Missouri State Guard Monument.

The Sons of Confederate Veterans representative John Wolf presented a proposal to the County Commission at their regular meeting Thursday morning. The Springfield based organization would like the Commission’s approval to place a monument honoring members of the Missouri State Guard that participated in Battle of Carthage.

There would be no cost incurred by the County to install the six-foot monument on the Carthage Courthouse lawn. If the Commission decides to accept the proposal the monument would stand on the northeast corner of the lawn.

A replica of a Missouri State Guard flag that would have been flown at the time of the battle will be represented on the monument, along with the Sons of the Confederate Veterans symbol.

Engraved in the monument, the words will say,

‘In early July, 1861, units of the Missouri State Guard, under the command of Governor Claiborne Fox Jackson, were en route to extreme southwest Missouri to there organize and train to resist Federal dominance of the state.

‘On July 5 the Guard found its way south blocked by a Federal force commanded by Colonel Franz Sigel. At about 9:00 am the two armies came together north of Dry Fox Creek, and thus began the first major land battle of the War Between the States.

‘In a series of running engagements extending over a period of twelve hours, the Guard steadily attacked and pushed Sigel’s force toward and finally through Carthage, causing the Federals to retreat to Sarcoxie.

‘The victory of the Missouri National State Guard at Carthage not only cleared the way south, it also enhanced the Guard’s morale, and set the stage for still other battles in the fight for Missouri.’

Johnson commented on the inscription.

"Now the conflict, as it’s depicted in the wording and everything, was not so much as pro South versus North but more or less federal troops commandeering the State and National Guards," he said.

"And the government was very opposed to giving up the National Guard to fight with the Confederate states."

During the meeting, County Commissioner Danny Hensley made the motion to accept the monument, but none of the other Commissioners backed his opinion.

However, the majority of the comments from those attending the meeting were in favor of placing of the monument. Both the Jasper County Historical Society and Jasper County Courthouse Preservation, Inc. members in attendance supported it.

"It’s the only battle we fought by ourselves," Marvin Van Gilder said. "It is a victory of the Missouri State Guard."

County Commissioner Anna Ruth Crampton thought it would be best to have the approval of the Jasper County Preservation in writing.

Johnson moved to discuss the motion in two weeks, and the majority of the Commission agreed that the time would allow the public a chance to voice their opinion.

"I have mixed feelings somewhat," Johnson said. "I don’t have any problem with it, really, but I do feel like we need to pay attention to the people, especially after the last attempt to put a Confederate flag on the flagpole."

"It is public property, and it is the County Seat," Johnson said. "I think the people have the right to make themselves heard on this situation."

Johnson thinks this is going to be an issue to some people. He feels that although there is no expense to put up the monument, the County could still end up paying some costs if any possible litigations should occur.

The issue is scheduled to be discussed again in two weeks during the Thursday meeting.

artCamp '99 a Big Success!!

by Robin Putnam, artCentral

Well, well, well....here we are back together again. Vacations are great too bad reality bites.

Hope everyone enjoyed Marian Days........the food is always soooo good!! Heard it was a little crowded around here. Our community should be very proud of how well everyone behaves during this festival.... proves we're a great little town, huh.

Our artCamp 99 was quite a success!! The students got hands on experience in a number of different mediums....charcoal (had to repaint the walls after that class!), clay, painting with a water-based oil paint, caricatures (students drew each other while the teacher did a caricature of each student) and writing and illustrating their own little book!!

We've had a number of parents ask if we could put together regular Saturday art classes for kids...sounds like a great idea....someone needs to work on that!!

Rumor has it we will be getting a new heat and A/C system for the second and third floors!!

That would open up an area just perfect for kid classes! Some of the artCamp teachers said they would be willing to teach as long as there were enough teachers to rotate....so each teacher would have a class every third or fourth Saturday.

Yea for the teachers!! A big thanks to all of them...we appreciate their willingness to help. Thanks also to those who put the camp together!

As mentioned in one of the last few columns, our next show will be Jack and Lee Ann Sours from Golden City. The opening reception for that show will be August 27th from 6 - 8 p.m.

There will be great pottery, great fiber art, great food, great friends and as a special treat great music! Plainsfolk will be playing for your enjoyment.

The coolest part is that two of the four musicians are also the artists!! Jack and Lee Ann will join two friends and be playing that evening. They are soooo talented! Be sure and stop by.....you won't want to miss this fun evening!!

Some member info: Bill Snow's stone carving workshop was a big success even if the tents blew down and got all mangled in the big storm. Real troopers those stone carvers!! Next year it's going to be the first week in June...better sign up now...he books up fast!!

Debbie Reed had a watercolor accepted into the OAW National Juried Exhibition in Tulsa. Show runs from September 5 at the Springfield Art Museum.

Don Whitman is the featured artist in the Regional Focus Gallery at Spiva in Joplin.

If you're in any of the afore mentioned areas..check it out. Our congratulations to those members!!

More.......next week.

Graphic Art Opportunities

Due to our recent purchase of additional equipment and expansion of our Carthage, Missouri facility, we are currently taking applications for the following positions:

Press Operator. Must have experience operating an A.B. Dick 360, Chief 117, Heidelberg windmill, power cutter, and folding equipment. Dark room and layout experience.

Pre Press: Experience with Pagemaker, Quark, Photoshop, Illustrator, Coral Draw. Design and typesetting. Mac and PC. Four Color process experience a plus.

Customer Rep: Need strong organizational skills, computer skills, and be service oriented. Knowledge of current paper trends and printing background.

Bindery: General bindery, padding, stitching, booklet assembly and binding. Some lifting involved.

General Office: Phone skills and computer skills. Experience with Quickbooks, Excel, Access and page layout programs.

Pick up an application at 213 Lyon, Carthage, Missouri, or call for appointment. 417-358-5174 Fax 417-358-3168 email: mmail@morninmail.com

Carthage Printing Services

"Latest technology, Old fashioned values."

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

Unless there is some large public outcry, I’m guessin’ that there will soon be a monument on the Courthouse lawn commemorating those who fought as Missouri State Guard in the Battle of Carthage. Accordin’ to the facts as I’ve been informed, the Guard was not a part of the Confederacy at that time in history.

‘Course many of those who were in the Guard eventually became members of the Confederate Army. If that information is in fact correct, the question arises as to why the Battle of Carthage is considered as first battle of the Civil War.. That war was between the Union and the Confederacy. If we are wantin’ to present history accurately, one or the other of the above statements must be a misjudgment.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin’.

by

Oak Street health & herbs

Natural Nutrition

by Mari An Willis

I just finished gathering in my winter store of mullein and of boneset. It gives me a sense of security to have those herbs put away. Never fails that I end up fixing up a batch for a friend or family member when the time is right.

BONESET....(Eupatorium perfoliatum) is one of the best remedies for the flu and reducing fevers. It helps to stop the aches and pains associated with the flu. I like to add it to yarrow, which allows for the free flow of perspiration and helps to eliminate waste via the kidneys and pores. Boneset tea may also help those kids going through "growing pains."

MULLEIN....(Verbascum thapsus) grows in dry shallow earth. It is recognized by its large soft leaves and spike of yellow flowers. I have seen some plants about five feet tall. Mullein is known as non-habit forming pain killer. It calms a cough while helping to loosen mucus. I consider it a primary lung herb as it is known to reduce inflamed and irritated nerves. My Aunt used to tell us (not a proven fact) that long ago they located the tuberculosis hospital in Mt. Vernon because of the vast amount of mullein that grew in the area. It would be interesting if that were more than a rumor.

I took my Granddaughter on a float trip and swimming all day. Of course, I ended up with a bad sunburn. Found out that EMU OIL helped me keep from peeling. Only place I peeled was the places I couldn't reach!