Cedar County Historical Society report

by Judy Nichols

The monthly meeting of the Cedar County Historical Society was held on April 29, 2019 at the museum in Stockton. Those present were: President Judy Nichols, Vice President Judith Cain, Assistant Treasurer Anna Hopkins, Luella Phipps, Sharyl Henry, Ellis Benham, Chris Barber and Bob Phillips. Secretary Connie Maupin was not able to attend the meeting.

The meeting was called to order and the Pledge of Allegiance was recited. The March minutes, the February and March Treasurer’s reports and the museum expense accounts were all approved.

Anna Hopkins shared some interesting historical family documents from local banks, the Knights of Pythias, an old family school book, family photos, letters and a handwritten book that her grandmother Hembree wrote about her life.

The Mo. Department of Transportation is still working on the county maps and has not completed ours.

They are re-mapping all of the county maps in the State and it is quite a process. A new copy of the old correct map is being distributed by the Stockton Chamber of Commerce. The incorrect maps from 2018 have been discontinued.

A new six foot table has been purchased for meetings, sales and display purposes. Judy is still working on the Hoff Family photo album and scanning to print the Nafus Funeral Home book as time permits.

The White Elephant Sale will be on May 18 from 9 a.m. and 4 p.m. Connie Maupin, Anna Hopkins and Judy Nichols will be working at the sale. Donations of items are still being taken. The saddles for the sale have arrived.

Members voted to pay the Sertoma Club the $90 fee for the Walnut Festival Booth space in September. Two tickets to the Wonders of Wildlife Museum in Springfield for the Society raffle was discussed.

Judy was contacted by the Mo. Department of Tourism to update the Tour Guide for 2020. She noticed that the Society information was incorrect and did not match what was submitted for 2019. It stated that the museum would be open from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., so the board members voted to change the museum hours to match the book. Members could volunteer to work from 10 a.m. until 2 p.m. or later if they choose to do so.

Members voted to work at the Wayside Inn Museum during the El Dorado Springs Picnic in July.

Jason Stump is currently writing interesting historical stories for the Greenfield Vedette newspaper. Most of the stories are about the Crisp area, in southern Cedar County and northern Dade County.

Jefferson Township is currently without a precinct polling site for elections. Board members voted to offer the use of the museum to the Cedar County Court for elections. There will be four or five elections in 2020. A decision by the Court whether-or-not to accept the proposal will be made in a few months.

Used printer cartridges need to be counted and wrapped before they can be sent to the recycle company for a refund. Members suggested that volunteers who have the museum open wrap cartridges while they are working.

MODOT information on the reconstruction of the Cedar Creek bridge on Highway 32, the history of 1900 era landowners and the community of Edsall was discussed.

Judy was advised that the Cedar County microfilmed probate records are not available for public research at this time. Judy will talk to Melinda Gumm to discuss instructions for obtaining records.

Gene Walden contacted the Society to donate his mother’s childhood rocking chair to the museum for display.

Donations: Carol Blackard, donated hand painted glasses by John Herbert Nipps. Pam Pierce donated WWII letters, literature and a 1930 Mo. map. Floyd White donated an old saddle blanket for saddle in the museum farm display. Dade County Historical Society President Tom Hobbs donated a 1918 photo of “Cedar County Boys” getting ready to leave for Fort Dodge, Iowa during WW I. Bob Phillips donated a book, “The Roscoe Gun Battle,” by Wilbur Zink. Chris Barber donated a roll of #116 Kodak Film dated in 1941. David and Judy Vale donated a horse or mule shoe and a rifle bayonet that they found buried on their farm. Ellis Benham donated two new toner cartridges for the museum copy machine.

Please Note: Due to the Memorial Day Holiday, the next Society meeting will begin at 1 p.m. Monday, June 3, in the museum. The museum is open the first and third Saturday of each month from 11:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. and as always, during our meetings on the last Monday of the month from 1 to 4 p.m. Admission to the museum is free, however the Historical Society and Museum are not tax funded and operate on donations from the public. The museum is wheelchair accessible. The museum is located at 106 West Davis Street in Stockton. Meetings are open to the public and free coffee is provided. 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.