(Front Cover) THE CHARITON COLLECTOR NORTHEAST MISSOURI HISTORY AND FOLKLORE April 1983 $2.95 (Page 1) THE CHARITON COLLECTOR April, 1983 Vol. 3 No. 2 Issue 6 Kirksville Senior High School Kirksville, Missouri The Chariton Collector is published, by the Local History Class of Kirksville Senior High School. This special class attempts to preserve the history and local folklore of Northeast Missouri. Copyright 1983. COVER PICTURE Looking southwest from the chicken house on Herbert H. Casady's farm near Graysville, one is able to recall the ice storms of February, 1982. This picture was taken by Mr. Casady's daughter, Debbi. CONTENTS Billy Creek Coal Mine . . . . . 2 By David Cenedella New Baden Springs: Magic or Myth . . . . . 5 By Gary England and Rich Anderson The Smokeshop, Gone But Not Forgotten . . . . . 7 By Rocky Veach and Ron Van Wynsberg From The Coal Mines To City Hall . . . . . 10 By Mark McIntyre and Alva E. Lewis Scenes from the Past . . . . . 14 The Unforgotten Sport . . . . . 16 By Amy Mock and Jim Kline Troester's Clothing Store . . . . . 20 By Alicia Troester and Lorinda Scott A Man of History . . . . . 22 By Alva E. Lewis and Mark McIntyre The Hands of Time . . . . . 24 By John Morgan and Dan Mehlenbacher Connelsville: The Coal Center That Never Came . . . . . 26 By Ken Thomas and Mark Wray STAFF MEMBERS Pam Anderson Jeannie Bailey Matt Dodson EDITOR Mark McIntyre PHOTOGRAPHY David Cenedella John Morgan DISTRIBUTION MANAGER Amy Mock ADVISOR Mary Grossnickle [photo caption] Pete Anesi looks over his rock quarry in the late 1930's. See related story page 10. (Page 2) Billy Creek Coal Mine By David Cenedella [photo caption] Photo above: These miners received safety citations from the United States Bureau of Mines. Left to right: Bill Baiotto, Marlin Cross, Echie Williams, Raymond Mosley, Clarence Truitt, Charlie Allen and Gerald Blacksmith. This award was given to miners who never had a disabling injury. Not long ago during the winter months, a black haze hung over the city of Kirksville. This haze, which could be seen for miles, was the smoke created by hundreds of homes and local businesses burning coal as a source of energy. As late as 1959, coal provided most of the energy needed for heating homes and producing electricity. Most of the coal consumed in Kirksville came from the Novinger coal fields. These fields contained over 50 mines and were functional until 1967 when the last mine, the Billy Creek Coal Mine, was closed. The Billy Creek Mine, a business venture of Marion Baiotto and his son Bill, was sunk in 1949. In April, 1949, a group of men, including Harvey Farr and Marion Baiotto, began sinking the shaft. At that time these men did not realize that they were sinking the last shaft mine in the state of Missouri. The mine was named the Billy Creek because of its location, which was 1 1/2 miles southwest of Novinger on the Adam Hoerrman farm next to Billy Creek. The lack of other mines in close proximity and the low level of the valley which would enable digging a relatively short shaft in order to reach the coal led the Baiottos to choose this site. The coal was a part of the Bevier coal seam, which ran from the Missouri River into Wisconsin. After the completion of the shaft, approximately 40 miners were hired to excavate the coal, becoming part of the large body employed by the mining industry in Northeast Missouri. At this time coal mining was an important factor to the economy of the area. When the mine closed the salary the miners received was based on the job they did. Company miners, motormen, mule drivers, track layers, timbermen and hoist men were paid about $15.00 a day. The machine crew was paid on the basis of how many tons of coal mined. On the average the Billy Creek Mine produced 135 to 150 tons of coal daily. The coal, which ranged in price from $4.00 a ton for nut coal to $6.00 a ton for stoker coal and lump coal, was sold to residents for heating their homes and to local businesses including Kirksville Power Company, Kirksville Creamery and the College (NMSU). One miner who worked at the Billy Creek Mine from the time it was opened in 1950 until it closed in 1967 was Gerald Blacksmith. Mr. Blacksmith started his mining career at the age of 14 in 1920 and retired at the age of 60 in 1967. When Mr. Blacksmith was asked if he liked mining his reply was, "I sure did like mining to stay in it for 45 years!" In 1950 Gerald would awake by 6:00 a.m., arrive at work by 6:45, and return home at 4:00 p.m. Monday through Saturday, sometimes Sunday. According to Mr. Blacksmith, the responsibility of the night shift, which would start working at 4:00 p.m., was to blast the coal and clay out of the walls of the "rooms" of the mine. This process was called "under cutting." After the night shift finished and left, the day crew, including Mr. Blacksmith, 2 (Page 3) would go to work at 6:45 a.m. Their job was to load the coal into the coal cars. Then mules would pull the cars down the cross entries to the track in the main entry. Mules were used on the track in the cross entry because these were temporary tracks which could not support the weight of the engines. The electric engines would then pull the coal cars through the main entry to the elevators, where the coal was lifted out of the mine. A miner's life was not all work and no play. The most popular time filler was hunting. "I love quail hunting and would go just about every time I could," commented Gerald Blacksmith. Mr. Blacksmith and his brothers also hunted ducks and geese every chance they had. Many of the miners went hunting together. If a person had been walking near the mine, he might not have realized that these miners were the best of friends. As he walked within listening distance, he would probably hear the miners cursing and threatening each other; these curses and threats concealed their loyalty to each other. These men were like a big family. If one miner was sick and needed money, the others would take up a collection for him. This loyalty was especially evident in the way the owner Marion Baiotto referred to his employees. Marion never referred to them as, "The men who worked for me," but rather, "The men I work with." The miners were also a very trustworthy group of men. According to Mr. Harvey Farr, anything except a bar of soap could be left lying around the wash house without fear of theft. During the summer, when the demand for coal slackened, the mines would take turns closing down; however, the miners that were laid off and wanted to work could find employment for the summer at one of the mines that stayed open. Many miners, however, chose to farm or to just rest during these months. Although a mining accident never resulted in a death at the Billy Creek Mine, many men were injured by rock falls. The working conditions in the mine were not as bad as are typically depicted. In fact, according to some miners, if a person did not mind the dirt, the job was no worse than farming. Finding the year-round temperature [photo caption] Photo at top: Bill Baiotto is seen here closing one of several doors that route air to the rooms being worked. Center photo: Vern Robison, mule driver, collected the empty cars and delivered them to the loaders. State law required the mules be brought to the surface each evening. Bottom photo: The end of the bottom is an arrangement of tracks, so that loads could be put on either elevator, called a cage. Lewis Roop was a cage man. 3 (Page 4) of 68 degrees Fahrenheit pleasant, many miners habitually worked in t-shirts. These hard working miners enjoyed a good joke. Once when a group of Jaycees had planned a tour of the mine, Harvey Farr, who operated the hoist, went to a bar in Novinger and got an empty whisky bottle. Harvey then filled the bottle with Coke-a-Cola and returned to the mine as if he were drunk. He climbed into the hoist room and told the Jaycees to get into the elevator. By that time the Jaycees were not about to set foot into the elevator, fearing the outcome. After the charade continued for awhile, the Jaycees realized that Mr. Farr was acting, and the tour continued. Any miner could have told the group that they were being conned because alcoholic beverages were forbidden on the mining site by a rule which was rigidly honored by all the workers. In 1967, due to the decrease in demand for coal, the Billy Creek Coal Mine closed. Many of the men who worked at the mine retired or found work elsewhere. The Baiottos then started working full time at Baiotto Concrete. The closing of this mine marked the end of the coal mining era in Northeast Missouri. Without these rugged and good humored men and the now abandoned mines they toiled in, the development of Northeast Missouri might have been quite different. Many of the residents of Kirksville and the surrounding communities reside here presently because their ancestors came to Northeast Missouri to mine coal. [photo caption] Picture at right: Lee Branel, left, and Otis McVay take their lunch break. [photo caption] This was the tipple of the Billy Creek Coal Mine. 4 (Page 5) New Baden Springs: Magic or Myth Natural cure-alls were the rage in the late 1800's, and Adair County was no exception. In 1881, George Shaw, along with his wife Ann, founded New Baden Springs Health Resort. On November 25, 1881, Thomas J. Dockery surveyed and platted the town of "New Baden" for the Shaws. Soon after, construction was begun on a hotel and springhouse near the center of the town. The town was to be located a few miles southwest of current day Midland off the end of what is now Highway DD. The building of the hotel and platting of the town were part of an attempt to build up business for the health resort. Lots of land, 54 feet by 108 feet, were sold at $50 per lot. The town was laid out into lots and blocks, with such street names as Grant, Spring, and Hotel. It is not known how the names New Baden and New Baden Springs came to be, but it is presumed that the Shaws were responsible. It is also presumed that it was named after the famous health spa in Baden, Germany. At any rate, the resort began to prosper and, although it was some 14 miles from Kirksville, many townspeople flocked to the springs by horse and buggy to "take the waters." The waters that bubbled up in the springhouse were supposed to have healing powers. A number of articles appeared in the Kirksville Weekly Graphic beginning on May 19, 1882, attesting to the curative powers of the New Baden spring waters. These waters were said to have cured everything from kidney disease to tuberculosis. After the spring water surfaced, it was piped into outdoor tubs south of the springs. It was then heated for the people to bathe in. The springs put out a constant two gallons of water per minute even in the driest weather and slightly more during rainy seasons due to runoff. Several other smaller springs surfaced in the area, which suggests that there is a sizable underground river system in the area. An interesting sidelight is that during the 1930's the springs were tested for mineral content and were found to have about the same content as Hot Springs, Arkansas, a world renowned health resort. As the resort expanded, the town of New Baden was slowly beginning to grow, too. The hotel was a unique structure in itself. It was a three-story, wooden building built on a flat area at the base of the north side of the hill opposite the springs. The hotel was built into the hill so that a person could step from the third story onto the ground at the back of the hotel. In February of 1882, George Shaw sold a lot to Edward L. Loso. Mr. Loso built and established a general store on the property, west of the hotel and just southeast of the springs. The store did a fair amount of business and in September, NEW BADEN [illustration caption] The platte of the town of New Baden Springs. Courtesy of the Adair County Recorder. 5 (Page 6) By Gary England Rich Anderson 1882, a post office was established in a portion of the store. The post office was appropriately named Resort and operated until September 13, 1884. However, Mr. Loso was not the only postmaster. William Blakely was the second and last postmaster beginning in March of 1884. Another store at New Baden was run by R.O. Dimmett and later by T. Johnson. A saloon, which changed hands frequently, was also located in town. In February, 1883, it was owned by S. Hammond, rented by P.H. Bozarth, and operated by C. Jennings. A blacksmith's shop could also be found in New Baden after April, 1883. New Baden was not without religion. A Methodist church was established in New Baden close to the time of the founding of the hotel. The church was a two-story, wooden structure and was located where the Loren Schillie residence is now. This church has been referred to in many documents as the "Methodist Episcopal Church of New Baden." The last trustees of the church were John Stone, D.D. Novinger, and J.B. Hammons. In the late 1880's a temperance (alcohol prohibition) meeting was held at the hotel in New Baden. This meeting was said to have been quite a gala event, with some 1,500 to 2,000 people from across the area attending. The meeting could be viewed as the last big fling for New Baden, for shortly afterwards, around 1890, the hotel caught fire and was destroyed. After the hotel burned, the town, which had already begun to fade, died. The stores were closed and the saloon was only rarely opened, and then only to accommodate dances. But this was not the end of New Baden Springs. The businesses were gone, true, but picnics and outings were still held around the springs. In 1901 Charles Schillie purchased most of the land around the spring. He converted the church into a home and lived in it until 1914 when a new home was built at the same location. Mr. Schillie also built the present brick structure that covers the springs. He constructed the springhouse so that one spring comes into the springhouse from the east and the other enters from the northwest. Each spring empties into a separate reservoir. The water in the northwest reservoir is used as the water supply of the Schillie residence. It is an interesting coincidence that Charles Schillie's parents both came from Baden, Germany. An attempt was made to sell water from the springs by advertising on a Quincy, Illinois, radio station. Several hundred gallons of the spring water were sold, however, the mineral water failed to really catch on. The hotel, the saloon, and businesses are all gone now from New Baden. Loren Schillie has a small farm there, the spring house is still there, and the old Baden Springs cemetery is at the top of the hill. The springs are still flowing with their mineral water, of course, waiting for the day when an enterprising businessman will again sell the healing waters. Only time will tell. Photo at top left shows the outside view of the spring house. The photo at bottom left shows the interior of the springhouse, notice the water reservoir in the corner. 6 (Page 7) THE SMOKESHOP -Gone, But Not Forgotten "Till the day I die, I'll say that is what Kirksville needs - another Smokeshop." Those are the words of Mr. Lee Poston and most likely everyone else who was ever associated with the little building known as the Smokeshop. Its share of area history began in the early 1930's. It was then that the Smokeshop opened for business, providing a local center of activity that would last well into the seventies. The success it experienced was due to many men, some of whose memories are in these pages. The Smokeshop is a name still recognized by many area residents even though it has been gone for nearly seven years. Those who remember the Smokeshop recall it as it was during their time. For many the Smokeshop means the 1950's or 60's. To a few, the 1940's put vivid memories in their minds. Those who remember the thirties and opening day, however, are a rare few. Lee Poston and Melvin "Mugs" McClanahan are two such men who recall the Smokeshop well. These and other now aging fellows gave that building in downtown Kirksville its character. Most everyone, it seems, has "shot a game" or "sipped a malt" there at one time or another. Through the smoke and the "old war" stories, these guys "sank" many an eight ball back in the poolroom. Often the seven pool tables and a long row of seats weren't enough for the evening crowds. It was a good, clean place for friends to get together and have fun, according to Mr. Poston and Mr. McClanahan, and very few will argue that point. Jerry James, who ran the Smokeshop for many years before buying out his father Clifford, agrees with them. With a gleam in his eyes he will gladly reminisce his days connected with the place. Yet Jerry was hardly old enough to remember the Smokeshop's beginning, a time in the 1930's very [photo caption] Photo at top: This picture, taken in 1944, shows a few old "Smokeshop buddies." From left to right: Bill Martin, Clifford James, Abe McNeil and Melvin "Mugs" McClanahan. 7 (Page 8) unfamiliar to most people today. Dates and names do fade to those who knew the time as do the people and the places. This is the case with the Smokeshop. Men like Lee and "Mugs" aren't sure exactly when it opened or who owned it at the time. As close as anyone knows, two Illinois men saw a business opportunity and ventured to Kirksville to open a pool hall. It was located on the west side of Elson Street, a half block south of the square, where it stayed until the day its doors closed. Although the beginnings of the Smokeshop are almost forgotten, the times when "Mugs" and Greene Simpson shot the "big Saturday afternoon" games, are usually quite clear. Those kind of times are what made the Smokeshop. Commonly known as "the Smokeshop" for its sale of tobacco, the place was first a "membership only" type of club. The city of Kirksville wouldn't issue a merchant's license, according to "Mugs," unless it was controlled under a clean and orderly type of business. The membership cost was a dollar per month and by paying the dollar a person was considered a member. With all of this, the Smokeshop became a popular place, and by the forties was firmly established as a local place of activity. By this time Clifford James, the manager, had purchased a small share of the business, along with Dr. Ralph Stickler and Mr. Paul McClain. When World War II began heating up, business became tough for everyone, but the Smokeshop was damaged in a different sort of way. Rather than losing customers, it lost its manager. According to "Mugs," Mr. James was rushed off to a defense plant in 1944, and he, Melvin McClanahan was hired to fill the job. Melvin McClanahan is a name rarely recognized by anyone; "Mugs" is what he is known by both now and during his days with the Smokeshop. With "Mugs" in charge and a war rumbling far away, the Smokeshop became a place to relax and forget about everything. "Mugs" still recalls those few war years as if they had been forever. They are undoubtedly some of his best memories. The war did come to an end, and with Clifford's return the place continued much the same as it had been. After four years of steady progression, Mr. James bought a bigger share, making him half-owner with "Doc" Stickler. The malts seemed to be getting even tastier, and the pool balls were dropping easier. Things were going in one direction-forward. Along with the usual business of townspeople and farmers, the youngsters always had their place in the Smokeshop. In the 1950's, drugstores with malt shops became very popular, and for many boys and girls the Smokeshop was the answer to that new craze. It had a fountain that served the best malts around. No one took the time to ask the secret behind them, instead most spent their time devouring them. The older men were also as popular as ever. They were admired by the younger kids, who often had dreams of shooting pool as well as they did. With the boys watching contently or collecting money racking balls, a certain group of men became "sharks" at the game. Lee Poston and "Mugs" McClanahan, along with such big names as Dillard Mulford, Kenny Howe, Winford Pearson and Les Poston were a few of the "gang" who came to "stand out" through the years. Even though each thought he was the best, they seemed to be about even, trading wins as the days went by. As traveling salesmen would pass, they would remember those names and always call to set up a game before coming through these parts again. The men of the Smokeshop played every chance they had, keeping tabs on the ball games at the same time. Many a St. Louis Cardinal game was won, thanks to these guys. (At least they'll tell you [photo caption] The photo at left shows the front view of the Smokeshop as it appeared in September of 1963. Photo at right: This display shows the wide range of athletic equipment found in the sporting shop area of the Smokeshop. 8 (Page 9) that.) Whatever the case, these men passed days and eventually years of their lives in the Smokeshop having good, clean fun. "Nothing bad ever came out of that place," declares Lee. "It was just a place where friends could get together and have a good time. I know, I practically lived there." The Smokeshop stayed basically the same; only the names changed with time. As one generation went out, another was there to take its place. Jerry James worked for his father as a boy and racked his share of balls on the side. In 1956 he bought out "Doc" Stickler and became half-owner with his dad. Within the next two years the sporting shop was started in the front around the fountain. The shop did well, selling name brand products for almost anything in the athletic field, especially fishing equipment. Business continued to grow through the sixties and by 1971 Jerry had bought his father out, making him the sole owner and decision maker. With such changes, the Smokeshop stayed as popular as ever. Pool playing was still popular with everyone. The farmers still came, especially on Saturdays when their wives were shopping. Construction workers came on rainy days to pass the time. The "pool sharks" were as good as ever, if not better with age. Kids were no different, coming alone as well as in groups. They drank malts and swung the new bats for size. Everything seemed unchanged, except one thing, the economy. Time caught up with Jerry, including the time spent at work. Higher prices caused a backup supply in the sporting goods shop, and the old guys will tell you that too many hours didn't help Jerry any. Working 10 to 15 hours a day added up to a lot of hours over a number of years. Whatever the case, things caught up with the Smokeshop in August of 1976. "It came as a blow to a lot of people," says Lee Poston, "especially the ones who were always there." Those people had grown to love the place, and when it suddenly closed, they seemed bewildered. A few gathered on the steps for a while, probably hoping that somehow it would be the same again. Yet, even that loyalty faded and after awhile the Smokeshop gradually began to take its place in the past. Even though the Smokeshop went out on a sad note, it had been a happy and good place in its time. It had gone against everything that a pool hall was supposed to be. Now its "people" like to remember it as a place of goodness. Other establishments, such as game-rooms and bowling alleys, have tried to take its place, but as anybody who knew the Smokeshop will tell you, "They just aren't the same." Although Lee, "Mugs" and Jerry may still argue who's the best shot on the pool table, they'll all agree that the Smokeshop is irreplaceable. [photo caption] Bottom photo: Long-time friends and Smokeshop "pool sharks," Lee Poston and "Mugs" McClanahan as they look today. [photo caption] Top photo: Long-time owner Clifford James, stands by the famous Smokeshop fountain where many 30¢ malts were served. By Rocky Veach Ron Van Wynsberg 9 (Page 10) FROM THE COAL MINES TO CITY HALL America has always been a land of opportunity; where a man has been free to seek his fortune. Since America's earliest beginnings at Plymouth Rock and Jamestown, men and women have labored to improve their surroundings. Seemingly endless resources, a moderate government, and hard-working, bright individuals have propelled cities into the richest and most powerful nation that has ever existed, America. Louis Pete Anesi is one such individual. L. P. Anesi was born on July 2, 1906, at Coal Camp 50, one mile south of Novinger. Pete's father came to the Novinger coal fields during the turn of the century. Times were tough in those days. Pete's father made two dollars a day and worked a ten hour day, six days a week. The mining was hard work and the pay was poor. During the Great Flu Epidemic, Pete was a seventh grader at Novinger School. With so much sickness and absenteeism, the schools were closed. Pete then went to work in the mines until he was 14. He later finished school with night classes. Since the demand for coal was minimal during the summer, a miner was lucky if he had a job. With no net income, the miners found it hard to purchase necessities; however, the coal companies wanted to take care of their miners in the off- months. The company store, a general store owned by the company to supply the miners with necessities, set up a loan agreement with the miners. A miner could purchase goods on credit from the coal company office. The miners then paid their debts when they received their paychecks on the 10th and 25th of the working months. If a miner borrowed money from the company office it was called a "flicker." When Pete's father had finished paying all bills in full during the winter months, he had four dollars left. Since Pete had worked in the mines and given his pay to his parents, the four dollars were given to him. With four dollars in his pocket, Pete set off to buy a calf. [photo caption] Photo at left: The tippel and engine room of the Big Valley Coal Co. which is now located at the bottom of Forest Lake. This photo was taken in 1935. 10 (Page 11) [photo caption] Pete and his delivery truck in front of Anesi Meat Market in the 1930's. The sign had not been changed from Burk's to Anesi Meat Market at that time. The interior of the Anesi Meat Market. It was the first place in Kirksville to have mechanical refrigeration. After purchasing the calf, Pete brought it back to the mining camp, slaughtered it, and then sold the meat to the residents of the mining camp. This venture was the beginning of a 60 year career in the meat packing industry. Mr. Anesi left Novinger in 1927 during the largest miner strike at the Novinger coal fields. The strike was due to a withdrawal of a $1.50 bonus promised to the miners during World War I. The Novinger mines couldn't afford to compete with the coal fields in western Illinois which had nearly three times as much coal that was cheaper to mine. After the strike, the coal fields went non-union. After leaving Novinger, Mr. Anesi and four others ventured to Gifford, to a possible mine site. When they arrived, they found a mine that had already been sunk, but the mine was full of water. After pumping all the water out, Pete and his comrades found only 23 inches of coal. They began mining, but Pete left on St. Patrick's Day of 1928 and came to Kirksville where he purchased a meat market, located on Washington Street near the square, at a bankruptcy sale. In 1930 Mr. Anesi bought the Linders and Meyers farm and mine which is now located at the bottom of Forest Lake. The first commercial rock quarry in Adair County was then set up. It, at that time, was owned by Pete Anesi, but leased to Dixson Construction of Centerville, Iowa. After the owner's death, the quarry was sold to Floyd Bailey. Mr. Bailey then set up Bailey Limestone Co., but it was still located on Pete Anesi's farm. Mr. Anesi continued to operate the farm and mine until 1950 when the dam was closed and the lake began filling. On April 4, 1932, Pete purchased the A.G. Burk Meat Market and plant on West Michigan Road. His ambition at that time was to work for Swift & Co., a large meat packer that thrived because there was so much beef for slaughter. In 1941, Mr. Anesi expanded and modernized the packing 11 (Page 12) house as it appears today. He established a hog buying station where he bought hogs for John Morrell in Ottumwa, Iowa, 66 miles away. Morrell, at that time had a killing capacity of 6,000 head of hogs per day. Anesi's packing plant produced weiners, franks, bologna, ham, wholesale beef and pork, and later a custom slaughter and processing service. Mr. Anesi also established many meat markets in other towns. In Kirksville, he had two meat markets other than the packing house itself. One was located in the current Beard's Gallery, which operated from 1932-1968, and another located on the west side of the square. Anesi Meat Markets were also located in La Plata, Macon, Mexico, Moberly and Fayette in the 1930's. During the summer of 1936, the government contracted Mr. Anesi to slaughter the "drought cattle." "Drought cattle" were thin, starving cattle that had nothing to eat except tree leaves. Pete recalled 20 days straight with the temperatures over 100 degrees. The Chariton River did not run, but it had a few holes with water. It was so dry that there was no grass or weeds. Farmers were forced to cut down trees and let their cattle pick at the leaves. Blowing dust at times reduced visibility to under 50 feet. The dust wasn't Missouri dust either. It came all the way from Kansas. But there wasn't much relief at night either, with temperatures ranging in the 80's and 90's. The hot weather lasted all summer. The government contract bought the cattle. Mr. Anesi slaughtered the cattle, boned, and barrelled the meat. The cattle were shipped by truck from Clark, Scotland, Shelby, Adair, Macon, Linn, and Schuyler counties to the slaughtering plant. From longer distances, the cattle were shipped in by rail to stockyards located across from the Dodson Pickle Factory (now Baiotto Concrete). Other cattle from Southern Missouri were shipped in by rail and unloaded at the Wabash stockyards. Mature adult cattle were worth $22 a head and yearlings were worth $17. The meat was then shipped to tomato canneries located in Milan, Humphreys, Spickard, and Galt. The "drought cattle" helped Pete Anesi gain a financial foundation from which to grow. Mr. Anesi's interests were not only in the meat packing industry at that time. He also purchased the Stevenson Hotel in 1945, the Dockery Hotel in 1947, and the Travelers Hotel in 1969. The hotels have since been demolished or changed owners. In the 1964 general election for mayor of Kirksville, Pete Anesi ran against Joe Burdman. Mr. Anesi emerged victorious. At that time, the city of Kirksville was under a commission form of government with elected councilmen and an elected mayor. In 1968, Mr. Anesi ran unopposed for his second term as mayor, the first time in history a person had ran unopposed for mayor in the city of Kirksville. During his eight years as mayor, Mayor Anesi and his administration passed four general obligation bonds that required a 2/3 majority vote of the people. Mayor Anesi [photo caption] Photo at left: Mr. Anesi purchased, a whole railroad car load of bulls from Texas like the one pictured. He paid $25 a head for the bulls, but sold them before shipping them to Kirksville. Bottom photo: Mr. Anesi's team and hired hands putting up hay on his farm. The farm was known as the Linders and Myers farm before Pete bought it. This land is now under water at Forest Lake. 12 (Page 13) introduced major industry to the city of Kirksville also. During his two terms, Mayor Anesi and his administration brought forth Donaldson, Kewanee, Burroughs, and Century Steps Companies. There were two expansions of the Hollister Company, Florsheim Shoe's relocation, improvement of the water works, and the building of a new airport under the Anesi administration. The airport was most significant in the bringing in of factories since they would have never located in Kirksville without an airport. The Donaldson bond was passed 27 to 1. Other members of the city commission at that time were Jack Shelton, Jim Trent, and Art Peterson. During the mayor's second term, commission members were Elbert Lewis, Jim Trent, and Jack Shelton. Howard Watson was appointed to the commission after Jim Trent's death. During his two terms as mayor, Mayor Anesi and his administration substantially improved Kirksville's water works and supply. They had built three stand pipes (water towers) with total capacity of over four million gallons. The system was arranged so that the residents of Kirksville could have water even if the pump, which pumps water from Forest Lake, was shut off for a period of time. A reservoir was also at the filtration plant. Pete Anesi and some engineers also made up plans for a massive lake to be located at Sugar Creek, southeast of Kirksville. In the original plans, the lake was to cover 700 acres or more. The dam for the lake was going to be located just southeast of Yarrow. The lake never materialized due to a change in administration. [photo caption] Left photo: Pete stands outside the Oasis night club which was located on old Highway 6 West. This photo was taken in the 1940's. Photo right: Mayor Pete Anesi's campaign picture, taken in 1964. Mr. Anesi sold his packing house in 1976. It operated for a few years after that. Today the packing house appears just as it did ten years ago. The feedlots behind the plant are still in use. Mr. Anesi considers himself to be "semi-retired." He still owns 740 acres of land on Highway 3 South. He row crops about 300 acres of it, and pastures the rest of the land. He runs 200 head of cattle with his concrete feedlot where he feeds the cattle silage. He has an office uptown for bookkeeping purposes for his farm and investments. He also has one rental apartment. Mr. Anesi is a director of KIDC (Kirksville Industrial Development Corporation), on the board of the Kirksville Housing Authority, a 50-year Chamber of Commerce member and ex-president, and a six year Fair Board member, five of those years as president. Mr. Anesi now resides at 215 South Florence with his wife Lucille. He has two children and four grandchildren. He has had so many successful accomplishments all he would comment was that, "I've had a lot of water under my bridge." He adds, "To be successful, you must have will power and work hard." By Mark McIntyre Alva E. Lewis 13 (Page 14) Scenes from the Past Factual information provided by Bill Novinger Pictured in the top left photo is the second clubhouse of the Kirksville Country Club. It contained a pro- shop, mens' and ladies' locker rooms and a roomy screened-in dance hall. Unfortunately for the club members, this structure was destroyed by fire on Thursday, December 4, 1959. The top right photo shows how the land has changed. Today this area is the putting green; in the past it was the ninth green. Also, the empty field in the background is now occupied by Hollister, Inc. Below left: A view of the clubhouse from the southwest side of the lake. This lake was used for both swimming and fishing. Note the large stand of trees surrounding the clubhouse, many of them were lost due to Dutch Elm disease. Below right: Golfers take to the course while one takes time out to practice his putting. Note the exclusive use of pull carts instead of today's motor powered carts. 14 (Page 15) Photos courtesy of Alexander Studio 15 (Page 16) THE UNFORGOTTEN SPORT A close look at the towns of Missouri in the early days of the 1930's and 1940's would show that nearly all of them had one thing in common: semi-professional baseball. During this time professional baseball was very popular, with famous teams such as the "Gas House Gang," and the big league's popularity carried over to smaller towns in the form of semi-professional baseball. Baseball meant a lot to towns of Northeast Missouri. The rivalries between towns were sometimes so intense that the games often led to gambling and fighting among townspeople and players. Some of the towns in Missouri that had teams were Trenton, Chillicothe, Graysville, Richmond, St. Joseph, Kirksville, Elmer, La Plata, Macon, Brookfield, Fulton, Sedalia, Carrollton, Memphis, Kansas City, and St. Louis. Many of the teams in Missouri also played out-of-state teams. For instance, the Elmer Panthers played the Chicago Stars, the Toledo Hens from Iowa, the Cincinnati Buckeyes, the Texas Seals, the House of Davids, members of a religious cult from Michigan, and the teams from Lenexa and Wichita, Kansas. It was easy for the bigger towns that belonged to more extensive leagues to organize teams and games than it was for the smaller towns which had to organize on their own. One of these small town teams was the Elmer Panthers with Walker Tate as the coach and manager. Owner of the Elmer Cafe, Tate used his business as a base for communication with other team managers to plan games. He also organized games by telegraph, telephone, mail, and sometimes by traveling to the opponent's towns to set up the games. Semi-professional teams did not have owners, but the teams had expenses which were sometimes major. For instance, the cost of a baseball during the 30's and 40's was $2.00, a bat would cost $3.65, and a glove would cost about $5.00. The only players that received payment to cover these expenses were the pitchers. These paid players along with the rest of the team members provided their own transportation. Sometimes the players were given equipment by the manager of their team; otherwise, the players paid for their own equipment and uniforms. Steve Buban, part-time pitcher for the Panthers, said that he charged from $30 to $150 to pitch a game. The teams he pitched for usually paid him to [photo caption] Photo below: The Elmer Panthers (left to right) front row: Walker Tate, identity unknown, Steve Buban, Leonard "Stretch" Herrin, Bernice Mock. Back row (left to right): Harold Pullam, Albert Sadler, Tootsie Hulse, Raymond Wood, Ernest Bailey, Clay Franks, and Harold "Lefty" Elliott. 16 (Page 17) A POSITION A DAY KEEPS A RELEASE AWAY [photo caption] This player's defense against a release was his versatility. Many players played several positions so they would be in demand. play so that they would have a sure chance of winning. The more a team needed a win, the more they were willing to pay for good players. Buban was said to be such a talented pitcher that many of the other players and fans thought that he would go into professional baseball. He refused the offers, however, because he was receiving a good amount of money pitching semi-pro ball and made good pay from his job at the shoe factory. The Elmer Panthers were one of the best teams in the area during the forties, and at one time they had a record of 33 straight wins. Some people thought they were the best in the state, even better than the "big city" teams. The Elmer team consisted of mostly local players, with a few from nearby towns. Bernice Mock, who was catcher for the team, also played for the Kernels from Mitchell, Nebraska, in the minor leagues. Other members consisted of Albert Sadler, Ray Wood, Ernest Bailey, Tootsie Hulse, Clay Franks, Harold Elliott, Harvey Bellfield, Harold Pullam, Harold Woods, Leonard Herrin, and many others. The fans' pride and confidence in the Panthers led to gambling. The bets were sometimes large, depending on the teams that played and who played for each team. Although the players were confident, they didn't tempt fate. They indulged in superstitions to keep their luck from going away. Some players wore their ball caps a certain way, and some didn't wash their uniforms for fear the luck might be washed out. Old timers recall an incident in one of the Panther's games involving Clay Franks and Bernice Mock in Joplin. The Joplin team had hired a pitcher from the Pittsburgh Pirates, a professional team. The game was scoreless until the top of the ninth inning when the Panthers were up to bat. Nervous about the new pitcher, Franks called a time out. Franks knew that one run would win the game for them, so he told Mock, "He's gonna give you a fast ball, so I want you to swing from the ground up and hit the middle of that scoreboard behind center field." Mock tensely buckled up, the pitch was thrown, and Mock hit the ball into the middle of the scoreboard. Needless to say, the Panthers won the game. Clay Franks was involved in another game-clinching play when the Panthers played the trustee team at the Jefferson City Penitentiary. The Panthers were behind by three with 17 (Page 18) [photo caption] Photo above pictures Bernice Mock when he played for the Mitchell Kernels. The Kernels were a minor league team in Nebraska. bases loaded in the top of the ninth inning. Franks was up to bat, and he knew that it was all on his shoulders to make the runs. The pitch was thrown, and Franks hit a home-run out of the park. He was later told that the only other man to do that was Stan Musial of the St. Louis Cardinals. The Panthers played a lot of games in penitentiaries, not only at Jefferson City, but Leavenworth and Fort Madison. Albert Sadler said that many times prison officials paid the teams that played in the "pens." One time, during a game at the Jefferson City Penitentiary, Albert Wood broke his leg while sliding into second base. The prison doctors immediately set his leg, and he was able to leave after the game. In 1941 the Panthers played a semi-pro team from Puerto Rico. At this time, the Puerto Ricans had just won the United States National Championship, defeating Enid, Oklahoma. The winning team went on a United States tour, and Walker Tate discovered they were in Kansas City. He secured a deal for the foreign team to travel to Elmer and battle the Panthers. In a long 14 inning game, the Panthers came out on top, 3-2. During the same year, the Panthers won the state tournament in Sedalia. Once again, the Panthers proved that they were one of the best semi-pro baseball teams in the United States. Puerto Rico wasn't the toughest team Elmer played. Two of the best teams they played were the Kansas City Monarchs and the St. Louis Giants. Both of these teams were members of the Negro League, which was a separate professional division. The Negro teams not only played each other, but also the semi-pro teams. Many of the players on the Negro teams later advanced to the major leagues and became legendary baseball players, which was a great blow to semi-professional baseball because of the loss of competition leading to the loss of popularity. Some of the great talents were Jesse Owens, Satchel Paige, and Jackie Robinson, all of whom played for the Monarchs. At one time, Jesse Owens had his own baseball team. When they played Elmer, according to Albert Sadler, Owens claimed that he could "outrun any man alive." Taking this as a challenge, Steve Buban proposed a race. Owens set the terms: He would start at second base, and Buban would start at the pitcher's mound. The first one to reach home plate would win. After the race, Buban was convinced that Owens' claim was true. A major event that adversely changed the pace of semi-professional baseball was the United States' entrance into World War II. Many of the Elmer players were drafted into the service, including Steve Buban, Leonard "Stretch" Herrin, Harold "Lefty" Elliott, and others. The war was the most effective factor in the decline of the interest in semi-pro ball. For a few years following the war, some of the teams regrouped and made a semi-successful attempt to reestablish [caption] These are clippings out of newspapers from the 1930's showing the results of the baseball games. ELMER WINS SEVENTH CONSECUTIVE GAME Azteca Indians Go Down Before Buban's One-Man Show Lefty Buban was the "whole show" Sunday as Elmer won its seventh straight game from the Azteca Indians, 4 to 2, at Elmer. Buban had 15 strikeouts. In the sixth inning, Elmer trailed by one run when Buban led off with a two base hit, stole third and went home to tie the score. The St. Joseph Stockyards team will play at Elmer again next Sunday. The team was recently defeated by the Panthers, 1 to 0. McCoy will be on the mound for the visitors. Brookfield is to play at Elmer Tuesday, July 4. This team is the only one that has beaten the Panthers this year. Box scores of Sunday's game: Indians AB R H PO A E Chico, cf 4 0 0 2 0 0 Paz, 2b 2 2 1 2 3 1 P. Sauceda, lf 4 0 1 3 0 0 F. Sauceda, ss 4 0 2 0 0 0 Zuniga, c 4 0 1 9 2 0 Rodiquiz, 3b 4 0 0 1 0 1 C. Montes, 1b 4 0 0 5 0 1 P. Montes, rf 3 0 0 2 0 0 Espareza, p 3 0 0 0 2 0 Totals 32 2 5 24 7 3 Elmer AB R H PO A E Sadler, ss 3 0 0 1 1 0 A. Wood, 2b 3 0 1 2 1 1 Mock, c 4 0 1 11 5 1 Franks, 3b 4 1 1 0 4 0 Buban, p 4 1 2 0 0 1 H. Elliot, rf 3 0 1 2 1 0 Still, rf 1 0 0 0 0 0 Hulse, cf 2 0 0 1 0 0 R. Wood, cf 2 1 1 0 0 0 C. Elliot, lf 2 0 1 0 0 0 Bailey, lf 2 0 1 0 0 0 Herrin, 1b 3 1 0 10 0 0 Totals 32 4 8 27 12 3 Team 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 R H E Indians: 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 - 2 5 3 Elmer: 0 0 0 0 0 1 2 1 x - 4 8 3 Two base hits: F. Sauceda, Mock, Franks and Buban. Struck out by Buban, 15; by Espereza, 9. Bases on balls: buban, 3; Espereza, 2. PANTHERS TAKE 4-1 GAME IN TOURNAMENT Steve Buban Strikes Out 17 As Elmer Advances The Elmer Panthers won their second straight game in the Missouri state semi-pro baseball tournament at St. Louis when they defeated the Joplin entry by a score of 4 to 1. Steve Buban continued his winning streak as he struck out 17 of the opposition and allowed only three scattered hits. The Panthers committed four errors behind Buban. The Panthers won the game in the seventh inning when Clay Franks rapped out a home run with Eversole on the bases. The box score: ELMER AB. R. H. PO. A. E. Rumsey, cf 5 0 0 3 0 0 A. Wood, ss 5 1 2 1 0 1 Mock, c 4 0 2 16 2 0 Poston, 2b 4 0 1 1 2 1 Eversole, lf 3 1 0 0 0 0 Bailey, rf 3 0 0 0 0 0 Buban, p 4 0 1 1 1 0 Franks, 3b 4 2 1 1 0 0 Herrin, 1b 3 0 0 4 1 2 Totals 35 4 7 27 6 4 JOPLIN AB. R. H. PO. A. E. Haggard, 3b 4 0 0 0 3 0 Enos, lf 4 0 0 2 0 0 Hill, p 4 1 1 0 4 1 Reagan, c 2 0 0 10 0 0 Miller, ss 4 0 1 0 1 2 Boyd, 2b 4 0 0 2 2 0 Doves, lf 4 0 1 0 0 0 Mayelitz, 1b 4 0 0 12 0 0 B. Leach, cf 3 0 0 1 0 0 Totals 33 1 3 27 10 3 Score by innings: Elmer: 0 1 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 - 4 Joplin: 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 1 18 (Page 19) By Amy Mock Jim Kline the strong popularity they once knew. The teams prospered for awhile, but interest soon faded, and the teams had disbanded by 1948. Perhaps semi-professional baseball's popularity declined because fans lost interest. The 1940's were a time of economic troubles, and one of the things that was inexpensive and available was the gasoline needed to go and watch a game. After the war the economy improved and society became more quickly paced. People found less and less time to watch semi-professional baseball, and the greater amount of money they were receiving bought better types of entertainment for them. Semi-professional baseball may be gone, but it has not been forgotten. Memories of the exciting games, talented players, and great seasons are vivid in the memories of those who played or just watched the unforgotten sport. [photo caption] Shown at right is a baseball program. Courtesy of the Pickier Library at NMSU. FREE Baseball School SANFORD FLORIDA March 1, 1937 FOR LIMITED NUMBER OF STUDENTS WHO HAVE ABILITY Former Major League Stars in Charge Clyde Milan, Former American League Outfielder and Base Stealing Champ Zinn Beck, Former Star Infielder of the National League Lee Jensen, Nationally Known Baseball Trainer [photo caption] ZINN BECK [photo caption] CLYDE MILAN [photo caption] LEE JENSEN Treating JOHN VANDER MEER Advantages of This School: 1. Stepping stone to Washington Senators 2. All players with ability will be given jobs in Organized Baseball 3. Physical training and correction 4. Not a "try out" session, but a thorough and complete instruction school 5. Detailed and personal attention ROOM AND BOARD Approximate Cost $8.00 per week Players Must Bring Their Own Complete Equipment PARENTS: Send your boy where you know he will be under definite supervision on and off the field For additional information, write or wire JOE ENGEL, Chattanooga, Tenn. [caption] This advertisement, evidencing baseball's popularity during this time, appeared in a Macon newspaper in 1937. 19 (Page 20) TROESTER'S CLOTHING STORE On September 15, 1982, employees at Troester's Clothing Business celebrated their 60th year of business. There are few businesses today in the Kirksville area that have had the honor of such a long operation. Carl A. Troester was born on October 18, 1884, and raised in Kirksville. While in his late twenties he opened the Carl A. Troester's Clothing Store on September 1, 1922. It was located at 118 South Franklin Street which is now Alexander's Studio. When his son Adelbert "Del" M. Troester was in junior high, he began to work part-time after school for his father. When asked what jobs he did, Del replied, "I used to wash windows, clean spittoons, run errands and do odd jobs." Troester's Clothing sold men's and boy's clothing, which included Knickerbocker Clothes for boys and Dutchess Trousers for men and boys. In August of 1930 a fire began next door at the Princess Drug Store. Carl's son Del remembers, "The fire department called my dad at 3 o'clock in the morning. Dad rushed up to the store and tried to open the door, and the fire chief told him not to." The fire was so hot, the fire chief was afraid opening the door would burn him. The cause of the fire was never determined. The fire forced the relocation of the Troester's Store. Its new location was at 117 South Franklin, which is now the northern half of Baldwins Biz-Mart. Troester's then had a fire sale; Del remembered taking the boxes of merchandise and putting them on big boards and going back and forth across the street. Meanwhile, Mr. Leonard Poehlman, who owned the Princess Drug Store and Troester's building, tore down the charred remains of the two stores. He then started new construction of the present two-story Troester's building. It was completed in one year. Carl A. Troester then moved his clothing store back to 120 South Franklin, which has served as its present location since late 1931. During the 60 years of business, Troester's has had many new remodeling projects. The latest remodeling changes include new hanging of light fixtures, beams across the ceiling and rearrangement of merchandise inside the store. The latest complete remodeling was in 1972, their 50th year, when the Top Shop next door to Troester's opened. Mr. Troester remained active in his store until his death on March 1, 1967, at the age of 85. The year after the fire, Del started working full-time, and when his father died, he took over the business. Adelbert Troester has managed Troester's Clothing for 50 years. When asked about the store, now that he is retired, he said, "I still enjoy working and be- [photo caption] Photo below: This picture is of the founder of Troester's Clothing, Mr. Carl A. Troester. 20 (Page 21) ing around the store, and as long as I'm in good health I will keep busy working there." In July, 1981, the third generation of Troesters, Terry A., John G. and Kent A., Carl's grandsons, took over the clothing store. His granddaughter, Ann Troester Riley, is also involved in the store as a tailor. John A. Troester commented, "I enjoy working at the store, and I hope to see it stay on for generations." Now a fourth generation of Troesters work in the store. Susan Troester, Scott Troester and Alicia Troester, who are Carl's great-grandchildren, work after school and on weekends. Throughout the years, Troester's Clothing has supported Kirksville, Adair County and the northeast area in many ways. They have had stock in a Kirksville baseball team in the old Illinois-Missouri League, have stock in the Kirksville Industrial Development Corporation and have contributed to many KCOM drives and to the United Way. They belong to the Kirksville Chamber of Commerce, the Adair County Credit Bureau, the NMSU Quarterback Club, Purple Pride, and support many other college organizations. The Troester family will continue to serve the Kirksville area with the finest in men's and boy's clothing. Their motto continues to be "Always quality clothing and the most up-to- date styles and colors ... at fair prices." [photo caption] Top photo: This picture was taken in 1925 during an AOA National Convention parade. Troester's, as you can see, is in the background. Photo at right: Troester's Clothing Store, which is located at 120 South Franklin, in Kirksville. By Alicia Troester Lorinda Scott 21 (Page 22) A Man Of History By Alva E. Lewis and Mark McIntyre It is difficult for us to realize just how important written histories have been to man's society. History courses in schools and historical societies depend upon written histories in order to teach and verify past happenings. Books such as The World Book Encyclopedia, almanacs, and yearbooks are forms of written history. Often students and teachers alike feel the need to refer to a book when in doubt about past events. From this use, it is hoped that man will be able to prevent future disasters by viewing examples from the past. But just how have such books come into the making? The answer is a group of people known as historians. This group has constantly recorded man's doings, both good and bad. However, this group isn't numerous and historians aren't an everyday attraction. Northeast Missouri is fortunate enough to have such people. One of them is Dr. David DeArmond March. David D. March was born in Gorgana, Panama, in 1911. His father was a United States District Judge who served in the Canal Zone. David's family moved to a farm in Bates County in 1913. Here he enjoyed farm life. His family soon moved again, this time to the town of Butler which is the county seat of Bates County. After his high school education in Butler, young David at-tended Southwest Missouri State University and George Peabody College for Teachers. At Southwest he earned a B.S. in Education and graduated from there in 1933. After completing a year of schooling at George Peabody College for Teachers, David moved on to the University of Missouri for higher level history training. In 1941, he received a Master's Degree in History. David continued his education off and on at M.U. until 1944 when World War II forced him away from his studies. In 1944, Mr. March went into the Army and completed his basic infantry training at Camp Roberts California. Soon afterward, he was shipped to Camp Chaffey Arkansas for armored infantry training. Now that he was a fully trained combat soldier, Private March's educational background was noticed and he was given orders to report to the Pentagon for special training in recording combat history. After this training, David was made a sergeant in the historical branch of the Army. He and a friend were assigned to the Office of Chief Engineers, AFPAC. Their duty was to record the combat history of the Second and Third Special Brigades. Sgt. March saw no direct combat, but did tour nearly every major island in the Phillipines chain. "It was awfully hot down there," Dr. March stated, "and the mosquitoes would eat you alive. My friend Millard Rogers and I often went down to Manila Bay to escape the heat and insects. One evening a jeep drove by and its occupants shouted, 'Cheer up fellows, the WAR is OVER!!!'" During the turbulent years immediately following WW II, [photo caption] Sgt. March on board a ferry. "The Japanese crew was very nice to us, considering we were recently at war with them." 22 (Page 23) [photo caption] Photo above: Dr. March soon after becoming Professor Emeritus of History in 1977. Sgt. March was stationed at General McArthur's headquarters in Tokyo, Japan. While serving at this post, David and his colleagues visited several Japanese cities. Among them were Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Cebu City. "We had fun escaping from officers in those days. They liked to show off their rank to the ladies and would often bully us NCO's. Since they couldn't stand the thought of my buddy and I being on our own, one or more would try to take command of us. In fact in order to get anything done, we would have to avoid those ranking gentlemen." After he was honorably discharged from the Army in 1946, David returned to the University of Missouri to continue his professional education. While attending M.U., he taught classes in political science while working towards a Doctorate (Ph.D.). He received his Ph.D. in 1949. The preceeding fall Dr. March began teaching at Westminster College in Fulton, Missouri. At this school his title was Professor of History. Professor March taught there during the fall and spring terms from 1948 to 1955. During the summers of this period, he taught at various universities in Missouri. Dr. March first came to Kirksville in the summer of 1949, returning each summer until 1952. While teaching at NMSU Professor March served on the summer history staff. "Things have changed a lot since then," stated Dr. March. "The town has grown quite a bit. Several factories have moved here and the college has increased tremendously in size." During the summers of 1952, 53, and 54, Professor March served on the summer staff at the University of Missouri. In 1955 he taught at Southwestern Missouri State University, again on the summer staff. Then, in 1955, Dr. March returned to Kirksville, this time to stay. Dr. March taught at NMSU from the fall of 1955 to the fall of 1977. His first title was Professor of History, which he retained for 22 years. In 1977, Professor March retired to become Professor Emeritus of History. Even in his current state of retirement, Dr. March sometimes gives special lectures to students who are involved with history, and still has the respect of both students and peers. "Dr. March knows more about American and Missouri history than anyone I have known," stated Dennis Daniels, a former student of Dr. March. "He has a reputation for being a teacher who is demanding but who is also a nice guy. I believe that he truly enjoys teaching history to his students." "Dr. March was always academically stimulating," said Professor of History Walter Ryle IV, a former student and colleague of Dr. March. "His knowledge is very great in depth. His lectures are very thorough. David's humor is also very keen. He was demanding of his students but he also loved us for what we were. He set an excellent example for future teachers." Successful teaching hasn't been Dr. March's only occupation; he is also a noted historian. From his earliest beginnings in WW II, he has continually recorded history in written form. To this date, Dr. March has produced numerous articles, all of which pertain to something of historical importance. His first privately written article was "The Missouri Radicals and the Re-Election of Lincoln," which appeared in Mid-America in July of 1952. Several of his articles have appeared in The Missouri Historical Review. They include "The Campaign for the Ratification of the Constitution of 1865," which appeared in April of 1953, "The Admission of Missouri," appearing in the Sesquicentennial Issue during July of 1971, and "Sobriquets of Missouri and Missourians," in April of 1978. From 1972 to 1977 and then from 1979 to 1982 Dr. March was a member of the State Advisory Council on Historical Sites. During that time he helped to get several sites in Adair County on the National Register of Historic Places. These include St. Mary's Church in Adair, the Parish Place in Kirksville, the Adair County Courthouse, the Grim Building in Kirksville and the Cabins Historical District near Novinger, Missouri. Dr. David DeArmond March has done a great deal for our community and surrounding area. He has made a profession of teaching history. He has also helped to record the history of Missouri with his many articles and his four-volume book, History of Missouri. Thus, David March deserves recognition as one of Missouri's and Adair County's most important historians. 23 (Page 24) The Hands of Time The art of clockmaking has a rich history throughout our country. This skill is still present today, but, for the most part, on a large-scale basis. In Adair County, however, there is someone who personally makes clocks in his own way and for his own reasons. Alvin Neely in Kirksville has been making clocks for several years. His skills are not for sale but his works clutter his home and all of his clocks are very beautiful. Naturally, clockmaking in our country started after the firm establishment of colonies in America in the 1700's. In Europe, the early clockmakers were priests, astronomers, blacksmiths, and jewelers; however, early American clockmakers were carpenters. As a result, most of the clocks were made of wood and fashioned by hand tools. There were a few different styles but mostly they made grandfather clocks and shelf clocks. After the revolution there was a demand for more and cheaper clocks. Many people found that they liked the luxury of knowing the time at a glance and the demand was too great to fill. Many people bought the movements from a clockmaker and had a local cabinetmaker fashion a case for it. Still others bought the movements and hung them on the wall without a surrounding case; these were known as "wag-on-the-wall" clocks. While they served their purpose, they did not look too good and usually ended up as dust collectors. As the need for more clocks increased, something had to be done. Eli Terry then began mass production of wooden clocks in Connecticut in the early 1800's. This was a big step forward and led to the establishment of clockmaking as an industry. He introduced many of the well-known shelf clocks sought after by collectors today. Clockmaking had gained a strong foothold in our country and many of the styles have not changed to this day. Now clocks are made mostly by mass production, but Alvin Neely fashions grandfather clocks of wood by hand like they were made years ago. He does not use many tools considering the exactness which is needed, and he tries to keep the process pretty basic. Nearly every room in his home has one of his clocks in it and on the hour, every hour, all different kinds of chimes can be heard throughout the house. While he shows and talks about his clocks, it is obvious how much pride he takes in them because of that special smile on his face. Clockmaking has become an irreplaceable part of his life and it will probably remain that way as long as he lives. "I've always liked to work with wood," said Mr. Neely as he began to tell how he became interested in making clocks. "I can't remember exactly how I began making them...we were with some friends in Kansas who had a grandfather clock that someone had made, and I got interested in making one." A short time later, in a barbershop in Kirksville, he saw a magazine that contained an article on clockmaking. He asked the barber if he could take it with him, and from that small amount of information, he began his first clock. Although he had worked with wood before, making clocks was totally different. His first attempt gave him a lot of problems. "You learn a little each time," he said, "and I had quite a time with my first one. I made so many mistakes, I just kept patching [photo caption] Left photo: Mr. Neely is shown here in his small work-area fitting the molding on one of his clocks. Center photo: Three of Mr. Neely's hand-made clocks. The one on the far right is the first one he ever made. Right photo: Alvin Neely proudly displays some of the earlier clocks that he has made. 24 (Page 25) By John Morgan Dan Mehlenbacher and patching." After finishing his first clock, he decided that he needed more information. He ordered plans which specifically showed how to make different cabinet styles. Since then he has had considerably fewer problems, although he does not hold strictly to the plan. Depending on the style, the movements consist of the actual timepiece, weights, and pendulum. All of the movements are made in Germany and vary greatly in looks, sound of the chimes, and materials used in construction. "The first movements I ever bought cost me $87. Today the cost is at least $200 or even more depending on what they're made of." He usually finishes the surrounding cabinet before ordering and inserting the movements. As he spoke, he began to point out the errors in many of his clocks. Many of the faults which he considers major can barely be seen by an untrained eye. Since most of the wood he uses to make his clocks is as much as 30 or 40 years old, much of it has holes or cracks. Mr. Neely does not feel that this affects the overall looks of the clocks, however. "Most of my wood is old and I have to fill holes sometimes," he said. "Many people like that look in the wood though, and I sort of do, too." He has a large stack of wood, mostly walnut, in his garage and he plans on making clocks until his wood runs out or until he is physically unable to make them. Considering the type and exactness of his work, the time involved in making a clock is not too substantial. The time it does take depends mainly on how consistently he works on them. He has three unfinished ones in the garage which he has been working on for a while now. Usually, a clock will take him about a month to complete. If he works hard, however, he can get one finished sooner. "If I just get in and work everyday, it will take me about two to three weeks of hard work to complete a clock." He has been alternating work on the ones in his garage, and the movements are all that are needed to complete one of them. He is hoping to finish those and start new ones soon. His only problem is that he is running out of places in his home to put them. "I want to finish this one, but I don't know where I'm gonna put it. Maybe I will stick it at the foot of my bed," he said with a laugh. Much of his spare house space is already filled with clocks, and in the near future he will be overrun by time. As many clocks as he has made, Mr. Neely has only sold one of them. A man that Mr. Neely knew came to him one day wishing to purchase a hand-made clock for his wife. Every clock that Mr. Neely makes is special and unique to him and for that reason, it took a lot of pressure from his wife and daughter before he would sell one. He knew his clocks were valuable, however, and he was very frank about the situation. "When the man came to me, I told him it would cost a lot. He asked how much and when I said $1,000, he just started pulling out money." His skills are not usually for sale due to very personal reasons. He wants very strongly to leave a clock to each of his children and grandchildren when he is gone, and he has almost made enough. He did realize, however, that selling one of them posed no threat to his goal and that is why one person, but only one person, has had the opportunity to buy a hand-made clock by Mr. Alvin Neely. When he tried to think of how many he has made, he paused for a moment. "Well, I'm not sure," he said. "I've almost made enough so far for my children and all of my grandchildren." Although he makes clocks as a hobby and to fill time during his retirement, he again admitted that the real reason is so that when he is gone, he will have left something behind as a remembrance for his family. His beautiful clocks will be in his family for years and perhaps this is why he takes so much pride and puts so much time into his work. 25 (Page 26) Kirksville Democrat. VOLUME XXXIII KIRKSVILLE, MISSOURI, FRIDAY, JAN. 16, 1903. NUMBER 13 CONNELSVILLE The Coming Coal Center of Missouri! [photo caption] Part of the article that appeared in the Kirksville Democrat on January 16, 1903. Courtesy of Pickier Library at NMSU. 26 (Page 27) CONNELSVILLE: The Coal Center That Never Came Once a flourishing community in Northeast Missouri, Connelsville is now just a few bends in the road. Connelsville has its history hidden in its rolling hills along the banks of the Chariton River. About 1845, David A. Ely set up a mill on the Chariton River. It came to be Ely's Mill located north of Novinger. Ely built the three-story structure containing machinery to grind wheat and corn. He later added the machinery needed to saw logs. He also built a raft which he used as a hand-pulled ferry across the river. A horse and rider paid 121/2 cents to be taken across and another 50 cents for a two-horse drawn wagon. Livestock, such as cattle were 3 cents a head and sheep, were a penny. On March 4, 1850, Dr. Wilhelm Keil bought Ely's Mill and about 20 acres of fertile land on the west side of the Chariton River at a cost of $3,000. He had the land surveyed into lots around a square. He called his new town "Nineveh," a Biblical name. History tell us that Dr. Keil was a German communist and that he was an enterprising gentleman. He had already planned Bethel and three nearby settlements of Mamri, Elim, and Hebron in the Shelby County region of Missouri. Dr. Keil was born in Prussia and moved to the United States where he became a German Methodist minister. He is said to have had many followers of which about 25 came from Bethel to the colony of Nineveh in about 1851. A post office was soon built and George Miller was the first postmaster in 1852. Nineveh was on the map! Nineveh became a trading center for the colonists and the farmers who lived in and around the community. The colony soon expanded to more than 150 people on both sides of the river. The Adair County Court rearranged the townships in [photo caption] Photo below: Sam True and his dog in front of his home in Connelsville. Mr. True has lived at this location since 1931. [photo caption] The old Connelsville school. It was torn down a few years after the school closed. 27 (Page 28) [photo caption] The Rosehill Mine was one of the last mines to operate. It closed when it ran into the old works of the Blacksmith mine. Adair County so that the community of Nineveh became the center of the Nineveh township about the year 1860. Dr. Keil had moved to Oregon in 1854. In 1877 the town was divided equally among its citizens due to the death of Dr. Keil. From 1879 to 1901 Nineveh was just another country crossroad village. In 1901 Nineveh had a new birth. The Iowa and St. Louis Railroad was built. The Missouri and Iowa Townsite Company soon came to Nineveh and began surveying. According to Adair County records, on the 29th of August, 1902, the town of Connelsville was officially surveyed. The same day an addition was made to the town. Five days after the beginning of Connelsville, John D. Miller had three additions surveyed by the county surveyor, Mr. Tyler Paine, for the town of Nineveh. The two communities had a good location with the Chariton River nearby and smooth rolling hills surrounding the communities. The river valley was very fertile and Connelsville grew as did Nineveh. The two towns eventually became one-Connelsville. Mining was another rebirth for Connelsville, which was named after a great coal mining town in Pennsylvania. The Manufactures Coal & Coke Company operated five to seven mines in and around the community. In an article that appeared in the Kirksville Democrat on January 16, 1903, Connelsville was referred to as the "coming coal center of North Missouri." Connelsville was expected to reach a population of 10,000, making it bigger than Novinger or Kirksville. There were already about 125 homes and stores built. The article also stated contracts had been made for 7 large two-story brick buildings: two 14 room miner's houses, 190 company dwellings, 4 large frame houses, and a ten room clubhouse for the coal company. A lumber yard already existed and there was a company-owned electric plant under construction. The Manufacturers Coal & Coke Company planned to have electricity in all their buildings, and eventually light up the town. Connelsville was entering its prime. According to Everett Elsea, who was born in Connelsville in 1905, the town's best period of industry was from 1908 to 1915 when it worked three to four mines of the Manufacturers Coal & Coke Company. The mines produced about 1,000 to 1,500 tons of coal daily. The Iowa and St. Louis Railroad would haul the coal away. A daily train came up from Novinger, four miles to the south, and picked up coal also. Mr. Elsea also said that the town's highest population was around 700 or 800 people. At one time there was a total of seven brick buildings in the town. There were pool halls and restaurants and a general store. The town had a two-story school for a while. Mrs. Gladys Cooper, who lived there as a child, told us about "pie suppers" and debates at the school. The two-story school had four years of grade school in one room and the next four years in the room next to it. The upstairs had two years of high school. Mrs. Cooper also told us that the school had water fountains, which were unheard of in those days. The school was heated by stoves with jackets around them. They burnt either coal or wood. The school also had what they called "cadet teachers," student teachers from Northeast Missouri State Teachers College. The people we have talked to have said they enjoyed living in the town. Mr. Elsea reflected, "We did a lot of fishing up there, some of it legally." Mrs. Cooper remembers the miners, "coming through the woods like fireflies in the morning." To many, Connelsville was a nice place to live or have a business. During the summer the teenagers had dances and "pie suppers" and went hunting and fishing. Each winter the children went sledding, taking advantage of the rolling hills around the town. Sam True remembers the winter of 1936 when his children skated to school after the town had six inches of freezing rain on top of the snow already on the ground. Now the rolling hills once covered with homes and businesses are mostly part of someone's pasture. The population of the town today is about 200 people. Today Connelsville is just a country crossroad village, just as when it first started 81 years ago. The community is just a shadow of what it once was. Yet to some it is still a nice place to live. As Sam True said, "I'll be here till I die." By Ken Thomas Mark Wray 28 (Back Cover)