OLD n’ NEWS From Around the County
Several have asked, ‘Where have you been?’ This column has been gone from the paper for a while and the following is part of the reason. See, someone sent me a list of sayings called ‘Words of Wisdom’ and I took one to heart immediately. It goes, “Never miss a good chance to shut up.” But some of the guys at Coffee, Inc. have been wondering what I’m going to write about next, people at the historical society are asking if it isn’t about time to have another article and Cecy just told me "You ought to write your column." So, maybe it is coming up like spring – slowly. For me March 1, the opening of trout season is the beginning of spring. The crocus start blooming, followed by the daffodils. Gold finches turn color and we’ve had a few warm days. Our daylilies are up about 8" or so. Some of the hosta are showing their tips. Several people have been mowing. Last years bumper crop of fawns have lost their spots. We have three groups this year including a doe and her triplets, another herd of nine deer, a herd of twenty whitetails that are new to the neighborhood this year. All this is not much about history I guess —- but, on the other hand, it’s been going on in this county for thousands of years.
Court House News
The first three years – 1829, 1830 and 1831 – meetings of the county court met in private homes. William and Nancy Goggin’s house in Huntsville was the site for the first term of the circuit court. They were one of the four couples that donated land for county government in Huntsville. The Goggin home was also the location of the first county licensed tavern. The grand jury in the first term found against two people. One was indicted for assault and battery and the second for resisting legal process. The circuit judge of the first session was Judge David Todd of Boone County. Randolph county officers in attendance were the circuit clerk, Robert Wilson, sheriff, Hancock Jackson and James Gordon, prosecuting attorney.
What In The Heck Is This?
Shirley McWhorter brought us a 1933 picture of the kids at Patton School. Her mother, Martha Kitchen is probably one of the children, but she’s not sure. Take a look, see if you know any of the kids and please let us know. Do you have any old pictures to share?
County Sports News
YATES SCHOOL NOTES–(as edited by Kathy Bowlin from the Higbee News of Thursday, 14 Oct 1926, Vol 40, No 24, Pg. 8 Col. 3) — The basketball lineup this year is as follows: Girls–Juanita Strain and Eileen Robertson, forwards; Ruby Goone and Marietta Barron, centers; Dorothy Banning and Elma Barron, guards. Boys–Lester Banning, captain; Herbert Goone, Jeff Green, Roscoe Ware, Glenn Banning, Jethro Sires and J. T. Goone. (Goone is now spelled Goon.)
Historic Military Convoy
The War Re-enactors of Columbia have organized a military vehicle convoy through Randolph County for May 10, 2003. It will coincide with other special events connected with General Bradley Weekend in Randolph County. The convoy participants will stop at the Bradley Memorial and they will have lunch at the American Legion. To date they have registered 20 historic military vehicles from seven states. I’ll have more on this as time goes along.
GENERAL OMAR N BRADLEY LUNCHEON & SYMPOSIUM
United States Secretary of Veterans Affairs, The Honorable Anthony J Principi, the highest ranking executive branch officer to ever visit Randolph County, will be the primary speaker at the 2nd Annual General Omar N Bradley Luncheon Lecture and Symposium. The luncheon is being held again this year on May 12, 2003 at the Moberly Municipal Auditorium. The Symposium is an annual event sponsored by the Moberly Rotary Club. Randolph County Historical Society Vice President, Dr Bob Tompson, is Rotary Chairman. Karl Rice is vice chairman and Sam Richardson is the Event Coordinator. Luncheon tickets are $12.50 and balcony seats
are $5.00. Send your reservation by May 1 to Dr Tompson, BOX 3, Moberly, MO 65270.
History Center News
It is so popular or profitable to be negative in the news these days, that it is hard to find positive news about anything. But, I want to tell you about Ben and Andy Morgan. Here are two eighth graders from the Moberly Middle School that have been volunteering for service at the historical society for several years. Their mom, Sheryl is the library director at the History Center. Mark, their dad, works at KWIX/KRES/KIRK radio station. Ben and Andy have done a lot of work at the History Center, the 4th Street Theater and the Railroad Museum including keeping the many fluorescent bulbs changed, keeping track of tools, making copies for people, fixing our computers, knocking down plaster walls and pitching in on whatever else we need done. They are terrific kids and our White Elephant Sale in August would have been a lot more work for us older folks without these young strong backs. Thanks, guys.
Fourth Street Theater
Project director Chairman Carolee Hazlet and the special events committee are working on having a Street Festival in August. We have gotten $31,000 in NAP grant donations to the theater project from local business since the first of the year. Total donations are now over the $100,000 mark and they are still coming in.