Cedar County Historical Society meets

by Judy Nichols

The Cedar County Historical Society met at the museum in Stockton on April 26.  Members present were President Judy Nichols, Vice President Judith Cain, Treasurer Anna Hopkins, Ellis Benham and Bob Phillips.  Secretary Connie Maupin was not able to attend.

Bob Phillips gave members another synopsis from “A History of the Ozarks, Volume II,” by Brooks Blevins. He is still trying to find more information about a local lawyer, Richard Green Roberts, who was killed by bushwhackers in Vernon County toward the end of the Civil War.

The City of Stockton has granted permission to the Society to place the “Museum Open” sign on the south side of Evans’ Drugs in the grassy area next to Hwy. 32.  Judy Nichols will bring the signs up to date with new frames and letters.

The Stockton Chamber of Commerce thanked the Society for the donation of the book, “A Missouri History in Cedar County,” for the annual Sac banquet in April.

Members had to look at another price increase for publications and postage due to the cost of printing, shipping supplies and postage.  The Stockton Lake Overlay map that shows the old roads on the 1961 plat map with the current lake overlaid in color, will increase from five to eight dollars.  It is an 11×17 frameable map, produced by Bob Estes for the Society and has been a good seller.  The map needs to be rolled and mailed in a tube which also increases the shipping and handling costs.  The farther the item is shipped, the higher the media mail postage becomes for all publications.

Judy Nichols updated members on the fire that destroyed the Red Barn Restaurant on East 32 Highway on Wednesday, March 17, 2021.  Since it occurred on private property, the public may never hear the outcome of the origin of the fire unless it is found to be a criminal act and charges are filed.  A good photo showing the whole building when it was new has not been located.  Information about the fire has been added to museum library files for future reference.

Anna Hopkins updated the Society about the closing of the Stockton VFW and their building on West Highway 32 being donated to the Stockton School system.  Members were saddened that the Stockton VFW closed after so many years as such an important part of the community.  The Stockton American Legion Post will now take care of the honors at the cemeteries on Memorial Day.  The schedule will be published in the local newspapers.

Glenda Pate has finished four volumes of the Society newsletter and they are now current and available to members.

The Toner Buyer Co., who buys the used ink cartridges, has changed their packing receipt forms and it doesn’t match their worksheet, so the cartridges will all need to be opened and recounted again before they are shipped.  The Society is still collecting Best Choice and Clearly Organic labels.  Those donations can be mailed to the Society at the address below.

The Stockton School third grade students will visitthe museum for a tour in May.

Donations: Ellis Benham brought some photos to be donated by Francis McCullick.  Her grandmother, Irene Phipps, took photos of the building of the Cedar Creek bridge on K Highway, under construction in 1958.  She also donated five photos taken at Caplinger Mill dam, circa 1925-26, when the power plant was new.  Claud Hoffman donated five more publications that he had written about his family history and his personal adventures.

Notice:  The Cedar County Historical Society will only be able to provide minimal research or look-ups for patrons.  They will no longer be able to fulfill requests for research or genealogy searches due to the lack of available staff.  However, the museum research library is still open for those wishing to complete their own research.  They can also suggest other resources, libraries and internet sites.  CCHS publications contain a multitude of information and are always available for purchase.

Due to Memorial Day being on the regular meeting day in May, the Society meeting has been rescheduled for Monday, May 24 at 1 p.m. at the museum.  The museum will be open on Saturday, May 15, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Monday, May 24, from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m.  Admission is free.  Masks are optional and social distancing is suggested.  For information, appointments or purchase of publications, call 417-276-1142.  Contact the Society by email at cedarcomohistsoc@gmail.com or by mail at P.O. Box 111, Stockton, MO 65785.