Cedar County Historical Society report

by Connie Maupin
The monthly meeting of the Cedar County Historical Society was held May 23, 2022, in the Stockton museum. Those present were President Judy Nichols, Vice President Judith Cain, Secretary Connie Maupin, Treasurer Anna Hopkins, Luella Phipps, Sharyl Henry, Nobel King, Ellis Benham, and Bob Phillips.
Bob Phillips brought in some pictures of the Lindley Prairie Church and some of the, so called, “Cummins Image.” This is a carved stone figure resembling a grasshopper which is said to have been plowed-up in a field in the Caplinger Mills area in the 1880’s. This figure, said by many to be a fake, was reportedly taken to Houston, Texas and then disappeared. Bob also brought a couple of pictures of Hammons cave.
The Veterans Memorial Park was dedicated on Armed Forces Day, Saturday, May 21. The American Legion, Stockton Park Board, the Community Foundation and Smith Backhoe Service have done an impressive job on the memorial. There is still work to be done. The first order of commemorative bricks have been installed and the second order will be installed in the near future. The 1888 Cedar County Jail Stones, donated by the Society, have been placed around the perimeter of the memorial and a plaque noting the donation installed.
Orders are still being taken for the third flight of bricks. If you wish to order a brick, you should do so soon. There are several places to order the bricks, but the Historical Society is not one of them. You can request and order form by e-mail at stockton-veteransmemorialpark@gmail.com, call Marilyn Ellis at 417-276-7826 or Don Hunt at 417-809-8187 and one will be sent to you.
The program to be presented by Kelly C. Sartorius, Ph. D., Director of Advancement, Freedom’s Frontier National Heritage Area, had to be canceled. She will try to reschedule this fall.
The Second Chance Niche, in the museum, continues to grow from many generous donations. More items are welcome for the White Elephant Sale to be held during the Walnut Festival September 23 and 24. Items MUST be clean and usable. Electrical items must be in working order. No clothing or shoes will be accepted.
There are needed repairs to a non-functioning ceiling light fixture and deterioration of the sweep under the front museum doors which is allowing dust, water and vermin to enter. President Nichols’ husband has kindly volunteered to undertake repairs.
Anna Hopkins volunteered to re-count and re-wrap used ink cartridges that need to be recycled.
The Shady Hill Club will hold their next meeting in the museum on June 8th.
Donations: Bob Phillips donated a vintage doll and a book titled, “The Young Brothers Massacre.” Leo and Mary Lady donated a medal that was posthumously awarded to Austin Hubbard’s family, by the Grand Army of the Republic, Post Number 194, Caplinger’s Mills, Mo. on March 7, 1894 for his service as a Captain in the Union Army during the Civil War. Hubbard was a young man, attending college in Rolla, Mo. when the Civil War began. He enlisted in Company E of the 6th. Mo. Calvary in 1861 and died in 1862 in Springfield. He is buried in the Springfield National Cemetery.
Membership in the society is $15 per year and $80 for a lifetime membership. Yearly memberships are up for renewal on July 1, 2022 and are considered delinquent on August 1, 2022. Memberships include a quarterly newsletter.
Notice: The Cedar County Historical Society will only be able to provide minimal research or look-ups for patrons due to lack of available staff. The museum research library is still open to those wishing to complete their own research. Members can also suggest other resources, libraries and internet sites. Society historical publications, which contain a multitude of information, are always available for purchase.
The Cedar County Museum is located at 106 West Davis Street in Stockton and admission is FREE. The museum is open the first and third Saturday of the month from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on the last Monday of the month from 1 to 4 p.m. during society meetings. For information, appointments or purchase of publications, call 417-276-1142, by email at cedarcomohistsoc@gmail.com or by mail at P. O. Box 111, Stockton, MO 65785. Visit the society Facebook page at “Cedar County, Mo. Historical Society.”