The Lodge at Pertle Springs

A view of the old lodge.

    Quite a few folks around here lament the demolition of a lovely building... the old lodge at Pertle Springs.  If you peer through the trees, you can sense some of the grandeur of the lovely structure. The original hotel at the springs was was much larger and had over 100 rooms. It was destroyed by fire by the 1940s (actual date available upon request.  : )   )
     Through the 1970s and 80s this Lodge was used for group meetings and parties. We appreciate the contribution from a friend who recently found several photos that he shot around the 'burg when he was just learning to use his camera ... a completely different process than learning to "take pictures" today, but that's another post.

Discoveries of Jno. Gallaher

We have come upon the Missouri Geological Survey, written by the state geologist, Jno. A. Gallaher for the State of Missouri in 1900.  He wrote of the"unique" 300 mile magnesian lens in Missouri which he described in great detail.  The presence and type of fossils in this lens indicate, as concurred by his contemporaries, proved the presence of  sargasso seas in parts of Missouri.  One photo of Johnson County, taken by Chas DeGroff, is of a quarry and equipment to make blocks: the only limit of size-- a railroad flat car.  (DeGroff worked with Stone as photographer for Pertle Springs Resort south of Warrensburg. 


There is a coal component to the survey, too, and apparently Johnson County, Missouri coal is great for use in the home!!!. 


Though the sandstone mentioned was much softer that the granite in the south of the state, it was easier to work and quicker to take from the ground.  There were two colors, white and blue.   So, that's why Warresburg stone got shipped all over the midwest, and why it was called "The Quarry City".  

First Finds

A few years back was looking for information on the Vernaz Drug Store for Maurine Achauer when I ran across a couple of photos of a dapper young man named Jimmy Kemper in the Juanita Vernaz file.  He grew up in the "Good House"  which was then the Kemper home.  This young man ended up in New York and shared his song stylings on nationally syndicated show called Beautiful Thoughts on NBC Blue Radio.  He performed in Kansas City and in Chicago as well.  If anyone has heard any of his music please let us know, have yet to find any sound files.   It may be that he was a comedian/songster, and he sometimes went by the name Jamie Kemper... we think.  Anyway, he is still an untold story among the more notable Johnson Countians... and finding his picture really piqued this curator's enthusiasm for the gems hiding in our files!; This particular photo was not the first, but is signed to one of our founders' daughters, Liz Smiser Schwensen.

Old Time Christmas

The frosty wind rattled the windows of the Old Courthouse on Saturday night, but several brave souls (the Star Journal called them "The Faithful") gathered to sing carols around the Perfection stove.  The decorations were simple and natural and didn't break our banks.  Christy dried orange and apple slices,  Anne donated a fragrant tree, Ronda went out pruning our cedars, Paige contributed candles, baskets and an eye for what was appropriate period wise.  Fresh fruit and gingham bows provided some color and old fashioned cookies beckoned on a stoneware plate.   Jennifer of Parkers Floral contributed a fresh garland and  some boughs and candles.  We had a lovely time festooning the building and it paid off for an accidental recreation of what it might have been like for the fledgling church families that formed within the same walls over 150 years ago.  Old time carols like O, Come O Come Emmanuel rang through the chamber in a haunting reliving of an ancient yule custom.  And in the daylight for the next day's holiday homes tour, it was just as lovely...

Thanks to all.  Especially Shannon who conceived of the Carols in the Courthouse event last year and prepared charming crafts for the children's hands on activities in the Schoolhouse.  Thanks to Betty for the Cookies!!!

Ferry Charges 1868

Ferry Rates

On the Georgetown-Lexington Road near Dunksburg, crossing Blackwater River. 
 In 1868, Noah Bides had a Ferry License.  The rates follow: 
                                                          Man and Horse                       25 cents
                                                          Two Horses and wagon        50 cents
                                                          Four Horses and wagon        75 cents
                                                          Horse and buggy                    35 cents
                                                          One Footman                         10 cents
                                                          Stock                                         5 cents per head

These  fares were found in the personal belongings of Dunksburg's Dr. Tyler and submitted to the Historical Society by Mary Van Bibber in 1972.

Found today while helping a reporter from The Concordian who was researching the Lowland School (#18).  It is in the Grover Township file.  

Carols in the Courthouse Dec. 11 & Homes Tour Dec. 12th

Join us Saturday, December 11th

 from 5:00 - 7:30 p.m.

for

Carols in the Courthouse

(& Crafts in the Schoolhouse)

Sweet treats for all.

302 N. Main Street

Warrensburg, MO  64093

Local Records Project

Today, the volunteers in our Local Records Project reminded me that they had just processed (for microfilming) a case concerning a double hanging.  The murderers called themselves the "Hamilton Brothers" but really they were not related.  They tricked a young man from Holden, Mo. into getting off the train between stops, promising him a lemonade.  Then they killed and robbed him.  A hand cut graphic in the newspaper depicted the gruesome event of their hanging, and MANY people attended!.