Minutes of the Cedar County Historical Society

January 2008, Cedar County Historical Society (Official Minutes)

For our monthly meeting on Saturday, January 19, 2008, society members and visitors were guests of John and Carrie Mitchell, owners of the Hoff House on East Street in Stockton. While enjoying coffee and refreshments, President Judy Nichols presented a short history of the Hoff House, built around 1854, and the Hoff family.

William Davidson Hoff (1839-1914), a Union officer, was captured in October 1864 at the Battle of Cedar Creek in Virginia and imprisoned at Libby Prison in Richmond. After his release, he eventually came from Ohio to Cedar County in 1866/67 to establish a legal practice. He returned to Ohio to marry Mary Elizabeth Lewis (1841-1932) in February 1870. They immediately returned to Missouri where they appeared in the census taken June 8, 1870, living in Stockton. However, their first son, Henson L. Hoff, was born in Ohio about 1871. They purchased what would be later known as “The Hoff House;” and their next four children were born there—Eldridge Gourlay (“E. G.”), Anne L., Louella D. and Carl P. Henson and Anne died young. The family returned to Ohio in 1879 for the children’s education and came back to Stockton in 1895. W. D. Hoff held the county offices of County Attorney and Probate Judge and contributed a weekly column to “The Cedar County Republican” until his death.

E. G. Hoff (1873-1945) and Edward G. Putnam purchased “The Cedar County Republican” in 1896. A year later, Hoff purchased Putnam’s interest in the newspaper. In 1940 Hoff purchased another local newspaper, “The Stockton Journal,” and merged the two newspapers. “The Cedar County Republican” remained in the Hoff family until Chester W. Hoff’s death in 1968.

E. G.’s son, Lewis Blamey “Bud” Hoff (1902-1987), and his family were the last of the Hoffs to live in this house. The majority of three generations of the Hoff family are buried in Stockton Cemetery.

John Mitchell then continued the house’s history. His father, John Bernard “J. B.” Mitchell (1914-2000), and stepmother, Irma, purchased the delapidated house in the early 1980’s and remodeled it taking care to keep its original style. An excerpt from a 1980’s newspaper article in the “Springfield News-Leader” was read detailing Mitchell’s restoration of the delapidated home as well as its having been used as a hospital during the Civil War.

The Mitchells remained in the house for several years. Before his death, J. B. Mitchell moved to the bungalow next door and rented the main house. John Mitchell and wife, Carrie, acquired the house from his father’s estate and had done some remodeling and painting when the May 2003 tornado all but demolished the house. They then decided that they were commited to its rebuilding and collected all the usable debris from the lot and from fields nearby to do so. When materials were lacking, they used native materials and scoured flea markets for other items. After viewing photos taken after the tornado, all present agreed that they had done a wonderful job. The entire two-story Hoff House, which includes six bedrooms and three baths, is now available for daily and weekly rental by calling 417-838-6825.

Members were encouraged to share information they knew or had heard about the Hoff House. Leila Ellis, Luella Phipps and others related their remembrances of it and the Hoff family.

Bob Phillips recalled having been told that Russell Lilburn (1822-1863), a member of the Stockton Greys, and his family had lived in the house prior to the Hoffs and had slave quarters behind and to the north of the house, the location perhaps now marked by a depression in the ground. Mitchell said that there had been an oddly built structure in that general location that he had been told had been the out kitchen for the house.

After the presentation and discussion, group photos were taken.

President Judy Nichols then called the regular business meeting to order. Members present were Nichols, Vice President Dale Goodman, Treasurer Doris Cotten, Barbara Goodman, Luella Phipps, Murle Phipps, Leila Ellis, Glenda Pate, Bob Phillips, Kay Snow, Pat Barnes, Ruby Dean Fidler, Nancy Malcom, Sharyl Henry, Joe Ben Essex, Norma Essex and Secretary Nancy Smith. Non-members present were John Mitchell, Carrie Mitchell, Mark Mitchell, Alisha Pitts, Amanda Pitts, Angela Pitts and Linda Greer, reporter for “The Cedar County Republican.”

Reading of the Minutes and Treasurer’s Report from the November 2007 meeting, as well as some other matters, were tabled until the next regular meeting in February.

The next item of business was whether or not to allow Roger Behrens to clean and stabilize one display case, retaining its original finish and patina. The cost was estimated to be between $100 and $200 as discussed at a previous meeting. The cost of plexiglass and its installation would be a separate and additional expense later. Motion made, seconded and passed.

Publishers for the Society’s future publications, as well as reprints of current publications, were discussed. An inventory of the publications the Society currently has will be completed in March or April.

President Nichols has accepted an invitation on behalf of the Society from Polk County Genealogical Society to attend and maintain a booth at their annual workshop and seminar on Saturday, April 12. A schedule for volunteers to staff the booth will be circulated at a future meeting.

In general discussion, members agreed that the Society is not interested in pursuing a commitment to the Stockton Community Foundation at this time.

Money has been transferred from the Society’s checking account to its savings account in the last month. The purchase of a certificate of deposit will be discussed at a future meeting.

Kay Snow raised the issue of starting a building fund for the purposes of acquiring a future location for a new museum and any related expenses. Members generally agreed that it was time to do so; and Dale Goodman suggested the use of the “cookie jar” method—collecting one dollar from each member attending each monthly meeting. Although each monthly collection would be small, this practice could be used along with other simultaneous methods of raising money. This and other ideas for funding such an account will be solicited and discussed at future meetings.

Nichols reported that she has received a letter from the City of Stockton stating that the Society is the legal owner of all of the stones from the demolition of the jail/museum. Mention of this letter has also been recorded in the minutes of the Stockton Board of Aldermen. The setting of a sales price, the method of sale and method of removal of the stones after the sale will be discussed at the February meeting. The issue of “disappearing” stones must also be addressed.

Luella Phipps stated that she still has a few damaged cemetery books in her possession and she wishes to sell them at prices determined by the amount of damage to each book. A motion was made, seconded and passed for her to do so.

A motion to adjourn was made, seconded and passed. After the meeting, the Mitchells encouraged those present to tour the house.

Our next meeting will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, February 16, 2008, at the Cedar County Health Complex in Stockton. Anyone interested in Cedar County history and genealogy is welcome to attend and/or join the Society. We can be contacted online at cecohs@gmail.com, by mail at P. O. Box 111, Stockton, MO 65785, or by contacting any officer or member.
---NAS

February 2008 Cedar County Historical Society (Official Minutes)

Preceding the February 16, 2008, regular business meeting, Vice President Dale Goodman presented a partial history of "Fudge Hollow/Hollar" as compiled by member Lorene Kenney Clayton Baker who was unable to attend the meeting.

Early settlers to Cedar County wisely located their homes near a river, creek or a natural spring, hopefully with an abundance of nearby wildlife. Doing so was essential to their survival. Such was the case with "Fudge Hollow," also known as "Mammy's Hollow," and its inhabitants. Baker's grandfather, Milton M. Kenney (1853-1925) and stepmother, Nancy Susan Kimes (1865-1940), built their log home in the hollow northwest of what is now Highway M approximately five or six miles east of Stockton and a short distance southeast of Arnica. Kenney descendants still live in this area.

They raised their gardens and livestock and killed the wildlife for meat and vegetables. When times were tough, neighbors relied upon neighbors' generosity. Entertainment in the hollow included visiting neighbors, music, and an occasional baseball game.

Vegetation was so dense in the hollow that Milton Kenney blazed a trail out of the hollow by cutting bark off the trees along the path so that his children would not get lost on their way to school at Alder. Homes were built far back in the timber; and therefore, a house fire could burn out large areas of the hollow. Subsequent owners of the hollow have cleared trees and brush, altering the natural habitat of the area.

Milton and Nancy's daughter, Amanda Kenney Dethridge Hurst (1900-1979), worked at Sexson, a store named after the family who first operated the store and later owned by Charlie B. and Alice M. Hamlett. On Monday mornings Amanda would walk the five miles from home to the store and return home on Friday evening.

There was a shingle mill run by Thomas Jefferson Fudge, the family from whom Fudge Hollow got its name. His teenage children, Martha and Riley, made the blocks from which to make the individual shingles. Son Riley (1910-1994) would later represent the hollow in state checkers tournaments, the first of which he won in 1967.

Brothers Jim, Crick and Art Kenney had a sorghum mill in the hollow. People would come from miles around to purchase their sorghum because it was one of the best varieties in Cedar County.

Members offered reminiscenses of the area. Barbara Goodman's Brubeck family has a family tradition that Jesse and Frank James traveled through Fudge Hollow and stayed with the Brubeck family overnight. Pat Barnes remembered hearing that Riley Fudge saved enough loose change to buy himself a new pickup. There were so many coins that the bank used several carts to take the money into the bank.

Photographs were circulated including ones of Milton Kenney, second wife, Nancy Susan Kimes, and their two daughters, Amanda and Martha (1902-ca 1921); Dovie Curl Fudge; and Amanda Kenney Dethridge Hurst (taken about 1952) by the old Milton Kenney cabin as well as a newspaper article about Riley Fudge.

The November 2007 minutes and treasurer's report, the December 2007 treasurer's report and the January 2008 minutes and treasurer's report were read. After President Nichols' clarification that she did not yet have a copy of the City of Stockton's letter transferring ownership of the cottonwood stones from it to the Society, as well as another correction to the January 2008 minutes, all minutes and treasurer's reports were approved by those members present.

After a lengthy discussion, motions were made to establish a building fund for the purpose of buying and/or building and equipping a new home for the museum and its holdings and that the said building fund would be managed by the members of a building fund committee appointed by the President and would have its own separate bank accounts as needed. The money in the building fund would not be comingled with any of the society's other monies; and the building fund committee would regularly report the fund's progress to the society members. The motions were enthusiastically seconded and approved.

President Nichols then appointed Kay Snow, chairperson, Glenda Pate, Pat Barnes and Nancy Smith to the Building Fund Committee. The committee's first duty will be to research funding and investment choices and report their findings.

A motion was made, seconded and approved for the Treasurer to hold the money collected in this meeting's "cookie jar" until the Building Fund Committee has opened a bank account.

Nichols reported that gathering information on selling the cottonwood stones without having to haul and weigh each one is still ongoing. She also reported that the display case has not yet been delivered to Behrens for stabilization because of bad weather, illness, scheduling conflicts, etc. It has also been determined that the microfilm copy of what the Society thought was the 1879 plat map of Cedar County is actually a copy of the 1897 plat map.

Discussion then turned to reprinting Abbott's MISSOURI HISTORY IN CEDAR COUNTY. Nichols has contacted various publishers; and members mentioned other choices for publishers. Nichols presented a sample book from First Impressions in Springfield that seems to be the Society's highest quality and most economical choice for reprinting at this time whereby the Society retains the exclusive copyright. First Impressions will also "clean up" our "dirty" CD of the book before publication and give the Society a cleaned up CD for a minimal fee. Further discussion was tabled until a future meeting in order to gather more information and bids.

Snow presented a family research request to the members which she had received online.

A motion was made, seconded and passed to donate copies of Wynona Smith's books, FOX-WILLIAMS FAMILY HISTORY and OUR OZARKS HERITAGE, to the Cedar County Library.

Nichols presented several framed historical photos that are being prepared for display in the Cedar County Courthouse. One photo, a 1919 photo of the mill at Caplinger Mills, was discussed as a fundraising opportunity. A motion was made, seconded and passed to donate a framed copy of that photo to the Caplinger Mills Fire Department for their own fundraising use at their annual chili supper in return for letting the Society sell unframed copies at the same time. Another motion was made, seconded and passed to sell those unframed copies at the chili supper for $10.00 each.

A letter from the family of Helen Nall was passed to the members. Nichols reported that there has been some damage to the edge of the foundation on which the Nall bench is mounted as a result of the City of Stockton's snow removal this winter. A motion was made, seconded and passed for the Society to purchase and plant a slow-growing, low maintenance evergreen near the bench and its foundation to help prevent further damage.

Nichols also reported that she is still waiting on a reply from member Bob Estes concerning the book, CAPLINGER MILLS BRIDGE.

A motion to adjourn was made, seconded and passed. Our next meeting will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, March 15, 2008, at the Cedar County Health Complex in Stockton. Anyone interested in Cedar County history and genealogy is welcome to attend and/or join the Society. Annual dues are $10.00. We can be contacted online at cecohs@gmail.com, by mail at P. O. Box 111, Stockton, MO 65785, or by contacting any officer or member.

---NAS

March 2008, Cedar County Historical Society Minutes

President Judy Nichols called the regular monthly business meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2008. Members present were Nichols, Vice President Dale Goodman, Treasurer Doris Cotten, Barbara Goodman, Leila Ellis, Glenda Pate, Nancy Malcom, Bill Malcom, Bob Phillips, Doris Thayer and Secretary Nancy Smith.

After the reading of the February 2008 Minutes and Treasurer’s Report, a motion was made, seconded and passed to approve the same.

Ellis read a newspaper article from the March 5, 2008, issue of “The Cedar County Republican” about the life of Marguerite Brandom who has recently reached her 100th birthday. Brandom is a charter member and past officer of the Society.

In old business, an official motion was made, seconded and passed for any money collected in the monthly meeting’s passing of the “Cookie Jar” to be deposited into the Building Fund bank account. Another motion was made, seconded and passed for the Treasurer to hold this meeting’s “Cookie Jar” collection until the Building Fund Committee opens a bank account.

Smith reported that a previous offer to purchase three or four of the stones from the Jail/Museum has been rescinded. There has been a tentative offer to the Society for someone to assist in designing and building a project in the future using the stones. No definite project was discussed.

Regarding the second printing of MISSOURI HISTORY IN CEDAR COUNTY by Clayton Abbott and Lewis B. Hoff, Nichols reported that the Society’s CD is not useable and that prospective publishers want to copy the new printing from an original copy of the book. Some of the publishers would also make the Society a “clean CD” as they print the new book. Because of this, she has also received a wide range of bids from publishers. There were also short discussions on Abbott’s granting the Society the right to reprint his book and whether or not to have our copy placed on a CD or a DVD. A motion was made, seconded and passed to accept Kinko’s bid as long as that bid dated March 26, 2008, was in effect and with some room to negotiate on the CD or DVD. N. Malcom volunteered to write a newspaper article announcing the second publication of this book.

Nichols reported that the Society’s offer to donate a framed copy of the circa 1919 photograph of the mill at Caplinger Mills to the Caplinger Mills Volunteer Fire Department to use as a raffle prize and the Society’s selling unframed copies at the Fire Department’s annual chili supper, as discussed at the February meeting, has been turned down. There was a short discussion on doing the same at the upcoming Arnica Picnic. Also, interest has been shown by the Caplinger Mills Bridge Society and Ron and Goldie Masters to sell copies of this photo at their store in Caplinger Mills in return for a small donation to the Bridge Society per photo sold. Our Society members are invited to attend their meetings and to join the Bridge Society.

There has also been interest shown in buying copies of the photos that will be on display at the Cedar County Courthouse. A motion was made, seconded and passed to sell individual copies of those photos (sized approximately 8½” by 11”) for $10.00 each.

The Nall family has contacted Nichols stating their approval of the Society’s proposed additions around the Helen Nall Memorial Bench. As the shrub, the family would prefer a Dwarf Euonymus (“Burning Bush”). Nichols will purchase the bush and Ellis will assist Nichols with planting it. Smith volunteered some landscaping cloth for putting under the stones and/or cypress mulch.

In new business, the Society would like to publicly thank the Cedar County Health Complex and Veral Long for their generous hospitality and assistance in allowing the Society to have its monthly meetings on their premises.

Nichols has been approached by Carole Wilkerson, chairperson of the local Relay for Live, for the Society to donate a copy of the circa 1919 photograph of the mill at Caplinger Mills for a raffle at their upcoming relay. The Society would donate it in the memory of Florence Hammond, member Bob Phillips’ mother-in-law, who recently died of cancer. A motion was made, seconded and passed to do so.

After discussion, a motion was made, passed and seconded to hold the Society’s annual meeting and election of officers on Thursday, July 24, 2008, at 6:00 p.m. at High Lonesome on East Highway 32 in Stockton. A variety of meal choices will be available.

Conducting an inventory of the Society’s holdings was discussed. Because of more dependable weather conditions, it was decided to postpone it from April to May.

More volunteer workers were solicited to help on Saturday, April 12, at the 10th Annual Polk County Genealogical Society Spring Conference at the Citizens Memorial Hospital Community Room in Bolivar from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

A motion to adjourn was made, seconded and passed. Our next meeting will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, April 19, 2008, at the Cedar County Health Complex in Stockton. Anyone interested in Cedar County history and genealogy is welcome to attend and/or join the Society. Annual dues are $10.00. We can be contacted online at cecohs@gmail.com, by mail at P. O. Box 111, Stockton, MO 65785, or by contacting any officer or member.

---NAS

April 2008 Cedar County Historical Society (Official Minutes)

Society member, native of Caplinger Mills and archaeologist Bob Estes gave a presentation on his latest personal project. As an archaeologist, he is mainly a computer drafter and mapper. He is currently using those skills to digitally scan and rescale maps of Cedar County from the 1908 STANDARD ATLAS OF CEDAR COUNTY, MISSOURI and a recent county plat book into his mapping software. He has also located and included all of the 1908 cemeteries, churches and schools of Cedar County along with all the waterways-including over 1,400 "springs." Concentrating on the northeast part of the county and aided by laptop and desktop computers as well as some printouts, he demonstrated what he is trying to accomplish. Using the 1908 and the current locations of Highway J as an example, he has found many changes to Cedar County in the almost one hundred intervening years. His ultimate goal is make his maps available to others to overlay on the aerial imagery of Google Earth. Upon completion, his project will be an invaluable tool for historians, genealogists and other researchers in the future.

Estes also circulated a copy of a book containing his own color photography of an area of rugged canyons east of where he lives in New Mexico. The Navaho tribe settled this area about three hundred years ago and built defensive structures in and on the cliffs of these canyons to help them survive attacks by the Spaniards and other raiders. Estes has spent the last two and one-half years mapping and photographing this area. He used the website www.blurb.com to publish his book and suggested that the Society might consider this publish-on-demand website for its future publications.

After the reading of the March 2008 Minutes and Treasurer's Report, motions were made, seconded and passed to approve the same.

Nichols reported that the display case and the majority of the photographs have been delivered to the Cedar County Courthouse and listed the Society's expenses for these projects. The remaining photos, as well as four voting poll books for the County Clerk's display, will be delivered soon. Carole Wilkerson has also received the Caplinger Mills photograph for the upcoming Relay for Life.

Copies of a menu from High Lonesome for the July 2008 annual meeting and election of officers were distributed to those present.

Nichols reported on book sales from the 10th Annual Polk County Genealogical Society Spring Conference on April 12. Planting the bush at the Helen Nall Memorial Bench has been postponed until better weather.

Through the efforts of L. Phipps and D. Goodman, the Society now has more Caplinger Mills books for sale.

Nichols informed members that she now has the reprint copies of MISSOURI HISTORY IN CEDAR COUNTY by Clayton Abbott and Lewis B. Hoff but a problem has arisen. The proof copy of the book was excellent; but many of the photographs in the remainder of the books are not clear and distinct. After discussing the available alternatives, it was decided to return the books to Kinko's in Springfield for them to send back to their printer to unbind each copy, print and insert the new pages containing photographs, and rebind at no additional expense to the Society. A motion was to do so was made, seconded and passed. Another motion to reimburse Nichols for some of her gasoline expense incurred in delivering and picking up these books was also made, seconded and passed.

Copies of the photograph of the members attending the Society's January 2008 meeting at the Hoff House were distributed to members wanting a copy.

After discussion, a motion was made, seconded and passed to give Nichols some discretion on the sales price of any photographs with flaws.

Pate mentioned that the Society might consider selling photographs either at the library's book sale or at the school's circle drive during the citywide garage sale on the Saturday of Memorial Day weekend.

L. Phipps announced the donation to the Society of a 1952 calendar showing a tinted photo of Caplinger Mills.

A person has approached the Society about acquiring some of the jail/museum stones. After discussion, it was decided that this person should provide the Society with more details of his proposed project. More discussion on the stones followed.

Building Fund Committee members Pate and Smith requested those present to make a specific motion allowing the Building Fund Committee to open and maintain a beginning bank account-either checking or savings--necessary for the operation of the committee and its objectives. Said motion would authorize two signatories on these accounts-a Society officer and a committee member. The motion was made, seconded and passed. Secretary Cotten and committee member Kay Snow were appointed signatories. A motion was also made, seconded and passed that all income to the Society derived from research be deposited into the Building Fund Committee's bank account. Copies of an outline of the committee's progress to the present were given to members for their evaluation and suggestions.

Smith asked members if they had read about the closing of the Jerico Springs Christian Church in the March 5, 2008, issue of "The Cedar County Republican" and stated that she thought that the Church's remaining members should be made aware of the Society's policy of preserving items either by full donation or by a temporary loan agreement. A motion was made, seconded and passed to send a letter with that information to the church members. Smith had already prepared the letter and gave it to Nichols for her signature.

Pate also announced that there might be speakers from the State Historical Society of Missouri's Speakers' Bureau at the May and/or June meetings.

D. Goodman brought up the subject of the old safe from the Hartley Building donated by Joan Justice which he is presently storing until the Society gets a permanent home. It was decided to take photos of the safe and its condition to be used for further discussion at the May meeting.

Nichols passed an unlabeled photograph from the Society's collection among the members to see if anyone could identify it. It was suggested that she ask "The Cedar County Republican" to print the photo in an upcoming edition to see if any of its subscribers could identify it. There was a short discussion on including it in the next issue of the Society's newsletter as well as adding other additional content to future newsletters.

Cleaning and organizing the Society's lockers and preparing an inventory of the Society's holdings will start on Tuesday, May 13, 2008, at 9:00 a.m. unless postponed because of bad weather. Members are asked to meet at the storage lockers.

A motion to adjourn was made, seconded and passed. Our next meeting will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, May 17, 2008, at the Cedar County Health Complex in Stockton. Anyone interested in Cedar County history and genealogy is welcome to attend and/or join the Society. Annual dues are $10.00. We can be contacted online at cecohs@gmail.com, by mail at P. O. Box 111, Stockton, MO 65785, or by contacting any officer or member.

---NAS

May 2008 Cedar County Historical Society (Official Minutes)

After relocating to the library, President Judy Nichols called the regular monthly business meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, May 17, 2008. Members present were Nichols, Vice President Dale Goodman, Barbara Goodman, Luella Phipps, Murle Phipps, Leila Ellis, Glenda Pate, Kay Snow, Norma Petty, Doris Thayer, Ray Coffey and Bob Phillips. One visitor, Nadine Jones, was also present.

Because of the Secretary’s absence, L. Phipps read the Minutes from the April meeting. A motion was made, seconded and passed to approve the same. Because of the absence of the Treasurer, Assistant Treasurer Pate read the Treasurer’s Report. It was also approved by the members.

The Society welcomed new member, Brad Jones, of El Dorado Springs.

Nichols reported that the storage unit had been cleaned out and a complete inventory started on Tuesday, May 13. After doing so, it was realized that a third storage unit is needed to store items that are presently stored elsewhere. After discussion, a motion was made, seconded and passed for Nichols and D. Goodman to research available units and prices and to rent or lease a suitable one.

Nichols reported that the poll books and the last four framed photographs for display have been delivered to the Cedar County Courthouse. Separate loan agreements for the poll books and the photographs have been signed by the County Commission and the Society.

There were short discussions on the copies of “The El Dorado Springs Sun” newspapers we have in the storage units, planting the Nall bush, book and photograph sales and an arrowhead collection.

Nichols also reported that Charles Skaggs has contacted her about the Society’s donating some of the cotton rock stones from the jail/museum to the Stockton Community Foundation for the purpose of building a sign welcoming people to Stockton in front of the new high school. The foundation is also working on building two other similar signs using other materials and erecting them at the other entrances to Stockton. Nichols told him that the Society would have two requirements before donating the stones—that the Society must be able to see a blueprint of this project beforehand and that, if the stones are donated, a permanent sign or plaque visible from the highway must be attached stating that the Society was the donor.

In response to the Society’s letter, a lady from the Jerico Springs Christian Church contacted Nichols about the remaining members donating the church’s records to the Society for preservation. The members will discuss it more fully and contact the Society again later.

Nichols appointed Ellis, L. Phipps and Pate to the Election Committee. This committee will be responsible for presenting a slate of nominees for election at July’s Annual Meeting and Election of Officers for 2008-2009. The committee met after the end of the business meeting.

The members examined the original printer’s proof and a copy of the last reprint of MISSOURI HISTORY IN CEDAR COUNTY by Clayton Abbott and Lewis B. Hoff. After discussion, a motion was made, seconded and passed to accept the books. Another motion was made, seconded and passed to sell this book for $20.00 per copy plus $5.00 shipping and handling if applicable.

Volunteers were solicited to help with selling books in front of the former Russell’s Variety Store on Saturday, May 24. The Society wishes to thank Woods Supermarket for allowing the Society to do so.

There were short discussions on future meetings of the Board of Directors, revising the Bylaws and Constitution, the members’ inspection of a possible museum location earlier this month, Thayer’s photographs and the upcoming meeting of the Caplinger Mills Society.

Pate announced that there will be a speaker on the subject of frontier justice from the State Historical Society of Missouri’s Speakers’ Bureau at the June meeting. She is also working with them on another speaker for the August meeting. The Cedar County libraries will have a speaker on Route 66 at the Stockton branch on Thursday, May 22 at 10:00 a.m. and at the El Dorado Springs branch on May 22 at 2:00 p.m.

A motion to adjourn was made, seconded and passed. Our next meeting will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, June 21, 2008, at the Cedar County Health Complex in Stockton. Anyone interested in Cedar County history and genealogy is welcome to attend and/or join the Society. Annual dues are $10.00. We can be contacted online at cecohs@gmail.com, by mail at P. O. Box 111, Stockton, MO 65785, or by contacting any officer or member. ---Nancy Smith

June 2008 Cedar County Historical Society (Official Minutes)

Because the scheduled speaker had not yet arrived, President Judy Nichols called the regular monthly business meeting to order at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, June 21, 2008. Members present were Nichols, Vice President Dale Goodman, Treasurer Doris Cotten, Barbara Goodman, Luella Phipps, Murle Phipps, Leila Ellis, Glenda Pate, Kay Snow, Joe Ben Essex, Norma Essex, Brad Jones, Norma Petty, Peter Nichols, Bob Phillips and Secretary Nancy Smith. One visitor, Edward Miller, was also present.

Smith read the Minutes from the May meeting; and Cotten read May’s Treasurer’s Report. Motions were made, seconded and passed by the members to approve both.

The Society welcomed new members, Newt, Linda, John and Bret Gish, of El Dorado Springs.

The monthly meeting was then suspended to allow Paul Kirkman of the State Historical Society of Missouri’s Speakers’ Bureau to begin his presentation and display on frontier justice. Presently an employee of Kansas City Parks and Recreation in their Archive, Kirkman earned his Bachelor of Arts Degree in History from Columbia College and did his senior thesis on the notorious characters along the Missouri/Kansas border from 1860 to 1880. During an archival internship with the Jackson County Historical Society, he also volunteered at the 1859 Marshal’s Home and Jail on the square in Independence. This stone jail, once the temporary home of William Quantrill and Frank James, was built in reaction to the lawlessness existing on the border during that time period.

Being on the edge of the frontier at the time, Missouri was the birthplace and/or residence of many outlaws as well as several lawmen. Other outlaws operated along the Missouri border while still others passed through the state evading justice. The state’s disputed status during the Civil War also contributed to the lawlessness on the border all the way from Iowa to Arkansas. All of the outlaws had things in common. They all came out of the Civil War. Many, such as Jesse James, William Quantrill and Bloody Bill Anderson, were only children or teenagers at the beginning of the war. Many were ex-Union soldiers. Many were either displaced Missourians or Southerners who moved west looking for other opportunities.

Several outlaws came from well-to-do families. Cole Younger’s father was a State Senator who owned thousands of acres of land around Lees Summit. Frank and Jesse James’ father was a successful farmer and Baptist preacher who helped found William Jewell College. Belle Starr was well-educated and attended finishing school. Her family lost everything when Carthage was burned.

After the Civil War, there were different levels of justice in the counties and towns. The highest level was the federal marshal in charge of the district, a political position and what could be described as the “office” job. The next level was the deputy marshal who worked for the federal marshal and actually had to apprehend the criminals. Many counties had a county sheriff as well as a marshal which made it confusing as to who was responsible for what. Towns had constables and jailers. There were also traveling circuit courts which later became permanent when an area became more settled. If you traveled farther West, depending on the area, you could encounter miners law, old Spanish law, French law, military law or Indian law.

Frontier justice was mainly “white hat” against “black hat”—sometimes “gray hat” against “black hat.” Wyatt Earp vs. Ike Clanton—Pat Garrett vs. Billy the Kid—Wild Bill Hickok (“gray hat”) vs. John Wesley Hardin—Judge Isaac “Ike” Parker (“gray hat”) or Judge Roy Bean (“very gray hat”). Eventually, most of the lawmen had their own problems with the law.

Guerilla leader William Quantrill provided one of the earliest training grounds for the first generation of outlaw gangs. Bloody Bill Anderson, the James brothers and Cole Younger and his gang got their training in many ways from Quantrill. The first generation of outlaws then taught the second generation who taught the third generation and so on. Not to be overlooked, women such as Belle Starr and “Big Nose” Katie Elder carved out their own niches in the outlaw history of the area.

These outlaw gangs were not the ordinary variety of criminals. Their lawlessness helped shape law enforcement from the mid-1850’s to the present. Allen Pinkerton, who was having legal trouble in his native Scotland, came to the United States and founded the Pinkerton Detective Agency in the 1850’s. He was Abraham Lincoln’s personal bodyguard during Lincoln’s first term and is responsible for today’s private detectives. Pinkerton had ties to the Republican Party that enabled his agency to receive many contracts to protect railroad, express mail and government interests. Because of the outrage over the 1933 Union Station Massacre, the FBI and J. Edgar Hoover gained power in the area of law enforcement and eventually usurped much of the Pinkerton Agency’s power and influence.

After highlighting more details on several outlaws and lawmen, Kirkman asked the members for questions and comments.

The regular meeting resumed with old business. Nichols reported that a third storage unit to house the Society’s holdings had been rented from J & R Rentals and that she has not heard any more from Charles Skaggs about the Society’s donating jail/museum stones for a welcome sign near the new high school because the Stockton Community Foundation has not yet finalized their plans. Nichols also reported on book sales from booths at the Stockton City-Wide Garage Sale and at the Jerico Picnic. At the Jerico Picnic, Virgil Rutledge was the winner of the drawing for a copy of Jean Swaim’s THE ERA OF THE ONE-ROOM RURAL SCHOOL IN CEDAR COUNTY, MISSOURI.

In new business, members discussed changing the practice of depositing the interest from the Society’s certificates of deposit into the Society’s checking account and either have the interest stay in the certificates of deposit or having the interest deposited into the Building Fund account. A motion to have the interest roll back into the certificates of deposit was made, seconded and passed.

Nichols also reported that a bank officer told her that the bank’s paperwork showing the ownership of the Society’s certificates of deposit needs to be revised to reflect that the Society is the only owner of the certificates and any individuals listed are the representatives or agents of the Society and do not have any ownership interest in the certificates. She was also advised that there should be more than one representative/agent listed. A combined motion was made, seconded and passed to have the paperwork revised to meet the current legal standards and to add Assistant Treasurer Pate’s name to Treasurer Cotten’s name as the Society’s representatives/agents.

While on the subject of the certificates of deposit, Pate mentioned that one certificate is nearing maturity and that soliciting bids from the different banks might gain the Society some additional interest. After general discussion, a motion was made to authorize Pate and Cotten to have the ability to manage the Society’s certificates of deposit in the future by soliciting bids and reporting their actions and progress at the regular business meetings.

Snow of the Building Fund Committee reported the amount from the meeting’s “cookie jar” donations and asked for clarification on how to handle this in the future. Since the Building Fund Committee was already formed with the ability to handle and manage its own monies by a motion of the members at a previous meeting, it was decided that the committee should continue to do so and report its progress regularly to the general membership.

Snow also reported on book sales and research income derived from the Society’s website. She has updated the website to include a PayPal account for online ordering and payment. Smith has written brief descriptions for each of the books the Society has for sale; and these have been added to the website. Snow solicited copies of obituaries of people with connections to Cedar County and the surrounding area. The deceased’s names will be added to the website; and researchers will then be able to order copies of the full obituaries.

Discussion turned to the Society’s booth at the upcoming El Dorado Springs Picnic on July 17-19. P.O.P.S. has graciously asked the Society to set its booth up adjoining its own in front of the Wayside Museum. Both organizations hope to complement each other with their similar goals. Together we’ll sell our publications, P.O.P.S t-shirts, photographs and other items. The Building Fund Committee is also working on obtaining an item for a drawing, perhaps in addition to a Society publication and photograph. Several members volunteered to work at the booth.

Nichols pointed out the table bookrack she had purchased on behalf of the Society for use in displaying publications for sale in its booths. A banner has also been ordered to fit the new tent.

In an attempt to help us identify some of the unlabeled photographs in the Society’s collection, “The Cedar County Republican” will generously print one photo each month. Readers can then contact the newspaper or the Society if they can identify the photo. The first one will probably appear in the June 25^th edition.

For anyone interested, the Ozarks Genealogical Society, Inc. will have its 28^th Fall Conference on Friday and Saturday, September 12 and 13. The four main sessions of the conference will be “How to Find the Maiden Names of Females,” “Federal Bounty Lands for the Revolution, 1812, Indian and Mexican Wars,” “Loyalists and Tories during the American Revolution,” and “Where Did They Go? Migrations from the Peace of Paris in 1783 to the War of 1812.” The four mini-sessions include “Steps to the Past, Beginning Genealogy,” “What’s In The News? It’s Not Just For Obituaries Anymore,” “The New Mid-Continent Public Library Midwest Genealogy Center,” and “Using Court House Records.” Many vendors will also be present. Registration fees vary depending on the date of registration. Contact OGS at 417-885-9009 or ogsoc@sbcglobal.net for more information and/or a registration form. The local library will also have forms

Discussion turned to the subject of whether or not the Society owns the copyright to CAPLINGER HIGH SCHOOL, CAPLINGER MILLS, MISSOURI 1917-1940, edited and published by Louis V. “Abb” Gannaway. L. Phipps remembered the Society getting verbal permission, as well as the plates, to reprint this book. The Society will pursue obtaining written permission.

After more discussion, a motion was made, seconded and passed to trade one Caplinger Mills photograph to the Caplinger Mills Bridge Preservation Society, if they agree, in return for the rights to reprint their booklet, CAPLINGER MILLS NATIONAL HISTORICAL DISTRICT, by Bob Estes. Reprint rights will also need to be obtained from Estes.

Because of rising costs, a motion was made, seconded and passed to increase the sales price of an unframed 1919 Caplinger Mills photograph to $15 and other smaller unframed photographs to $10.

Nichols reported that she checked on the bush the Society planted next to the Nall Memorial Bench in the City Park; and it is not doing well. It may need to be replaced in the future.

Nichols reminded members that next month’s meeting is the Annual Business Meeting and Election of Officers which will be held at 6:00 p.m., Thursday, July 24, at High Lonesome on East Street in Stockton. Annual membership dues for 2008-2009 will also be payable at that time.

A motion to adjourn was made, seconded and passed. Anyone interested in Cedar County history and genealogy is welcome to attend the monthly meetings and/or join the Society. Annual dues are $10.00 (individuals), $20.00 (family), and $75.00 (lifetime). We can be contacted online at cecohs@gmail.com, by mail at P. O. Box 111, Stockton, MO 65785, or by contacting any officer or member. ---Nancy Smith

July 2008 Cedar County Historical Society (Official Minutes)

The Society held their Annual Business Meeting and Election of Officers on Thursday evening, July 24, 2008, at High Lonesome in Stockton. All present enjoyed a delicious meal.

President Judy Nichols then called the annual business meeting to order. Members present were Nichols, Vice President Dale Goodman, Treasurer Doris Cotten, Barbara Goodman, Leila Ellis, Glenda Pate, Kay Snow, Pat Barnes, Norma Petty, Bob Phillips, Ruby Dean Fidler, Joe Ben Essex, Norma Essex, Peter Nichols, Belia Nichols and Secretary Nancy Smith.

The reading of June’s Minutes and Treasurer’s Report was tabled until the next meeting.

Smith reported that the Society ended the 2007-2008 fiscal year with 7 lifetime members, 4 honorary members, 48 regular members (individuals) and 6 regular members (groups). Nichols and D. Goodman circulated copies of the President’s and Vice President’s annual reports summarizing the Society’s activities during the past year. A motion was made, seconded and passed to dispense with the reading of those reports at this meeting.

Nichols gave a report on the Society’s booth at the El Dorado Springs Picnic on July 17, 18 and 19. Winners of the raffle were Ray Hickcox of Deepwater (Midland WR-300 AM/FM All Hazards Alert Weather Radio) and Peggy Carter of El Dorado Springs (copy of THE ERA OF THE ONE-ROOM RURAL SCHOOLS IN CEDAR COUNTY, MO, by Jean Nipps Swaim). The Society again wants to thank Sac Osage Electric Cooperative, Inc. for graciously donating the radio to help us raise money for our Building Fund.

Nichols also reported that The Preserving Our Past Society (P.O.P.S.) has invited us to tour their Wayside Inn Museum as well as the newly renovated Opera House in El Dorado Springs. We enjoyed working with them at the El Dorado Springs Picnic and look forward to doing so again.

On Monday, July 7, volunteers, with the appreciated assistance of several Agape students, moved more Society holdings from various locations to our third storage locker. A rough inventory was continued at the same time. In the process, the print plates for CAPLINGER MILLS HIGH SCHOOL 1917-1940 by Louis V. “Abb” Gannaway and HISTORICAL SKETCHES OF CEDAR COUNTY, MISSOURI by Clayton Abbott were located. A determination of whether or not these print plates are compatible with current technology needs to be made. Inquiries with possible publishers will be made before the next regular business meeting.

Nichols reminded members that Snow has been working on remodeling and updating our website. The website is now able to handle purchases of books and research through PayPal.

The Society recently sold some books to a library that is now requesting that we give it and its branches unlimited permission to disseminate these books, in addition to any reprints or updates of these books that the Society might publish in the future, by whatever method that the library might choose including reprinting the books or publishing them to the internet. A motion was made, seconded and passed to deny this request.

Pate, on behalf of the Nominating Committee, passed out ballots for the election of officers for the upcoming year. The nominees were Judy Nichols for President, Dale Goodman for Vice President, Nancy Smith for Secretary, Doris Cotten for Treasurer and Glenda Pate for Assistant Treasurer. Ellis and Pate collected and counted the ballots. All nominees were elected; and Pate conducted the installation of officers. After the ceremony, Nichols and D. Goodman thanked the members for all the work they had contributed over the past year.

Nichols also reminded members that volunteers are needed to work the Society’s booth at the upcoming Walnut Festival in September.

Referring to a motion passed at the June business meeting regarding retitling the Society’s certificates of deposit to meet current legal standards, Smith stated that members needed to do the same regarding the Society’s checking and savings accounts and safe deposit box. A similar motion to do so was made, seconded and passed. Snow will check on the Building Fund account to make sure it was opened showing the correct ownership.

In anticipation of revising the 2002 Bylaws and Constitution, Smith passed out copies of that document as well as copies of the original 1970 Bylaws and Constitution and a sample of another society’s current bylaws and constitution. Members were asked to read these documents and write down their revision ideas and suggestions for the use of the Revision Committee. This committee will be appointed at the August meeting. Any non-attending member who wishes to have copies of these documents and to submit their opinions should contact Smith at 276-3469.

There will be a speaker, Armin Schannuth, from the State Historical Society of Missouri’s Speakers’ Bureau at next month’s meeting who will give a presentation on “The Railroad History of West Central Missouri.”

A motion to adjourn was made, seconded and passed.

Annual membership dues for 2008-2009 of $10.00 (individuals), $20.00 (family), and $75.00 (lifetime) are now due and payable. Please mail to the address below or present to any Society officer. A quarterly newsletter is included with each membership.

Our next meeting will be at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 16, 2008, at the Cedar County Health Complex in Stockton. Anyone interested in Cedar County history and genealogy is welcome to attend and/or join the Society. We can be contacted online at cecohs@gmail.com, by mail at P. O. Box 111, Stockton, MO 65785, or by contacting any officer or member.

---Nancy Smith|

Last updated on August 12, 2008
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