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BARRY COUNTY R E F L E C T I O N S A Quarterly Publication of the Barry County Museum

Volume IV, Issue 2

August 2011

Civil War Display

Treasuring the Past Embracing the Present Envisioning the Future

The Barry County Museum is located south of Cassville Civil War Oral History Corner

on Highway 112 HOURS

Just a few of the Civil War cases displayed.

9:00 A.M. to 5:00 P.M. Monday—Saturday 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. Sunday

Inside this issue: Civil War Display

1

Muster Roll from 1862

1

Oak Ridge School

2

Poetry Nook

2

Volunteer Spotlight

3

Featured Recipe

4

Featured Quilt of the Month

4

Cassville Cruise In Car Show

4

Cole Creason Memorial Display

5

Wish List from Museum

5

Fields’ Featured Photo

5

Upcoming Events

6

This year is the 150th anniversary of the start of the Civil War. Also known as the “War Between the States,” it lasted until 1865 and this summer it is the focus for our featured display. Running from Memorial Day through Labor Day (our longest featured display to date) the majority of our gallery is set up with pictures, stories, articles, and artifacts from or about this time period. Numerous individuals from the community have come forward and allowed us to display their prized possessions or provided us information to use. Among those are Kelly Barnes, Wendell and Jan Bishop, Ted and Fran Bolton, Rodney Elsey, Louie Keen, the James Joplin family, Mike Hastings, Fredalene Horner, Darrell and Beverly Ledenham, the Montgomery family, Herb and Cathy Primrose, Glen and Karen Roberts, Ted and Iva Roller, John and Evelyn Schreiner, Joshua Sherman, Anita Stufflebeam, the late Rex Stubblefield, Mal Hudson, Duane and Jan Truman, Blake and Debbie Whitley, and Christopher Wolf. We would like to thank anyone and everyone who helped with this display.

Many of the featured Civil War stories are from oral history interviews.

Muster Roll from 1862 mentions Cassville, MO

The 14th Missouri State Militia Volunteer Cavalry Company B, also known as Capt. John M. Richardson's "MOUNTAIN RANGERS," was in skirmishes and operations all over Missouri and Arkansas, although mostly concentrated in Southwest Missouri. Skirmishes included but were not limited to Ozark, Newtonia and Neosho. The Muster Roll donated by the James Joplin family mentions the operations the company had in Cassville; they were also in Keetsville and Roaring River during this time. Keetsville is what Washburn was known as during the Civil War. It is on display together with

biographies of numerous names appearing on the Muster Roll. You can view a digital copy on the Barry County Museum website and also a link to more information can be found on our website or go to http://www.cwnorthandsouth.com Thank you to Mr. Arthur (Art) F. Freeman, the great-grandson of "Private Abraham Marion Freeman" of Company "B". This site has been dedicated to and is in memory of Private Freeman. It is a wealth of knowledge on the 14th MO Calvary, and Art is keeping their memory alive by providing so much history on the Mountain Rangers.

Section of the Muster Roll for the 14th Regiment State Militia Volunteer Cavalry Company B, from the Cassville Station, dated December 1, 1862 donated by the James Joplin family.

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Volume IV, Issue 2

Oak Ridge School—District 68 A MESSAGE Elizabeth Stuart Phelps Ward (1844-1911) Civil War Poetry

W

as there ever message sweeter Than that one from Malvern Hill, From a grim old fellow, you remember? Dying in the dark at Malvern Hill. With his rough face turned a little, On, a heap of scarlet sand, They found him, just within the thicket, With a picture in his hand,

W Oak Ridge School 1954-1955 All Eight Grades

Fields’ Photo

Front Row: Bobbie Lyall, Earnest Enfield, Earnest Newman, Aaron Dalton, Teddy Bolton, Jimmy Lyall (not in school yet), Donnie Elliot (not in school yet), Johnnie Newman 2nd Row: Patty Newman, Deloris Pryor, Evelyn Barrett, Peggy Hall, Janice Lyall, Joyce Hall, Judy Lyall, Louise Lucas, Donnis Barrett 3rd Row: (teacher) Adda Hogue, Jimmy Lucas, Charles Robinson, Sue Lyall, Donald Coutaras, Carolyn Hall, Beulah Bolton, Hazel Bolton, (Teacher) Maxine Williams 4th Row: Aaron Lowe, Mary Jane Williams, Jackie Lowe, Ola Fay Pryor, Larry Elliott, Carolyn Newman Back Row: Roe Al Williams, Carolyn Kendall, Ray Hall, Lucinda Newman, Richard Robinson, Edna Barrett, Junior Lowe

John Ray set aside an acre of his property for school purposes in 1880. It is not known exactly when the first schoolhouse was built on this designated property, but classes could have started as early as 1898 and continued until its consolidation into the Cassville School District around 1966. Numerous pictures and school rosters can be viewed from Oak Ridge School. Interesting facts about John Ray. The property once owned by John and Elizabeth (Means) Ray was also owned, in more recent years, by Ted and Fran Bolton. (“Teddy” appears in school picture.) Around the time the Civil War broke out, John moved to Cassville and was in charge of the United States Army Hospital for a time. During the Rebellion, Dr. Ray was for the Union cause but was a tried and true Democrat. In fact he was one of only 18 men who voted for George B. McClellan in the 1864 presidential election in Barry County . In June 1862 he was appointed circuit and county clerk of Barry County, serving until December 1864. In 1872 Dr. Ray purchased the Cassville Democrat, which he owned and operated until his death in 1888, at which time his son, Charles, became the operator of the Cassville Democrat.

Oak Ridge School Building

Oak Ridge School Lunch Room where Fannie Lowe was a cook for many years. Her husband Harve Lowe was on the school board as well. This building was beside the schoolhouse and still stands across from Oak Ridge Cemetery. Both building pictures (and more) given to the Rural School Project by Dorothy Lyall from the Oak Ridge Community.

The Oak Ridge School is just one of the approximate 112 rural Barry County schools currently being researched by the Rural School Project. Fran Bolton and Penny Bailey meet Wednesdays from 10 A.M. to 2 P.M. at the Barry County Museum. If you have photographs, information, memories or anecdotes about any rural school, please contact them through the Barry County Museum (417) 847-1640 or [email protected]

ith a stained and crumpled picture Of a woman's aged face; Yet there seemed to leap a wild entreaty, Young and living-tender-from the face When they flashed the lantern on it, Gilding all the purple shade, And stooped to raise him softly, That's my mother, sir," he said.

T

ell her...but he wandered, slipping Into tangled words and cries, Something about Mac and Hooker, Something dropping through the cries About the kitten by the fire, And mother's cranberry-pies; and there The words fell, and an utter Silence brooded in the air.

J

ust as he was drifting from them, Out into the dark, alone (Poor old mother, waiting for your message, Waiting with the kitten, all alone!), Through the hush his voice broke, Tell her Thank you, Doctor-when you can, Tell her that I kissed her picture, And wished I'd been a better man."

A

h, I wonder if the red feet Of departed battle-hours May not leave for us their searching Message from those distant hours. Sisters, daughters, mothers, think you, Would your heroes now or then, Dying, kiss your pictured faces, Wishing they'd been better men?

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Volume IV, Issue 2

Volunteer Spotlight—Silva Blankenship below the Potter Cemetery. Edward Doty came to America from Southampton, England on the Mayflower in 1620. Silva’s great-great-great-grandfather, Joseph Doty, was born in Warren, KY in 1804 and came to Jenkins, in 1836. He died in 1880 and is buried in the Doty Cemetery. Her Great-greatgrandfather Daniel M. Doty was born in 1833 in Indiana. Greatgrandfather James Daniel, “Jim” Doty was born in 1857 in Jenkins, and died in 1937. He is buried in the Kings Cemetery at Jenkins.

J.T. and Silva Blankenship

Silva Blankenship began volunteering at the museum just over a year ago. Her talents have been used to help with Christmas displays, provide refreshments for book signings, organize supplies and several other projects. When asked what drew her to the museum Silva quickly replies, “History! I like history, and I thought I’d meet people and I might find some more of my family. I have come to all of the book signings and I have found more family connections.” Silva shares, “The book signings interest me. I like to read about other peoples’ lives. They [narrators] are older than me, but I was raised about like them.” When asked what her favorite aspect of being a part of the museum is Silva said, “Meeting the people when they come in.”

Silva Dean Stockton Blankenship is the daughter of Calvin Alfred “Cab” and Ancil (Fields) Stockton. Born in Cato, MO she has lived her entire life in Cato and Shell Knob, MO. She has one sister, Wilma Ruth McKnight. Cab Stockton was born in 1906 at Jenkins, MO. His parents were Thomas Jefferson “Pete” and Mary Jane (Doty) Stockton.

Jim and Pearl (Berry) Fields

Pete and Mary Stockton

Cab and Ancil (Fields) Stockton

The Stockton family came from England to New Jersey in the 1640s. They later moved to Tennessee, Kentucky, and on to Jenkins, in 1842. Silva’s greatgreat-grandfather, Thomas Stockton, homesteaded land that was first lived on by a man named Jenkins. The town of Jenkins was named after him. His cabin was down near the creek

Silva’s mother, Ancil, was born in 1922 in Cato. She is the daughter of James “Jim” and Pearl (Berry) Fields. Silva’s great-grandfather, James Fields, was born in Kentucky in 1841. He married Catherine Vanhorn, born in 1847. They came to Shell Knob in 1883 and homesteaded land, and started the Fields community. Grandpa James “Jim” Fields was born in 1882 in Illinois and died in 1945. He is buried in the Fields Cemetery at Shell Knob. He was married to Pearl Berry. Silva’s great -great-greatgrandfather, John Berry, was born August 20, 1794 and died January 7, 1898 at Salem, MO at the age of 103 years, four months, & 17 days. He fathered his last child at the age of 85; he had two wives and 21 children. Her great-great-grandfather, William Kendall Berry, was born

in 1828 and died in 1901 at Union City, MO. Her greatgrandfather, John Canar Berry, was born in 1850 in Dent County, MO. He married Matilda Susan Holloway on February 18, 1877. Matilda was born in May, 1859 in Tennessee and died in May, 1936 at Viola, MO. Silva’s grandmother, Pearl (Berry) Fields was born January 10, 1890 in Christian County, MO and died May 2, 1962. She is buried in the Fields Cemetery. Silva still lives on the old home place her mom and dad bought when they got married. Before retiring, Silva worked at Fasco for 18 years. Prior to that she had been a stay-at-home mom until son, Jason, started high school. On October 9, 2011 she and her husband J.T. will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Silva and J.T. have three children: Marsha Scott, Shelly Paul, and Jason Blankenship. They also have 10 grandchildren: David Anthony Paul, Porsha Paul, Alisha Scott, Ashton Scott, Abbey Scott, Mariah Blankenship, Jamie Blankenship, Jon Blankenship, Drylan Castro, and Dez Castro. They are also very proud greatgrandparents of Bently Paul. Silva enjoys embroidery, quilting and her special hobby, genealogy. Currently she is embroidering a baby quilt to give away. She also has several pieces her mother left her, including a quilt that her mother had embroidered, which she plans to finish. Silva says once the items are completed she will give them to her children. Family is extremely important to Silva. She also likes to travel and deer hunt. J.T. and Silva have been members of the Corinth Baptist Church for 37 years, where Silva serves as a door greeter. ******************************* The Volunteer Spotlight is a feature honoring the generous people assisting the Museum. Volunteers’ names are selected randomly to spotlight.

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Volume IV, Issue 2

Featured Recipe— Robert E. Lee Cake

Robert E. Lee

This recipe is more for novelty reading than actually baking “now -a-days,” but if anyone is talented enough to carry out the directions and succeed in baking this cake, we would love to read about it and see pictures. Please e-mail or mail correspondence to the Barry County Museum. The following was borrowed from the book Colonial Recipes, from old Virginia and Maryland Manors compiled and written by Maude Ada Bomberger, & published in 1907. It is written exactly as it appears in the book, no exact measurements or temperatures for baking appear: The following is not a Colonial recipe, but it seems most fitting that it should be placed here, and especially so as it is given by Mrs. John Redmon Cox Lewis of “Buena Vista,” who was a cousin of General Robert E. Lee, and her husband, Colonel Lewis, was first cousin of Mary Custis, wife of General Lee.

Robert E. Lee Cake

Ten eggs, the weight of 10 eggs in sugar, half the weight in flour, the juice of one lemon. Make like sponge-cake, bake like jelly-cake Filling for cake To 2 pounds of pulverized sugar add the juice of 5 oranges and the peel grated of 3. The juice of 3 lemons. This must not be spread upon the cake until cold. This quantity will make 2 cakes and 3 layers in each.

Featured Quilt of the Month In April of 2011 the Barry County Museum started a NEW on-going display. A special section of the museum was designated to the “Featured Quilt of the Month” display. Every month a different quilt will be featured, each having its own story. If you have an interesting quilt that you would like to be featured for an upcoming month, please contact the museum.

“Ozark Starbeams” quilt on loan from Carolyn Coonrod for July

The Discovery Quilters from Shell Knob featured a Block of the Month Contest with members participating by each making their own block. The pattern used was designed by local quilt enthusiast Charlotte Bull. At the end of the contest a drawing was held to win all those blocks.

Carolyn was the winner and only needed to make two additional blocks to finish this work of art. Keeping with the “red, white, and blue theme,” Carolyn used a piece of star fabric on the backing; the star fabric belonged to Carolyn’s late mother, Yvonne Sloan.

Star Fabric from back of quilt

Cassville Cruise In Car Show at the Barry County Museum you’ve got. If you’re proud of your ride, bring it and park it along side ours.” From 5 PM to dark on the second Saturday of every month through October. August 13th, September 10th, and October 8th you can come down and see some Hot Rods and Slick Rides, and visit with their proud owners. April 9th was the kick off date for the Cassville Cruise In Car Shows. This year the meeting ground for the motor enthusiasts was moved to the Barry County Museum. With plenty of paved parking and the air-conditioned facilities nearby, the “Cassville Country Cruisers” seem to be right at home. To better accommodate this evening crowd that the Cruisers bring in, the museum has extended its hours for those special evenings. The flyer that the Cruisers have displayed inside the museum states “Great Family Fun, Door Prizes, 50/50 drawing, Good Music” and “Show us what

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Volume IV, Issue 2

Cole Creason Wish List from the Barry County Museum November 30, 1943 — June 8, 2008 At the Barry County Muse- These are items we can alFrom 1966 through 1969 Cole Creason was the art teacher for Cassville High School. Since his passing in 2008 the museum has been contemplating doing a display to show off his different styles of work. With the help of his loving siblings and other relatives we finally accumulated enough of his art work to display. Since April/May of this year, the meeting room at the

Cole from 1966 Cassville Avaunt

um we strive to keep things looking fresh and exciting to the patrons that visit us. We occasionally run into snags with certain displays and sometimes need additional items. If you are cleaning out your closets, garage or other storage and run across anything you think we might be able to use, please contact us before tossing anything out or donating elsewhere. You would be surprised the things that we can use in our displays.

ways use. Mannequins (male or female, half or full body, with or without heads, we will take them!) Fabric (any kind, small or large pieces, any texture, any color, new or vintage, we can use it!) Plate stands, picture frames, and shadow boxes (Any size, color, wood or plastic, with or with glass, we can use them!)

Fields’ Featured Photo

“The Fountain” Cole Creason 1981

Barry County Museum has housed around 20 of his works of art. Cole dabbled in many different types of art: oil paintings, acrylic, and pen and ink. Examples of these different techniques and more are all on display. Cole Creason graduated from the Cherokee County Community High School in Columbus, Kansas, where he was a part of the “gifted and talented” program. He was an extremely intelligent individual, and a voracious reader. Included in his many talents was

his enjoyment of cooking, where he added his creativity to the dishes he served. He also loved to garden and created many garden sculptures. For his young nieces and nephews, Cole created “Uncle Dorkie” kits, which were creative activities for them to do, and the little ones looked forward to receiving these kits in the mail. Cole was appreciated greatly by the entire Creason family for his generosity—he gave of his time, his resources, and his many talents.

Above—Fields’ Photo “Cassville Flood 1964” This pair of photos shows the flood waters of Flat Creek as they barely flow under the bridge on Highway 112/76/86. The photos seem very similar but were taken in different years, and from opposite sides of the bridge (north and south). Notice the direction the waters are flowing. Below—Cassville Democrat Photo of Bridge on April 25, 2011

® Phone 417 847-1640 Fax 417 847-1641 [email protected] www.barrycomuseum.org Postage

P.O. Box 338 Cassville, MO 65625 The Barry County Museum Collecting, preserving and exhibiting items that illustrate the past, present and future of Barry County. Fields’ Photo Archives - a collection of more than one million negatives available for public viewing and researching. Oral History Project capturing the stories of long-time county residents to create a collective memory of Barry County life. Display space for community art exhibits and collections.

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Upcoming events and plans Lifetimes of Memories, Voices of Barry County Volume 15 will be offered for sale beginning on August 26, 2011. A book signing is scheduled for that day at the museum from 3:00 to 5:00 P.M. Our latest narrators: JD Fletcher, Wayne Farwell, both from Eagle Rock, and George Wilson from the Jenkins area, will be on hand to visit with guests and autograph books.

Current displays include Roaring River, Kerry Hays Photography, Cole Creason Artwork (more inside) and the Civil War (more inside). Also on display are decorative plates on loan from Christine Davidson, and Cobalt Blue glassware loaned by Colleen Mahurin. Future planned displays are….Evelyn and the late Verdayne Riddle’s framed puzzles, Mary Beck’s dance memorabilia, political items, Veteran’s Display, Sheriff’s Posse Corner, Railroads of Barry County and a new look to our military hallway. Our temporary CCC display was enjoyed so much that we have decided to make a more permanent display for these items and pictures in the near future. This year will be the third annual Barry County Museum Christmas Showcase. We will have both business and individual displays as we have had in the past. Spaces are still available so reserve yours soon!

If you have items, stories, or ideas for future displays, please contact Amber or Kay, the museum Co-Display Coordinators. We are also planning a Used Book Sale to benefit the Barry County Museum. The dates of the sale will be September 1st, through the 8th, 2011 (CLOSED LABOR DAY). We will be accepting book donations to add to the selection that will be offered for sale. If you would like to donate books for the cause please contact Kathy at the museum. The deadline for donating books is August 21, 2011.