Cedar County Historical Society news

by Connie Maupin

The Cedar County Historical Society gathered for the last meeting of the year at the museum in Stockton, Monday, Nov. 28. Those present were: President Judy Nichols, Vice President Judith Cain, Secretary Connie Maupin, Treasurer Anna Hopkins, Luella Phipps, Sharyl Henry, Virginia Barber, Chris Barber, Ellis Benham, and Bob Phillips.

Bob Phillips gave his history report on Emil S. Liston, born in 1890. He was reportedly born in Stockton, Missouri, but, in fact, was born in the Forrest Grove community, southeast of El Dorado Springs. He was a Baker University graduate and devoted most of his life to developing Baker University athletics department in Baldwin City, KS. He created the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics and was behind its first basketball tournament int the country in 1937. He has been enshrined in the Baker Hall of Fame, the NAIA Basketball Hall of Fame, the Kansas All-Sports Hall of Fame and the Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of fame in Springfield, Massachusetts. He died Oct. 26, 1949.

The CCHS books that the Stockton Branch of the Cedar County Library ordered have been delivered.

Alana Hindman has been writing historical articles for the Cedar County Republican about the small communities in the county.

The society received a letter from the Environmental Corporation of America about a proposed 325 foot guyed-type, AT&T Mobile Communications tower to be built between Highway 54 and Love Cemetery, near 1125 Road. The Love Cemetery board of trustees has been advised.

The guns involved in the Sheriff C. A. LaRew murder in 1987, have been returned to the Society from the Sheriff’s office at the request of Sheriff James McCrary and have now been placed in secure, off-site storage in an undisclosed location until a decision is reached as to final disposition of the items.

Donations: Bob Phillips, a two-tape video set “Finding Missouri – Our History and Heritage.” Anna Hopkins, vintage school books, two 1971 Sears catalogs and two cold war era instruction books. Linda Bough: a reprinted 1908 Plat Book and a rebound original copy of the 1908 Plat book.

The society is still collecting Best Choice and Clearly Organic labels. Labels can be mailed to the society at P.O. Box 111, Stockton, MO 65785. Used computer ink cartridges are still being collected as a recycling fundraiser for the society.

The little “Niche” store in the museum continues to grow, thanks to those who have generously donated items. Additional items are always welcome but MUST be clean, in working order and usable. No clothing or shoes will be accepted.

Winter hours: The museum is closed in December. It will open again, on the last Monday of each month from 1 to 4 p.m. until April, when the spring schedule will be announced. The next meeting will be on Monday, January 30, 2023 at 1 p.m. and is open to the public. For information, appointments, to purchase publications, that make great Christmas gifts, call 417-276-1142, email cedarcomohistsoc@gmail.com by mail at P.O. Box 111, Stockton, MO 65785.