Progress Notes

A week and half ago I went over to the Eldon Middle School to take a look at the new Mustang Memorial Park and the Veteran’s Legacy Plaza. A huge new seating complex is present for the field sports events which also have been updated including a new electronic scoreboard display. At the Veteran’s Legacy Plaza a large mustang statue is present surrounded by memorial stones containing the names of previous Eldon military veterans. Here are some photos I took of this area (photos 01 - 04):

01 Mustang Memorial Park

02 Mustang Memorial Park

03 Mustang Memorial Park

04 Mustang Memorial Park

Superintendent Matt Davis was interviewed about the complex recently by the Lake Sun Newspaper (photo 05):

05 Matt Davis - Eldon School Superintendent

Lake News Online:

Eldon, Mo. —

The Mustang is not only the mascot of the Eldon School District, it was also recognized by Congress in 1971 as symbolizing the historic and pioneer spirit of the West. A spirit characterized by the pursuit of a greater future, the overcoming of hardships, and the commitment to a cause bigger than oneself. And so it ...seems only fitting that “mustang” appear in the name of the new Memorial Park complex. Superintendent Matt Davis said, “Projects of this nature are no small task, and their effects can be far reaching, becoming more than just a place to view sporting events. We wanted to make sure the alumni of EHS as well as the community of Eldon shared in this endeavor.”

And that is exactly what has happened.

Within Legacy Plaza, located at the “mustang statue,” is the collection of monuments representing each branch of service. Upon each monument are the names of Eldon alumni and members of the community who served in the military. “The response to including the monuments has been overwhelming,” Davis said. “It is very moving to see family members touch the names of their loves ones etched on the monuments, very proud of their service to our country.”

The paver stones surrounding this statue and located on the benches and tables, pay tribute to the accomplishments, memories, and legacies of individuals, families, teams, groups and businesses.

To celebrate the spirit of EHS, the football field has been named “Victor Field,” in honor of the school fight song, “The Victors.” Davis said, “Anytime we talk about school spirit or school pride, it implies a sense of belonging or standing together. School fight songs are well known at high schools, colleges, and universities used both as a rally cry and a sign of celebration. The name brings meaning and ownership to our students who will participate on and around the field.

Mustang Memorial Park becomes a new landmark not only in the city of Eldon, but also in the hearts of alumni and community members, embracing the idea that this will become a place where families gather and friends connect, building strong the relationships that sustain through the trials of life. It is here where the character of competitors will be tested, offering them the opportunity to push themselves as never before. And it is here where the legacies and memories of special moments and dear loved ones will live on.

I attended the opening of the huge complex August 23 where a large crowd was present. Eldon School board member Mike Kriegshauser spoke about the Veteran's Legacy Columns and the new name of the football field, “Victor Field” (photo 06).

06 Mike Kriegshauser - Eldon Advertiser

The event began with a wreath laying Ceremony and recognition of veterans at the Legacy Plaza near the concession stand followed by a ribbon cutting at the press box main entrance. Later, a dedication ceremony was held for Victor Field, the name of the new football field at the sports complex. The Eldon High School Marching Mustang band performed during the entire ceremony (photo 06a).

06a Eldon High School Band - Eldon Advertiser

All in all, one has to be very impressed by the organization and progress of the Eldon School system.

So it seems appropriate to continue the Eldon theme this week by presenting a short history of the town as published more than twenty five years ago by the Advertiser:

Eldon Advertiser
January 28, 1982

Original Eldon Plat Filed March 15, 1882

Have you ever wondered why North Street in Eldon has such a name when it is not in North Eldon nor does it run north but rather east and west?

Well, North Street used to be in north Eldon. It was the last street platted on the north side of the proposed town of Eldon in 1882. The southern boundary of the town was 15th Street.

A company had been formed by G.R. Weeks to lay out a town on 40 acres of land where Eldon stands today (photo 07).

07 George Weeks

H.S. Burlingame surveyed the plat on March 15, 1882, just a month before the Jefferson City, Lebanon and Southern Missouri Pacific Railroad announced it would build a rail line through the area.

That railroad is gone now but evidence of its right of way can still be seen near the junction of Highway 87 and Business 54 near the Eldon Airpark and through the downtown area in the vicinity of Second Street.

The rail line came through the Eldon area from Olean to turn around at Bagnell on the Osage River (and in later years was known as the Missouri Pacific Bagnell Branch) (photo 08).

08 Missouri Pacific Railroad Bagnell Branch Turn Around

“The History of Cole, Moniteau, Morgan, Benton, Miller, Maries, and Osage counties, Missouri,” published in 1889 by Goodspeed Publishing Company of Chicago noted Eldon was located “on the beautiful prairie” and consisted of “two fresh, crisp, clean clumps of houses less than a mile apart along the railway.” For many years there was “upper Eldon” and lower Eldon because of gravity. The town founders intended for Grand Avenue to be the main street of the new town and several businesses were built in that area of Upper Eldon and a site for a depot was proposed. But that part of Eldon had a slight grade to it and because brakes on railroad cars were not all that good in the early 1880’s, the strings of railroad cars would ease east down the tracks to about Second and Maple streets where flatter ground brought them to a halt.

Not one to argue with the laws of nature, the town founders selected another site for the depot on the east side of Maple Street.

One of the town founders, T.J. Hart, established a store near the south end of Grand Avenue when he hauled in a building from High Point (photo 09).

09 Eldon's First Store

Other businessmen locating on Grand Avenue and listed in the 1889 publication were G.W. Weeks, J. Brickey, A.C. Harding, L.F. Hart, W.A. Simmons, Fry & Manning, and A.J. Blackman.

The first hotel was the Goss House, which is the present Howser Store on North Maple Street. This and the Cottage Hotel operated by Mr. James, and now the Maples Hotel, were begun in 1882, and mainly accommodated the construction workers (photo 10).

10 James Hotel

By fall of 1882 the old Missouri Pacific Depot had been built in Lower Eldon (photo 11).

11 Missouri Pacific Depot - Eldon

Newton, Weeks and Hart built the Eldon Roller Mills, the first business in the new part of town (photo 12).

12 Eldon Roller Mill

In January, 1883, a building which became known as “The Big Brick” was completed for Hart & Graham. That building still stands…the present Carter’s Department Store. From that time on the business center gradually began to move to Lower Eldon (see photo 09 of Hart store).

In April of 1883 another first was recorded for Eldon, according to Professor Gerard Schultz of Iberia Junior College in his book, “A History of Miller County, Missouri,” written during the 1930’s. Schultz said the Eldon Congregational Church was organized then and the first church house built. Prior to that residents of the area had attended church at Mt. Pleasant (photo 13).

13 Congregational Church

Other important dates recorded by Schultz include:

1888: The first Missouri Pacific Depot at Eldon was destroyed by fire on March 17.

1890: The first building of the Christian Church at Aurora and First Streets was built (photo 14).

14 Christian Church

1894: June 11, the Eldon Advertiser was started by N.J. Shepherd and J.R. Helfrich (The Eldon News had been published by L.F. Hart for a few months in 1886) (photo 15).

15 Nehemiah John Shepherd with wife Permelia Ralls

Also, in 1894, R.S. Harvey opened the Bank of Eldon for business on September 20 (photos 20 and 21).

20 Robert S. Harvey

21 Bank of Eldon First Building on Right- Early 1900's

1895: A village school district was organized at Eldon.

1896: A tornado hit the city and did much damage, including destroying the city’s first church.

1900: Eldon had a population of 379 and the Bank of Eldon was chartered.

By 1903 Eldon residents knew the new railroad being built by the St. Louis, Kansas City and Colorado Railroad would come through Eldon. That railroad, which for years was known as the Rock Island, still has tracks running through Eldon but they have been unused in recent years and the tracks are now owned by the Southern Pacific Cotton Belt line. The railroad chose Eldon as its division point and the population of the city grew as rail workers on the east and west end divisions moved their families in. The first train on the new line reached Eldon on October 22, 1903 (photos 22 and 23).

22 Rock Island at Eldon

23 Rock Island Station - 1904

In January of 1904 the population voted to incorporate Eldon as a city of the fourth class. Only one vote was cast against the proposition. Also, that year saw the founding of the Citizens Bank of Eldon by S.F. and Paul Spurlock (photo 24).

24 William Harrison - President of Citizens Bank

The Baptist Church congregation dedicated its new building in 1908 but six years later it burned to the ground. Its replacement was dedicated in the fall of 1915 (photo 25).

25 Baptist Church

By 1910 the population of Eldon was 1,999 and the first class was graduated at Eldon High School (photo 26).

26 Former Eldon High School

Ten years later the city had a population of 2,636 and by 1930 there were 3,171 residents of Eldon.

We are very appreciative of the willingness of Miller County natives and friends who are willing to donate their precious family heirlooms to our museum. Once in a while we “hit the jackpot” when a donation or gift is extraordinarily interesting and/or valuable.

Recently, such a donation was made to us by Raymond Stillwell of Alton, Illinois. Raymond is the grandson of one of Miller County’s most important attorneys and public figures of the past, Walter Stillwell, of Tuscumbia (photo 27).

27 Walter and Lydia Stillwell

You can read the biography of Walter Stillwell as written by Peggy Hake at this previous Progress Notes.

Here is a photo of Raymond and his family taken a couple of months ago when they visited our museum (photo 28):

28 Raymond Stillwell Family

And here are their names left to right: Michael Stillwell, Kasha Windmiller, Raymond, Peggy, Andrew Stillwell. Sitting: Audrey Windmiller, Miles Windmiller

What Raymond brought us was a huge, very old trunk which belonged to his grandfather, Walter Stillwell (photo 29).

29 Walter Stillwell Trunk

The trunk contained many valuable articles of historical interest including old Autogram newspapers, numerous photos, documents, clothing of styles from long ago, musical instruments such as a harmonica collection, and law books (photos 30 and 31).

30 Harmonicas, Harmonica Holder behind, Mandolin, Bugle, Carved Walking Stick, Guitar and Banjo

31 Law Books of Walter S. Stillwell

The old banjo and guitar were used by Walter’s sons, Roger and Robert Stillwell, when they presented a weekly musical show on Jefferson City’s KMOS radio station in the late 1920’s. Here are photos of Robert and Roger and their wives, Marie Bear Stillwell and Juanita Messrsmith Stillwell (photos 32 and 33):

32 Marie and Bob Stillwell

33 Roger and Juanita Messersmith

Another photo is of Robert playing his guitar and harmonica (photo 34):

34 Robert Stillwell playing Guitar and Harmonica

You can hear Robert Stillwell play his guitar at this previous Progress Notes.

One of the really interesting gifts made to us by Raymond was the original door of the old Abstract Office building in Tuscumbia owned by Walter and his son Roger. Board member Jim Clark recently installed this door in the lower level of our museum (photos 35 and 36).

35 Stillwell Door hung by Jim Clark

36 Window of Stillwell Door

We are very grateful to Raymond for his donation of these historical items once owned by one of our county’s better known historical figures, Walter Stillwell.

Recent visitors to our museum included several members of the Mt. Zion Christian Church who were our special guests Sunday, August 26 (photo 37).

37 Mount Zion Christian Church Group

The group brought sack lunches for a quick meal in our kitchen area and then toured the museum. Just about everyone recognized photos of some of their family members of the past and all were quite interested in our displays which feature only Miller County originated items. Alan Glawson of Tuscumbia recognized a photo of his great great uncle, John Aust, a very well known Miller County minister of the past, in the section of the museum which features our churches (photos 38 and 39).

38 Alan Glawson

39 John Aust

In the photo of Alan, John is at the top of the group of photos to Alan’s left.

Other recent visitors have included William Phillips, originally of Eldon, now living in Chicago (photo 40).

40 William Phillips

In the photo, William is standing next to the original baby bed which belonged to his mother, Helen Phillips. William’s family owned the well known Phillips Funeral Home of Eldon.

Clark Sandfort of Lake Ozark was another recent visitor. Clark was accompanied by his brother in law Harry Chalmers who is married to Clark’s sister, Sara Sandfort Chalmers (photo 41).

41 Clark Sandfort, Harry Chalmers and wife Sara Sandfort Chalmers

Harry and Sara live in California but are natives of this area.  I had presented the story of Clark’s family on these previous Progress Notes:

http://www.millercountymuseum.org/archives/110411.html
http://www.millercountymuseum.org/archives/110425.html

I haven’t written a story about the Chalmers family but Harry Chalmers Sr. is mentioned in these previous Progress Notes:

http://www.millercountymuseum.org/archives/081229.html
http://www.millercountymuseum.org/archives/080901.html
http://www.millercountymuseum.org/archives/110411.html
http://www.millercountymuseum.org/archives/080407.html

Harry’s mother, Mildred Chalmers, was a school teacher at Tuscumbia. When I was a child, the Chalmers family attended the Tuscumbia Presbyterian Church where I went with my family.

Another recent visitor was Alton Davis of Eldon. Alton contributed artifacts to our Native American display when our museum first opened. In this photo, he is standing next to two sculptures of Native Americans which he carved himself (photo 42):

42 Alton Davis

Alton is a real treasure regarding American Indian lore, history, and artifacts. He has hundreds of arrowheads, many collected in our county. Here are photos of his biography and some of his Indian artifacts (photos 43 and 44):

43 Arrowheads and Sculpture

44 Arrowheads and Sculpture

We were delighted last week to host a visit by the seventh and eighth grade classes of the Tuscumbia middle school. The visit was coordinated by school teacher Mitch Wardehausen (photo 45).

45 Mitch Wardehausen

Here are some photos of the students (photos 46 - 51):

46 School Group

47 School Group

48 School Group

49 School Group

50 School Group

51 School Group

Finally, I thought some might be interested in this newspaper clipping from our files (which does not indicate its origin, unfortunately) regarding how Missourians differ in the way they pronounce the name of our state:

Missouri Missoura?

From a newspaper clipping of unknown publication

Kansas City, Mo. (UPI)

Some call Illinois “Ill-uh-noy” and others “Ill-uh-noise,” and Missourians have the same problem.

Is it “Missour-uh” or “Missour-ee?

Phoneticists get downright fanatic about the issue.

Bill Vaughan, resident humorist of the Kansas City Star, pronounces it “Mizzoura” and says, “That last syllable is like what musicians call a dying fall, it is a breath, a sigh. It is an audible expression of the blue haze which hangs eternally over the ancient Ozark hills.”

But another native writer, Martin Quigley, editor of the Midwest Motorist, insists on “Mh-zure-ee.”

“My daddy drilled me in the sounds and traditions of his native state,” says Quigley.

“The first thing he taught me was Mh-zur-ee. ‘Make it sing, son, he would say. ‘Show me you’re from Mh-zur-EE.’

And I have been singing Mh-zur-ee ever since.”

The two debated EE vs. UH in a recent issue of Midwest Motorist, published by the Auto Club of Missouri. The magazine polled its readers on the subject and found something of a geographical dispute.

Of 2,000 returns tabulated so far, 57.4 per cent favored Missour-EE and 42.6 per cent Missour-UH.

Vaughan was undaunted.

“Those of us who pronounce Mizzoura correctly do not bring this business up,” he wrote. “It is agitated by those opposite. In my more that 60 years of living in this state I have known people of all kinds, from all parts of Missouri who pronounce it differently. And in all fairness I want to say that I want no official decision, no laws passed.

“Let us live at peace with ourselves as a state whose natives disagree on how to pronounce it.

“I have voted for men who said Missouree, even cosigned their notes, but with a lot more reluctance than if they had taken the trouble to say it right”

Don’t forget to come to the “Pig and Pickle Festival this weekend. This flier describes all the activities planned (photo 52):

52 Pig and Pickle Festival 2012 Flyer
Click image for larger view in PDF format

That’s all for this week.

Joe Pryor

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