NEWSLETTER
Number 14 Jackson County, Missouri Summer 1997
Zion's Camp Monument
In Brief
About sixty-eight Latter Day Saints contracted cholera while a church relief expedition from Ohio, known as Zion's Camp, was encamped in Burket's field near what was then the home of Algernon Sidney Gilbert. It was about two miles east and south of Liberty, Clay County, Missouri.
Fourteen adults and one child died of cholera there. They were: John S. Carter, Alfred Fisk, Algernon Sidney Gilbert, Seth Hitchcock, Warren Ingalls, Edward Ives, Noah Johnson, Jesse B. Lawson, Robert McCord, Phebe Murdock (a child), Betsy Parrish, Erastus Rudd, Jesse J. Smith, Elial Strong, and Eber Wilcox. Some of their remains are now in Mound Grove Cemetery.
The Missouri Mormon Frontier Foundation approved an exciting project in May. The realization of this long overdue monument project is a result of a collaborative effort by MMFF with valuable assistance from Mound Grove Cemetery, Johnson and Sons Monument Company, the RLDS Church, the LDS Church and numerous interested individuals. You can be one of those individuals by your contribution to the MMFF Marker Fund, P.O. Box 3186, Independence MO 64055.
A marker dedication ceremony is planned for Saturday morning, 10:00 a.m., 11 October 1997, in Mound Grove Cemetery, 1818 North River Blvd., Independence, Missouri. Historian Max Parkin has accepted our invitation to be the featured speaker. Plan to be there. The commemoration program will include a tribute/eulogy to Zion's Camp and the cholera victims, followed by the unveiling of the new monument and wreath laying. The new monument will be in remembrance of those Latter Day Saints who lost their lives to cholera while at Zion's Camp near Liberty, Missouri during the summer of 1834.
The Story of Zion's Camp and Victims of the Cholera
On 23 June 1834, the Latter Day Saint relief expedition known as Zion's Camp, resumed its march for Liberty, Clay County, Missouri. Approaching from the northeast they followed a circuitous course around the heads of Fishing River, to avoid the deep water. When within five or six miles of Liberty, the party was met by General Atchison and others, advising that the citizens of Liberty were much enraged. In response to this solicitation, the party turned its course, wheeling to the left, and crossing the prairie and woodland, where they arrived at Brother Algernon Sidney Gilbert's residence and camped on the bank of Rush Creek, in Brother Burket's field. In 1834, George Burket and A. S. Gilbert apparently were living on or renting property owned by a resident of Clay County named Peter Estes. [Parkin, LDS in Clay County, MO, 173]
Upon establishment of their camp near Algernon S. Gilbert's home, two miles east and south of Liberty, Missouri, relief supplies, and perhaps some money and limited foodstuffs brought from Ohio by the camp were distributed to destitute Clay County church members. Cholera broke out in the camp during the night of 24 June 1834. Charles C. Rich, officer of the camp guard, was concerned about being attacked by enemies during the night. Though there was no attack, Rich recalled, some of the brethren on guard were seized with the cholera and dropped as if they had been shot. [C. C. Rich Journal, cited in Parkin, 167] Early on the morning of the 25th, the camp was separated into small bands, and dispersed among the brethren living in the vicinity. [HOC, 2:114]
Interested individuals and descendants of those who died at Zion's Camp will appreciate an opportunity to be a part of this exciting project. MMFF is a notforprofit foundation recognized by the State of Missouri and the Federal Government. Donations to MMFF for the Marker Fund are tax deductible. Please be as generous as possible in your support of this and related efforts to mark important Missouri Mormon history sites. For more information about how you can be involved, contact MMFF President, Ron Putz at 8162283512; or MMFF Secretary and Marker Fund Chair, William Curtis at 8168333065., curtis@kcnet.com. Send donations to: MMFF Marker Fund, P.O. Box 3186, Independence MO 64055.
John Murdock wrote, the symptoms of the cholera increased and raiged [sic] on Wednesday 25 June. Moses Martin also recorded the event saying, twelve of our men were taken sick with a disorder similar to cholera, but none have died yet. [Martin Diary] The sickness worsened and the afflicted were treated at the homes of both Burket and Gilbert. According to George A. Smith's journal, On June 25, [on account of sickness] most of the Camp dispersed to different parts of the county among the brethren. Dr. F. G. Williams, my cousin Jesse J. Smith and myself went to stay with Brother Gilbert. Most of the sick remained at Brother Burkets. That afternoon John S. Carter, Seth Hitchcock, Erastus Rudd, and Eber Wilcox died. George A Smith recalled, Thursday June 26, a message came from Brother Burkets' that Elder John S. Carter was dead. I was dispatched about a half a mile to procure his measure. I cut a hazel stick 7 feet long and went to the room and found that brother Seth Hitchcock was also dead; they appeared as if they had been dead a week. I got their measures and returned as fast as I could to Brother Gilbert's and found Elder Rudd also dead. On seeing the decomposed state of the bodies, the idea of procuring coffins was immediately abandoned. Avery Smith and myself dug a grave... we rolled Brother Rudd in his blanket, covered him with leaves and bushes and then replaced the earth.
That night other bodies were carried on a horse-sled to the bank of a small stream which empties into Rush Creek. Graves were dug in the dark, under torch light, to keep the fact of the presence of cholera from the knowledge of the inhabitants, and thus prevent, if possible, unnecessary excitement and trouble. [Lyman Littlefield, Reminiscences of Latter-day Saints, 30] George A. Smith wrote, [After also becoming sick] I went home with Hyrum Page who placed me under the care of his mother, an aged widow of three score, who nursed be a few days with a motherly care, and my strength and health gradually recovered. A. S. Gilbert became sick as well and died on 29 June. Following Gilbert's death John Murdock learned that his daughter, Phebe, who resided with the Gilberts, was also ill. Murdock recalled, I immediately went and took care of her till July 6th, when the spirit left the body just at the break of day. She was 6 years, 3 months, and 29 days old. Two young brothers, viz, Reed Peck and Henry Rollins, assisted me and we buried her by [a] little after sunrise in the morning. She was decently laid out and they dug a grave and we layed [sic] two split shakes in the bottom and one on each side. We layed in some straw and lay the corps on it. They lay two stiks [sic] across and two shakes on them and that was her coffin and we covered it over. [John Murdock Journal]
The camp was officially discharged on 30 June 1834. Each participant received a notice certifying honorable service, and received a portion of the remaining funds from the Paymaster, amounting to $1.16 each. Though everyone was disappointed in the outcome, and a few disgruntled, most were happy to be returning home. [Launius, 153] Because of the cholera, groups of men began leaving immediately, but before all left Joseph organized a high council, consisting of twelve high priests, to provide spiritual and economic leadership for the Missouri church. David Whitmer was elected president of the council, with W. W. Phelps and John Whitmer as his counselors.
In all, about sixty-eight church members contracted cholera of whom fourteen adults, and one child died, viz.: John S. Carter, Seth Hitchcock, Erastus Rudd [HOC, 2:115], Eber Wilcox [Kimball Journal], all on 25 June 1834; Alfred Fisk, Edward Ives, Noah Johnson, Jese B. Lawson, Robert McCord, Elial Strong, Warren Ingalls, Betsy Parrish, 26 June 1834 [Kimball Journal]; Algernon Sidney Gilbert, 29 June 1834, [HOC, 2:118]; Jesse J. Smith [HOC, 2:120], 1 July 1834; and Phebe Murdock, child, 6 July 1834, [Parkin].
In early June 1958, a cattle rancher, Boyd W. Parks, discovered a human skull unearthed by his feeder cattle near Liberty, Missouri. On 17 June 1958, two Clay County deputies uncovered two more skulls and additional bones at the site. [KC Times, 17 June 1958] The excavation was located in the SE 1/4 of Section 9, Township 51, Range 31, immediately behind Mr. Parks' outbuildings, on the bank of an intermittent tributary which empties into Rush Creek, some 75 yards to the west.
J. Mette Shippe, a field archaeologist with the University of Missouri at Columbia, who was present, took the bones to the University of Missouri for identification. Archaeologist F. G. Spiers, reported their findings, The largest of the skeletons analyzed C designated by the report as No. 1 C had a bad tooth at the time of his death. He probably was about 55 years old. And he was left handed. He was a Caucasian, but some of his ancestors may have been Indians....was also stooped or bowlegged.... No. 2 was a woman, probably between 25 and 35....She was Caucasian. [KC Times, 17 January 1959]
RLDS member, Vivian W. Graybill learned of the skeletons in the fall of 1962 and led efforts which eventually identified them as Latter Day Saint participants in Zion's Camp. As a result of his exertions, the bones were turned over to the RLDS Mound Grove Cemetery, in Independence, Missouri, for reburial. The bones of three of the cholera victims were re-interred on 25 March 1976 at the expense of Mound Grove Cemetery in Lot 6, Black 12, Grave 7. The Cemetery Management Board subsequently asked the RLDS Church to reimburse the cost of the burial plus provide a suitable marker on the site. This request was turned down and eventually a modest marker was placed, mistakenly on Lot 23, Block 12, Grave 7. This marker read: Skeletal Remains Reported as Members of Zion's Camp Internment [sic] 1976. Mound Grove General Manager William Bruch discovered the mistake and the marker was moved to the correct grave site 11 November 1994. Bruch met with the MMFF Board on 8 April 1997 to urge the erection of a more suitable marker to commemorate these deaths associated with Zion's Camp, near Liberty, Clay County, Missouri in 1834. It did not take much urging and in May 1997 MMFF adopted this project and is actively soliciting donations to cover the costs of this project. If you would like to assist, contact MMFF Marker Fund Chair, Bill Curtis, P.O. Box 3186, Independence MO 64055, 816-833-3065, curtis@kcnet.com.
Elizabeth Ann Whitmer Cowdrey Grave
Southwest City, Missouri
In 1993, a researcher named James Still, from Lancaster, California, visited the RLDS Archives and told me about visiting the graves of Elizabeth Ann Whitmer Cowdrey and her daughter Maria Louisa at Southwest City, Missouri. That visit prompted my imagination - and suddenly, to my mind, a visit to Elizabeth's grave became a highly important event. Over successive years, I shared this suggestion with several colleagues. When I suggested it to BYU Professor Larry Porter, we agreed that one day, while visiting the mid-west, we would go to Elizabeth's grave together. We reiterated our intent on several occasions thereafter, but the necessary time to devote to the trip seemed to elude our schedules.
Then, during 1995, a LDS Boy Scout Troop from Anderson, McDonald County, Missouri, under the leadership of Wayne Jeffords, contacted me saying that they also had located the graves of Elizabeth and Maria, as well as the grave of Elizabeth's son-in-law Charles Johnson in the nearby Southwest City Cemetery. They told me the small lichen and moss covered stones were stained by weather and age. Wayne organized the troop and the gravesites were cleaned. A bright marble white marker now stands out to visitors -- clean and very legible. A ceramic tile walk way encircles the graves, and a memorial plaque hangs overhead. The double stone marker over Elizabeth's and Maria's graves contains the following information -- Maria on the left and Elizabeth Ann to the right: M.L. Wife of Dr. C. Johnson Born Aug. 21, 1835 Died Jan. 9, 1892 E. A. Cowdrey Born Jan. 22, 1815 Died Jan. 6, 1892. It is the story of a mother and daughter taken from life within three days of each other. The memorial plaque the troop placed above the graves sheds further light on their interesting story:
Sacred to the Memory of
Elizabeth Ann Whitmer Cowdery
On this site lies in restful slumber lies one of the
forgotten ones. Her grave site remained in obscurity for over 100 years. This
gateway and memorial plaque are erected lest future generations forget her
contributions to the establishment of the early Mormon Church. She was in
attendance when the church was organized on April 6, 1830. And was one of its
first baptized members. She married on December 18, 1832, one of the leaders of
the church, Oliver Cowdery. The love story of Oliver and Elizabeth is a sweet
yet tragic one. They spent much of their marriage separated, not by choice but
by circumstance, as her husband assisted in the establishment of the church. To
their marriage was born 6 children, only one of whom lived to maturity. She is
buried even now at her mother's side. All the other children died tragically
while young. Her life was one of great sorrow and persecution for her beliefs,
yet she always held true. It is hoped that this memorial will remind all who
read of the courage of these early pioneer women separated from their loved
ones in life, triumphantly reunited with them in Heaven.
Clark Johnson, Larry Porter, and Bob Freeman visit the graves of Elizabeth Ann Whitmer Cowdrey and daughter Maria Louisa Cowdery Johnson at Southwest City, Cemetery, McDonald County, Missouri, 16 May 1997.
At long last, in May 1997, I received the call I had been waiting for from Larry Porter. It is a rather long drive from Independence, but on 16 May, visiting BYU Professors Bob Freeman, Clark Johnson, Larry Porter, and RLDS Church Archivist Ron Romig took time from their schedules to travel to Southwest City, Missouri, for the single purpose of visiting Elizabeth's and Maria's graves. We found the Southwest City Cemetery with the grass recently mowed and well cared for. A sign read, Maintained by your donations. Per directions provided by Wayne Jeffords, the graves were easily located. While there we shot several photographs attempting to capture the peaceful setting. We also noted similar attention given by the troop and local care givers to Dr. Johnson's grave which stands about six feet north.
- Reported by Ron Romig
Buried Early Missouri Mormon History
This is another of those articles that do not appear to have relevance to the Missouri Mormon pioneer period from reading only their title. Buried in the middle is the reason I have included this one. Some of our readers will also be interested in the information about early RLDS members coming to Independence.
STONE CHURCH BIG DAY
--------
INDEPENDENCE EDIFICE IS 50 YEARS OLD.
-------
Many Pioneers Will Attend an
All-Day Celebration of Group
Whose History Dates Back to 1831.
----
The laying of the cornerstone in the Stone church in Independence 50 years ago will be commemorated today by members of the Reorganized Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. To many of the church members it will recall the struggle of the Saints to return to Independence, a movement which began in 1867.
Members of the church will hold an all-day program, beginning at 8 o'clock this morning with prayer and dedication services. The morning sermon will be given by Elbert A. Smith.
ROLL CALL OF PIONEERS.
A roll call of pioneers will be at a fellowship service this afternoon. Elder Garland E. Tickemyer, pastor of the Stone church, will be assisted by five former pastors, F. G. Pitt, 90-year-old Civil war veteran; Dr. Joseph Luff, C. Ed Miller, John F. Sheehy and R. V. Hopkins. A reception for the pioneers will be held in the Stone church annex.
C. Ed Miller, the church photographer, will give an illustrated lecture at 6:30 o'clock, with rare pictures of early-day activities of church members and leaders. A dramatization of the cornerstone laying will be held at 7:30 o'clock tonight.
The members of the church first went to Independence soon after Joseph Smith, the founder, set that community apart in 1831 as a new Jerusalem for the gathering of the saints. The historic exodus or expulsion followed in a few years, and from Independence the followers of the church scattered to other Missouri counties, some going west, some north into Iowa and many to Illinois.
MANY RETURN IN SIXTIES.
Because of the dedication of Independence by the founder, the members returned in great numbers in the [eighteen] sixties and in the following three decades, the returning members including children and grandchildren of those who had left the city of Zion years before.
The late Arthur J. Brackenbury of Independence recalled that his grandmother, Elizabeth Brackenbury, lived there at the time of the expulsion.
"She lived on a 10-acre tract on the Blue, where
Centropolis now is," Mr. Brackenbury said. "It was in November when
she was driven from her home, and she and a son spent their first night with
only a corn-shock as shelter."
With several other families, they went out the old
river road north of Independence and crossed the river at the Wayne City
landing. On the Clay County side, shelters were prepared by propping willows
against a sycamore log, and the exiles remained there the rest of the winter.
FATHER IN EXPULSION
Mr. Brackenbury's father, John W. Brackenbury, was 6
years old at the time of the expulsion. He later moved to California, where Mr.
Brackenbury was born in 1861.
The idea always was to return to Independence, Mr
Brackenbury said. We came back in 1876, by covered wagon from San Bernardino to
Salt Lake City. We waited there a year for the Union Pacific railroad to be
finished, and we chartered the first boxcar that ran from Ogden to Omaha. It
cost father $1,000 to move his family and household goods.
Brackenbury recalled that the rail trip was delayed
two days at Cheyenne when the wood-burning locomotive ran out of fuel. The trip
was made by river boat from Omaha to White Cloud, Kans., and by covered wagon
from White Cloud to Independence.
FIRST RETURN IN 1867.
The first to return to Independence was Albert W.
Noble and his family, who went there in 1867 from Grantsville, Utah. Church
history recounts that he was warned to leave by a posse, but he remained and
died five years afterward. In 1869 the return was made by Isaac Bailey and
Frederick Campbell. Others followed. In 1873 a series of meetings was held by
E. C. Brand and Joseph S. Lee in the hall over the Chrisman-Sawyer bank
building, and the first church building was built and dedicated in 1884.
The small brick church was built on East Lexington
street. It had an original membership of about 175 and a seating capacity of
less than 300. Brick for the building was burned by Frederick Campbell, whose
daughter, Mrs. Mary Campbell Horne, lives at 322 East Fair street,
Independence.
We were informed that there was branch of our faith in
Independence, for which place we started, and were much surprised on our
arrival here to find none of our faith; but another division of the old church,
... led by Granville Hedrick; also another church, ... headed by Dr. E.
McLellan.
Membership of the Independence church, amplified by the
return, expanded beyond the capacity of the brick building in three years. In
1887, Daniel S. Bowen offered a lot where the Stone church now stands. The
cornerstone was laid April 6, 1888, but the church was not dedicated until
September 23, 1917, because it was not clear of debt until that time.
The Kansas City
Sunday Star November 20, 1938, page
10 A, col. 1
- - - - - - - - - - -
- - - - - -
Editor's Note: The Union Pacific Railroad was
completed to Promontory Point north of Salt Lake in 1869. The Brackenbury
family stayed in White Cloud, Kansas for several years before going on to
Independence, Missouri in 1877. [William J. Curtis family research - John
Brackenbury's letters to the Herald]
Correspondence.
INDEPENDENCE,
Jackson Co., Mo.,
April 22d, 1871.
Bro. Joseph:
Having obeyed the gospel as it is preached by the
Latter Day Saints, and which we believe is the only true gospel, we obeyed the
call to come out of Babylon and come to Zion. We came from Sacramento to Omaha
in eight days, on the emigrant cars; from there we proceeded to Kansas City,
where we enquired for saints, but found none. We were informed that there was
branch of our faith in Independence, for which place we started, and were much
surprised on our arrival here to find none of our faith; but another division
of the old church, who style themselves the primitive church, and are led by
Granville Hedrick; also another church, calling themselves the church of
Christ, who are headed by Dr. E. McLellan. There is only one family of the
Reorganized Church here besides ourselves; but as the Lord has directed us
here, we will remain here, hoping more saints will come soon. If any of the
ministry pass through here, we would be thankful to have them call on us. We
live ten miles east of Independence, on the Spring Branch road. Land is high
here, ranging from ten to fifty dollars per acre, according to improvements.
If any saints wish to come here, or near here, from
California, they will do well to purchase a through ticket to New York, and sell
it at Omaha, or somewhere this side, as they will gain by it. Your brother in
Christ,
E. ETZENHOUSER.
TRUE L. D. SAINTS' HERALD vol. 18, 1871 page 308
Log House Solicitation
[Stories following.]
You can help! Contributions are needed to continue the
important work of research and discovery. Earmark your contribution for the LOG
HOUSE Project and forward it to: MMFF Treasurer, P.O. Box 3186, Independence,
MO 64055. For more information about how you can be involved, contact Mike
Riggs, 235 N. Maple, Garnett, Kansas 66032, 913-448-5425; e-mail,
<mriggs@kanza.net>.
Missouri Mormon Frontier Foundation - Northwest
Chapter
MMFF-NW Kickoff Meeting
The Missouri Mormon Frontier Foundation (MMFF), a nonaligned
local history group dedicated to researching, preservation and the marking of
significant 1830's Mormon history sites throughout Missouri, is pleased to
announce the formation of a chapter for those living in the Caldwell, Daviess
and surrounding northwest Missouri counties. MMFF was originally organized six
years ago in Independence, Missouri by individuals belonging to many different
churches including nonMormon. This is a shared experience for many people of
various backgrounds and the movement's history is, therefore, best preserved
when all those voices are included, says Ronald E. Romig current Vice President
and cofounder of the group. According to MMFF board member Michael S. Riggs,
This model of diversity has worked exceptionally well in Independence and it is
what we plan to transplant to the new northwest chapter.
A chapter kickoff meeting was held 10 July 1997, at
the Far West RLDS Church, Caldwell County, Missouri. Especial thanks to the
Marlatt's and Presiding Elder Ed Davis for opening the church and making it
available for the meeting. Activities included a lecture by Paul DeBarthe and
teenaged Shawnee Mission East High School archaeology students. They reported
on the findings of their archaeological reconnaissance around the RichWallace
Gardner log house, currently being researched in Caldwell, County, possibly
that of early LDS Apostle C.C. Rich, near Mirable, Missouri.
The President and two officers of the Rich Family
Association from Utah were in attendance. Following the lecture a short
business meeting was held. MMFF Board Member Mike Riggs organized the MMFF
northwest chapter. Mike Riggs, who lives and works in Garnet, Anderson County,
Kansas is especially interested in northwest Missouri. Riggs agreed to serve as
Chapter Chair and MMFF liaison until local leaders are identified and elected.
Among the sites he would like to see marked are the Far West Cemetery, the City
of Seth, Guymon's horse mill, the site of Joseph Smith's house and the good
wagon road. Historic preservation needs local maintenance. The night's goal was
to increase local interest. This project may be able to save some history.
Several new memberships were received and the first
meeting date and location were selected. The date of Thursday, 14 August 1997
was selected for the first regular MMFF-NW Chapter meeting, 7:00 pm, at the
Kidder Institute, Kidder, Missouri. A schedule for this summer's continuing
archaeological activities in association with the log house was announced.
Contact Mike Riggs, mriggs@kanza.net, or Ron Romig, RLDS Archives at 8331000,
Ext. 2449 2449; email: tems03@rlds.org, for further information.
Archaeologist Paul DeBarthe at work at the
Rich-Wallace-Gardner Log House site. </CENTER
On July
10th members of the Rich family visited the Rich log house site in Caldwell County,
Missouri and attended the organizational meeting of Missouri Mormon Frontier
Foundation - North West. Margaret Anderson, president of the Utah Rich Family
Association, Nina Palmer and Rosaland Thornton, historians and Utah
representatives to the national association, shared some stories about Charles
C. Rich's extensive family. They are descendants of two of his five wives. C.
C. Rich was born in Boone County, Kentucky. The family traveled from frontier
Kentucky to Indiana on the Ohio River and to Illinois and Missouri.
Nina
Palmer, Mike Riggs, Margaret Anderson,
and
Rosaland Thornton visit the log house site, 10 July 1997.
Paul DeBarthe and some of his archaeology students from
Shawnee Mission (KS) High School presented some of their finding so far. The
building was discovered by Mike Riggs, Ron Romig and few other people on a
excursion to find where the C. C. Rich Branch was. Now the problem is to figure
out what they found.
The log house roof and some walls are caving in so it
must be disassembled before any restoration can be done. It was 13 logs high.
Other than the roof collapse, the structure has fallen where there was no
foundation under it. There is much to be learned. We have no picture on the box
to put the puzzle back together again. Therefore logs are being tagged and
extensive photographs and measurements are being made at all stages of the
investigation. We are finding lots of information and clues. Rich's diary even
tells what he grew there.
We suspect that C. C. Rich built the house in 1837. He
had just married Sarah. He and his father owned the property. Sarah describes a
hewn log house in the writings she left. A definitive dating of the cutting of
the logs can be made by a comparison of the rings in the logs and a living tree
dating to about 1830 or before.
Wallace comes on the property about 1842. His sons
donated Wallace State Park. A partial stone foundation and additions are
presently attributed to Wallace.
Following last year's successful Phase I's
Archaeological Reconnaissance, a formal report was issued with the following
recommendations for this season's investigation:
a. Perform an extensive photographic survey of the
structure in its existing condition.
b. Identify and study locaton of latrine(s), root
cellar and kitchen wing, inside log house structure and under the flooring, and
determine location of original foundation.
c. Conduct a more detailed botanical survey of the
area.
d. Continue the documentary search for information on
the Rich and Wallace family occupation of the site.
Work Days Report
A number of exciting local projects have been
suggested for MMFF-NW Chapter consideration, including the log house
reconnaissance.
Two work days have already been held at the log house
since the organizational meeting. On the 16th of July a crew of 12 assembled
and began clearing brush and removing trees from around the work-site. Debris
from the deteriorated north and south wings was removed as well as the
remaining clapboard siding.
On a follow-up work day the 2nd of August, another
crew gathered at the site and continued site preparation and dismantled three
sagging top logs from the east and west walls of the existing exposed log
structure.
LOG HOUSE WORK
SCHEDULE FOR THE 1997 SEASON
The following work days have been scheduled to remove
debris from the interior of the structure and initiate the archaeological
investigation of the site under the building:
· Sunday, 24 August, 2:00 pm site preparation and removal of interior debris
· Sunday, 31 August, 2:00 pm archaeological excavation
· Sunday, 7 September, 2:00 pm dig day
· Sunday, 14 September, 2:00 pm dig day
· Sunday, 5 October, 2:00 pm dig day
· Sunday, 12 October, 2:00 pm dig day, site restoration and de-mobilization
Your participation is invited and needed on work and
dig days and at upcoming chapter meetings time and dates to be announced.
Come and help the student archaeologists dig!
For more information contact, Mike Riggs,
mriggs@kanza.net, or Ron Romig, RLDS Archives at 8331000, Ext. 2449 2449; email:
tems03@rlds.org, for further information.
A New MMFF Publication Is Available!
A report of the first season's dig at the log house.
Archaeological Reconnaissance
of a Caldwell County, Missouri,
Log House
Preliminary report on the 19961997 investigations
sponsored by Missouri Mormon Frontier Foundation (MMFF). Prepared by Paul
DeBarthe, David Coit, and Haumana DeBarthe and featuring reports from participating
student archaeologists.
Available at $10.00 per copy. To obtain a copy,
contact Helen Inouye, (816) 4615575, Fax: (816) 461-3262.
News Shorts
Alex Baugh
Visiting Historian Lecture
April 1997
An Update
On Thursday, 24 April, 7:00 pm, we had a good turnout
when Alex Baugh, a visiting professor of Church History and Doctrine at Brigham
Young University, in Provo, Utah, presented a lecture on: Lilburn W. Boggs:
From Missouri to California, at the RLDS Temple Lecture Hall.
A nice report of Alex's lecture appeared in the next
day's edition of the Independence Examiner by Jeff Adkins, Friday, April 25,
1997. The article is available via Internet:
http://examiner.net/stories/042597/boggs.html - RER
Scott Faulring
Visiting Historian Lecture
June 1997
The Coming Forth of the Articles and Covenants of the
Church of Christ, 18291835 and the Jackson County Connection was the topic
discussed by Scott H. Faulring, 7:00 P.M., Thursday evening, 19 June 1997, at
the LDS Visitors Center, 937 West Walnut, Independence, Missouri.
Scott is a Research Associate with the Foundation for
Ancient Research and Mormon Studies (FARMS). His lecture explored the
importance of the development and adoption of the Articles and Covenants at the
church's first conference, 9 June 1830. As a plain statement of the basic
beliefs, procedures, and standards of conduct for the benefit of members or
prospective converts, the Articles and Covenants were read by Joseph Smith,
Jr., and received by unanimous vote of the whole conference. [FWR, 1] Often
called the Constitution of the Church the Articles and Covenants is the
revelations now known as Doctrine and Covenants section 20 (LDS, 17 RLDS).
Early missionaries often carried copies of this
information on their missions. Scott's lecture focused on John Whitmer's role
as church clerk during the Jackson County years in producing a copy for Zebedee
Coltrin (and others), and the editing and preparation of the Articles and
Covenants for publication in The Evening and the Morning Star and the
Book of Commandments. Scott and his wife Barbara and family were in
Independence, Missouri, visiting the RLDS Archives while researching a
forthcoming documentary history of the writings of David Whitmer. Scott is also
the editor of An American Prophet's Record: Diaries and Journals of Joseph
Smith, and an other forthcoming documentary history on Oliver Cowdery being
prepared in association with Richard Anderson. We had a large turn out for
Scott's last MMFF lecture on Oliver Cowdery. -RER
MMFF Recognizes ELDA MAE BILLINGS
During the Faulring Visiting Historians Lecture, on 19
June 1997, Independence resident Elda Mae Billings received a plaque honoring
her many years of valuable service to the local history community.
Designed by Henry Inouye, and bearing a sketch of
Titus Billing's Haystack which was burned by nonmember citizens in 1832, the
plaque reads, In recognition of Elda Mae Billings for her contribution to local
Independence and Jackson County, Latterday Saint history through her church,
community, the LDS Family History Center and MMFF.
The award was presented by William Curtis, who
enthusiastically recounted some of the many incidents through which Elda Mae
has helped preserve and promote the local Mormon history experience. -RER
Rawlings' Assignment Ends
Ben Rawlings completed his assignment as Independence,
Missouri, LDS Mission Office President 1 July 1997. During his tenure,
President Rawlings has proven a continuing source of encouragement in support
of the realization of the projects and goals of MMFF. We will surely miss his
active involvement locally.
In his stead, we heartily welcome his replacement,
Daniel Rogers, who is assigned here from Farmington, Utah. Best wishes to
President Rogers during his mission. - rer
Paul Edwards Retires as RLDS Temple School Director
Paul M. Edwards retired 1 July 1997 from RLDS church
employment. Paul had served as Director of RLDS Temple School since the early
1980s. with Paul's blessings, Temple School co-sponsored numerous MMFF Visiting
Historians Lectures held in the Temple Lecture Hall over the past six years.
Wayne Ham replaces Paul as Temple School Director.
Best wishes to Paul as he takes up new responsibilities as Dean of Graduate
Programs at Park College and to Wayne at Temple School. - RER
LDS Sisters Staff he Old Log Courthouse
Independence visitors have rediscovered a historic
site. As a result of a cooperative arrangement with the city, LDS missionaries
are helping to staff the old log courthouse built by Jackson County as a
temporary building in which to do county business.
Upon the completion of the permanent brick Jackson
County Courthouse in 1831, the county sold this building to Algernon S.
Gilbert. The structure served as the church storehouse and residence for the
Gilberts.
The building was moved to its present location in 1916
and restored. Independence visitors will find the historic log building at 117
West Kansas open for public tours. - RER
MISSOURI MORMON
FRONTIER FOUNDATION
is a duly organized
GENERAL NOT FOR PROFIT CORPORATION
under the Laws of
Missouri
The Missouri Mormon Frontier Foundation is a
nonsectarian organization dedicated to collecting and preserving information
related to the Mormon experience in western Missouri during the 1830's.
The purposes of MMFF are stated in the By-Laws as
follows:
1. To promote the research, documentation,
verification, renovation and restoration of events and sites associated with
the Missouri Mormon Frontier.
2. To preserve documents, photographs, artifacts,
sites and other historical memorabilia associated with that period.
3. To facilitate the gathering and preservation of
genealogical information from the affected geographical area.
President Ronald G. Putz
Vice President Ronald E. Romig
Secretary William J. Curtis
Treasurer Drew Henson
Board Members:
Annette Curtis
Alta Short
Henry Inouye
Helen Inouye
Ex-Offico, Jesse E. Ehlers
All meetings, including Board meetings, are open. You
are invited to come and bring other interested people to any of our meetings.
NEWSLETTER
Please send news and articles for the newsletter to
Annette Curtis at 714 North Main, Independence MO 64050-2828 or mail to our
P.O. Box 3186, 64055.
To give items to her in person, Annette can be found
in the Genealogy and Local History Department of Mid-Continent Public Library,
North Independence Branch almost any Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5
p.m. Work phone: 816-252-0950.
home e-mail address: curtis@kcnet.com
Newsletter editor: Annette W. Curtis
MMFF-NW Chapter
Meeting
14 August 1997,
7:00 pm
Kidder Institute,
Kidder, Missouri
All interested
persons are invited
to future meetings.
If you missed the first Missouri Mormon Frontier
Foundation Northwest Chapter meeting held as a result of the July 1997 chapter
organizational meeting and want to be involved, it is not too late. Eight
people attended a very productive meeting. Around 45 attended the Chapter Kickoff
Meeting and Log House Lecture, 10 July 1997, at the RLDS Church at Far West,
Caldwell County, Missouri.
The primary purpose of the chapter is to share the
story of the local experience of the early church and its members in northwest
Missouri. Hopefully this will be accomplished through the realization of
projects of mutual interest to local MMFF members and area residents.
Interested people are invited to attend MMFF
functions. Call Ron Putz at (816) 228-3512 or Ron Romig at (816) 229-7981 or
(816) 833-1000 for more information.
MMFF Membership
Keep the newsletter coming to you. Memberships are for
the calendar year. New memberships are welcomed anytime.
Coming Events
18 Sep 1997
MMFF-NW meeting
7:00 pm, Caldwell County Courthouse, Kingston
26-28 September 1997
JWHA Annual Meeting
Kirtland, Ohio
For more information contact:
Danny Jorgenson, Pres. JWHA
700 37th Ave S
St. Petersburg FL 33705
(813) 893-9156
7 October 1977, Tuesday evening, 7:00 pm
Visiting Historians Lecture
Subject: Mormon Quilts
Mary Bywater Cross, a quilt historian from Portland, OR,
with a specialized interest in Western women's history, will share an informal
talk about her research where these women traveled, lived and worked. Her most
recent book, Quilts and Women of the Mormon Migrations is illustrated
with historic paintings, maps and photographs. A book signing will follow the
talk. Place (if available): Nat'l Frontier Trails Center, 318 W Pacific,
Independence, Missouri
11 October 1997
Zion's Camp Monument Dedication
Saturday, 10 am, Mound Grove Cemetery
1818 North River, Independence, Missouri
Missouri Mormon Frontier Foundation
P.O. Box 3186
Independence MO 64055
First Class
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