Cedar County Historical Society meets

by Judy Nichols

The monthly meeting of the Cedar County Historical Society was held at the museum in Stockton on August 27, 2018.  Members present were President Judy Nichols, Vice President Judith Cain, Assistant Treasurer Anna Hopkins, Luella Phipps, Sharyl Henry, Marcie Haralson, Chris Barber, Ellis Benham, Bob Estes and Bob Phillips.  Due to the absence of the secretary, President Nichols took the minutes of the meeting.  Luella Phipps and Sharyl Henry brought some delicious cookies for all to enjoy.

The meeting was called to order and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited.  The July secretary, August treasurer and the August museum maintenance fund reports were all approved.

Bob Phillips gave his monthly history lesson on the Union Camp, a Christian gathering and celebration that lasted several weeks during the summer, starting in the late 1800s.  Attendees often traveled many miles to camp, listen to a number of preachers from the area, picnic, sing praises and most likely fished in the nearby Sac River.  The camp was located southeast of Stockton and is now within the boundaries of Stockton Lake Corps of Engineers land.  It is not known when the last camp occurred at that location, but the Herriman Chapel Camp in north central Cedar County is still going strong and just celebrated their 91st. year.  As with most of Bob’s history lessons, the subject strayed when members asked about the location of several old stores, homes, cemeteries and churches near the old Union Campground.  Members were enjoying the old stories so much that it was hard for them to return to the business meeting.

President Judy Nichols gave a re-cap of the Society board meeting on August 10th. with the following information:

1. The annual non-profit organization report for the Secretary of State and Form 126 for the Mo. Department of Revenue have been filed.  The Black Walnut Festival booth space rental and registration have been submitted.  Since the Society election of officers in July, the banking information has been updated.  Information at the Stockton Chamber of Commerce has also been updated.

2. The first round of empty ink cartridges was sent to the recycle company, none were rejected and a refund check was received.  The Society will continue to recycle and volunteers were asked to help wrap individual cartridges for shipment.

3. The yearly update on the “Sheriff La Rew murder weapons” revealed that they are still in safekeeping at the Sheriff’s Department, but are no longer on display.

4. The water leak in the research library has been repaired and the electric bill has gone down due to the air conditioner being used more and the dehumidifier being used less.

5. The Caplinger Mills Lyceum book has been edited with a new format along with the addition of photos and more information.  It is the Second Edition and copies have been made for sale.  Anna Hopkins donated the cost for the Society to self-print 12 copies of the book.  No date has been set for the next board meeting.

Bob Estes presented a CD copy of his new book, “Cemeteries of Cedar County, Missouri and Maps Showing Their Locations,” to the Society.  It will be kept in the bank vault for safekeeping.  The book is on the Society’s “Best Seller List” and may remain there for years.

Laura Ronald has submitted copies of the Lyceum books that she re-typed for the Society in a format they can use to re-print the books.  The Society appreciates the many hours she spent on that project.  The Lyceum books are: Stockton, El Dorado Springs, Jerico Springs, Caplinger Mills and Bear Creek.  In 1976, to celebrate the nation’s bicentennial, the Society presented lectures (lyceums) from research gathered on Cedar County history with the intent to educate people and create interest in those subjects.  Those typed and hand-written notes were preserved and have been re-produced in book form with photos and additional information added.

Anna Hopkins offered to re-type the book, “Arnica in Days of Yore 1882-1982,” for the Society.  The book rights were given to the Society by Lorene Kenny Clayton Baker.  She and her daughter, Nita Carol Clayton Griffith had wanted the book re-typed, a new town map produced and more photos added.  Anna and Judy Nichols will peruse that project when time permits.  Bob Estes also noted the book, “Touring Cedar County,” needed to be updated.  That project will also be considered for a future project along with a map book of the old stores, small communities, schools and churches of Cedar County for historical reference.

Members who worked at the El Dorado Springs Picnic in July have been graciously invited to the Preserve Our Past Society volunteer appreciation dinner in September at the Wayside Inn Museum.  Volunteers were: Luella Phipps, Sharyl Henry, Bob Estes, Glenda Pate, Chris Miller and Judy Nichols.

The Society decided to hold another White Elephant Sale at the museum during the Black Walnut Festival.  Items of clothing will not be accepted.  The museum will be open on Friday and Saturday during the festival.  The schedule of volunteers to work in the booth and at the museum during the festival was passed-around for members to sign-up.  The Black Walnut Festival will only be open three days this year: Thursday, Friday and Saturday, Sept. 27, 28 and 29.

Current members are reminded that their July 1, 2018 thru July 1, 2019 dues are still being collected.  Single memberships are $15, Family memberships are $25 and Lifetime memberships are $80.  Members will not receive a quarterly newsletter if they have not paid their dues by September 30th.  The Society no longer uses Pay-Pal via the internet.  Checks or money orders may be made to: Cedar County Historical Society and mailed to P.O.Box 111, Stockton, MO 65785-0111 or can be paid at the museum.  If you have a phone number, e-mail or mailing address change, please let the Society know so they can update their membership list.  New members can join the Society at any time during the year.

Donations to the Society this month were: A Stockton Dam decorative plate from the Chamber of Commerce, a 2018 Missouri Tourism book and literature from Bob Phillips and some Hoff family memorabilia from the widow of Frank Hoff, Mary Jane Hoff of Burlington, North Carolina.

The museum will be open Saturday, September 1st. and 15th. from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and Monday, September 24 from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.  It will also be open on Friday and Saturday, September 28 and 29th. during the Black Walnut Festival.  Admission to the museum is free, however the Historical Society and museum are not tax funded and operate on donations from the public.  The next meeting will be Monday, September 24 at 1 p.m. in the museum at 106 West Davis Street in Stockton.  Meetings are open to the public and free coffee is provided.  The museum is wheel chair accessible.  For information, appointments or to purchase publications, call 417-276-1142.  Contact the Society by email at cedarcomohistsoc@gmail.com, on Facebook at “Cedar County MO Historical Society” or by mail at P.O. Box 111, Stockton, MO 65785.