Cedar Historical Society meets

by Connie Maupin

Members of the Cedar County Historical Society gathered Nov. 26 in the Stockton museum. Members present were President Judy Nichols, Vice President Judith Cain, Secretary Connie Maupin, Assistant Treasurer Anna Hopkins, Ellis Benham, Chris Barber, Bob Phillips and visitor, now new member, Valerie Hamby.

Bob Phillips historical short story this month centered around the activities of the 8th Missouri State Militia during the Civil War. The unit fought in the Battle of Humansville in 1862 and a number of other battles some of which were in Arkansas and Kansas. Another interesting fact Bob brought to attention was that any able bodied male not signed up in the Union Army by Aug. 1, 1862, was considered a rebel and an outlaw.

Judy Nichols is still working on her research guide book and says it is not yet complete because she keeps finding more reference ideas.

The Society has been notified that there is a grant available from the State Historical Society for preserving material or providing programming. This would need to be filed by Dec. 15. The Korth Senior Center craft show coming up Dec. 8, was discussed. The general consensus being the Society’s income would not be large enough to warrant expending time and funds to participate this year.

The Society completed a request for archaeological information about the Big Eddy project and Stockton Lake. Also, a genealogy request for a family named Zion.

Fees for doing genealogy research were discussed. The membership agreed that an initial $20 fee, $10 per hour and 10 cents a copy, plus shipping and handling would be fair charges. However, the Society no longer has a professional genealogist on staff. Abreviated look-ups are available, but applications for extended and extensive research will not be available at this time.

There has been a new 106 filing for a Bear Creek broadband internet tower.

Chris Barber brought in a couple of his latest acquisitions for show and tell. The first being an engraved Coca Cola seltzer bottle from Clinton circa 1900; the second item was a palm leaf fan from A. E. Hudson Dry Goods and Groceries, Jerico Springs. He feels the fan probably dates from the 1920’s. He also shared a photo album of post cards and other historic memorabilia that he has been collecting.

Monday was the last meeting of the Society for 2018. The museum will only be open during meeting dates from 1-4 p.m. on the last Monday of the month as follows: Closed in December – no meeting, Jan. 28, Feb. 25, 2019 and March 25, 2019. The museum will resume summer hours in April.

Book Review: Life and Memories at My Missouri Ozark Home Place, by Dale Goodman. This autobiography of a depression era boy growing up in a hard but simpler time, is a tale of a family and what they did to survive and eventually prosper.

For information, appointments or to purchase publications call Judy at 417-276-1142. The Society’s books and publications make great gifts and a complete list can be seen on our Facebook page at “Cedar County MO Historical Society” or contact us by email at cedarcomohistsoc@gmail.com or by mail at P. O. Box 111 Stockton, MO 65785.