Historic Society News
Feb 06, 2008 - 15:05:48 CST
January Business Meeting
The January meeting of Historic Madison County was called to order at the Historic Jail Museum at 6:05 p.m., Gary Lee presiding. There were 14 members and guests present. We welcomed Barry and Judy Shryock, members from out of town.
The first order of business was discussion of the minutes as published in the newsletter. There were no changes or corrections.
Treasurers Report:
Balance Dec. 18, 2007 $ 6573.68
Expenses (utilities, etc.) $164.87
Deposits $ 153.00
Interest Earned $3.72
Balance Jan. 11, 2008 $ 6565.53
Membership report: We mailed 206 newsletters this month. We still need to think about a membership drive.
Old Business: Some time back we discussed sponsoring a history related contest for school kids. Kim Lerche has been following this up with school principals and teachers. The schools want a written plan with topics and prizes listed for each age group. A one to five page essay/project relating to Madison County history was chosen. A motion was made to offer three $50 prizes - one to the winner at Intermediate School, one to Middle School and one to High School. More about this next month. It was mentioned the the Historic Preservation group will be planning an Art contest to be awarded during the Azalea Festival.
An invitation from the Ste. Genevieve Historical Society to the "Kings Ball" on February 2 in Ste. Genevieve was read to the group.
In other Old Business, a question was raised as to the status of our possible application for Neighborhood Assistance Program tax credits to rehabilitate the old (1850's) railroad depot in North Town. Ruth Ann is working with Jason on this paperwork, it is extensive. The plan is to create a museum of Agriculture, Business and Industry of Madison County utilizing many of John Paul Skaggs's extensive collections including farm implements, mining history, mills and feed stores, logging, blacksmithing, carpentry, broom making, law enforcement, architecture, etc. along with a library of thousands of books. Another feature will possibly be a museum of items related to local fire departments and firemen. Darryl Asher, longtime fire chief and John Paul collected many interesting artifacts over the years related to fires in the area.
Paul Vance, owner of the the 'New' railroad depot which is now a Museum of Transportation has expressed interest in relocating the 'old' depot to his property so that the two museums could be managed and open cooperatively. This would be extremely costly but it is being discussed.
Our application for the tax credits can not be submitted until March 1. Membership at a previous meeting voted to pay the application fees to the Neighborhood Assistance Program.
It has been requested that we open our museum for the "Historic Timeline Encampment" to be held in late March. This will be the second year for this event held in the parks on North Main Street, which recognizes many eras thoughout history from the Revolutionary War, to Scottish games to Civil War periods, Cowboys and Indians, Fur Trappers, etc.
Barry and Judy Shryock have donated very interesting items to our museum. Mr. Shryock presented the old Pulpit from the Snowdenville Church. The church was established c. 1883 and once had a grade school and there is also a cemetery on the grounds. The Shryocks also brought a portrait of Barry Shryock's G-G-Grandparents. They came to the area from West Virginia(?) and started the church. It was once the Cornwall Presbyterian Church.
A question was raised about the old Ramey Livery Stable, possible the town's oldest structure (c.1840's) still standing. The property is rumored to be for sale at a high price. Local lore indicates that beneath the building may have once been "caverns large enough for wagons to pass through." It was built of rubblestone and is an important local architectural resource. There was much discussion at the meeting of this building and its history. It currently has no running water, sewer, or heating or cooling and is not insulated.
The meeting was adjourned for further visiting. Our next regular meeting will be held on February 19, at 6:00 p.m. Visitors are always welcome, please join us!
M M M
Democrat News August 1930
Fire Destroys Home,
Old Livery Stable
Early Morning Blaze Baffles Fire Department And Two Buildings Are Lost. Cause Unknown
A serious fire, the first Fredericktown has had for a long time, totally destroyed the Budenholzer property on North Main Street, the old Ramey livery stable nearby and all the household effects of Ed Dorsey who lived in the residence property, shortly after two o'clock yesterday morning.
The cause of the fire is unknown. Mr. Dorsey and a son were at home and parts of the structure was falling in when they were awakened. Their household effects were practically all destroyed as was their clothing. Mr. Dorsey escaped with but one suit.
Somebody had broken into the fire house and drained the gas from the fire engine, so that a delay of at least ten minutes was made. But for the delay, the Ramey building might have been saved. As it was the flames quickly spread from the residence and enveloped the old stable.
The stable being of stone and with a metal roof, the fire department was able to prevent a further spread.
The house was owned by the Budenholzer heirs and was insured for $1000. Dorsey's household goods carried insurance of $1200. There was no insurance, so far as we can learn, on the Ramey building which is owned by John C. Ramey.
M M M
Democrat News 1950's??
The Old Green Brick
By Clarice B. Welker, Historian
There is always something fascinating in the razing of an old building. This is particularly true in the "old green brick" recently known as the Price Dress Shop. It was located at the Northeast corner of Mine La Motte and College Avenues until it was torn down to make way for a used car lot.
The building was erected by Rufus Baird. He was a son of Moses Baird and Mary Elizabeth Arnett (who was a daughter of John Arnett.) These two families were very influential in the early days of Madison County.
The Bairds made their own bricks a block south on Water Street, known today as the lots back of the homes of Mrs. Frank Ruth, Mrs. E.P. Francis and Val Adamson.
At the time the brickyard was there, the creek ran down the west side of the road across these lots.
Busy Man
Rufus Baird was a very busy man, but he had plenty of help from some of his relatives. Namely, his brothers John, Robert, Moses Jr., Harshorn, and a cousin Duncan Arnett. He also had help from his wife's brothers Beverly L. Maze, Felix J. Maze, Binum Maze and Barton J. Maze. Some of these men were carpenters as well as brick masons.
When I first knew this old house, there was no sidewalk on the north side of College Avenue. We were intrigued with the maze of pipes in the basement. After asking many questions we learned that water was being piped into this house from a big spring in the center of the street, up College Avenue some 200 feet west, in front of the home of John Valle and wife, Rebecca Overfield (relatives of Katherine Slaughter), now the location of the Baptist Church.
Town Creek had many names; Shell Spring Branch, Tong Creek, Toler and Town Creek. At College Avenue there was no culvert and we used a narrow foot bridge on the south side of the street. There was a heavy wire cable to hold to as a banister.
The Marvin College dormitory girls always had to march in line. We would try to get in step before we got on the bridge so it would swing. When the creek was high the water often was up to the porch of the first house. We had to use (what we called Rocky Mountain) Newberry Street a foot bridge over the creek.
Remarried
Rufus Baird had married Lovina Maze (the daughter of William and Eveline Maze.) They had three sons: Rufus Jr., William and Milton. After the death of this first wife, Rufus married the widow of Mark Anthony. She had two children: Iate (Mrs. George P. Herzinger) and Dr. Caruthers Anthony. Mrs. Anthony was born Jane Caruthers, the daughter of David Looney Caruthers and Mary Dubois.
This marriage brings up a history of the big brick house south of the Stephens Store. Rufus Baird built this house also.
Other houses made from the Baird brick were numerous. Among them is my own house, 205 South Main; the Methodist Parsonage - for his sister Elizabeth Baird and her husband Benjamin Reynolds; the old brick house on the Cobalt property, built for another sister Matilda J. (the widow of Nathan B. Harris) and her second husband, Judge James C. Berryman.
The big brick house south of the bridge over Little St. Francis was started for Moses Baird but he died before it was completed. His wife, Mary Elizabeth, was the daughter of John Arnett and lived there for several years.
Sometime it might be interesting to discuss the original city limits since we have explained that the eastern limit was a street 50 foot wide. It ran from Saline Creek on the north to the old log school and church house and graveyard on the south, this was called Cooks Water Street.
In other words: The New Era Bank and all other buildings on the east side of Mine La Motte Avenue would have been out of the city limits.
M M M
MARRIED
BLANTON - LANPHER - Dec. 24, 1878, at the residence of the bride's parents, by Elder Shepherd, M.M. Blanton of Libertyville, and Miss Emma Lanpher of this county.
Mr. Blanton is connected with the Liberty Mills, a young man of fine culture and a worthy gentleman, while his bride is the daughter of ex-Sheriff Geo. W. Lanpher, and one of Madison County's fairest jewels. The Plaindealer invokes heaven's choicest blessings upon them; may their pathway through life be strewn with flowers and their financial wealth "as good as wheat in the mill." Thanks for the "double dose" of cake.
Copyright ©
Pulitzer Missouri Newspapers. All rights reserved.
http://www.dailyjournalonline.com/articles/2008/02/06/fredericktown/doc47aa1f8ed768b989015892.txt
The January meeting of Historic Madison County was called to order at the Historic Jail Museum at 6:05 p.m., Gary Lee presiding. There were 14 members and guests present. We welcomed Barry and Judy Shryock, members from out of town.
The first order of business was discussion of the minutes as published in the newsletter. There were no changes or corrections.
Treasurers Report:
Balance Dec. 18, 2007 $ 6573.68
Expenses (utilities, etc.) $164.87
Deposits $ 153.00
Interest Earned $3.72
Balance Jan. 11, 2008 $ 6565.53
Membership report: We mailed 206 newsletters this month. We still need to think about a membership drive.
Old Business: Some time back we discussed sponsoring a history related contest for school kids. Kim Lerche has been following this up with school principals and teachers. The schools want a written plan with topics and prizes listed for each age group. A one to five page essay/project relating to Madison County history was chosen. A motion was made to offer three $50 prizes - one to the winner at Intermediate School, one to Middle School and one to High School. More about this next month. It was mentioned the the Historic Preservation group will be planning an Art contest to be awarded during the Azalea Festival.
An invitation from the Ste. Genevieve Historical Society to the "Kings Ball" on February 2 in Ste. Genevieve was read to the group.
In other Old Business, a question was raised as to the status of our possible application for Neighborhood Assistance Program tax credits to rehabilitate the old (1850's) railroad depot in North Town. Ruth Ann is working with Jason on this paperwork, it is extensive. The plan is to create a museum of Agriculture, Business and Industry of Madison County utilizing many of John Paul Skaggs's extensive collections including farm implements, mining history, mills and feed stores, logging, blacksmithing, carpentry, broom making, law enforcement, architecture, etc. along with a library of thousands of books. Another feature will possibly be a museum of items related to local fire departments and firemen. Darryl Asher, longtime fire chief and John Paul collected many interesting artifacts over the years related to fires in the area.
Paul Vance, owner of the the 'New' railroad depot which is now a Museum of Transportation has expressed interest in relocating the 'old' depot to his property so that the two museums could be managed and open cooperatively. This would be extremely costly but it is being discussed.
Our application for the tax credits can not be submitted until March 1. Membership at a previous meeting voted to pay the application fees to the Neighborhood Assistance Program.
It has been requested that we open our museum for the "Historic Timeline Encampment" to be held in late March. This will be the second year for this event held in the parks on North Main Street, which recognizes many eras thoughout history from the Revolutionary War, to Scottish games to Civil War periods, Cowboys and Indians, Fur Trappers, etc.
Barry and Judy Shryock have donated very interesting items to our museum. Mr. Shryock presented the old Pulpit from the Snowdenville Church. The church was established c. 1883 and once had a grade school and there is also a cemetery on the grounds. The Shryocks also brought a portrait of Barry Shryock's G-G-Grandparents. They came to the area from West Virginia(?) and started the church. It was once the Cornwall Presbyterian Church.
A question was raised about the old Ramey Livery Stable, possible the town's oldest structure (c.1840's) still standing. The property is rumored to be for sale at a high price. Local lore indicates that beneath the building may have once been "caverns large enough for wagons to pass through." It was built of rubblestone and is an important local architectural resource. There was much discussion at the meeting of this building and its history. It currently has no running water, sewer, or heating or cooling and is not insulated.
The meeting was adjourned for further visiting. Our next regular meeting will be held on February 19, at 6:00 p.m. Visitors are always welcome, please join us!
M M M
Democrat News August 1930
Fire Destroys Home,
Old Livery Stable
Early Morning Blaze Baffles Fire Department And Two Buildings Are Lost. Cause Unknown
A serious fire, the first Fredericktown has had for a long time, totally destroyed the Budenholzer property on North Main Street, the old Ramey livery stable nearby and all the household effects of Ed Dorsey who lived in the residence property, shortly after two o'clock yesterday morning.
The cause of the fire is unknown. Mr. Dorsey and a son were at home and parts of the structure was falling in when they were awakened. Their household effects were practically all destroyed as was their clothing. Mr. Dorsey escaped with but one suit.
Somebody had broken into the fire house and drained the gas from the fire engine, so that a delay of at least ten minutes was made. But for the delay, the Ramey building might have been saved. As it was the flames quickly spread from the residence and enveloped the old stable.
The stable being of stone and with a metal roof, the fire department was able to prevent a further spread.
The house was owned by the Budenholzer heirs and was insured for $1000. Dorsey's household goods carried insurance of $1200. There was no insurance, so far as we can learn, on the Ramey building which is owned by John C. Ramey.
M M M
Democrat News 1950's??
The Old Green Brick
By Clarice B. Welker, Historian
There is always something fascinating in the razing of an old building. This is particularly true in the "old green brick" recently known as the Price Dress Shop. It was located at the Northeast corner of Mine La Motte and College Avenues until it was torn down to make way for a used car lot.
The building was erected by Rufus Baird. He was a son of Moses Baird and Mary Elizabeth Arnett (who was a daughter of John Arnett.) These two families were very influential in the early days of Madison County.
The Bairds made their own bricks a block south on Water Street, known today as the lots back of the homes of Mrs. Frank Ruth, Mrs. E.P. Francis and Val Adamson.
At the time the brickyard was there, the creek ran down the west side of the road across these lots.
Busy Man
Rufus Baird was a very busy man, but he had plenty of help from some of his relatives. Namely, his brothers John, Robert, Moses Jr., Harshorn, and a cousin Duncan Arnett. He also had help from his wife's brothers Beverly L. Maze, Felix J. Maze, Binum Maze and Barton J. Maze. Some of these men were carpenters as well as brick masons.
When I first knew this old house, there was no sidewalk on the north side of College Avenue. We were intrigued with the maze of pipes in the basement. After asking many questions we learned that water was being piped into this house from a big spring in the center of the street, up College Avenue some 200 feet west, in front of the home of John Valle and wife, Rebecca Overfield (relatives of Katherine Slaughter), now the location of the Baptist Church.
Town Creek had many names; Shell Spring Branch, Tong Creek, Toler and Town Creek. At College Avenue there was no culvert and we used a narrow foot bridge on the south side of the street. There was a heavy wire cable to hold to as a banister.
The Marvin College dormitory girls always had to march in line. We would try to get in step before we got on the bridge so it would swing. When the creek was high the water often was up to the porch of the first house. We had to use (what we called Rocky Mountain) Newberry Street a foot bridge over the creek.
Remarried
Rufus Baird had married Lovina Maze (the daughter of William and Eveline Maze.) They had three sons: Rufus Jr., William and Milton. After the death of this first wife, Rufus married the widow of Mark Anthony. She had two children: Iate (Mrs. George P. Herzinger) and Dr. Caruthers Anthony. Mrs. Anthony was born Jane Caruthers, the daughter of David Looney Caruthers and Mary Dubois.
This marriage brings up a history of the big brick house south of the Stephens Store. Rufus Baird built this house also.
Other houses made from the Baird brick were numerous. Among them is my own house, 205 South Main; the Methodist Parsonage - for his sister Elizabeth Baird and her husband Benjamin Reynolds; the old brick house on the Cobalt property, built for another sister Matilda J. (the widow of Nathan B. Harris) and her second husband, Judge James C. Berryman.
The big brick house south of the bridge over Little St. Francis was started for Moses Baird but he died before it was completed. His wife, Mary Elizabeth, was the daughter of John Arnett and lived there for several years.
Sometime it might be interesting to discuss the original city limits since we have explained that the eastern limit was a street 50 foot wide. It ran from Saline Creek on the north to the old log school and church house and graveyard on the south, this was called Cooks Water Street.
In other words: The New Era Bank and all other buildings on the east side of Mine La Motte Avenue would have been out of the city limits.
M M M
MARRIED
BLANTON - LANPHER - Dec. 24, 1878, at the residence of the bride's parents, by Elder Shepherd, M.M. Blanton of Libertyville, and Miss Emma Lanpher of this county.
Mr. Blanton is connected with the Liberty Mills, a young man of fine culture and a worthy gentleman, while his bride is the daughter of ex-Sheriff Geo. W. Lanpher, and one of Madison County's fairest jewels. The Plaindealer invokes heaven's choicest blessings upon them; may their pathway through life be strewn with flowers and their financial wealth "as good as wheat in the mill." Thanks for the "double dose" of cake.