United States Army Mothers

The United States Army Mothers was founded in Kansas City, Missouri, by Margaret Jackson on September 25, 1940. Post No. 7 at Marceline, Missouri, was organized September, 1942, at the First Baptist Church and Edith Bealmear was elected the first president and a charter was formed. There are still two of the original charter members with the post, Mrs. Carrie McKinney and Mrs. Nora Dorrell. Among the first projects of the post was the meeting of troop trains and serving the boys hot meals and coffee at no cost to the serviceman. They were first located in the Santa Fe depot and later moved to the baggage room because of the extra space needed. The Army Mothers were on call twenty-four hours a day and there were always some of them at the depot to meet all the troop trains. When there was not enough room to serve the boys, the Santa Fe would let them use one of their baggage trucks to haul the food and drink up and down the platforms and serve them through the windows of the trains. Most of the merchants, donated food and drinks to the Army Mothers to help in this worthy cause. Three carpenters in the town donated their time and effort in building the Canteen just north of the depot, and here the Army Mothers stayed until the end of the war. Calvin Westfall would open his grocery store at any hour of the night or Sundays and let the post have the food at cost. Soon organizations and individuals would donate food and drink to the canteen, and it was with their help that it was the success that it was. After the canteen closed the members of the post kept on with their work of helping the men that were still in service. They held rummage sales and bake sales to help the wounded men that were in the Jefferson Barracks at St. Louis, Missouri, and the Veterans Hospital at Excelsior Springs, Missouri. The United States Army Mothers hold two conventions a year, a state and a national. Two state conventions have been held in Marceline. Some of the other projects of the post include sewing for the army hospitals, helping families that are destitute, and holding dances to help in the polio drive. One of the local members, Mrs. Goldie Woodside, is now holding a state office as historian. The membership in Marceline is now thirty. Current officers are: Commander, Mrs. Fannie Hunter; 1st Vice, Mrs. Augustine Floray; 2nd Vice, Mrs. Lucille Whisenand; Adjutant, Mrs. Carrie McKinney; Finance, Mrs. Ruby Guthrie; Historian, Mrs. Eva Jones; Judge Advocate, Mrs. Mary Hensley; Chaplain, Mrs. Ethel Baughman; Sgt.-at- Arms, Mrs. Sadie Lower; Banner Bearer, Mrs. Millie Brooks; Color Bearer, Mrs. Opal Oldham; Reporter, Mrs. Lanna Davolt; Sunshine Comm., Mrs. Wilma Byrd.

Fred Cochran

Fred Cochran was born in Marceline, Missouri, June 22, 1924. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. James S. Cochran. He went to school here and graduated with the class of 1943. While in high school, he studied art under Neva Lamb and after that took his formal art training during the years immediately following the World War II at the Kansas City Art Institute where in his own words: “All studies of the artist’s craft were embraced – all philosophy concerning the artist’s purpose was rejected.” This past summer, Fred was one of four contemporary artists exhibiting in a special show at the Parrish Art Museum, Southampton, N.Y., where his work created considerable interest. He has also shown in the Joslyn Museum at Omaha, at Nebraska University, and in the Midwest Regional Show at Kansas City. He has executed murals and paintings for churches and institutions, and is represented in prominent private collections. “Twenty years of work and study have brought Fred Cochran – still a young man of 38 – to the threshold of a new direction in art ..new for those who are seeing his work for the first time, but for the artist it is a course he follows with the deft sureness of a man who knows where he is going. Goya, El Greco, Rembrandt, Michaelangelo, Renoir, have certainly been his teachers, along with Blake and Daumier – yet he has taken all these venerable masters have had to give and has come forth with a power of communication that is uniquely his own,” stated Valentine Arbogast, Director of The Parrish Art Museum, Southampton, New York. George Andrews of the Southampton Gazette had this to say: “If the Impressionists had stepped from their immortality last Friday night, I believe they would have gone directly into the adjoining hall to praise the work of Fred Cochran whose paintings are on exhibit with those of Mafalda Davis, Chico Duncan, and Manuel de Miranda. The decision to include Cochran’s work adjacent to the impressionists was a master stroke. There is tenderness in his “First Born” that radiates impression. At times he uses a somewhat didactic hand, but there is skill and craftsmanship – and TALENT – throughout.” Under the by-line of Prince Di Pad this commentator had this to say: “Fred Cochran is one of the most creative artists we’ve come across… among the living, anyway. Even in his less serious works, he is able to bring to his canvases, through deft lights and shadows, feelings of great tenderness and love… feelings of nostalgia, mood and movement. Fred Cochran is an important painter. He may well become one of the most important painters of our time.”

Distinguished Citizens Holding State Elective Office

CATER, Roy M., Elected in 1928 as Representative from Linn County for the 55th Assembly. Born on November 5th, 1881 at Edina, Missouri. He received his higher education in the Kirksville Normal, the University of Kansas and the American Medical College. Served in the United States Army during World War I with the rank of 1st Lieut., M.C. First Commander of the American Legion in Marceline. Two times mayor of Marceline. Married Mina Ellis on October 30, 1925 at Salisbury, Missouri. He was a practicing physician and operated the Cater Drug Store. DAIL, Delmar, Elected as Senator for the 6th District of Missouri in 1932 to fill the unexpired term of Roy McKettrick. Served in the 57th, 58th, 59th General Assembly. Born October 1, 1895 at Marceline, Missouri. Married Naomi Braley on July 7th, 1921. He was a lawyer. GREEN, G. Derk, Judge, 12th Circuit of Missouri (Now Circuit No. 9).- Elected Circuit Judge in 1940 – 1946 – 1952 – 1958. Four times City Attorney of Marceline. Higher education at Redlands University, Redlands, California and Washington University. Served two terms as Prosecuting Attorney of Linn County. Born near Marceline in 1904. Married Marcelle Patterson of Emporia, Kansas in 1941. MUNYON, Alfred, Elected in 1924 as Representative from Linn County to the 53rd Assembly. Born September 9, 1869. Married Sarah Staats December 25, 1889. Former Mayor of Marceline. Farmer and minister. WHITE, Benjamin L., Elected Senator from the 6th District of Missouri for 45th and 47th Assembly. Born in Adair County, Kentucky, December 16, 1868. Four times City Attorney of Marceline. Married Carrie E. Wolcott April 6, 1893. Engaged in law practice at Marceline.

Silvey J. Ray

S. J. Ray was born near Westville, in Chariton County, Missouri in 1891 the youngest of nine children. At the age of five he made his first drawing, on the front of a pine drawer in which his father kept his carpentry tools. He was named Silvey, he said, possibly because his family favored unusual names. His mother was Sarilda, and he had two brothers named Prentice and Winford and a sister named Genevra. In 1921, he married Miss C laird Sohns, adding another individual name to the family roster. Mr. Ray’s formal education ended with grammar school but much later, in 1919-20, he studied at the Art Students League in New York. His teacher was F. R. Gruger, a painter who also was an illustrator for a Philadelphia newspaper. Mr. Ray went to work for the Kansas City Star in 1915. As an illustrator, he never heard from the public, Ray said, but as soon as he began drawing political cartoons he found himself on the party line. “It was like I had moved up to the ringside,” he commented. As a cartoonist, he has been more interested in enlightening people humorously than he has been in remaking the world. Of all of the subjects he has tackled, Ray has liked best of all doing his “nature cartoons.” He says he is an admirer of tranquility and harmony, and where else do you find it besides in nature. As an artist he never ceases to wonder at how beautifully objects in nature arrange themselves. Mr. Ray, at the age of 72, has retired from the K.C. Star and he and his wife will spend their time on the forty-acre wooded spot in Clay County, where they have lived for the past twenty years in rustic bliss.

Marceline Gun Club

The Marceline Rod and Gun Club, located one-fourth mile east of Highway 5 and on the north city limits of Marceline, was founded and incorporated July 1961. There is a club house and two electric traps, both of which are fully lit by floodlights to enable shooting at nights as well as days. The club shoots every other Sunday and every Wednesday night and also schedules practice shooting for other nights. The club has played host to many of the better trap shooters in the northern half of the state. One of its members, George A. Minich, won the State Handicap Championship last year in Wright City, Missouri. Another shooter and resident of Marceline, Lyle Woods, has won several trophies and a car in Wichita, Kansas.

Marceline Jubilee

EVENTS THAT WILL BE CONTINUOUS DURING THE JUBILEE June 29 – July 4. Jubilee House – at corner of Howell and Kansas Avenue. Decorated with antiques in the manner of a house of 1888. Nike Missile – at the corner of Howell and Kansas Avenue. Modern technology at its most destructive force. Agriculture Display – in Disney Park. Exhibits of 4-H and Extension Club projects that have been done during the past year. Needlework, woodcraft, food preparation, etc. Sonny Myers Carnival – in Ripley Park in downtown Marceline. One of the best Carnivals in the Middle-West. Seven big rides and many concessions to attract all ages. Store Window Displays – Store windows of the merchants in Marceline are decorated with many outstanding antiques and period pieces. Steam Threshing Machine – near the Agriculture Exhibit in Disney Park. Authentic Stage Coach – rides are available in a real Stage Coach at the North end of the Ripley Park Lake. “CYRUS K. HOLIDAY” – One of the original Santa Fe trains will be on display July 3-4 on the Eastern edge of Ripley Park. This train is one of the finest examples of the early steam trains in existence. Daily Program for the Marceline Diamond JubileeSaturday – June 29 9:00am – Judging at the Agriculture Exhibit. 11:00am – Smorgasbord at Father McCartan Memorial School. 2:00pm – The Grand Parade. 4:00pm – or immediately after the parade – Drill exhibition by the Richards-Gebauer Drill Team. 4:30pm – Sky-diving Exhibition at Disney Park. 8:00pm – Show Boat Production at Disney Park Amphitheatre “HERE COMES THE SHOW BOAT”Musical Comedy With Singers, Dancers, and a Cast of players who perform“Uncle Tom’s Cabin”Presented forThe Diamond Jubileeunder the direction of Mrs. Fleeta Rodgers Piano: Mrs. Jane Miller Banjo: Tully Reed Clarinet: Kim Cavanah Comet: Stephen Fruin CAST OF CHARACTERS: The Captain, an imposing man – Bill Stonger Little Eva, overly coy and sweet – Kaye Johnson Topsy, “a little debble” – Sondra Lake Uncle Tom, a kindly darky – Bruce Hood Ophelia, a disapproving spinster – Darlene Fruin St. Clair, Eva’s father, a Southern Gentleman – Dr. L. O. Adamson Simon Degree, a typical villain – Kenneth Dall Marks, a fast talking lawyer – Bill Long Gumpton Cute, a “hick from the sticks” – Wilbur Ralston Emmeline, a pretty quadroon girl – Julie Pennick Adolph, a teen-age slave – Terry McGinnis Property Girls, Stephanie Powell and Peggy Belt.Also included are Chorus, Angels, Flora Dora Girls and Square Dancers ACT I – Specialties: Flora Dora Girls (Dance Revue) to “California Here I Come.” Judy Hood, Raylene Penderson, Molly Miller, Patty Burch, Dana Embree, Lynn Tillotson. Comet Solo – Steve Fruin Novelty Number “Here Comes Miss Hannah” with Doris and Ralph Cavanah ACT II – Specialties: Piano Solo – Doug Rioth Clarinet Solo – Kim Cavanah Piano Trio – Bruce Hoskins, Mike Wrenn, and Mitch Wrenn Mixed Quartet – Darlene Fruin, Sondra Johnson, Glynn Maxwell, and James Adair Sunday – June 30 Morning – Jubilee Church Services in all the churches of Marceline. Noon – Old Fashioned Basket Dinners in some of the Churches. 2:30pm – Band Concert, Marceline High School Band, under direction of Mr. S. E. Kirschner. 3:00pm – Re-dedication Ceremony at Disney Park. Introduction of distinguished guests. Featured speaker – Mr. Lawrence Schneider, Director of Division of Commerce and Industrial Development; Harry Porter, Master of Ceremonies 4:30pm – Sky-diving Exhibition at Disney Park. 4:30-7:00pm – Ham Plate Dinner, sponsored by the Helping Hands Class of the Methodist Church. 8:00pm – Ozark Opry at the Disney Park Amphitheatre. The famous TV group from the Missouri Ozarks will present a stage show of fun and frolic. Monday – July 1 2:30pm – Greased Pig Race and Hog Calling Contest at the Agriculture Exhibit in Disney Park. 4:30pm – Bathing Beauty Pageant in Ripley Park. This will be the preliminary contest. 8:00pm – Jubilee Pageant—”A Tale of One City.” Part I – The Magic City – 1888-1913 We find that from the very start Marceline has held a Fourth of July celebration and one of these celebrations is the subject of the first big scene, the hustle and bustle of a carnival, the vendors, booths and people enjoying themselves. The different elements in town, the railroaders, miners, the gamblers all gave us a colorful past as seen in the Saturday night fights, “Jack the Hugger” the infamous Woman in Black, and the oft-occurring, re-occurring weekly fires, and the white caps episodes. In the final scene, Ripley Park is seen with the ladies and gentlemen of the era strolling about enjoying its beauty and the Miss Jubilee finalists are announced to the spectators. Narrators: Paul Coram, Rev. Kenneth Kelley, Lois Schneeflock, and Audrey Walsworth. Tuesday – July 2 3:30pm – Baby Contest at Ripley Park. Prizes for the best-looking boy and girl baby. All boys and girls between ages of 1 and 3 are eligible. 4:30pm – Kangaroo Court. This will be the final session of the Jubilee Kangaroo Court. 7:00pm – Old Fiddlers Contest at the Agriculture Exhibit in Disney Park. 8:00pm – Jubilee Pageant – “A Tale of One City.” Part II – Pageant – Survival – 1913-1938 The second 25 years finds pageant viewers at the Cater Opera House along with the genteel ladies and gentlemen viewing one of the vaudeville acts that played Marceline. Other scenes open on the Country Club Field Day with its races, picnickers, and the Charleston Dancers that were found at the dance that followed the day’s activities. We also look in on the jolly “Come to the Fair” trips made by the County Fair Boosters. Finally, in the mood of the nation, just rising from the depths of the depression we hear the words of Esther Belle Wheeler telling of the goal to which is “Marceline Marching ON?” Wednesday – July 3 2:30pm – Greased Pole Climb—Ripley Park. 4:30pm – Finals of the Jubilee Beauty Pageant in Ripley Park. 8:00pm – Jubilee Pageant—”A Tale of One City.” Jubilee Pageant – Part

Marceline’s First Fire Engine, 1889

Up to the period when Mayor Cash took the oath of office, the city was entirely without fire-fighting apparatus. Insurance rates were high, the fire record was bad, and many of the first companies were closing their agencies and withdrawing from the town. Among the first acts of the new administration was the submission of a proposition to a vote of the people to bond the city in the sum of S1500 dollars, the money to be used in the purchase of a “hand fire engine.” The proposition carried almost without dissenting votes, the apparatus was purchased, a volunteer fire company organized; thus a modicum of fire protection was afforded the citizens. While the machine was crude and, so far as the writer is informed, it never arrived in time to save a burning building when an alarm was turned in, yet to the good housewife “next door,” whose home seemed doomed, whose children clung in terror to her skirts, the raucous clanging of its gong was seraphic music. The pump was operated by hand and the men worked for love of home and without hope of remuneration, and that they saved many homes from destruction which, but for their effort, would have gone up in flames with the property adjoining, entitles Marceline’s earliest fire fighting to a place in the grateful remembrance of her people. Sherman Pierce was the chief of the first fire department in Marceline. Other members were Tom Ludden, Sidney Barnes, Joe Dale, Logue Sutton, Ed Hayden and Ed Berrier.

Rural Areas Development Association

The citizens of Marceline have been concerned over the years about the loss of population and economic decline of Linn County. Marceline, being the second largest town in the County and wishing to preserve its identity, has teamed up with Linn County for Rural Areas Development. The Rural Areas Development Program is a new concept and a new approach for helping rural people to better their lot. It is an official program of the United States Department of Agriculture and has for its objective better living for rural people both farm and non-farm. Its goals are: (1) prosperous, family farms, (2) new jobs in trades, services, and industry, (3) improved management, use and conservation of natural resources, (4) expanded public services and facilities such as roads, hospitals, schools, power supply, and water systems, and (5) guidance and training of rural youth and adults. On November 5, 1962, a meeting was held at the Production Credit Building in Brookfield for the purpose of discussing the Rural Areas Development Program and how it might benefit people in Linn County. The need for a program to help Linn County was clearly expressed by Charles Campbell, Extension Director for the County, and by representatives from the area. Those present at the meeting elected officers to put RAD to work. Father Fred J. Barnett of St. Bonaventure Church of Marceline was elected chairman; J. Monroe Rusk, vice-chairman, Don Schooler, vice- chairman, Randall Davis, secretary, and Ira Williams, treasurer. Added to this executive group were Virgil Kennedy, vice-chairman for Farm Operations and Wayne Black, coordinator of activities. The State RAD Committee officially designated Linn County an RAD Area and this designation was ratified by the National RAD Advisory Board in Washington. The following Sub-Committees were formed: Rural and Urban Affairs, Recreation and Tourism, Youth, Industry, Finance, Publicity, Education, Agriculture, Business, Flood Control, and Health and Welfare. Marceline was host for the official launching of Linn County RAD Program. A county wide meeting was held in the Walt Disney School auditorium. Representatives from the National and State RAD Committees were present, along with 350 people from all over the County. Of special note is the Churches for Progress sub-committee. The Reverend Neil Dubach of Marceline Methodist Church was elected Chairman and the Reverend John Bray was later designated coordinator of Pastoral activities for RAD. The key to any successful Rural Areas Development Program can well * this organization. It has received official recognition in Washington.

St. Bonaventure Cemetery

The ground for the Catholic Cemetery was bought in the year 1900 by the Rev. J.P. Cullen. The first person buried there was Mrs. Alpino on December 24, 1900. Two priests are also buried there, the Rev. F.J. Burk, December 22, 1903, and the Rev. Frederick McEvoy, August 20, 1961. The original name of Mount Killiard was recently changed to St. Bonaventure. Mass is offered each Memorial day for the souls of the faithful departed. A grotto will soon be erected in the cemetery. The cemetery committee consists of Walter Othic, Edward Abeln, Charles Kienast, and Herbert Cochran.

Mount Olivet Cemetery

Mr. Marion Francis Scott measured the land, or as they said at that time “stepped off,” for the present Mount Olivet Cemetery. Marion F. Scott was the grandfather of Clarence C. and Malvin Scott, present day residents of Marceline. He had fought in the Civil War as a member of the Illinois Infantry and St his death on January 25, 1894, was the first person buried in the cemetery. In the spring of 1912 a notice appeared in the Marceline weekly newspaper asking all interested persons to come to the cemetery, bringing their sickles, rakes, wagons and teams. The response was good and as a result the people organized Mount Olivet Cemetery Association. Mrs. Myrtle Steiner was elected president and a vice-president was selected from each ward – First ward, Mrs. W.D. Brown; Second ward, Mrs. Lillian Gridley; Third ward, Mrs. Louis E. Shelton; Fourth ward, Mrs. Georgia Gates; Secretary, Mrs. Carrie White; Treasurer, Mrs. J.D. Bush. Mr. George Riddle was hired as sexton at $30.00 per month. Each lot owner paid $1 a year dues and other money was made by having rummage sales, bake sales, and dinners. In 1922 enough money was obtained by popular subscriptions to build a cement walk west on Santa Fe Street to the entrance of Mount Olivet. The Association was active until World War I, and then later until the cemetery was purchased by the city. The City of Marceline bought the cemetery from Percy Randolph in 1931 and it has since been maintained by tax levy. As there were other cemeteries adjoining original Mount Olivet, plans were made to purchase these from the owners so that all cemeteries could be one. In 1940 the Williams Addition was added. Roselawn Addition was purchased from James McLaughlin in 1956 and in the same year Atkins Addition was purchased from Clyde Atkins and wife. In order that there would be more personal supervision of the cemetery, Mayor B.J. Thomas established a municipal cemetery board in 1952. This board was composed of eight members appointed by the Mayor. Today the city manager is also a member of the board. The board meets once a month during the spring and summer, supervising the management and helping in many ways to make the cemetery look and function better. By soliciting donations, this board has been responsible for the extension of water lines throughout the cemetery, and are now making plans to improve and beautify the entrance to Mount Olivet.