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THE CHARITON COLLECTOR

NORTHEAST MISSOURI HISTORY AND FOLKLORE
Spring 1986
$2.95


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THE CHARITON COLLECTOR
Kirksville Senior High School Kirksville, Missouri Spring, 1986 Vol. 6 No. 2 Issue 12.
The Chariton Collector is published by the Local and State History Class of Kirksville Senior High 
School. This special class attempts to preserve the history and local folklore of Northeast 
Missouri. Copyright 1986.

COVER PICTURE
Beautiful scenes of the river close to residents in Northeast Missouri are photographed by many. 
Kent Snipes captured the serenity of the Chariton River and its original banks in his photograph 
taken in 1984.

DISTRIBUTION MANAGERS 
Tifany Tindall 
Denny Smoyer

CONTENTS

Have a Pepsi Day! . . . . . 2
Tifany Tindall

The Ritz . . . . . 6
Marty Montgomery

It Seems Like Yesterday	. . . . . 8
Laura Magruder

In Memory of The Silver Star Drive-In Theatre . . . . . 10
Renee Wilson

The Forgotten Factory . . . . . 13
Douglas Ryle

Kirksville Lodge, No. 464 B. P. O. E . . . . . 14
J. Kevin Race

A Bank Built on Dreams . . . . . 18
Julie Major and Kim Gonnerman

Travelers Hotel . . . . . 20
Andrea Vorkink and Adele LoGaglio

The End of an Era . . . . . 23
Tammy Barrickman and Stephania Snyder

A New Generation in Kirksville . . . . . 26
Denny Smoyer

Farming in the Great Depression . . . . . Inside Back
Christopher Lowe

[photo caption] The Imbler home stands three miles east of Kirksville, where it has been since 
1888. Laura Magruder took her own pictures for her story on the Imbler home, page 8.


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[photo caption] Mr. and Mrs. Tindall, with son, Dale, stand outside the Tindall Beverage warehouse 
located at 403 North Centennial Street.

Have A Pepsi Day!

In Kirksville, the sales of the soft drink Pepsi-Cola started in 1935, but Pepsi was actually 
created in 1898 when a North Carolina pharmacist, Caleb Bradham, came up with the Pepsi Cola 
formula. Six years later he started bottling the product for the "Pepsi Generations."

J. Harold "Pop" Johnson established a Pepsi-Cola bottling plant in Memphis, Missouri, in 1934. 
Mr. Johnson commissioned Chauncy Leeper, a young Memphis man attending the Kirksville State Teachers 
College, to sell and deliver Pepsi products in the Kirksville area that same year.

The plant furnished a truck and expenses relating to sales of this new product. Mr. Leeper was 
paid four cents per case sold and four cents when a case of empty bottles was returned. He was 
paid a minimum of one dollar for each day he worked.

Prospective accounts were scarce. Bottles of Pepsi were passed out at community events and picnics 
"Pepsi-Cola was new in the area and 'Pop' told me to do as much 'missionary' work as possible," 
said Mr. Leeper. Soft drinks were slow to be accepted and consumption was confined basically to 
special occasions like the Fourth of July or other family reunions. "At that time, people didn't 
drink pop with meals, it was more like a 'treat', like ice cream is today," said Mr. Dale Tindall, 
former owner of the Tindall Beverage Company.

Charles Tindall was delivering butter and cream for the Producer's Creamery Company in Kirksville. 
Mr. Frank Santen, owner of Santen's Restaurant on East Harrison Street between Marion and Franklin 
Streets, suggested that Charles Tindall try to sell the flavors and cola of the Fairfield Bottling 
Works through the Ottumwa Ice Company.

Mr. Tindall made his first contract with Mr. Ray Bounds, owner of the Ottumwa Ice Company and 
Fairfield Bottling Works. The pop came in pretty bottles and sold pretty well. At this time, 
Chauncy Leeper was trying to sell pop for Johnson Flavors plus there were other companies trying 
to sell their soda products too.

According to Mr. Leeper, some of his best customers in the area were gas stations and small cafes 
in Kirksville, La Plata and Novinger. The old Jinx swimming pool, where the El Kadir Shrine Club is 
now located, and the White Cabin Cafe, where Hardees is now located, were the best accounts.

The first warehouse for Pepsi-Cola was located at 902 East Line Street where Chauncy Leeper's great 
uncle, John T. Hocker, resided. Mr. Hocker was one of many people who helped Mr. Leeper "get his 
foot in the door." Soon Mr. Leeper was selling Five-O (a chocolate drink), Root Beer, Near Beer, and 
other flavors, along with Pepsi. The flavors were harder to sell because of competition from a local 
Nehi bottling company. The William Bondurant family not only sold Nehi flavors and later RC Cola, but 
operated a popular milk producing company and the Palace Bakery.

In 1935, Mr. Leeper left Kirksville to attend the University of Missouri at Columbia Mr. Johnson 
asked around town for recommendations for another person to take over as a distributor for his 
products. Some people suggested that Charles Tindall would be a good man for the job.

When the Ottumwa Ice Company decided to not sell pop in Missouri because of a new Iowa out-of-state 
sales tax, Mr. Tindall decided that he would try to sell the Johnson Flavors,

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[photo caption] Charlie Tindall and a neighborhood boy repair a flat-top vender at the 403 N. 
Centennial warehouse which included Pepsi-Cola.

For a while, the Tindall's were selling pop to people out of their home but, as Mrs. Charles 
(Lottie) Tindall said, "We didn't want to be in competition with our customers." So, Charles began 
looking for a warehouse or garage that would hold the pop. He soon found a warehouse to rent, where 
Ruby Green Seed Company is now, but according to Mrs. Tindall, "It was hard to heat and not the 
right style for the pop business," so they never bought the building. When Ruby Green purchased the 
warehouse, Mr. Tindall had to look for another place to handle the Pepsi business. Soon afterward, 
the new Tindall Beverage warehouse was located at 403 North Centennial Street where the Tindall's 
eventually resided.

"Charlie, with the help of his entire family, became dedicated to making Pepsi-Cola the number-one 
soft drink in Adair County," said Mrs. Tindall. The development of soft drink sales and Pepsi-Cola, 
in particular, took nearly 20 years. Sales accounted for (as bottles per capita) were so few in 
number that the statistics were meaningless. The popularity of soft drinks, other than on special 
occasions, was most difficult to achieve because of few retail sales outlets, no vending, poor 
refrigeration, little national advertising, and living standards so different.

In the beginning, Charles and Lottie Tindall wore all the business hats. As delivery man, salesman, 
bookkeeper, warehouse manager, promotional and advertising expert around the clock, Mr. Tindall's 
long journey to success began. Later, six Tindall children (four girls and two boys) all played 
respective parts in the history of the Pepsi story in Kirksville. Long hours, little profit, and, 
often times, little hope did not permanently discourage the Tindall's. According to Dale, "the 
ingredients in this formula were simple: persistence, willingness to be patient, service beyond 
reason, and prayer."

Today, each person in Adair County consumes 400 bottles of Pepsi-Cola and 100 bottles of Mountain 
Dew each year. With Pepsi enjoying about 60 percent of the total soft drink market in Kirksville, 
the story may appear simple. The truth was exactly the opposite.

The development of a national advertising series has continued to be unrivaled in the cola industry. 
Many of these slogans are as recognizable today as they were 30 years ago. Pepsi continues to lead 
the industry toward new heights of consumer acceptance. The "Be Sociable" generation are the parents 
and grandparents of the "Now Generation." With water being free, it takes imagination and creativity 
to sell Pepsi.

Mr. Tindall sold the Pepsi-Cola distributorship in 1963 to retire at the age of 66. His youngest 
son, Dale, purchased the Tindall Beverage Company and continued to operate the business from the 
family home and garage warehouse located at 403 North Centennial from 1963 until 1970.

In 1970, Dale purchased the McHenry & Gash Pontiac dealership building located at 1300 South 
Baltimore Street. The Tindall Beverage Company was located there for ten years, which was an exciting 
development period for Kirksville, and also an exciting growth period for Pepsi. M. Tindall purchased 
the Canteen Vending franchise for Northeast Missouri, which enabled him to offer full-line product 
vending to industrial plants, Northeast Missouri University, and the three Kirksville hospitals.

In December, 1979, Dale Tindall had a new warehouse, office, and service center built at 2800 South 
Halliburton. The size of the new facility is 19,000 square feet and because of its location and 
landscaping, it offers a pleasant site for travelers entering Kirksville from the south.

Many dramatic changes in the business took place from 1962 to 1980. The introduction of the 
twelve-ounce can was one of the primary changes. It was first introduced to accommodate the vending 
segment, then to be more safe and a better size for handling than bottles. Later, the can became a 
convenient package to accommodate the American public and their desire to either "not return" or 
to "throw away" the used con-

[photo caption] The old cases on top of the first Pepsi truck for Tindall Beverage were used by 
Charlie Tindall to carry bottles of pop. Charlie is pictured here with son, Dale, age 3.

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[Tindall Beverage Company Advertisement from Kirksville Daily Express; August 4, 1985]

[advertisement caption] Many may remember some of these ads and emblems over the years from 
1903-1985 for the Pepsi Company in general, not just in Kirksville. (Courtesy of Kirksville 
Daily Express)

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tainer. As a result of continued pressure by the public for convenience packages, the government 
and other organizations joined in forming programs to clean up America. As Mr. Tindall commented, 
"Don't litter signs became a sign of the time!" 

Beverages were basically sold in corner neighborhood stores, gas stations, and a few restaurants. 
"The Snappy Service, Grillette, Maid Rite, Pig Stand, and Hi-Ho Drive-In restaurants were some of 
the 'famous' fast food establishments of yesteryear," said Mr. Tindall. The vision of Howard Riley 
to open Riley's 7 to 9 "Super Markets" began a new dimension of marketing for many items, including 
Pepsi. The evolution of key-accounts continued until today, accounts like Easters, Hy-Vee, and Food 
Barn, that handle some 20,000 items for sale. 

In addition, the great emphasis on recreation, health, hobbies, and exercise in the past 20 years, 
has resulted in new accounts. Sporting events, little leagues for youth, drive-in theaters, state 
parks, bowling alleys, swimming pools, and now total sports and aerobic centers, have increased 
the exposure to the very wholesome (business-wise) soft drink business. 

The newest marketing segment to be developed has resulted from people's desire to eat out of the 
home and on the go. Whether it's hamburger one desires, fish filets, Mexican food, breakfast, 
pizza, ice cream, or steak and salad... speciality fast-food restaurants are available at and for 
your convenience.

According to Mr. Tindall, there are many important factors involved in the Pepsi success story, 
but two extremely important points should be made. One is the development of the vending machine, 
which resulted in the possibility that beverages could be made available, ice cold, and on a 
self-serve basis anywhere in the world where there was electricity. "Originally, beverages were 
cooled by ice, and ice was available through several companies, including Dad's," said Dale. Later, 
electric coolers requiring water baths were used in stores and restaurants. Often times during hot 
summer months, warm bottles of soda would burst when placed in the cold water coolers, causing many 
injuries. Before 1950, electric-dry coolers became available and soon afterward the upright electric 
vending machine was available. Now beverages could be sold on self-serve basis by the customer 
inserting coins into the metal machines. According to Mr. Tindall, "a new market was born." 

Secondly, with the growth of fast food/convenience restaurants, came the growth of syrup fountain 
drinks. Delivery of one-gallon syrup jugs soon turned to five-gallon stainless steel tanks called 
transfer tanks, meaning they could be changed, or transferred, without being opened. Improved 
health measures, including food and drug regulations, soon required sealed containers, packaged 
and maintained under C02 pressure. Nearly all of these major changes required the development and 
production of new types of beverage equipment.

Some fountain units are low pressure, others high pressure, and some have multiple stations' for 
convenience in serving customers. Some fountain units require manual drawing of the drink, others 
are by touch of the cup on a lever or stand, some are automatic-fill fountains, and in special 
high volume locations like professional ball parks, fountain equipment drops up to eight drink 
servings at once. Fountain drinks served with ice, once recognized as poor in quality and undesirable, 
represent today the greatest growth segment of the industry. Funny how taste changes with time.

In August of 1985, Mr. Tindall sold the Pepsi business which had been in the family 50 years. "I 
felt the time was right to sell," he said. The business was bought by the Memphis Pepsi-Cola Bottling 
Company. According to Mr. Tindall, "I thought if the bottler owned our business, it could give the 
public better prices on soda by eliminating the 'middle man,' being me," Pepsi-Cola continues to 
remain a popular drink in Northeast Missouri through each new generation. Catch that Pepsi spirit!

By Tifany Tindall 

[photo caption] The new Tindall Beverage warehouse on S. Halliburton Street occupies 19,000 square 
feet. Pictured here are the employees and vehicles for the business in 1980.

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The Ritz

The purchase of the Ritz Cafe in April of 1961 brought the ownership of the home of the coffee club 
to Larry, Beulah, and Diana Montgomery. The Ritz remained a coffee drinker's haven until March of 
1968 when the cafe was closed due to its purchase by the First National Bank.

The Ritz, which was located at 209 North Elson, was bought by the Montgomerys' from the previous 
owners, Claude and Helen Martin. The Ritz first opened in the 1930s and was known as the Snappy 
Service.

Beulah Montgomery was the first Montgomery to own the Ritz and later, in the fall of 1962, joined 
in a partnership with her son Larry and in the summer of 1963 with her daughter-in- law, Diana 
Beulah. Montgomery said she went into business for herself because cooking was the only thing 
she knew she could do as a business for herself.

The Ritz was a family-type restaurant, just a good place to have a cup of coffee and some good 
conversation. "The Ritz had good homestyle food. Most of the meals I ate out were at the Ritz," 
commented Bob Knot. "I especially remember Beulah's homemade pies."

Mr. Montgomery said the noon lunch hour and breakfast were the busiest times of the day and Diana 
Montgomery said the Ritz was fairly successful. "We made a decent living," commented Larry 
Montgomery "The Ritz was successful due to good food and good service," added Mr. Montgomery.

Beulah Montgomery said both hamburgers and french fries were 25 cents, breakfast, which consisted 
of potatoes and a choice of meat (bacon, ham, or sausage) was 65 cents, and a cup of coffee was 
only 10 cents. Beulah recalled that once a 12-year-old boy ordered some eggs, and when asked how 
he wanted them cooked he said fried. Mrs. Montgomery also recalled the time a waitress was carrying 
a pot of coffee to a table filled with customers when the bottom of the pot bursted and the people 
scattered.

[photo caption] In addition to tables the Ritz had a bar-stool type counter that was located in 
the front, on the opposite side of the coolers the fruits and vegetables were stored.

[photo caption] Beulah Montgomery, owner of the Ritz from April of 1961 to March of 1968, mixes 
up a batch of biscuits for breakfast.

The dinner menu consisted of three meats and six vegetables. Monday's special was sausage patties 
and gravy, hamhocks and beans were served on Tuesdays, fish was usually served on Friday and on 
Saturday fried chicken was the special. The dinner meals were ordered and the waitresses would 
pick up the already prepared food, which was held in a steam table, and then take the meal back 
to the customers. The steam table was a large steel table with a reservoir full of water running 
through it with burners underneath to heat the water. The food was set in containers which were 
placed into the water keeping the food fresh and hot. Beulah Montgomery said that the steam which 
was used had been around for a while and was not new to the area. She also said that the old 
containers holding the food were made of crock while the later tables were made of stainless steel 
for sanitary reasons.

Beulah Montgomery opened the Ritz at 3:30 a.m. when the milkman and the breadman came. About 30 
minutes later the morning coffee drinkers would arrive to drink several cups of coffee, eat breakfast, 
and talk until time to go to work. Cooks and dishwashers came in at 6:00 a.m. and a waitress would 
sometimes come in at this time also and work until two, or a waitress would come at 11:00 a.m. and 
work until closing. There were usually five workers present in addition to Beulah, Larry, and Diana 
Montgomery. The cafe closed between 6:00 and 7:00 p.m.

The grill, the fryer, and a big cooler were in the front so a cook could stand facing the grill with 
his back to the cooler. In the kitchen, at the opposite end of the building away from the grill and 
fryer, was the steam table, work tables, and a big range with its back to the west part of the 
kitchen. Of the two work tables, one had the french fry cutter and a can opener and the other had 
the salad dressings on it. The coolers were used to store vegetables, fruits, and salads. The sink 
where the dishes were washed by hand was in the northwest corner of the kitchen. The front where 
orders were taken was set up in a bar stool-type fashion with chairs along the counter. The long 
brown front counter, the original material was unknown, was later changed

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[photo caption] In the early morning the faithful coffee drinkers enjoy their favorite beverage 
and some good conversation.

Formica. The ceiling was white, the walls were painted a light green, and new curtains were put 
up after the Montgomerys' took over.

"The customers who came to the Ritz were regulars," Mr. Montgomery replied, "all types of people 
came into The Ritz, from ditchdiggers to doctors and lawyers." Maybe the most memorable group of 
regulars was the "coffee club," the early morning coffee drinkers. The morning coffee drinking 
groups were found at the Ritz from 4:00 to 7:30. The members of the club moved to the Ritz after 
the closing of Everhart's Cafe in 1954 which was located where Wright Tire and Appliance is today. 
The club was made up basically of city council men, prominent businessmen, and the mayor who would 
get together and talk of local events and political affairs The Ritz was referred to as a "political 
hotbed" in Kirksville. Larry Montgomery said this was due to the fact that men announced their 
running for city offices "Some of them did their campaigning there."

Another remembered group was the baseball club. The club consisted of "a bunch of guys" who liked 
baseball and got together to have a pool on the games of the day. They sometimes held after-hours 
parties which might have consisted of a steak dinner or turkey fries and reminiscing about baseball.

On March 31, 1968, the Ritz held a last breakfast for its hard-core members, although it had closed 
two days before. After the breakfast the Ritz closed its doors for good. The building was torn down 
after its purchase by the First National Bank. The Ritz Cafe stood between the bank and where 
Wrights' Tire and Appliance is today.

Mrs. Montgomery summed it up best when she said her fondest memories were having a good day and 
having several customers. "I just loved all the people and I think they all liked me and that made 
it all worthwhile."

After the Ritz closed Beulah Montgomery didn't go into business in another place because the places 
offered to her did not sound like anything she wanted Also at the time the Diagnostic Clinic 
opened up and she decided to work there rather than for herself.

Even though the Ritz is no longer with us the memories still linger.

By Marty Montgomery

[photo caption] The Ritz was not only a great place for coffee, but also a friendly place to 
have a hot and hearty, home-cooked meal.

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It Seems Like Yesterday

Ephriam Imbler was born in Fairfield, Iowa, on July 19, 1845, the son of Daniel and Saloma 
(William) Imbler. When he was 12 years old, his parents moved to Knox County, Missouri. In 1861, 
at the age of 16, Ephriam joined Company F, Third Missouri Calvary, and saw much hard service in 
Louisiana and Arkansas during the course of the Civil War. Afterward, he returned to Missouri and 
married Anna E. Murray. 

In 1882 Ephriam and Anna and their five children settled in Adair County, Missouri, on 360 acres 
east of Kirksville. This land had been granted by the government in 1855 to John Thomas Imbler, a 
relative of Ephriam's. Here their sixth child, Thomas, was born.

When Ephriam and Anna moved to the farm they lived in a log cabin which was on the property. Their 
son, Thomas, told Mr. Vernon Noe, a long-time neighbor and friend, the level of snow on the inside 
of the cabin in the winter was the same as the snow on the ground outside. Therefore, in the winter 
months, they lived on the second floor. They built the house and barn later around 1888. The frame 
of the house and barn were of white oak. This was of virgin timber from the area and contained no 
nails. It was pegged and grooved, instead. The lumber was bought from Frank Mason who lived on the 
land now known as the Still Meadows farm. The barn is a three level structure and was a very 
prestigious building. The house and barn are still in excellent condition today.

The crooked crossroad west of the Imbler property is a result of the courthouse records being 
burned in the fire of 1882, The south end of the road to Radical Ridge was already in place There 
was a problem about the north end and it never did join in a straight line with the south end due 
to loss of records and disagreements.

The family earned their living by farming and from the apple, pear, and cherry orchard. It was 
known as Imbler's Orchard and was especially known for the pears. When Ephriam died in 1901, Anna 
and the children carried on. They sold most of the fruit locally. At that time they had a new Ford 
truck and took a load of fruit to town every week during the season. Mr. Tom Imbler got rid of all 
but a few apple and pear trees when the orchard was about 75 years old. Mr. Noe said he remembered 
when Mr. Imbler took the orchard out he said, "It's been here 75 years, that's long enough!"

Tom's mother, Anna, was a very feisty person. Mrs. Noe, one of Tom's close friends, put it best 
saying, "She was a true pioneer type." She also recalled that Anna would keep a rifle at the back 
door and use it to shoot rabbits in the orchard. She had her own horse and buggy and she would 
hitch them up by herself. She also went to town alone which was unusual in that day for a woman. 
Mr. Noe said, "Anna Imbler was very independent. She used to say that she didn't need anyone to do 
anything for her." Mrs. Imbler planted shrubs and flowers around the house in the late 1800s. Some 
of these plants are still alive today. The white shrub rose at the back porch today was planted by 
her. It is unusual because it only has a few petals

By Laura Magruder 

[photo caption] Anna Imbler planted the great maple tree on the west side of the house.

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[photo caption] The three-story barn was built in 1888 and is still in good shape today. 

[photo caption] Two pillars at the driveway present the Imbler name to all who pass through.

per bud. She planted the day lilies on the bank by the road to keep it from eroding, when the road 
was built. These are still alive today, but during the last three years have decreased in number 
because of close mowing.

Thomas, the youngest son, never married and lived on the Imbler property all but two of his 99 years. 
Those two years he went to the University of Missouri in Columbia. Young Tom went to the East Elm 
Grove county school east of Kirksville. He also graduated from the Normal School and donated his college 
notes to the library. These notes are in the Missouriana Room at Northeast Missouri State University. 
After attending the University of Columbia he returned to the farm and became a teacher at the 
Fairview School which was located four miles east of Kirksville on Highway 11. He later taught at 
Radical Ridge School which is now the living room of the Dr. Harry Still residence, three miles 
east of Kirksville on Highway 6.

Thomas Imbler also farmed, raised cattle and hogs, and worked the orchard. He was "big" in hogs. 
Mr. Imbler was also a surveyor for the government and helped to plot out the land in this area.

The style and structure of the house dates back to the 1840s. The staircase is typical of the style 
of that day, having a newel post at the base of the stairwell, and a landing about halfway, from 
which the stairs divide and go on up in separate directions. The windows and doors are grooved and 
each top corner has a circular medallion insert.

During the 1840s, homes were not built with fireplaces. Instead heating stoves were used. The flues 
to the stoves came from the interior walls, and when electric heat became prevalent the flues were 
covered with decorative plates or pictures to hide the openings for the pipes in the walls.

Across the floor of every room was a full size rug that was loom sewn. Each rug was made in pieces, 
then sewn together to fit the size of the room.

A china cabinet and panels in all the cupboard doors in the kitchen were styled with diagonal panels, 
a contemporary style of the day. Each cupboard had solid brass pulls with carvings that slightly 
resembled Japanese style.

The wall in the kitchen was fire proofed by building it in brick. The kitchen was actually a part of 
the house, which was not as common during the 1840s. All brick used during this period for inside 
walls was softer, lighter and susceptible to wear and tear. Therefore, all interior brick was 
covered with plaster to protect the brick from eroding due to changes in the weather.

Looking at the house and land today, one can only imagine the breathtaking beauty and splendor of 
its earlier days. It was well built and structurally sound. The home is excellently maintained and 
even now, it holds a special distinction to all who go near it. The home's elegance has been 
carried forward through the years with grace, as Mr. Vernon Noe put it, "It seems like yesterday."

[photo caption] The ramp on the west side of the barn led to the storage for the Imbler's horse and 
buggy.

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[photo caption] The end of the golden age of the Silver Star Drive-In. After a long period of 
indecision the screen was was torn down in the summer of 1985.  (Photo courtesy of Kirksville 
Daily Express)

In Memory of The Silver Star Drive-In Theatre

Family entertainment, Buck Night, Westerns, long lines of cars, summer nights, and Ma and Pa Kettle 
all bring back memories of Day Mangus' Silver Star Drive-In Theatre. The only drive-in Kirksville 
had begun as an idea that Mr. and Mrs. Mangus conceived.

No one in Day Mangus' family was in the theatre business and he wasn't involved either; he was 
raising horses. He decided to use some of his pasture as a site for a drive-in theatre. Construction 
of the theatre started in September 1949 with the opening June 4, 1950. His daughters, Mrs. lola 
Wait and Mrs. Miller, remember the community being receptive to the theatre at the time of 
construction.

The planned site totaled 12 acres and would be able to hold 500 cars. It would include a 60 x 60 
foot screen and a 42 x 42 foot building for the snack bar, rest rooms, and storage.

According to the Kirksville Daily Express, Mr. Mangus estimated the cost of completion to be 
$75,000. Although they aren't sure, Mrs. Miller and Mrs. Wait think that this might have included 
the land value and the cost of the projection equipment. They feel their father was a perfectionist 
and because of this he had the theatre built with the finest materials available and best workmanship 
possible. The Silver Star wasn't just sheets of metal in the middle of a field. It was a well-planned 
theatre. Mr. and Mrs. Mangus wanted their theatre to please the eye as well as to withstand years of 
use. Their attempts to achieve this goal started with the screen.

The screen was factory manufactured and instead of leaving the back open to the weather, Mr. Mangus 
had his workers box in the back with tongue and groove lumber. The screen structure also included an 
area for storage. Another feature of the screen was that it was tilted slightly toward the projection 
room to cut down on the keystone effect, the image distortion toward the top of the screen.

The only major change in the screen was that sometime in the 1960s, the wings were added. These were 
sections attached to either side of the screen to accommodate Cinemascope film which required a wider 
screen. The only destruction that happened to the screen was the wings blew off two or three times 
when Kirksville had some major storms Other than this damage, the screen only required putting a new 
coat of white paint every year or so.

The ramps were also an important feature of the drive-in. These areas of built-up dirt served to 
elevate the nose of cars up so customers could see the screen better. The ramps also contained the 
large amounts of wire required for the sound system. When the theatre first opened, Mr. Mangus hired 
several young men to direct the customers in positioning their cars correctly on the ramps so that 
the cars would be next to a speaker.

The theatre was often full to capacity with more cars waiting to get into the next show. Because 
the waiting cars weren't permitted by the highway patrol to line up on the highway, holding areas 
were installed on the land between the screen and the highway. The holding areas were large areas 
divided so that the cars were in a zigzag line ending at the box office.

Kenneth Turner worked for the Silver Star Drive-In Theatre

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for 30 years. During this period he was responsible for opening, closing, maintenance, and the 
projection at the theatre. He remembers replacing up to 100 speakers a year. Many of the speakers 
were worn out, but some of them were jerked off the post out of the meanness or the forgetfulness 
of the patrons. These speakers would sometimes be returned by highway patrolmen who found them 
along the highway.

The theatre opened its 34 seasons with the movie "A Conneticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court." The 
seasons usually started in April and ended in October or November. During most of the years of 
operation the theatre ran movies every night of the week with each show running two or three days.

The theatre's movies were provided by a service from Kansas City. A man selected the movies that he 
felt were appropriate and in the price range set by the theatre. The last few years before they 
leased the theatre, Mrs. Wait and Mrs. Miller contracted the pictures on their own.

Tuesday was Buck Night, a carload of people could get in for a dollar. It was okay to bring a bus or 
truck load but then the cost was two dollars. For the price of one dollar it was possi-

SILVER STAR DRIVE-IN THEATRE
1/4 Mile North of Kirksville on 63
Box Office Opens at 7:15: Shows Start at 8:00 and 10:00.

TONIGHT, MONDAY AND TUESDAY
[Advertisement for A Conneticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court]

WEDNESDAY and THURSDAY
[advertisement for The Great Gatsby featuring Alan Ladd]
Admission 50c tax included; Children under 12 FREE

[advertisement caption] The glorious beginning, the first advertisement the theatre ever ran clearly 
demonstrates Day Mangus' devotion to family entertainment.

[program]
Silver Star 
DRIVE-IN
THEATRE
Kirksville, Mo. 
Program for April 1952
Two Shows Nightly - Rain or Clear
Graphic Printing Co.

[program caption] The drive-in provided programs for its patrons so they would know what movies were 
coming and could plan to attend. This program from 1952 illustrates the populartiy of westerns 
during this period. 

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[photo caption] One of Day and Frances Mangus' efforts to make their theatre special was through its 
landscaping, a testament to its longevity. The small seedlings seen in this photo grew into huge 
shrubs before the theatre was closed in 1985.

[photo caption] A view from the air, this picture was taken before there was much development north of 
Kirksville. It was mostly pasture that surrounded the theatre. It is also possible to see the holding 
areas between the screen and the highway.


ble to get as many as ten people in a car, a great savings on the regular admission of 50 cents for 
adults The regular admission went up to $1.75 before the theatre closed.

The movies that were popular included westerns, family shows, and cartoons. Mr. Turner says the 
cartoons were usually the most fun to watch. There was also a series of movies that was very popular 
on Buck Night, Ma and Pa Kettle. This series was a hillbilly comedy that packed people into the 
drive-in according to Mrs. Wait. Tuesdays were very popular with families making it a big night for 
the snack bar.

The snack bar served many refreshments including popcorn (the main item), soft drinks, ice cream, 
hot dogs, and hamburgers. The snack bar didn't have car service, but the drive-in did sell popcorn 
at the box office.

To accommodate all the customers, the theatre always had several employees other than Mr. Turner, 
Mrs. Wait, Mrs. Miller, and their other sister Sarah, who worked there during high school. 
Mrs. Frances Mangus managed the theatre until her death in 1957. The people who worked there were 
everyone from Mr. Turner's wife Jeanette to high school girls and college students' wives. These 
people sold tickets and snacks, took tickets, and helped park cars.

The snack bar provided many memories for the people who worked in there. Mrs. Miller remembers 
mothers bringing their children to the restrooms dressed in their pajamas all ready to go to sleep 
in the back of the car as soon as they got back. "One of the most interesting things to do was stand 
around and watch the people go through the snack bar. We had all kinds of people go through there. 
Everything from families to kids wanting to cause trouble," Mr. Turner said. Even though he didn't 
work in the food area, he was familiar with the people because while the movies were playing, he 
would go into the snack bar and hang around until the next movie had to be played.

As Mr. Turner pointed out the people that came to the drive- in were varied. They were everyone from 
the families that flocked to the theatre when it opened to the teenagers that held parties out there 
in the years before it closed. The patrons that were the bulk of the crowds in the beginning were 
families. In 1950 there wasn't much for families to do together so they went to the movies. This 
was before everyone had their own color television, air conditioning, and could go to the lake.

The sisters continued to run the theatre until the 1982 season. At this time they leased the theatre 
to B and B theatre chain so they could retire. They leased the theatre for three years until 1985 
at which time B and B didn't want to renew its lease.

The sisters didn't decide to tear the theatre down until a year of thought made this decision the 
only practical one. It was a hard choice to make Mrs. Wait said, "It was like losing a member of 
the family Even though it wasn't always fun going there every night. The drive-in was a part of 
our lives that was very hard to lose."

For all the people in the Kirksville area that grew up going to the drive-in it was a great loss. 
A sign of an era passing that would never return. "There just isn't a place in our society for 
the drive-in anymore. People are just more interested in new technology and comfort than the 
drive-in can offer," observed Mrs. Miller.

By Renee Wilson

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[photo caption] The Ivie coal mine, sunk around 1909, was known in Northeast Missouri for its 
high quality coal. (Courtesy of KCOM Library and Pickler Memorial Library)

The Forgotten Factory

Joseph M. Ivie may not be the name of anyone you have ever heard of, but if you were a citizen 
of Kirksville around the year 1900 you would.

J. M. Ivie was a well-respected businessman in Adair County. He lived here all of his life. He 
owned and operated a coal mine and a brick factory and there was a hotel close to the factory 
that he owned.

The coal was said to be of the highest quality in the state. It was located three miles west of 
Kirksville. The mine was equipped with the best and newest equipment. His coal output had increased 
over the years substantially. This mine was first opened in the year 1906. The coal was used for 
stoves in Kirksville. The company hauled the coal in by wagons and there was a massive obstacle in 
their way, Graveyard Hill. His mine was forgotten years ago because there were so many mines close 
to this area.

The brick factory was the largest brick producer in the area in the late 1800s. At one time in 1899, 
he had over one million bricks in stock. This factory was also one of the most prominent factories 
in Kirksville. The bricks were used as building bricks; then in 1907, local businessmen incorporated 
with Mr. Ivie and his son in an effort to produce paving brick. One kiln of paving brick was burnt 
with excellent results. The materials used in the bricks were found close to the mine.

Mr. Ivie always had a smile on his face for everyone and everyone like him. He had suffered from 
stomach trouble for two or three years, this also affected his heart. Mr. Ivie committed suicide by 
inducing carbolic acid. He was only 59 years old when he died in February 1909. Everyone was shocked 
when they heard of his death. He left a wife and three children.

In June of 1909, the Ivies sold their brick plant and 20 acres of land to the Adair County Brick, 
Coal and Construction Company. They ran the coal and brick operation after 1909 until 1912.

By Douglas Ryle

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Kirksville Lodge, No. 464

A group of 15 singers and actors formed a social organization on November 15, 1867, in New York City, 
to evade a newly enacted statute which banned drinking on Sundays. They called themselves the 
"Jolly Corks."

On February 16, 1868, the social organization became a benevolent order. The name "Elks" was selected 
because in nature the elk does not attack other species but will defend itself if it is attacked.

The first constitution was adopted in March, 1868, and stated that the order was formed to "promote, 
protect and enhance the welfare and happiness" of its members. However, since 1871 the Elks have 
provided charitable assistance to a variety of causes such as flood relief, the Red Cross, the Boy 
Scouts, and hospitalized veterans. Today there are more than 2,200 lodges in the United States.

The Kirksville Elks Lodge No. 464 was instituted on January 30, 1899, when some members of Elks Lodge 
No. 9 from St Louis came to Kirksville to institute the local chapter. The instituting officer was 
B W. Lyon. A banquet for 65 people was held in the corner room of the new post office (now City Hall) 
and was catered by H G. Doeling of Kirksville. Music was provided by the Farrington orchestra, and the 
evening was concluded with the singing of "Auld Lang Syne." Later that year on June 22, 1899, the local 
chapter received a charter from the national organization Fred N. Chapman, E. T, Brewington, 
V. H. Greenwood, G. M. Laughlin, F. C. Miller, E. H. Bestman, C. B. Mathews, M. J. Maxwell, C. W. Adams, 
H. H Straight, C. A. Hamilton, W. T. Stephenson, and William Smith were among the charter members.

The presiding officer of the Elks Lodge was called the Exalted Ruler. Fred N. Chapman was elected the 
first Exalted Ruler of the Kirksville lodge and F. G. Webber was the first secretary. F. N. Chapman 
would later hold the office of chaplain in the national organization.

In January 1902 the Kirksville Elks filed for incorporation Article II states, "The object of this 
corporation shall be benevolent, social and altruistic, to promote and encourage manly friendship and 
kindly intercourse, to aid, protect and assist its members and their families, to give moral and 
material aid to its members, and to provide social and literary entertainments and lectures." For over 
30 years the Kirksville Elks tried to live up to the standards set forth in their articles of 
incorporation.

Over the next several years the Elks continued to grow, sometimes initiating 40 new members at a time. 
Weekly meetings were held on Tuesdays at the Elks Lodge at 114 1/2 South Elson (upstairs from what is 
now Doughboys Doughnuts). In 1910 there were approximately 250 members in the Kirksville Lodge, No. 464.

On March 10, 1910, it was announced that the Elks would build a new house at the corner of Jefferson 
and Elson. A building committee was formed to look at other lodges around the state. H. M. Still and 
B. L. Bonfoey were members of the committee which traveled all over Missouri to gather ideas so that 
the Kirksville lodge would be a showplace.

On June 30, 1910, the cornerstone was laid. Reverend A. B. Gass of Mary Immaculate Church gave an 
address entitled "The Elks, A Social Fraternity." He spoke about the characteristics of the Elks, 
namely charity, brotherly love, justice, and fidelity. He said, "Members of the Elks' Lodge had the 
true idea of charity, in that their left hand knows not what their right hand doeth when they 
bestowed charity upon their fellow man."

Guests were present from Elks Lodges in Macon, MoberIy and Mexico. It was a gala occasion for the 
entire town with businesses decorated in Elks' colors of purple and white. The Kirksville Lodge 
played a baseball game against the lodge from Mexico. The home team lost and the Kirksville Journal 
reported, "The Mexico team won the game but we are afraid to give the score for the reason that a 
committee from the Elks' team interviewed us and threatened to dynamite the Journal plant if we 
gave the score, however it can be said that the total mileage made by the Mexico team in running 
bases will about cover 

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B. P. O. E.

By J. Kevin Race  

the distance between Kirksville and Kansas City, and the Mexico Elks are threatening to play them 
on horseback if they are ever compelled to play the Kirksville Elks again."

The fall of 1910 was a very busy one for the Elks. A benefit carnival was held from September 26 to 
October 1. The Great Cosmopolitan Show came to Kirksville for the carnival. Its attractions included 
a human roulette wheel and a ferris wheel. Nine Elks were appointed as special policemen by Mayor 
John McCall. He felt that the Elks should keep order themselves. They were congratulated by the mayor 
for being able to maintain law and order during the entire event.

A carnival queen contest was held with 11 candidates. Seven local businesses were used as polling 
places. Over 11,000 votes were cast at a penny each and totals were published nightly in the 
Kirksville Daily Express. Miss Carmelita Quinn was crowned carnival queen at 7:30 p.m on October 
2, 1910, in front of the Normal Book Store on the square, beating her closest opponent by 981 votes. 
She was given a diamond ring as a memento of the occasion.

The carnival was a huge success. People came from the surrounding area to enjoy themselves and the 
Elks managed to clear over $500 for the building fund.

One of the highlights of the carnival week was the membership application of "Uncle" George Cain, 
the first white person born in Adair County. He was 77 years old when he was initiated into the Elks. 
When he died in 1919, he was known as the oldest Elk in Missouri and a large number of Elks from 
around the state attended his funeral services.

As a part of their charitable activities, the Elks had an annual Christmas tree for the poor 
children in Kirksville. In 1910 there were more than 200 children present at the party. The 
Kirksville Daily Express reported, "Following the invocation, a burly Santa Claus (B. L. Bonfoey) 
attired in the furs and conventional garments of the character, appeared and amidst squeals of 
delight from the children, welcomed the youngsters and explained how the gifts would be handed to 
them from the Christmas tree." Since preparations had been made for 250 or more, each child 
received an armload of toys, fruit, and candy.

January 3 and 4, 1911, were scheduled for the grand opening of the new house. On Tuesday, January 
3, 40 new members were initiated followed by a banquet attended by over 200 people. On January 4 
the house was opened to the public until 8 p.m. Members of the ladies executive committee received 
the guests. Purple and white programs were provided to all, and each lady received an aluminum pin 
tray with a picture of the Elks' Lodge and the date on it. Afterwards there was dancing and cards 
for members.

The house was perhaps the most elegant structure in and around Kirksville at that time. The architect 
was W. M. Goold from Kansas City and the contractors were Shaw and McKim of Kirksville. The exterior 
was dark buff brick with Carthage stone trimmings. The second story was stucco topped by a ted asbestos 
shingle roof. The lodge measured 40 by 85 feet. The structure occupied most of the lot which measured 
54 by 108 feet, leaving little or no room for parking. A large porch spanned the front. The main 
entrance had double oak doors with an elk's head etched in each glass panel. After the Elks' Club was 
razed, these panels graced the rear doors of the Beard's Decorating Center. Walter Beard still has 
one panel in the store, and it seems to be the only remnant of the elegant structure.

On December 29, 1910, the Kirksville Journal reported, "To all intents and purposes the building 
contains four stories, although it appears to be two and one-half. Not a square inch of space is 
wasted, and it makes a cozy clubhouse that would equal many rich clubs in large cities." The basement 
contained baths, two bowling alleys, and a buffet. On the main floor there was a reading room, a 
ladies parlor, the secretary's office, a pantry, a card room, and a billiard room. The second floor 
contained a lodge room with a capacity of 350. It had a hardwood floor which could be used for 
dancing. Former member Louis P. Anesi recalls, "It had guest rooms on the top floors where 
dignitaries could come here from other lodges and have all night

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lodging." The Elks apparently spared no expense in selecting the interior materials and furniture. 
The rooms were tastefully decorated with coordinating rugs and hangings, and fine paneling and 
hardwoods were used throughout. The building was reported to have cost $30,000. In contrast, 
Grim-Smith Hospital was built at about the same time at a cost of $10,000.

Charitable and social activities intertwined as many of the fundraising events such as carnivals, 
plays and musicales provided opportunities for the Elks and the community to work for the common good.

Another carnival was scheduled for October 1914, The A. B. Miller's Greater Shows with 20 attractions 
and nightly fireworks was scheduled to arrive in Kirksville for a week. The event was co-sponsored 
by the Commercial Club. The two organizations were to divide 15 percent of the receipts. The 
carnival was scheduled to be held around the square. Just before it arrived in town, the County 
Court announced that they would collect $275 in license fees for the week. Both the Elks and the 
Commercial Club appealed the levy stating that the money was to be used for charity. However, the 
Court decided that it would still collect the fees. The carnival had to be moved to Still Field 
(now P C Mills Park) because some of the attractions were too big for the streets. The weather was 
not good and several attractions were unable to open during the week so the total license fee was 
reduced to $232, When Constable John McGuire presented the bill, payment was refused. A court hearing 
was scheduled for October 20, 1914, before Justice of the Peace Pickell; however, a change of venue 
was requested. On December 14, 1914, Justice Elston decided that the license fees would have to be paid.

Each year in early December, the Elks held a public memorial service to honor those members who had 
died that year. Generally, these services included a speaker and music after which the names of the 
departed members were inscribed on a tablet.

On January 28, 1917, the Elks held a musicale at the Princess Theater to raise money for their charity 
fund. A group of local musicians provided an afternoon of entertainment under the direction of 
Professor Johannes Goetze of the Kirksville State Normal School. The final selection of the program 
was the B.P.O.E. March composed especially for the occasion by Professor Goetz.

The Elks' generosity to the children of Kirksville continued over the years as the annual Christmas 
celebration grew. An open invitation was given to all children whose parents could not afford 
presents. A committee, consisting mainly of the wives of members, assisted the Elks with the event. 
They dressed dolls for the girls and helped with the refreshments. The event took place at 2:00 p.m. 
on Christmas Day and by 1917, 350 children took part in the festivities. Additionally, the Elks 
worked with the Local Board of Charities to distribute food baskets to needy families.

The Elks' membership continued to grow. On January 7, 1920, 250 new members were initiated into the 
Kirksville

[illustration caption] Artist's perspective of the Elk's Home planned for Kirksville, Missouri. 
(Courtesy of Pickier Memorial Library)

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[photo caption] The Elk's Home, which was built in 1910, was located at the corner of Jefferson 
and Elson. (Courtesy of Pickier Memorial Library)

Lodge. This was the largest class ever initiated in Missouri. A number of prominent Elks were 
present, including Otto C. Boltz of Sedalia, President of the Missouri Elks, and W. S. Bowers of 
Moberly, District Deputy Grand Exalted Ruler. Festivities included a parade, initiation ceremonies, 
a dinner at the high school, and a smoker at the clubhouse. Mr. Anesi estimates the membership was 
near 500 in 1927 He said that members ranged from 21-to 70-years-old.

Over the years the nature of the fund-raising events changed to reflect the current tastes in 
recreation Boxing and wrestling matches were held on the third floor of the Elks' Club and were open 
to the public. Mr. Anesi recalled that several nationally prominent wrestlers, including "Strangler" 
Lewis, came to Kirksville. One of the local favorites was Gust Karras of Kirksville. Instead of 
large outdoor carnivals, the Elks staged an indoor circus preceded by movies at the Kennedy Theater.

Several of the Elks received local and state recognition over the years Twice Dr. George Still 
received mention for his charitable works in the National Elks' Horn, a publication of the national 
Elks' organization. Dr. Still was praised for his "Elk-like" behavior for sending crippled children 
to the circus and for operating on a crippled girl sent to Kirksville by the Elks of Tucumcari, 
New Mexico.

The Elks borrowed $8,000 from the Kirksville Savings Bank in 1927, pledging their clubhouse as 
security. Mr. Anesi felt that the sale of life memberships was a prime cause of the Elks' financial 
problems He explained that a life membership meant that a member would no longer pay annual dues. 
He estimated that as many as 200 life memberships were sold in Kirksville. On February 6, 1933, the 
Commissioner of Finance took possession of the business and property of the Kirksville Savings Bank 
because of insolvency. Unable to save their club, the Elks gave up their charter in May 1934. On 
July 19, 1934, all of their furnishings were auctioned by order of Alvah Brassfield, Justice of 
the Peace. On July 30, 1934, the property was auctioned on the courthouse steps because the Elks 
were unable to pay the mortgage. Kirksville Savings Bank purchased it for $5,500 and subsequently 
sold it to H. M Still on September 25, 1934. He sold it to Iota Tau Sigma fraternity on September 
4, 1936. It served as a fraternity house until 1946 when ownership was transferred to the Walter 
and Carrie Stewart scholarship fund. The building then served as a dormitory for medical students. 
On July 10, 1963, the Bank of Kirksville bought the property for $22,000. It was torn down to 
make room for the bank's drive through windows.

The fate of the Kirksville Lodge was not unusual. Lodges all over the country failed in 1934 as 
the depression ravaged the country and Elks were unable to pay the mortgages on their property. 
Large Elks' Clubs in Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Atlantic City, New Jersey, were among the many which 
didn't survive 1934. The failure of the Elks' Club ended an era of fellowship and community service 
in Kirksville. Mr. Anesi said, "I hated to see it. It was a great fraternal organization and it 
was recreation. A person could pass the time playing pool or cards or just socialize."

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[photo caption] The present location of the Bank of Kirksville was the Truitt Garage on the corner 
of Franklin and Jefferson. This picture was taken August 14, 1958.

A Bank Built On Dreams

By Julie Major and Kim Gonnerman

The Bank of Kirksville began as three brothers' dream and became a town's home-owned bank, For 72 
years the bank has stood its ground through bad weather, a tornado, three wars, and the Great 
Depression to become the largest bank in this county.

The dream began in the back room of the Adair County Miner's Bank of Connelsville Frank Fechtling, 
Harvey Young, Charles Young, and John Young decided to begin a bank in Kirksville that was 
home-owned and home-operated. The Youngs had met with Mr. Fechtling after they had previously 
organized the Bank of Worthington. Mr. Fechtling was born January 11, 1862, on a farm near Martinson,
Missouri. In 1913 he decided to join the Youngs with the Bank of Kirksville. Mr. Fechtling was also 
president of a bank in Connelsville.

The Young brothers were farm boys who decided to go into banking together. In 1903 they began their 
first banking venture when they organized the Bank of Worthington. The bank later consolidated with 
the Bank of Kirksville.

The Youngs' mother was totally against the idea of the brothers opening up a bank. It was her firm 
opinion they would lose money from the very start. They went ahead anyhow, and the charter was 
issued the day before Christmas in 1913, and the new bank opened its doors on January 17, 1914. The 
original location was in the Odd Fellow's Building on the corner of Harrison and Elson Streets. The 
bank's first president was Frank Fechtling, Harvey B. Young was the bank's first vice-president, and 
Charles Young became the first cashier. The first day's intake was less than $100,000. As the bank 
grew, its assets recorded in May of 1914 were $155,578.99. The bank employed seven people when it 
began, including a teller, a bookkeeper, and a loan officer.

The bank was brought to a successful start by Frank Fechtling. Mr. Fechtling believed in a 
home-owned, home-operated bank. He thought that this would allow the bank more freedom when it 
concerned rules and regulations. Even though they followed the state rules, Mr. Fechtling had the 
power to declare holidays, introduce new ideas, and propose the bank's own hours. This freedom, 
he believed, would benefit the bank the most.

Unfortunately, all banks, no matter how strong or how secure, felt the impact when the Great 
Depression hit. Banks in particular were always in jeopardy of runs. People were afraid of losing 
their life savings. Area banks joined together to decide what to do if a run should take place. 
Although a run never took place, the meeting closed the gap between rivaling banks and laid the 
foundation for a new attitude between them.

When Frank Fechtling died on October 23, 1942, Harvey Young took over the position of president, 
realizing that the future of the bank rested on his shoulders. In 1943, only one year into his 
position, the assets climbed to $2,171,809.09. In only 20 years the bank's finances had tripled twice.

Mr. Young had always been a fighter. His logic was if he believed in something he went after it 
strongly. All banks fought for the accounts of the new businesses that came to Kirksville. When a 
new establishment came to town, Mr. Young got up early in the morning and went to the owner's home 
to discuss bringing their account to the Bank of Kirksville. Once, when he got to one man's home, 
he met his fiercest competitor, the same man who tried to run the Bank of Kirksville out of town when 
it was first established. Mr. Young told the man that "If it was a fight he wanted, he'd give one to 
them." It was that strong-willed attitude that kept the bank alive through the hard times. 
Mr. Young's wife, Frances, said, "He was a fighter. He was a worker. He didn't care for a social 
gathering, but let him get a sniff of a new business and he'd get right on it."

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Mr. Young decided early not to let a woman interfere with his growing career. But when he met 
Frances, his outlook suddenly changed. Harvey met Frances with the luck of her shorthand. She had 
enrolled in shorthand classes at the college and asked if she could gain experience by taking a 
job at the Bank of Kirksville. Frances ran checks through a hand-cranked machine. Before the days 
of computer, employees of the bank had to record in longhand who wrote the check, who it was going 
to, where it was from, the number of the check, and what bank the check came from. Harvey met 
Frances through her job as teller. They were married in 1917 in H.B.'s mother's home. On December 
23, 1919, Harvey Jr. was born.

Mr. Young's optimistic outlook spread through the bank like a bolt of lightning. The bank's employees 
grew from just seven to over 40 members. In 1938, they had to enlarge, mainly because the first 
building used couldn't contain the prosperous and growing bank. However, in 1952 they again had to 
remodel. The bank's management felt that the present location couldn't adequately serve their 
customers, so in 1960 the bank bought the corner lot of Franklin and Jefferson from Frank Truitt, 
where the Flying "A" Service gas station stood. The station was razed to create room for the new 
Bank of Kirksville. The parking lot to the north was purchased from Rolston Realtors and turned into 
a parking lot. The area west of the new bank was bought from KCOM to create a drive-through window. 
In 1983, the bank added more space and created offices, a loan department, a meeting room, and 
another basement area.

Many wonder just how a bank gets off the ground in its early days. Frank Fechtling, the Youngs, and 
other members of the community bought stock in the bank. A bank receives its capital by people who 
buy shares in the bank. "We find that people whose great-grandfathers bought original shares in the 
bank still have the shares today," said assistant vice president Evelyn Krink. "The bank served Adair 
County and part of Schuyler County. Transportation wasn't as good as it is now. This bank is currently 
larger than any in this city or county. You would have to go to Chillicothe or Hannibal to find a 
bigger bank. There weren't that many big businesses in the early days. However, they helped the 
people with little businesses develop into larger businesses." This, said Mrs. Krink, is what keeps 
the bank's home-town appearance.

Perhaps it is this quality that has kept the Bank of Kirksville alive through the years. Just as 
their new slogan suggests. "Here yesterday, here today, here tomorrow." The bank will continue its 
strive for the betterment for Kirksville, the people, and continue the Youngs' everlasting dream.

[photo caption] The original location of the Bank of Kirksville was at the corner of Elson and 
Harrison, in the Odd Fellow's Building.

[photo caption] The current Board of Directors for the Bank of Kirksville. Front Row: Foster Pulis, 
Harry Young, Bernard Burdman, and Earl Rogers Back row: Lon Critchfield, Edward Jayne, Ben Graves, 
Harold Propst, Harold Jones. Not pictured, Fred C. Tinning.

[photo caption] The unveiling of the portrait of the late H.B. Young on March 21, 1967. The 
portrait was painted by William Unger. Left to right are: Birney Fechtling, Edward R. Jayne, 
Harry B. Young, Frances Young, William Unger, Harvey B. Young Jr., Charles G. Young, Sherod Collins, 
and M. H. Propst.

[photo caption] The Bank of Kirkville used a symbol on the checks that were used in the 1920s. 
(Photo courtesy of Pickler Memorial Library)

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TRAVELERS HOTEL

Standing on the corner of Main and Washington, is four-story, brick building. Posted on the front 
of this edifice, displayed in large, black letters, are the words Travelers Hotel. Travelers was 
a fitting name for one of the finest hotels between Chicago, Kansas City, Des Moines, St. Louis, 
and throughout the Midwest.

This location, in what was at the time considered the hub of Kirksville, was chosen because it 
was next to the Wabash railroad tracks, making the hotel easily accessible for travelers. In 
1923 B. L. Eastin, a Kirksville resident, sold his land to the Kirksville Hotel Company for 
$15,000. In addition to his land, he gave the Company his set of plans for a hotel that he had 
considered building.

The Kirksville Company, which bought the land, consisted of many well-known Kirksville citizens 
including M. C. Shyrack, C. C. Givens, H. M. Still, E. C. Brott, George W. England, B. L. Bonfoey, 
Sr., and M. D. Campbell, S. H. Ellison, and P. C. Mills.

After the common stock was sold, construction began immediately. The corporation hired R. H. Sanneman, 
from Kansas City, to modify Eastin's previous set of plans. On September 15, 1923, bids for 
construction were opened, attracting 45 bids ranging from $132,986.50 to $155,000. C. L. McKim, 
a Kirksville contractor, won the contract.

The cost of the building, the furnishings, and the land totaled $224,000. Construction ran smoothly. 
The roof was made of six to eight inches of concrete, and a jip-block masonry concept. She was 
molded into one of the sturdiest buildings in Kirksville.

The new four-story hotel offered many conveniences and features that were highly uncommon for hotels 
in the early 1920s. These extras included hot and cold running water in all of her 90 rooms, three 
suites, and an elevator. Fifty-four of her rooms included baths, and she featured a glamorous 
ballroom and several businesses.

In 1923 the name "The Travelers" was chosen through a "name the new hotel" contest sponsored by the 
corporation. Lula Swanson from Novinger won $25 for her suggestion for the name of the hotel. The 
contest attracted 198 entries from all over the county.

Travelers hosted many social activities and accommodated many club and organizational meetings as 
well. The Rotary Club, the Lions Club, and the Kiwanis Club each met weekly during their noon meals 
at the hotel. The businessmen were often generous with their tips and light conversation. The hotel 
also hosted wedding showers and private parties. She was the scene of several Kirksville High School 
Junior and Senior proms, some consisting of 350 people, for which the word elegance held no bounds. 
Mrs. Betty Crosley, a former waitress at The Travelers, commented, "There would be so many people 
coming to a prom that we had to take everybody out of the coffee shop to set up tables. It was a 
fantastic time."

These activities were held in one of three rooms: the banquet room (dining room), the County Fair Room, 
and another room, equal to the size and grandeur of the other two rooms. Each room was decorated in white, 
from the chandeliers down to the white cloth napkins. Each customer was treated like royalty as each was 
pampered and waited on hand and foot by the

[photo caption] The Travelers in the 1930s. Note the numerous windows in the building compared to the 
picture of today's hotel. (Courtesy of the Kirksville Daily Express)

[photo caption] The Traveler's Hotel today. (Courtesy of the Kirksville Daily Express)

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busboys, bellhops, waitresses, and maids. Mrs. Crosley remembers, "We, the employees, all worked together 
as a big happy family, and that feeling was reflected in our attitude towards our customers."

Over the years, the hotel has hosted many businesses and offices on the ground floor. Some of these 
included Orin Kannan's Drugstore, Alta Grace's Beauty Shop, the Crist Barber Shop, and the Liquor 
Control Office. During Mr. Pete Anesi's ownership, from 1969-1981, the top floor of the building 
was leased to the NMSU football players and coaches.

The Tap Room, located in the basement of the building, has been operating since Prohibition. This 
establishment has served countless numbers of college students, as well as citizens from around the 
county. Mrs. Crosley commented, "The Tap Room is a very nice business that serves the community 
well. This business was an added asset to the Travelers building, and to Kirksville."

The Dining Room, or banquet hall, was well-known for her Sunday meals and delicious buffets during 
the mid 1900s. The buffet consisted of three meat choices, a wonderful salad bar, vegetables, hot 
rolls and butter, and dessert, all for only $2 per person. "The food was delicious. I think that's 
the reason why it's such an outstanding place for everybody," commented Mrs. Crosley. The tables in 
the dining room were elegantly decorated and always reflected the preciseness and care that each 
waitress practiced. "We were all very proud of the Travelers reputation, and it showed in each and 
every room," replied Mrs. Crosley.

Before the hotel became affiliated with the American Hotels Corporation, it was operated by B.L, 
Bonfoey, Sr. and Les Orwiler. In 1955 Gene Sams was transfered to Kirksville to run Travelers. 
After the hotel left its affiliation with the corporation, Mr. Sams, with Mr. Woods as manager, 
stayed until Mr. Sams sold the hotel in 1969 to Pete Anesi.

[photo caption] The first floor of the hotel suffered severe smoke damage in a fire in 1981.

[photo caption] During the renovation men worked on installing new cement walls and a new plumbing 
system.

On April 10, 1981, a fire broke out in the basement area of the hotel beneath the main lobby. 
Several Tap Room employees noticed the blaze and contacted the Kirksville Fire Department. Four 
fire trucks were summoned to the hotel in hopes of containing the blaze.

At the time not more than 20 people were staying in the building. One lady, Mrs. Vickie Kunkle, 
jumped from the fourth floor, fell three stories, landed on the first-floor landing, breaking 
both of her legs. Two other residents, the fire chief, and a fireman suffered smoke inhalation, 
and the deputy fire chief injured his leg.

When the fire was finally brought under control, it was clear that the hotel had sustained severe 
damage. The cause of the blaze was uncertain, but the flames took its toll. The basement suffered 
severe damage, and the stairwell and upper floors sustained smoke damage as well. This unforeseen 
tragedy had a great impact on the hotel and its employees, as well as the city of Kirksville.

In August of 1981, Pete Anesi sold the Travelers Hotel to Charles and Mary Anne Giovannini, and 
Dr. Rex and Jody Hardman, who are now the current owners.

These owners looked at the hotel and decided that she needed changes. They began renovation in 
1982, which was completed in 1984. During this time, the walls were torn down and replaced by new 
concrete walls, the old woodwork was refinished, the electrical and plumbing systems were 
replaced, some walls were covered with wallpaper, and new furnishings were added to the building. 
The building was redone one side at a time. In addition to these improvements, an exercise room, 
whirlpool, and sauna were added in May of 1985 to add more comfort and style to the establishment. 
These improvements brought back her glamorous personality.

The hotel now consists of 66 rooms with queen-size beds, handicapped accommodations, valet parking, 
bellmen, 24-hour security, color televisions, an exercise room with a whirlpool

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and sauna, a grand ballroom, with a 200 person seating capacity, and an exquisite dining room.

Travelers has had several visitors of important significance. Harry S Truman stayed when he came to 
visit our town to present a Masonic award. Geraldine Ferraro stayed at the Travelers in February of 
1986 and Alexander Haig stayed shortly after Mrs. Ferraro's visit. Vincent Price has stayed at the 
Travelers several times during his frequent trips to Kirksville. The original Harlem Globe Trotters 
ate their meals and slept there when they came to play against the Kirksville College basketball 
team in the 1950s. Mrs. Crosley remembers, "They were so tall, back then the beds were just 
regular-sized beds so we had to take chairs and put pillows and blankets on them to support their 
feet. It was really exciting when they came."

For several years, Travelers has hosted a variety of people in her own special way. People always 
enjoyed their stay at the hotel because of the employees' hospitality and reasonable prices. That 
special feeling hasn't changed today, and hopefully never will.

As one continues to gaze at the obviously worn, yet cared for building, one begins to wonder what 
she was like when newly built, and how she withstood the years of use, yet still retained her 
majesty. From her first opening to the last grand reopening after her renovation, the Travelers 
Hotel has always been held high in the public's eye and is one of the stabilizing businesses in 
Kirksville and in the surrounding area.

It is unknown what the future will hold for this "fair lady" of Kirksville. She has overcome a 
serious fire, and periods of wear and neglect but the love that the community of Kirksville shares 
for the Travelers Hotel will support and sustain "the lady" throughout her life.

[photo caption] The dining room is decorated in a very elegant, yet comfortable atmosphere that 
reflects the personality of the hotel (Courtesy of the Kirksville Daily Express)

By Andrea Vorkink and Adele LoGaglio

22


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THE END OF AN ERA

The Kirksville Senior High School's class of 1960 saw the end of the many memories and events of 
the 1950s era. This was the last year that the old Kirksville High School on McPherson Street had 
high school classes. The worn building had been in use since 1914 when it was built to accommodate 
larger classes. At the time of the building's construction, it was the largest school building in 
the northeast Missouri area. With the passage of time, the building deteriorated and became 
considered unsafe for student use. Enrollment increased with each year until the three-story 
building became inadequate for the anticipated larger classes. However, as the classes grew larger, 
students gained a feeling of closeness. Mrs. Anne (Baldwin) Jerome, a 1960 graduate, remembers this 
close feeling. "Everyone knew what was happening in the building. It wasn't like being in three 
separate buildings." Even now, former students remember those moments that make up school life.

The everyday school dress during the '50s was quite simple. Girls made the fashion scene in long, 
straight wool skirts, that hit about mid-calf, and bobby socks. The bobby socks of the '50s were 
knee socks rolled down three times to make a bulky cuff. Only about four inches of the leg was 
shown. A Jantzen sweater or a button-down blouse was worn tucked in the skirt. Mrs. Mary Jane 
(Novinger) Valuck, a 1954 graduate, recalls, "If you didn't wear a Jantzen sweater, you just weren't 
anyone." Topping off the outfit was a bright scarf tied in a knot around your neck, or tied around 
a ponytail. Saddle shoes and buck shoes were worn by both guys and girls. The boys also wore the 
blutcher shoe. According to an unwritten dress code, the young men were to wear nice slacks and 
shirts. They also wore undershirts. Occasionally, for one reason or another, the

[photo caption] In 1960, students dressed formally to attend the Mardi Gras dance, one of the 
biggest dances of the year.

[photo caption] Girls are at their best in the long, pale colored, formals of the 1950s.

boys could wear jeans. When they did, the thing to do was roll the hem up in a cuff just above the 
top of their shoes. Along with this attire the athletes were very proud to walk the halls in their 
letter jackets. The letter K on the side was an important status symbol. Coach John Spainhower 
issued the letters only if they were earned. The letter was the pride and joy of the boys. Not 
everyone was permitted to wear the jacket, especially not the girls. It was also a symbol of the 
importance of a relationship if the boyfriend let his girlfriend wear his letter jacket. This just 
usually was not done.

A major theme of the 1950s was to be "cool." It was cool to be involved in school activities. One 
event that was looked forward to each year was Mardi Gras. During the week of Mardi Gras, classes 
competed against each other to raise the most money for the Student Senate Council. Many projects, 
such as car washes, talent shows, bake sales, and scrap iron drives were organized to raise the 
money. To distinguish between the classes, students wore hats symbolizing their class. At the end 
of the competition a banquet was held and the winning class was announced. The king and queen of 
Mardi Gras were determined by the class that earned the most money. Later that evening a semi-formal 
dance was held. Couples were at their best in gowns and suits.

Accompanying this involvement in activities was a strong school spirit and pride. The boys were very 
involved in sports and the girls supported them with the pep club. Everyone went to the games just 
for the purpose of cheering on their team. Mrs.

By Tammy Barrickman 
and
Stephania Snyder

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(Page 24)

Virginia Durden, a Kirksville High School teacher, recalls that there was "standing room only at the 
dances that were regularly held after the Friday night ball games." Everybody went to school 
functions because it was the thing to do. Coach Spainhower commented that school participation was 
so strong in the '50s because school was important to the community and was the center of the 
teenagers' lives. "Kids just didn't have all the extras like we do today, such as television, 
cars, and jobs."

One of the most important memories of a high school senior year is the prom. The 1960 prom, held at 
Greenwood School, was no exception. The gymnasium at Greenwood held many high school functions 
because the high school's own gymnasium was inadequate for the large crowds that attended. Mrs. Anne 
(Baldwin) Jerome remembers the light-footed feeling of dancing under low lights and the false ceiling 
of paper streamers. The basketball court was silent that night as the gymnasium was magically 
transformed into an elegant ballroom. Couples floated into the ballroom two-by-two. The girls were 
completely made up from their sling-backed, three-inch heels to their rhinestone jewelry. Mrs. Iona 
(Rollins) Tindall, a 1960 graduate, recalls the dreses as being long and cumbersome with layers of 
pale colored, ruffled netting. Equally as uncomfortable were the hoops used to make the dresses 
stand out. The gentlemen look

PROGRAM
TOASTMISTRESS, LINDA VINCENT
INVOCATION . . . . . . . . . . . MICHAEL LANE
OUR THEME SONG . . . . . . . . . . "HARBOR LIGHTS"
JOAN MOORE, NINA FULKERSON, CAROL CRNIC,
JUDY CRAIG, KAYE ROBERTS ACCOMPANIED BY JOYCE DAUDEL

STRICTLY ON THE BEAM - 
THE JUNIORS . . . . . LARRY SPEAKS, JUNIOR CLASS PRESIDENT 
THE SENIORS . . . . . RUTH HILL, SENIOR CLASS PRESIDENT

Two Preludes for Piano - Gerschwin . . . . . RUTH HILL

FOCUSING THE BEAM - 
THE PRINCIPAL . . . . . MR. KENNETH J. SMITH
THE SUPERINTENDENT . . . . . MR. O. WAYNE PHILLIPS

TWO READINGS -  
"KING JUKE" . . . . . Kenneth Fearing 
'The Light's ON US" . . . . . Anonymous 
JANIE CHARLES, BARBARA WRIGHT, BONNIE BIGSBY, NORMAN CLARKSON, RICHARD ALLEN, GARY CONKIN, 
MICHAEL LANE

[photo] SPECIAL SELLING! Red Sole - Black and White Buck Saddes!
FEBRUARY 20 to MARCH 1st
Only $4.99
Regular 5.95
at 
DICK'S BOOTERY
107 South Franklin

[photo caption] The high school newspaper, the Tiger, featured the day's fashion as seen in the 
February 24, 1953 copy.

[photo caption] Couples enjoy themselves at the 1960 prom. Accompanying the picture is a 1960 
prom announcement.

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[photo caption] Boys are found sitting outside the high school in rolled up jeans and crew cuts, 
a popular fashion in 1954.

their best in tuxedos or nice suits. The night had begun earlier at Northeast Missouri State 
University's Nason Hall, with a banquet for the juniors and seniors. Sophomores were included in 
the banquet by serving their older peers. As well as providing a speaker, the sophomores put on 
the program to provide entertainment for the junior and senior classes. Later that night students 
arrived at Greenwood's gymnasium for an evening full of romance.

After that special night in May, school would resume as normal for the rest of the year. Although 
school was "normal," there was something in the air. Change was coming to the Kirksville area. The 
end was coming to the old Kirksville High School. The old high school was to close its doors; a new 
building complete with new memories, styles, and trends was going to take its place. The end was 
coming to the times that are remembered today as "fun."

[photo caption] Vivian Shelton, Mary Cox, and Sandi Wigal model the latest style of dress in 1953.

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[photo caption] The north side of the old Schmoyer home place. It was built after the Civil War 
with materials from the bullet-proof house.

A New Generation in Kirksville

In 1858 ten families left Pennsylvania and headed for the Oregon Trail. They stopped at a river 
for two weeks, where they made plans to cross it. During those two weeks, half of the families 
decided to go back to Pennsylvania. The other half forged the river and headed west to start a 
new life.

The Oregon Trail was approximately 2,000 miles long, the longest of the overland routes used to 
cross the country. It originally began at Independence, Missouri, and made its way through prairies, 
deserts, and mountains to the Pacific Northwest. Families traveling on the Oregon Trail usually met 
at Independence or Westport, which is now Kansas City. Both were near the Missouri River.

The five families that were left reached Missouri. Three of the five liked the land that Northeast 
Missouri had to offer. They discovered water resources were abundant in the area too. These three 
families decided to leave the trail. They settled five miles northeast of Kirksville, about one-fourth 
mile off the trail they were following through Northeast Missouri.

One of the three families, the Schmoyer's, bought two plots of land. The first plot was near the 
Chariton River where Novinger is today. Here they gathered all the lumber and stones needed to 
build their first house. The second plot of land was one-fourth mile from the trail they were 
following. James and Catherine Schmoyer decided to build their first house here.

Because the Schmoyers had heard stories of the lawlessness of the Civil War soldiers, the first 
house they built was a two room, bullet-proof structure. The soldiers camped in the field just 
south of the house. The Schmoyer family soon grew accustomed to the soldiers and would erect large 
tables and cook massive meals for the soldiers camping around the house. The soldiers never did harm 
them or steal anything from them. Eventually James and Catherine Schmoyer dropped the ch from their 
name. According to their great-grand children, Harry Smoyer and Helen Rogers, maybe to make them more 
American or maybe it made them feel they fit in more to the surroundings. After the Civil War, James 
Smoyer decided they needed a new house to go with their new name. So he razed the old bullet-proof 
walls and out of the same lumber he built a new two-story house.

Catherine also had projects. She was determined to prove to everyone that it was possible to can 
food. She would put the food into tin cans and send James to town. In town James would have the cans 
soldered closed. The food kept fine and a new way to store food was introduced in Kirksville.

James and Catherine had projects together too. When they left Pennsylvania, they stocked their wagon 
with seeds and small fruit trees. When the new house was built, they set out these trees and grew 
an orchard.

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[photo caption] The Smoyer family pose for a picture in the early 1900s. From left to right are: 
Harry, Grace, Nellie, Helen, Augusta, Gladys, Ada, Virgil, and Jimmy Smoyer.

[photo caption] The east side of the second house built by James Schmoyer who settled in Northeast 
Missouri.

James and Catherine had five children: one son Harry and four daughters: Nellie, Grace, Augusta, 
and Alta. Of the five, only two ever married. Harry married Helen Boyd and they had one son. Soon 
after the birth of their son, Helen died, so Harry took his son and moved back into the old house 
with his sisters.

Alta, who married James Bell, was the second and last to marry. It's been told through the family 
that when Alta saw her beau turn the corner of the driveway, she threw all her clothes into a flour 
sack and ran from the house and wasn't heard from again until she was married.

Nellie, Grace, and Augusta never married. They always said it just wasn't the right thing to do. 
They didn't think it was right for anyone else to marry either. Grace opened a millinery store 
which was located where Taylor Flowers is on the square today. When Grace closed the store, she 
invested all the money she had in a coal mine that was opening north of town. The mine started off 
fine but soon ran into problems. The miners hit an underground river and the mine went broke. All 
the investors lost all they had invested.

The old, two-story house that was built by James Smoyer was burned to the ground in the fall of 
1985. It was used as

[photo caption] Augusta, Harry, and Grace set in the front yard of the old home place northeast 
of Kirksville.

27


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a practice drill for the Rural Fire District. The tracks of the trail the Smoyers' followed and 
the burial mounds of the people who fought in the Civil War can still be seen.

James and Catherine Schmoyer didn't realize that moving to Missouri would establish a family that 
would remain in and around Kirksville for seven generations. Today in Kirksville there are seven 
local businesses (Smoyer Trenching, Smoyer Cable Service, Smoyer Bulldozing, Sherry's 
Style-It-Right, Taylor Carpet Company, Taylor Flowers, and Roger's Trucking), whose owners can 
trace their roots to James and Catherine Smoyer.

[photo caption] Grace, Nellie, Augusta, and Alta outside the old home place. They are part of the 
second generation of Smoyer's in Kirksville.

[photo caption] James and Catherine Schmoyer came to Kirksville before the Civil War. They were 
headed west for the Oregon Trail but settled in Adair County because of land and water resources.

By Denny Smoyer

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Farming in the Great Depression

The Depression was not only a tragedy in the larger towns and cities of America. Although many 
people thought the rural areas were not affected, because farming was a self-sufficient occupation, 
Northeast Missouri was hit. It was an era that few will forget.

The troubles that affected the Northeast Missouri started, partly, from the stock market crash on 
October 30, 1929 - Black Tuesday, but the failure of the stock market was not the only reason 
Northeast Missouri was struck with hard times in the 1930s. The failure of most banks in the area 
caused the floor of the local economy to drop. Many people woke up and found their life savings 
gone. Others not only lost their savings, but found that money just deposited, lost as well. Wallace 
Farmer, a life-long resident of Adair County, remembers his father putting money in a local bank 
after buying a single pair of shoes. When he walked across the street, the bank closed, taking his 
freshly deposited money with it. Only three banks survived the stock market crash: the National 
Bank, the Bank of Kirksville and the Citizen's Bank.

Farm production was also curtailed because of the stock market. Low prices, bad weather conditions, 
and chinch bugs plagued the farmers from 1930 to 1940.

Wallace Farmer remembers 1933 being a difficult year for farming The farmers had swamped the market 
with livestock in a rush to gain money; prices were much lower than the product was worth - so low 
that it was often more expensive to raise a crop or cattle than to let the land lie idle. In that 
same year, Congress passed the Agricultural Adjustment Act (AAA) which raised the price of farm 
products for paying farmers not to raise crops or livestock. By 1934, 936 out of 1,455 farmers 
completed corn and hog reduction contracts. The government controlled 87% of corn land and 95% of 
hog production.

Along with low prices, 1933 was the year of the chinch bugs which invaded and destroyed the crops 
that the farmers had raised. Russell Murfin remembers, "First the bugs would clean up the wheat if 
they could find it. Then, they would head for the oats. When the oats were gone, they would finish 
up the corn." To deter the chinch bugs, creosote was applied with log-like ropes that were dragged 
around the field. The bugs would not cross the oil-like substance. Mr. Murfin also remembers, "I 
had a German neighbor once. He caught on to the idea that if he soaked binder twine with the creasote 
and stretched it around it would do the same thing. He would just keep soaking it. He had heard it 
said the bugs wouldn't go over it. So he did that and a few days after, I asked him how his binder 
twine worked out. 'Did the chinch bugs go over it?' I asked. He said 'Nope but they went under it!' " 
He added, "There was just no way to keep all the bugs from crossing the creasote."

Another reason farming was rough was the drought of 1934. The land was so dry that the farmers 
were forced to feed their cattle the leaves from the trees because they were the only thing green 
around. It is said that when the cattle heard the sound of an axe, they would stampede in the 
direction of the noise.

In 1935, the rain caused farming as much trouble as the dryness did in the previous year. Rain 
prevented farmers from getting crops into their fields. If the crop did get planted, it was too 
wet in the fall to harvest.

In the following year, the drought returned, worse than it had been in 1934. The dry weather also 
brought dust bowls upon the region. Many people remember a time when the dust made the horizon hazy 
and left a film of dust on porches. This dust was once valuable topsoil that was left idle in Kansas 
and Oklahoma.

In the summer of 1936, grasshoppers invaded the fields of Northeast Missouri, causing considerable 
damage to corn, soy-beans, and pasture crops. To deter the grasshoppers, the government distributed 
poison bran mash through the Adair County Agriculture Extension Agency. It distributed 10,000 pounds 
of mash to 56 farmers to protect 5,000 acres in crops. The next year, farmers saved an estimated 
$60,000 with the poison bran. In 1938, 194 farmers reported 266 cases of sleeping sickness in horses. 
Meetings were held to discuss the disease and the treatment.

Through all the hardships of farm life, the center of the community was the school. Since church 
attendance had dropped so drastically, people turned toward the school for social events. Parties 
were organized by the Literary, which was the equivalent of the PTA of today. At these parties, 
the neighbors would gather and eat watermelon and ice cream "if there was money for ice," recalls 
Sue Murfin. Cards were also a favorite pastime during the days of the Depression.

In the city, while soup lines fed many people, country people ate about the same. "It was one 
blessing we did have," Sue Murfin said Faye Farmer remembers, "We raised the food we had I never 
remember any shortage of food. In the summer time, I remember we picked blackberries. The whole 
family would go in the morning and pick them. In the afternoon, we would clean and can them. We had 
105 quarts that year." Meat was plentiful also because of low prices for livestock. What couldn't be 
raised was available at the store down the road. Wallace Farmer recalls one man "walked down to the 
store one cold day with roosters to buy groceries with and on the way over, it was so cold that one 
of them froze to death. He took it back home with him and ate it."

When the World War II began, prices rose and the lack of jobs turned into an abundance of jobs. The 
Depression taught many about conserving money and the need to prevent another. Wallace Farmer sums 
it up when he said, "I think it's hard to express the overall feeling of people. I didn't ever think 
it would be any different that what it was. There just wasn't any money. I didn't know there was any 
other way but to be hard up all the time."

By Christopher Lowe

(Back Cover)