OLD’N NEWS From Around the County
CLEO NOEL, JR — YASSER ARAFAT
The recent death of PLO leader Yasser Arafat is a sad reminder of the violent, senseless death of Cleo Noel, Jr, a favorite son of Randolph County, who grew up in Moberly. After graduating from Moberly Junior College and getting bachelor and masters degrees in history at University of Missouri, Cleo spent 5 years fighting World War II as a naval commander.
Following the war he was accepted into the United States foreign service academy. This was the beginning of his long and distinguished career in the foreign service. Moving up in the ranks of the U. S. Department of State, he was assigned as Ambassador to Sudan by President Nixon in 1973. Just a few days after arriving there, a faction of Yasser Arafat’s Fatah Party called ‘Black September’ took Ambassador Noel and two other people hostage and demanded the release of Sirhan Sirhan, the murderer of Robert Kennedy and other jailed terrorists.
Nixon refused to negotiate with the Black September thugs. The Fatah leadership then gave orders to shoot the hostages. All three were machine gunned down at point blank range. James J Welch, the U. S. National Security Agency communications analyst for the Middle East at that time, is confident that it was Arafat that gave the final order to kill the hostages. The call the terrorists ordering the killing was recorded by Israeli security forces. The Israeli security analysts say that it was Arafat’s voice on the tape that gave the final order for the execution. Arafat was never charged with the murder though many, including 47 U. S. senators, pleaded with our government to do so.
Cleo Noel, Jr. was born in Oklahoma, but the family soon moved to Centrailia, MO and then on to Randolph County when Cleo was twelve. Cleo’s Dad, Cleo Noel, Sr, was a clerk and a caller for the Wabash railroad and worked at the Moberly depot. He and his wife, Mary Pearl raised their family at 617 Gilman in Moberly.
Cleo Noel, Jr. body lies buried at Arlington Nation Cemetery in Washington, D. C. along with General Omar Bradley of Randolph County and so many other national heroes.
DECEMBER MEETING / RANDOLPH COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY
This is going to be interesting. Earnie Jones is coming to show us the craft of flint knapping. The meeting starts at 7 PM at the History Center at 223 N Clark in Moberly and it is open to anyone that wants to come, see and hear Earnie. He will demonstrate the techniques used by the first immigrants to our continent for making their arrowheads and other tools out of flint rocks. Refreshments will be served.
PROSTITUTION HISTORY BOOK
Ralph Gerhard’s new book titled Madams, Painted Ladies and Johns is at Crown Press in Moberly. John & Cindy Weant of Crown Press are hoping to have the book ready for release in early December. The book outlines the history of prostitution in the city of Moberly as gathered from area newspapers and city council records. Copies will be available before Christmas. You may pick up copies at the Historical Society or have them sent to you when they arrive. Pre-publication price is $9.50. Mailing cost is $2.00. Orders may be sent to Randolph County Historical Society, 223 N Clark, Moberly, MO 65270.
SPORTS NEWS – from the The CLIFTON HILL RUSTLER, November 14, 1929
“The Terriers won (basketball) from Cairo last Friday with a score of 22-6. This game was expected to be closer than it was. Both teams showed good sportsmanship. This now places the Terriers in the lead in the county. A new basketball has been purchased for our school.” Many schools of this size had 2 or 3 basketballs, with one being reserved for games.
POLITICAL NEWS – from the HIGBEE NEWS, October 16, 1908
“A crowd estimated at 4,000 was on hand when W. J. Bryan, Democratic candidate for president, pulled into town [Higbee] over the Katy (MK&T Railroad). As soon as the train stopped at the depot, Mr. Bryan came out on the platform and the crowd went crazy, but which he quieted with a wave of his hand.” This was the last of William Jennings Bryan’s three losing campaigns for president of the United States.
FOURTH STREET THEATER
The Fourth Street Theater Committee had their annual fun night of watching old movies and eating popcorn at the Country Club November 14. Highlight of the evening was the drawing for the winning lottery ticket. Winner of the $2,450 was Dennis Karstens, who promptly donated $1,000 of the prize back to the committee.