Dade County, Missouri - Chapter 16, 1917 (part 4 of 6)

occurred about the year 1900. He was a barber by trade, single and unmarried and a hopeless cripple. On the evening of the murder he was seen around his usual haunts in South Greenfield in company with friends, and about nine o'clock at night was heard, in company with a companion on the railroad track near the over-head bridge going in the direction of the lime kiln. His body was found the next morning on the railroad track a short distance from where he was last heard of, a train having passed over it, but it was untouched. An examination of the body revealed the fact that he had been murdered a short distance from where the body was found and dragged upon the railroad track for the purpose of hiding the crime. A fine gold watch which he carried was missing, also a large roll of bills, but a purse containing some $15.00 in small change was still on his person. The bloody club which did the deadly work was found near the scene of the murder, and papers which he had on his person were found the next day in an old well in South Greenfield. Suspicion pointed her finger toward a number of persons but the guilty assassin was never convicted.

The third and last of these tragedies was the murder of J. M. Pidcock, a resident of Greenfield, which occurred in 1003. Mr. Pidcock had been Circuit Clerk of Bade County for eight years, was prominent in politics and lived with his aged mother, who at the time of the tragedy was away on a visit. Mr. Pidcock failed to call at the postoffice for his mail for a period of two or three days, and when his mother returned home she was horrified to find his nude body hanging in the closed stairway of their home, suspended by his shirt and a trunk strap. His feet were touching the stair steps, and the concensus of opinion seemed to be that he was murdered and placed in that position to indicate suicide. His body was in such a state that marks of violence were undiscoverable.

Two inquests were held over his body, large rewards offered and the family and friends employed detectives in an effort to ferret out the criminals and bring them to justice, but of no avail. The matter stands today as one of the unsolved mysteries of the county. In each of the three cases above mentioned there were clews and theories but every one of them led away from the crime instead of toward it. Robbery might have been the motive in the first two, but in the case of Mr. Pidcock it was either revenge or suicide, with the chances ten to one in favor of the former theory.

Railroad Matters

Railroad Subscriptions and Bonds. - On the 15th day of August, 1854, the county court of Dade County subscribed $20,000 to capital stock of the Atlantic & Pacific Railroad Company, upon certain conditions expressed in the order. Afterward the order was amended, making the stock payable in four equal installments, and Peter Hoyle was appointed commissioner to subscribe the stock and receive the dividends that might arise therefrom. Afterwards, on the 3d day of November, 1856, Thomas C. Fletcher, attorney for the railroad company, appeared and moved the court to issue a warrant on the treasurer of Dade County in favor of the company, for five thousand dollars, the amount of the first installment. The motion was sustained, the warrant was issued accordingly, and the money was paid to Fletcher as the agent of the company. No further amount of the subscription was ever paid, for the reason that the railroad company failed utterly to comply with the conditions on which the subscription was made. Taxes were levied and collected only for the installment that was paid.

On the 15th day of August, 1870, James F. Hardin, agent of the Kansas City & Memphis Railroad Company, appeared before the county court, and stated that his company would agree to build their railroad through Dade County, by the way of Greenfield, provided that the court would subscribe $300,000 in bonds to the capital s(ock of the company. At the same time several prominent and influential citizens of the county addressed the court urging it to make the subscription. Upon consideration of the matter, the court decided that upon the petition of twothirds of the qualified voters of the county they would take further action in the premises at an adjourned term to be held on the 29th instant following. Accordingly, at the appointed time a petition for the making of such subscription, signed by nearly 1,200 voters, and also a remonstrance against the making of the subscription, signed by a large number, were filed, whereupon the court proposed to the railroad company to subscribe the amount of $200,000 instead of $300,000, upon condition that the road should be built through the county and to run within one-half mile of the court house at Greenfield, and upon other conditions pertaining to the issue of the bonds, etc., and appointed John H. Howard to confer with the railroad company, and to report his action to the court on the 12th of September following.

At the appointed time, Mr. Howard reported that the proposition to subscribe $200,000 was accepted by the company, whereupon the court ordered that the County of Dade, in the State of Missouri, should "take two thousand shares of the capital stock of the Hannibal & St. Joseph Railroad Company, said shares being of the denomination of one hundred dollars each, to aid in the construction of a branch road, the name of which was 'The Kansas City & Memphis Railroad,' the subscription to be made to, in aid of, and for the use of and in the name of the Kansas City & Memphis Railroad, as provided in an act of the Legislature, to aid in the building of the branch railroad in the State of Missouri, approved March 21, 1868." The court authority and power to subscribe for the stock subject to the conditions and stipulations fully set out in the order. Afterward, on the 18th day of July, 1871, the conditions expressed in the foregoing order, upon which the subscription was made, were modified in substance as follows: That the work of constructing the railroad should commence without unnecessary delay at the town of Greenfield, in Dade County, and be continued in a southerly direction toward Ash Grove, and that the road-bed between Springfield, in Greene County, and Greenfield, in Dade County, including bridging and masonry, should be fully completed ready for the iron and rolling-stock, by the first of April following; that tho commissioner should at once have the bonds lithographed, of the denomination of $1,000 each, to he payable in twenty years from date, bearing eight ])(-]- cent interest - the interest to he payable semiannually, and that 1?. S. Jacobs be (and was) appointed commissioner for the county to have custody of the bonds when si.'jned and registered in sums not exceeding $7.r),OC)0. That \V. (J. McDowell, D. ('. Eastin and W. M. Tairgart be (and \vere) appointed agents on the part of the county to inspect the work as it progressed, and to see that the funds were economically applied toward the construction of the road. That the commissioner should deliver bonds to the fiscal a '.rent or treasurer of the railroad company for the value of work executed on the road, upon monthly estimates thereof, and as fast as he should deliver bonds to the amount of s."), (}()(). to take from the company certificates of paid-up stock for the same. That the acceptance of these (and other minor) conditions, by .John M. Richardson, president of the railroad company, should have the force to bind tho company to a faithful compliance therewith.

On the 7th of An mist following, AY. (I. McDowell, one of the county agents, filed with the court the written acceptance of t'i» modified conditions on which the bonds should be issued, sinned by the aforesaid James M. Richardson. Subsequently, on the 1f)th day of November, 1871, the court ai:.aiM took action in the premises, and ordered that all previous orders relative to the subscription of stock to the Kansas City & Memphis Railroad Company, and for the issue of bonds to pay for the stock, be further modified so that the t\vo hundred $1,000 bonds provided to be issued by Hade County, should be issued at once and delivered to the commissioner of the county, and that he should be authorized to sell the bonds, at his own discretion, and to hold the proceeds thereof subject to the order of the court.

The bonds for the $'J()0,0()0 were prepared and executed ,<-(-<) rdingly - twenty-live of them being dated October i_', 1^71, and one hundred and seventy-five dated December 1, 1*71 ; and all being for $1,000 each. Judge J. T. Ilembree, having been appointed commissioner of the county vice Howard, resigned, continued the delivery of the bonds, or otherwise dispose of them, from time to time, and on the 29th day of March, 1873, the court received and accepted certificates of paid-up stock in the Kansas City & Memphis Railroad to the full amount of the subscription - $200,000. On the 4th day of May, 1873, the commissioner, Judge Hembree, made his final report, showing that all of the bonds had been issued and delivered to the treasurer of the Kansas City & Memphis Railroad Company. Hence the bonds were issued and delivered years before any part of the railroad was completed, and, when the interest became due, the people finding themselves without a railroad, felt greatly disappointed, and consequently the county refused or failed to pay the interest, and the people generally entertained the hope that, inasmuch as the railroad had not been completed as contemplated, by resorting to law7 they might be wholly released from the payment of the bonds. But the failure to pay the interest soon caused the bringing of numerous suits in the United States court for the collection of the same. The history of these suits would fill a large volume, and is therefore beyond the scope of this work.

Refunding Bonds. - On the 12th day of December, 1881, the county court, upon the petition of numerous taxpayers of the county, ordered a special election to be held on the 24th of January following, to submit to the voters of the county the question of refunding the $200,000 in bonds, and the accrued interest and costs thereon, by issuing new bonds for the amount of seventy cents on each dollar, the refunding bonds to bear interest at the rate of six per cent, the principal to run for twenty years from date, but to be redeemable at the option of the county at any time after the first five years. The election was held accordingly, and the proposition was rejected by a majority of the votes cast. Afterward, on the 19th day of June, 1883, another petition, signed by numerous taxpayers of the county, was presented to the court, praying for measures to be taken to refund the bonded indebtedness of the county with six per cent twenty-year bonds. Whereupon the court made an investigation, and found that the original bonds for the $200,000 were still outstanding1, and that judgments had been rendered in the United States courts against the county on account of due and unpaid interest coupons to the amount of $74,522.50, and that the total indebtedness was about $290.000. A special election was then ordered to be held on the 31st day of July following, for the purpose of submitting the question of refunding the indebtedness to the voters of the county. The election was held ac eordin.idy, and, when the votes were counted, it was found 1,0.'! 1 had been cast in favor of refundin.fr the debt, and 412 airainst it. In accordance with this decision of the people, tlie courl provided for the issuing of new bonds to all bondholders who would enter into the compromise and surrender the old bonds. Two hundred bonds of $1,000 each, and seventy of $500 each, were then issued, all bearing date of Au.u'uM 4, 1SS.'), and old bonds and judgments entered into the compromise were then <;n!cel!ed. Since then the entire debt has been paid.

Railroads. - The Kan>a- City »k Memphis Railroad, now known as the Kansas Ciiy. Fort Scott & Memphis Railroad, was completed through the county in 1HS1, by way of the present towns of Kvorte.n, South (Greenfield and Lockwood, thus leaving Greenfield, the County Seat, by way of which it was promised to be constructed when the county court made the order to subscribe stock for its construction, over two miles north of its line. The len.uth of this railroad within the countv limits is about twentv-six miles.

Greenfield Post No. 75, Department of Missouri, G. A. R., was organized May 12th, 1883, with the following named comrades as charter members :

E. K. Shackelford. A. Helphenstine. E. R. Hughes. A. G. Everett. W. C. Young. A. B. Farmer. E. T. Kennedy. Martin Fiddler. R, B. Stephenson. J. I?. Tarrant.

John Fletcher Johnson Historical Memoranda

By request I ^vill give the object of the United Confederate Veterans association. It was organized at Richmond, Virginia, February loth, 14th and 15th, 1889. The object and purpose of this organization was to be strictly socially literary, historical and benevolent, to unite in our general federation all associations of confederate veterans, soldiers and sailors who were then in existence, to cultivate the ties of friendship that should exist among those who have shared common danger, suffering and privations. To see that the disabled are cared for, that a helping hand is extended to the needy confederates widows and orphans. Xo political or religious discussion are permitted in said oranization.

On the loth day of September, 1897, pursuant to a call published in the Dade County Advocate and the Southwest News, a number of Confederate veterans met at the Court House in Greenfield for the purpose of organizing a Camj) of Confederate Veterans. Captain B. M. Xeale was chosen chairman and Lieutenant-Colonel (). S. Ragland, secretary. Upon taking the chair Captain Xeale explained the purpose of the meeting and the following Confederate soldiers present enrolled their names as charter members:

After organization the name "John M. Stemmons" was unanimously selected for the Camp name, in honor of Captain John M. Stemmons, a Greenfield lawyer, who was afterward Lieutenant Colonel of the IGth Mo. Inf.

By-Laws were then adopted and after the business was finished, Congressman lion. David A. DoArmond of the (ith District being in the city accepted an invitation and addressed the Camp in his eloquent and entertaining manner.

Three ministers of the gospel have been members of this camp. Rev. J. B. Fly, Rev. G. W. Oldham and Rev. L. A. Blevans. Two Captains - B. M. Xeale and J. M. Wills. One Lieutenant Colonel - O. S. Ragland. Three Lieutenants - C. J. Stephenson, .V. .J. Ross and Lewis Renfro. One Orderly Sergeant - F. A. Wills.

The present membership of the camp is as follows: Le\vi< KYiifro, Commander. J. R. Jeffreys, Lieutenant-Commander. .J. M. Carlock, Adjutant. L. A. Bieavans, Chaplain. 11. B. Thomas, Surgeon. F. I). Coble \V. II. Haynes K. F. Poindexter A. J. Mills J. R. Finley J. II. Renfro Patrick McLemore Charles Winkle Robert Spain .Jacob Shrum J. M. Sooter A. J. Olinger

Lewis Renfro was his Adjutant. Mr. Renfro held a U'-utenant Colonel's Commission on fieneral Love's Staff and i> now Adjutant (Jem-nil of the Missouri Division ('. C. V.

Odd Fellowship In Greenfield

Dade Lodge No. 518, I. O. 0. F. was organized October 10th, 1895 under a special dispensation from the Grand Master. The Charter was granted by the Grand Lodge on May 21st, 189G. The names of B. B. Crews, AV. M. Malone, O.'j. Stephenson, C. I). Boisseau, C. D. Templeman, E. P. Mann and Mack Sailing appear on the face of the charter, but C. B. Templeton was never a member and Mack Sailing was borrowed from South Greenfield for the purpose of organization. The first night was a big night when the following new members were taken in: I. J. Martin, C. F. Robinson. H. LI. Davis, R. C. Thomas, J. W. Hull, Uel Murphy, P. S. Griffith, J. L. Rubeustein, Ed. Frieze, A. X. List and T. S. Brown. The first organization comprised the following officials:

In addition to the above the name of A. 1). States appears as a Charter member. District Deputy G. M. Major of Springfield officiated in organizing the lodge.

For a number of years the lodge occupied a rented hall over the hardware, store on the north west corner of the square and did good work. The membership increased and the lodge became financially strong.

On the llth day of April, 11)10 a proposition was submitted to the lodge for the purchase of a lot upon which to erect a "Lodge Home." This was the beginning of the move for the present Odd Fellow building.

In order to better prosecute the work, Dade Lodge No. 518 I. (). (). F., was duly incorporated under the laws of the state of Missouri, April 4th, 1911. K. C. Divine, J. AV. Hull, J. L. Rubenstein, II. A. Potter and W. E. Montgomery were the incorporators with A. J. Young acting as attorney for the corporation. By reason of a defect in the title to the lot purchased the building was delayed until a decree could be obtained in the Circuit Court quieting the title.

On the H)th day of August, 11)11 the corner stone was laid by Canton Barton, Xo. 11), with appropriate ceremonies. The following articles were placed in a metal casket and deposited in the corner stone:

The new building was completed in May, 1912 and was dedicated shortly afterward. The Building Committee was composed of J. L. Rubenstein, R. C. Divine, J. W. Hull, Fred Grether and J. E. Shaw. The Financial Committee - Edwin Harrison, A. B. Wilkerson and F. G. Van Osdell.

The building proper was erected at a cost of approximately $10,000. The furnishings cost perhaps $500 more. The building is a brick structure, 3 stories high and is 44 feet by 98 feet with basement.

The first floor is a double store-room now occupied by Harrison Bros. Furniture Company. The second floor is the lodge room proper, with ante -rooms, halls and a reception room. The third floor is a complete dining room and kitchen.

When the building was completed, Rebekah Lodge No. 239 papered the walls, furnished the dining room and kitchen, furnished the reception room and bought a fine piano for the lodge room.

The lodge has had since its organization 253 members on its roll. Twenty-nine have " crossed over" others have taken withdrawal cards while a few have dropped for N. P. D. The present active membership is about 175. Following is a list of the Past Grands:

Greenfield Rebekah Lodge, No. 239

Was organized May 1.9th, 1898 with the following charter members: Mamie Crews, Mary L. Helman, Rose G. Rubenstein, Lottie M. French, Estaria Glascoe, J. M. Pidcock, J. C. Brown, 0. J. Stephenson, J. L. Rubenstein, B. B. Crews, S. A. French and Sam Kellogg. It has a present membership of 42 arid is in fine working order. Much of the success achieved by Dade Lodge No. 518 is due to the enlivening, entertaining and enthusiastic influences of its Rebekah Auxiliary.

Master Masons in the vicinity of White Hare, Cedar County, Mo., met at the masonic hall in White Hare, March 22, A. D. 1870, A. L. 5870, to organize a Masonic lodge under dispensation. Brother H. J. Church, D. D. G. M. was present and called the brethern to order and opened a lodge of Master Masons and called the appointed officers to their stations, viz:

The following brothers were present - J. B. Sellars, W. X. Sellars, James J. Frisbie, Jesse Harris, P. R. Dix and William T. Shaw. Visiting brothers present:

The following petitions wen1 received for initiation: M. F. lland!e\-. J. L. Thnrman, A. M. Morrison, after \vhirh the members of (iarrett Lodge, (". 1)., met in special committee for the purpose of organizing under a charter

P. R. Dix, S. D.; J. J. Frisbie, J. D.; W. N. Sellars, Tyler; and the following finance committee: James J. Frisbie, Morris W. Mitchell and John Dale. John C. Harris, chaplain.

Garrett Lodge, No. 359 continued at White Hare, Cedar County and was very prosperous both fraternally and financially, having money loaned out, until Jerico Springs decided to organize a lodge of Masons, when a number of brethern demitted from it to help organize at Jerico about April l(Jth, 1884, when Washington Lodge, No. 87 at Greenfield and Melville Lodge, No. 458 at Dadeville, were asked for a waiver of jurisdiction that Garrett Lodge might be removed from White Hare, Cedar County, to Arcola, Dade County, a distance of five miles. The waiver was granted and the Grand Lodge permitted the removal.

On the 24th day of July, 1884, a Special Grand Lodge of Missouri met at Arcola, Missouri, to dedicate the new hall of Garrett Lodge. D. D. G. M. Seymour Hoyt opened the Grand Lodge with the following officers present:

Seymour Hoyt then read his commission from Lee A. Hall, G. M., and proceeded to dedicate the hall, after which he made a pleasing address, urging the brethern to be faithful and gave valuable instruction in Masonry. He was followed by Thomas Toney, J. J. Van Osdell and J. M. Travis. This part of the program was followed by a splendid dinner for everyone present.

During the intervening years Garrett Lodge has distributed much charity and made many Masons and is now in a prosperous condition. The present officers are: E. 0. Kelley, W. M.; C. W. Cassell, S. W.; G. 0. Mitchell, J. W.; J. M. Carson, Treasurer; H. W. Kitsmiller, Secretary; R. M. Crutcher, S. D.; William Price, J. D.; C. M. Campbell, S. S.; S. H. McGuire, J. S.; G. H. Maberry, Tyler. Many interesting and pleasing events have transpired since the organization of this lodge as well as many sad ones. Deaths and funerals have been frequent, ministrations of benevolence and charity have made their calls and amid these dark and gloomy days have been many of sunshine and flowers. Upon the whole, Garrett Lodge has had its special mission to perform in the making of Dade County history and it has seemingly performed that mission well.

About the time the Greenfield and Northern Railway was constructed between North Greenfield and South Greenfield in the latter part of the eighties, the builder, Thomas A. Miller, saw the importance of having some form of communicating service between the two towns, either telegraph or telephone. He decided after some little investigation that the telephone though in its real infancy would give the best service, accordingly a circuit was builded between the two to\vns and the rude instruments were installed. Everything worked well until one day it was noised around that the Bell Telephone people had represententatives going over the country investigating the various independent lines in respect to infringements on their rights of patent. It was not very long thereafter until the line between the two towns was useless on account of the taking of parts of the instrument upon which infringements were claimed, therefore, Greenfield was without any nature of telephone service for a few years thereafter.

The late Captain W. S. Wheeler, Honorable Edgar P. Mann, et al, decided that Greenfield and Lockwood should be connected by telephone. They constructed the line and bought the best instruments obtainable. They were aided by Lockwood people. Among them the pioneer telephone man of the entire Lockwood district, was D. C. Clark. This was at the very close of the eighties and the first year of the nineties, when this line was erected and put into use. The Greenfield telephone was placed in the law office of Mann & Talbutt and remained there until the line was purchased by Aaron D. States. Everybody thought this line was a wonder and it was surely a revela- tion to all the people. This was really the first long distance telephone line erected in the country. There were other lines erected from Lockwood to Ernest, Arcola, Cedarville, Golden City and Stockton about the same years. Lockwood soon became a telephone center and remained so for a long time. It is yet known for its complete exchange under the control of that veteran telephone man, Mr. Clark, who has stood at the front of the telephone development all these years. His devotion to Lockwood and the Lockwood territory is a matter of history.

Late in the year 1893 James M. Taylor and Isaac Evans of Aldrich decided to embark in the telephone business to some extent. They first built a line from their town to Fairplay. When this line was completed and tested they decided to build another line to Bona and Dadeville. When they completed the line to these Bade County towns, they made arrangements to extend the line into Greenfield. This was during the year, 1894. After the line was finished into Greenfield, using common Series Telephones requiring a metalic circuit, being sometime before the advent of Bridged Telephones, a permanent home was arranged in the Delmonico hotel for the Greenfield instrument under the care of Uel Murphy, there was a long distance instrument placed at Rest-awhile, the Greenfield home of Mr. States, the first long distance telephone ever installed in a Dade County home.

Soon after this the next year, Mr. States purchased the Taylor-Evans interests in Greenfield and Dade County and began the construction of a line to South Greenfield. Soon after tins lie purchased the Lockwood-Greenfield lino and the line from Lockwood to Golden City, connecting the two at Lockwood and running them to a common center at Greenfield, thus directly connecting- Golden City, Lockwood, South Greenfield, Dadeville and Bona with Greenfield central.

Mr. States set to work at once to get a Sprinfield connection. He aranged and built the line from Everton to Ash Grove and from Ash Grove on to Springfield. The honorable F. M. Stockard, of Republic, the late Thomas Yakely, of Yakely Chapel, and the late William E. Drumm, of Bios d'Arc assisting. It was completed to Springfield during the year 1900 and the first office in that city was at the Hinton Drug Store on College street. This was the first long distance line from the west to enter Springfield. It preceded the Bell a little over a year. In the meantime Mr. States had installed a circuit in Greenfield that gave service to fifteen homes and business places in the town. After the construction of so many lines with the Greenfield offices, he decided that it was necessary to install a switch board.

A fifty-drop capacity board was ordered and in due time installed. When the switch-board was installed there were about twenty-four Greenfield patrons including the business houses. This with the long lines made the Greenfield central look like a sure enough telephone exchange. Mrs. States was the first operator and she held that position for a number of years, thoroughly looking after the entire home business while Mr. States was building other lines. Her good work is remembered by every old telephone user in Dade county. At first the exchange patrons did not use their telephone as they should, sometimes they would walk to their grocer and order their needs, instead of telephoning him their wants, but they did not fail to call up some friend in some nearby town and have a friendly chat every night. And they did not fail to chat with their friends and neighbors. The idea of using the telephone for business was slow in placing its forca upon the people. A great many considered it a luxury while others considered it a sort of play thing, just to amuse and drive away monotony.

Soon after the first switchboard was installed in Greenfield, a line was constructed to Corry and Seybert. The Bridged telephone was then being introduced requiring only a single wire instead of a circuit. The circuit lines were soon discarded and the Bridged telephones were used extensively. The first Bridged telephone ever placed in Dade county is still giving most excellent serv- ice at the cabin home of Mr. States. He recently stood in his home and talked to St. Louis and the patron at the other end asked Mr. States to not talk so loud. This telephone has been in use twenty-one years.

The telephone business remained almost exclusively in the control of Mr. States in Greenfield and many parts of Dade county until the early spring of 1903, at which time a number of local men induced him to form a telephone corporation known as the Aaron D. States Telephone Company. The new corporation was completed in a short time. Mr. States was made president, he having hold the largest amount of stock. The new company assembled the Arcola-Stockton and immediate telephone interests and connected them with the Greenfield central. A ne\v switchboard was installed, the lines greatly improved and the service was considered most excellent. The company purchased a lot and building which they used to further their business interests. This company held the fort for a little over a year, then Mr. States left the company which afterwards sold the interests to a gentleman by the name of McCombs, who operated the exchange in a very acceptable manner. In the mean time, the long lines were disposed of, they being considered unprofitable and more attention was given to town service. Only one or two of the original long lines still remained in the Greenfield Central. Mr. McCombs sold his interest to the present owner, Mr. Watson, who is giving the patrons as good service as their patronage demands, lie is a very careful and efficient telephone man and he is building the Greenfield exchange every day.

During the first excitement produced by the advent of the telephone in Dade county, rural districts and the establishment of switch-boards and centrals, the farmers got busy in establishing centrals of their own and they built many independent lines claiming other telephone companies asked too much toll and too much rental. Nothing could possibly stop their enthusiasm and their ambition in building and operating telephone lines of their own. The country has many such lines today and the farmers are sustaining a most excellent service at their switch-board in Greenfield, and in other towns in Dade county. It is a pity that Mr. States and the leading spirits in the farmer telephone element in an early day, could not have agreed on some plan that would have centralized all the telephones in the county. The business was then new and the outcome could not be realized. Some day this great need will be accomplished and then the people will be reunited and the service will be of such a nature that no one would care to go back to the old method. There is great need of better construction in all the country districts, great need of better care of all country lines, in order to give the people service. The telephone is not now considered a plaything, it is an instrument of business, and it thus treated with the exception of proper care for the polage and the wire construction. This needed improvement will all come in time, then and not until, then, will Dade County get what is due her in the telephone business.

Some fifteen years ago the Bell Telephone constructed a long distance line into Greenfield, giving Greenfield, Everton, Lockwood and South Greenfield, connection with all points their lines reach. After a few years they connected their wire into the Greenfield local switchboard, thus giving every patron an opportunity to talk to distant towns from their own homes and places of business by paying the toll. They do a good business in Greenfield. Also at the other points in the county where they connect with local centrals. Dade county stock men use their lines extensivelv as well as Dade countv merchants.

The Magazine Club is the oldest literary club in Greenfield. Early in 1897 Mrs. Jessie Harrison and Mrs. Ida Young started the movement to organize a woman's literary club, at the suggestion of Mrs. Harrison's mother, Mrs. Hawkins; Mrs. Hawkins having recently visited her sister's literary club in Nebraska, which had a magazine circle and she urged them to organize a similar club here.

They suggested the idea to several of their friends- Mrs. YVilda McBride among the number - who immediately offered her home on Wells street as a place of meeting for organization.

"A few ladies happened to meet together at the home of Mrs. McBride, Saturday, March 13th, 1897 and they decided they would like to have a club. Accordingly the house was called to order and Mrs. Young made temporary chairman. It was decided that the name of the club should be the Magazine Club, and each member should furnish a magazine to be circulated among the members of said club. Eight ladies were enrolled as charter members, as follows: Mrs. Wetzel, Mrs. Eastin, Mrs. Ellen Griffith, Mrs. Bowles, Mrs. McBride, Mrs. Nilson (now Mrs. Robertson of Carl Junction), Mrs. Harrison and Mrs. Young.

It was agreed that the club should meet every two weeks, on Thursdays, the meetings to be held at the homes of the members, taking the alphabet reversed .

The president appointed Mrs. McBride, Mrs. Eastin and Mrs. Wetzel to draw up by-laws for the new club and club adjourned to meet with Mrs. Wetzel, April 1st.

Three more members were added that day; Mrs. Anna Jacobs, Mrs. Flora Merrill and Mrs. Lori Hall, making the membership 13. It was then decided to limit the number to 13. These thirteen members were considered the original charter members of the magazine Club.

It was decided to have a paper on Current Events at each meeting, also the biography of a poet and selections from his writings, after which refreshments and a social good time.

About the middle of May, the Magazine Club, together with the Clover Leaf and the P. G. T. Club (these two were the girls social clubs) gave a Fad Party at the residence of Judge Shafer, which was a great success. At the end of the first year the club entertained their husbands for the first time at the home of Mrs. Eastin.

Beginning the second year, the club decided to increase the membership to twenty, and took in Mesdames Laura Harrison, Jopes, Taylor, Edwards, Tarr, Minnie Finley, Stringfield and Gass. Mrs. Wheeler was taken in as an honorary member as she was only in the city temporarily. They adopted club colors, white and yellow, a club flower, the field daisy, and a motto, ''Literature is the thought of thinking souls." The literary work was similar to that of the first year.

The club celebrated their first anniversary March 13, 1898 by entertaining their husbands at the home of Mrs. Minnie Finley on Alain stret. Each person present represented a book. Also gave their first Xew Year's party at the home of Mrs. Wetzel.

Shafer Harrison, then a bride, who was taken in to fill the vacancy in the club. The club took up more literary work this year, also the study of parlimentary rules. The second anniversary party was given at the home of Mrs. Ida Young, and the New Year's Eve party with Mrs. Nilson, at the Washington Hotel.

At the beginning , of the fourth year (1900) several of the members having left town, the club again took in four new members; Mrs. Anna Finley, Mrs. Kirby, Mrs. Elliott and Mrs. Flora Van Osdell. Mrs. Minnie Finley again offered her home as a place to celebrate the anniversary. In 1900 and 1901 the club continued their literary work, still taking up miscellaneous subjects.

Death again visited the Magazine Club the summer of 1901 taking the youngest member, Flora West Van Osdell. Since that date although the death angel hovered alarmingly near, at times, he has always passed on, leaving their rank untouched for nearly sixteen years.

The Club gave their first joint party with the Century Club in 1902, at the home of Mrs/ Grether. They again filled vacancies in the club in 1902, taking in Mrs. Dora Mitchell, Mrs. Ethel Tarr, Mrs. Brown and Mrs. Lena Merrill. They took up the Bay View course of study in 1902, which they studied for four years. The course included American history, American Literature, Mexican History, German History and German Literature, with Airs. Lena Merrill. They celebrated their seventh

The Club celebrated their sixth anniversary (in 1903) anniversary in 1904 with Mrs. Ida Young by giving their husbands a banquet. The husbands responded with eloquent applause to acts.

of beautifying the City Cemetery. This work was very successful and the cemetery is now maintained at an annual expenditure of some three hundred dollars. The Club for years gave an annual Chrysanthemum Show to raise funds but the Association now has an endowment fund which will make it self-sustaining in the next three of four years.

In 1906 the club began their Shakesperean study and for seven consecutive years they studied the plays of Shakespeare. In 1906 four more vacancies were filled by taking in Mesdames Mary Neale, Carrie Griffith, May Van Osdell and Leo Engleman.

In 1907 the club took up the work of improving the Public School grounds. They started the fund by giving a public ice-cream social that summer.

In 1907 the club decided to entertain the school faculty which they did that fall at the home of Mrs. Eastin and since that time it has become an annual affair. Two new members were added in 1907, Mrs. Newman and Mrs. Thweatt, to fill vacancies in the club. This year the club asked the Superintendent, Prof. McPherson, to assist them in their Shakespearean study. Pie favored the club, during the fall of 1907 and winter of 1908 with the most delightful and instructive lectures on the plays of Shakespeare that they studied that year. Early in January, 1908 Mrs. Lucy Jacobs McPherson (the bride of the superintendent) was taken into the club. In that year it was decided to use the school improvement fund (which the Century club assisted in raising) for building a cement wall on the south side of the public school grounds.

In 1910 the club introduced the Flower Mission Penny seeds into the homes of the school children, in the fall holding a flower and vegetable show and awarding prizes for best display. (This work has been repeated with increasing interest and success, which has enthused some of the neighboring towns to follow their example.)

ship to twenty-five, and the following ladies were elected: Mesdames Nettie Shaw, Dena Wetzel, Tola Iliggins, Ruth Grether, Delia Griffiths and Mabel Engleman.

In 1911 the club gave prizes for the best kept lawns. Seats were placed in the cemetery. Twenty-nine dollars were raised by selling tags and the money sent to southeast Missouri flood sufferers.

In 1912-13 the club began the study of Famous Women, also read Silas Marner. This year book was sent to the President of the General Federation of Clubs. She wrote to the club a letter complimenting them highly on the work they were doing.

Tn 1913-14, the club continued the study of Famous Women; also read Vicar of Wakefield, and took up Study of Art, taking the works of Raphael and DeVince.

Mrs. Lillian Wetzel was elected to fill a vacancy in the club. The club received a message from New York City. Mrs. Pennybacker, the president of the General Federation, wired, sending greetings on Opening Day, fall of 1914. The club also decided at that meeting to increase their number to thirty. Mrs. Rawhauser, Mrs. Miidrcd Hall, Mrs. McLemore, Mrs. Campbell, and Mrs. Wilson were elected as the new members. Farm Boy Fund was stalled in 1914. Also again joined the State Federation this year, sending delegates to Pierce City to the District Convention.

The study for 1915-16 was Martin Chuzzelwit and Italian Art. Delegates were sent to Monett to the District Convention. The club assisted in making the Round-up a success and in securing Miss Alice Curtis Mover-Wing to lecture on woman suffrage.

The study of 1916-17 is Italian Art and Henry Esmond. The (.Mub became a member of the Associated Charities of Greenfield, organized by the Commercial Club of the Citv.

The Kensington Club, At Greenfield

The Kensington Club of Greenfield first started as a neighborhood sewing circle, on South Main Street. Later ladies in the different parts of the town were asked to join them. Informal meetings were held twice a month, for a year or more. Then on account of sickness, warm weather and various other reasons, they discontinued their meetings. Several months later, some of the ladies decided to call a meeting, and make this an organized club. The first meeting .was held at the home of Mrs. H. C. Hartfield. The following members present were: Mrs. J. G. Carr, Mrs. Lynville Hig"gins/ Mrs. Harve Campbell, Mrs. H. C. Hartfield, Mrs. Martin Kempert, Mrs. W. E. Montgomery, Mrs. W. B. McReynolds, Mrs. J. L. Rubenstein, Mrs. Fred Shafer, Mrs. L. H. Thomas, and Mrs. J. P. Mc- Reynolds. Mrs. H. C. Hartfield was elected President, Mrs. J. G. Carr, Vice-President, and Mrs. W. E. Montgomery, Secretary. It was decided that we should continue as a sewing club, and the name of Kensington, suggested by Mrs. Lynville Higgins, seemed the most appropriate. Constitution and by-laws were drawn and the membership of the club was limited to eighteen. The vacancies were readily filled and the club started out with bright prospects. A more energetic crowd of women would be hard to find. Delightful meetings were held, and splendid ideas in fancy work were exchanged. About this time we started a circulating library in the club, each member donating a good book. Later we decided we would like to do charity and civic work. Our charity work started by sending poor children gifts at Christmas. Last year we bought thirty pairs of good warm stockings, filled them with candy, nuts, fruit and toys and had a man dressed as Santa Glaus deliver them to the homes. Our work has broadened and increased, and we now are looking after many people of the city that are in actual need. We see that no children are forced to stay out of school for lack of proper clothing. We have supplied all the needy families we have heard of, with things they need, for instance, we have a young girl on our list suffering from tuberculosis, to whom we send nourishing food twice a week. We hear of some that are destitute at nearly every meeting, and each member is only too glad to do all they can. Whenever a new baby arrives in a destitute family, we see that the child has some clothing and often supply the mother with sheets, clean gowns, and other necessary articles. Recently a family was unfortunate in loosing everything by fire. We contributed canned fruit, groceries, and furnishings to this family. The Commercial Club often asks our co-operation in supplying needy families. We have a rule that in case of death in a destitute family, the club sends flowers, and at least one member is asked to be present at the funeral. We are now making a wool quilt for charitable purposes.

We have done a great deal in civic work, such as donating to the annual dinner given for the benefit of the cemetery fund. We gave five dollars to the Dade County Scholarship Fund. Our very best civic work has been the fly campaign. This was suggested by Mrs. H. C. Hartfield. The club was very enthusiastic about it and a committee was at once appointed to make plans. The plans were adopted and the Commercial Club agreed to help us in case the club ran out of funds. We first ordered two hundred fly swatters, that the school children sold for us. We then requested all the grocery stores, and restaurants to screen their doors, and put fly proof coverings over all food stuff set outside. Next we offered twenty cents per pint for all flies. A club member being at a specified place each Saturday to measure and pay for them. We offered final prizes to the children bringing in the greatest amount of flies during the entire season. The first prize, three dollars; second prize, two dollars, and third prize, one dollar. In order to instruct children we gave away seventy-five fly traps. The first year we bought one hundred and eighty-nine pints of flies. To keep up the interest we gave two free fly shows, illustrating with slides the breeding places of the fly, the danger of the fly and many suggestions for making out-houses and barn lots more sanitary. During the fly season once a week the 1 o'clock whistle blew, and everybody was requested to swat flies for at least five minutes. Just after the 4th of July, we purchased a poisonous preparation for flies and had refuse sprayed. We have now completed the third year of our campaign and the results are very gratifying.

The social side of our club is not neglected. We often have picnics in the woods and entertain our husbands with parties. We remember all new babies arriving in the club either with a shower or some special remembrance. Two years ago we gave Mrs. L. H. Thomas a stork shower. Last year we presented Mrs. Carr and Mrs. Wilson sterling silver spoons for their babies. We also send flowers to our members in case of sickness or death in their families. We have annual dues. We earn money in various ways to carry on our work. We gave a picture show and served ice cream. We gave an Easter tea. One of our members, Mrs. W. A. Hall, presented the club with one of her own beautiful paintings. We realized $20 from this, which was a great help to the club. In March, 1916, the club decided to join the federation. Last October, Mrs. W. E. Montgomery and Mrs. Fred Sneed were sent as delegates to represent the club at the District Federation at Mt. Vernon, Mo. The report of the club was read by Mrs. Sneed and received warm applause. Some of the ladies of the other clubs suggested that this club be put on the roll of honor.

The Commercial Club has been very generous in their assistance. Even with this, we often are short of funds, and each member makes up the shortage by liberal donations. The slogan of this club is "helping others," and we hope that we may continue to improve in the years to come. The club has always been fortunate in having fine officers. Mrs. H. C. Martfield was president during the years 1913 and 1914; Mrs. J. G. Carr, during 1915. The present officers of the club are as follows:

The New Century Club Of Greenfield, Mo

At the suggestion of Mrs. Aaron D. States, the following ladies of Greenfield, Mrs. L. W. Shafer, Mrs. R. S. Jacobs, Mrs. E. M. Griffith, Mrs. A. D. States, Mrs. Fred Grether, Mrs. Sarah McCluer and Mrs. R. H. Davis, met at the residence of Mrs. Jacobs, Saturday, March 27, 1898, for the purpose of organizing a "Literary Society" to be known as The New Century Club. Mrs. Shafer was elected President, Mrs. Davis Secretary.

The first regular meeting of the club was with Mrs. E. M. Griffith on April 7, 1898, at which time a Constitution and by-laws written by Mrs. Shafer, was read and approved. The first program consisted of reading newspaper clippings on various subjects. The program for the year's work consisted of sketches of the lives of different authors, readings and papers by different members of the club, discussions on "Woman's Rights," "Liquid Air," "Does the Ideal Husband Exist?" "The Four Hundred," etc. A club motto: "We do not take possession of our ideas - but are possessed of them," was adopted. The club colors, pale green and heliotrope, were selected and the club flower - chrysanthemum.

The club federated with the state in September 1898, and sent Mrs. Grether as its first delegate to the State Federation meeting at Springfield. The year closed with a Shakespeare party, all members appearing in costume.

The program for 1899-1900 was similar to the preceding year, consisting of Current Events, papers, discussions and parliamentary drills. A Christmas Party was held at the home of the Misses Eastin, arid the year closed with a reception at the home of Mrs. Elliott.

During 1900-1901 the study was on Foreign Countries, and a number of letters were read from Mr. John Merrill, the son of one of our active members, who at that time was abroad. A Library was started by buying twelve new books, and the year closed with a reception at the home of Mrs. Johnson.

1902-3-4, for three years, the club's study consisted of the Bay View Course, and this was also the time when they launched into active civic work, which has been carried on to such an extent ever since that it would be hard to draw the line between their interest in this and their literary work. During the Street Fair they gave an exhibit of Relics, which proved more than interesting and attracted many spectators. A prize of $3.00 was given to Miss Minnie Van Osdell for an old coin of the year 323, and a second prize to Mrs. King for a Bible of the Seventeenth Century.

On February 18, 1905, the New Century and Magazine Clubs met in joint session at the home of Mrs. Johnson to perfect a plan to raise money or the purpose of cleaning up and beautifying the City Cemetery. It was decided that each member of the clubs raise five dollars for this purpose, and a permanent organization was perfected at that time, to be known as the Greenfield Cemetery Association. This work so auspiciously begun, has met with the favor of the citizens of Greenfield and the surrounding country, and the Cemetery is now maintained at an average expenditure of some three hundred dollars. This money is raised by means of Annual Memberships of One Dollar each, in addition to a Chrysanthemum Show, and Dinner held in November of each year in the Court House. The Association has also, through the liberality of some of its members, both living and deceased, a good sized endowment fund, which will in the next three or four years, make it self-sustaining.

During this period we lost one of our most active members, Mrs. Anne McBride, on account of removal to Kansas City, and the club held a reception in her honor at the home of the Misses Eastin.

During 1904-5 the study of Shakespeare, and in 1905-6 there were papers and readings on different subjects. A Circulating Library was started, containing twenty-two

In 1905-7 the study was sketches of noted Authors and Artists. The Magazine and Century Clubs improved the Public School grounds by having a cement retaining wall built across the front of the yard, at an expense of some ninety dollars.

1907-8-9. During these years the Bay View Course was followed, and the Civic Work pushed by offering and awarding prizes at the Street Fair and raising money by selling tags to help defray the expense incurred for the school wall. It may be wrell to state right here that all our Civic work has been undertaken and accomplished in connection with the Magazine Club.

In 1909-10-11 the study consisted of Famous Poems and Bible Lessons, "Cranford" and "A Tale of Two Cities." The introduction of penny packages of flower and vegetable seeds to be sold to school children was hailed with delight by the latter, and resulted in a Vegetable and Flower Show in September, at which time prizes were awarded. The clubs also gave prizes for the best kept lawns. Seats were placed in the Cemetery, and ten dollars given to the Endowment Fund. Twenty-nine dollars was raised by selling tags and the money sent to the S. E. Missouri Flood sufferers.

The social features of these years consisted of a picnic at the High School campus, to which the husbands were invited, also the High School faculty, and a Tacky Party at the home of Mrs. Merrill, each member inviting a lady guest.

The study for 1912-13 was the "Blue Bird" and the "House of Seven Gables." Clean-up Day was proposed, and the city was put in first-class sanitary condition, and this has since become an annual event in Greenfield. At the suggestion of the clubs an electric light was placed at the entrance to the Cemetery and the Curfew rung at nine o'clock.

During 1913-14 each hostess made out her own program, which made it a most enjoyable year. In connection with the Magazine Club, the Court Yard seats were painted, penny seed packages were sold, and premiums for best flower gardens and most novel bird houses were given.

The social features of the year consisted of a picnic on Mrs. Shafer's lawn, with an invited guest for each member, and the club entertained the Sixth District Federation meeting at the Presbyterian Church, during the course of which a banquet was given in the Odd Fellows' hall, with the Magazine Club as invited guests.

At this period of our history we lost two of our most valued members, viz: Mrs. Hattie V. Merrill, by death, and Mrs. Charles F. Newman, by removal to Kansas City. A farewell party for Mrs. Newman was given at the home of Mrs. Carr, to which the Magazine Club ladies were invited. Those present pieced a quilt for Mrs. Newman in the club colors.

In 1914-15 the Club's study consisted of a ''Trip Through Europe," and the civic work consisted in helping to secure Dr. Pearse of Kansas City to lecture on Preventive Sickness.

During 1915-16 the club study consisted of "South America," and the civic work, in having the weeds cut; a sanitary display of groceries and meats made, and a fly crusade, and another donation made to the Farm Boy Fund. Mrs. J. F. McComb, another of our members, moved away and the club had a picnic in her honor.

1916-17. Study-Romance of American Cities. A lecture course of five numbers was held in Greenfield, entirely under the management of the Magazine and Cen- tury Clubs and brought to a successful close. A small balance after all expenses were paid being added to our growing Farm Boy Fund, which at the present time amounts to $81. In November of 1915 Dade County, always in the front rank of progressive communities, held a three days' Round-Up. The Women's Clubs had a prominent place on the program, and in addition to a fine Home Economics and Fancy Work Display, were instrumental in bringing to Greenfield Mrs. Alice Curtis Mover Wing, Field Secretary of the Missouri Women's Equal Suffrage League, who gave two splendid lectures - one at the Presbyterian Church in the afternoon and one to a capacity house at 8 o'clock p. m., at the Opera House.

This Club is also a member of the Associated Charities of Greenfield organized by the Commercial Club of the City for the purpose of dispensing well directed charity for the needy of our community.

The club also has one or more deleagtes at Federation meetings. Among those wrho have represented the club in the past are: Mrs. F. Grether, Mrs. E. M. Griffiith, Mrs. I. J. Martin, Mrs. Anne McBride, Mrs. P. S. Griffith, Mrs. Hugh Harrison, Miss Birdie Wetzel, Mrs.. J. Gv Carr, Mrs. C. E. Bell, Miss Marie Grether, Mrs. E. M, Kimber, Miss Frank Eastin and Mrs. J. M. Mitchell.

The Magazine Club

Mrs. T. J. Peterson acted as chairman of the meeting. The following names were enrolled: Mrs. T. 0. Barker, Mrs. C. S. Crow, Mrs. Wm. Cunningham, Mrs. H. A. Cunningham, Mrs. J. T. Dunning, Mrs. L. F. Evans, Mrs. F. H. Farris, Mrs. C. W. Gilman, Mrs. Geo. Oilman, Mrs. John McDermott, Mrs. R. E. Morris, Mrs. C. F. Newman, Mrs. T. J. Peterson, Mrs. C. D. Pyle, Mrs. M. B. Pyle, Mrs. A. C. Thweatt, Mrs. E. E. Williams, Mrs. E. S. White, and Mrs. Walter West.

A committee to draw up the Constitution and Bylaws was appointed. The club membership was limited to twenty members. The initiation fee was a dollar magazine. Each member was to subscribe for a dollar magazine to be used in the club.

For the year 1906 Mrs. John McDermott was elected president; Mrs. C. S. Crow, secretary. In 1907 the club bought Stoddard's Lectures, consisting of ten volumes, to be used as a club study. The club joined the State Fedoration December 16, 1907. In 1908 the club membership was limited to fifteen members instead of twenty.

In May, 1910, The Magazine Club invited the L. D. Club to join with it and organize a Cemetery Association, for the purpose of improving the Lockwood Cemetery. A joint meeting was held at the home of Mrs. C. S. Crow and the Cemetery Association organized. The town was canvassed and membership solicited. Years 1911 and 1912 were given to the study of Stoddard's Lectures again. The History of Missouri was taken as a study in 1913. The Club gave a donation for a block in the concrete walk at the school house that year. Our Own Country was the study in 1914.

The officers for 1917: President, Mrs. A. C. Duvall; Vice President, Mrs. W. F. Knox; Secretary, Mrs. John McDermott; Treasurer, Mrs. F. II. Farris.

The remaining charter members at the present time are: Mrs. C. S. Crow, Mrs. Wm. Cunningham, Mrs. F. H. Farris, Mrs. John McDermott. There is now a membership of 14.

The Merry Maker'S Club The Wednesday Afternoon Club

The Wednesday Afternoon Club was oranized at the home of Mrs. W. E. Evans, November 1, 1916. The object of the club being to follow some line of study selected by the members at present. The club study is "Famous Women."

The Charter Members are: Mesdames T. 0. Barker, Emma Daugherty, L. F. Evans, W. E. Evans, C. W. Gillman, G. A. Gillman, W. F. Grubert, J. F. Horn, C. D. Pyle, Joe Temple, and Misses Helen Mayberry, Myrtle Workman, Tillie Pearson and Margaret Lindsey.

The Country Woman

At the call of the Mrs. States and Mrs. Ayers some of the women of Limestone community met at the home of Mrs. A. 0. Litchfield and Mrs. C. H. Ayres Thursday, September 2nd, 1915, for the purpose of organizing a club, with the following members present: Mrs. DeWitt, Mrs. Jeffreys, Mrs. Hopkins, Mrs. Arthur Poe, Mrs. States, Mrs. Pertle, Mrs. Hurt, Mrs. Litchfield, and Mrs. Ayers.

In the afternoon the house was called to order by the president protem, Mrs. States. They then proceeded to organize a club to be called "The Country Women." To Mrs. Vida Poe belongs the honor of suggesting the name for the club. The election of officers was then in order. Betty Ayers was elected Secretary. Did not elect a treasurer at this meeting as did not think we were going to need money. It was decided each member should bring her own plate, cup, knife, fork and spoon and be assigned a certain dish of eatables at each meeting, and the hostess should furnish coffee; also music; also, each one take some work if they chose. Also if any member is sick, all go in and help her. After each dinner, make up boxes for sick or absent ones. They then made a program for the next meeting. All members should respond to roll call with a humorous story. The meeting then adjourned to meet at Mrs. Hade Carr's September 22nd, 1915.

On. September 22nd, 1915, the club met with Mrs. Tessie Carr, who asked Mrs. States to act as President at tliis meeting. Several new members were added, namely: Mrs. Nellie Sailor, Mrs. Sallie Tucker, Mrs. Anna Marks, Mrs. Mattie Glazes, Mrs. Sarah Poe and Mrs. Tessie Carr. Members present at this meeting, fifteen; visitors, one. All responded to roll call with a story, and this was decided to be continued for the present. When some suitable subject would be taken up later and discussed. Also decided if any member had a friend visiting them, it would be all right to take them. Also, the hostess could invite anyone she wished to help her entertain. This being the first regular meeting the program was short. No further business. The club then adjourned to meet with Mrs. Rachel Hurt October 13th, 1915.

The club being well started they decided to elect officers to hold their offices for six months. Mrs. Nelie Taylor, President; Mrs. Bettie Ayers, Secretary; Mrs. Hopkins, Treasurer; Mrs. Blanch Gregory, Press Correspondent and Chaplin. The Club holds their meetings on Wednesdays, every three weeks, with different members, until they have met with all of them, when they commence over again. The club has had new members added until they now number 17.

On extra occasions such as Thanksgiving, Christmas, Fourth of July, etc., the husbands are invited, who generally attend, and sometimes give interesting talks. Rev. States always gave us good talks when he was among us, which we now miss very much. The club is now one year and a half old and in a flourishing condition.

Each member must pay a small tax to keep money in the treasury for the expenses of the club. The motto of the Country Woman is: "I will speak evil of no one. I will excuse the faults of others. I will tell all the good I know of every one."

Our opening song is "Brighten the Corner Where You Are," and the closing song is, "God Be With You Till We Meet Again." Our club colors are red and white.

The Home-Makers Club

The Home Makers Club was organized by Miss Bab Bell, a representative of the State University, Oct. 27, 1913. Mrs. F. J. McComb was elected president, Miss Gladys Lowe, secretary. Nothing further was done until March 20, 1914, when at the suggestion of Mr. Rodekohr, Dade County's farm adviser, Mrs. McComb called a meeting at her home inviting 35 women to enroll as members of the new club. At that meeting it was decided to limit the number to thirty-five, to meet the second Friday in each month with the members of the club, taking their names alphabetically. The programs were to consist of music, response to roll call by household hints, and papers written on various subjects pertaining to the home. Through the efforts of the farm adviser, Miss Mae McDonald, from the State University, was secured for lecture, after which she established a cooking school, which lasted one week with half-day sessions, conducted by Miss Sebastion. This school proved very instructive to more than fifty ladies who attended the session and after paying the regular expense for such schools, twenty-five dollars, put a balance of seven dollars and fifty cents in the treasury.

At this time the club broadened its vision, having among its membership several ladies who felt that woman 's place is primarily in the home, yet she has the mental capacity as well as physical strength to do something outside of just four walls, and so become interested in civic work such as trying to eradicate the dandelion from the cemetery. At Christmas magazines, rag rugs,

The next year's work followed along the same lines, the programs being printed for the whole year made from bulletins sent by the university.

The cooking school conducted this year by Miss Naylor was quite a success. More civic work was done by co-operating with other clubs of the town, such as swatting the fly, observing clean-up day and so forth. The club's special charity work consisted in remembering at Christmas the county farm inmates with fruit, candy and nuts. During baby week a lecturer from the State University for one afternoon, was secured and for the Roundup a display of fancy work was given.

For the year 1916 the work was of the same nature, but there was no summer school. Social life in the club was developed, beginning with a very enjoyable party at the home of Miss Marie Grether, and later on, a picnic dinner at the same place. The Home Makers Club was asked to unite with other clubs in Greenfield's greatest civic work - raising money for the Cemetery - for which it pledged five dollars to be given to same. The programs are always interesting and instructive and the club through its connection with "The Greenfield Associated Charities" is an uplift to the community. At the beginning of the year 1917 thirty-four members are enrolled, as follows :

Greenfield, the seat of Justice of Bade County, was located in the spring of 1841. A detailed account of this event being given in connection with the sketch entitled "The Organization of the County."

The city is very pleasantly located near the center of the county, upon what was originally wooded hills and sylvan glades in the immediate vicinity of a gigantic spring. It occupies a commanding eminence about 200 feet in elevation above the valley of Turnback, which lies two miles eastward, and practically the same above South Greenfield, which lies three miles south on the Kansas City, Fort Scott & Memphis railway. Looking eastward from Greenfield one gets a delightful view of the "Grotto," a veritable paradise of undulating hills and fertile valleys, bubbling springs, racing rivulets and a riotous profusion of cloudland and woodland blending into a grand panorama of Nature's own storehouse of richest pastorial gems. To the west lie the broad, rolling- prairies, unrivaled for richness of soil and clasping in their fond embrace a never ending succession of verdant pastures and waving fields of golden grain.

Greenfield is indeed set as a choice gem in the very "Crown of the Hills," and imparts a radiant glow to an atmosphere bristling with ozone and filled with the fragrance,1 of the forest. Greenfield of today, however, differs widely from the Greenfield of more than half a century ago.

Aside from the original court house the first business building in the town was erected in 1841, at the northeast corner of the public square, where the Dade County Bank is now located. It was erected by Madison Campbell, of Polk County, and Caleb Jones & Co., also of Polk County, put in a stock of goods, which was managed and sold by John W. Wilson. The next merchants of the town were John Wells and Rufus Gates, each of whom opened stores. Then followed W. K. Latham, and a Mr. Lindsey as merchants. The postoffice was established in 1841 or 1842, and W. K. Latham was the first postmaster.

Developments - In 1847, when William L. Scroggs came to Greenfield, there were four little stores in the town, the combined stock of which would not equal that of one such as the town now affords. One of these stores was kept by W. K. Latham, at the southwest corner of the public square, where Dr. Lyngar's drug store now stands on the corner south: another, where the Dade County Bank is located, by Mr. Lindsey, and the other by John Wells, on the corner east of the Delmonico Hotel. The town grew but slowly, so that, at the beginning of the Civil War, it contained only eleven small business houses; and all, except one in the Delmonico building, were in small wooden houses. Of these, only one - that of Mr. Jacobs - survived the war, and at one time the goods of his store were taken by Confederate raiders. The other merchants all went out of business on account of the ravages of the war. Mr. Jacobs, however, managed to keep a small amount of goods during nearly all of the war period. At the beginning of the war, Greenfield contained about 300 inhabitants, and at its close, had still a less number. Its population is now estimated at 1,500.

Then business soon revived - the old wooden shanties that remained began to be replaced with better buildings. Business men with moterate capital and much enterprise came in from abroad, and they and the old resident survivors of the town and surrounding country have built the town almost entirely anew since the war closed.

There are now surrounding and facing the public square twelve brick blocks, containing altogether nineteen or twenty business rooms on the first floors, and preparations are being made for the construction of more brick blocks during the coming season. In addition to these are the Delmonico and Washington Hotels - both large brick houses. The town also contains the Ozark College and a large two-story public school house - both brick structures; two brick and three frame church edifices; several fine brick residences, a large number of commodious frames and many neat and beautiful cottage residences, all comparatively new, and generally of modern architectural style. The old dilapidated wooden building standing on the commons on the west side of the street leading south from the southeast corner of the square, in which the noted lawyer and Southern sympathizer, John T. Coffee, once resided, is the only house that existed in the town in 1847, that has not been torn down.

The Modern City. - Greenfield makes no pretention of commercial greatness. It is a city of schools and churches, clubs, lodges, societies and ideal homes. Its financial institutions and commercial establishments compare favorably with those of cities twice its size. The city owns a municipal water plant constructed at a cost of $17,000.00, supplying water from a well drilled to a depth of 1,000 feet into a bed of white sand. The entire city is well lighted by an incorporated Light & Power company, which also operates an Ice Plant. Two telephone systems with large country connections and longdistance service are well established and capably managed. The streets of the city are graded, graveled and oiled, and miles of cement sidewalks connect every portion of the municipality. Forest trees augmented by those of more convenient setting protect the streets and lawns from the rays of the. summer sun and cast a cooling shade across the parks and commons.

Greenfield is justly proud of her two banks, the R. 8. Jacobs Banking Company and the Dade County Bank, each with a footing of more than $250,000, and extending a line of credit sufficient to accommodate every legitimate enterprise of the city. Greenfield High School is known throughout the state for its efficiency and excellency. Dade County's Greatest Store, owned and conducted by J. L. Rubenstein, and The Day Light Store, owned and managed by Fred C. Eastin, are to Greenfield what the great department stores are to the large cities. Every line of business and enterprise is well represented and they work in perfect harmony. The Commercial Club and Young Men's Business Club are organizations which have for their purpose the betterment of business conditions in Greenfield and the welfare of the surrounding community.

The various Societies, Lodges, Newspapers, Clubs, Civic bodies and Associations will be mentioned in their order under appropriate headings in this volume.

While Greenfield is a splendid place in which to live it is also a good place in which to die. It has one of the most beautiful and well kept cemeteries to be found in Southwest Missouri. It is owned by the city and managed by a Cemetery Association. It occupies a highly improved plat of ground in the northeast quarter of the city and commands a splendid view of the surrounding country. In its confines are sleeping many of the Fathers of the City. Rude monuments of pioneer days and costly piles of carved marble unite in this democracy of the dead. Interments d#te from the year 1837. Scarcely a family in the entire community but what has some loved-one, some relative, neighbor or friend sleeping in this quiet city of the dead. It is the one sacred spot above all others which Greenfield has dedicated to the memory of her lamented dead.

First Ward - Mason Talbutt and R. C. Divine. Second Ward - R. H. Merrill and R, M. Sloan. The following list of business men of Greenfield is taken from the Merchant's Assessment of 1916: J. R. Brewer, Second Hand Goods. Carr & Son, Meat Market. Fred Eastin, Dry Goods.

Greenfield Commercial Club

The City of Greenfield has had a Commercial Club for many years. It was however, reorganized in 1911 and has been a powerful exponent in the development of the resources of the city. It has donated largely to good roads, bridges, public improvements and charity. Its officers and members at present are as follows:

South Greenfield

Prior to the year 1881 there were no railroads in Dade County. In that early day Greenfield was the metropolis of the county and all the horsetracks in the road pointed in that direction. The old railroad survey to which Dade County had subscribed bonds in the sum of $250,000 touched the townsite of Greenfield on the southwest but when the Kansas City, Fort Scott and Gulf Railroad was built in 1881 it missed the town three miles. It followed a natural depression out of the Turnback and Limestone hills to the prairie leaving the county seat stranded on high and dry ground.

People in their enthusiasm and speculation expected to see Greenfield with her business interests and county offices move bodily to the railroad point. To facilitate this enterprise Levin W. Shafer, in company with John A. Ready, two Greenfield lawyers and real estate dealers having financial relations with the Dade County Bank, purchased a 40 acre tract of land and laid out the pretentious city of South Greenfield, with its spacious Public Square upon which a Court House was to be erected when the county seat was removed to that point.

John A. Myers immediately platted an Addition on the northwest, G. "W. Yeager an Addition on the southwest, Jacob Cox sold lots by metes and bounds on the south and L. J. Griggs platted Grigg's Addition on the north, but this plat was never recorded. Many business men from Greenfield became interested in South Greenfield enterprises. Horace Howard embarked in the livery business, J L. Wetzel sold general merchandise and many other lines were represented so that in a few years the new city attained a population of about 600.

At this juncture the unexpected happened. T. A. Miller, a man of action and great business sagacity conceived the idea of building a branch railroad from Greenfield to South Greenfield by popular subscription. Greenfield business men took kindly to the idea and in a short time the Greenfield & Northern railroad was a reality. Its original promoters expected to extend this line to Stockton and on to some Missouri River point, but the north corporate limits of Greenfield became and remained its northern terminus. The rolling stock of this road consisted of one little wheezy, jerky engine, one box car and one combination express-baggage-passenger coach, one hand-car with tools and equipment sufficient for the section foreman and one hand. Later on this road was extended southward thirty miles to Aurora and was sold to the Frisco system and is now one of its important branches.

vanished in thin air. The* boom proclivities of the town subsided and its population gradually diminished until now it has something like o()0 people within its corporate limits. Having Lockwood on the west, Kverton on the east, Greenfield on the north and Pennsboro on the south its trade territory is restricted and yet, notwithstanding all this South Greenfield has made a substantial little city, a junction railroad point and is the center of a rock-road district with about 20 miles of permanently improved highways. It has privately owned electric light and water-works systems, a beautiful public park, is the home of the Cumberland Presbyterian Camp Grounds and is in every way a very desirable place in which to live.

J. H. Fuqua, dealer in hardware, furniture, agricultural implements, automobiles, undertaking and fertilizers, is one of the best known business men in Dade county. He has resided in South Greenfield practically all his life, his father having been engaged in the livery business there over 25 years ago.

J. L. Gilliland, groceries, flour and feed, is one of the permanent fixtures of the town. He has been in business many years and enjoys the supreme confidence of his patrons.

The T. A. Miller Lumber Company, is one of the oldest established firms of the city, this being one of a line of lumber yards extending over a part of Missouri and Arkansas. It has been in business at South Greenfield since the starting of the town.

The Farmers' State Bank is one of the sound financial institutions of the country and ably managed by W. L. Ferguson, cashier. It is comfortably housed in its

South Greenfield has always been an extensive shipping point for poultry, produce and grain. The original Frisco depot which was destroyed by fire some two years ago has been replaced with a commodious station house with convenient offices, freight room and passenger waiting room.

South Greenfield has suffered two commercial misfortunes. A number of years ago an extensive lime and building-stone works were established on its western suburb which employed a large number of laborers and annually shipped many car loads of lime and building stone. Those quarries are among the best in the state. The buildings were destroyed by fire and were never re-built. About the same time the large 200 barrel flouring mill was also destroyed by fire and has not since been re-established.

South Greenfield has long been known as a religious and Fraternal center. For more than fifty years a camp ground for religious services has been maintained in a beautiful grove adjoining the city on the northwest. It is shaded with native forest trees of oak, a bright, sparkling, bubbling spring furnishes a never failing supply of pure water and a suitable church building, tabernacle, restaurant and other conveniences have been erected. The grounds are lighted with a modern ascetylene plant and thousands of people visit this place annually. It is now the property of the Cumberland Presbyterians.

The Odd Fellows some years ago erected a large, twostory frame business house with lodge rooms above, and for many years South Greenfield has had one of the most prosperous Odd Fellow and Rebekah lodges in the country.

South Greenfield is incorporated as a village by the County Court under the laws of the state of Missouri and is governed by a Board of five trustees, viz :

Lockwood. - "The Queen City of the Prairie" claims the distinction of being the commercial metropolis of Dade County. Delightfully situated in the heart of a fertile prairie with a broad reach of territory lying both to its north and south without railroad facilities, gives Lockwood a decided advantage as a shipping point. It is indeed one of the best shipping points on the entire Frisco system.

The early history of Lockwood is one of contest, contention and quarrel, there having been three rival towns laid out in 1881 when the Kansas City, Fort Scott and Gulf Railroad was first built. William M. Taggart, a capitalist with large real estate holdings in the vicinity, Titus B. Eldridge, a lawyer of New York City owning a large tract of land with Joseph B. Lindsey, as his local agent and W. J. Davis, a farmer and early pioneer of the county were militant rivals in the matter of townsite promotion. W. J. Davis gained the "first blood" in the battle by having the railroad adopt his selection of a name for the place called Lockwood in honor of the general passenger agent of the road at that time. He also secured the postoffice which was another powerful lever in his favor. After months of bitter struggle a compromise was effected and Mission Street was agreed upon as the business center of the place and practically all the business houses from the various sections of the city were moved to the common center. From this time on the future of Lockwood was assured. The rival factions became harmonious and an era of good feeling prevailed. During the first ten years of the city's history many thrilling events are to be recorded. The fire fiend visited the place and swept away almost every original frame business house but they were speedily replaced with substantial brick. New capital was attracted to the city, new faces appeared upon the scene and new enterprises were launched.

At the close of the first decade of its history Lockwood was a city of the 4th class with a population of abouu 800. Among its distinguished business men at that time, many of whom are now sleeping in the quiet "City of the Dead" but who in their lifetime contributed largely to the growth and prosperity of the city of the living may be mentioned:

Captain W. S. Wheeler, a lawyer, business man and banker who represented the Eldridge interests for a number of years and who was the first mayor of the city after its organization as a city of the 4th class.

Haubein & Heiser, a firm composed of Herman Haubein and Martin Heiser, general merchants. Mr. Heiser was one of the builders of the first flouring mill in the city and was also largely interested in farming enterprises. Mr. Haubein later established the Lockwood Creamery and feed mill and in connection with it erected the light plant.

Cunningham & Finley, a general merchandise firm composed of II. A. Cunningham and A. II. Finley. Mr. Cunningham was also a stock buyer and shipper, Mr. Finley a stock feeder and both interested in the Bank of Lockwood.

E. C. Gillett, buyer and shipper of live-stock, produce and poultry in whose employ was Frank Farris now vice president of the Bank at Lockwood and who for years operated a grain elevator east of the railroad station.

The above is not by any means a complete list of the Lockwood business men in 1891, but it gives a fair idea of the business interests as represented at that time.

About the year 1894 W. A. Rice, a cigar maker by occupation and a musician by profession, located in Lockwood and became connected with the Cornet Band, as leader. Under his direction it became one of the most proficient musical organizations in Southwest Missouri.

Lockwood has always taken special pride in her schools and churches. Of the boys who grew up and were educated in Lockwood and afterward entered business on their own account may be mentioned :

Lockwood today is a flourishing little city of more than 1,000 population, with well improved streets, elegant homes and modern conveniences. The city is lighted by electricity, the streets well oiled, all lines of business well represented and the people well governed.

The following list of merchants is taken from the Merchants' Assessment Book of Dade County for 1916: J. L. Alverson, Groceries. Wm. A, Bowers, Restaurant. H. G. Caldwell, Furniture and Undertaking. E. M. Carr, Meat Market and Grocery.

The Southeastern Metropolis of Dade County is located on the Frisco railroad twelve miles southeast of Greenfield, in the midst of a populous and highly productive agricultural section. It has a population of about 1,000 people, and all lines of business are well represented. Everton is comparatively a new city, dating its birth from the building of the K. C. F. S. & G. railroad in 1881. Prior to that time, however, Rock Prairie Township had its trading point. As far back as 1850 the postoffice of Rock Prairie was established, and Thomas Grisham was the first postmaster, and later on, John Dunkle. The

Some time along in the 50 's Sammy Jones had a little store at Cross Roads, about one mile Northeast of the present site of Everton, at a point where the Springfield and Ft. Scott wagon road was crossed by the Booneville & Sarcoxie wagon road. This was in the good old freighting days when produce and supplies were hauled long distances by ox and mule teams. The war for a time destroyed the aspirations of Cross Roads ever becoming a city. At the close of hostilities Calvin Wheeler petitioned Congress for a re-establishment of the Rock Prairie postomcc' which had been discontinued during the war, and he was appointed postmaster in 1868, and located the office at Cross Roads, at which point he was conducting a small country store. His son, Martin Wheeler, was deputy postmaster and managed the office. James Bell and James Byles were the village blacksmiths, Elias Bennett conducted a drug store and officiated as Justice of the Peace, Eli Reich "cobbled" shoes, George Laughingburg established a brewery and manufactured old-fashioned lager beer from hops and barley with W. L. Grotzman, who ran a pottery as his chief customer.

This was about 1871. During this year W. T. Hastings and Joe Irby established a blacksmith and wagon shop, Dr. Appleby also located at Cross Roads as a regular practicing physician, and afterwards engaged in merchandising in the partnership firm of Appleby & Wheeler. It was in the midst of these activities that the Kansas City & Memphis railroad was graded from Greenfield to Ash Grove, right through the heart of Cross Roads. With these brilliant prospects in view G. W. Wilson erected a box store building on one of the principal corners and put in a stock of general merchandise, and took into his employ his brother-in-law, W. Y. McLemore, who in 1878 became his partner in the business.

The building of the Kansas City, Ft. Scott & Gulf railroad in 1881, through Dade County, blasted the hopes of the Cross Roads city, for the main line missed the place just one mile. At this juncture, Judge Ralph Walker of Springfield purchased a tract of land in the northeast quarter of Section 17-30-25, and laid out the present City of Everton. The plat was surveyed February 9th, 1881, and on the 25th day of July, 1881, G. W. Wilson and W. Y. McLemore moved their general merchandise store from Cross Roads to Everton, becoming the first business firm in the new city. William Maunger, who had originally entered the land from the Government, had lived for years near the Reich spring in the northeastern part of the city. John Stephenson, the proprietor of a hotel in Corry, moved his building overland to the Everton townsite and became the first landlord in the new city. During the year 1882 Ed. Coker established a restaurant and grocery business, and about the same time Ed. Clark and E. R. Hughes engaged in the general merchandise business.

J. C. Kennedy established the first lumber yard in Everton in 1881, but soon sold out to the T. A. Miller Lumber Co., the present proprietors of the business. About the year 1883 Galbraith & Tarrant built an oldfashioned stone-burr flouring mill and run it till about 1887, when they sold out to Wash Likins, who converted it into an up-to-date roller mill with modern equipment and electric lights, and then disposed of the property to its present owner, William Raubinger, who has made many improvements. It is now a standard 100-barrel mill, doing a flourishing business. The original townsite of Everton soon became too small to accommodate the needs of the growing town, -so that numerous additions were platted. Burleyson's First Addition was laid out August 25th, 1881, and his Second Addition, July 20th, 1883. G. W. Wilson platted his First Addition November 19th, 1884, and his Second Addition November 8th, 1887. John Dimkle contributed an addition to Everton on June loth, 1881, while Wilson extended Block "C" with an addition August 17th, 1888. Jacob Green platted his addition November 21st, 1890, and J. G. Wilson placed his lots on the market June 9th, 1890. In addition to these numerous additions to the city many lots were sold by metes and bonds and are so conveyed at this time. Among the original business men to the town but few remain to this day. G. W. Wilson, W. Y. McLemore and Dr. W. I. Oarlock have been the land marks in business in Everton during all the years of her career. Aaron Burleyson was a farmer and cultivated the land in corn for many years where his additions were located. He was a native of Alabama, coming from there to Arkansas and to Bade County in 1862. T. W. Burleyson, his son was a regular practicing physician in Everton, and his two sons, T. J. and Dave Burleyson, are still engaged in the drug business there.

In addition to its other business enterprises Everton also had two saloons in an early day. Andy Jack Barker conducted an ''irrigation parlor" for a number of years on the corner near where his good wife, "Mother" Barker, presided over a pioneer hotel, the "Everton House." Andy Baker also conducted a saloon for a short time, Jake Samples was the pioneer produce dealer in Everton, entering business as early as 1885, and in 1895, W. D. Brown, present Circuit Court Clerk, entered the produce business on a large scale.

On the 12th day of September, 1882, W. Y. McLemore sold his interest in the firm of Wilson & McLemore to his partner and the firm continued as Wilson Bros. In 1884 he again entered the general merchandise business in partnership with his brother, J. M. McLemore, and in 1888 his brother, Robert F., came into the firm, after which they moved into the two-story brick building on the corner and continued business till 1896.

G. W. Wilson erected the first brick building in the city in 1889. The first bank in Everton was established by G. W. Wilson as a private bank, and for a number of years was one of the largest private banks in Southwest Missouri. On the 1st day of June, 1914, it was incorporated as "The Bank of Everton" with a capital stock of $25,000. G. W. Wilson was elected President, W. Y. McLemore, Vice President; Monte Poindexter, Cashier:

In 1889 W. C. Holman started the first livery business in Everton. He was succeeded in 1894 by Monte Wheeler, who continued in the business till 1904, when he sold out to Cunningham. The original building was destroyed by fire. Monte Wheeler, in the year 1904 engaged in the hardware business and continued in the same till January 1st, 1915.

W. Y. McLemore sold out of the general merchandise business in 1898 and entered politics, being elected Recorder of Deeds of Bade County on the Republican ticket in 1902, whereupon he moved to Greenfield and spent four years in that office. In 1908 he moved to Porum, Oklahoma, and engaged in business with success, but the ties of Dade County were too strong for him to remain away very long. He returned to Everton June 1st, 1914, and reentered business. After the capitalization of the Bank of Everton he organized the Everton Hardware Company with a capital stock of $10,000, of which G. W. Wilson was elected President ; W. Y. McLemore, Vice President and Secretary, with Monte Wheeler, W. S. Wilson, W. 0. Wilson and John Bell as Directors. This Corporation purchased the hardware business of Monte Wheeler, and also that of Goforth & Hankins. They are now located in business in a brick block on the East side of the street running North and South through the business section of the city.

B. F. Johnson was one of the early merchants of Everton, succeeding Hughes & Clark in the general merchandise business. Dr. T. W. Burleyson established the first drug store in the place in 1883, Dr. W. I. Carlock begun the general practice of medicine in Everton in 1882.

The three McLemore boys, W. Y., Robert F., and J. M., were sons of Archibald McLemore, a Dade County pioneer, \vlio came from Tennessee and settled on Sac River, five miles Northeast of Greenfield, in 1849. He raised a family of six children, three boys and three girls, Mrs. G. W. Wilson being one of the girls. This

One of the largest industries ever started in Everton was the Ash Grove White Lime Association, which purchased a large tract of land adjoining the city and erected a lime works plan. The quarries were among the finest in the state and for a number of years this industry prospered. It purchased annually about 3,000 cords of wood and employed about sixty men, and shipped many carloads of its product to all parts of the United States. A few years ago the kilns were destroyed by fire. The Association still owns the land and may again rebuild.

Parker, Dye & Small was another prominent firm, consisting of J. C. Parker, AY. R. Dye and T. W. Small. The business still continues as W. R. Dye & Son. It is a general merchandise establishment.

James A. Mason has for many years been identified with the business interests of Everton. He came to the city as a teacher in the public schools, after which he was manager of the T. A. Miller Lumber yard. After remaining in this position about ten years, in company with his father-in-law, A. Dickinson, he established a Furniture and Undertaking business, which after a number of years they sold out to A. W. Poindexter. Mr. Poindexter has been engaged in many business enterprises in the city, the largest being the erection of the magnificent New Crescent Hotel, a two-story brick structure, located on a beautiful site overlooking the Frisco depot and yards and surrounded by attractive shade trees. It represents an expenditure of something like $10,000, and is a credit to the city. It is no\v owned and operated by R. Fowler.

Everton lias always been wide-awake on the question of schools. Seeing the needs of higher education in the year 1892, a number of public-spirited citizens organized the Everton High School as a private enterprise for pub- lie use. The loading spirits in this enterprise were James A. Mason, G. W. Wilson, W. C. Holman, W. T. Hudson, W. 11. Mitchell, W. Y. McLemore and many others. They employed George Melcher, one of the leading educators of the State, as Superintendent, in which position he continued for four years. The city now has an elegant school building, costing approximately $10,000, and is modern in every respect.

The legal profession has been represented in Everton by one illustrious citizen,, Howard Ragsdale, who was a soldier, politician and practitioner. He is now a resident of Ash Grove, "just over the line," but still retains a large share of the legal practice in Everton.

pjverton has not been without church interests. As early as 1883 the Cumberland Presbyterian church was organized by Rev. W. J. Garrett, who was its first pastor, and held their meetings in the school house till 1887. when they erected a nice frame church building. It is now a Presbyterian U. S. A. church with Rev. W. R. Russell as pastor, a position which he has held for more than twenty years.

The Missionary Baptist church was organized in 1888 with Rev. W. F. Parker as first pastor. They have a church building and Rev. Calton is their present pastor.