Stockton museum to hold historic program Sunday, June 8

by Judy Nichols

The Cedar County Historical Society met at the museum in Stockton on Monday, March 31. Members attending were: President Judy Nichols, Vice President Chris Barber, Treasurer Anna Hopkins, Virginia Barber, Sharyl Henry, Frank Stranimier, Joe Phillips, Carl Reeves, Bob Phillips, Ellis Benham and Bob Estes.

After the Pledge of Allegiance was recited, members heard from Sharyl Henry about the death of her brother, Joe Levi and the condition of two other family members, who have been ill. Condolences were expressed by society members.

Condolences were also given for the death of Edna Marie (Mills) Johnson, mother of society member, Sheila Griggs. Sheila was not able to attend the meeting, so condolences were sent in a card.

The February minutes and Treasurer’s reports were approved.

The society donated a set of Cedar County Lyceum books to the Stockton Chamber of Commerce for their annual banquet and meeting.

Chris and Virginia Barber reminded members that author, Kaitlyn McConnell, will present a program, “Ozarks Superstitions, Traditions and Legends,” on Sunday, June 8 at 6 p.m. at the museum. Kaitlyn is the founder of “Ozarks Alive,” a cultural preservation project through which she has documented the region’s people, places and defining features since 2015. Since its inception, more than 450 stories have been published about the region and its people. Most of these pieces cover southwest Missouri, others dip down into Arkansas. And while some are historical in nature, the vast majority tell of what life is like today. The program is free and the public is invited.

Another upcoming program: Author, Richard McGee, will be presenting a program, introducing his new book, “The Mills and Springs of the Ozarks,” during the next society meeting on Monday, April 28 at 1 p.m. at the museum. Richard had contacted the society, along with other residents, to obtain information about mills in Cedar County. This program is also Free.

The new awning has been installed over the new front doors of the museum.

The honor plaque was taken to a lady in Bolivar who engraves plaques and jewelry. She will be sending a sample to Judy with the lettering type that is done now and is unlike the old engraving. Judy will share the information with board members when she gets the sample.

Chris and Virginia Barber loaned their horse caparison (advertisement cape to drape over a horse’s back) to the museum and it has been hung. It advertises the J. P. Long Store in Jerico Springs on one side and Butter-Krust Bread on the other side. The capes were often used in parades in the late 1800’s and early 1900’s.

Updating the museum: Judy has almost finished the re-model, except for some small items to be added. The little “Niche” store has been closed and the sale items have been stored until time for the Walnut Festival. That freed-up more space for the school display and more larger displays where grid-walls were used to hang historic photos and other items. An eight foot table was added to the meeting area and older displays were re-designed. Another LED light was hung to add light to the display area. Spring cleaning is also in plans soon.

Sheila Griggs and Judy will be putting together a book of old Cedar County postcards. They will be sorting the Hoffman books and photos. Sheila has volunteered to inventory archival materials in the research library this summer. The work is never-ending as far as keeping the museum up-to-date.

Judy shared information with members about the program hosted by MODOT (Mo. Dept. of Transportation) that straightens some curves, ads turn lanes and replaces a bridge on Highway 32, between El Dorado Springs and Bolivar.

Judy also noted another MODOT project: The Kaysinger Basin Bridge Bundle officials have announced the replacement of four bridges in Cedar County, to be completed by November, 2027. The bridges are: Mo. EE, over Clear Creek; Mo. Route B, over Buffalo Creek; Mo. Route 97, over Horse Creek and the well-known Hackleman bridge, over Cedar Creek on Route 39. The Hackleman bridge was built in 1949 to replace an old wire bridge near the Hackleman Ford on Cedar Creek. The steel for the Stockton dam in the 1960’s, was transported over the 1949 bridge. The turbine for the dam was too wide for the bridge, so they built a temporary stone crossing for it, just below the bridge on the east side. Stone remnants of the crossing can still be seen today.

There was a recent article in the Vernon County Historical Society newsletter, “Bushwhacker Musings,” that reviewed the names on a marble memorial on the courthouse square in Nevada. A Cedar County native from Lebeck, Wilmer Charles Andes, is listed with other World War I soldiers on the memorial. There seems to be a bit of a mystery, because they haven’t been able to find the attachment to Vernon County, other than his marriage to Lida Budd, who was born in Vernon County. Lida left Vernon County after her marriage to Andes. Andes was lost overboard at sea near England, from the ship USS Great Northern Pacific in 1918. His body was never found, but several memorials list his name: in Surrey, England; in Independence, Mo. and in Nevada, Mo.

Judy gave members a list of tornadoes in Cedar County that made the news in the “Springfield News Leader” archives, from the 1950’s through 2013.  Some smaller local tornadoes were not listed.

Members discussed memories of a March, 1965 jet crash near Arnica in Cedar County. An aerial view photo and road map of the area showed the crash site. Addendum: Judy Nichols and Chris Barber later found the local newspaper article in the museum archives, published on April 1, 1965.  Frank Stranimier also sent an article, printed in the Kansas City Times, to Judy and both articles will be shared at the next meeting.

A CCHS Facebook account of the event was noted: It was on this day, March 29, 1965, that an F-102A piloted by Major Donald R. Feltey (the only one aboard the jet) was headed to Richards-Gebaur Air Force Base in Grandview, Mo. The aircraft flew for more than an hour before it crashed. The pilot abandoned the airplane due to hydraulic problems and ejected. He survived. The crash site was seven nautical miles northeast of Stockton, close to Peachtree Road, near Arnica.

Members helped Judy identify more archived photos with no names noted on them. The society has hundreds of unnamed photos that have been donated over the years.

Bob Phillips presented his short program, “Historical Notes.”  He spoke about local author, Ethel Reed Strainchamps who was born in 1910 and grew-up near Fair Play. She wrote the book, “Don’t Never Say Cain’t,” and many articles in the “Springfield Daily News, New York Times, Harper’s Magazine, Mademoiselle Magazine, TV Guide” and more. Her father was a Socialist and started a commune near Fair Play in the 1920’s that soon failed. Ethel left the area and attended Southwest Baptist College in Bolivar and Southwest Mo. State University, in Springfield. She wrote about folklore, but focused on politics and feminism. She became a socialite in Springfield and moved to New York City, but was later dismissed as being a radical after writing several scathing political articles. She died in Springfield, Mo. in 1991.

The society is still collecting Best Choice, B.C. Selections and B.C. Clearly food labels and used computer printer cartridges to recycle as a fundraiser.

The museum will be open on the first and third Saturday of the month, from Noon to 4 p.m., the last Monday of the month, from 1 to 4 p.m. or by appointment. The next meeting will be on April 28 at 1 p.m. at the museum. The public is always invited.

The Cedar County Museum and Research Library are located at 106 West Davis Street in Stockton.  Admission is Free. For information, appointments or to purchase publications call: 417-276-1142, email at cedarcomohistsoc@gmail.com, on Facebook at “Cedar County Mo Historical Society” or by mail at P.O. Box 111, Stockton, MO 65785.