe County Census, 31. 32 Elias De Young, a thirty-seven-year-old Marylander, had a wife and four children in Missouri. 1850 Monroe County Census, 26. 33 Marysville lay on the Yuba River above its confluence with the Feather River. Gudde, Gold Camps, map 4. 34 Mary Jane may be the twenty-seven-year-old daughter of Gerard Fowkes. 35 Wat Waller was probably a relative of Margaret Bridgford. "It looks like we are in Paris' 257

Many miners used a rocker, or (

State Historical Society of Missouri

I wrote to you last from Maryesville and stated I was going up on Feather River to butcher. We started up and got about 30 miles and sold our cattle, whitch we cleared some four hundred & twenty five Dollars on. We are now on our way up again with another lot whitch we expect to kill. Cattle is worth from 80 to 120 Dollar per head. I heard from Jas Harvy a few day a go; he had taken out some three hundred dollar out of his claim in about twenty days.36 I think he will do very well all summer as he has a good claim. I believe the Monroe boys are jenerally well at this time, so fare as I know. There is several about starting home I understand. I also heard Jas Bridgford was expected to start shortly, but I hardly now how to believe it, though I have not seen him since last Oct. I heard he had done very well this winter. As for my part, I dont think I will start for home until the set time arrives. As I have come this fare to try to make some money, I will try and stay my time out; that is next Oct. You stated that the land & Negros of the esstate would be sold this month. If they are, you must write me word what they bring & whether you bought any of them or not. I must begin to come to a close as I had no newes at first and still have none. I merly write to let you know that I am well but not making money very fast, but still hope to make it little faster. Give my repects to Eliza & tell her I should like to receive a letter from her. Als give my love to all my friends & Relations and receive a double portion to your self. I remain your sincr husban until death. Jefferson Bridgford to Margarett E. Bridgford & Child

Bridgford may be referring to James Harvey Waller, Margaret's brother. See note 21. 258 Missouri Historical Review

Navada City, July 23rd 5137 Mrs M. E. Bridgford

My Dear Wife I again seat myself for the purpose of communicating to you once more, as that is the only way by whitch we can converse with each other at pre­ sant. Those few uninteresting lines leaves me yet numbered with the living & enjoying good heal[t]h & I trust, when they reach you, they may find you & child & all of our friends and relatives enjoying the same blessing. I am getting very anxious to receive a letter from home as I have not received any of a later Date than April the 1st. I have jenerally received my letters very regular before, so I canot tell whether it is mis caried or whether you passed your regular time of writing. As you have bin very punctual in all your letters, I canot think it is on your part; but I do assure you I am get­ ting very anxious to receive one from you. I am in Navada city at this time a butchering. I stated in my last letter to you that I had sold out our two shops up north & was working for the men I sold to at five hundred Dollars per month, so they have started three other shops & will start the fourth one to morrow morning, whitch will mak six in all. We are a selling a great deal of Beef at this time. I shal be rather confined to the shops from know until I start for home, as they consider me one of the best hands at the business. But the time is passing away and the time will soon arrive when I expect to start for home once more if no providential accident occurs. I want to leave on the first vessel in November & then I hope to make home by Christmas day; & if so, & if I should find all well, I think it will be as happy a day as I have ever experienced. I have had strong solicitations to stay until next spring, & I think I could do well, but money is not mutch object to me to remain in this country a way from my family any longer than fall. I some times think a man that would stay a way from his family so mutch as I have done is scarcely worthy of having a family. There is a good many persons starting for the states now & I think this fall there will be as great a rush to the states as ther has bin to California. I was to see Jas Harvy about ten days ago. He is still on Murderers Bar, a mining on the claim I bought for him about the first of March.38 The wat- ter kept up so high for several months that he could not work to any advan­ tage until a few day ago. They have the watter all running in a large flume at this time, so I think he will do a fare business from now until the rain

37 Nevada City, known as Deer Creek Diggings in 1849, was a major mining center. Gudde, Gold Camps, map 4. 38 Murderer's Bar was a name applied to mining camps in the counties of El Dorado, Yuba and Siskiyou. Gudde, Gold Camps, 231-232. "It looks like we are in Paris' 259

State Historical Society of Missouri Miners Using a "Long Tom " to Extract Gold commensis to fall. He had taken out some five hundred dollars when I was there, whitch more than paid for his claim, & he was offered seven hundred & fifty dollars for it, but would not sell it. He thinks there is a great deal of money in it if they can only get it out, & I think they are in a fare way to get it, but all sighns fail sometimes in California. I rather think Jams will come home with me when I come, though he never said certain. George, I think it is some what doubtfull about his com­ ing this fall, though I want him to come. Richd Fowkes is at Reddings Springs with Isaah & Hawkins Campbell; I donot now how they are a doing. There is a number of the Monroe boy on the American River.39 They are all well so fare as my knowledge extends. I saw Joseph Acuff there a few days ago; he is well. I heard from Jeptha Smith a day or two a go and he was doing well; he is on his old claim on Deer Creek & a making for 10 to 15 dollars per day, and I think the news come straight, though I canot vouch for the correctness of it.40 The weather is very warm here at presant & the roads very dusty. We have plenty of new vegetables here at presant & they sell very reasonable to what they have usually done here before. Navada is quite a city; it is mutch larger than Hanibal.41 I will Omit closing my letter at the presant as we are looking for a new mail up this evening or to morrow, & I think surley I will get a letter when it comes. I have neglected writing sooner myself on account of looking for.

39 The American River was the major water course leading to the gold fields east of Sacramento. Gudde, Gold Camps, map 5. 40 See note 37. 41 Hannibal refers to the Mississippi River port in northeast Missouri. 260 Missouri Historical Review

July 25 My Dear wife: I reed a letter last evening from you, whitch gave me great sattisfaction to hear from you once more & to hear you were all well. You mentioned the sale of the estate in your [letter], & I am sorry you didnot buy Mary, as I think she was cheap the way they are selling, but it is two late now. I expect to get her[e?] nothing more, but remain your sincere husband, & hope to meet again in perfect Health. Yours truly, J. Bridgford to M E Bridgford & Child

Bridgford's goal mirrored that of the majority of California's immi­ grants in 1850. The number of business ventures he operated in a little over a year emphasized that, although money could be made in California, very few immigrants became wealthy or avoided exhausting work, fierce compe­ tition and constant uncertainty. Having discovered the tough realities of the gold field, Bridgford's comment about his brother-in-law's mining prospects on a claim at Murderer's Bar was fitting: "All sighns fail sometimes in California." Fortunately, Bridgford enjoyed good health, his work and his travels, but he was not a carefree young man. He had social and economic responsi­ bilities with other migrants, he wanted to earn considerable money in a brief period, and he greatly missed his family. His decision to go to California could not have been casual, but the separation from his family appeared to be a reasonable risk in light of potential earnings. Bridgford remarked that he would not leave California early because he had "come this fare to try to make some money." Near the end of his sojourn, however, Bridgford admitted that "money is not mutch object to me to remain ... a way from my family" and cautioned, perhaps guiltily, that "a man that would stay . . . is scarcely worthy of having a family." Throughout the letters, however, he views providence as the final determinant. Bridgford's sentiments may have been shared by more than one "Monroe boy." An 1884 history of Monroe County lists seventy-nine names with the commentary that "at one time the majority of the able-bod­ ied men . . . were unsettled in mind, and were contemplating the trip to California. Even the most thoughtful . . . found it most difficult to resist the infection."42 The total was probably higher; Bridgford's letters cite twenty- seven Monroe County residents whose names do not appear in the 1884 publication. Bridgford maintained ties with many Monroe County men while in

42 History of Monroe and Shelby Counties, 224-225. A biographical sketch of Jefferson Bridgford on page 526 of this volume notes that Margaret, a daughter of the deceased John Waller, married Bridgford in 1848 and that he went to California, "returning by way of Panama. He then resumed farming and the stock business, settling about six miles south of Paris." Tt looks like we are in Paris' 261

California. He worked, roomed and visited with them, sending home word for their families and the local press. The Paris Mercury requested: "All persons receiving letters from California containing matters of interest to the public, will do us a special favor by handing them over to us . . . and not waiting until they can send them to all their neighbors and acquaintances, as we can relieve them of the trouble, by printing the same in our paper."43 Thus, letters from and to California linked individuals, families and com­ munities with eagerly awaited information and expressions of continuing affections. In his last letter, Bridgford wrote that he hoped to be home for Christmas. According to Anne Forrester, Jefferson Bridgford arrived home on Christmas morning in 1851 and scattered handfuls of gold underneath the tree.44 Once home, he resumed his life as an agriculturalist, an equestri­ an and a horse and cattle breeder. At the 1893 Chicago Columbian World's Fair, seventy-year-old Bridgford won the prize for "Best Gentleman Rider" on his horse "Artist Montrose." Family tradition holds that he died in Hannibal, but published sources indicate his death occurred in Paris in 1914.45

43 Paris Mercury, 13 March 1850. 44 Telephone conversation with Anne B. Forrester, 8 April 1992. 45 Although Bridgford never returned to California, his 1850-1851 journey may have influenced his son, Eugene, who became a judge in San Francisco. A younger son, James, moved to Nevada; the rest of the family remained east of the Missouri River. Conversation with Anne Forrester, July 1992; Ashton, "History of Shorthorns," 69; Paris Mercury, 1 January 1915.

Jefferson Bridgford and Artist Montrose State Historical Society of Missouri State Historical Society of Missouri Waves of Revivalism in Clay County, 1840-1918

BY LOUIS W. POTTS* In seeking to account for the distinctive characteristics of American religion, Martin Marty has noted the prominence of the physical setting. He emphasized that Americans "'have regarded their environment as being itself somehow redemptive and revelatory.' The divine forces, the power of the sacred, God himself or itself, were perceived as speaking through the strata and soil, the history and the people. Citizens had to cope with and transform wilderness and frontier, make use of natural and popular resources, and make sense of their common life in such a setting. Competing visions led to constant conflict; this is the central vivifying theme in the story of America's ever-changing cast of religious 'winners' and iosers.'" l In nineteenth-century Missouri, whether on the frontier or in urban communities, the rich variety of sects and denominations provided

*Louis W. Potts is associate professor of history and chair of the history department at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. He has the B.A. degree from Lafayette College, Easton, Pennsylvania, and the M.A. and Ph.D. degrees from Duke University, Durham, North Carolina. 1 Martin E. Marty, Religion and Republic: The American Circumstance (Boston: Beacon Press, 1987), 202, 225.

262 Revivalism in Clay County 263 cohesion, identity and sanction for their members. As wave after wave of turbulent revivalism rolled across the landscape, dissent and backsliding threatened the quest for perfection. In Washington Township of Clay County the Mount Vernon Baptist Church provides a case study of how such banding and disharmony were handled. "Frontiers," a recent text has explained, "are the boundary lines between contrasting cultures or environments; and during the nineteenth century, those in the West were shifting, skirmishing with one another, and adapting."2 In the 1820s, when Clay County was located on the state's and the nation's frontier, many considered religious institutions as the initial benchmark of civilization. Before the emergence of towns or the erection of schools, churches were organized. In Washington Township, Mr. Shores, an itinerant Methodist preacher, visited a handful of families in 1822 at Stephen Baxter's house. Later in the decade summer worship services arose at campgrounds at Baxter's place. An effort to erect a church building faltered in the 1830s but later succeeded in the 1840s. In 1854 a better structure, located up the county road in Haynesville, superseded the first building.3 In 1827 the Baptists were the second group to organize in Washington Township. Initially they had to journey southward toward the county seat of Liberty and worship at what would become Mt. Zion Church. A division occurred in 1828 to form their own branch, which they called New Hope, and they chose a meeting site near a spring on Josiah Thomson's farm. Soon thereafter the members rallied and quickly erected a twenty-by-twen­ ty-foot log building. As historian Robert Handy has pointed out, Baptists such as those at New Hope "could be quickly formed around a small hand­ ful of convinced believers who then could call and quickly ordain a gifted layman as preacher. Through the week such a man would normally earn his living as did other members of the flock, but on Sunday, making up by sin­ cerity what he lacked in formal training, he exhorted his congregation, using images and idioms fully understandable to the people."4 This mechanism paralleled the challenge to formalism and the democratic ethos of the era. Baptist churches multiplied quickly as new settlements sprang up. Voluntary associations of churches permitted each grouping to be autonomous yet become part of an effective structure outside themselves. According to local history, a series of gifted but plain preachers revived and repulsed the parishioners at New Hope. Baptists selected ministers for

2 James West Davidson et al., Nation of Nations: A Narrative History of the American Republic, 2 vols. (New York: McGraw-Hill, 1990), 1: 486. 3 Ruth Bogart Roney, From Entry Fee to 'Fifty-Three: History of Law son's Three County Community (Clinton, Mo.: The Printery, 1970), 8, 27. 4 Robert T. Handy, A History of the Churches in the United States and Canada (New York: Oxford University Press, 1977), 167; Roney, From Entry Fee, 27-28. 264 Missouri Historical Review

a special function but not for special powers. Though the congregation might "raise up a brother," they reserved full authority. No minister owed appointment to any power other than to his fellow congregants. For the first six years of New Hope's existence, 1828-1834, Ben Riley and Howard Everett alternated pulpit duties. Then Solomon Kimsey, who had previously been denied the opportunity, became the regular pastor after his ordination by a freewill organization. A saying shared then and now states that when­ ever two Baptists get together, three opinions arise. As community historian Ruth Roney later phrased it, "Within two years he had split the congregation wide open over a difference of opinion in the 'matter of communion.' When brought to task for this and for 'too much commercialism in [his] preaching,' he pulled away again, taking most of the membership with him."5 Only fifteen members remained to sustain New Hope. Moses E. Lard recorded religious revivals in the region during Kimsey's era. In his youthful diary the future prominent Christian Church pastor noted, "Most men of the neighborhood could read Chronicles by spelling half the words and all had had Bunyan read to them, and the Eighth of Romans."6 Paul the Apostle emphasized in Romans that God's spirit would set true believers free from the power of sin and death. Here lay the foundation stones of evangelical faith! These Protestants believed individu­ als needed "to undergo an emotionally wrenching conversion experience and subsequent rebirth stemming from an awareness of sinful guilt, and Christ's act of atoning, through his death for their sins."7 Lard recognized: "Bunyan, then, supplied them with experiences and Romans with texts, by which to prove predestination. On Sundays, the countryside flocked to church—the wags and wits to swap horses and whistles, and to bet on com­ ing races, and the Christians to hear the sermon and to relate their experi­ ences as was fitting. . . . Solomon Kimsey always preached the same ser­ mon and it always had the same effect—that is, the women were left crying and the men discussing the election."8 Many new ministers, most famously Charles Finney of New York, devised measures to spur on revivals. Kimsey's particular forte, on the other hand, was relating local folklore and sharing heartily at frontier festivities. Between 1844 and 1850, the Reverend Robert James revived and increased the membership at New Hope, in addition to rebuilding the church structure. Like many in the congregation, James had migrated from Kentucky. Yet the fact that he had gained a superior education at Georgetown College made him atypical of the other members at New Hope.

5 Roney, From Entry Fee, 28. 6 Quoted in ibid. 7 Davidson, Nation, 1:416. 8 Roney, From Entry Fee, 28. Revivalism in Clay County 265

A Baptist preacher born and edu­ cated in Kentucky, Robert James served New Hope for six years before joining the rush to California in 1850.

Jesse James Farm and Museum Kearney, Missouri By supplying the labor of two of his slaves plus some of his own cash, James led the effort to erect a suitable church building. He proved particu­ larly adept at developing fervor throughout the region, and under his leader­ ship the membership increased to ninety-four. Not only did James organize the North Liberty Baptist Association in 1844, he helped secure the place­ ment at Liberty of the projected Baptist college to be named for benefactor William Jewell. After he departed for the gold fields of California, the con­ gregation soon diminished. A parishioner lamented, "The Rev. Robt James preached his farewell sermon at New Hope two weeks since and left for California the following Wednesday. ... I have never seen so many families being left alone, or placed with others in all my life as a result of this strange infatuation.. . . Bro. James seemed much affected at parting with us, and said his object was not gold, but to preach. Members think he was justi­ fied in going, but we will miss him very much." 9 Yet the era evinced institutional fragmentation. When the Southern Baptist Convention organized in 1845, the question of slavery was the pre­ cipitating issue. During James's tenure at New Hope the volatile issue of abolition sundered congregations in the associations. In 1845 two circuit preachers, "Chandler and Love, almost broke up all the Churches." At

9 History of Clay and Platte Counties, Missouri (St. Louis: National Historical Company, 1885), 153, 274-277; Elizabeth W. Carter to ?, 14 April 1850, Blythe Letters, tran­ scripts in research files of Watkins Mill State Historic Site, Lawson, Missouri. Cited hereafter as Watkins Mill. 266 Missouri Historical Review

Pleasant Grove, Love drove two prominent members "out of the church, saying no slave holder had a right to an office in the church, or a place in the church." The following year the duo fled to a northern state but left mem­ bers of the congregation such as C. C. Huffaker filled with antislavery senti­ ment. A new preacher did his best to reconcile the church. While he wooed the slaveholders to return, he asked "those die hards [in] the Pleasant Grove Class ... to reflect a while, and suffer for the trouble they had." 10 The family of Waltus L. Watkins was representative of those attracted by James's efforts to revive New Hope Baptist Church. Waltus, his wife, Mary Ann, and their brood had moved from Liberty to Washington Township in 1839. As Waltus set about securing the most conspicuous farmstead in the region and engaging in diverse entrepreneurial ventures, more of his kin migrated from Kentucky. A chain of relatives ultimately stretched from Waltus's Bethany plantation northwesterly toward the churches at Pleasant Grove and New Hope. The women in the family possessed a pronounced religiosity; two of his sisters zealously sought for decades to convert Waltus and his peers. The evangelicalism manifested in family correspondence, more often emotional than intellectual, shared a cluster of assumptions with a decidedly middle-class base. Each convert

Tabitha Gill to ?, 17 May 1846, Blythe Letters.

Watkins Mill State Park

Waltus Watkins and his family set­ tled in Washington Township in 1839; ten years later they were prominent in the business, social and religious life of the area. Revivalism in Clay County 267 believed that the individual was competent to gain or to lose salvation, that society must strive to eradicate sin and that saved Christians, when their efforts succeeded, would be rewarded with a thousand years of peace and progress.n Watkins, a correspondent noted in 1835, resisted evangelicalism. "You either were or feigned to be skeptical in the important and vital concern of Christian Religion." 12 It is unclear whether Waltus doubted the religious tenets in general or whether his suspicions arose from the purported conver­ sion experiences. Such hesitancy vexed the deeply religious Mary Watkins Handy, who corresponded with Waltus from Kentucky throughout the 1830s and 1840s. In 1847 she used the death of one of their sisters to convince Waltus to "try and become a Christian and love and serve the Lord."13 In August 1849, the forty-two-year-old Waltus joined the Baptist association at New Hope, approximately four miles northwest of his homesite. Rebecca Watkins, his next youngest sister, who had moved with her mother to the Bethany log cabin, recorded this intensely personal yet also broadly com­ munal event. According to Rebecca's account to relatives in nearby Platte County, Waltus had finally, yet wholeheartedly, responded to one of the periodic reli­ gious crusades that swept the region.14 At this time Missourians were stirred by evangelical denominations "in great numbers," according to histo­ rian Perry McCandless, "because of their less formalized creed and ritual, greater democratic organization, willingness to emotionalize the personal experience with God, and offer of quick salvation and immediate member­ ship in the church." 15 This 1849 revival began in the middle of July and lasted throughout August. The tactics used a generation before had evolved into the move­ ment known as the Second Great Awakening. They had originated at Cane Ridge, Kentucky, early in the century and been enhanced by new measures perfected in New York. Practitioner Charles C. Finney, who had written a manual for revival ministers, observed, "A revival is not a miracle, it is a purely scientific result of the right use of constituted means." 16 Finney's

11 Chad C. Means, The Edited Watkins Family Letters (n.p.: William Jewell College, 1991), 5-9. William L. Barney, The Passage of the Republic: An Interdisciplinary History of Nineteenth-Century America (Lexington, Mass.: D. C. Heath Co., 1987), 97-104, 182-183. 12 Thomas M. Freeman to Waltus L. Watkins, 13 January 1835, Watkins Mill. 13 Mary W. Handy to Waltus L. Watkins, 14 January 1847, in ibid. 14 Rebecca Watkins to Mother and Sisters, 7 August 1849, in ibid. 15 Perry McCandless, A History of Missouri, Volume II: 1820 to 1860 (Columbia: University of Missouri Press, 1972), 206. 16 Quoted in Davidson, Nation, 1: 416. 268 Missouri Historical Review

measures included protracted evening sessions building toward an emotion­ al climax, blunt direct speech (often praying for sinners by name) and disre­ gard for doctrine. The 1849 assembly affected Presbyterians, Methodists and "old bap­ tists" alike. Three ministers, including the highly reputable Robert James, exhorted the sinners to convert. Another Watkins family correspondent related how Waltus, after being sick for the three previous weeks, respond­ ed. The congregation saw "Waltus' deep conviction ... his clear and bright conversion while on the mourners' bench and then, in the course of a half hour, when the invitation was given, [saw] him come out so humbly— though boldly—and relate his experience." 17 Rebecca rejoiced, "I do wish you all could have been there, to hear him talk. He says he would not take the world for the hope that he has." 18 It must have been impressive for the congregation to see Squire Watkins, pillar of the community, make such professions. He epitomized the historic Baptist emphasis on a regenerate membership. Both James Watkins and his brother Waltus were among the forty to fifty who contemplated conversion at this revival. Minister Robert James reportedly "said he never saw as many at one time before. It looks like the good Lord has begun a good work there." 19 James Watkins vacillated while Waltus professed his faith, indicating his inward conversion. The New Hope Church accepted Waltus for membership on August 7. His baptism, the outward witness of his conversion, occurred the following day. It is his descendants' belief, unverified by documentation, that the latter ceremony occurred at Tryst Falls, which lay south of the Watkins farmstead. A mem­ ber of the congregation reported that Waltus "is a changed man. He is regenerated and born again. His whole theme is to talk about religion, go to meetings and read the Bible."20 The women of the family were particularly heartened to welcome a prominent male to their religious cause. The extended family was invited to celebrate when the association meeting con­ vened at New Hope at the end of the month. Waltus's conversion, according to the sister who witnessed it, answered their mother's prayers. Elizabeth Carter confessed, "My Ken or tongue cannot tell the half of it... we all just had to rejoice aloud and embrace him in our arms." Meanwhile, brother James Watkins "wants religion, but says he don't know how to get it," and brother-in-law Philip Gill had once again been "turned out" of a neighboring Methodist church, then meeting at the Franklin schoolhouse.21

17 Elizabeth Carter to Mother, Sister and Daughter, 9 August 1849, Watkins Mill. 18 Rebecca Watkins to Mother and Sisters, 7 August 1849, in ibid. 19 Ibid. 20 Elizabeth Carter to Mother, Sister and Daughter, 9 August 1849, in ibid. 21 Ibid. For changes in descriptions of revivals and conversions see Mark A. Noll et al., eds., Eerdmans' Handbook to Christianity in America (Grand Rapids, Mich.: William B. Eerdmans' Publishing Co., 1983), 184. Revivalism in Clay County 269

State Historical Society of Missouri

In the last three decades much scholarly work has focused on the con­ text of religious revivals in nineteenth-century America. The prevailing hypothesis, if not a paradigm, is that individuals and regions facing adjust­ ments to the emerging market system, the ethos of individualism and more nationwide norm setting felt beset by crisis. A revisionistic hypothesis ten­ dered by historian George M. Thomas asserts, "Nineteenth century revival­ ism framed the rules and identities of the expanding market and the national polity." The old line Calvinistic minister with an orthodox Reformation message now made little sense. Rather, revivalists speaking within "a new democracy, a growing community comprising successful merchants, crafts­ men, cottage industries, and shopkeepers, surrounded by successful yeomen farmers" carried a meaningful message. Thomas delineates four facets of revivalism that made "sense" to the aspiring Jacksonians and, later, the Republicans of the nineteenth century: "1) radical free will (Arminianism) with shades of antinomianism. 2) rational unity of means and ends exhibit­ ed in rational methods of evangelism and spirituality. 3) the expected per­ fection of each believer in this life, and 4) through the efforts of individuals, the perfecting of the nation, i.e. individuals bring about the millennium."22

22 George M. Thomas, Revivalism and Cultural Change: Christianity, Nation Building, and the Market in the Nineteenth Century United States (Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1989), 6, 8, 84. Arminianism opposed the Calvinist doctrine of absolute predestination; antinomians held that faith alone was necessary for salvation. 270 Missouri Historical Review

Although a lifelong Democrat from his first ballot in 1828, Waltus Watkins favored the new social order outlined by Thomas. Though no records exist of Waltus's religious ponderings or of doctrinal support systems, the balance of his life offers powerful testimony of his devotion to his faith and his church. His baptism represented a major benchmark in his life, and once sanctified, he stepped forward as a prominent Baptist. Sanctification through upright living and good works became his subsequent quest. Not only did he feel his soul regenerated, he also redoubled his energies in civic and commercial pursuits. Henceforth, as later emphasized in his obituary, "his duties to society, morality, religion and his financial obligations were his supreme law." 23 Waltus's faith provided an explanation for both his personal successes and the failures of some of his peers. His evangelical beliefs rein­ forced his ideology, the way he perceived the world and his place in it and his anticipated destiny. The "Benevolent Empire"—a loose national aggregation of various reform movements targeted for either home or foreign missions—was the goal of numerous activities supported by Watkins and fellow reformers in his era. Through voluntary civic associations he led efforts to create a debate society, a subscription library and schools in the frontier community. Watkins championed endeavors to liberate victims from their own passions through the temperance movement, Sunday schools and missionary endeav­ ors. Historian William Barney has perceived a hidden agenda in such striv­ ing: "By transforming liberation into control and secular progress into the coming of the millennium, evangelicalism exerted a powerful appeal on the middle class. For all its boundless optimism, evangelicalism promised a society of self-regulating individuals who, by submitting to God's moral authority, set limits on their own lust for power."24 Social control and moral uplift were entwined. Watkins and other notables at New Hope manifested the evangelical penchant for division and determined to establish a new church in 1857. Waltus, his wife and eldest daughter thus became one of the constituting families of Mount Vernon Baptist Church, located within a mile of the two- story, eighteen-room brick house they were building at Bethany. There is little evidence of a schism. Obituaries of Watkins and J. J. Garrett, who also joined in the change, simply note, "When it was thought wise and pru­ dent to organize Mt. Vernon Church he moved his membership from New

23 Waltus's eulogist, W. C. Barrett, proclaimed: "As a Christian he wheighed well this thoughts, and Fairness and stability characterized his actions: he was successful in business and liberal to a Fault. The various religious institutions of the day shared in his benevolence; the mission cause home and Foreign." Watkins Mill; History of Clay and Platte Counties, 506. 24 Handy, History of the Churches, 173; Barney, Passage of the Republic, 101. Revivalism in Clay County 271

Hope."25 Five families, including that of the Reverend William Barrett, constituted the foundation of Mount Vernon. The exact location of the wooden structure is unknown; however, it lay somewhat south of Franklin School, the brick octagonal building erected in 1856 on the road linking Plattsburg with Richmond. No documentation exists of church activities at Mount Vernon during the founding period of 1857 to 1865, a turbulent time for both society and politics. The issues of slavery and secession enflamed politics. Moreover, Watkins introduced industrialism to the rural region when, in 1861, he opened a three-story woolen factory. Soon, thirty to forty Watkins Mill operatives, some of European origin and many already indoc­ trinated with the more modern value system, joined the upland southern gentry in worship at Mount Vernon. By 1860 evangelical Protestantism, as Robert Handy has noted, pervad­ ed American life. "Protestant ideas and perspectives were disseminated in the culture not only through the institutions of religion but also through those of education and reform. . . . This was the time in which the Protestant denominations which had embraced most fully the system of the revival grew to massive size and influence."26 Measures of this impact can

25 Mount Vernon Baptist Church, Minutebook, 1865-1887, 3 May 1884, Watkins Mill. The church went by various names. When Waltus served as clerk, 1865-1871, he designated it the United Baptist Church of Jesus Christ at Mount Vernon. His successor, William Waers, altered it to Mount Vernon Baptist Church. Common references to the structure now call it Mount Vernon Missionary Baptist Church. As there appears to be no biblical source for Mount Vernon, the designation possibly arose from the site, although no other historical records of the locale mention Mount Vernon for any other place in the township. The same minutes specify Greenville as the meeting place in the period of 1869 to 1871. History of Clay and Platte Counties, 499. Roney, From Entry Fee, 25, dates the establishment of Mount Vernon Baptist Church as 1854. 26 Handy, History of the Churches, 196.

As Watkins became more affluent, he replaced his cabin with this two-story, eighteen-room mansion. State Historical Society of Missouri 272 Missouri Historical Review be glimpsed in the life of Waltus Watkins. Significantly, two of his sons born in the 1850s received names of religious leaders: Waltus Jewell Watkins, born in 1852, was named for the Boone County benefactor whose initiative had stimulated citizens in Liberty and Baptists throughout the region to erect the college edifice bearing his name in 1853. Waltus and Mary Ann named their next son, born in 1856, Adonirum Judson, after the noted Baptist missionary to India.27 In a further effort to sanctify his existence, Waltus channeled his ener­ gies to sustain the fledgling William Jewell College. For example, before his conversion he volunteered in 1847 as a subscription solicitor to help raise funds to bring the college to Clay County. Three years later when Robert James departed, Watkins also assumed part of the minister's share, which totaled $196. In 1850 he became a trustee of the college (one of six from Clay County). He also acted as an examiner of the school's students for one week at the end of each school year for the next sixteen years. In 1857 the Liberty Tribune included Watkins in its list as a man of wealth and influence, a key benefactor for the college, as the institution sought to raise an endowment, pay off debts and complete "the College edifice."28 It is not clear how much he contributed toward the $50,000 goal. Documentation at Watkins Mill State Historic Site includes the minute books for the Mount Vernon Church for the 1865-1887 and 1901-1928 peri­ ods. These reveal a glimpse of the institutionalization of revivalism. In his study of the nineteenth century's religious landscape, Nathan Hatch has noted: "The formation of revivalistic Protestantism in the two decades before the Civil War was part of a larger trend to bring discipline and con­ solidation to a culture marked by experimentation and novelty . . . holding the line was easier said than done." The 1865-1887 minutes for Mount Vernon indicate the extent of Waltus Watkins's paternalism and the sense of community shared among mill workers and neighboring farmers.29 The church records are multifaceted for the historical investigator. First, however, it must be noted that the minutes were recorded from one perspec­ tive. Waltus Watkins served as clerk from 1865 to 1872, to be succeeded by

27 Watkins Family Genealogy, Watkins Mill. 28 Dorothy J. Caldwell, "Missouri's National Historic Landmarks, Part III, Watkins Mill," Missouri Historical Review 63 (April 1969): 365-366; Liberty Tribune, 20 March 1857; History of Clay and Platte Counties, 274-278. 29 Nathan O. Hatch, The Democratization of American Christianity (New Haven: Yale University Press, 1989), 206; Minutebook, 1865-1887, Watkins Mill. Lawrence Frederick Kohl, "The Concept of Social Control and the History of Jacksonian America," Journal of the Early Republic 5 (Spring 1985): 24, hypothesizes that institutions of social control, such as the church or the factory, might serve primarily as organizers rather than eliminators of conflict and change in society. Philip Scranton, "Varieties of Paternalism: Industrial Structures and the Social Relations of Production in American Textiles," American Quarterly 36 (Summer 1984): 235-257, distinguishes three forms of paternalism. Revivalism in Clay County 273

At least fifteen men served the pulpit during Mount Vernon Church's first two decades.

State Historical Society of Missouri

William Waers, the dyemaster and bookkeeper at the woolen factory, who in turn passed on the chore in the early 1880s to Waltus's son, Joe Berry. Thus, an oligarchical, rather than a democratic, slant is given to the official records. With such bias in mind, three facets can be analyzed. Church records for the two-decade period include 15 different men elected pastor and 114 names entered on the membership rolls. Both groups appear highly fluid. Most pastors, who served quarter to half time on a cir­ cuit through the area, lasted two years. Official letters of dismissal were recorded for worshipers who sought transfer out of the congregation. An undated separate listing includes names of eighty-seven subscribers, in seven distinct categories, for $211. Members of the Watkins clan appear at the top; Waltus and Mary Ann each pledged $11, while Carrie and Joe sub­ scribed for $4. Two sets of entries note African Americans joining the flock. On January 1, 1865, before the state's convention passed an ordinance for immediate emancipation, two "black" men (Heston and Woodson) plus two "black" women (Kerty and Marta) joined the rolls. One of the men was later noted as "gone" rather than dismissed. A second contingent of three black women, including "Eliza" (possibly the Watkins's cook), gained dis­ missal.30

30 Minutebook, 1865-1887, passim, Watkins Mill. Membership lists are on unnumbered pages inserted at the front of the minute book. 274 Missouri Historical Review

Rules of Decorum, Articles of Faith and a Covenant also bonded the worshipers.31 Section II of the rules about "promiscuous regulations" revealed a number of points. The "Church [would] observe rules of all deliberative bodies"; "members absent for 6 consecutive months shall be called to account, those 12 months be excluded"; "all cases of difficulties between members shall be dealt with according to the 18th chapter of Matthew" (later amended in 1878 to "a charge against any member shall be made in writing"). Hence, scripturalism—the application of New Testament teachings to everyday life—was advocated. The articles, which stated, "We believe that the holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, that it is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction the only rule of faith and practice," reinforced this approach. Both the articles and the covenant conveyed a buoyant optimism and the voluntary nature of the faithful. The covenant included the promise "that we will walk together in brotherly love, as becomes the members of a Christian Church; that we will exercise an affec­ tionate care and watchfulness over each other, and faithfully admonish and entreat one another as occasion may require." 32 Not all customs had a foun­ dation in published rules. As with other Baptist congregations, Mount Vernon probably held a covenant meeting on a weekday prior to the month­ ly observance of the Lord's Supper; on such occasions members gathered to testify about their religious experience and renew covenants. The church's obituary for Waltus Watkins offers testimony to his mater­ ial contributions. "When this house in which we worship was being erected he left all things else and gave his earnest devotions to it until ready for occupation. He gave liberally of his means in support of mission and churches at home and abroad."33 Such assistance was then calculated at $5,530. When the first church burned in late 1868, Waltus not only super­ vised construction of its replacement on a nearby site, but also donated limestone for its foundations and brick from his kilns for the walls. Lastly, when the members could not completely underwrite reconstruction costs, he covered the shortfall. Although this act of benevolence held more promi­ nence, he also made consistent donations of firewood, oil for lamps, a par­ tial subsidy of ministerial salaries and even $10 for spittoons. His rewards

31 Marty, Religion and Republic, 34-46, outlines the five major facets of American reli­ gion of this era. Noll, Eerdmans' Handbook, 208, focuses on evangelical traits. Minutebook, 1865-1887 (later paginated at pages 4-7), Watkins Mill. 32 Minutebook, 1865-1887, Articles 6-7, Watkins Mill. Thomas, Revivalism, 76, asserts: "Revivalism was a particular specification or version of civil religion and the ideal of the Kingdom of God. Revivalism from the late 1820s became the institutional manager of civil religion. It was the interpreter of the Kingdom of God throughout the nineteenth century and its particular vision prevailed. . . . According to revivalism, through inward piety manifested in outward moral lives, individuals would establish the millennium." 33 3 May 1884, Minutebook, 1865-1887, Watkins Mill. Revivalism in Clay County 275 included all the posts, other than pastor, that the church could provide: trea­ surer, clerk, deacon, elder and messenger. Family lore claims that Waltus and Mary Ann donated the deed for the church land in 1875. After 1880 the minutes suddenly fail to mention Watkins, leading to the inference that ill health (most probably a stroke that led to partial paralysis) incapacitated him.34 A number of challenges confronted Mount Vernon pastors in the 1870s and 1880s. The Bible's integrity came under attack by Darwinism and other intellectual currents. Secularization caused a separation of reli­ gious life from other facets of society. Outmigration of people from adjoining farmlands led to a loss of membership to congregations located in emerging railroad towns such as Lawson and Excelsior Springs. In response, the congregation tried a number of ploys to sustain itself. First, to thwart the rapid turnover in the pastorate, it subsidized the education of Elder James Malott at William Jewell College. He repaid his obligation with nearly three years of service, from 1874 to 1877. In turn Malott used the tactic of "a protracted meeting" between late December 1874 and the beginning of the following year. The key was inviting "Elder Samuel Mayo of Nebraska . . . assisted by Bro. Cooper of Liberty, Mo." The revival not only sought to add new members, but also attempted to replen­ ish the treasury. Back salary was owed to John Luke, the previous pastor, and the building fund was in arrears. Twenty-six individuals were baptized and extended membership in this effort, although the minutes spoke of "the conversion of about forty persons." Here, as at other such meetings, not all who participated were converted. Subsequent baptisms and additions to membership rolls could be traced to such revivals. This revival proved to be the most successful ever held at Mount Vernon. Only the pastorates of J. J. Felts (1871-1873, 1882-1885) and his successor, H. A. Hunt, could approach it.35 The usually laconic church clerk noted Felts's efforts on December 2, 1881: "The Pastor preached a very earnest and edifying discourse on the subject of our covenant relations with our God and ourselves." When Felts left Mount Vernon to become a missionary for the North Liberty Association, his replacement was the

34 2 November 1872, 2 January-7 February 1874, Minutebook, 1865-1887, Watkins Mill. 35 Malott, Felts and Hunt fit the characterization provided in Noll, Eerdmans' Handbook, 283: "resourceful evangelical leaders who effectively channeled the power of revivals and voluntary religious organizations to counter the forces of purely secular change." The church minutes for February 18, 1882, note that "the Church would assemble at the water, west of the Church for the purpose of administering the ordinance of Baptism." The exact location of this spot on Williams Creek has not been ascertained. Ann Sligar, the current Watkins Mill site administrator, hypothesizes it could be either on a ledge near a Watkins family picnic site or close to the red iron bridge built to carry the Plattsburg Road over the creek. 276 Missouri Historical Review youthful H. A. Hunt from William Jewell College, described in a local his­ tory as "that enthusiastic, budding evangelist." Hunt not only encouraged the New Hope congregation to relocate and construct a new house of wor­ ship; he also staged another protracted meeting at Mount Vernon. In December 1885, Clerk Waers recorded: "The church has been greatly revived. 31 souls have professed their Knowledge of Christ." A score of this number had joined the church, an additional half dozen awaited bap­ tism, "and a number of others [were] seeking the pardon of their sins." Hunt rivaled Robert James in local lore.36 In addition to the recruitment of new members, the challenges of retain­ ing old members appeared in the Mount Vernon documents. Three distinct endeavors were visible: 1) the institutionalization of more formal programs of instruction; 2) the creation of a penance committee to counsel transgres­ sors; 3) the routine attempt to restore shirkers to active membership. In the first set of activities, sociability played a prominent role. Music and singing were noted as early as 1867; an undated notice (1901?) indicated that proceeds from a dinner would help purchase an organ. Sunday school activities were initiated with Watkins's factory supervisors enlisted as instructors. The wareroom of the factory served as a temporary site for classes. The minute book for this endeavor starts in May 1870 and ends in October 1870, simultaneously with the death of Katherine Watkins, one of the school's teachers. Although the effort discontinued, it was revived in 1880 and again in 1894.37 For example, in February and March of 1882 the church meeting called for an election of a Sunday school superintendent and selection of a Sunday school committee to recommend teachers, "select literature and classify the school, and make monthly reports to the Church."38 The last set of duties sought to enforce Section II of the Rules of Decorum. As needed, a two- or three-person committee visited members whose attendance had dropped. Some visitations led to reports that the indi­ vidual had found membership in another church more to his liking. Other reports called for the exclusion of more obstreperous individuals. Frequent­ ly, a change of residence or death resulted in no reply. At other times, an individual begged for forgiveness and resumption of membership.39 When conflict was noted in the minutes, it almost always revolved around stubborn sinners resisting intervention by church members. According to the November 30, 1878 record, Joe Dagley "neither admits nor denies having been drunk; and says he has no knowledge of swearing

36 2 December 1881, 5 December 1885, Minutebook, 1865-1887, Watkins Mill. 37 Mt. Vernon Log Book, Mt. Vernon Sunday School Minute Book, articles in Watkins Mill Association Collection, Watkins Mill. 38 18 March 1882, Minutebook, 1865-1887, Watkins Mill. 39 31 August 1878, in ibid. Revivalism in Clay County 277

State Historical Society of Missouri Early Mount Vernon Sunday school classes were held temporarily in a wareroom at Watkins Mill. and that if he did swear he must have been crazy. He says that he is forever done with Mt. Vernon Church, and asks to be excluded therefrom."40 While violations committed by male members specified their sin (drunkenness, swearing, dancing, cardplaying), females were simply accused of un­ christian conduct. The offspring of Waltus and Mary Ann Watkins caused their parents much discomfort when they were called before the church. Son Jewell, before turning twenty, publicly acknowledged he had acted "imprudently and recklessly." While the church forgave him, Waltus saw fit to resign as clerk. Jewell was cited again in 1873, both for intemperance and hauling hay on Sunday. In 1874 he stepped forward to confess his unworthiness and pleaded successfully for exclusion. Restoration came a year later when he acknowledged "deep sorrow and penitence for his sins." He dropped out again from 1878 to 1886, and then he and his brother A. J. rejoined. Sister Carrie also was in the spotlight. She was granted readmission in 1879 when

40 30 November 1878, in ibid. The largest uproar recorded in the minutes occurred between pastor John Luke (Waltus's step-nephew) and William Dagley's family in 1873. The issue was whether Luke had pocketed five dollars for preaching at a funeral when part of the fee should have gone to the church or been returned to the payer. William Dagley was exclud­ ed for being in "contempt of the Church." 5 April-11 July 1873. 278 Missouri Historical Review she divulged "doubt as to her conversion at the time she made a profession of religion." But she recently had experienced real conversion during atten­ dance at the Fourth Baptist Church of St. Louis when she lived with her brother Joe. There, "her doubts were all removed and her mind set at rest."41 The 1901-1928 church roll and record for Mount Vernon carried none of the energy of its predecessor. The death of Waltus Watkins in 1884 and the end of mill production in 1896 contributed to the demise of the commu­ nity. The church lost members and momentum. A printed set of Articles of Faith, Church Covenant and Rules of Order replaced handwritten predeces­ sors. Rather than the organic record of 1865 to 1887, the membership list was alphabetized on ruled sheets of a tabbed notebook. There was no dis­ sent chronicled but merely the rotation of pastors (twelve in fifteen years). The clerk recorded no meetings from June 6, 1912, through May 3, 1913. An erratic year in 1915 was followed by a revival in 1916. The last record­ ed meeting of the church was held on November 30, 1918, although at the end of every year for the succeeding decade, Clerk Joe B. Watkins faithfully wrote, "No stated meeting of this church during the year." In response to a Baptist church questionnaire in 1923, Joe wrote Mount Vernon's obituary, "No pastor at regular services since 1918." 42 The church building remained, but the members and pastors had vanished. In antebellum America religious revivals "became a powerful organiz­ ing and nationalizing force that reached into all parts of American life and all corners of the vast nation."43 In Clay County, Missouri, generations before and after the Civil War sought church membership as the primary means to build a sense of community and purpose. Why some inhabitants joined at New Hope under Robert James or at Mount Vernon under H. A. Hunt cannot be clearly documented. The persistent rural culture of Washington Township led to repeated waves of campaigns to add to church membership rolls. For folk like the Watkinses, church activities proved to be vital arenas for reaffirming their own identities and the norms of the community.

41 5 April 1873, 25 January 1875, 5 July 1879, Minutebook, 1865-1887, Watkins Mill. 42 Minutebook, 1901-1928; Joe B. Watkins to E. D. Alldredge, 9 April 1923, Watkins Mill. 43 Bernard Bailyn et al., The Great Republic: A History of the American People, 2 vols. (Lexington, Mass.: D. C. Heath, 1992), 1: 418.

Spicy Mining

Liberty Weekly Tribune, July 20, 1849. The Morgan (111.) Journal says that a gingerbread mine has been discovered in Calhoun county. Great mineral country this! James Memorial Library

Prohibition Vineyards: The Italian Contribution to Viticulture in Missouri

BY ROBERT F. SCHEEF* With the passage of the Prohibition Amendment in 1919, grape growers from coast to coast destroyed or abandoned generations-old vineyards. The skill of growing grapes and the craft of turning this agricultural product into wine withered while Americans developed a taste for "bath-tub gin" and other potent improvisations. Historical accounts written during this peri­ od—which coincided with the centennial of Missouri's statehood—carefully avoided discussing the state's prominence as a center of viniculture in the previous century. Yet, throughout the fourteen years of the prohibition "experiment," the Italians at Rosati in Phelps County, Missouri, faithfully tended their vines. In fact, vineyard acreage increased between 1919 and 1934, with grapes becoming the chief crop of the farming community. Though they had arrived in the United States only twenty-five years before national prohibi­ tion began, their steadfastness kept viticulture alive in Missouri during the alcohol ban and provided a starting point for the reemergence of winemak- ing in the state after repeal.

*Robert F. Scheef is a freelance writer who lives in Glendale. He received a B.A. degree from Coe College, Cedar Rapids, Iowa, and authored Vintage Missouri: A Guide to Missouri Wineries, which was published in 1991 by the Patrice Press.

279 280 Missouri Historical Review

The importance of the Italian immigrants' contribution to the later renaissance of viticulture in Missouri contrasts starkly with their minor influence on other aspects of the state's rural culture and history. As partici­ pants in one of the most recent immigration movements, the Italians came to Missouri too late and too few in number to add more than a pinch of fresh spice to the cosmopolitan flavor of its major cities. Italian immigration to Missouri barely rippled the flood of German immigration that dominated the nineteenth century. As late as 1910, Italian-born residents of Missouri num­ bered barely 21,000, mostly concentrated in St. Louis and Kansas City. By contrast, German-born residents numbered more than 360,000. Similarly, the populations of Irish, English, Russians and Austrians each surpassed the number of Italians living in the state. * The Italians shared with the earlier emigration movements compelling reasons to forsake their homeland for the New World. In the final quarter of the nineteenth century newly unified Italy virtually exhausted its national treasury in pursuing colonial adventures in North Africa. An agricultural depression in 1887 also strained the abilities of farmers to earn a living from the worn-out soil. These events occurred when, for the first time in Italian history, the birthrate exceeded the death rate. The consequences of these factors included high taxes, famine, unemployment and overpopulation, which severely limited the opportunities of families to own land and earn even a subsistence income.2 Thus, the idea of immigrating to America held strong appeal to the con- tadini, the class of landless peasants and artisans. They had certainly heard much about the vastness of Stati Uniti, the availability of arable land and the high regard for personal liberty in its form of government. Pasquale d'Angelo, who emigrated from Italy in 1910, characterized the prevailing mood in his memoir, Son of Italy: "Our people have to emigrate. It is a mat­ ter of too much boundless life and too little space. We feel tied up there. Every bit of cultivable soil is owned by those fortunate few who lord over us."3 In 1895 such circumstances drove more than five hundred families to accept the terms of an emigration plan initiated by New York millionaire Austin Corbin.4

1 Giovanni E. Schiavo, The Italians in Missouri (Chicago: Italian American Publishing Co., 1929), 25. 2 Andrew F. Rolle, The Immigrant Upraised (Norman: University of Oklahoma Press, 1968), 19-30. 3 Quoted in ibid., 37. 4 Allesandro Mastro-Valerio, "Italians," United States Industrial Commission Reports, 15 (1901; reprint, New York: Arno Press and The New York Times, 1970), 505. During the early 1890s, Mastro-Valerio, editor of Chicago's La Tribuna Italiana, sponsored the develop­ ment of two agricultural settlements of Italians in Alabama. The Italian Contribution to Viticulture in Missouri 281

Corbin had earned his wealth by following Horace Greeley's advice to "go west, young man." Within two years of graduating from Harvard Law School in 1849, he had relocated to Davenport, Iowa, where he amassed a personal fortune as a banker. Incorporating the First National Bank of Davenport in 1863, Corbin built much of the bank's strength on farm mort­ gage loan investments that attracted eastern capital.5 In 1865 he moved to New York and established the Corbin Banking Company. Again, Corbin promoted the investment potential of mortgage loans, particularly on farms in the South. He pointed out that land values were certain to rise over time, regardless of whether the tenants made improvements. Moreover, these loan contracts specified that interest would continue to accrue on failure to pay and that foreclosure costs, if necessary, would be paid by the tenant.6 Corbin also demonstrated his business acumen in other enterprises. He reorganized the bankrupt Indiana, Bloomington & Western Railroad in 1874 and returned it to profitability. He effected the same cure on the failing Philadelphia & Reading Railroad from 1886 to 1888. During Corbin's last fifteen years, he presided over the Long Island Railroad, expanding the line beyond Manhattan onto Long Island. Lionized as "The King of Long Island," Corbin developed Coney Island as a resort and recreation area. A plan to receive immigrants on the east end of Long Island involved him in a trans-Atlantic passenger steamship line.7 Along with these activities, Corbin maintained a keen interest in devel­ oping the potential of the South. The January 11, 1895 edition of the New York Times announced Corbin's intention "to colonize the idle land of the South." To accomplish this aim he negotiated with Prince Emanuele Ruspoli, the mayor of Rome, to sponsor a group of northern Italian families to immigrate to the United States.8 Nearly six hundred families agreed to leave Italy and establish an agricultural community in Chicot County, Arkansas. A desire to rescue poor peasants from the dim prospects of their homeland might have motivated the New York millionaire to develop this plan. Certainly, Corbin had observed the poor living conditions and lim­ ited employment opportunities that greeted Italians in New York City. Immigrants typically disembarked and remained in the port cities that

5 Dictionary of American Biography, s.v. "Corbin, Austin." 6 New York Times, 16 November 1884. 7 Dictionary of American Biography, s.v. "Corbin, Austin"; New York Times, 30 July 1882, 17 July 1889. 8 Reports of the Immigration Commission: Immigrants in Industry, Pt. 24, "Recent Immigration in Agriculture," Chap. 17, "Sunnyside, Ark., North Italian Cotton Growers," 61st Cong., 2nd sess. (Washington, D.C: Government Printing Office, 1911), 319. Hereafter referred to as Immigrants in Industry. 282 Missouri Historical Review

Austin Corbin, a wealthy investor and developer, provided early opportunities for Italian immigrants by establishing the Sunny side plantation in Arkansas.

State Historical Society of Missouri received them for several reasons. Many Italians stayed together because they found security living in neighborhoods with people from their native land. Based on their most recent experiences in Italy, they tended to regard the city, in contrast to the rural environment, as a safe haven where they could quickly earn a little money.9 Many lacked funds to move farther than Manhattan's Mulberry Street, becoming trapped in the padrone system of low wages and exploitation. In addition to the philanthropic overtones of Corbin's immigration plan, the potential of untapped resources piqued his business sense. By establishing immigrant labor on idle land in the South, Corbin saw opportunities for profit that offset the risks of his investment, while offering the Italians an alternative to New York's crowded ghettos. Since the early 1880s Corbin had tried to develop his Arkansas cotton plantation using the labor of African-American sharecroppers and, later, convicts provided by the state's penal system. To insure the success of the Italians where previous tenants had failed, Corbin promised financial back­ ing to help establish a permanent settlement, complete with a school, a church and a rail trunk line.10 Vastly different from the Alpine terrain of northern Italy, the sultry bottomland at this location on the western bank of the Mississippi River had persistently thwarted colonization. Crescent-shaped Lake Chicot effectively hemmed in the four thousand- acre tract where Corbin had located the cotton fields of his Sunny Side

9 Mastro-Valerio, "Italians," 496. 10 Alfred Holt Stone, "Italian Cotton-Growers in Arkansas," The Monthly Review of Reviews 35 (February 1907): 210, 211. Stone also was a prominent plantation owner in the Mississippi Delta. The Italian Contribution to Viticulture in Missouri 283

Company. Flood waters of the Mississippi River regularly inundated these lowlands, prompting descriptions of the plantation as an island. A system of levees had captured the river's seasonal flood channel in a fifteen-mile-long lake, measuring a half-mile wide for most of its length. The area's past his­ tory as a penal colony in addition to labor problems that accompanied the demise of Southern plantations after the Civil War clouded the potential of the rich alluvial land.n In a pamphlet circulated by Prince Ruspoli, Italians read of Corbin's offer to relocate up to one hundred families per year. Toward the end of 1895 a small vanguard of Italians arrived in New Orleans aboard the SS Chateau Queen. From that point they traveled to Arkansas aboard a river- boat operated by Corbin's Anchor Line. They moved into housing built and stocked by Corbin, who also parceled out twenty-acre plots to each family, with a twenty-one-year arrangement for purchase at low interest. Along with farm implements and seed, they also received booklets of scrip for buying necessities at the company store, with credit extended on the expect­ ed yield of the colony's first cotton crop.12 Initially encouraged by members in the first group, the main contingent of colonists departed Italy in December 1896. Taking steerage accommoda­ tions aboard the Guglialmo, about a hundred families arrived in New York. By January 1897, they had joined their friends and relatives in Sunnyside, Arkansas (as cartographers later marked the settlement).13 Unanticipated difficulties immediately hampered the success of Corbin's ambitious plan. First, the immigrants consisted of families from different districts of Italy. As long-standing rivals they were not accus­ tomed to working toward common goals. Additionally, the Italians, as a group, did not fully embrace the tenets of capitalism that had made their sponsor a wealthy man. They could not see how growing cotton as a cash crop would provide them with the staples necessary to form a town. Trained mostly as artisans, the colonists knew even less than Austin Corbin about growing cotton.14

11 Federal Writers' Program, Arkansas, A Guide to the State (New York: Hastings House, 1941), 282; Thomas Pinney, A History of Wine in America, From the Beginnings to Prohibition (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1989), 405; Robert L. Brandfon, "The End of Immigration to the Cotton Fields," Mississippi Valley Historical Review 50 (March 1964): 605, 610. 12 Virginia Follens, "Ozark Vineyards," The Farm Quarterly 3 (Winter 1948): 26; Elsie Marie Wasser, "The Zulpo Family of Recoaro, Italy, Sunnyside Settlement, Arkansas, and Rosati, Missouri," 29, manuscript in the James Memorial Library, St. James; Mastro-Valerio, "Italians," 505. 13 Thomas Rothrock, "The Story of Tontitown, Arkansas," Arkansas Historical Quarterly 16 (Spring 1957): 84. 14 Bruno Roselli, "An Arkansas Epic," Century Magazine 99 (January 1920): 378, 379; Stone, "Italian Cotton-Growers," 210. 284 Missouri Historical Review

Worse than the obstacles presented by cultural differences, devastating hardships dashed the aspirations of the colonists. Endemic to southern wet­ lands, mosquito-borne malaria ravaged the newcomers from the Italian Alps. During a two-month period in their first year at the site, more than one hundred members of the colony perished. Further, on June 4, 1896, Austin Corbin died in a buggy accident at his country home in Newport, New Hampshire. Among the family members who gathered for the funeral in New York was Corbin's son-in-law, George S. Edgell, who had been super­ vising the Arkansas settlement. The ensuing conflict over the disposition of Corbin's estate, including the assets of the Sunny Side Company, left the Italians bereft of the financial support they had been promised. In particu­ lar, drainage and sanitation projects proposed by Corbin to remedy the out­ breaks of malaria came to a halt.15 In concept, plantation contractors typically offered the farmers an opportunity to advance from sharecropper tenants to owners of the land they worked. This progression, however, depended on the willingness of the contractor to sell the property. The Sunnyside plantation eventually passed into the hands of an experienced Mississippi cotton contractor, O. B. Crittenden & Company, who made no pretense of sharing any of Corbin's philanthropic feelings toward field laborers.16 Crittenden instituted management practices that had evolved with little alteration from antebellum plantation customs. He rented the land to the tenants for seven dollars per acre annually. Providing equipment and med­ ical care through a company store, the contractor bought the entire harvest, deducting expenses incurred throughout the year.17 Many observers consid­ ered Crittenden's handling of the plantation to be a success in comparison to the efforts of "very excellent civil engineers from New England and the North." 18 In this respect, the Italian colonists validated the racist viewpoint that the previous failure of the plantation was attributable to unwilling African Americans who, after gaining their emancipation, were free to walk away from cruel overseers and a life of chopping cotton.

15 Mastro-Valerio, "Italians," 505, 506; New York Times, 5, 7 June 1896. 16 Brandfon, "The End of Immigration," 605; Joseph Velikonja, "The Italian Contribution to the Geographic Character of Tontitown, Arkansas and Rosati, Missouri," trans. Don Fischer, paper presented before the Convengno Sull 'Emigrazione E Sull' Opera Degli Italiani Nagli Stati Uniti L'America, Universita Di Firenze, Italy, Instituto di Studi American (Springfield: Southwest Missouri State College, 1971), 21. Velikonja also points out that "the story of Italian immigration in the United States has until now been left with a conspicuous lacuna in the detailed research on rural communities, insignificant by their numerical consistency, but important by the process of adaptation and assimilation which occurred in an environment frequently isolated." 17 John T. Mathews, "Tontitown, A Story of the Conservation of Men," Everybody's Magazine 20 (January 1909): 6; Rolle, Immigrant Upraised, 80. 18 Stone, "Italian Cotton-Growers," 211. The Italian Contribution to Viticulture in Missouri 285

With their survival in doubt, the desperate contadini sent pleas for help to other Italian immigrants in major American cities. In New York City, Father Pietro Bandini heard of their suffering. At the behest of the Italian government, Bandini had come to America to investigate the condition of immigrants in New York. He was well qualified for such an undertaking; as a scholar he had written extensively on Italian emigration. Originally con­ ceived as a one-year sabbatical from his academic position in the province of Tuscany, his mission aimed to gather first-hand information about the Italians who had left their homeland. As one of the founders of the St. Raphael Italian Benevolent Society in 1891, Bandini met many of those who had passed through New York on their way to Sunnyside. Compared to the oppressive conditions he witnessed in the Italian neighborhoods of New York, agricultural settlements appealed to Bandini as a way for immi­ grant families to succeed in the New World.19 In spite of the catastrophe taking shape at Sunnyside, Bandini continued to believe in the merits of relocating the contadini to isolated farm commu­ nities. Adopting the fate of the Sunnyside colonists as his spiritual calling, he hurried to their aid in 1898.20 He greeted the tattered survivors with a stirring invocation: "I have promised God that I would save you, and save

19 Roselli, "Arkansas Epic," 379; New York Times, 25 September 1892; Follens, "Ozark Vineyards," 26, 94. 20 Floyd B. Nichols, "Making an Immigrants' Paradise," Technical World 19 (August 1913): 897.

State Historical Society of Missouri

The kindly Father Pietro Bandini played an instrumental role in establishing and developing the agricultural settlement of Tonti­ town, Arkansas. 286 Missouri Historical Review you I will. . . . You are my flock, and I, your God-given shepherd, will lead you into the sheepfold. Follow me at once." 21 Bandini quickly set about the task of delivering his people from the malarial swamplands of Chicot County. With funds he supplied, Bandini obtained an option to purchase several hundred acres on the northwestern edge of the Arkansas Ozarks, about eight kilometers west of the town of Springdale. In April 1898 the weary travelers beheld their new homeland.22 They named the place Tontitown, recognizing an earlier Italian visitor to the region, Enrico de Tonti, an officer in La Salle's expedition, which claimed the Mississippi Valley for France in 1682. In addition to his responsibilities as a spiritual leader, Bandini became the town's mayor and school superintendent. Despite the expected difficulties of building a town on unimproved land, which were exacerbated by violent opposition from neighbors, Bandini held his flock together. As an indication of his effectiveness as a leader, the community attracted much attention in the first decade of the twentieth century. For example, Italian Ambassador Edmondo Des Planches visited Tontitown in 1905 and wept "tears of joy" at the rousing band, banners, neatly dressed children and the happy, healthy faces that greeted him.23 Father Bandini had every right to be proud of his accomplishment. Yet, his contribution surpassed courting favor with dignitaries and journalists. Translating government-issued agricultural manuals, he tutored the mem­ bers of the community in planting orchards, berry patches and vineyards. He petitioned Italy's Queen Margherita for support in furnishing their church. By 1912 the town showed sure signs of success in its dairy farms, a brick kiln, a broom factory, a smithy and a cobbler shop. Although he peri­ odically returned to Italy to solicit aid from religious and governmental offi­ cials, Bandini continued his mission at Tontitown until his death in 1917, when he was buried in the town's St. Joseph Cemetery. He had lived long enough to see Tontitown cast as "an immigrants' paradise." 24 An Italian journalist, Bruno Roselli, visited Tontitown a couple of years after Bandini's death. In addition to noting familiar elements of Italian country life, Roselli praised the perseverance of the colonists: "Many an

21 John T. Faris, The Romance of Forgotten Towns (New York: Harper & Brothers Publishers, 1924), 322. 22 Rothrock, "Story of Tontitown," 85. 23 Mathews, "Tontitown," 10, 11. According to Brandfon, "End of Immigration," 602, 603, plantation owners and railroaders sponsored the ambassador's visit to several Italian farm communities to promote immigration. Des Planches also visited Sunnyside and lamented the impoverished conditions among the Italians who remained there. 24 Anita Moore, "A Safe Way to Get on the Soil," World's Work 24 (June 1912): 216, 217; Rolle, Immigrant Upraised, 84; Nichols, "Making an Immigrants' Paradise," 894; Rothrock, "The Story of Tontitown," 87. The Italian Contribution to Viticulture in Missouri 287

The residents of Tontitown celebrated the visit of Italian Ambassador Edmondo Des Planches in 1905.

State Historical Society of Missouri

Italian has lived on ten percent of reality and ninety percent of hope." 25 This same spirit characterized the determination of another faction of the original Sunnyside colony, which settled two hundred miles northeast of Tontitown in Knobview, Missouri. In an effort to survive, the Sunnyside colonists had dispatched three representatives to St. Louis in 1897 to investigate the possibility of moving to that city. At that time St. Louis had two Italian neighborhoods. The first "Little Italy" had taken root downtown around Sixth and Morgan streets. The shanties and alleys in this area, familiar to St. Louisans as the "poverty district," had served as the first stop for earlier immigrant groups of Germans, Irish and Jews. To the west, isolated and removed from city ser­ vices and amenities, a community of southern Italians crowded together in Fairmont Heights, later called "the Hill." Day labor in the clay pits and brick factories was the chief employment available to the newcomers. Rejecting these conditions, the Arkansas Italians met with the execu­ tives of the St. Louis and San Francisco Railway Company, popularly known as the Frisco line. Thirty-one-year-old Antonio M. Piazza, a farmer and family man, is the person most often credited with carrying out the negotiations with the Frisco. Piazza favored the railroad's terms on right-of- way land at Knobview in Phelps County, on the northern border of the Missouri Ozarks.26

25 Roselli, "Arkansas Epic," 380. 26 Schiavo, Italians in Missouri, 58, 152; John Stewart, "Little Italy of the Ozarks,' Missouri Life 3 (July-August 1975): 40. 288 Missouri Historical Review

The railroads had promoted the sale of land adjacent to their tracks to farmers since before the Civil War. The early burst of progress toward the Pacific Ocean had brought the line, then operating as the South-West Branch of the Pacific Railroad of Missouri, into Phelps County by 1861. The Civil War then interrupted ambitious railroad construction plans. With the end of the hostilities, the race to establish a transcontinental rail route resumed. In 1866 John C. Fremont, the legendary "Pathfinder," incorporated the Atlantic & Pacific Railroad, which included routes of the former South- West Branch. The newly formed corporation aimed its track through south­ western Missouri, eventually to intersect the thirty-fifth parallel and head straight for San Francisco. To offset the tremendous cost of laying track, the A & P promoted the sale of its right-of-way land to immigrants living in big eastern cities and the frigid Northern Plains states. Even abroad, the railroads kindled emigration fever with turgid descrip­ tions of the fertile land of the American West. In 1866 Fremont's A & P entered into a partnership with the American Emigrant Aid and Homestead Company, which operated a trans-Atlantic steamship line and posted agents in Scandinavian countries to recruit immigrants to the Midwest. From east- coast ports of call Swedes and Danes boarded trains bound for Missouri, settling around Rolla in Phelps County during the early 1870s. In addition to selling the right-of-way acreage, the railroad hoped to cultivate future rail traffic, especially in the shipping of agricultural products from the so-called "fruit basket of Missouri." 27 The Frisco's offer to the Sunnyside Italians divided the colony. Reluctant to remain anywhere in Arkansas, a nucleus of eight to ten men departed for Missouri in January 1898, soon followed by some forty fami­ lies. Most of the families hailed from the province of Veneto in northeastern Italy. With undaunted optimism they referred to their new home as "Montebello," that is, "pretty mountain." However, Knobview, a name associated with the area since 1856, became the U.S. Post Office Depart­ ment's designation for the community in 1902.28 According to Antonio Piazza, the land that he and his compatriots acquired from the railroad was so barren that even a crow had to carry its own lunch when flying over. Previous visitors had spurned this brush-cov­ ered plateau for the fertile plains of the Missouri River watershed. In the dead of winter the newest arrivals attracted little notice. A tangle of deciduous

27 H. Craig Miner, The St. Louis-San Francisco Transcontinental Railroad (Lawrence: University Press of Kansas, 1972), 54; History of Laclede, Camden, Dallas, Webster, Wright, Texas, Pulaski, Phelps, and Dent Counties, Missouri (1889; reprint, Independence, Mo.: BNL Library Service, 1974), 625. 28 Schiavo, Italians in Missouri, 152; Mastro-Valerio, "Italians," 506; Robert G. Schultz, Missouri Post Offices 1804-1981 (St. Louis: American Philatelic Society, 1982), 30. The Italian Contribution to Viticulture in Missouri 289

Tl\e (ji'eat $outlr\res't!

Central and Southwest Missouri,

Possessing all the requirement:, of pMx\ climate. goopr;np. arid stream.- os pure wafer running ra|ndh over rocky b>t:oinv—with iuug, yet tool M^ufiici^. and »horc and tmiu winters, invites Emigration from all oto Slates, and from Europe,

Com< from the <<«3tl reg»on> of all countries, where winter rnn^tunes a!! the produrts of summer; come from localities afBiued with ton- sumption, to a place where pulmonary disea.se is almost unknown, except m the cases cured by m climate, come from crowded < me» when* the laboring mm is jxx>r. to a region where industry »s Mire or reward,, where a home is easily obtained, and wealth alw.iv.i w;thin the rea* h of humt.itr men, come from high priced iand<» of the North to the cheap, yet Lteuer lands of Centra! ami Southwest Missouri, —THE— Stlkqtid & fadifid %ilfokd do., —OWN— 1.150,000 Acres of Land,

Which they offer cheap, on long credit, tod with free transportation over their Road to all purchaser*. The greatest inducements offered to mm who will organise Colonies! Vtilage Piats, where are expensive depots and side tract*, and centers already of considerable trade, offered for sale by the acre on long credit, Colonists can obtain reduced rates from til points to St. Louis, whence this Company will provide tickets and transportation. For particulars, in pamphlets and maps, apply to A. JL. DEANE, l^and Com miss i oner 3$ &

77ie railroads advertised the sale of their right-of-way acreage in Missouri to immigrant groups wishing to colonize in the state. 290 Missouri Historical Review trees surrounded the barren knobs, isolating the colonists from their nearest neighbors.29 If they took note of the Italians at all, the townsfolk of St. James and Cuba only questioned why anyone would choose such an unpromising location. The colonists drew lots for the forty-acre parcels, paying the Frisco an average of $3 per acre. Some particularly wild tracts sold for as little as $1 an acre. Even with a nominal down payment of $15 and repayment sched­ uled over five years, the members of the group expended virtually all of their scant financial resources to secure their land. Now destitute, some of the settlers lived in boxcars while others took shelter in abandoned sheds and barns in the vicinity. With lumber provided by the Frisco, the group built a handful of simple living quarters in Knobview that first spring. In several instances, two or three families lived together, stretching boiled potatoes or rice gruel into their only meal for the day.30 Their resources depleted, the Italians received some much needed aid from a grocer in St. James. Believing these families to be industrious, John W. Sutton extended credit on the purchase of necessities. His generosity smoothed the way for residents of this small farm town to accept the for­ eigners. The fact that a Roman Catholic parish had been established in St. James in 1871 also contributed to an understanding of many Italian customs.31 With $195, Piazza regarded himself as "one of the richest persons in the community." He bought a small supply of staples that he distributed to his friends on credit. To earn money, some of the men resorted to working tem­ porarily for the railroads, cutting timber for ties and laying tracks. Others went to work in the coal mines of Illinois. Often the men remained separat­ ed from their families for months at a time. In the meantime the women and children cultivated kitchen gardens. Suggestive of their desire to form a bond with the land, the Italians planted orchards and vineyards. They knew that such efforts would not quickly yield either income or fruit; yet, they shaped the landscape in the likeness of their native land, determined to establish roots at their new home.32 By the turn of the century viticulture was new neither to the Italians nor to Phelps County. In 1859 state geologist George Clinton Swallow had surveyed

29 Schiavo, Italians in Missouri, 151; Velikonja, "Italian Contribution," 11, 23. 30 Schiavo, Italians in Missouri, 152; Rolla Daily News, 28 June 1987; Immigrants in Industry, Chap. 22, "Knobview, Mo., North Italian Fruit Growers," 377. 31 Leo Cardetti, "The Italians—Rosati and the St. James Grape and Fall Festival," History of St. James, Missouri 1776-1976, ed. Alice Small wood and Earl Strebeck (St. James, Mo.: Bixler Printing Company, 1976), 33; John Rothensteiner, History of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, 2 vols. (St. Louis: Blackwell Wielandy Co., 1928), 2: 546. 32 St. James Journal, 5 October 1934; Immigrants in Industry, 378; Velikonja, "Italian Contribution," 15. The Italian Contribution to Viticulture in Missouri 291 the proposed rail route of the South-West Branch through the Ozark plateau. In addition to describing geologic features, Swallow classified several native grape species growing wild. He predicted a bountiful future for viti­ culture in the region: "For the time is not far distant when the 'poor flint ridges' and terraced slopes of Southern Missouri will be as valuable for vineyards as some of them are now for their rich mineral deposits." 33 Viticulture had radiated from the Hermann area to other largely German communities in the center of the state since the 1850s. Boonville, for exam­ ple, was known as "the vine clad city" for the extent of its winegrowing agriculture. Winemakers there produced about six thousand gallons of wine in 1858. In Rolla Conrad E. Soest reported starting a twenty-five-acre vine­ yard of Concord, Catawba and Norton grapes in 1870. One story of the Italians' first years at Knobview says that Swiss settlers at Dillon, a Frisco- line whistle stop between St. James and Rolla, shared cuttings of Concord vines with their new neighbors.34 Unlike the frustrations they had experi­ enced with raising cotton, the Italians possessed a cultural grasp of how to grow grapes. In addition to planting crops with a potential for future gain, the Italians of Knobview made a commitment to their new home in the first structures they built. They christened their simple frame church in the name of the patron saint of voyagers, St. Anthony, in 1906 when the Reverend Octavio Leone joined the community. Starting a school for their children was of equal importance to these families. By 1912 the town of Knobview consist­ ed of two stores, a saloon, a livery stable, a real estate office, the post office, the Frisco depot, the Friendship School and St. Anthony's Church.35 Assigned to the parish by Archbishop J. J. Glennon, Father Leone min­ istered lovingly to the Roman Catholics in St. James as well as in Knobview. While he did not promote the settlement's success in interna­ tional circles as Father Bandini had done for Tontitown, his contribution was summed up by a front-page obituary in the St. James Journal: "The dis­ trict was at the time [of Leone's arrival] little more than a wilderness, and in the early years untold difficulties were experienced by both priest and peo­ ple. . . . Knobview is today a prosperous center with a high reputation for probity, owing much to the influence of Father Leone." 36

33 George Clinton Swallow, Geological Report of the Country Along the Line of the South-Western Branch of the Pacific Railroad (St. Louis: George Knapp & Co., 1859), 15-16, 23. 34 Ibid., 18; The Grape Culturist, A Monthly Journal Devoted to Grape Culture and Winemaking 2 (April 1870): 98; Russel L. Gerlach, Immigrants in the Ozarks, A Study in Ethnic Geography (Columbia: University of Missouri Press, 1976), 143, 144. 35 Schiavo, Italians in Missouri, 153; Rolla Daily News, 28 June 1987. 36 Rothensteiner, History of the Archdiocese of St. Louis, 2: 546, 547; St. James Journal, 22 February 1924. 292 Missouri Historical Review

James Memorial Library This 1912 view of Knobview includes (from left to right) A. M. Piazza Real Estate office; the Piazza house; the Antonio Piazza house, where the convent was located; and a saloon.

In the first two decades of the twentieth century a significant source of farm income came from dairy products, with milk and cheese shipped daily by the St. Louis-bound Frisco railroad. Nonetheless, when representatives of the U.S. Immigration Commission visited the settlement around 1910, they noted that all the farms had at least one acre devoted to the cultivation of grapes for winemaking. At seventy-five cents per gallon, the settlers sold this agricultural product, along with tomatoes, garden vegetables and cord wood, in the nearby markets of St. James and Cuba. They also operated a cannery to take advantage of the abundant tomato crop. The Knobview Canning Company paid women workers five cents for every "big bucket" of tomatoes they peeled.37 The topography of the region suited the cultivation of small fruits. Known as Big Prairie, the countryside around Knobview consisted of upland prairie rippled with rolling ridges between the watersheds of the Meramec and Gasconade rivers. A general elevation of about one thousand feet protected the vineyards and orchards of Knobview from unseasonable frosts in spring and fall, adding as much as two weeks to either end of the frost-free growing season compared to nearby plains.38 With the enactment of the Eighteenth Amendment in 1919, the future of viticulture appeared dim. Believing prohibition to be a permanent situation, wine-grape growers across the country turned to other occupations without passing on their skills. By contrast, the grape growers of Knobview closed ranks and formed the Knobview Fruit Growers Association in 1920.

37 Angela Hancock and Nancy Honssinger, eds., "We Hardly Talk Italian Anymore," Bittersweet 1 (Fall 1979): 7; Immigrants in Industry, 380; Wasser, "Zulpo Family," 5. 38 Gerlach, Immigrants in the Ozarks, 144. The Italian Contribution to Viticulture in Missouri 293

Members worked together to harvest their grapes by hand, moving from one vineyard to the next. Meanwhile, women sorted, crated and labeled the fruit for shipment as table grapes or as fruit for preserves. These grapes traveled aboard Frisco refrigerated cars to markets as distant as Chicago, Denver, Minneapolis and Little Rock. The growers' organization served another important role in effectively and collectively marketing its Concord crop to the Welch Grape Juice Company, which built a processing plant in Springdale, Arkansas, in 1922.39 The growers' collective achieved "the first real and successful co-oper­ ative shipping of the season's grape crop" during the harvest of 1922. A looming railroad strike threatened to delay the shipment of baskets used in packing the fruit that fall. As the harvest began, the St. James Journal urged its readers "to look around and see how many grapes they can possibly use and thus save the grape growers from utter loss." Grape-based recipes ran in the back pages of the newspaper to rally the community. The strike was averted with barely enough time to harvest the year's crop, which amounted to eleven boxcars of grapes.

39 Joseph R. Castelli, "Grape Growers of Central Missouri," Rocky Mountain Social Science Journal 1 (April 1964): 115; Leslie Hewes, "Tontitown: Ozark Vineyard Center," Economic Geography 29 (1953): 140.

James Memorial Library

Antonio Piazza Working in Vineyard, 1925 294 Missouri Historical Review

After this especially frenzied harvest, the townsfolk of Knobview cele­ brated Labor Day with heightened gaiety. In addition to speeches on viti­ culture, picnickers enjoyed music performed by the Knobview Grape Growers' Band, which prominently featured the best accordion players. Contests took place throughout the day, including a "Ladies Nail-Driving" event, a four-on-a-side barrel race and a chicken-catching competition.40 Unlike many wine-growing regions in the eastern United States, Knobview actually increased its vineyard acreage during the fourteen years of prohibition. After a drastic decline in 1920, Missouri vineyard acreage reached its highest mark in the twentieth century in 1924 with approximate­ ly five million vines in place. Concord and Catawba plantings in Phelps, Crawford and Barry counties substantially buoyed this figure from the mid­ dle of the prohibition era. Grape growers in these areas had a distinct advantage over other viticultural regions in the state: the Frisco line provid­ ed a direct connection to Welch's plant in Springdale. Growers in Hermann and Augusta first had to ship their delicate produce to Kansas City or St. Louis to make the connection to the nearest surviving grape buyer.41 According to the U.S. Commerce Department's Census of Agriculture, Phelps County had fewer than twenty thousand vines in 1910, amounting to at least thirty-three acres, based on a conservative estimate of six hundred vines per acre. By 1920 vineyard acreage in Phelps County had doubled to contain about forty thousand vines. From the mid-1920s through the 1930 census, Phelps County reported more than 250,000 vines, representing at least four hundred acres of vineyards.42 Other estimates at this time counted as many as a thousand acres cultivated by Italian growers.43 With Welch providing a ready market for the fruit, Concord grapes became the economic base of the Knobview farmers. In 1931 the three hundred residents of Knobview won approval from the postal authorities to call their community Rosati. This name honored Italian-born Bishop Joseph Rosati, who had served the diocese of St. Louis at its inception in 1829. With the repeal of prohibition on December 5, 1933, they also applied the name to a new business venture, the Rosati Winery, and the grape growers' cooperative began making wine under fed­ eral bond number seventy-two. They partitioned wine storage vats in the cellar of the single-story winery. Beeswax and glass lined these cubicles to prevent leaking. In addition to being hard to keep clean, the cubicles never­ theless leaked. Decades later the ground around the winery retained a purple

40 St. James Journal, 18 August, 8 September 1922. 41 Peter Joseph Poletti, Jr., "An Interdisciplinary Study of the Missouri Grape and Wine Industry, 1650-1989" (Ph.D. diss., St. Louis University, 1989), 139-142. 42 Ibid., 141. 43 Schiavo, Italians in Missouri, 153. The Italian Contribution to Viticulture in Missouri 295 hue, supposedly from the wine that seeped out of these storage rooms.44 At the cornerstone-laying ceremony in August 1934, local dignitaries applauded the cooperative spirit that had brought about the project. Neighbors came from Phelps, Maries and Crawford counties to partake in "a fine program, good speakers, good wine, and plenty of sandwiches." Toward the end of September of that year, the people of St. James added a new attraction to their annual dairy show and homecoming. Based on votes cast by the Rosati grape growers, the fall festival elected a "Queen of the Vineyards."45 The cooperative venture of the Rosati Winery went bankrupt in 1937. Within two years the Richard M. Cardetti family gained sole ownership of the winery, producing about thirty thousand gallons of wine in 1940 under federal bond number eighty. The family operated the winery until 1942 when Joseph "Peno" Cardetti, like many young men in the area, joined the armed services. Without a sufficient labor force to pick grapes and make wine, the family sold the facility to the Welch Grape Juice Company. Planning to press juice from the fruit, Welch allowed the growers to use bulk containers instead of the four- and twelve-quart baskets required for shipping table grapes. From the Rosati Winery, Welch processed the grapes for shipment to its plant in Springdale.46 During its first year of ownership, Welch expanded the facility and announced its intention to boost viticulture in the area with its own four thousand-acre vineyard. Yet, like other industries, the processing of grapes in Rosati suffered persistent labor shortages during the war years. At the onset of the 1944 harvest, the St. James Journal appealed to women, chil­ dren and older adults for help in harvesting the crop. Given these condi­ tions, Welch added a new function to the place: prisoner of war camp. During the war Welch brought German POWs to Rosati to work in the vine­ yards and process grapes, mainly filling military contracts. Many years after V-E Day, locals continued to refer to certain vineyards near the winery as the "prisoner vineyards," recalling the German soldiers who had worked there.47 At the end of World War II a second grape-growing boom raised the expectations of area farmers. In June 1945 Welch president Paul R. Welch announced plans to operate several eastern facilities in conjunction with the National Grape Corporation and six grower cooperatives.48 These grower

44 "Missouri Facts for Missourians," The Missouri Magazine 3 (April 1931): 18; Cardetti, "The Italians—Rosati," 35; Annie Picard, "Bob Ashby Knows Grapes from A to Z," Backroads 8 (Spring 1984): 34-43. 45 St. James Journal, 10 August, 21 September 1934. 46 Cardetti, "The Italians—Rosati," 35, 36; Stewart, "Little Italy of the Ozarks," 42. 47 St. James Journal, 18, 25 August 1944; Stewart, "Little Italy of the Ozarks," 42. 48 New York Times, 30 June 1945. 296 Missouri Historical Review

James Memorial Library

After the Rosati Winery folded in 1937, the Richard M. Cardetti family purchased the winery and operated it as a family venture. The Cardettis (pictured crushing grapes above) ran the business under federal bond number eighty in the building depicted below.

James Memorial Library

* *1*•'** The Italian Contribution to Viticulture in Missouri 297 organizations formed a unique union of farmers whose fierce desire for independence had often worked against their demands for reasonable mar­ ket prices from corporate buyers. The growers of the National Grape Growers Cooperative Association supplied grapes to the National Grape Corporation, formed by Jacob M. "Jack" Kaplan in the mid-1930s to com­ pete with Welch. Kaplan offered growers a guaranteed price for their fruit before harvest, a strategy to encourage the planting of Concord grapes and attract growers away from Welch. In 1945 Kaplan, with the support of the growers' cooperative, seized the opportunity to acquire Welch. He grafted a profit-sharing plan onto Welch's purchasing policy to lead to grower owner­ ship of the processing and marketing capabilities of the firm.49 Welch company executives visited Rosati in August 1945. They offered growers $85 per ton for grapes delivered to the winery and promised that "growers, according to their tonnage, will receive additional payments from time to time from the profit of processing and marketing such products as justified by sales." As the pickers combed the vineyards, the price of grapes quickly climbed to $110 per ton. Rosati shipped about 250 tons of grapes, the yield of some 100,000 vines, to Welch's Springdale plant in 1945.50 The St. James Journal cheered the future of viticulture under the head­ line "GRAPES! GRAPES!" To one and all, the newspaper advised, "It will be one of the best investments you can make to plan now to set out this fall a few acres of grapes." By 1945 the St. James Grape and Fall Festival had practically replaced the annual autumn dairy show. Despite such a promis­ ing future, however, Welch soon closed the Rosati Winery and concentrated on collecting grapes at its Springdale plant. A private party bought the facility from Welch and let it sit idle. In 1969 the winery burned down, leaving only the old cellars.51 Ahead of Jack Kaplan's schedule, the National Grape Growers Cooperative, which now included the Knobview Fruit Growers Association, applied its profit-sharing resources to complete its acquisition of Welch's juice and jelly business in 1956. Business Week described the transaction as "the most fantastic deal of the decade," involving nine processing plants with a total capacity of 110,000 tons of grapes, about half the total national crop. Growers praised it as "an agricultural miracle." For the next thirty- five years the grape growers in Phelps County enjoyed the security of a reli­ able market for their grapes as well as an ownership stake in Welch.52

49 Business Week, 8 September 1956, 124. 50 St. James Journal, 10, 17, 31 August 1945; Hewes, "Tontitown," 143n. 51 St. James Journal, 24 August 1945; Picard, "Bob Ashby Knows Grapes," 34-43. 52 Business Week, 8 September 1956, 122, 123. Welch terminated its contracts with Midwest growers and closed its Springdale processing plant in 1991. See Robert F. Scheef, "The Grapes of Summer," Missouri Wine Country Journal (Summer 1992): 26-30; 5/. Louis Post-Dispatch, 2 September 1991. 298 Missouri Historical Review

During this period of pastoral vinedressing, roadside stands sprouted every August along a three-mile section of Route 66 where it passed through Rosati. Families sold choice fruit, vegetables, juice and homemade jelly from simple booths often adorned with red, white and green stripes, the colors of the Italian flag. Despite this distinctive feature, the town of Rosati was being absorbed into the greater St. James area. With improvements in local roads and the rising use of automobiles, residents easily traveled to St. James for work and shopping. The Friendship School closed in 1958, and the children of Rosati started attending the St. James schools. The school building continued to serve an important cultural function in the community as a social center for residents, many of whom had attended classes there. Rosati became known as an attractive retirement village, though incoming seniors hardly kept pace with the migration of youth to neighboring towns.53 The final blow came in 1966 when the Rosati post office ceased to serve the town as a separate fourth-class branch. Further, in the fall of 1966 the newly constructed superhighway, 1-44, opened to traffic. Dividing the

Castelli, "Grape Growers," 117; Velikonja, "Italian Contribution," 17, 18.

James Memorial Library The Italian Contribution to Viticulture in Missouri 299

farm community into nearly equal halves, the interstate highway pushed the Rosati grape stands off the shoulders of the high-speed thoroughfare. To buy fresh grapes and vegetables, motorists had to backtrack on service roads. Some travelers parked on the edge of the highway and crossed the grassy median on foot, provoking the state police to take action against the apparent hazard. The decline in business convinced many families to for­ sake their roadside stands. A few growers continued the annual ritual for the sake of tradition and a little pocket change. One operator decided to open her stand in 1966 because "my husband always furnished me the grapes, but I don't think he'll give me the amount of money I'd take in at the stand."54 In the mid-1960s, however, a nineteenth-century tradition returned to the vineyards of Missouri. At this time, nearly one thousand acres of vine­ yards around Rosati were yielding about two thousand tons of grapes, almost entirely the Concord and Catawba varieties desired by Welch. Seeking fruit—as well as advice—from the grape growers of Rosati, a new generation of winemakers breathed fresh life into Missouri viticulture. William B. Stolz became the leading grower in Phelps County and served as a director of the National Grape Cooperative. He began the Stolz Vineyard Winery in 1968. Robert Ashby rebuilt the Rosati Winery in 1971, construct­ ing a two-story frame building on the cellars of the original facility. After graduating from the University of Missouri, Ashby had worked as an agri­ cultural advisor for the Frisco, joining the National Grape Cooperative in 1954 in a similar capacity.55 The winemakers involved in the renaissance of Missouri wineries imported new varieties of grapes from vineyards located in the eastern United States. While still growing Concord and Catawba grapes as cash crops for Welch, these vignerons also planted French hybrids such as Seyval, Vidal, Chambourcin and Chancellor, which are grown specifically for wine. By 1978 Phelps County growers reported 220,620 vines, more than one-fourth of Missouri's total count. While declining in favor of wine- making varieties, Concord and Catawba grapes continued to dominate Missouri's vineyards. From 1982 to 1987 Concord and Catawba lands fell from 937 to 800 acres. Meanwhile, the same period witnessed a dramatic rise in other varieties, from 191 to 659 acres in 1982 and 1987, respec­ tively. 56

54 Schultz, Missouri Post Offices, 46; Poletti, "Missouri Grape and Wine Industry," 146; St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 17 September 1966. 55 Velikonja, "Italian Contribution," 17; Leon Adams, The Wines of America (Boston: Houghton-Mifflin Company, 1973), 136; Picard, "Bob Ashby Knows Grapes," 34-43. 56 Poletti, "Missouri Grape and Wine Industry," 172; David V. Peterson, 1987 Missouri Grape Acreage Survey (Mountain Grove, Mo.: State Fruit Experiment Station, College of Health and Applied Sciences, Southwest Missouri State University), 7. 300 Missouri Historical Review

Over the next few years seven bonded wineries took root on the north­ ern border of the Missouri Ozarks. The activity of the new winemakers, coupled with a renewed interest in Missouri's wine-making heritage, culmi­ nated in the designation of the Ozark Highlands Viticulture Area on September 30, 1987, by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms, a unit of the U.S. Treasury Department. Encompassing virtually all of Phelps County, as well as parts of ten other counties in south-central Missouri, the Ozark Highlands became the state's fourth official viticulture area, follow­ ing Augusta in 1980 (first in the United States), Hermann in 1983 and the Ozark Mountain Viticulture Area in 1986. While the Ozark Mountain Viticulture Area included most of Missouri below the Missouri River, as well as parts of Arkansas and Oklahoma, the Ozark Highlands—comprising about two thousand square miles—became the largest wine-growing area entirely within the boundaries of the state. The petition to designate the region as a distinct wine-growing district described its unique geography, topography and a winegrowing history in which the Italians at Rosati had played a major sustaining role.57

Federal Register, 52 (31 August 1987): 32783-32785.

Strange Folks Campbell Citizen, May 26, 1905. Call a girl a chick and she smiles; call a woman a hen and she howls. Call a young woman a witch and she is pleased; call an old woman a witch and she is indignant. Call a girl a kitten and she likes it; call a woman a cat and she hates you. Women are queer. If you call a man a gay dog it will flatter him; call him a pup, a hound or a cur and he will try to alter the map of your face. He doesn't mind to be called a bull or a bear, yet he will object to being mentioned as a calf or a cub. Men are queer, too.—Ex.

The Fat's In the Fire Maysville Weekly Western Register, October 8, 1868. A gentleman who had carefully trained up his servant in the way he should go, so that when his wife was present he should not depart from it, sent him with a box-ticket for the the­ atre to a young lady. The servant returned when the gentleman and his wife were at dinner. He had, of course, been told, in giving answers to certain questions, to substitute the mascu­ line for the feminine pronoun in speaking of the lady. "Did you see him?" said the gentleman, giving him the cue. "Yes, sir["] replied the servant; "he said he'd go with a great deal of pleasure, and that he'd wait for you, sir." "What was he doing?" asked the wife carelessly. "He was putting on his bonnet" was the reply. There was "fat in the fire" immediately. The Beginning of LaForge:

An Experiment in Rural Homesteading

Library of Congress Farm Security Admin. Collection

BY JEFF HEARNE* With the stock market crash of October 1929, the Great Depression began, ushering in the nightmare of the 1930s. Profound changes were to occur in the United States, especially in the area of social welfare. Running on a platform of recovery, relief and reform, Franklin Roosevelt was elected president in 1932. After his inauguration in 1933, Roosevelt launched his New Deal programs with enthusiasm and vigor. The Department of Agriculture, headed by Henry A. Wallace, and the Federal Emergency Relief Administration (FERA), under the auspices of Harry Hopkins, han­ dled the president's farm initiatives. The LaForge experimental farms in southeast Missouri became one of their most ambitious projects. A major goal of the Department of Agriculture was the passage of the Agriculture Adjustment Act, designed to prop up agricultural commodity prices through various programs. The act allowed the secretary of agricul­ ture to reduce production through acreage control of basic commodities by making voluntary arrangements with producers. It also authorized him to

*Jeff Hearne received the B.S. degree and the M.A. degree from Lincoln University, Jefferson City, Missouri.

301 302 Missouri Historical Review provide rental or benefit payments to farmers who reduced production on any basis that he deemed "fair and reasonable." l Further provisions of the act specified that payments would be made directly to producers. The act, however, did not define producer, an omis­ sion that would spell disaster for tenant farmers and sharecroppers.2 During debate on the act in committee and on the floor of the House and Senate, no one mentioned that a drastic reduction in acreage could result in the total impoverishment of farm tenants.3 In southeast Missouri, where the LaForge experiment would be located, the tenants fell into three groups:

(1) renters, who own their own workstock and equipment and pay either cash or crop rent; (2) croppers, who furnish only their labor and receive a share of the crop—usually one-half of the cotton—in return; and (3) day laborers, who furnish only their labor and receive a cash wage. . .. The struggle for existence by the resident landowner on the one hand, and the sharecroppers and farm laborers on the other hand led to mutual distrust. The tenants charge that the landowners are unfair, and the land­ lords charge that the tenants are shiftless and worth no more than the wages they receive. . . . Both the tenant and the landowner are correct in their charges to the extent that neither are receiving the full benefits which might result from their contractual relationship.4

Under this system the tenant or cropper contracted with the landlord in the spring and received a portion of the crop as payment. The landlord then fronted the cropper his farm stock, housing and items necessary for living. After the sale of the crops, the tenant settled with the landlord for all expenses plus interest. Since the landowners believed that the croppers could not fend for themselves, the landlord kept the financial records, and most of the tenants were too uneducated or scared to question the accuracy of the account.5 This system alone was biased in favor of the landowner. Under provi­ sions promulgated by the Agriculture Adjustment Administration (AAA), the agency created to administer the act, the government paid the landowner not to produce and to plow under acreage. The programs of the AAA aggravated the plight of the croppers, the renters and the day laborers. The

1 David Eugene Conrad, The Forgotten Farmers, The Story of Sharecroppers in the New Deal (Urbana: University of Illinois Press, 1965), 23. 2 Ibid., 24. 3 Ibid., 36. 4 Max R. White, Douglas Ensminger and Cecil L. Gregory, Rich Land-Poor People, Farm Security Administration Research Report No. 1 (Indianapolis, January 1938), 9. 5 Ibid., 5. The Beginning of LaForge 303

St. Louis Post-Dispatch placed the blame on Secretary Wallace: "The AAA has failed to face up to the political danger of offending the landowners by safeguarding the interest of the share croppers." During its first years, the Roosevelt administration did little for the croppers' production and, there­ fore, their earnings were reduced; all the loss to the landowners was made up in the form of government subsidies.6 In an attempt to help those in dis­ tress, the AAA had, while subsidizing the landowner, worsened the situation of the croppers. While Henry Wallace and the Agriculture Adjustment Administration were taking this approach, FERA, under the direction of Harry Hopkins, attacked the problem from a different perspective. Created by the Emergency Relief Act of 1933, the Federal Emergency Relief Admin­ istration provided relief funds to the states for distribution through state pro­ grams. Hopkins sought first to provide direct relief to small farmers in need and then to rehabilitate them and make them self-sustaining.7 In February 1934, he created within FERA the Division of Rural Rehabilitation and Stranded Populations to provide relief and rehabilitation and to resettle dis­ located farmers.

6 Editorial, St. Louis Post-Dispatch, 12 January 1939. 7 Paul K. Conkin, Tomorrow a New World (Ithaca, N.Y: Cornell University Press, 1959; reprint, New York: DeCapo Press, 1976), 133.

Sharecropper families endured crowded and mean conditions in the cabins supplied by many landowners. FSA Collection 304 Missouri Historical Review

Lawrence Westbrook, who as a state relief administrator in Texas had organized the Woodlake community, was appointed director of the division. The Woodlake community, a test project, consisted of one hundred families on relief. These families moved onto sixteen hundred acres of government land, where each received a three-acre subsistence plot. They constructed their houses, which included modern baths, to exact design specifications, cooperatively farmed twelve hundred acres and shared a community school, a park and a trading post. The "clients" rented the land for $180 per year and moved into their homes in the summer of 1934. Westbrook believed that dislocated workers should be "rehabilitated and resettled in organized rural communities, which they themselves could build and then purchase, repaying the government for its investment."8 In 1935, due to much infighting between the Department of Agriculture's Division of Subsistence Homesteads, the Department of the Interior and the Division of Rural Rehabilitation in FERA, Roosevelt, under the power given to him by the Emergency Relief Act of 1935, established the Resettlement Administration with Rexford G. Tugwell, undersecretary of agriculture, as administrator. The administrator had the following responsibilities:

(a) To administer approved projects involving resettlement of destitute or low-income families from rural and urban areas, including the establish­ ment, maintenance, and operations, in such connection of communities in rural and suburban areas. (b) To initiate and administer a program of approved projects with respect to soil erosion, stream pollution, seacoast erosion, reforestation, forestation and flood control. (c) To make loans as authorized under the said Emergency Relief Appropriation Act of 1935 to finance, in whole or in part, the purchase of farm lands and necessary equipment by farmers, farm tenants, croppers or farm laborers.9

On April 30, 1935, the land program of FERA was transferred to the Resettlement Administration (also referred to as the RA). The RA assumed control of the Division of Subsistence Homesteads on May 15. The Land Policy Section of the Agriculture Adjustment Administration was moved on June 1, and on June 30 the Rural Rehabilitation Division of FERA was put under the Resettlement Administration. By the middle of 1935, Tugwell

8 Ibid., 132, 135. 9 Resettlement Administration, First Annual Report, quoting Executive Order No. 7027, 30 April 1935 (Washington, D.C: Government Printing Office, 1936), 1. Emphasis added. The Beginning of LaForge 305

FSA Collection and the RA had a clear mandate from Roosevelt to begin constructing com­ munities. 10 The Resettlement Administration located one of their community pro­ jects near the village of LaForge in New Madrid County. The entrenched system of land tenure, along with the policies of the AAA, had totally impoverished the tenants, croppers and laborers. Resettlement Administration researchers recommended only one course of action to improve the standard of living: a change in landownership. The report urged:

It would appear that the system of tenure cannot be stabilized without a change of ownership. Ownership by the operators themselves or owner­ ship by some governmental agency are the possible alternatives. Any type of tenure which is established must be supported by intensive supervision of farm practices and guidance in the problems of home management and the handling of finances. . . . This can take the form of State and Federal assistance in the development of more equitable leasing arrangements. Their advantages could be demonstrated through projects in which the Federal government would purchase and develop farm land under a system of agriculture which would conserve the land and enable the people who work it to maintain an adequate plane of living.n

10 Rexford Tugwell was a controversial figure in the New Deal. A social scientist, an economist and author and a member of Roosevelt's "brain trust," he was a collectivist who believed in an activist government and a controlled economy. He became an active reformer who wanted to use the Resettlement Administration to reshape America. For more informa­ tion see Conkin, Tomorrow a New World, 143-145. 11 White, Ensminger and Gregory, Rich Land-Poor People, 10-11. White et al. did the research for this report in 1935 and 1936. 306 Missouri Historical Review

During the first week of January 1937, O. B. Dryden, regional informa­ tion advisor for Region III of the RA, announced that the government had purchased (in fact, it had taken an option to purchase) seven thousand acres of land north of New Madrid near LaForge for the purpose of relocating 150 families. Hans H. Baasch was placed in charge of the project. The resettle­ ment plan called for "family size farms on which sharecroppers and tenants capable of owning and operating their own land will be given a chance to relocate."12 During the next several months while routine title work was performed, the project began taking shape. On July 27, 1937, Baasch announced that the first land had been acquired. Six hundred and eight acres had been pur­ chased from D. B. Riley and Ethel S. Edwards for $23,722, and a cotton gin also had been bought for the project. Baasch stated that thousands of appli­ cations for participation had been received.13 Other aspects of the project provided that the land be used for diversi­ fied farming, new homes be built for the families, those currently living on the land be given the first opportunity to secure a resettlement permit and the government would first lease the land to the participants for five years. In keeping with the experimental nature of the venture, the government would determine if the people were satisfied with resettlement, if they were capable of becoming independent and if the working agreement was satis­ factory before making any decisions regarding purchase.I4 In August the RA disclosed that it would acquire five thousand addi­ tional acres for the project. Interest among croppers and tenants increased to such an extent that the agency called a meeting to answer questions and discuss the undertaking. The meeting, held on August 13 at the LaForge school, had in attendance Baasch, P. G. Beck, the assistant RA regional director from Indianapolis, and between two and three hundred farmers, renters and sharecroppers. Beck explained the three types of farm opera­ tions under consideration for the LaForge project. The first, known as the plantation method, would be a cooperative effort with the land being farmed as usual and the houses grouped together with everyone sharing in the proceeds. There would be large barns, a chicken house and a machine shed. The entire project managed as a corporation with the board of directors comprising people on the farms, with the advice and consent of the government, would make decisions concerning planting, production, machine purchases and borrowing. The second project type under consideration, the group style, used the plantation theory, but the homes would be grouped in small clusters of ten to twelve on different areas

New Madrid Weekly Record, 8 January 1937. Sikeston Standard, 30 July 1937; New Madrid Weekly Record, 30 July 1937. Sikeston Standard, 1 July 1937. The Beginning of LaForge 307

FSA Collection Hans Baasch (right), a former tenant farmer, worked closely with the residents as project director at LaForge. of the plantation. The individual style, the third type, allotted each family approximately seventy acres with a house and a barn.15 The Resettlement Administration financed the average cost of $5,000 per family, and the client had forty years to repay. Annual cost, including taxes and insurance, was estimated at $300, with the first payment due at the end of the first year. The crowd overwhelmingly preferred the individual arrangement, but Baasch rather bluntly told the crowd that he doubted if they could immedi­ ately become individual owners since they lacked the necessary experience. Beck explained that the first order of business was to make a living and added that the participants would receive direction from colleges and other agricultural agencies. No conclusion was reached; however, the RA noted that the plantation style would not significantly change the current opera­ tional mode.16 The results of the meeting evidently led Baasch and Beck to believe that research was needed to make a satisfactory decision on the method of operation to be used. They immediately summoned six researchers from the Indiana regional office to collect data. The research indicated that because of the living habits of the croppers and tenants, the plantation concept would be preferable.17 Based on previous projects, the RA also

15 Ibid., 27 August 1937. 16 Ibid. 17 Ibid. 308 Missouri Historical Review

believed that direct supervision would be necessary.18 Apparently, Baasch and Beck somewhat changed their position because of pressure from the families and the research. In September 1937, the project stalled because of title problems and the reorganization of the Resettlement Administration, which had come under heavy fire in Congress. Tugwell had resigned as administrator when faced with the prospect of the agency being placed under Secretary Wallace. Tugwell's radical viewpoints had not endeared him with congressional lead­ ers, and the RA was out of money. After much debate in committee, Congress approved a bill sponsored by Senator John Bankhead of Alabama and Representative Marvin Jones of Texas. Known as the Bankhead-Jones Farm Tenant Act, the bill appropriated $85,000,000 for loans to tenant farm­ ers, with the program to be administered by the secretary of agriculture. The bill included congressional mandates for the Resettlement Administration. To prevent speculation and continued government supervi­ sion, the act contained a clause precluding a tenant purchaser from selling his land for five years. More importantly, the secretary of agriculture could use funds only for the completion of projects already underway. This was a clear message; Congress wanted no more experimentation in community building.19 On September 1, 1937, the Resettlement Administration became the Farm Security Administration (FSA), a division of the Department of Agriculture. No longer an independent agency operating by executive order, it was now congressionally mandated. Congress, ever sensitive to its con­ stituency—especially the more well-to-do landowners and bankers—put the communities on the back burner. LaForge, however, had already been start­ ed, and like all the community projects begun by the RA, it would be com­ pleted. Baasch revealed the effects of the congressional action to the people of southeast Missouri on December 11, 1937. He explained that although land purchases would be completed and loans made to tenants, extensive new construction and a plantation-style project would be impossible. Croppers and wage earners currently living on the land purchased by the government would be given the opportunity to remain before new families were admit­ ted. Throughout the week thousands of applications poured into the local FSA office. On December 17, Baasch again implored the public not to send applications, "We cannot make somebody living in the area homeless in

18 Conkin, Tomorrow a New World, 133. 19 Ibid., 184. The philosophy of the two sides of the debate in Congress and the various studies on the problem of tenancy and rural insecurity is a story in itself. Proponents on both sides made many eloquent speeches. The debate could be characterized as Jeffersonian purist versus activist government liberals. As usual, however, money lay at the root of the problem: the RA had spent $536,000,000 in just over one year. Ibid., 182, 184-185. The Beginning of LaForge 309 order to settle somebody outside." 20 For the one hundred or so families liv­ ing on the land, there was a flicker of something better to come, for thou­ sands of others, hopes that had briefly flamed were extinguished. Why the government did not expand the project at this point remains unknown. The start-up costs had been paid, the administration was in place, and thousands of acres lay unworked. For $5,000 per family, or about $1,000 per person, to be paid back with interest, thousands of others could have been made self-sustaining, a small investment for a nation dedicated to promoting the general welfare. One week later, on the day before Christmas, the FSA announced that it had finally acquired the remaining 4,994 acres, the $25,000 cotton gin at LaForge, ninety tenant houses and ten barns, including a "mammoth mule barn" for $234,850. The total acreage available was now 5,777 acres, with 500 acres to be acquired. Baasch proclaimed, "The gate is now open to begin our program. Repairs and improvements will begin after January 1, and also the helping of families to draw up loans for operations."21 As 1937 drew to a close, what had been a flicker of hope for one hundred families began to glow brightly. By January 18, 1938, the first housing was being constructed. The FSA experimented with two methods of construction. With the first process, workers cut materials to length at the mill and warehouse facility in LaForge. Using the prefab method, workers assembled all parts of the house, including doors, sides, windows, roof and floor sections, at the mill and then trucked them to the homesite, where the ready-made parts were put together. With the second method, the boards were cut to length, then shipped to the homesite for assembly. M. S. Layton, regional project engi­ neer, would determine the most efficient process, which would then be used for all future home building. "So erection of the experimental homes," according to the Sikeston Standard, "will launch the LaForge project on its first actual housing and will be the first wholesale move in Southeast Missouri to raise sharecroppers and tenant farmers to the status [of] land owning farmer."22 As the experiment proceeded, the FSA purchased the last large tract of acreage and the LaForge Store, which the LaForge Property Owners Association would operate.23 As early spring arrived in southeast Missouri, it brought rainy weather, important for the crops, but difficult for the croppers, whose houses stood in disrepair and offered little protection from the elements. A cropper house­ wife explained to a researcher, "I'm sorry the house is so upset, but since it rained I had to move the furniture out in the middle of the floor to keep it

20 Sikeston Standard, 14, 17 December 1937. 21 Ibid., 24 December 1937. 22 Ibid., 18 January 1938. 23 Ibid., 18 February 1938. 310 Missouri Historical Review

FSA Collection Workers sawed the lumber and assembled each part of the house at the mill. from getting wet."24 Lonnie C. Stover had once had the same problem, but no more. The Sikeston Standard reported: "A week ago Lonnie C. Stover's two-room shack that served as a home for his family was leaking like a sieve during the heavy rains. Today, Stover, his wife, three children and blind father are secure from the elements. For almost overnight near his humble sharecropper home at LaForge sprang up a snug four-room dwelling, high and dry, and the Stovers lost no time in moving in."25 The Stover family's house was the first new housing to be completed and occupied at LaForge. Construction of new housing began moving at a rapid pace. Using the prefab method, shown to be the more efficient, lum­ ber could be sawed, put together and the components assembled in two days. The outside gables, rafters and roof went up in about three hours, leaving only the chimney and painting and staining remaining. Each tenant family received a house as part of the purchase or lease-purchase agreement. The houses had four or five rooms, with double floors and insulated walls and ceilings. They were erected on concrete piers with tin aprons, a protection from termites as well as flooding. The four-room houses had two bedrooms, a kitchen/dining room and a living room with "cleverly arranged" closet space. The four-room houses measured twenty-four-by- twenty-four feet; the five-room houses were twenty-four-by-thirty-six feet

White, Ensminger and Gregory, Rich Land-Poor People, 43. Sikeston Standard, 22 March 1938. The Beginning of LaForge 311 and included three bedrooms, with all the rooms paneled in knotty pine. Each house also had an eight-by-eight-foot screened-in porch at the rear or on one of the sides and a gabled, covered front porch. A multipurpose barn accompanied each house. In keeping with the goal of diversified farming, these barns, designed by FSA researchers, were models of efficiency. One barn served as a: 1) cow shed, 2) calf shed, 3) mule barn, 4) hay barn, 5) chicken coop for seventy-five hens, 6) feed stor­ age house and 7) corn crib. The barns opened on three sides to allow the farmer easy access to whatever he needed. There was also a chicken yard. The FSA encouraged the operator to use the lumber from the old residence and buildings to construct a hog house, a cotton shed and a machine shelter. Each house also had a thirty-foot driven well and a sanitary outhouse. All the homes, buildings and barns were painted white and stood in sharp con­ trast to the drab, unpainted weatherboard shanties that had formerly been occupied. Each family received a cow, one sow, two shoats, fifty chickens and one team of mules. Cost per farm unit, excluding the land, totaled $2,000.26

26 Ibid.; New Madrid Weekly Record, 18 March 1938; John M. Collins, "100 Missouri Share Croppers Move Into A Land of Promise, A Farm Security Administration Experiment Gets Underway in the Cotton Country," Weekly Kansas City Star, 23 March 1938.

A construction crew assembles a prefabricated barn on site.

FSA Collection 312 Missouri Historical Review

The land, divided into units averaging fifty-five to sixty-five acres depending on potential productivity, surrounded each house. First used for a garden plot and a barnyard, it produced enough for the farmer to be self- sustaining throughout the winter. Diversified farming, including corn, soy beans, oats, cotton and lespedeza, made use of the rest of the acreage. The farmers worked the fields using jointly owned machines. Three families owned a planter, a stalk-cutter and a disc, and nine families owned one grain drill, a mower and a rake, thereby reducing capital outlay. When Kansas City Star editor John Collins visited the project, he found all the tracts being worked and the tenants busy plowing and gardening. He reported: "Richard Coleman was drilling oats and lespedeza in combination with one of the new drills and his new team of mules the day the writer visited the project; E. D. Poynor was busy about a task strange to a sharecropper—he was plowing a garden. They agreed they were lucky for the chance to work into self-sustaining families."27 The new tenants formed the LaForge Co-operative Association, which they incorporated under state law. The membership included all one hun­ dred families, cost one dollar per share and operated on a one-man, one-vote basis. The cooperative ran the cotton gin and the general store and pur­ chased machinery, with the Farm Security Administration approving all transactions. Each family borrowed the money necessary to run their opera­ tion, usually from $230 to $1,100. To prevent the unwise use of these funds, all checks had to be countersigned by Baasch. He remarked that the farmers had all responded responsibly and he had not been forced to refuse to countersign a check. The loan had to be repaid over a five-year period.28 The government, while holding title, leased the land to the tenants on a year-to-year basis. The lease payment, one-fourth of the cotton crop and a cash share for the land not in cotton, totaled about $50 per year. The tenant could apply all the lease payments to the purchase price if the FSA deter­ mined to sell, an issue still being researched and dependent primarily on the success of the tenants over a period of several years. Besides the farm operations, the FSA also emphasized the importance of the "wife." Two trained home economists made sure each home had a pressure cooker and assisted with canning, as well as with furnishing and decorating the new houses. All these resources helped the tenants, but according to Baasch, the pride of home ownership had made the people more industrious. When shown on a map their parcel of land, they went home (to their shacks and cabins) and began cleaning. They gathered and hauled away trash that had

27 Sikeston Standard, 22 March 1938; New Madrid Weekly Record, 18 March 1938; Weekly Kansas City Star, 23 March 1938. 28 Sikeston Standard, 22 March 1938; New Madrid Weekly Record, 18 March 1938; Weekly Kansas City Star, 23 March 1938. The Beginning of LaForge 313

FSA Collection Home economists taught LaForge project women how to preserve food and enhance their families' nutrition. cluttered their yards for years.29 Although the FSA believed that a ten-year cycle would be necessary for a complete evaluation, for now "these were their castles."30 The Kansas City Star observed: "All in all, the rather lone­ ly little settlement out here in New Madrid County, nestling up against the swamp levee ten miles southeast of Sikeston, is taking on new activity and new hope. The bustle of a new season and a new life are keeping the resi­ dents busy with an optimism some of them have not known for years." 31 Although the lives of the tenants were now to be shaped largely by their own initiative, the influence of the project manager held some sway. Fortunately for the people of LaForge, Hans Baasch had been a tenant farmer near Salina, Kansas. He knew what the tenant system had done to people and wanted to know if the structure truly caused the paradox that the most productive, fertile land in the United States had the lowest rural standard of living. Also, in order to continue receiving funding through the Bankhead- Jones Act, he needed to ascertain what amount of land could adequately

29 Although the tenants technically did not have official title to the land, it was theirs for the foreseeable future, and in essence, they had control of their own destiny for the first time. 30 Weekly Kansas City Star, 23 March 1938; Sikeston Standard, 22 March 1938. 31 Weekly Kansas City Star, 23 March 1938. 314 Missouri Historical Review support a family, the best system of ownership and the percentage of crop­ pers who could remain self-sustaining. Baasch believed that the European model of small, intensively farmed, but well-rotated, tracts of land would prove the best. He strongly advocated cooperative production and market­ ing methods. His influence became apparent as LaForge grew.32 In April 1938, due to the widening of U.S. Highway 61, the LaForge Co-operative found itself in the unique position of building a new store and hiring staff. After the old store was razed, the cooperative used the lumber to build a blacksmith's shop. A new store was built at the mill and assem­ bled according to the methods used for housing. With the store completed, the former croppers, now the directors of the co-op, began screening appli­ cants for manager and assistant manager/bookkeeper. Amos Tinsley, a man with ten years cooperative experience in Cabool, was hired as manager and Thomas Dawson from New Madrid as his assistant. Since the co-op paid the salaries, the directors made careful choices. The store's customers, as members, although on a cash-and-carry basis, received end-of-the-year prof­ its in proportion to the amount of trade conducted by each.33 This was a pleasant turn of events for people who six months earlier had been at the mercy of a tenure system controlled by absentee landowners. Though free of the landowners, natural disaster soon struck. On May 7, a fire gutted the warehouse near the cotton gin. It destroyed a carload of shingles, assembled housing components, precut lumber, a concrete mixer, twenty new kitchen ranges, twenty bed sets and a large supply of new furni­ ture. The setback proved only temporary, and by June 3, new lumber had arrived and work was resumed.34 On June 29, 1938, one hundred days after construction had begun, the last family moved into its new home at LaForge. Baasch observed that it also was the one hundredth family to be resettled, meaning the construction crews had averaged one unit a day, including a house, a barn, a toilet, a well and a fruit storage house.35 As dusk descended that summer evening and the staccato ring of hammers subsided, one hundred farm families settled into the quiet, peace and harmony of the farm community. The remains of the drab cropper shacks stood in stark contrast to the new gleaming white homes and buildings. As summer drew to a close, the thoughts of the co-op turned toward

32 Ibid. 33 Sikeston Standard, 4 April 1938. 34 Ibid., 10 May, 3 June 1938. 35 The construction method later became the basis for a widely circulated Department of Agriculture booklet entitled "Small Houses." This booklet became the standard for govern­ ment housing, both rural and urban. Sikeston Standard, 4 April 1939, 1 July 1938. Many of the booklet's principles are still used in the housing industry today. The Beginning of LaForge 315

FSA Collection Members of the LaForge Co-operative supported their new store and profited from its sales. school and harvest. The board made plans to enlarge the existing school facility and build a community building and to improve the cotton gin, hire a qualified manager and market the cotton. Seventeen Farm Security Administration officials from throughout the country toured the farms in October. LaForge was chosen for the visit because of the widespread satisfaction of the farmers and the high-quality cotton they produced. The visitors found a cooperative cotton gin running twenty-four hours a day, utilizing three shifts. It produced some of the high­ est quality ginning in the South and expected to pay substantial dividends. The general store also was doing well and would pay dividends. Oil mills throughout the South sought the cotton seed. In addition, 56,677 jars of fruits and vegetables had been canned. Although butchering season had not arrived, the meat would add significantly to the family larder. Most impor­ tantly for the officials, all the families were meeting their financial obliga­ tions and were expected to have enough money to start the new year.36 In October, Baasch affirmed that the project had experienced a success­ ful year. After setting aside corn and cotton seed for the coming year, along

36 Sikeston Standard, 4 October 1938. 316 Missouri Historical Review with six hundred quarts of canned fruits and vegetables for each family, he reported:

After the rent on the land is paid, plus a payment of one-fourth the cot­ ton crop to retire the government investment in the project, plus a payment on the personal loan to get the family started, each family is expected to clear on an average, $350. This will be spent as they see fit. The families will also receive dividends from the co-operatively operated general store, gin, blacksmith shop and sire service. Corn . . . will be used to feed stock. Besides his canned goods, each farmer has three hogs, a [mule] team, a cow, 100 chickens and all the potatoes he needs from a special garden plot.37

One year after acquiring the title for the five thousand acres composing the majority of the land at LaForge, a formal dedication ceremony was held. At the December 20, 1938, dedication, Congressman Orville Zimmerman from Kennett declared, "This is the beginning of an experiment that will go a long way toward solving the social and economic problems of this coun­ try." At no cost to the government, according to Zimmerman, the experi­ ment proved "that no man . . . has had a deeper welfare and concern for the common man than Franklin D. Roosevelt." Carl Puckett, formerly a share­ cropper, now president of the LaForge Co-operative Association, suggested that the test had just begun. "We want you to know that we're also interest­ ed in other people not so fortunate and their needs, and hope that they can be taken care of, too. We know this is not free, here, and we expect to pay out our debt." 38 So ended the first year of LaForge. One hundred families once thought to be lazy, shiftless and unable to fend for themselves had created a commu­ nity to be admired and envied. The first year demonstrated that the cause of poverty, deprivation and hopelessness was not inherent in the character of the downtrodden, but rather a product of social injustice and environmental conditions that the correct approach could overcome.

Ibid., 18 October 1938. Ibid., 23 December 1938.

An Easy Bargain Unionville Putnam Journal, August 15, 1902. In spite of the growing use of extravagant expressions, talk still remains cheap. 317 HISTORICAL NOTES AND COMMENTS

Society Schedules Western America: Landscapes and Indians Exhibition May 23-August 15, 1994

The Society is pleased to announce that it has scheduled a special art exhibit titled "Western America: Landscapes and Indians," which will be open to the public from May 23 through August 15, 1994. The exhibition will feature works by eleven artists, including Albert Bierstadt. Among the works scheduled for display are George Caleb Bingham's Mountain Landscape, 1878, Henry Arthur Elkins's Chicago Lakes—In High Colorado, Richard H. Tallant's First View of Estes Park, James Farrington Gookins's Mount of the Holy Cross, Charles Craig's Pikes Peak Indian Encampment and a Thomas Moran attribution. This exhibit of important works of art is made possible through the gen­ erosity of Mr. and Mrs. Nelson A. Rieger, of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Western Historical Manuscript Collection

One of the major collecting areas of the Western Historical Manuscript Collection comprises journalism, the press and other media fields. Building on the Society's roots in the Missouri Press Association and the prestige of the University of Missouri School of Journalism, it has acquired materials of state and national significance. Several collections reflect activities of the press in Missouri. The Missouri Press Association, the Missouri Press Women and the Missouri Press Photographers' Association donate their records on a regular basis. Numerous prominent Missouri journalists have presented their own papers, among them Raymond P. Brandt, a Sedalia native who served as the St. Louis Post-Dispatch correspondent in Washington from 1923 to 1967; Robert M. White II, editor and publisher of the Mexico Ledger and longtime board member of the Society; and William Jeremiah Burke, a native of Richmond who became director of editorial research for Look magazine. The papers and films of Daniel R. Fitzpatrick, Post-Dispatch editorial car­ toonist who donated many original cartoons to the Society, also are housed in the manuscript collection. The University of Missouri School of Journalism is well represented in the collection by both faculty and alumni. Walter Williams, first dean of the school and later president of the University, was a major figure in journalism education for establishing the nation's first school of journalism, as author 318 Missouri Historical Review of The Journalist's Creed and for his work to promote international journal­ ism. His papers are studied extensively by journalism historians, and a biography of him is currently in process. Frank Luther Mott, dean from 1942 to 1951, won the Pulitzer Prize in 1939 for his five-volume work, A History of American Magazines. William Stephenson of the School of Journalism faculty developed the Q-Methodology of measuring public opin­ ion in advertising and communication. Walter Williams's interests in international journalism led to strong ties between the school and journalists in the Far East, which are reflected in the collection. Maurice Votaw, a journalism school graduate, served in China from 1922 to 1949 as a member of the faculty at St. John's University in Shanghai and an advisor to the National Ministry of Information before returning to MU to join the faculty in 1950. John Benjamin Powell, a 1910 graduate of the school, gained prominence as a correspondent and the man­ aging editor of the China Weekly Review, also in Shanghai. After World War II, during which he was a prisoner of war, he wrote My Twenty-Five Years in China. Duke Needham Parry was a foreign correspondent in Japan for the International News Service. Recent acquisitions include the Arizona Project records of Investigative Reporters and Editors, Inc., a cooperative journalistic investigation into organized crime and political corruption in Arizona conducted after the murder of a Phoenix reporter. In January, Leonard R. Sussman, senior scholar in international communications at Freedom House in New York, donated a twenty-five year archive of material documenting freedom of information and freedom of the press worldwide. In 1987 a special collection was established within the Western Historical Manuscript Collection in cooperation with the School of Journalism. Called the National Women and Media Collection (NWMC) and funded by a donation from Marjorie Bowers Paxson, a J-School alumna and retired Gannett publisher, it seeks to document women's roles in all media fields as both subjects and practitioners. It includes the papers of several Missouri women, among them Mary Paxton Keeley, first woman graduate of the School of Journalism; Betty Cook Rottmann, public relations director and author; Irene S. Taylor, a native of St. Joseph and 1924 J-School graduate who served as European correspondent for the New York Daily News and the Paris Herald Tribune during World War II; and Joye Patterson, journalism professor. WHMC and the NWMC serve as the archives of the National Federation of Press Women, Inc.; Journalism and Women Symposium (JAWS); the National Sisters Communication Service, an organization for religious communicators; and New Directions for News, an ongoing study of the portrayal of women in the media. Other major components of the NWMC include records of the Directory of Women's Media and the NOW Legal Defense Historical Notes and Comments 319 and Education Fund and papers of Donna Allen, director of the Women's Institute for Freedom of the Press and editor of Media Report to Women; Tad Bartimus, an Associated Press reporter, Pulitzer nominee and organizer of the above-mentioned JAWS; Eleni Epstein, fashion editor of the Washington Star-News; Carol Kleiman, Chicago Tribune columnist, author and radio per­ sonality; Susan Levine, managing editor of Ms magazine; Douglas Ann Johnson Newsom, Texas Christian University professor of journalism and public relations, active in the Association for Education in Journalism and Mass Communication; and Dorothy Jurney, founder of New Directions for News and her collaborators, Catherine East and Virginia R. Allen. The NWMC, which constantly receives additions, numbers more than fifty individual collections.

Pink Hosiery Prohibited St. Louis Melting Pot, January 1916. If Kansas keeps on putting blue laws on its statutes it will someday become too nice a place for ordinary mortals to dwell in. It will only be fit for saints and sissies. The latest ban reported from that state is against pink hosiery and bare arms. The next thing we know Kansas girls will be required to wear a blanket when out in public. .. .

Novel Plan Works Macon Republican, April 29, 1871. The merchants of Davenport have hit on a novel plan of getting rid of corner loafers that might be tried with good effect in this locality. When the gentry have assembled in front of their stores, the merchants hang out a sign, "Wanted, Employment for these Roosters," and this, it is said, has the effect of dispersing the worthless crowd much more efficaciously than a sheriff's officer.

There's a Limit St. Joseph Journal of Commerce, September 12, 1903. Every dog has his good points, provided he doesn't belong to your neighbor.

Can't Argue With That Macon Republican, April 29, 1871. "Bubby, why don't you go home and have mother sew up that awful hole in your trowsers?" "Oh, you git out, old man," was the respectful reply, "our folks are economising, and a hole will last longer than a patch any day."

Let It Shine! St. Joseph Journal of Commerce, September 12, 1903. Sunshine has no terrors for the girl with a $25 parasol. 320

NEWS IN BRIEF On October 28-29, 1993, Kay Pettit and for short-term loan to historical organiza­ Mark Thomas of the Society's Newspaper tions, museums, area educational institutions Library traveled to the southwestern section and adult study/service organizations. In of the state and returned newspapers that had addition to media resources, the Museum been borrowed for microfilming. Print edi­ will permit educational personnel to borrow tions returned to publishers, libraries and books and periodicals on Missouri topics, other owners included the Miller News, Carthage history, fashions and textiles and Miller Press, Miller Town and Country women's history from its small reference Journal, Mt. Vernon Advance, Cassville library for a two-week period. To make Barry County Advertiser, Southwest City Elk reservations to borrow materials or to River Current, Seneca Dispatch, Liberal request further information call Michele Enterprise and Lamar Daily Leader. The Hansford, Director/Curator, Powers staff of the Missouri Newspaper Project was Museum, at (417) 358-2667. The Museum's instrumental in securing these unique titles mailing address is P.O. Box 593, Carthage, for filming. MO 64836.

The Illinois State Genealogical Society The sixteenth annual Mid-America and Sangamon State University will cospon- Conference on History will be held sor the Genealogical Institute of Mid- September 15-17, 1994, at the University of America in Springfield, Illinois, on June 26- Arkansas, Fayetteville. Individual papers and 30. The institute will feature a nationally entire panels in all fields are now being recognized faculty, outstanding state and solicited. Graduate students are encouraged university research facilities, oral and family to participate. The deadline for submission history specialists and a hands-on approach of papers is June 1. Send proposals to in three course levels. For a registration Daniel E. Sutherland, Department of History, brochure or further information contact Julie University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, AR Slack, Office of Continuing Education, 72701. Sangamon State University, Springfield, IL 62794-9243. Officers of the Missouri Humanities Members of Carthage Historic Preservation, Council's governing board for 1994 are Inc., hosted the annual Christmas reception at Thomas J. Savage, S.J., chair; and Kent the Phelps house in Carthage on December 5. Farnsworth, vice chair. Applicants for public Officers of the group include Caryl discussion (over $2,500), scholar-in-resi­ MacMorran, president; Chuck Pauly, vice presi­ dence, media, interpretive exhibition and dent; Donna Friesen, secretary; and Ginny teacher seminar grants are now required to Esterly, treasurer. submit a preliminary draft one month in advance of the final deadline. For informa­ tion about grant categories and deadlines The Daughters of Union Veterans of the write the Missouri Humanities Council, 911 Civil War, Missouri Department are in the Washington Avenue, Suite 215, St. Louis, process of forming a new tent (chapter) in MO 63101-1208, or call Rheba Syme- Columbia. Interested persons who have onoglou for assistance at (314) 621-7705. Civil War direct lineage should contact Mrs. Sue Ladage, 2615 Porter Avenue, Brentwood, MO 63144, for more informa­ Members of the Missouri Alliance for tion about this organization. Historic Preservation (MAHP) held their 1993 annual meeting on October 16 in The Powers Museum in Carthage has Fulton. Warren Hollrah, curator of the several slide and video programs available Churchill Memorial, led a tour of the Historical Notes and Comments 321

Westminster College campus, a National century postcards and letterheads from the Register Historic District. Following the area. Charles Dickman, a student at St. Clair business meeting and luncheon, members High School, mounted a history display on visited the Churchill Memorial and Church General George Custer for the rotating exhib­ of St. Mary the Virgin Aldermanbury. Philip it area. This area will feature periodically Cotton gave a talk on the traditions for organ changing exhibits on various topics. The building, and two participants gave a brief Museum is open from 10 A.M. to 3 P.M. on organ recital. Philip Montague Smith IV Saturdays and 1 to 4 P.M. on Sundays. Tours prepared a guidebook for a walking and dri­ also are available by appointment; admission ving tour of Fulton. The Alliance presented is free with donations appreciated. its George and Elizabeth Rozier Award to Roy and Sue Stubbs for their preservation Officers of the Missouri Museums work in Johnson County, Arrow Rock and Association (MMA) are Jean Svadlenak, throughout Missouri. Membership in museum consultant, Kansas City, president; MAHP is open to all at $20 for basic mem­ Denise Morrison, Kansas City Museum, vice bership, with other categories available. For president; and Maggie Sebastian, Missouri further information contact Susan Hoefener, Historical Society, St. Louis, secretary/trea­ Executive Secretary, Missouri Alliance for surer. Dues are $10 for individuals or $15 for Historic Preservation, P.O. Box 895, institutions. The Association will hold its Jefferson City, MO 65102. annual meeting on April 16 at the new visi­ tors' center at Arrow Rock State Historic Site. Leona S. Morris, Society research assis­ For further information contact the Missouri tant, presented the "Missouri Women in Museums Association, c/o Missouri Histor­ History" slide show at the November 20 meet­ ical Society, P.O. Box 11940, St. Louis, MO ing of the John Corbin Chapter, Daughters of 63112-0040. the American Colonists, in Columbia. On January 29 she gave two presentations in Cape Girardeau County. The morning workshop for Missouri Save Outdoor Sculpture! is part students, held in the University Center at of a national campaign sponsored by the Southeast Missouri State University in Cape National Museum of American Art Girardeau, featured a slide show and discus­ (NMAA), the Smithsonian Institution and sion on "The Use of Photographs in Historical the National Institute for the Conservation of Research." That evening Morris used slides to Cultural Property. The goals of the project illustrate "A Look at Nineteenth-Century include locating and listing publicly accessi­ Photography" during the annual dinner ble outdoor sculpture and increasing aware­ meeting of the Jackson Heritage Association ness about the value and need for care of at the Knights of Columbus Hall in Jackson. outdoor sculpture. The University of Harold Kuehle and Don Beatte provided a Missouri Museum of Art and Archaeology display of old photographs and photography joins over seventy other funded projects in equipment. this effort. The first statewide survey of out­ door sculpture, Missouri SOS! will include The St. Clair Historical Museum, located works ranging from contemporary to historic in the old Odd Fellows Hall at 280 Hibbard sculptures, veterans' and war memorials, Street in St. Clair, opened to the public on earthworks, liturgical sculptures and folk art. January 15. The permanent exhibits feature The information gathered by Missouri SOS! mining, lumbering, banking, a 1915-1920 volunteers will be sent to the NMAA for era general store, a scale model of St. Clair entry in the Inventory of American Sculp­ about 1917, photographic displays on Route ture. Missouri SOS! also will develop a 66 and historic fires, Odd Fellows, antique database of Missouri outdoor sculpture. The pharmaceutical equipment and medicines, success of the project depends upon volun­ native flora and a collection of turn-of-the- teers in all regions of the state. To learn 322 Missouri Historical Review more about the Missouri SOS! project, vol­ IMS grant within the past two years. IMS unteer opportunities or to report a sculpture will make thirty to sixty awards available for in your area, please contact Marie Nau, each deadline. Upcoming deadlines are May Missouri SOS!, Museum of Art and 6 for training to take place between August Archaeology, University of Missouri, 1, 1994, and January 31, 1995; and August 5 Pickard Hall, Columbia, MO 65211, tele­ for training between November 1, 1994, and phone (314) 882-3591, fax (314) 884-4039. April 30, 1995. For more information con­ tact IMS, 1100 Pennsylvania Avenue NW, "A Missouri Classic," the state's ninth Washington, DC 20506; telephone (202) annual historic preservation conference, will 606-8539. be held on April 22-24 in Sedalia. The con­ ference will feature national experts on The State Historical Society hosted a restoration, tours of Sedalia's historic public retirement party on January 28 in honor of and commercial buildings and private homes Elizabeth J. Bailey. From 1979 to 1994 and ragtime music. Call (314) 751-7959 for Bailey served the Society as a reference spe­ more information. cialist in the Reference Library. Instrumental in the original processing of the Alice Irene The Institute of Museum Services (IMS) Fitzgerald Collection of Missouri's Literary has developed a new program, the Technical Heritage for Children and Youth in 1981, she Assistance Grant (TAG). TAG provides has continued to be actively involved in the staff (paid or volunteer, full or part-time) of development of the collection. Bailey also small museums the opportunity to obtain contributed to the Missouri Law Enforcement training in a specific area of museum opera­ Memorial Foundation project. She worked tion and then apply the skills learned at their as project head for the creation and compila­ museum. All types of museums with an tion of the roster of Missouri officers who operating budget of $250,000 or less are eli­ have died in the line of duty. Linda Brown- gible. The TAG program will give prefer­ Kubisch is the new reference specialist at the ence to museums that have not received an Society.

Can't Be Done Macon Republican, April 29, 1871. "Is it wrong to cheat a lawyer?" was recently very ably discussed by a debating society. The conclusion arrived at was that it was not wrong but impossible.

Josh Billings Sez It St. Joseph Morning Daily Herald, October 3, 1869. Prudery iz nothing more than coquetry gone to seed. I never knew a profound phool yet who did not affekt gravity, nor a truly wize man whose face was not alwus cocked and primed for a laugh.

The Soft Answer Heard St. Louis Melting Pot, August 1913. "What can we do to improve the present method of dancing?" thundered the parson. "Dancing is mere hugging set to music." "We might cut out the music," softly suggested the bad young man in the rear of the hall. 323

LOCAL HISTORICAL SOCIETIES

Adair County Historical Society Bates County Historical Society The Society held its annual dinner meet­ Members brought historical items for dis­ ing on November 4 at the Kirksville Country play and discussion at the January 13 meet­ Club. Ralph Rowlett, professor of anthro­ ing in the Stagecoach Depot at the museum pology at Northeast Missouri State Univer­ complex in Butler. sity, Kirksville, and the University of Belton Historical Society Missouri-Columbia, discussed excavation Jennifer Miller, a Creative Memories work at the Troy Woolen Mill site and consultant, discussed photo preservation and Indians of Adair County. The Northeast displayed archival quality products at the Missouri State University Chamber Choir, January 23 meeting in Old City Hall. directed by Andrew Bryan, also performed. Boone County Historical Society Affton Historical Society The Society held its annual Christmas Members met on January 16 in the party on December 8 at the Walters-Boone Society's historic house, Oakland, for an County Historical Museum in Columbia. afternoon social. The Society has started a Members and guests donated antique orna­ membership drive to add ninety-four new ments for a Christmas tree and toured the members in 1994. adjoining Montminy Art Gallery under con­ struction. Russ Nichols exhibited and Andrew County Historical Society played antique music boxes from his private Luther Gillett spoke on "The Kewpie" at collection; Dale Andrews displayed prints the November 7 volunteer dinner held in the from the glass plate negatives he discovered new wing of the museum in the Harry F. under the floorboards of his property. On Duncan Building, Savannah. December 9, the Society hosted a gathering Gary Fuenfhausen, museum curator, pre­ of the Old-Time Fiddlers group at the muse­ pared a long-range museum master plan, um. Presented in cooperation with the which the board of directors adopted. The Missouri Folk Arts program, the Society plan includes a new mission statement welcomes fiddlers of all ages for jam ses­ emphasizing the museum's relationship to sions on odd Thursdays throughout the year. the community. Society officers for 1994 are Donald G. Sanders, president; Anthony Lampe and Audrain County Historical Society Helen Judah, vice presidents; Bill Hooper, Officers for 1994 are Bud Myers, presi­ secretary; Lee Gibson, treasurer; and Liz dent; Betty Baker, Bob Semple, Molly Kennedy, historian. Maxwell and Gerald Chaney, vice presidents; Fran Sutton, secretary; and Craig Richards, Boone-Duden Historical Society treasurer. Robbie Cooney serves as executive Members held an outdoor picnic and director. The Society has recently acquired toured Thomasson's "Missouri Territory the barn of Tom Bass, a world-renowned Village," located in the Femme Osage valley, African-American horse trainer. on October 24. Winery owner Lucian Dressel hosted the December 20 meeting and Barton County Historical Society Christmas party at the Mount Pleasant The Society met on January 9 in the Law Winery in Augusta. Anita Mallinckrodt Chapel of the Lamar United Methodist gave a presentation on "The Missouri River Church. President Bob Douglas discussed and Early Events in Our Area Related to it." "Down Memory Lane, 1902-1903," a collec­ Following the resignation of Art Giuliani as tion of slides of homes, farms and other scenes president, Garry Cundiff and Alvin Enge- in the county. Members provided identifica­ mann were appointed president and vice tion of some views from the collection. president, respectively. 324 Missouri Historical Review

Boonslick Historical Society Cass County Historical Society The Society has raised its yearly mem­ Dorothy and Fred Young provided a pro­ bership fee to $10 for an individual or fami­ gram about the Log Cabin Festival for the ly. Membership includes a subscription to November 27 annual meeting at Pearson Boonslick Heritage, the Society's sixteen- Hall in Harrisonville. Members also viewed page quarterly newsletter. Dues should be a video of excerpts from the festival parade. sent to Bob Carmichael, Treasurer, Boonslick Historical Society, P.O. Box 324, Cedar County Historical Society Boonville, MO 65233. Society officers for As a result of a request for assistance in 1994 are Bob Dyer, Boonville, president; completing the files of the Cedar County Sylvia Forbes, Fayette, vice president; Jim newspapers at the State Historical Society, Higbie, Boonville, secretary; and Bob the local group has organized its archives for Carmichael, Franklin, treasurer. public use.

Brown County Historical Association Chariton County Historical Society The November 9 meeting at the First Members and guests participated in a Baptist Church in Sweet Springs featured a show-and-tell program at the January 16 program by Connie Reichert, a staff member meeting at the museum in Salisbury. of the Missouri State Archives, Jefferson City. She described the state and local records housed there. Civil War Round Table of Kansas City Round Table members met on November Butler County Historical Society 23 at the Homestead Country Club in Prairie Members met on November 22 at the Village, Kansas. Mark L. Thompson pre­ Poplar Bluff Museum, the former Mark sented a program on "The North Anna Twain School in Poplar Bluff. Leo Boeving, Campaign." Officers for 1994 are Sandy formerly a partner in the Boeving Brothers Ackerson, president; Gil Bergman and Tim Cotton Company, told about the cotton Westcott, vice presidents; Betty Ergovich, industry prior to the introduction of mechan­ secretary; Jim Tramel, treasurer; and Harold ical pickers. The Society published its ninth Blackburn, editor. The January 25 meeting annual historical photo calendar for 1994. at Meadowbrook Country Club in Prairie Funds from calendar sales permit the Society Village featured "Difficulties in the Reli­ to continue work on the one-room Dan River gious Community During the Civil War" by School, the Spurlock Log Cabin, the Queen Herman Hattaway. Anne Museum House on Cherry Street in Poplar Bluff, the Cane Creek driving tour and restoration of the Iron Mountain Civil War Round Table of St. Louis Railroad depot steps. Steve Hawley, a history instructor at West Point, discussed "Barksdale's Missi­ Carondelet Historical Society ssippi Brigade at Gettysburg" during the On December 12 members and guests October 27 meeting at Garavelli's Restaurant attended the Society's Christmas party at the in Rock Hill. The Round Table's December Carondelet Historic Center on Michigan 1 meeting featured a program on " 'Bloody Avenue in St. Louis. Dawn' Quantrill and the Lawrence Massacre." Thomas Goodrich, the author of a book on the subject, provided the program. Carroll County Historical Society Mark E. Neely, Jr., author and professor of The Society meets every other month in history and American studies at St. Louis different areas throughout the county; offi­ University, spoke on "The Two-Party cers include Martha Lee Kruse Schmidt, System During the Civil War" at the January president, and Francis V Burton, secretary. 26 meeting. Historical Notes and Comments 325

Civil War Roundtable Cole County Historical Society of Western Missouri Society officers for 1994 are James F. Members held a Christmas party on McHenry, president; Elizabeth Rozier, vice December 11 at the Rose Garden Center in president; Beth Eckles, secretary; and Ruth Loose Park, the site of the battle of Westport, Barrett, treasurer. in Kansas City. President Sonny Wells gave a slide presentation on "Civil War Concordia Area Heritage Society Monuments in Kansas City" at the January Members elected officers at the 12 meeting at the Truman High School November 21 meeting in the Concordia Library in Independence. Public Library. Officers include the Reverend Paul Wobus, president; Pearl Clay County Archives and Frerking, vice president; and Nora Hartwig, Historical Library secretary. The Society has submitted infor­ Officers for 1994 include Bill Hawkins, mation on the area's one-room schools for a president; Shirley Fansher and Chad Means, history update by the Lafayette County vice presidents; Stuart Elliott, treasurer; and Historical Society. Jane Sharon and June Dorsel, secretaries. The organization's collections, housed in the Concordia Historical Institute Frank Hughes Memorial Library, 210 East On November 18 the Institute honored Franklin, Liberty, are open to researchers Dr. Milton Carpenter, St. Louis, and Joyce from 9 A.M. to 4 P.M., weekdays. Archives Sauer, St. Charles, with its Distinguished volunteers have printed the 1880 Clay Service Award at a banquet in the Wartburg County census. Individuals or organizations Dining Hall of Concordia Seminary, St. interested in obtaining a copy should contact Louis. The Hanover Lutheran Church in the Clay County Archives at P.O. Box 99, Cape Girardeau received an award of com­ Liberty, MO 64068. mendation for preserving its 1887 church building, a 1924 one-room school and a Clay County Museum and cemetery. The Institute has completed a pro­ Historical Society ject to organize the papers of Dr. Walter A. Members held their annual fall dinner Maier, first "Lutheran Hour" speaker, and meeting on November 20 at the Liberty Hills Dr. Eugene R. Bertermann, an assistant to Country Club in Liberty. Barbara Magerl, Maier, executive director of the International with the Historic Kansas City Foundation, Lutheran Laymen's League and executive presented a slide show entitled "Saturday secretary of Lutheran Television. Guides to Matinee." On November 27 and 28 the the collections have been published and are Society and Soroptimist International of available for purchase. For further informa­ Liberty cosponsored a Christmas past and tion contact the Concordia Historical present homes tour. The event featured six Institute, 801 De Mun Avenue, St. Louis, houses decorated for the holidays; proceeds MO 63105, or call (314) 721-5934, exten­ provide maintenance funds for the museum. sion 320. Society officers include Susan MacEachern, president; Tom Atkins, president-elect; Cooper County Historical Society Diana Mead, secretary; and Howard Neth, Bob Dyer and Wayne Lammers present­ treasurer. ed a program and exhibit on "River and Rails of Cooper County" for the November Clinton County Historical Society 14 meeting at the Nelson Memorial The Society held a Victorian Christmas Methodist Church in Boonville. Members tour and a tea at the museum in Plattsburg on held their February 14 meeting at the Prairie December 4. A 1994 calendar features Home Methodist Church. Jeanne Lacy drawings of historic houses and buildings in spoke on doctors of Prairie Home and outly­ the county. ing areas. 326 Missouri Historical Review

Dallas County Historical Society Fayette's luminaria night, members held an The Society met on October 21 at the open Christmas party in their restored Crescent School in the Buffalo Head Prairie Wright building on the square. The event Historical Park in Buffalo. Thelma Kurtz, featured Victorian decorations, refreshments former custodian of the James farm near and a display of historic postcards. Kearney, presented the program on "Jesse and Frank James History." Members met on Fenton Historical Society November 18 at the Dallas County Museum On December 5 the Society opened the in the historical park for a carry-in supper premiere exhibition at the Fenton History and a sing-along. The following officers Museum in the old Navajo Hotel. Entitled were elected at the December 3 annual meet­ "Pioneering, Persevering, Progressing: 175- ing: Thelma Kurtz, president; Lawrence Year Journey through Fenton History," the Holt, vice president; Ralph Tucker, treasurer; exhibit includes a pictorial history of the and Leni Howe, corresponding secretary. town and a collection of artifacts donated by local residents. Museum hours are 11 A.M. DeKalb County Historical Society to 2 P.M. on Wednesdays and 1 to 5 P.M. on The Society is spearheading a project to Sundays. move and restore the old rural Round Top School. Built in 1878 in Dallas Township, Ferguson Historical Society the school features an octagonal shape; it The November 18 meeting at the First housed elementary classes until 1953. Plans Presbyterian Church in Ferguson featured a call for moving the structure to Maysville, slide presentation on old houses in Ferguson, the county seat. Interested parties can send past and present. The Society will participate donations for restoration to Round Top in activities commemorating Ferguson's cen­ School, P.O. Box 477, Maysville, MO tennial in 1994. 64469. All money will be returned in the event the project cannot be accomplished. Florissant Valley Historical Society The Society sponsored a Christmas sale Dent County Historical Society on December 4 at Taille de Noyer in Officers of the Society include Ken Florissant. The event included home-baked Fiebelman, president; Deloris Wood, vice goods, gift items and souvenirs for sale and a president; Verda Leonard, secretary; and visit from Santa. On December 5 an Virginia West, treasurer. Members have vis­ anniversary dinner at Taille de Noyer cele­ ited each cemetery in the county and com­ brated the Society's thirty-fifth birthday. piled material and photographs for publica­ tion in Ozark Heritage, Volume III, Dent Franklin County Historical Society County. Discussion of the Society's new Members met on December 5 at the book highlighted the January 14 meeting at Scenic Regional Library in Union. Ella the Salem Community Center. Scheduled Murray led group singing of Christmas for delivery by April 15, Ozark Heritage, songs. Carol Eckelkamp, public administra­ Volume III is a hard-bound limited edition tor for Franklin County, told about her hobby available for $65.00 postpaid. Send orders of collecting antique Christmas ornaments. to Ozark Heritage, Volume III, 1202 Gertrude Street, Salem, MO 65560. Friends of Historic Boonville On December 17 the Friends, the Fayette Area Heritage Association Boonslick Historical Society, the Cooper The Association held its fall meeting on County Historical Society and the Cooper November 3 in the community room of the County Commissioners cosponsored a cele­ Commercial Trust Bank. Sue Koch, a bration at the courthouse in Boonville in Fayette native, presented a slide program on honor of the 175th anniversary of the found­ early Fayette homes. On December 3 during ing of the county. The event featured music, Historical Notes and Comments 327 refreshments and the formal presentation of Swift played excerpts from the Museum's the governor's proclamation. The Friends collection of taped interviews with rivermen. published a 1994 calendar with seven pen On February 26 the group toured the library and ink drawings of historic structures. and collection center of the Missouri Historical Society in St. Louis. Bob Mullen, Friends of Jefferson Barracks registrar of the Society, served as tour guide. Officers of the Friends for 1994 include Mike Pierce, president; Tony Fusco, vice Grain Valley Historical Society president; Lisa Eichhorst, secretary; and The January 27 meeting in Grain Valley Glenda Stockton, treasurer/activity director. City Hall featured a program by Mary A program on the 1904 St. Louis World's Brown on "The Streets of Grain Valley and Fair highlighted the February 8 meeting at the Early Settlers for Whom They Were the Jefferson Barracks Visitors' Center in St. Named." Society officers for 1994 are Louis County. Ron Schira, president of the Barbara Washburn, president; Dorothy 1904 World's Fair Historical Society, pre­ Greene, vice president and program chair­ sented the program. man; Lucille Dryer, secretary; and Erma Friends of Missouri Town-1855 Doty, treasurer. Friends volunteers assisted with the Christmas open house at Missouri Town- Grand River Historical Society 1855 in Fleming Park near Blue Springs on Members held a potluck supper and instal­ December 11 and 12. A candlelight tour on lation of officers at the January 11 meeting at December 11 highlighted the event. the Coburn Building in Chillicothe. Frank Shannon presented a program on Roseville Friends of Rocheport pottery. Society officers include Frank On November 20 and 21 the Friends Stark, president; John Neal, museum cura­ sponsored a Christmas homes tour of four tor; William Lightner, Doris Wilson and houses in Rocheport. Officers are Hazel Gene Whitmer, vice presidents; Suzanne Williams, president; Joann Moreau and Beck, secretary; and John Cook, treasurer. Lynda Baumgartner, vice presidents; Dixie Yates, secretary; Larry Graebner, treasurer; Greene County Historical Society and Dorothy Caldwell, historian. Gary Ellison, popular ragtime pianist and vocalist, gave the program at the December Gasconade County Historical Society 2 meeting at the Glenstone Heritage Officers for 1994 include Edwin L. Cafeteria in Springfield. His multimedia pre­ Langenberg, president; Reuben Brehe, vice sentation described the renovation of the old president; Lois Hoerstkamp, treasurer; Ann downtown Gillioz Theater. Officers Knehans, secretary; and Ellen Adams, corre­ installed at the meeting were Hayward sponding secretary. Members held their Barnett, president, and Wayne Bartee, vice February 6 quarterly meeting at the court­ president. house in Hermann. Randy Puchta gave a program relating to the county's history. Phoebe Apperson Hearst Historical Society Glendale Historical Society On December 5 members held their Betty and Vince Beck provided a display annual business and social meeting at of World War II memorabilia for the Hearst Friendship Park near St. Clair. Society's second display case at City Hall. Ralph Gregory gave a talk on the 175th anniversary of the founding of Franklin Golden Fagle River Museum County. Officers elected were Helen Ely, "River Voices from the Past" was the president; Adele Gregory, vice president; theme of the January 23 meeting at the new Mabel Reed, secretary-treasurer; and Irene Shrewsbury Community Center. James V. Cowan, historian. 328 Missouri Historical Review

Henry County Historical Society restoring the Prager-Jaenecke house on The Society sponsored a fashion show Second Street. Members held their annual and luncheon on October 29 at the Adair meeting on February 7 at the German Annex in Clinton. Marilyn Nold serves as School. Carl and Helen Humm presented a the Society's museum director and has program on their recent trip to Malaysia. developed a slide program about the muse­ um for presentation to local organizations. Historical Association of On November 18 members attended the Greater Cape Girardeau annual harvest dinner at the Adair Annex. The Association held its November 8 Officers are Barry Beebe, president; Jane general meeting at Chateau Girardeau. Past Jones, vice president; Keith Kreissler, trea­ president Mary Ann Robertson gave a slide surer; Donna Kempker, secretary; and Gloria presentation on early buildings in Cape Saddoris, corresponding secretary. After Girardeau and compared them to replace­ five years of planning, the Society has ment structures. moved a dog-trot log cabin from near Montrose to West Franklin Street in Clinton. Historical Society of Maries County The Society is soliciting contributions Members hosted an open house in their through the Neighborhood Assistance research room at the Maries County Court­ Program for funds to restore the cabin. house in Vienna on January 30. Tour guides provided an introduction to the resources Heritage League of Greater Kansas City available to researchers. Following the tour League officers include Alisha Stockton, the Society held its quarterly meeting. president; Bill Bullard, vice president; Jerry Members discussed the feasibility of saving Motsinger, treasurer; and Barbara Magerl, the house where the first circuit court met in secretary. 1855 and plans for gathering material for a Hickory County Historical Society third book on the county. Anyone with The Society held a Christmas open house information, stories or illustrations for this at the museum in Hermitage on December 10 volume should contact the Historical Society and 11. Decorations and lighting from the of Maries County, P.O. Box 289, Vienna, past and wood heat added to the atmosphere as MO 65582. carolers sang and refreshments were served. On December 14 members held their annual Historical Society of Polk County Christmas dinner. Some twenty-five members On November 18 the Society met for the and guests attended the January 11 meeting. annual Thanksgiving dinner at Pappy's Cafe Marie Concannon, a reference specialist in in Bolivar. Katherine Faulkner gave a pro­ the Reference Library of the State Historical gram on the "First Ladies and Children of Society of Missouri, spoke on "How to Washington, D.C." Research Family History at the State Historical Society." She also showed slides and distrib­ Independence 76 Fire Company uted information sheets. Members celebrated the holidays with a Christmas dinner party on December 3 in the Historic Florissant, Inc. meeting hall at Fleming Park in Jackson On November 28 "Florissant by County. The group has acquired an antique Candlelight" featured seven historic homes switchboard similar to the one that served representing Florissant's French and German the Independence Fire Department for de­ heritage. The event also included traditional cades. It will become a major display in Christmas decorations and refreshments. their future museum.

Historic Hermann, Inc. Iron County Historical Society The group awarded its 1993 restoration The January 16 quarterly meeting was grant to Sherry and Dave Ludwig, who are held in the fellowship hall of the Arcadia Historical Notes and Comments 329

Valley United Methodist Church in Ironton. Kansas City Westerners Members brought items for display and dis­ The Posse's November 9 meeting at the cussion and helped identify photographs Hereford House in Kansas City featured a recently sent to the museum. program on "Women in the West" by Ann Reinert. Larry Larsen and Nancy Hulston Jackson County Historical Society presented "Through the eyes of a student: The Society's John Wornall House Medical Education in Frontier Kansas City" Museum in Kansas City hosted the annual during the December 14 meeting. On Christmas candlelight tours on December 2, January 11 James J. Fisher served as the 5 and 12. Volunteers dressed in period cloth­ guest speaker. Don Lambert gave a first-per­ ing recreated a Victorian Christmas celebra­ son portrayal of Kansas artist John Steuart tion, including music and open-hearth cook­ Curry at the February 8 meeting. ing. Members held their annual meeting on January 23 at the Harry S. Truman Library in Landmarks Association of St. Louis, Inc. Independence. Officers elected were Jane F. The Association presented an overview Flynn, president; Daneen S. Barbour, presi­ of its four-year citywide survey of historic dent-elect; Benedict K. Zobrist, Roger W. religious structures on December 12 at the Hershey and Brent Schondelmeyer, vice Lafayette Park United Methodist Church. presidents; Sarajane S. Aber, secretary; MiMi Stiritz, the principal researcher and an James Nichol, treasurer; and John M. architectural historian, gave the slide lecture McGee, assistant treasurer. President Flynn entitled "Sacred Structures." presented the second annual president's award to Pauline Fowler for exceptional loy­ Lawrence County Historical Society alty, service, dedication to and support of the The Society met on November 21 at the Society. Carol Cavin, Marjorie Elliott, Jones Memorial Chapel at Mount Vernon. Sarajane Aber and Lonna Smittle received Program chairman Doug Seneker related volunteer-of-the-year awards. Other award some history of the three courthouses of recipients included Save A Connie, Inc., for Lawrence County. Joe Ruscha, presiding history and preservation; James J. Fisher and commissioner of the county, discussed the the Kansas City Star, media award for the present condition of the courthouse. Officers "Following the Oregon Trail" series; the reelected were Tom Lawing, president; Lem Monnett Battle of Westport Fund, Inc., of the Compton and Doug Seneker, vice presidents; Civil War Round Table of Kansas City, for Margaret McBride, secretary; and Fred preservation efforts in the Byram's Ford Mieswinkel, treasurer. area; and Mel Mallin, for preservation of buildings through adaptive reuse. Lee's Summit Historical Society The "Musical Melodeers" performed at the December 3 Christmas party at Lee Jasper County Historical Society Haven community center in Lee's Summit. Eleanor Coffield hosted the December 5 Members related their memories of the town meeting and Christmas party at her home in at the February 4 meeting. Carthage. Rosemary Bane, of Springfield, described the role of women in the Civil War Lexington Library and Historical and portrayed Sarah Greenway Maples, her Association great-great-grandmother, and Mary Whitney The Association and the staff of the Phelps. Officers elected were Dan Crutcher, Battle of Lexington State Historic Site president; Jim Loomis and Steve Cottrell, cohosted a Victorian Christmas party at the vice presidents; Loretta Loomis, treasurer; Anderson House on December 12. Period Jane Crawford, secretary; Marvin VanGilder, decorations, music, refreshments and enter­ archivist; and Eleanor Coffield, editor. tainment highlighted the event. 330 Missouri Historical Review

Lincoln County Historical and group singing. The January 9 quarterly Archeological Society meeting featured a display and discussion of Officers of the Society include William historical items and heirlooms brought by Hopkins, president; Mrs. William R. the members. Duncan, vice president; Mrs. John Clare, secretary; and Mrs. Robert Hechler, treasur­ Missouri Historical Society er. On December 5 members held their On January 9 the Society sponsored a meeting and the annual Victorian open house special event at its Library and Collections at the Society's building in Troy. Local Center in St. Louis. Speakers Rabbi Jerome florists donated holiday decorations, and old Grollman and the Reverend Earl Nance, Jr., toys and dolls were on display throughout remembered Martin Luther King, Jr.'s, visit the rooms of the jailer's residence. to St. Louis in 1960. The Reverend John Doggett moderated the program, and the Linn County Historical Society Velvetones, an a cappella gospel quartet, Members gathered at the Country Steak provided musical interludes. The Holy House in Brookfield for the November 6 Roman Repertory Company presented a quarterly meeting. Ann Sligar, administrator two-part series of dramatic programs on at Watkins Mill State Historic Site, gave an "The African-American Experience in the illustrated presentation on Missouri "Textile Gilded Age" at the History Museum in Milling in the 1800s." Society officers are Forest Park on February 20 and March 6. Gary K. Howell, president; Gary McCollum Mary Corbin Sies presented "Men, Women, and Jack Stigall, vice presidents; Audrey and the City Transformed: Building the Stigall, secretary; John Dinsmore, treasurer; Suburban Ideal, 1877-1917" as part of the Elsie McCollum, historian; and Sharon St. Louis Urban Forum series in the Library Howell, editor. and Collections Center on March 24. The Society reported that it has been accredited Macon County Historical Society by the American Association of Museums. The Society held its annual Christmas It joins 738 other museums that have dinner on December 1 at the Gaslight received this honor, out of nearly 8,500 Restaurant in Macon. Ronald Belt related museums nationwide. his experiences as a child who grew up in LaPlata with Lester Dent, author and adven­ Moniteau County Historical Society turer, as his Boy Scout leader. The Society held its January 10 meeting at the California City Hall. Marlene Snyder, Mid-Missouri Civil War Round Table of Marlene's Country Travel Service in High Round Table members met on November Point, told about the traveling tombstone. 16 at the Lohman Building in Jefferson City, and Jim McGhee presented a program on John G. Neihardt Corral of the Marmaduke's Brigade. The January 18 meet­ Westerners ing in the Columbia Daily Tribune lunch­ Corral members met on November 11 at room included "Stonewall in the Valley: the Days Inn in Columbia. Bob Dyer, musi­ Jackson's Shenandoah Valley Campaign, cian and local historian from Boonville, pre­ Spring 1862" by George Lyons. sented "Johnny Whistletrigger, Civil War Songs from the Western Border." Gary Miller County Historical Society Vroegindewey, a collector of historic pho­ Over eighty-five members and guests tographs, discussed "The Lincoln Image" at attended the December 5 Christmas dinner the December 9 meeting. On January 13 and party at the museum in Tuscumbia. members viewed wildlife slides taken by Pauline Humphrey and Beverly Pendleton Glenn Chambers, a wildlife biologist who presented a special musical program and led also brought his pet otter, Spadefoot. Historical Notes and Comments 331

Nodaway County Historical Society Ozark County Genealogical and Officers are Frances R. Stuart, president; Historical Society Elizabeth Bird, Alice Hersh and Edgar Officers of the Society include Eloise Williamson, vice presidents; Estelle Sletten, president; Ruby Robins, vice presi­ Newberry and Harriet Cain, secretaries; and dent; Flo Williamson, secretary; and Rhonda Thomas Carneal, treasurer. Everett Brown Herndon, treasurer. presented the program on "Rural Schools of Nodaway County" when the Society met on Pemiscot County Historical Society January 24 at the Mercantile Bank in The Society met on October 22 at the Maryville. Pemiscot Progressives Industries, Inc., a sheltered workshop in Hayti, and Martha Old Trails Historical Society Stevens, the director, conducted a tour of the The Society realized proceeds of over facility. On November 19 members gathered $ 1,000 from the "Gingerbread House" at the at the American Legion building in Bacon Log Cabin in Manchester on Caruthersville for a business meeting and December 11 and 12. Volunteers made and then toured the home of Dr. and Mrs. Terry sold handmade and holiday items, crafts and Swinger. cookies. Monti Avery spoke on "The Civil War Visits St. Louis" at the January 19 meet­ ing in the Manchester Methodist Church. Perry County Historical Society Members held a Christmas bazaar and sold Society publications on December 4 at Oregon-California Trails the Community Center in Perryville. Association, Trails Head Chapter On November 9 members met for their annual meeting at the Alexander Majors Pettis County Historical Society house in Kansas City. Ross Marshall, direc­ The Society met on November 22 at the tor of the facility, gave a tour of the histori­ courthouse in Sedalia. Rhonda Chalfant, cal home. Following the business meeting, program chairman, gave a program on the members viewed videos of a segment of the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, Charles Kuralt show and Beyond Eden's and the audience related memories of Gate. Officers elected were Ross Marshall, November 22, 1963. Robert Ault presented president; James Budde, vice president; Ruth slides on railroading and emphasized the Ayres, secretary; and Judy Budde, treasurer. steam era when Sedalia was a major The Chapter and the Friends of the Trails Midwest railroad center at the January 24 Center held a joint meeting on January 20 at meeting. the National Frontier Trails Center in Independence. Ross Marshall spoke on the Platte County Historical and history of State Line Road, which separates Genealogical Society Jackson County, Missouri, and Johnson The Parkville Bannaker School Chapter County, Kansas. of the Society has been formed to restore the first black school in the county for use as an Osage County Historical Society 1880s two-room school museum. Members held their annual meeting at the VFW Hall in Linn. Philo Su gave a slide Pony Express Historical Association presentation entitled "Japanese Weddings Members held their December 5 meeting and Culture." The following officers were at Patee House Museum in St. Joseph. installed: Constance Reichart, president; Beverly Fenton, the new director of tourism Viola Luebbert, vice president; and Clara for St. Joseph and Buchanan County, served Backes, secretary. The Society presented as the guest speaker. The Association held certificates of appreciation and honorary life its annual Victorian Christmas activities at memberships to several members. the museum on December 11 and 12. The 332 Missouri Historical Review event, with its holiday decorations, food, viewed a display of turn-of-the-century music, crafts demonstrations and entertain­ clothing worn by local families. Officers ment, attracted over six hundred visitors. elected were Leora Giessing, president; Jack Association officers are LeRoy Maxwell, Clay, vice president; Dorothy Mount and president; Bert Rose, vice president; Anna Ruth Womack, secretaries; and Faye Morris, Rose, secretary; and Ray Waldo, treasurer. treasurer. Thomas Muskrat presented a video on the Cherokee Indians at the January Randolph County Historical Society 26 meeting. Dr. James W. Goodrich, executive direc­ tor of the State Historical Society of Sappington-Concord Historical Society Missouri, served as the guest speaker at the Members held their January 26 meeting Society's annual dinner meeting on January at Lindbergh High School in Sappington. 24 at Nelly's Restaurant in Moberly. He Jean Fahey Eberle, author of A Starting spoke on the value of local history and local Point, a narrative and photographic history historical societies. of the Oakville, Mehlville and Concord area, provided the program. Ray County Historical Society The Society held its annual meeting and Smoky Hill Railway and Museum a carry-in dinner on January 20 at the Association Eagleton Center in Richmond. Sonny Wells On November 13 following a reception gave the program on saving historical build­ honoring all volunteers aboard the ings. Officers elected were Harold D. "Hospitality," members held a business Barchers, president; Jean Hamacher, vice meeting at the Old City Hall in Belton. The president; and Betty Hill Gundy, treasurer. Association has provided an exhibit at recent major outdoor and home shows in the Raytown Historical Society Kansas City area to enhance the group's During October and November the public relations efforts. Society's museum featured an exhibit of World War I artifacts, commemorating the Sons and Daughters of the Blue and Gray seventy-fifth anniversary of the armistice. George A. Hinshaw gave a program on On December 11 the Society held an appre­ codes, ciphers and secret messages of the ciation brunch for its volunteers. Members Civil War at the November 21 meeting at the met for the annual oyster stew and steak Mercantile Bank in Maryville. During the soup dinner on January 31 at the Raytown January 16 meeting members viewed the Christian Church. The Raytown South film Black Easter, which dealt with the Cardinal Chorale, directed by Mary Bodney, background and events leading up to the provided entertainment. Officers installed death of President Abraham Lincoln. were George Crews, president; Phyllis Miller and Howard Bell, vice presidents; South East Missouri Civil War Jean Wheeler and Annetta Herring, secre­ Round Table taries; and Earl Jones, treasurer. The Round Table held its February 3 meeting at Ozark Regional Library in St. Charles County Historical Society Ironton. Terry Cadenbach and Mike Harris Richard Sperandio spoke on "The True presented the program on the Civil War fort Story of Daniel Boone" at the January 22 located at Patterson. Their presentation quarterly meeting at Captain Tony's at the included a video of the site and information Ark in St. Charles. about efforts to preserve it.

St. Francois County Historical Society Stone County Historical Society The Society met on November 17 in the During the December 5 meeting at the civic room of the Ozarks Federal Savings Hurley Community Center, Joyce Henderson and Loan building in Farmington. Members reported on progress with Book II of Stone Historical Notes and Comments 333

County history, and members discussed in Washington. Walt Larson discussed the other Society projects. Civil War, and Ralph Gregory spoke on Franklin County's 175th birthday. Texas County Missouri Genealogical Westphalia Historical Society and Historical Society The Society sponsored a holiday homes Society officers for 1994 are Shirley tour on December 5. Wenger, president; Christina Hadley, vice president; Karen Nelson and Velma Adams, Westport Historical Society secretaries; and Alzada Durham, treasurer. Members held their quarterly dinner meeting on November 12 at the Woodside Turney Historical Society Racquet Club in Westwood, Kansas. Jane The Society meets the first Tuesday night Flynn, president of the Jackson County of each month in the Turney Community Historical Society, gave a talk on "Kansas Center. On May 29, 1993, a special stamp City Women of Independent Minds." cancellation in observance of the 90th Officers elected for 1994 were Roy C. anniversary of the depot and the 125th anni­ Ranck, president; Daniel Verbeck, Katherine versary of the town of Turney was held in Barnett and Louise Meyers, vice presidents; Turney Park. The Society has renovated the Leonard Stroud, treasurer; Julie Blagg and depot and installed displays, including old Alice Phister, secretaries; and Peggy Smith, telephones, lanterns, a telegraph key and historian. On December 5 about seventy- other items pertaining to the depot. five members and friends attended the annu­ al Christmas celebration at the Harris- Vernon County Historical Society Kearney House Museum in Kansas City. Members gathered for the annual meet­ ing on December 5 in the Nevada city coun­ White River Valley Historical Society cil chamber and heard reports on repairs to Mac Walden gave a program on "Life in the Bushwhacker Museum and book sales. Roark Valley: Early Days to the Present" at Officers elected were Jean Edwards, presi­ the December 12 meeting in the Friendship dent; Ethel Dean McComas, vice president; House at the College of the Ozarks in Point Alice M. Hill and Patrick Brophy, secre­ Lookout. Officers are Lois Holman, presi­ taries; Harry Gilbert, treasurer; and Kathryn dent; Bob Gilmore, vice president; Linda Bass, historian. Myers-Phinney, secretary-treasurer; Fern Angus, historian; and Lynn Morrow, editor. Washington Historical Society On December 12 the Society held its Winston Historical Society annual open house. The event featured guid­ Officers include Lynn Martindale, presi­ ed tours, refreshments and a Christmas dis­ dent; Virgil Julian and Dorothy Olsen, vice play. Members met for the Christmas party presidents; Jay Groves, secretary; and Melba on December 14 at Char-Tony's Restaurant Martindale, treasurer.

Barely Out of Reach Kansas City Star, January 24, 1993. The State Line Tavern, later the Last Chance, sat on the state line ... at 3205 Southwest Blvd. The building, with Goulding's Saloon in the front, was divided by a line painted on the floor. Gamblers moved to the west side if Missouri officers visited, and to the east if the police were from Kansas. [Photo caption] 334 GIFTS

Chris Ahlemann, Sweet Springs, donor: The Call, historical novel by donor. (R)* LaVeta Phillips Anderson, Columbia, donor: Directory of First Baptist Church, Drexel, Missouri, 1993. (R) Catharine Barrow, Webster Groves, for United Daughters of the Confederacy and UDC, Confederate Dames Chapter, donors: United Daughters of the Confederacy, Confederate Dames Chapter, Records and United Daughters of the Confederacy, Missouri Division, Records. (M) Trenton Boyd, Columbia, donor: Greater St. Louis, 1991-92, Yellow Pages. (R) John W. Brummel, Boonville, donor: "The Collected Poems of John Brummel," by donor. (R) Carthage Historic Preservation, Inc., donor, through Mrs. Russell Smith, Carthage: Newsletter and historical calendar published by the donor. (R) J. Ray Chapman, North Charleston, South Carolina, donor: The Chapman Chronicles: 1701-1993, by James Ray Chapman. (R) Wilma Christopher, Turney, donor: Publications relating to the history of Turney and other communities in Clinton, DeKalb, Daviess and Caldwell counties. (R) Ben H. Coke, Richmond, Virginia, donor: Early Landowners Near Greenfield, Virginia and the Bell Family Who Once Lived There, by donor. (R) John C. Crighton, Columbia, donor: The History of Health Services in Missouri, by donor. (R) Lelah Eastwood Crockett, West Sedona, Arizona, donor: Crockett/Campbell Lineage . . . , by donor. (R) Lynn Ross Cyrus, Lincoln, Nebraska, donor: Genealogies of the Cyrus, Long, Moulder, Yadon, Van Hoosen, Osborn, West, Jackson, Doyle, and North Families, compiled by donor. (R) Ronald R. DeLaite, Columbia, donor: Various Missouri maps, booklets from the Missouri Coordinating Board for Higher Education and Missouri Commission on Local Government Cooperation and pamphlets and other publications relating to Missouri communities, tourism and the University of Missouri. (R) A. Hugh Denney, Columbia, donor: "Index to the History of Lincoln Co. Missouri (Part 1, Index to the History Section)," compiled by Tom Caulley. (R) Lloyd Arthur Dixon, Carrollton, Texas, donor: Four black and white group photographs taken in Harviell, Missouri, (E); and photocopy of article on Mary Hopkins Moore. (R) Fayette Advertiser, donor, through H. Denny Davis, Fayette: "The Fayette Advertiser Extra: Great Flood of 1993 in the Howard County Area," spe­ cial souvenir edition, by donor. (N) & (R)

*These letters indicate the location of the materials at the Society. (R) refers to Reference Library; (E), Editorial Office; (M), Manuscripts; (N), Newspaper Library; (RFC), Reference Fitzgerald Collection; (B), Bay Room; and (A), Art Room. Historical Notes and Comments 335

Alice Irene Fitzgerald, Columbia, donor: Over twenty books for the Fitzgerald Collection. (RFC) Dorothy P. Gross, Edmonds, Washington, donor: Families Named Northern, Volumes 1 and 2, by donor. (R) Henry A. Hamann, Suitland, Maryland, donor: Material on the Crose family. (R) Richard Horace and Jane Hawkins, Aiken, South Carolina, donors: Roxie, by donors. (R) Richard H. Henninger, Colorado Springs, Colorado, and Nell H. Jones, Raytown, donors: Original black and white photographs of interior of Henninger Jewelry Store, 813 Broadway, Columbia, loaned for copying. (E) Hickory County Historical Society, Hermitage, donor: Maps of Hickory County, 1880, and school districts of the 1900s. (R) Sue Horvath, St. Joseph, donor: "St. Joseph's Presbyterians: 1843-1993, A History," by donor. (R) Minerva S. Howard, Columbia, donor: David Henry Hickman High School, Columbia, yearbooks, Cresset, 1985-1988 and 1990-1993. (R) Larry A. James, Neosho, donor: Newton County Saga, Spring 1960, and A Thousand and One Questions About Neosho (A Book of Neosho Trivia), by Kay Hively and donor. (R) Ronald G. Kamper, Lake Mary, Florida, donor: Information on the Boone's Lick Road and key to markers placed by the Daughters of the American Revolution, compiled by donor. (R) Kansas State Historical Society, Topeka, Kansas, donor, through Bob Knecht: Seven postcards with views in "Shepherd of the Hills Country" and near Noel, Missouri. (E) Kash Literary Enterprises, Inc., donor, through Robin Kash, Topeka, Kansas: Publications relating to St. Joseph and western Missouri. (R) Quinton and Jo Ann Keller, St. Louis, donors: The Grossheider Family of Cape Girardeau County, Missouri and The Keller Family of Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, both by donors. (R) Russel Key, Moberly, donor: "Minutes ... of the Fishing River Association of Primitive Baptists held with Pleasant Grove Church, Independence, Missouri," 1993. (R) Leroy J. Korschgen, Columbia, donor: The Samson Family: 1758-1993 (Including Information for the Maternal Branch, The Ahrens Family), compiled by donor. (R) David G. McDonald, Columbia, donor: Photocopied edition of Loss of the Sultana and Reminiscences of Survivors, by Rev. Chester D. Berry, 1892. (R) James E. McGhee, Jefferson City, donor: "Tales of the War: A Compilation of Civil War Articles from the Daily Missouri Republican, 1885-1887," compiled by donor. (R) Geraldine Spalding McNally, Monroe City, donor: The Spaldings ofSwinkey, by donor. (R) Charles Frederick Maxwell, McMinnville, Oregon, donor: Material on the James and Elizabeth (Grove) Maxwell family. (R) Metropolitan Publishing Corporation, Springfield, donor: Telephone directories for Callaway County, Fort Leonard Wood area, Lebanon and Laclede County, Ozark/Nixa area and Springfield. (R) 336 Missouri Historical Review

Missouri Department of Conservation, Jefferson City, donor, through Bernadette Dryden: About Mammals and How They Live, by Charles W. and Elizabeth R. Schwartz. (R) Missouri Press Association, Columbia, donor: Original editorial cartoons, "All Sewed Up!" by Rube Goldberg, 1943, and "Always First in Fashions," by S. J. Ray, 1940s, (A); 1991 calendar published by the donor in celebra­ tion of its 125th anniversary, (R); four black and white oversize photographs of the Missouri Editors' Association and conventions of the donor and a large collection of black and white and color photographs entered in the Missouri Press Association Better Newspaper Contest, 1982-1992. (E) Dannie Moore, Drexel, donor: History of the Pleasant Ridge Cemetery, Cass County, written and compiled by Charley D. and Anna L. Moore. (R) Siegmar Muehl, Iowa City, Iowa, donor: "Four Wine Songs," by Friedrich Muench, translated from German by donor and Lois Muehl. (R) Mrs. W. G. Murdick, Farmington, donor: "Richwood Cemetery: Washington County, Missouri, 1851-1993." (R) Robert Neumann, Republic, donor: "Civil War Campaigns in the Ozarks," by donor, and information on General Sweeny's Civil War museum. (R) News Tribune, Jefferson City, donor, through Doug Waggoner: River's Rampage: The Flood of '93, by donor. (R) Northwest Missouri State University, donor, through Tom Carneal, Maryville: "Watson Methodist Church, Watson, Missouri: 1879-1979." (R) Beverely and Walter L. Pfeffer II, Columbia, donors: University of Missouri Fraternity/Sorority Alumni Directory, 1990-91, "Cardinals Calen­ dar," 1993, and programs, pamphlets and publications relating to Columbia area businesses, civic, conservation, cultural, educational, political and service organizations and associations. (R) Mrs. Edward E. Pickett, Columbia, donor: Periodicals relating to the Cole and Pangburn families. (R) Arthur L. Piepmeier, Nashville, Tennessee, donor: Harmon H. Piepmeier's Civil War Diary and Parallel Writings, compiled by donor. (R) Peggy Platner, Columbia, donor: 1993 Flood: A Slow-Motion Tragedy, Special Publication, September 28, 1993, by the Columbia Daily Tribune. (R) Jerry Ponder, Fairdealing, donor: "Unit Roster: 12th Missouri Infantry Regiment, CSA" and "Unit Roster: 15th Missouri Cavalry Regiment, CSA," both by donor. (R) Presbytery of Missouri Union, donor, through J. Joseph Trower, Jefferson City: Minutes of the Presbytery of Missouri Union, 1993. (R) William E. Preston, Forsyth, donor: William E. Preston Collection. (M) Ann Rogers, Columbia, donor: Color photograph of Bonnie and Gerald T. Brouder, 1993, (E); MU Alumni Association, calendar, 1992, and items relating to historic sites and Columbia. (R) F. E. Rogers, Columbia, donor: Publications relating to the University of Missouri Extension Program, personnel and extension clubs. (R) Historical Notes and Comments 337

Beverly Carmichael Ryan, Lynchburg, Virginia, donor: "The Carmichael Brothers . . . John, Daniel, James and Their Descendants with a Note on McAllister," by Raymond Martin Bell and donor. (R) Bill and Irene Siemers, Cape Girardeau, donors: The Siemers Family of Cape Girardeau County, Missouri, by donors and Eldora and Roy Keller. (R) Jane Simmons, Jefferson City, donor: Simmons Enterprises, Records. (M) V. Darcey Slaughter, Columbia, donor: The Turner Family: Discovering the Father of Thomas Turner. . . , by donor. (R) Frances Doutt Smith, St. Louis, donor: "Case Family Reunion," by donor. (R) Robert C. Smith, Columbia, donor: "The Raising of the Shipwreck 'Arabia': Sank 1856, Salvaged 1989," by David Hawley. (R) Southeast Missourian, Cape Girardeau, donor, through Judi Naeter: "Commemorative Edition . . . The Flood of 1993" and "Cape Girardeau's Bicentennial Keepsake Edition," both published by donor. (R) Stephens Life, Stephens College, Columbia, donor, through Karen Speakman: Stephens Life: 1992-1993. (R) United States Department of the Army, donor, through Richard Edging, Fort Leonard Wood: Made It In The Timber: A Historic Overview of the Fort Leonard Wood Region, 1800- 1940, by Steven D. Smith. (R) United States Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, Missouri River Division, donor, through John E. Schaufelberger, Omaha, Nebraska: Big Dam Era: A Legislative and Institutional History of the Pick-Sloan Missouri Basin Program, by John R. Ferrell. (R) United States Department of the Army, Corps of Engineers, St. Louis District, donor, through James D. Craig, St. Louis: Damning the Dam: The St. Louis District Corps of Engineers and the Controversy Over the Meramec Basin Project from its Inception to its Deauthorization, by T. Michael Ruddy. (R) Kenneth Webb, Oakville, donor: Kuestersteffen Family History, by donor. (R) William and Kathryn White, T\icson, Arizona, donors: Robert T. McMahan (1832-1892) Papers. (M) Robert Gail and Margie McDaniel Woods, St. Louis, donors: St. Mark's United Methodist Church Directory, Florissant, and various published items relating to churches and agencies of the Missouri East Annual Conference, United Methodist Church. (R) & (E)

Guess Again

Kansas City Missouri and Kansas Farmer, January 15, 1914. Two men in an auto slowed up beside a man working on the street. "Can you tell us the way to Bolton, Pat?" asked one. "Begorra, and how did yez know my name was Pat?" he asked in reply. "We guessed it." "Then guess the way to Bolton," came the quick reply. — Motor Dealers Bulletin. 338

MISSOURI HISTORY IN NEWSPAPERS

Albany Ledger-Headlight January 5, 1994—Building on First and Park streets, "Fallen second floor had historical significance in Stanberry," by Susan O'Brien.

Anderson Graphic January 12, 1994—"Elk Springs was site of early land promotions," by Ralph Pogue.

Ashland Boone County Journal December 2, 1993—"Little Bonne Femme [Baptist Church] opens 175th anniversary celebration Sunday."

Aurora Advertiser October 29, 1993—Abandoned Berry Cemetery in Aurora. November 29—John Mason Peck, "Missouri Frontiersman Helped Preserve History," by Jeannie Mitchell.

Belton Star-Herald January 20, 1994—"History Trail . . . '94," reprint of the Belton Herald from 1902 fea­ turing profiles of prominent citizens.

Bethany Republican-Clipper January 26, 1994—"Half a century of changes: Terraces have changed with farming practices," commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Harrison County Soil and Water Conservation District, by Rebecca McMahon.

Boonville Record January 25, 1994—"Historical Footnotes," a series by the Friends of Historic Boonville, featured John I. West and the story of his hanging.

Butler news-Xpress December 10, 1993—Butler Memorial "Airport in Its Earliest Stages."

Canton Press-News Journal December 2, 1993, January 3, 1994—"Yesteryears Pictures," a series, featured respec­ tively: 1908 Canton electric light plant and pictures of three Williamstown churches.

*Cape Girardeau Southeast Missourian October 28, 1993—"Ste. Genevieve's flood battle remains to be won," by David Hente. January 20, 1994—Richard D. Betterly, "Historian Haunts Cemeteries," and "Area's Old Cemeteries Allow Us To Touch The Past," by Mark Bliss.

Carrollton Daily Democrat November 2, 1993—"Early Carroll County Settlers Faced Problems Of Adequate Flour Mills To Provide Bread For Family Tables," by Robin Brotherton.

*Indicates newspapers not received by the State Historical Society. Historical Notes and Comments 339

January 4, 1994—"Journey into the past," a series of articles taken from earlier editions of the Daily Democrat, compiled by Robin Brotherton.

Carthage Press October 27, 1993—A special supplement, "Welcome To Carthage," featured several his­ torical articles. November 24—"Carthage enjoyed Thanksgiving Day excitement in 1893." December 23—Carthage 1951 "Christmas meaning was clearly stated"; "Victorian Christmas emphasized faith"; "A Carthage hospital was goal of Yuletide fund-raising cam­ paign conducted in 1893"; and "Carthage was a stable economic anchor." These and the arti­ cles above by Marvin L. VanGilder.

Columbia Daily Tribune October 31, November 14, 28, December 12, 26, 1993, January 9, 23, 1994—"Boone Country," a series by Francis Pike, featured respectively: the Ed Watson Memorial Fox Hunt; the John Carlis family; dogs; the Central Missouri Humane Society; wild animals; student altercations at MU; and horse and buggy days. January 6—"Time Passages," a timeline of the history of Columbia, including some his­ toric photographs.

Columbia Missourian October 31, 1993—"Senior Hall and the Tower," Stephens College. November 7—"Centralia Historical Society Museum/A. B. Chance Home." November 14—"Frederick Douglass School," Columbia. December 12—Grant Elementary School, Columbia; "Tradition, triumph & Omniturf," sixty-seven years at Faurot Field, by Kendall Matthews. January 2, 1994—"Memorial Stadium: Faurot Field." January 16—"The Historic Missouri Theatre." January 30—"The Missouri School of Journalism."

Cuba Free Press November 4, 1993—Sadie Veronica Short and Isaac Carey, "Early Settlers of Crawford County," by Myra Henry.

Eldon Advertiser December 2, 16, 1993, January 13, 20, 27, 1994—"Window to the Past," a series by Peggy Smith Hake, featured respectively: the William T. and Lucy J. Brockman Franklin fam­ ily; the Joel R. and Mary Josephine Shockley Blankenship family; Adeline Ray; Alvin Kemp Vaughan; and Theresia Bax Lueckenhoff.

Ellington Reynolds County Courier December 30, 1993—" 'Scary and Spooky' Big Spring Cave," by J. Lloyd Huett, reprinted.

Elsberry Democrat November 24, 1993—"Star Hope Baptist Church observing 126th anniversary."

Fayette Advertiser November 24, December 1, 1993—"Grim Days of Ft. Kincaid Recalled" and "Fort Kincaid Evidence Mounts." 340 Missouri Historical Review

Fayette Democrat-Leader November 6, 1993—"Flood Bares Clues to Old 'Lost Fort,'" the uncovering of War of 1812 Fort Kincaid.

Festus Courier Journal November 17, 1993—"Lights, camera, history!: De Sotoan trains lens on city's past," by Beth Garoutte, featured David Williamson's film on the history of the Arlington Hotel.

Fulton Sun January 28, 1994—"The settling of Cedar City," by Lee N. Godley. January 29—"Business tribute: West's Jewelry."

Goodman News Dispatch December 8, 1993—"Records confirm: The old log cabin was the county's first court­ house," at Rutledge in 1849.

Hannibal Courier-Post December 11, 1993—"J. P. Richards: 19th Century Entrepreneur," by J. Hurley and Roberta Hagood.

Higginsville Advance November 3, 1993—"The Past, Present and Future of Higginsville," by W. S. Dorn- blaser, reprinted. November 19—Corder area coal dump is a "Historical site taking on new use," by Gregory D. Bontz.

Holden Progress January 6, 1994—Kingsville Christian Church, "Spirit of church lives on," by Mike Greife.

Jefferson City Capital News January 1, 1994—"Through the years, 1865-1993," timeline of events important to the United States.

Joplin Globe January 16, 1994—"Wyatt Earp's first challenge: Wyatt was kind of a hero in Lamar," interview with Wyatt Earp's third cousin, Reba Earp Young, by Andy Ostmeyer.

Kansas City Star January 8, 1994—Union "Station long center of Kansas City happenings." January 10—"Park protest reflected spirit missing today," a look at the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr., in Kansas City. This and the above article by Brian Burnes. January 29—Jeanne Eagels, "Tough actress attracted KC," by Joseph Popper.

Keytesville Chariton Courier July 15, 1993—"Keytesville native Cal Hubbard remembered at Price Museum." August 19—"The Veep's Wife," Jane Rucker Hadley Barkley. September 23—"Historical Church is razed," Keytesville Second Baptist Church. This and above articles by Sarah Weaver. October 21—"Hughes home history told at birthday party," by Anna Hughes. Historical Notes and Comments 341

Lamar Democrat January 8, 22, 1994—"Olden Days," a series by Dale Wootten, featured the biggest fire in Lamar history, 1943.

La Plata Home Press November 10, 1993—Historical article about Elmer, by Debbie Clay.

Lawson Review January 5, 1994—"Ray County History: Fox Hunt on John Watkins Farm," 1915, re­ printed.

Lebanon Daily Record January 2, 1994—"James Evans," local man recalls history of Stoutland, by Randall Smith.

Linn Unterrified Democrat December 1, 1993—"History of Osage County," a series by Hallie Mantle, featured Benton Barracks in St. Louis, reprinted.

Louisiana Press-Journal October 27, 1993—Louisiana's "Riverview Cemetery," by Mark Hodapp.

Monroe City News January 6, 1994—"The Battle of Santa Fe" and "Account of the Santa Fe Battle: Another Man's Viewpoint." January 13—"A Civil War Story: The Encounter at Florida."

Nevada Daily Mail December 9, 1993—An article on Nevada's Depot Hotel, by Patrick Brophy.

New Haven Leader December 15, 1993—"Why the German Immigrants came: 'America hat es besser'" and "The Pelster Housebarn: Friedrich Wilhelm Pelster arrives from his boyhood home of Dissen, near Borgholzhausen," by David Menke.

Oregon Times Observer November 18, 1993—Oregon Old School "Presbyterian Church Observes 140th Year (1853-1993)."

Platte City Platte County Citizen January 26, 1994—"Weston's historic depot should be preserved," by Sandra Miller.

Pleasant Hill Times December 1, 1993—"The mystery of Daniel Boone's final resting place," by F. Kirk Powell.

Potosi Independent-Journal January 6, 1994—"The Valley of Palmer Then And Now!" January 13—"Ancient Cemetery Restoration Project, St. Joachim Parish Old Mines-La Vielle Mine," by Kent Beaulne. 342 Missouri Historical Review

Puxico Press November 17, 1993—"Did Elijah Moore Kill His Father?" and "Businesses provided leadership for the young, growing community" of Puxico, both articles reprinted.

*Richmond Daily News December 30, 1993—"St. Cloud mineral springs community never solidified," by Lee Meador.

Rolla Daily News January 18, 1994—"The Heller-Williams Shoe Store history dates back to 1870," by Stephen E. Sowers.

5/. Joseph News-Press October 29, November 26, December 31, 1993, January 28, 1994—"Young at Heart," a special section, featured historical articles and photographs.

St. Louis Post-Dispatch November 4, 1993—"Preservationists Save Historic [William Gillett] House" in south­ ern St. Charles County, by Judith VandeWater. December 19—"Heav'n and Nature Sing: A Look Back at Caroling in St. Louis," by Joan Dames. December 31—"Blasts From the Past: A look back at a century's worth of New Year's Eves" in St. Louis, by Deborah Peterson. January 23, 1994—"County Lines: The Heritage of Deep South [St. Louis] County," by Patricia Rice.

*St. Louis South County Journal November 27, 28, 1993, January 9, 1994—"Legacies," a series by Lois Kendall, featured respectively: Francis Guelker's search for log cabin treasures in Missouri and Laverne Ganss family history.

*St. Louis South Side Journal December 19, 1993—"Memories: Juanita Rose holds dear her South Side childhood," eighty-two-year-old woman remembers Fruin-Colnon mansion and the night it burned, by Lois Kendall.

*St. Louis Southwest City Journal November 21, 1993—"Ironclad interest: Carondelet man has model hobby," by Jim Rygelski. December 5—"YMCA mission remains the same" after 140 years in St. Louis, by Lois Kendall.

Ste. Genevieve Herald December 29, 1993—"History Of Area Found By Dating Wood," article on Rich Guyette, dendrochronologist.

Salisbury Press-Spectator September 9, 1993—"Citizens fined in Civil War burning of Courthouse," by Frank Roling. Historical Notes and Comments 343

September 23—"Years of business are fond memories for Mr. [William] Sturm" at Salisbury Oil Company. November 11—"Attorney Ed Speiser has enjoyed varied experience of law career."

Southwest City Republic December 15, 1993—"Madge—Rutledge—whichever? Had its—their own railway depot," 1880s tourism along Elk River facilitated by train system, by Pauline Carnell with Ralph Pogue.

* Springfield Daily Events November 2, 9, 16, 18, 29, December 2, 7, 10, 27, 31, 1993, January 3, 5, 14, 27, 1994— "Tales of History," a series by Tom Ladwig.

Springfield Mirror December 17, 1993—"Glennonville: The Legacy Of Fr. Frederick Peters," by Jim Boan, and Springfield's Immaculate Conception Parish known as the '"Pilgrim Parish' Concludes 125th Anniversary Year," by Sharon Ann Weidelman.

Troy Free Press January 12, 1994—"Lincoln County Recollections," a series by Charles R. Williams, featured an article on railroad operations at Old Monroe.

Tuscumbia Miller County Autogram-Sentinel November 25, 1993—"Window to the Past," a series by Peggy Smith Hake, featured the John D. and Julia A. Fancher Brown family. November 25—"Archaeologists find evidence of thousands of years of pre-historic cave occupation" in Tavern Creek drainage area.

Washington Missourian December 8, 1993—"Historical Search for ... Old Iron Furnaces," by Suzanne Hill. December 15—"Boone Home Center of an 1800's Village," Boonesfield Village near Defiance, by Virginia Fries. December 26—"175th Anniversary of Franklin County: Ralph Gregory Explains County's Organization in 1818."

Weston Chronicle December 8, 1993—"Old Weston: Mainstreet Ghosts of Christmas Past, Weston, Missouri 1939," by Sandra Lewis Miller.

Neighborly Feud

Columbia Daily Statesman, August 7, 1879. Moberly is crying aloud for water works. But what use they have for water up there, when they have thirty saloons, is more than we can imagine.—Sturgeon Leader. If all her visitors were from Sturgeon no water would be needed, but you should remem­ ber that Moberly entertains strangers from elsewhere.—Moberly Monitor. 344 MISSOURI HISTORY IN MAGAZINES

America's Civil War March, 1994: "The Civil War was a deadly classroom for [Bill] Hickok, [John Wesley] Hardin, the Jameses [Frank and Jesse] and a number of other 'students,'" by Roy Morris, Jr.

Area Footprints, Genealogical Society of Butler County November, 1993: "The Braschler Family Travelled A Long Road To Finally Arrive In Ripley County," by Gene Brashler.

Boone And Frontier Research Letter, Boone-Duden Historical Society September/October, 1993: "Let's Go Find The 'Lost' Boone Era Sites In Missouri (1795- 1820)—Part 2," by Ken Kamper.

Boone-Duden Historical Society Newsletter November/December, 1993: "Early Augusta"; "The Boettler House."

Boonslick Heritage, Boonslick Historical Society December, 1993: "Paths of Land-Rush Traffic Across Boone and Callaway Counties," by Frank L. Peters, Jr.; "Boone's Lick Road In Howard County"; "After The Flood: The Uncovering Of Artifacts," by Sylvia Forbes.

The Border Star, Civil War Roundtable of Western Missouri December, 1993: "Murder and Retribution in Missouri." January, 1994: "The Capture of General Marmaduke." This and the article above by Ed Harris.

The Bushwhacker, Civil War Round Table of St. Louis October 27, 1993: "The War in Missouri (continued)"; "The Civil War Memoirs of W. R. Eddington (continued)." December 1, 1993: "The War in Missouri (continued)"; William C. "Quantrill," by Daniel Marshall Shackelford. January 26, 1994: "The War in Missouri (continued)"; "The Civil War Memoirs of W. R. Eddington (continued)."

Bushwhacker Musings, Vernon County Historical Society July 1, 1993: "Moundville's Cooper College," by M. A. Cleveland. January 1, 1994: "Notes From Lake Community Club," by Helen Rutledge Dean; "Captain Bowen's House Being Renovated," by Patrick Brophy; "Fair Haven Springs In Earlier Times," by Pearl True.

Chariton County Historical Society Newsletter January, 1994: "Chariton County Towns, Monticello," by Blake Sasse; "Is the Chariton [River] Out?" by Jane Haskin Helander; "Old Time County Fair and Horse Racing," by Louis Benecke.

Christian County Historian January, 1994: "The Soldiers of The 24th Missouri Volunteer Infantry Buried in Christian County, Missouri," Part II, by J. Randall Houp. Historical Notes and Comments 345

Civil War Times January/February, 1994: "The James Boys Go To War," by Robert Barr Smith.

Collage Of Cape County, Cape Girardeau County Genealogical Society December, 1993: "Missouri Baptist Biography: Mrs. James N. Whitelaw, 1835-1900."

DeKalb County Heritage January, 1994: "Mission: Save Old Round Top School!" by Scott L. Gordon.

The Egregious Steamboat Journal July/August, 1993: "In Memoriam: Ruth Ferris."

Florissant Valley Quarterly January, 1994: "Florissant's First Service Station"; "Sacred Heart: A short historical sketch of the German Catholic Congregation of the Sacred Heart of Jesus at Florissant, Mo. Part 3."

The Flyer, Smoky Hill Railway & Museum Association November, 1993: "Passenger Trains to Belton," by Charles E. Winters. December, 1993: "High Line's Last Run," for St. Louis and San Francisco's passenger service, reprinted; "Murder on the Belton Mixed," by Karl Brand.

Friends of Arrow Rock Fall, 1993: "Arrow Rock Volunteer Fire Department"; "Arrow Rock Fires, 1873 and 1901."

Gasconade County Historical Society Newsletter Winter, 1993: "Old Iron Road played a role in county history."

Gateway Heritage, Missouri Historical Society Fall, 1993: "The Playing Fields of Progress: American Athletic Nationalism and the 1904 St. Louis Olympics," by Mark Dyreson; "'With the Scepter of a Tyrant': John Smith T and the Mineral Wars," by Dick Steward; "Power on Parade—The Origins of the Veiled Prophet Celebration in St. Louis," by Thomas Spencer.

Glendale Historical Society Bulletin December, 1993: "Morton Lange Remembers Old Glendale: Part III," by Morton K. Lange.

Grundy Gleanings Winter, 1993: "The Denslow Family and the First Christmas Tree in America"; "History of Wilson Township."

Heritage, Assemblies of God Fall, 1993: "The Move to Springfield" by the General Council in 1918, by Wayne Warner.

Heritage News, Jefferson Heritage and Landmark Society January, 1994: "St. Louis Iron Mountain Railroad" and "Civil War Action on the Railroad," by Lisa K. Thompson. 346 Missouri Historical Review

Jackson County Historical Society Journal Winter, 1993-94: "Remember Holiday Traditions: Some may come, and some may go, but holiday spirit lives on in Kansas City," by Judy McKim.

JB Newsletter, Friends of Jefferson Barracks Winter, 1994: "History of the Reception Center No. 1772, Jefferson Barracks, Missouri."

Kansas City Genealogist Winter, 1993: "The Younger Boys: A Statement of their History by their Aunt, Mrs. Fannie Twyman," reprinted; "T. M. James, Merchant: He saw 'A Village on the Levee' grow to become Kansas City, Missouri," by Fred L. Lee; "Frank James' ashes buried with Widow's after 29 years," reprinted; "Tillman Howard West, owner of 1854 sawmill in City of Kansas," by Fred L. Lee.

Kansas History Winter, 1993-1994: "Kansans Go to War: The Wilson's Creek Campaign as Reported by the Leavenworth Daily Times, Part II," edited by Richard W. Hatcher III and William Garrett Piston.

Kirkwood Historical Review September, 1993: Rebecca Nay lor Hazard, "The Foremost Suffragist of Kirkwood," by R. T. Bamber.

Lawrence County Historical Society Bulletin January, 1994: "Following Battle of Wilson Creek: Confederate Encampment At Mount Vernon," by J. Dale West.

Mid-Missouri Black Watch Volume 2, Issue 3, 1993-1994: "Missouri's Black Ragtime History"; "The Man From Joplin: Langston Hughes."

Missouri Folklore Society Journal Vols. 13-14, 1991-1992: "Jake and Lena Hughes: Grassroots Promoters of the Old-time Fiddling Revival in Missouri and the Great Plains Region," by Richard Blaustein; "That Evil Fiddle': Scotch-Irish Folk Religion and Ethnic Boundary Maintenance in Southern Missouri," by C. Thomas Cairney; "Oregon Fiddling: The Missouri Connection," by Linda L. Danielson; "'Marmaduke's Hornpipe': Speculations on the Life and Times of a Historic Missouri Fiddle Tune," by Howard Wight Marshall; " 'She Oughta Been a Lady': Women Old-time Fiddlers in Missouri," by Amy E. Skillman; "Warming the Cold Notes: Style and Boundaries in Old- Time Fiddling," by Julie Youmans; "Missouri Folk Song Collector: Loman D. Cansler, 1924- 1992," by Rebecca B. Schroeder; "The Dean of Missouri Fiddle Music: Remembering R. P. Christeson (1911-1992)," by Rebecca B. Schroeder; "Skilled Fiddler and Local Historian: Thomas Arthur Galbraith, 1909-1993," by Howard Wight Marshall.

Missouri Press News December, 1993: "Ed Steele retiring from Missouri Press: Nevada, Mo., native has served newspapers since 1966." Historical Notes and Comments 347

Missouri State Genealogical Association Journal Summer, 1993: Any free negro required "A License To Live" in Missouri, by Betty Harvey Williams; Arthur McNeal, "Negro Murderer Lynched," by Al McKemy. Fall, 1993: "The 1802 Murder of David Trotter in Missouri," by Jacqueline Brelsford Baker Humphrey; "The Confederate Army Service of Daniel A. Weaver of Shannon County, Missouri, 1862-1865," by Samuel H. Weaver.

Newsletter, Boone County Historical Society November/December, 1993: "Early Missouri, Boone County History Exciting to Read, Challenging."

Newsletter, Grain Valley Historical Society Volume III, No. 2: "The History Of Grain Valley, Mo., to 1974."

Newsletter, Iron County Historical Society January, 1994: "Ernest Marvin Funk: Ozark Farm Boy To University Professor Emeritus," by Randall Cox.

Newsletter, Osage County Historical Society November, 1993: "Camp Ground School—No. 29"; "Cooper Hill School—No. 40." December, 1993: "Bode School—No. 5"; "General George Boomer Post No. 97." January, 1994: "Providence School—No. 19."

Newsletter of the Phelps County Historical Society October, 1993: "The Early Years Of Route 66," by John F. Bradbury, Jr.

Newton County Saga Winter, 1993: "Neosho—1893," by Percy R. Smith; "The Bowler Log Cabin," in Mountain Grove, by Carolyn Bowler Tichenor; Clark County's "The Anti-Horsethief Association," by Sybil Jobe.

Old Mill Run, Ozark County Genealogical and Historical Society January, 1994: "Elisha and Eliza Luna," by Marilyn (Luna) Tilley; "Oak Dale School District #45," by Dean Wallace.

Ozar'kin, Ozarks Genealogical Society Winter, 1993: "Cumberland Presbyterian Church, Pleasant Hope, Missouri, 1837-1901," by Paul Barker.

Ozarks Mountaineer December, 1993: "The Ozarks Then & Now," by Russell Hively; "Douglas County, Mo.'s Doc Norman: A One-Man Health Care Plan, Circa 1903," by Susan Martin; "Mary Whitney Phelps: Civil War S-hero," by Radine Trees Nehring; "Mt. Sterling, Mo.—Five Generations and Counting At The Schaeperkoetter Store," by Steven C. Parsons; "Zerelda Samuel: Mother Of A Legend," Frank and Jesse James, by Joan Gilbert.

Pemiscot County Missouri Quarterly Summer, 1993: "William Franklin Grinstead." Fall, 1993: "A History of Woodrow Wilson Chism Presented to the Pemiscot County Historical Society." 348 Missouri Historical Review

Pop Flies, St. Louis Browns Fan Club January, 1994: "Phone Talk With Erv: Al Zeke Zarilla."

Preservation Issues, Missouri Department of Natural Resources September/October, 1993: "A Neighborly History of St. Louis," by Jan Cameron; "Missouri Architects and Builders," William B. Ittner; "St. Louis' Legacy of Historic Schools," by Toft and Longwich. November/December, 1993: "Missouri's Historic Churches: An Endangered Species," by Jane Beetem; "St. James Redeemed: Unique Solution Saves Church Building," in Liberty, by Beverly Fleming; "Restoring Respect to the Dead: A Civilized Solution," by Frank Nickell. January/February, 1994: "Black Missourians in the Civil War," by Antonio Holland; "Faith and Money: The Pennytown Project," by Karen Grace; "The Battle of Island Mound," by Karen Grace; "Historic Sedalia: By Day and By Night," by Jean Faust.

Resume, Historical Society of Polk County January, 1994: "Cliquot In Early Days," by C. J. Hahn.

Ripley County Heritage December, 1993: "The Masonic Lodge In Early Ripley County, Missouri," by Jerry Ponder.

Rocheport Chronicles, Friends of Rocheport Winter, 1993: "Great Flood Of '93 Now A Part Of Local History," by David Vaught.

Rural Missouri February, 1994: "Jim—the wonder dog," by Henry N. Ferguson, reprinted; Johnny Duncan, "Boy Wonder comes home," by Heather Berry.

Rural Routes November/December, 1993: "Unique round building—Mission: Save old Round Top School!" in DeKalb County, by Scott L. Gordon.

St. Charles Heritage January, 1994: "Requiem For A Masterpiece: Removing The Wreckage Of The Wabash Bridge From the Missouri," by Robert Villigram; "The 1928 St. Charles County Library Mill Tax," by Chardean Poe; "Seventy-four Years of Support for Scouting in St. Charles," by Charles Southard and Dr. Gary McKiddy; "The 1925 Flying Circus," by Louis Launer; "How Hard Times Brought A Congregation Together," by Michelle Hummel.

St. L November, 1993: "The Comet," a roller coaster in the old Forest Park Highlands, by Joseph M. Schuster.

St. Louis Bar Journal Winter, 1994: "The Fatal Temper of Alonzo W. Slayback," by Marshall D. Hier.

Sappington-Concord Historical Society Newsletter Winter, 1994: "White Haven: To Be Or How To Be," the former home of Ulysses and Julia Dent Grant. Historical Notes and Comments 349

Seeking W Searching Ancestors December, 1993: "Wilson Lenox, An Early Pioneer of Phelps, Dent, and Miller Counties," by Peggy Smith Hake.

The Semaphore, Winston Historical Society January, 1994: "Winston pioneers: Dr. F. C. Eastman, 1841-1926."

Springfield! Magazine December, 1993: "The Secrets of Bentley House, Part IV," by Clara Eitmann Messmer; "Pumpin' Cheap Gas In the Queen City of the Ozarks, Part V," by Paul J. Williams; "Irvin Selsor Returns to Old Love: The Piano—Switching Lumber Boards For Fine Old Keyboards," by Jack A. Jillson; "The Ozark Jubilee Saga," by Reta Spears-Stewart. January, 1994: "Cavalcade of Homes: Part 55—The Webb-Marx House," by Mabel Carver Taylor; "The Ozark Jubilee Saga," by Reta Spears-Stewart; "Pumpin' Cheap Gas In the Queen City of the Ozarks Part VI," by Paul J. Williams; "When TV Was Young: Schools Led in Live TV Production in 1957." February, 1994: "Cavalcade of Homes: Part 56—The Lindsey-Zucchini House," by Mabel Carver Taylor; "The Ozark Jubilee Saga," by Reta Spears-Stewart; "How the Baptist Student Center Began: A Home Away from Home," by Marjorie Moore Armstrong; "Pumpin' Cheap Gas in the Queen City of the Ozarks, Part VII," by Paul J. Williams.

Terminal Railroad Association of St. Louis Historical and Technical Society Newsletter Issue 26: "The Rock Island Comes to Clayton, Part I," by Dickson Terry, reprinted; "The Rock Island Heads West, Part II," by William McKenzie, reprinted; "The TRRA Comes to Clayton: The St. Louis Belt and Terminal Railway Company, Part III," by Lawrence N. Thomas.

Today's Farmer November, 1993: "Eighty years of experience and still learning: Extension Homemakers Clubs," by Charlotte Overby.

The Twainian, Mark Twain Research Foundation and Mark Twain Birthplace Historic Site November 30, 1993: "The 158th Anniversary of Twain's Birth . . . ," by Jerry W. Thomason.

The United Daughters of the Confederacy Magazine December, 1993: "Order No. 11, General Ewing, George Caleb Bingham." January, 1994: "William Quantrill and Kate (Wife or Girl Friend)." This and the article above by Francis Eloise Vaughn.

Waterways Journal November 1, 1993: "Rudy Gerber Created a Merchant's Show Boat." November 8, 1993: "Pioneer Towboats Came From Cape Girardeau." November 15, 1993: "River Night Is Enjoyed at Hermann, Mo." December 20, 1993: "The Red Cloud Went from the Tennessee to Missouri." January 24, 1994: "Heckmann [family] Legacy Captured in New Book." This and the articles above by James V. Swift. 350 Missouri Historical Review

Whistle Stop, Harry S. Truman Library Institute Volume 21, Number 4, 1993: "Quite A Head Of Steam," excerpted from John Hersey's book, Aspects of the Presidency.

White River Valley Historical Quarterly Fall, 1993: "Brays' Settlement and Civil War (Part II)," by Robert Bray; "Nat Kinney's Sunday School Crowd," by Kristen Kalen and Lynn Morrow; "[May Kennedy] McCord and [Vance] Randolph: Folklorists of the Ozarks," by Sheri Cornman; "Battle Between Wolves and a Negro Man," by S. C. Turnbo.

Not To Be Confounded

Columbia Daily Statesman, August 7, 1879. Among the novelties which will be introduced into the programme of the Callaway county fair this year is a pedestrian contest, in which premiums to the extent of $70 will be given. It is understood that this divertisement is planned for the special accommodation of Boone county statesmen, but it should not be confounded with the mule race, which is announced to occur on the same track, but not until several days later. [St. Louis Times- Journal]

Not a New Idea

Columbia Daily Statesman, August 7, 1879. The Lumberman recently noticed, briefly, that during a Sunday evening thunder-storm, several young men of this city, who happened to be at the time in the parlors of their neigh­ bors, had sheltered their neighbors' daughters by holding them on their laps, and that all who tried the experiment had escaped any injury from lightning. We are surprised to notice that this has attracted a good deal of attention from newspaper men all over the country. It is by no means a novel experiment, and the fact that it has called out so much comment indicates that editors do not keep such close watch on the progress of scientific research as they should.

To Tease Curiosity

Liberty Weekly Tribune, August 10, 1849. The art of advertising is the same to a tradesman as the art of dressing is to a beauty; the great secret of both is to expose enough to excite curiosity, and to conceal enough to leave curiosity ungratified. Alive, We Presume

St. Joseph Morning Daily Herald, October 1, 1869. Whether Dr. Livingston is alive or dead is a question which the human mind cannot answer. It is discussed so much in the newspapers that one would think that the fate of the world hinged on his lease on life. The latest account shows that he must be alive, and this should suffice until he or his grave is found. 351 IN MEMORIAM

DAVID J. McDANIEL of the First Presbyterian Church of Clinton. David Jamison McDaniel, a former law In 1986 Nebel presented a significant professor, general counsel for U.S. Steel and monetary gift to the Western Historical a member of the University of California Manuscript Collection. Funds from this gift, Board of Regents, of San Francisco, made in honor of former University of California, died March 18, 1993. Born July Missouri President Elmer Ellis and UMC 24, 1913, in Portland, Oregon, the son of Dean of the College of Arts and Science W David Lester and Harriet LeConie Jamison Francis English, were used to purchase the McDaniel, he married Martha Eyre. A grad­ first computer hardware and software for the uate of Stanford University in 1933, he collection. received his law degree from Harvard Law Survivors include his wife, Mary School as a member of the Order of the Coif Margaret Nebel, of Clinton; a daughter, in 1936. McDaniel served as an artillery Nancy Melinda Smith, of Boulder, Colorado; officer in World War II and then taught at a sister and two granddaughters. Hastings College of the Law, University of California, San Francisco. Before his retire­ FLEETA STEPHENS ment in 1978, he rose to general counsel of Fleeta Marvin Stephens, a former the western division of U.S. Steel. He then employee of the State Historical Society of joined Jordan, Keeler and Seligman in San Missouri, of Columbia, died December 28, Francisco as a partner. McDaniel had served 1993. Born July 15, 1897, in Summersville on the boards of many legal and educational to Lewis Edward and Sarah Marvin, she institutions in San Francisco and California. married Howard Peyton Stephens on July 7, A member of the State Historical Society of 1916. He preceded her in death in 1982. Missouri, he left the Society a bequest. He is Stephens graduated from Liberty High survived by his wife, Martha Eyre School in Liberty and worked as an acquisi­ McDaniel. tions assistant for the Society for eighteen years, until her retirement in 1966. She was a ARTHUR NEBEL charter member of the Sneed Class of First Arthur William Nebel, 85, retired dean of Baptist Church in Columbia and the community and public services at the Columbia Art League. University of Missouri-Columbia, of Survivors include a son, Hal Grant Clinton, died December 25, 1993. Born in Stephens of Flagstaff, Arizona, five grand­ High Hill, he was a graduate of the children and several great-grandchildren. University of Missouri-Columbia and received a degree from the University of HELEN STEPHENS Chicago. A World War II veteran, Nebel Helen Herring Stephens, former Olympic served from 1941 to 1945 as a lieutenant track champion, of Florissant, died January colonel in the intelligence forces in the 17, 1994, at Christian Northeast Hospital in China, India and Burma theater. He retired St. Louis. Born February 3, 1918, in Fulton, in 1975 as the dean of community and public to Frank and Bertie Herring Stephens, she services at MU. The faculty representative graduated from Fulton High School and to the Big Eight Conference for fourteen William Woods College in Fulton. In 1935 years, Nebel received the Distinguished she competed in the National Amateur Service Award from the National Collegiate Athletic Union track meet in St. Louis and Athletic Association. He served three years set a new indoor record for the 50-meter as director of the Missouri State Crippled dash and gained national titles in the stand­ Children's organization and was a member ing long jump and ladies shot put. Her ath- 352 Missouri Historical Review

letic abilities and record-breaking speed In addition to his wife, Sue, he is sur­ earned her the sobriquets, "The Fulton vived by a son, Clayton E. Stubbs, of Platte Flash" and "The Missouri Express." City; a daughter, Julie Stubbs Levy, of Stephens won two gold medals, for the 100- Decatur, Georgia; and two grandchildren. meter race and the 400-meter relay, at the 1936 Olympics in Berlin, Germany. Her world-record performance in the 100-meter race stood until broken by Wilma Rudolph in BRICKLEY, JAMES E., Renton, Washington: 1960. After participating in professional September 10, 1927-May 22, 1993. sports and serving as a marine in World War CASEY, EDWARD T., St. Louis: II, Stephens returned to Missouri. Prior to October 21, 1916-January 7, 1993. her retirement in 1976, she worked for twen­ CUTLER, HARRY M., Jefferson City: ty-six years as a librarian at the Defense November 20, 1912-October 9, 1993. Mapping Agency Aerospace Center in St. DEAVER, NOLAND K., Paris: Louis. Stephens retained her interest in January 30, 1911-June 20, 1993. sports and competed in the Senior Olympics FLETCHER, WILLIAM B., Downey, California: and the Show-Me State Games. September 14, 1912-May 18, 1993. Survivors include one brother, Robert GREEN, RUBY, Kirksville: Stephens, of Hot Springs, Arkansas, and two February 5, 1905-July 23, 1993. nieces. HOWERTON, RICHARD, Kirksville: September 4, 1913-January 19, 1993. ROY STUBBS LLOYD, THOMAS, Denver, Colorado: Roy Manning Stubbs, emeritus professor of August 9, 1902-December4, 1993. history at Central Missouri State University and LUJIN, RICHARD T, Raytown: longtime curator of the Johnson County May 3, 1914-June 29, 1993. Historical Society, Warrensburg, died MCGREGOR, GEORGE HENRY, Fairfax, November 19, 1993. The son of Roy Sherman Virginia: December 28, 1910-May3, 1993. and Martha Manning Stubbs, he was born in PAZELL, KATHIE ANN, Mission Hills, Kan­ Kansas City on March 28, 1925, and graduated sas: August 22, 1941-January 7, 1994. from Southwest High School in Kansas City. SAGE, MARSHALL DEWITT, Joplin: Stubbs attended Grinnell College, Grinnell, January 10, 1916-December 29, 1993. Iowa, served in the U.S. Army during World War II and received both the bachelor of arts SHEPLEY, ARTHUR B., JR., St. Louis: and master of arts degrees in 1948 from the April 29, 1906-November4, 1993. University of Kansas City. He earned his Ph.D. TOLER, WILLIAM R., Columbia: from the University of California, Berkeley, in January 21, 1923-October 31, 1993. 1951. In 1948 he married Sally Sue Eldridge of TROTTER, CORNELIA C, Ray more: Kansas City. Stubbs joined the history faculty Died July 22, 1993. at CMSU in 1962 and retired in 1990. He UPTON, LUCILE MORRIS, Hollister: served as an elder in the First Presbyterian July 22, 1898-November 13, 1992. Church of Warrensburg and as vice president of WRITESMAN, JAMES A., Kansas City: the Friends of Arrow Rock. December 15, 1912-July 1, 1993. 353 GRADUATE THESES RELATING TO MISSOURI HISTORY, 1993

SAINT LOUIS UNIVERSITY, ST. LOUIS MASTER'S THESES

Dey, Debra, "Pastoral Themes and Their Use in the Meramec Dam Contro­ versy."

Waldron, Mary, "'From Cornerstone to Steeple Cross' An Urban Parish Re­ builds Itself: Saint Francis Xavier (College) Church 1884-1914."

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-COLUMBIA MASTER'S THESES

Horwood, Ian Anthony, "The United States and Indochina in the Truman Years."

Nappier, Teresa A., "Ben Reese: Managing the St. Louis Post-Dispatch."

Parsons, Robert G., Ill, "The Road and Landscape Change in Eastern Boone County, Missouri."

Schreck, Kimberly Ann, "Their Place in Freedom: African American Women in Transition from Slavery to Freedom, Cooper County, Missouri, 1865- 1900."

Sheals, Debbie Oakson, "British-American Stonework in Mid-Missouri: A Study in Vernacular Architecture."

Thomas, Rebecca Ann, "Stuart Symington: Manager and Strategist 1946- 1950."

Wolfe, Steven Orin, "Warsaw, Missouri: Reading the Landscape of a Small Town." 354 Missouri Historical Review

DOCTORAL DISSERTATIONS

Gall, Jeff Lynn, "The Country Life Movement and Country Churches, 1900- 1920."

Howren, Gary Allen, "The History of School Finance in Missouri."

Koski, Steven Douglas, "Looking for Jazz Journalism in Missouri Dailies of the 1920 V

Stanley, Lori A., "The Indian Path of Life: A Life History of Truman Washing­ ton Dailey of the Otoe-Missouria Tribe."

UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-KANSAS CITY MASTER'S THESES

Coulter, Charles A., "Lyndon Johnson's War on Poverty in Kansas City: The Human Resources Corporation, 1965-1971."

Henderson, Clifford, "A Proposal for the Reconstruction of the Smitty at Watkins Mill State Historic Site."

Lee, Janice, "Women's Student Life at Missouri State University and Chris­ tian College Prior to 1910."

Pement, Isleta L., "RLDS Missions to Native North Americans, 1860-1934."

WASHINGTON UNIVERSITY, ST. LOUIS DOCTORAL DISSERTATIONS

Cook, Helen Kathleen, "Small Town Talk: The Undoing of Collective Action in Two Missouri Towns."

Hunt, Marion Hall, "From Childsaving to Pediatrics: A Case Study of Women's Role in the Development of St. Louis Children's Hospital." 355 BOOK REVIEWS The Certain Trumpet: Maxwell Taylor & the American Experience in Vietnam. By Douglas Kinnard (Washington, D.C: Brassey's (US), Inc., 1991). xv+ 253 pp. Illustrations. Notes. Sources. Index. $22.95. Maxwell Taylor was born in Keytesville, Missouri, and grew up in Kansas City, where in addition to attending school, he read meters for the gas compa­ ny. From early boyhood he had his eyes fixed on a military career, and he managed to get into West Point just as World War I was coming to an end. He graduated fourth in his class. As World War II began, he was a colonel in the office of General George C. Marshall. Impatient with desk assignments and knowing that the way to advance in the army was through leadership in the field, he managed to get himself assigned to command the field artillery of the 82nd Airborne Division. He came out of the war as a major general and received the coveted post of commandant of the United States Military Academy. By 1955 he was army chief of staff. After two frustrating years of trying to live with Eisenhower budgets, and publicly disagreeing with the pres­ ident's defense policies, he resigned. In a few months Taylor was back in uniform as military representative of the president, a post that John F. Kennedy created because of his dissatisfaction with the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the CIA in the Bay of Pigs fiasco. In October 1962, President Kennedy named Taylor chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, a post he held until July 1964, when Lyndon Johnson appointed him ambassador to South Vietnam. Taylor served throughout the Johnson presidency as ambas­ sador and a special consultant on Vietnam. Articulate, urbane and witty, Taylor moved easily through the halls of power in Washington and Saigon. He participated in all the major decisions relating to the war in Vietnam, although his role, while important, was never decisive. His period of greatest influence may have been during the buildup of military advisers during the Kennedy years. The author, a well-known military historian whose academic studies are buttressed by combat service in World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam, writes with convincing authority based on personal experience, extensive docu­ mentary research and numerous interviews, including twelve with General Taylor himself. The main subject of the book, in the author's words, "is the American experience in Vietnam." The public life of Maxwell Taylor "is used as a prism to tell the story of high-level decision making in the 1960s and its consequences in Vietnam" (p. xi, xii). The prism at times gets a little out of focus, and despite the author's prescience and obvious familiarity with his sub­ ject, the book is not completely satisfactory either as a biography of General Taylor or a study of the American experience in Vietnam. It does, however, make a definite contribution to our understanding of both Taylor and his times.

University of Missouri James C. Olson 356 Missouri Historical Review

The Confederacy's Fighting Chaplain: Father John B. Bannon. By Phillip Thomas Tucker (Tuscaloosa: University of Alabama Press, 1992). xi + 254 pp. Illustrations. Notes. Bibliography. Index. $32.95. Phillip Thomas Tucker has written an informative and frequently exciting biography of Father John B. Bannon. Bannon played an active role as a military chaplain and diplomat for the Confederacy from 1861 to 1865. He was an Irish- born clergyman who was ordained in Ireland in 1853 and shortly thereafter sent to America to serve the Archdiocese of St. Louis. This biography tells of Bannon's remarkable Civil War service as a chap­ lain of Missouri Confederate units. The book is filled with details about such Civil War battles as Pea Ridge, Farmington, Shiloh, Corinth, Hatchie Bridge, Grand Gulf, Port Gibson, Champion Hill and Big Black River Bridge. The last two chapters describe Bannon's diplomatic assignments as a Confederate agent to the Vatican and to Ireland. Tucker holds a high view of Bannon and is not critical of his subject. In the preface he states: "Perhaps no other man of God who struggled in behalf of the Confederacy so rightly deserves recognition far beyond his peers as the Reverend John B. Bannon" (p. ix). Tucker is likewise full of appreciation for the First Missouri Confederate Brigade, which he describes with fulsome praise as "the finest combat unit on either side during the Civil War" (p. ix). Tucker's book was prepared with much scholarly attention to detail. The notes for the book require forty-seven pages, and the bibliography is presented in fifteen pages. The author made extensive use of Bannon's cryptic diary, now held at the University of South Carolina Library, and also researched many of the manuscript holdings of the Missouri Historical Society in St. Louis. The author is a skilled writer of history. His battle descriptions are analyti­ cal and maintain the reader's interest. Particularly noteworthy are the brief accounts of individuals who were important to Father Bannon—General Henry Little, Captain Samuel Churchill Clark (grandson of William Clark), Colonel Elijah P. Gates, Colonel Benjamin Allen Rives, Colonel Patrick Canniff and General John Stevens Bowen. Although most of the book is about officers, Tucker also tells the story of Private McGolfe, a stubborn Irish soldier who refused to consult or cooperate with Father Bannon about his Catholic religious obligations. McGolfe obstinately waited until he received his final battle wounds to make his confession and receive absolution (pp. 124,130, 169). The section of the book that this reviewer found fascinating described the assignment made by President Jefferson Davis sending Bannon to confer with Pope Pius IX. Davis hoped to secure recognition and help from the Vatican. Bannon emerged from an audience with the pope in the fall of 1863 with "high hopes." Tucker says Bannon "received 'much encouragement' from Pope Pius IX regarding the recognition of the Confederacy" (p. 168). This issue is worthy of more research. If France and the Vatican had officially sided with the Confederacy, such a development could have had a significant effect on the out­ come of the Civil War. Book Reviews 357

This volume makes a fine contribution by describing the affinity of Irish Catholic Nationalists for the Confederates. The author notes the ideological simi­ larities between calls for "home rule" and for "state rights" (p. 65). Incidently, it should be noted that Tucker discounts slavery as a cause of the war (p. 14). The Confederacy s Fighting Chaplain: Father John B. Bannon provides an opportunity to see the Civil War through the eyes of a Missouri Confederate priest and to become acquainted with a fascinating Irish personality.

Southwest Missouri State University Duane Meyer

The Outlaw Youngers: A Confederate Brotherhood. By Marley Brant (Lanham, Md.: Madison Books, 1992). 368 pp. Illustrations. Notes. Sources. Index. $22.95.

After the Civil War bands of violent men who robbed, pillaged and terror­ ized were called outlaws. During the war, they were Jayhawkers, guerrillas and bushwhackers. What made the Younger brothers become outlaws? Why did four brothers from a prosperous, respected and tight-knit family join Jesse and Frank James to rob trains and banks in the years following the Civil War? The Younger brothers who would become outlaws—Cole, Jim, John and Bob—did not have a deprived youth. Their father, Henry, was a successful merchant and farmer who owned land in several western Missouri counties, held public office and was a prominent and respected citizen. Their mother, Bursheba, and eight sisters completed a loving and close family. The Younger family became entangled in the hostilities and terrorism that ravaged the Missouri-Kansas border counties. Henry Younger's businesses, farms and homes were repeatedly looted by Jayhawkers and burned by militia. By age seventeen, Cole Younger was a member of Quantrill's band of Missouri guerrillas, attacking Union supporters and fighting fire with fire. Cole's father, Henry, was murdered by Federal soldiers, and three Younger sisters were jailed with the female relatives of other known guerrillas. After the raid on Lawrence, Kansas (in which both Cole Younger and Frank James participated), the Younger family suffered even more. Cole's seriously ill mother was evicted and her house burned under the infamous General Order Number 11. After the war, the Drake Constitution, carpetbaggers, vigilantes and loyalty oaths kept Cole Younger and many other Confederate activists from assuming a role in a normal peacetime society. About one-fourth of the book is devoted to the Younger story prior to the end of the war, and it powerfully describes the forces that set the Youngers and others against an establishment that, in their perception, controlled the Yankee dollars. The next quarter of the book examines the robberies committed by the James-Younger gang or by copycat bands. This section is somewhat disap­ pointing, less focused than the first and includes much speculation by the 358 Missouri Historical Review author. She is skillful, however, at describing how the three other Younger brothers, one by one, became ensnared by circumstances that assured their inclusion in the gang. The last half of The Outlaw Youngers is dedicated to the ill-fated Northfield, Minnesota, robbery during which the Youngers were captured and, as a result, spent twenty-five years in a Minnesota prison. Of special interest is the account of the heroic efforts made by Missouri citizens to secure a pardon or parole for their boys, including legislative resolutions passed by the General Assembly and petitions signed by governors, editors, senators and other presti­ gious personalities. Author Brant suggests that there is no simple answer to the question, "Why did the Youngers become, and remain, outlaws?" Although she says that the credo of the gang was to get revenge on Union sympathizers, and the book's subtitle, "A Confederate Brotherhood," implies the influence of the Border War and the Civil War on their behavior, she acknowledges that the story is more complex than that. "Possessing high intellects and strong person­ alities," she writes, "Cole, Jim, John, and Bob Younger were motivated in varying degrees by revenge, frustration, greed, ego, and blind family loyalty" (p. xi). This extensively researched book provides an interesting look not only at the Youngers, but also at the life, the politics and the divided society that char­ acterized western Missouri before and after the Civil War.

Southwest Missouri State University Robert Gilmore

Agriculture and Slavery in Missouri's Little Dixie. By R. Douglas Hurt (Columbia: University of Missouri Press, 1992). xv + 334 pp. Illustrations. Maps. Notes. Appendix. Bibliography. Index. $37.50.

This is a fine book. It is well researched, clearly reasoned and gracefully written. Anyone who wants to understand rural Missouri during the antebel­ lum period will do no better than to read Hurt's volume. The author begins by defining Little Dixie as those counties along the Missouri River from Callaway in the east to Clay in the west. In addition to these two, Hurt includes Boone, Howard, Cooper, Saline and Lafayette. His Little Dixie is smaller than some other definitions, but Hurt argues, "My seven- county area served as the heart of the 'Black Belt' in antebellum Missouri" (p. xi). Those counties had slave populations of no less than 24 percent in the decade before the Civil War and led most counties in total slave numbers. The people who settled Hurt's Little Dixie shared a common culture because of their origins in Kentucky, Virginia and Tennessee. Besides their slaves, they brought their commercial agriculture of raising tobacco, hemp and hogs. These agricultural folks never sought isolation from the market; they embraced the market economy and capitalism with enthusiasm. In a short sec­ tion at the end of the book, Hurt treats the period after the Civil War to show Book Reviews 359 that Little Dixie farmers adapted to the end of slavery by securing the latest labor-saving devices in continued pursuance of profit. In the debate over tradi­ tion versus modernism, there is no doubt where Hurt stands. After an excellent discussion of settling Little Dixie, the author devotes chapters to detailed analyses of tobacco, hemp and livestock production and marketing. Settlers quickly planted tobacco because it afforded good profit, and as early as the 1820s, they grew hemp for distant markets. Farmers raised livestock for market as well and introduced purebred shorthorn cattle in the 1830s. Little Dixie farmers organized agricultural societies to promote advanced agricultural techniques and sponsored fairs "to foster competition and improve practical knowledge about farming." Many of these efforts lasted only a short time, however, and numerous farmers "tended to do things the way they had been taught by their parents, and they distrusted advice from agricultural societies" (p. 166). So while Little Dixie farmers consistently pro­ duced for distant markets, many failed to accept techniques of packing their products or improving their ways of production to make the most of their opportunities. It is this balanced and thorough treatment that makes Hurt's work outstanding. What Hurt calls a "commercial mentalite" held by these settlers applied to slavery as well as agriculture. Economics ruled all. The author provides a new and interesting account of the extent of slave hiring in Little Dixie. He discov­ ered, at best, only circumstantial evidence for slave breeding in the area. Little Dixie farmers bought and sold slaves freely, most often to each other rather than to the deep South, and revealed no qualms about dealing in children. Every aspect of slavery is investigated by the author, from prices over time to management practices, to legal treatment, to slave insurance. No where in the literature is there a clearer discussion of the slavery ques­ tion in politics. Most citizens of Little Dixie wanted to preserve the Union and slavery. They saw possibilities of disruption as threatening the peculiar institu­ tion's main guarantee: the Constitution. A thorough analysis of the election of 1860 drives Hurt's point home. Finally, the University of Missouri Press deserves plaudits for placing the notes at the bottom of the pages, for doing a superb job of editing, for print that is quite readable and for illustrations, maps, charts and an appendix that add to the excellence of the book. University of Missouri-Rolla Lawrence O. Christensen 360 BOOK NOTES

The First School of Osteopathic Medicine. By Georgia Warner Walter (Kirksville, Mo.: Thomas Jefferson University Press, 1992). 602 pp. Illustrations. Appendixes. Bibliography. Index. $50.00, plus $6.00 for shipping.

Generously illustrated with over 250 photographs and thoroughly researched by a woman who has been involved with the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine for over fifty years, this volume traces the history of the college from the opening day in 1892 to its continuing quest for excellence one hundred years later. Unable to separate the founding of osteopathy from the beginnings of the college, Walter focuses heavily on the father of both, Andrew Taylor Still. The text explores changes in leader­ ship, the erection of additional facilities, key events unique to the institution and the effects of the depression, World Wars I and II and the 1960s. The book can be ordered from Thomas Jefferson University Press, AH 111L, Kirksville, MO 63501.

A Starting Point: A History of the Oakville-Mehlville-Concord Village Communities. By Jean Fahey Eberle (Virginia Beach, Va.: Donning Company, 1993). 126 pp. Illustrations. Maps. Appendixes. Notes. Bibliography. Index. $24.95, plus $4.00 for shipping.

Although these South St. Louis County communities are often consid­ ered a part of the "new" St. Louis, the area possesses a vivid history dating back to the original French settlers in 1764. The volume, nicely balanced between text and quality pictures, is divided into three parts: Early Days, Farm Years and More Recently. Each section chronicles important institu­ tions, organizations and events pertinent to the time period. This history may be ordered from OMC Chamber of Commerce, 5661 Telegraph Road, St. Louis, MO 63129.

Ozark Hideaways: Twenty-Seven Day Trips for Hiking and Fishing. By Louis C. White (Columbia: University of Missouri Press, 1993). 244 pp. Illustrations. Maps. Index. $16.95, paper.

Born out of the author's frustration with crowded, polluted and overused trails, streams and wilderness areas located in the Missouri Ozarks, this guidebook reveals twenty-seven out-of-the-way adventures. Written for those outdoor enthusiasts who possess a bit of a pioneering spir­ it, the author takes the explorer upstream, back into the hills and away from Book Notes 361 busy spots. Detailed maps, color photographs and specifics relating to each outing arm the reader with the necessary information to find these secluded havens. The book is available in bookstores.

Saint Louis in the Gilded Age. By Katharine T. Corbett and Howard S. Miller (St. Louis: Missouri Historical Society Press, 1993). 102 pp. Illustrations. Maps. Notes. $12.95, paper, plus $3.50 for shipping.

Over 150 historic and contemporary photographs, many in vibrant color, and a well-written narrative provide an interesting look at St. Louis during the Gilded Age. Published in conjunction with the recent opening of the Missouri Historical Society's exhibition, "Saint Louis in the Gilded Age," the book augments the display, but stands on its own as a valuable resource documenting the city's growth and activities in the latter part of the nineteenth century. It may be ordered from the Missouri Historical Society, Attention: Museum Shop, P.O. Box 11940, St. Louis, MO 63112-0940.

Civil War Newspaper Maps: A Historical Atlas. By David Bosse (Baltimore, Md.: Johns Hopkins University Press, 1993). 162 pp. Illustrations. Maps. Appendix. Bibliography. Index. $34.95.

The Civil War brought the advent of newspaper-generated maps of bat­ tlefields to a Northern public who desperately wanted to know more about the South. This interesting volume serves two purposes: it explains how nineteenth-century technological advances in printing and engraving could produce these maps, and it also presents forty-five selected maps, accompa­ nied by a commentary on the military operation and the map itself. Missouri readers will be particularly interested in the maps of three in-state battles: Wilson's Creek, Belmont and the siege of Island Number 10. The book is available in bookstores.

Post Offices: Places, and People of Oregon County, MO. Compiled by Geneve Alcorn Cline (Koshkonong, Mo., 1993). 59 pp. Illustrations. Maps. $15.00, paper.

This thin volume records the histories of seventy-one past and present post offices serving Oregon County. The information presented varies; however, most entries include dates, postmasters, pictures and the origin of the post office name. The book is available from the Historical Society of Oregon County, RR 2, Box 3, Koshkonong, MO 65692. 362 Missouri Historical Review

Journal of Trip to California: April - September 1856. By J. A. Butler. Edited and annotated by Marlin L. Heckman (La Verne, Calif.: University of La Verne Press, 1993). 94 pp. Illustrations. $8.95, paper.

Between 1849 and 1860 more than two hundred thousand individuals traveled by land to California in search of fortune, land or a new start in life. Many overlanders began journals; however, most found trail life too demanding to write daily. Twenty-one-year-old Joseph A. Butler, who trav­ eled with his family in a cattle train from Springfield, Missouri, to Cali­ fornia, recorded his thoughts and experiences almost daily. The excellent editing and annotation work by Heckman facilitates a greater understanding of Butler's times and the unsettled American West. The journal can be ordered from Marlin L. Heckman, P.O. Box 537, La Verne, CA 91750.

The Missouri Mule: His Origin and Times. Volume I and Volume II. By Melvin Bradley (Columbia: Curators of the University of Missouri, 1993). 540 pp. Illustrations. Maps. Index. $32.00, plus $3.00 for shipping for the two-volume set.

Packed full of information about mules and their roles in helping humans achieve many outstanding accomplishments in agriculture, trans­ portation and the military, this volume focuses on mules in Missouri, but includes general information and history about the animal. University of Missouri professors Duane Dailey, a photojournalism and Melvin Bradley, an animal scientist, traveled throughout the state and country recording the recollections of people who had used mules in their daily lives. This grass­ roots account includes over five hundred pictures and a thorough review of published literature on mules. The two-volume set is offered at the above introductory price until July 1, 1994. After that date, contact the following address for the current price. The book can be ordered from Extension Publications, University of Missouri, 2800 Maguire Boulevard, Columbia, MO 65211.

Painful Pickin's Huntsville Independent Missourian, November 16, 1854. "Thomas, of what fruit is cider made?" "Don't know, sir." "Why, what a stupid boy! What did you get when you robbed farmer Jones's orchard?" "I got a darned good lickin', sir!" Historical Notes and Comments 363

SOCIETY PUBLICATIONS The State Historical Society has recently published the second volume of Selected Union Burials—Missouri Units, compiled by Edward Parker. This thirty-three page, spiral- bound book is an alphabetical index created from the U.S. Quartermaster's Department Roll of Honor and lists Civil War Union soldiers who served with Missouri units and died during, or as a result, of the war. Information on each ser­ viceman includes name, burial site, death date, regiment, company, rank and Roll of Honor volume and page number. Interments are listed in this volume for the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Dakota Territory, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Louisiana, Maryland, Mississippi, New York, North Carolina, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Texas, Utah Territory, Virginia and Wisconsin. This volume is available from the Society for $5.00, postpaid. Volume one of Selected Union Burials—Missouri Units, published in 1988, also can be purchased for $5.00. The related Missouri Union Burials—Missouri Units is available for $6.00. Both prices are postpaid. Other volumes published recently by the Society include the third volume of the Missouri Historical Review Cumula­ tive Index, which provides name and subject access to volumes 46 through 70 (1951-1976), and the Directory of Local Historical, Museum and Genealogical Agencies in Missouri, 1992-1993. The Index costs $27.00, postpaid, and the Directory sells for $6.00, postpaid. To order any of these volumes, send a check or money order made payable to The State Historical Society of Missouri to

The State Historical Society of Missouri 1020 Lowry Street Columbia, Missouri 65201 364 Missouri Historical Review

STATE HISTORICAL SOCIETY

MEMBERSHIPS AND GIFTS

Memberships in the State Historical Society of Missouri are available in the following categories:

Individual Annual Membership $10.00 Contributing Annual Membership $25.00 Supporting Annual Membership $50.00 Sustaining Annual Membership $100.00 to $499.00 Patron Annual Membership $500.00 or more Life Membership $250.00

Each category of membership is tax deductible. Memberships help the State Historical Society preserve and disseminate the history of Missouri. The Missouri Historical Review is included as a member­ ship benefit of the Society.

Gifts of cash and property to the Society are deductible for fed­ eral income, estate and gift tax purposes. Inquiries concerning mem­ berships, gifts or bequests to the Society should be addressed to:

James W. Goodrich, Executive Director The State Historical Society of Missouri 1020 Lowry Street Columbia, Missouri 65201

Phone (314) 882-7083 Historical Notes and Comments 365

A MESSAGE FROM THE EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

To fulfill its statutory missions of collecting, preserving, dissem­ inating and making accessible the history of Missouri and Western America, the State Historical Society, over the years, has become the second largest specialized research library in the state. The Society operates reference and newspaper libraries, engages in a publications program, houses a fine arts collection and participates in a joint man­ uscript collection with the University of Missouri. Although the State Historical Society receives a state appropria­ tion each year, it must augment that appropriation to carry out its work. In view of the state's present economic condition, nonappro­ priated funds available through memberships, gifts and bequests become even more important. If you believe in the missions of the Society, please urge your friends to join you as members. Mem­ bership will greatly assist the Society in its very worthwhile efforts. You and your friends also can insure the State Historical Society's continued success by making tax-deductible contributions. Such gifts in the past, for example, have allowed the Society to obtain for its patrons more historical and genealogical materials for its reference and newspaper libraries. Recent additions to these libraries include A Pictorial History of Wayne County, Missouri', History and Families, Wright County, Missouri', and Genealogies Cataloged by the Library of Congress since 1986. An alternative to a current monetary contribution is a gift through a will or a trust made to "The State Historical Society of Missouri." The Society has greatly benefited from such gifts in the past, including the addition of a George Caleb Bingham portrait to the fine arts collection. While the State Historical Society does appreciate and need its governmental support, it depends on the largess of its friends to sup­ ply additional funds. With this type of aid the Society can further enhance the quality of its collections. If you need further information on how to make such a gift, please contact James W. Goodrich, Executive Director of the Society, 1020 Lowry Street, Columbia, Missouri 65201; telephone number (314)882-7083.

State Historical Society of Missouri HISTORIC MISSOURI COLLEGES WILL MAYFIELD COLLEGE Will Mayfield College, ultimately located on a hill overlooking the twin towns of Marble Hill and Lutesville, had its beginnings farther north in the Bollinger County hamlet of Smithville (later Sedgewickville). Here, in 1878, Drs. William H. Mayfield, a devout Baptist, and H. J. Smith, a Presbyterian, undertook a canvass to organize a subscription school. Later that year the St. Francois Association of Baptist Churches assumed control of the pledged funds and added to the sum. Classes at the Mayfield-Smith Academy opened in late 1878 with over twenty pupils in attendance. After plans to build a suitable school building in Smithville miscarried, the institution moved to the larger and more accessible town of Marble Hill in 1880. Classes were initially held in the Baptist church and the public school. In 1882 the academy purchased ten acres and began construction on a brick building. Eighty-three students moved to the new structure when classes opened there in January 1885. As the only Baptist college in southeastern Missouri, Mayfield-Smith Academy stressed moral training for its students and employed only Christian faculty members, with members of Baptist denominations hired whenever possible. Throughout the latter years of the nineteenth century, the school focused on academic, or high school, work. Preparatory and intermediate classes were offered as needed. In 1894 the school began building Rosemont Hall, a boarding facility for female students. The build­ ing, a three-story structure, was finished and opened one floor at a time as funds became available. Never financially strong, the academy occasionally received proposals from area towns to move its operations to a more favorable location, but it remained in Marble Hill. Shortly after the turn of the century, the school expanded its academic offerings to include collegiate courses, and in 1903 the school was rechartered and renamed the Will Mayfield College. The new name honored the eldest son of one of the college's founders, a 1901 honors graduate who had died a year later. The college grew slowly throughout the early decades of the twentieth century. The enrollment peaked in 1924-1925 when approximately two hundred students attended the academic and junior college depart­ ments. Extracurricular activities in the form of athletic teams, literary societies and a school newspaper and yearbook enhanced the students' educational experience. In 1922 the University of Missouri accredited Will Mayfield as a junior college. Additions to the original building were constructed in 1912 and 1923; a gymnasium was built in 1921; and an arts and science building was added in 1924. During the early 1920s the college also purchased a nearby house for use as a boys' boarding hall. A. F. Hendricks, a Tennessee native and a noted educator, presided over the college during this period of growth. In December 1926, Rosemont Hall burned, and the college soon began a precipitous decline. Acute financial problems forced the board of trustees to suspend operations in January 1930. The college students transferred to Southeast Missouri State Teachers College in Cape Girardeau, and secondary pupils finished their year at nearby Lutesville High School. Intermittent attempts to reopen the school proved unsuccessful. The gymnasium and Franklin Hall, the boys' boarding house, were sold in 1935, and in 1938 the bondhold­ ers acquired the campus and the remaining buildings. Lottie Bollinger, a county native, later purchased the property and opened a Christian-oriented home for the elderly in the buildings that had once housed Will Mayfield College.