Children of Pioneer

The “Children of Pioneers” was organized Sunday afternoon, March 27, 1938, at the Methodist Church by Esther Belle Wheeler. 26 persons, whose parents came to Marceline Township 40 or more years before, attended the meeting, thus becoming charter members. Officers were president, Claude Dail; vice-president, R. M. Wrenn; recording secretary, Mrs. Ruby Wolfe; corresponding secretary, Miss Anna Connelly; assisting corresponding secretary, Richard Schutte; treasurer, Mrs. Ethel Porter Dexter; reporter, Mrs. Olive Crystal McNeil; pianist, Miss Fern Wolfe and song leader, Mrs. Ruth Atwell Mercer. At the time of the Golden Jubilee, September 8, 9, 10, 1938, there were close to 200 members. The Fifth Commandment was chosen as the motto of the new organization. Their oval shaped pins bore the emblem of an early Santa Fe engine, name of organization and date 1888. Mr. Bledso, president of the Santa Fe; Mr. Lehman, gen. manager of Eastern Lines; Mr. C. L. Mason, Superintendent of the Missouri Division; Walt Disney and S. J. Ray, former residents, were named honorary members and each given a pin. Due to lack of incentive, the meetings were discontinued, but with the coming of the Diamond Jubilee, interest has been revived and headquarters will be in the City Hall during the celebration.

Beta Sigma Phi Sorority

Beta Sigma Phi, an international organization founded at Abilene, Kansas, in 1931 by Walter W. Ross, is dedicated to hundreds of thousands of young women throughout the world, who compose the membership of some four thousand active chapters. It has gained recognition around the world as a non-academic and non-sectarian, social, cultural and civic organization. Marceline is proud to have had four active chapters; namely, Delta Nu, Nu Phi Mu, Junior Miss, and Exemplars. Its history in Marceline dates back to 1948 when the first local chapter, Delta Nu, was formed as a friendly venture by Beta Sigma Phi Chapter of Brookfield, Missouri. It provided a fine cultural program, several annual social events, spring and fall formal installation ceremonies, style shows, March of Dimes drives, and other civic interests. An annual event of importance was the April 30th Founder’s Day celebration. The charter members were Shirlea Fletcher Barnes, Harlene Moore Stanley, Mary Betty Moore Penniston, Norma Pearl Santus Hawkins, Rosalind Malone, Mary Jean Cochran, Shirlea Schloemer, Frances Zurcher Washam, Frances Munyon White, Hortense Darr, Lucille Sternitzky McGinnis, Camilla Cameron Snider, Wanda Wampler Wooten, Shirley Othic, Cathryn Owens, Deoma Mendenhall Schnoor, Jean Lee Sportsman Hoskins, Nerma Kienast Noll, and Jo Ann Miller Kelly. Fleeta Rodgers was the first sponsor and served in that capacity through the thirteen years. Directors serving were Marcelle Green, Becky Walsworth, Dorothy Boudreaux, and Thelma Cruze.

Athena Club

In the fall of 1935, the Missouri Federation of Women’s Clubs, was conducting a drive to organize more clubs in the Third District, of which Marceline is a part. Interested members of the Junior Soros is Club invited several girls of high school age to .meet and form a junior club to be known as The Sub-Deb Club. The prime purpose of the Club was to promote friendship among the members and to eventually join the M.F.W.C. and follow the program of study outlined by the Federation. By the fall of 1937 all members had reached the age of acceptance and the Club became a full- fledged Junior member of the Missouri Federation of Women’s Clubs. In the ensuing years the membership changed many times over, as this was the age when members were moving to other towns, going to school, marrying or working in cities. The enrollment was limited to 20 members, but enlarged to 22 in a few years. At the wish of all the club members the name was changed to Athena Club in 1945. About this time two club members, Martha Neff and Mary Hanson, collaborated to write a club song, which is sung at almost all meetings. The Pledge of Allegiance, the Athena Pledge, and the club collect are recited at all meetings to remind each member to live up to these important pledges. Athena Club has won its share of blue ribbons for yearbooks and has been named to the M. F. W. C. Honor Roll many years. The club has co-operated with the other Clubs of Marceline in all federated and civic projects. The Federation’s feeling that a number of women can accomplish more than just a few, and Athena’s motto, “Nothing great is ever achieved without enthusiasm,” have worked together very well. Our only charter member is Mrs. Betty Othic Flynn.

Modern Mothers’ Club History

On October 14, 1947, Carmaleta Teel, Frances White, Norma McCrary, Merle B. Baxter, Betty Luckenbill, Nelda McCoy, Mary Cupp, Jerry Pitts, Vera Dail, and Josephine Snowden met for the purpose of organizing a club for young mothers. Mrs. Chester Ray from the sponsoring club (Mothers’ Psychology) was present and presented the club with $10. The following officers were elected: Merle Baxter, president; Norma McCrary, vice-president; Nelda McCoy, secretary; Betty Luckenbill, cor¬responding secretary; Frances White, treasurer. The second Tuesday of each month was agreed upon as the meeting date, the hour to be 7:30. At the following meeting names were discussed and the name “Modern Mothers” was chosen. “Big oaks from little acorns grow” was the motto. “Baby Breath” was agreed on for the flower. The Modern Mothers club of Marceline, Missouri, was federated March 8, 1949. The club has had several interesting speakers attend their meetings. A few of the money-making projects of the club have been bake sales, rummage sales, square dances, and handmade baby layette raffles. Money has been donated to several funds such as Polio, Community Chest, March of Dimes, Cancer, CARE, and R. F. E. Money has also been sent to Korea. The club has sent baskets to needy families at Christmas and fruit plates to the rest homes. For one project we donated money for the drapes for the new Walt Disney Elementary School as our part in the community project. Last year we headed the drive for the blood bank for St. Francis Hospital. With everyone’s cooperation we canvassed (with great success) the entire community for blood donors. This was our proudest community project. This year we are donating money for the tree nursery the city is planning.We were proud of one of our past members, Mrs. Sharon Haney. She entered the Vogue Sewing Contest and won first place at District. The past presidents are as follows: Merle Baxter, 1947-48; Norma McCrary, 1948-49; Mary Watsky, 1949-50; Alice Westfall, 1950-51; Shirlea Barnes, 1951-52; Doris Wall, 1952-53; Mary Armstrong 1953-54; Lucille McGinnis, 1954-55; Norma Trammell, 1955-56; Jo Ann King, 1956-57; Margaret O’Connor, 1957-58; Joanna Holt, 1958-59; Bernice Engelhard, 1959-60; Janice Gooch, 1960-61; Shirley White, 1961-62; Georgia Smith, 1962-63.

Mothers’ Psychology Club

Mothers’ Psychology Club was organized in the year 1934, 15 mothers being invited and accepting membership. These first 15 members were Bernice Wiedman, Irene Jones, Betty O’Connor, Juanita Staats, Dorothy Staples, Bernice Burgener, Isabelle Couch, Rose Potts, Cleo Chapman, Alice Barnes Gray, Elizabeth Fox, Eunice Campbell, Lucille Sportsman Blacksmith, Blanche O’Neil, and Francis Fee Ford. Officers for the first year were Bernice Weidman, president; Irene Jones, vice-president; Betty O’Connor, secretary and treasurer; and Juanita Staats, reporter. Time of meeting was the third Thursday of each month at 7:30pm. Members took turns being hostesses; the Club Colors were pink and blue; the Club Motto “Ever Upward.” Charter members still active in the work of Mothers’ Psychology Club are Bernice Burgener, Isabelle Couch, Elizabeth Fox, and Juanita Staats. Mothers’ Psychology Class was organized by representatives of a Missouri Club organization, Betty O’Connor and Mrs. Curlette Foster. Mothers’ Study Club, of which Mrs. Foster was a member, having been previously organized, but having a club membership limitation, made a need for two clubs. Hence, Mothers’ Psychology Class was born the year of 1934 and remained Mothers’ Psychology Class until the year 1944 when it was voted by the members to change the name to Mothers’ Psychology Club. Mothers’ Psychology Club was Federated in the year 1937, and proudly bore the Club affiliations of G. F. W. C. and M. F. W. C. We were growing and expanding. Our topics have been far-reaching, from such as “So-Long, Folks, I have a Date” by Christine Metzger Dillen, to those of grave and deep international problems and our timely “Girls’ Town.” Mothers’ Psychology Club has always been a busy club. In 1947, under the presidency of Pearl Ray, Mothers’ Psychology Club sponsored the organization of Modern Mothers’ Club in Marceline, an active Federated Club at this day. In 1951-52 our club yearbook won first prize in third district. Mothers’ Psychology Club has a ten-year consecutive record of being on the Federated Club Honor Roll. To support the Girls’ Town Project, each member has given a dollar per year, built “Steps”, bought stamps, and in the spring of 1960 held a rummage sale with all proceeds given to Girls’ Town. Club members always participate in Book Week. Among the outstanding projects of Mothers’ Psychology Club throughout the years was a home talent play and fashion show under the leadership of Bernice Mobley, president; Pearl Ray, vice-president, and Joy Walsworth, director and member of the club. This project netted us a financial reward which has been a backlog through the years. Other outstanding projects at various times were providing shoes, overshoes and eye glasses for needy children, sponsoring a Girl Scout Troop, sponsoring Teen-Town, and realizing its establishment in Marceline, helping establish the first kindergarten in Marceline, assisting in the organization of P. T. A., being a part with other Federated Clubs in “Build Freedom with Youth program and contest,” solely establishing an invalid in a small business known as “The Margaret Price Gift Shop,” and buying a band uniform for our Marceline High School Band. We contribute a basket each year at Christmas time to a needy family, furnish money when needed for furtherance of school hot lunch program, provide a love gift of cookies and fruits to each Rest Home in Marceline on Valentine’s Day each year, share in sponsoring Sophomore Pilgrimage, charity drives, community drives, and all Federated projects within our abilities. On November 19, 1959, Mothers’ Psychology Club celebrated its Silver Anniversary with a meeting at the home of Juanita Staats; Bernice Burgener, co-hostess; Betty O’Connor, guest speaker. Decorations were in keeping with the occasion. Mothers’ Psychology Club, in the year of 1960-61 with a restricted membership of 20, under the presidency of Inez Preston, and vice-president Mildred King, supported most Federated projects. Three club members, Julia Royar, Dula Moodie, and Toledo Staats are active members of the Marceline Co-ordinated Welfare. Gerontology is this year’s paramount project; each club member adopting a Senior Citizen and occupant of a local Rest Home and attending to his physical and emotional needs, bringing sunshine where and when we can. A public program was held April 20 on Retarded Children. Mrs. Harold Wood of the Child Guidance Group in Chillicothe and Mrs. Ross Peniston, the teacher of the Training Center, were the guest speakers and $30.00 was donated to the school. Our club also decorated a store window for Library Week and had 10% reading from our club. A “Spring Tea” was held April 27 for all five Federated Clubs of Marceline. A musical program was presented by the music department from the High School. The year of 1961-62 was guided by Mrs. Mildred King as president of Mothers’ Psychology Club, pursuing all federated and most local projects. This year Mrs. Ruby Lockwood, another club member, was added to the Marceline Coordinated Welfare Board. This year 1962-63, Mrs. Juanita Staats, president and all members are happy to be a part of Marceline’s Diamond Jubilee Celebration. May we dedicate this history to the memory of Mrs. Myrtle Medlin and Mrs. Joy Walsworth. Club members and the years in which they served as President are: Bernice Wiedman, ’34-’35; Irene Jones, ’35-’36; Blanche O’Neil,’36-’37; Betty O’Conner, ’37-’38; Joy Walsworth, ’38-’39; Ruby Clawson, ’39-‘4O; Margaret Humm, ’40-’41; Helen Payden, ’41-’42; Dorothy Staples, ’42-’43; Isabelle Couch, ’43-’44; Ella Milam,’44-’45; Elizabeth Fox, ’45-’46; Bernice Mobley, ’46-’47; Pearl Ray, ’47-’48; Alys Culler, ’48-’49; Bernice Burgener, ’49- ’50; Laura Dale Tainter, ’50-’51; Juanita Staats, ’51- ’52; Marge Norman, ’52-’53; Imogene Crump, ’53- ’54; Ida Blanche Rutliff, ’54-55; Mildred Oliver, ’55-’56; Chrystine Lake, ’56-‘57; DulaMoodie, ’57-’58; Toledo Staats, ’58-’59; Ruby Lockwood, ’59- ’60; Inez Preston, ’60-’61; Mildred King, ’61-’62; Juanita Staats, ’62-’63.

Bunton Nursing & Convalescent Home

In 1949, Harry M. Bunton moved to Marceline, and from the small original four-room house purchased at that time, now exists a twenty-two room modern nursing home located at 519 North Spruce Street. The Nursing Home interest began when he saw a need for care for old folks. In the years from 1950 through 1954, three new additions were added to complete a “U” shaped design nursing home with garages attached. Each room has an outside window.The home was first licensed in 1951 by the State Board of Health. The home is now a member of the American Nursing Home Association and the Missouri Association of Licensed Nursing Homes (which was chartered in Kansas City, Missouri, August 19, 1949). It is also a present member of District 6, organized August 28, 1960. Through the past years the home has accommodated many residents from Macon, Linn, and Chariton Counties, and we take this means to thank all the doctors, nurses, friends, churches, and organizations for their help and support which has made the home the success it has been. Our aim is to make our residents feel they are wanted and that someone still cares for them.

King Rest Home

In 1955 Mrs. Thelma Braley purchased the rest home which she now operates as the King Rest Home at 215 West Walker in Marceline. At that time the home supported six guests and was largely lacking in the modern facilities now required for the procurement of a State license. In the past eight years Mrs. Braley has expanded and modernized her facility adding modern service facilities and an approved fire alarm system. Now fully licensed, the home presently cares for 14 guests and additional expansion is in the planning stage. Mrs. Braley takes pride in the personal interest and attention accorded to each of her guests.

Florence Rest Home

In block 85 of Marceline stands one of the landmarks of 75 years ago – The Florence Rest Home. The first owner of the property was Julia A. Taylor who acquired it in 1888. In that year only three houses stood on the street that is now named Booker Street. Many people lived in tents surrounded by scrub oak trees and hazel bush. In 1896, this property was sold to George Freeman and he remodeled it and added a dome room. In June of 1955, Mrs. Bunton purchased the property and began the intense job of repairing the building. It was in the fall before the home was ready for its first patient, Martha A. Carmony, a retired R. N. It became established as a rest home. At the beginning of the home the capacity was nine, and with some remodeling on the second floor, was soon able to accommodate 15. In 1960, another remodeling project was started in order to enable more residents to be cared for, and now the home can take care of 20. The last 10 years have seen many changes and requirements that had to be met in order to comply with the State’s standards. Today the home has an electric fire alarm system, air conditioning, and many other conveniences that were not enjoyed 75 years ago. The Florence Rest Home, as it was called, was one of the first in Marceline to receive a state license after the rigid state regulations were passed. The home is under R. N. supervision and retains a reliable staff. It has been a member of the State Nursing Home Association for the past several years.

The Moore Company

The Moore Company, known locally as the “fan factory,” was founded in Kansas City, Missouri, in the summer of 1940 as a proprietorship by Robert D. Moore. Mr. Moore had previously been employed as a design and development engineer for J. F. Pritchard & Company of Kansas City, and while there, had developed a cooling tower fan 11 feet in diameter which was, at that time, the largest commercially available fan in the United States. The Moore Company was established with the primary purpose of supplying the needs of the Pritchard Company for cooling tower fans. In 1941 The Moore Company developed a 17-foot-diameter fan which was, again, the largest fan commercially available. The same year the Company enlarged its activities when it contracted to construct for T. W. A. various types of passenger loading steps, refueling ladders, commissary carts, and various types of ramp equipment used to service airplanes. In late 1941 the Army Air Force decided to install machine gun turrets on B-17 bombers, which up to that time had been unarmed. The Moore Company was awarded a contract to fabricate the riveted aluminum turrets and did manufacture two turrets for each of the then existing bombers. The Company was busily building these turrets at the time of Pearl Harbor. An Interesting experience in the production of war equipment was initiated when the Army Air Force at Wright Field urgently needed auxiliary gasoline tanks to be mounted in the bomb bay of B-25 airplanes in order to provide sufficient range to permit ferrying them to North Africa. Almost overnight the company was awarded the contract, without competition, for designing, tooling, and building 500 of these 200-gallon capacity tanks. Measurements were taken on the assembly line, and the tanks and supporting structure were designed from these measurements. Haste was of such importance that the design was never checked by the Air Force. However, the tanks proved entirely satisfactory. During the war, the company laid plans for peace time and proceeded with the design of a line of fans which would bear ‘The Moore Company’ name as differentiated from those which were being built especially for the Pritchard Company. Two lines were developed: one known as the Series 48, having a 48-inch hub, to be built in diameters from 8 feet to 16 feet, to be constructed of Monel metal, and to be installed upon a speed reducer furnished by the cooling tower manufacturers. The other unit was a direct drive fan complete with a mounting frame, fan ring, guide vanes, and a low-speed electric motor to drive the fan wheel. These units were to be constructed of Monel metal, stainless steel, or plain carbon steel, ranged in diameter from 3 to 8 feet, and were to be used in cooling towers, aerial coolers, or in industrial ventilation. In order to complete the development of this series of units, it was necessary to design and develop a line of low-speed motors, which necessitated a great deal of additional equipment and tooling. The company has, for years, manufactured its own motors. Near the end of World War II, the company had shrunk to a total of about 10 employees, due largely to the fact that materials were still allocated to strictly essential uses, and a slump had developed in new plant construction. No consumer goods were being produced, and even air conditioning was at a standstill. Plans for the new building were hurriedly drawn and ground was broken on July 15, 1947. The building was built by local workmen with Mr. William Lohmar serving as Superintendent of Construction. Glen Fox supervised the installation of electric power in the building. John Neff handled the plumbing. The net result was an ultra-modern, windowless factory building of 15,000 square feet with adequate facilities for future growth. The factory building was dedicated on June 23, 1948, with music by the high school band and speeches by Mr. Porter, Mr. Moore, and other community leaders. Because of many years of distinguished and devoted service to his community by Mr. Claud Dail, the new building was dedicated to him and a bronze plaque bearing his name is embedded in the structure. On July 4, 1948, Mr. Moore moved to Marceline, and on July 5, the plant was opened with a skeleton crew and only the Final Assembly Department in operation. As each departmental group was inaugurated, additional departments were moved in one at a time until by the end of 1948 the plant was in full production. The Kansas City plant continued to operate until December of 1950, at which time it was closed and the remaining equipment brought to Marceline. All of the company’s products and processes have been of its own design and development. In 1950 it was found desirable to form a heavier fan hub of sheet Monel metal or stainless steel. As a result, the company pioneered in the process of forming metal by use of explosives, which is now in common use all over the world. Through this period, the company has also designed and developed a counter-rotating motor which will drive two aligned fans in opposite directions and which will permit direct drive of fans up to 30 feet in diameter without use of gears or belts. In 1951 the company designed and developed a cooling tower fan of Monel metal or stainless steel construction which has been built in diameters up to 28 feet. In the past three years an aluminum fan has been developed which is now available in diameters up to 32 feet. Such a fan is large enough to completely cover a modern five or six-room house. The majority of the fans produced by the company are used in water cooling towers which cool water for power plants, refineries, process plants, air conditioning equipment, and other industrial uses. A recent installation comprised 32 of this Company’s 28-foot-diameter fans installed on two cooling towers of the Southern California Edison’s generating station at Etiwanda, California. These towers are

Landreth Coal Mine

In the fall of 1870, Rush Floyd Landreth, wife Arenia and their two children, Elsie and Joseph arrived by train from Carroll County, Virginia. In 1882 they bought 80 acres of land located just west of Marceline, from the Hannibal and Saint Joseph Railroad Company. In 1886, preliminary surveys for the Chicago, Santa Fe and California Railroad, which, when completed, was to become a part of the great “Santa Fe System.” Construction began at both ends of the line, and in 1887, the Missouri division point was platted, and on the 28th day of January 1888, the first town lot was sold in the new town of Marceline. On the 6th day of March 1888 the new town was incorporated. The new town was growing by leaps and bounds. Fuel was needed for the 2,500 people who came to Marceline to live. So after many hours of discussion and planning and hours of labor, cutting white oak timber for curbing, the memorial and historical day arrived for the Landreths. Rush Floyd and son, Joseph, assisted by their neighbor, Mr. Anthony Eligman begin the task of sinking a coal mine. This was the second coal mine in the Marceline Vicinity. At first they used an old gin mill which was pulled by a horse which walked in a circle that pulled and wrapped the steel cable around a large wooden drum. This was used to raise and lower the cages, on which the coal, men and water was brought to the surface. As the vein of coal was removed, tracks were laid and pit mules were used to pull the cars of coal from the face to the main shaft where they were put on to the cages and hoisted to the surface. Joseph was pit boss, and worked down in the mine. Rush F. worked on top. As soon as Stephen Albert was old enough he joined the firm. He worked on top running the machinery and unloading and loading coal, emptying water, etc. In later years he became the superintendent. As soon as Enoch was old enough he started working. He helped on top, delivered and collected. He also spent most of his winters working for the coal mine for many years.The mine was located just west of the city limits. It was one of the oldest of the coal mining developments in the State. It was also one of the important institutions to the early residents of Marceline, and those seeking new homes in the town. The firm had a superior grade of bituminous coal and sold it wholesale to the residents of the city and vicinity. There was no freight costs to be added so they could quote lower prices. The daily output was 100 tons per day and they employed between 60-70 skilled miners who constantly were busy getting out the coal and delivering it. They had a market for every pound that could be mined. About 1904 they had a cave-in which destroyed the tipple and several feet of the shaft curb. It was repaired and a steam power was installed. This was used for many years. Early each morning the fire had to be built so they could have steam to run the machinery. Around 1918 the air shaft caved in. The shaft was repaired and the mine was wired, new elec­tric machinery was installed. A digging machine was bought to cut coal. The machine cut along the bottom of the coal vein and during the night it would loosen making it easier for the miners to take the coal out. We always dreaded to hear the news of a mine cave-in. Then! February 12,1926, about 11am, the news came. While Joseph Landreth and Frank Ellis were repairing the roof of an entry about 100 feet from the shaft, a cave-in started, and they were buried under rock and dirt. Joseph was killed in­stantly. Frank Ellis was seriously injured but later recovered. On July 17, 1934 a fire of undetermined origin caused approximately $10,000 in damages. The blaze was discovered in the engine room of the mine. No water was available for fighting the fire, so the machinery on top was greatly damaged. This included two steel cables, a hoist, three transformers, 10 or 12 cars, many feet of curbing, and a set of scales. The main shaft was again re-curbed, with just a few feet left to go, the bottom of the shaft caved in. Due to the great risks involved, the ex­pensive machinery, cables, track, and coal cars in the mine were abandoned. The Landreth mine proved to be very helpful to the new town of Marceline and furnished many early residents a living, although early wages were very low. Thus ends the narrative of the Landreth Coal Mine which only lives in our memories.