Cedar County Historical Society meets

by Kathy Smith

Members of the Cedar County Historical Society met at 10 a.m. Saturday, May 21, at the museum. Those present were members Kay Snow, Judy Nichols, Kathy Smith, Barbara Fox, Shirley Hedges-Potts, Luella Phipps, Sharyl Henry, Bob Estes, Dale Goodman, Chris Barber, Marci Haralson and Connie Maupin. Visitors present were Kenneth Potts and Eddie Johnson.

Before any business was discussed, everyone present expressed great sorrow at the death of society secretary Nancy Smith. Her dedication to the preservation of Cedar County history was unsurpassed. She will be greatly missed. Donations to CCHS were accepted in her name.

Under new business, interim officers were elected. They are Bob Phillips, interim vice president; Kathy Smith, interim secretary; and Shirley Potts, interim treasurer. Louella Phipps was retained as a board member and Judi Cain was appointed to the board. President Judy Nichols and Treasurer Kay Snow will stay in their present positions.

Meeting time was changed from Saturday mornings to 6:30 p.m. on the third Thursday of the month. It also was decided that volunteers will open the museum from 1-4 p.m. the first and third Saturday of every month. This month, the museum will be open June 4 and 18.

In other business, it was decided that CCHS will not be present at the Jerico Springs Picnic this year. We will, however, still have booths at other annual events, including the El Dorado Springs Picnic and Stockton’s Black Walnut Festival. Member volunteers are working on different museum displays and those will be announced when completed.

Various reference books were donated: Missouri Blue Books, Springfield City Directories and Court of Appeals, and a set of encyclopedias. These were donated to another society due to lack of storage and the ready availability of the same information online. Other recent donations include: books donated by Chris Barber: “Moments in Time” by John K. Hulston and “Called to Preach: Life and Times of Jack Davis, Old-Time Country Preacher” by Jack M. Bays; a letter donated by Connie Maupin from Clarence Cavender regarding the history of Lindley Prairie Cemetery; the book “Surveys and Surveyors” from Claud Hoffman; “Pie Suppers and Wind-Up Record Players” from Juanita Bowen; and a whet stone belonging to Isaac Phipps from Louella Phipps.

The next meeting of the Cedar County Historical Society will be at 6:30 p.m. Thursday, July 21, at the museum located at 106 W. Davis in Stockton. Visitors are always welcome to attend.