RALLS
COUNTY MISSOURI HISTORICAL NEWSLETTER
Volume 1 Issue
3, May 2002
Dear
Members and Friends of the Ralls County Missouri Historical Society:
Ralls
County Historical Society will hold its regular meeting at the New London
Grade school gym. The door will be open at 6:00 P.M. and a short meeting will
begin at 6:30 P.M. As soon as the meeting is over Conrad Cheatham and Andy
Sisk will present “History of
the Shortline Railroad”. Both
Conrad and Andy have researched this former railroad that operated from
Hannibal to Wentzville, with a spur to Perry. The history of the Shortline
goes back to the earliest history of Northeast Missouri railroading and had
many interesting events and owners. One of the owners was part of the Ringling
family that owned the world famous circus. There will be a display of photos,
maps, railroad items and a video of the New London depot from an old film. If
you should have such items or stories please bring them with you to share with
the group. Please forward this to anyone with an interest in railroad or local
history. The presentation will be free and opened to the public. John Phil
Conn will record the event and we will make a copy available to those unable
to attend later. Thanks John Phil. I have e-mailed all of the local
newspapers, radio and TV station about this event so the turn out should be
good
COURTHOUSE
In 2008 the Ralls County courthouse will be 150
years old and is the co-oldest active courthouse west of the Mississippi
River. It is hoped that by that time the old historic building can be totally
restored so there can be a major celebration of the 150 years of history that
the old courthouse has seen. The county commissioners have spoken to me about
researching the cost, funding and interest in such a project. Ralls County has
a rare treasure and I hope all of the county would get behind an effort to
show off our courthouse and county to the state and nation. Six years seems a
long away off, but a major event like this takes a lot of work and planning.
Any help with from our members or non-members would be welcomed and I
hope I will hear from many of you. One
thing we all can do is to make the public of the county and area aware of the
courthouse and its history.
COFFEE
MUGS
The third versions of coffee mugs are now
available. This version features the Catholic Churches St. Paul and St.
Peters. St Paul built in 1860 is the oldest Catholic Church north of St Louis
and known as the mother church of north Missouri. St. Peters was built just
two years later in 1862 and is best known as the church that Father Augustus
Tolton was baptized. Father
Tolton was the nation’s first black priest. St Peters is also known as Brush
Creek. Be sure I get your mug
before they are gone the first two versions are very much in demand since they
have been sold out.
“LITTLE
RED SCHOOL HOUSE” AFGHAN
There
will be raffle for a “Little Red School House” Afghan to be given away at
the “Time Was Days” in Perry on September 28. Tickets will be $1.00 each
or 6 for $5.00. Tickets are available from Billie Mac Cearley, Imogene Karaff
and Mary Beck or by mail by sending a check to Ralls County Historical
Society, P. O. Box #182, and Center MO. They will also be available at our
booth manned at local events. It can be seen at the May, July and September
meetings and manned booths.
“RALLS
COUNTY” HISTORY”
As you may know by now the Goldena Howard
“Ralls County” history is in and selling at Gaylord Winders office at the
Courthouse in New London, Ralls County Library, Center MO, Perry State Bank
(Perry only) and Garden of Angles Antique Shoppe in Perry.
They are also available by mail at Ralls County Historical Society,
P.O. 182, Center MO. 63436. The cost is $50.00 each and an added $5.00 if
ordered by mail. The books came in early and caught us a little flat footed,
but have recovered and have the preorders filled and publicity out to all the
public.
HAM
AND BEAN SUPPER:
The
Ham and Bean Supper drew a large crowd from all over the county and with one
member coming from Kansas. We were able to sign up new members and sold a
number of books to members and non-members.
The meeting after the supper was well attended and we were able to
discuss our projects, plans and got input from members on those items.
There was a large and active group who stayed after the meeting.
Thanks to all who helped prepare, sell and clean up. I would like to
have more food events like this, but it takes many of the members away from
the actual meeting so they cannot participate and enjoy the meeting. Maybe we
could have it catered next time. I would like member’s input on this.
COMMUNITY
SERVICE:
The
use of community service personal to help clean up the Cemetery at
Madisonville and other projects is still being planned. We need someone in the
Ralls County area that can coordinate this with the courts and probation
personal. Please volunteer if at
all possible so we can speed the project along.
DIRECTORS
Directors
who have agreed to fill the void in those positions till the next election in
January; Debbie Allen, Joy Briscoe, Sue Delaporte, Sally Polc, Fran Watts,
Bert Howard, Marsha Knudsen, Minerva Howard, Mike Hayden, Billy Cearley.
THANKS
As you can see we have large amount of projects
in the works and without the help of many members and non-members things could
not get done. It is impossible to name all the people who have helped with out
missing someone. Knowing this I want to try, I’m sorry for anyone I may miss
Jere Nelson at the “Garden of Angels Antique
Shoppe” 110 South Palmyra, Perry has allowed us to put a display of Perry
pictures and other items in her shop. Please stop by see the display and her
line of antiques she has available in her two stores. The antiques shops in
Perry have been one of our best supporters in allowing us the sell our books
and items.
The Statler’s and staff at the
“Herald-Enterprise” have been a major help in getting our information out
and to the public over many months. We are preparing a display of old Ralls
County photos for them to display at their office. Thanks Gene, Judy and
staff.
Gaylord
Winder, Garden of Angels Antique Shoppe, Perry State Bank and Ralls County
Library have allowed us to sell the “Ralls County” in offices and places
of businesses. Thank for taking
the time to help us.
Otis
Rosenstengel for donation of windows for the old Perry bank at Perry.
Ralph and Fred Omer their always hard work on the
bank and other projects
Sue
Delaporte has spent hours typing articles into the computer to produce our
next book.
Dave
and Sally Polc for the large stack of Funeral/memorial cards and obituaries
they donated to the society. We
hope to get in some kind of file or order for people who want to use them for
research. They go back into the 1940s and to almost the present. Anyone
interested in seeing them at me know I’ll begin them to the next meeting.
Most of the people seem to be from north Ralls County and the Hannibal area.
Bill
Cearley, John Roy Chipman and son for receiving and storing the shipment of
the “Ralls County” History when they arrived.
Bill
Cearley for attending class on funding and grants. This will be a big help in
future.
Ron Evans family and Virgil
Megown for the donation of an original 1878 Ralls County Atlas. The condition
is very good and this will make an excellent source when we get our museum
some day.
Imogene Karaff for her work
in shipping the history books, banking, mail collecting and all the extra
tines she does for the society.
CALENDAR:
Ralls
County Missouri Historical Society: Regular meetings.
July
4, 2002 Perry Fish Fry?
July
15, 2002 at Center Christian church basement
September
16, 2002 at Perry VFW
September
28, 2002 “Time Was Days”? Perry MO
November
18, 2002 at New London courthouse basement.
If
your town, club or group were planning an event where it would be appropriate
to set up a booth about RCHS we would like to know about it. If you would be
available for these events to man a booth please let you know.
Special
meetings are being planned and notice of these events will on the following
newsletters. This special meetings will be for speakers and many out of town
members would like to have a day meeting so they would not have to travel the
longer distant at night. These could be a picnic or join meeting with another
historical societies.
Society
Minutes
The Ralls county Historical Society met March
18th, 2002 at the VFW hall in Perry Mo.
From 5:00-6:30 pm a ham and bean supper with Corn Bread and homemade
pies and cakes and Coffee, tea, or soda was served for a donation. The
Cearleys and Omer’s did the ham and beans and Corn bread and members
furnished pie, cake and drinks. Took in $321.00.
At 7pm the meeting was called to order by Ron
Leake Pres. The Minutes of the last meeting was read and approved. The
Treasurer’s Report was read and approved. A big thanks goes to Ralph &
Fred Omer and Bill & Billie Cearley for all the cooking and getting things
together at the Ham and Bean
A thank you to Imogene Karaff for the great help
in depositing money that come in for memberships and books to the Center Post
Office.
Old business discussed was that the Books by
Goldena Howard “History of Ralls County” 1980 is being printed and should
be here in early May. We are still taking prepaid orders
$50.00 plus $5.00 if you wish it mailed to you. There is a limited
number being printed. We will
have pick up locations in Center, Perry, and New London and perhaps in
Hannibal.
Books available from
Ralls County Historical Society, P.O. Box 182, Center Missouri 63436
“End
of a Way of Life” by Dee West and Okle Rouse two men
who lived in the Salt River Valley covered by the Mark Twain Lake. They write
of the families, legends, towns, churches, schools, caves and cemeteries moved
or covered by the filling of the lake. There are photos of many of the people,
homes, schools and churches of the flooded valley. $15.00 shipped
“Ralls
County Missouri Settler and Settlements Volume #1, Lick Creek”
This is collection of articles, speeches and letters published in Ralls County
and other papers by early settlers in the Lick Creek area of Ralls County in
the 1820-1860 years. The town of Perry was later formed from these settlers in
the 1860’s. From 1904 to 1909 a Rev. Thomas Gallaher wrote 15 articles to
the Perry “Enterprise” about the early families, schools, churches,
events, hunting and much more about the life in the 1840s, 50s and 60s. The
other articles tell of the early family stories, weather, Indians, wolves,
Elk, travel and life on the very early frontier. There a lot of genealogy
information in these book and tells of many families who live here for little
while and moved to other areas. The
book is 15.00 + $2.00 for shipping.
“The
Mark Twain Book” by Goldena Howard, This book concentrates
on Mark Twain in Hannibal, early local friends, his family and family tree.
It goes into the origins and connections of characters in his books to
local people and places. It also
covers many trivial and little known facts on Mark Twain and is a very
interesting read. ($15.00 + $2.00 for postage)
FYI
The
Hannibal Courier-Post will be featuring the society and books that we have for
sale. They took pictures of the
New London courthouse to go with the article. Thanks to the Courier-Post and
staff for their support and help.
We
would like to have information history of all the Old churches, schools and
cemeteries in Ralls County If anyone has any information on any of the
churches, schools, Cemeteries and or pictures they would share with us we
would love to have them. If you wish us to make copies so you can keep the
originals you may send information to RCHS at P. O. Box 182 Center Mo. or
contact Mary Beck at 15585 Red Oak Trail Monroe City MO. 63456-3047
573-735-2155 mbeck@nemonet.com
Membership
in RCHS is $10 per person or $15.00 per family per year Jan. 1 to Dec 31
Vote on Newsletter name will be held at the July
meeting because of the limited time at this meeting. The named turned in will
be in the next newsletter
Presidents
Views;
Because of the short meeting before the
“Shortline” program I want to cover as much information as I could in this
newsletter. On the plus side I’ll have to make my views short. I just want
to say are probably the fastest growing and most active small county
historical society in state. This is because of the input and volunteering of
the past months by members and friends. Thanks
members and friends, please continue and we will continue to grow and show
people what Ralls County can do.
BIT
OF RALLS COUNTY HISTORY
Perry
Missouri “Enterprise” July 12, 1900
The
Jester Trail
There is a rumor that the Jester case will not be
for trail next Monday when it is called, but is likely to be dismissed,
because the state has been unable to satisfactorily prove the death of Gilbert
Gates. This rumor has reached considerable prominence, having been published
in several papers in adjoining counties. This rumor is entirely unfounded. The
prosecution will be ready for trail and so will the defense, both sides
getting ready for trial.
The prosecutions claim that they have a strong
case against the defendant and will prove the “corpus delecti” or the
death of Gates beyond a doubt.
The dense insists that the prosecution will not
be able to satisfactorily prove the Gates was ever murdered, or is dead. They
say that it frequently happens that people disappear and are not heard of for
many years and are given up for dead and after a long time appear alive and
all right. In support of this they cite three instances, familiar to a great
many of the readers of Ralls County, as follows.
First, the disappearance of Abner Knight. Shortly
after the close of the Civil War, Abner Knight came to Ralls County from the
state of Virginia; bring with him his wife and several children. For a number
of years he lived in Saverton Township, Ralls County and about seventeen year
ago, Mr. Knight decided to visit some relatives in the state of Georgia.
Accordingly, he told his family goodbye and stated upon his mission. Some
weeks elapsed and Mr. Knight’s family, not hearing from him his relatives
were written to as his whereabouts, word came that Mr. Knight had safely
arrived had afterwards disappeared and that his people had no knowledge of his
whereabouts and not long after this, intelligence was received from Georgia, a
body or the remains of a man had been found which they had every reason to
believe those of Mr. Knight. The belief of his death then became a settled
conviction with his family and further inquiry was relinquished. Believing he
was dead, Mrs. Knight, within a few years married Milford McElroy, of Saverton
Township, this county. Mr. McElroy died a few years ago and his widow lives in
Hannibal. A few weeks ago Mrs. Knight’s daughter in Hannibal received a
letter direct from his relatives in Georgia saying he was alive and living in
that locality.
Second, the disappearance of Silas Carter, from
Perry. Mr. Carter was raised in Ralls county and married here and they had one
child. His wife died and about twenty years ago he was living near Perry with
his mother. All at once he disappeared without any warning or telling any one
where he was going. He never came back and after careful search he was given
up as dead and supposed to have been murdered. About fifteen years after
Carter’s disappearance, one Mansfield King, who lived near Perry, at the
time of this disappearance and who has a notorious criminal was arrested and
put in jail at Clayton MO, for horse stealing and in jail Mr. King proceeded
to make some very strong confessions, among which he stated that he had
murdered Silas Carter and put him in Lick Creek. This confession was published
in the St. Louis paper and drifted out to California and there it ran upon
Silas Carter, alive and doing well. He read it and was induced by this
incident to write back to his son, Peter Carter telling him of his
disappearance and that he was then living in California. This was the first
information as to Carter’s whereabouts since his disappearance.
Third, the case of Eva B. Liter, who many years
ago, moved with her husband from Ralls County to Montana and there they bought
a farm of 160 acres. Not long thereafter, her husband perished in storm and
Mrs. Liter wrote to her mother who lived in New London, that she and her two
children would soon return to Ralls County Missouri. They never arrived and
Mrs. Liter’s relatives here made every search and investigation, to learn
what became of these parties, but no trace could be found of them, except that
they had started and were supposed to have been killed or perished on the way
to the nearest station, as they would have to pass through a new and wild
country in going to the railroad. After eighteen years had elapsed without a
word as to what had become of the parties they were given up for dead. The
relatives of Mrs. Liter, living in New London, to whom the land would descend
under the law, in case dearth of her and her children, instituted proceedings
in the court of Montana to recover the 10 acre farm in that State. The
evidence was heard, as to the disappearance and supposed death of these
parties and the case was finally taken to the Supreme Court of Montana and
that court decided that under the evidence that Mrs. Liter and the two
children were dead and decreed the land to relations. A few months afterwards
to the surprise of everyone Mrs. Liter was heard from, she was living in the
State of Nevada, where she had been postmistress for four years out there
under Harrison’s administration. Her two daughters were also alive, married
and doing well, one of them had been living in St. Joseph Missouri for several
years.
Whether Gates is dead alive remains to be
determined in the course of the trail to begin next Monday --- Ralls County
Record