90 Years Ago
Nov. 14, 1919

A total valuation of $1,039,985 had been set on real estate and personal property in Monroe City for the 1920 tax bills. The city tax rate was $1.10 on the $100 valuation.

J.M. Johnson sold his residence property at the corner of Chestnut and Charles Streets to E.E. DeLashmutt for $8,000. It is the present home of Mrs. W.W. Wilson.

The marriage of Miss Pauline Crane and Millard DeLashmutt was to take place in the Crane home on Nov. 27. The marriage of Miss Bernadette Jarboe and Charles Kelly was to take place Nov. 15 in St. Mary’s Church in Shelbina.
Mrs. M.P. Nolen, Mrs. D.H. Stevens and Mrs. C.R. Evans attended the state convention of the W.C.T.U. in St. Louis. Mrs. Nolen was president of the Monroe County W.C.T.U.

The final report on the Red Cross roll call in Monroe City listed 578 members enrolled.
Postmaster W.J. Rouse and two rural mail carriers received an increase in salary at the hands of Congress. The postmaster’s salary was increased $100 a year, making it $2,000. The increase was $200 a year for rural carriers with routes over 24 miles in length. This brought to $1,700 the salary of two carriers, J.C. Ensor and L.S. Bono, whose routes were over that length.
Miss Ora Megaffin and Howard Gosney, north of Hunnewell, were married Nov. 8.

80 Years Ago
Nov. 15, 1929
Mrs. Alice B. Jackson and Miss Anna L. Johnson, Monroe City’s oldest twins, celebrated their 83rd birthdays on Nov. 11. Daughters of Dr. Daniel F. Johnson, a pioneer physician of Marion County, they were born at Philadelphia on Nov. 11, 1846. When they were quite young their parents moved to the West Ely Community and a few years later located on a farm two miles northeast of Monroe City where Dr. Johnson built the brick house that still stands.
The Monroe City High School girls’ basketball team won the B championship title over Frankford in the tournament sponsored by Hannibal-LaGrange College. The MHS boys were runners-up in the Class A division of the meet.
Dorothy Ann Fuqua was awarded first and second prizes in the Monroe City baby beef club show. Elmer Burditt’s calf placed third. The show was sponsored by the Monroe City Chamber of Commerce.
A. Lee Ely was re-elected president of the Ralls County Farm Bureau at the eleventh annual meeting of the organization.
Mrs. H.S. Gander of northeast of town had completed 12 months of records in the egg production contest in Marion County. Her flock of 269 hens averaged 157.50 eggs per hen for the year, laying a total of 42,280 eggs in the year.
70 Years Ago
Nov. 16, 1939
Banns were published in Holy Rosary Church for the coming marriage on Nov. 20 of Miss Lucille Simms of this city and Leo Craighead of Mexico. Banns were also published at St. Stephen Church, Indian Creek, for the wedding of Miss Veronica Arnoldy and Fred O’Connor of Perry. This wedding was to take place Dec. 2.
A final payment of $3,937.43 was received by Mayor L.M. Wood for the Public Works Administration at Washington on the PWA grant of $29,137.43 for the enlargement work at the city municipal electric power plant. A bond issue of $30,000 had been approved in September 1938 to meet the city’s share of the improvement.
Mr. and Mrs. Edward McClintock of Laton, Calif., were making their first visit with relatives in the Monroe City community in 29 years. McClintock is a brother to J.H. and Ora McClintock and Mrs. Walter Greeves and Mrs. McClintock was a sister to Walter Little.
60 Years Ago
Nov. 17, 1949
Mr. and Mrs. William H. Engle observed their golden wedding anniversary Nov. 8. They were married at St. Stephen Church, Indian Creek, on Nov. 8, 1899, by the Rev. Fr. Cain.
Miss Martha Ann Reid, daughter, of Mr. and Mrs. W.R. Reid, was a member of a class of student nurses receiving caps in a capping ceremony held in Graham Memorial Chapel of Washington University, St. Louis, on Nov. 12.
Miss Frances Leake, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Elmo Leake, and Larry Grant of Festus were married Nov. 11 in Holy Rosary Catholic Church by the Rev. E. Connolly.
Kenneth, 12-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Ira W. Underhill north of Ely, lost his right arm after it was badly shattered by a blast from an old 12-guage shotgun. He was an eighth grade student in Holy Rosary High School.
A son was born Nov. 14 to Mr. and Mrs. Russell Smith.
Mrs. L.A. Lane of Kansas City observed her 90th birthday Nov. 16 at her home. Mrs. Lane, former Monroe City resident, was the mother of Misses Lida and Elma Lane and L.L. Lane.
Miss Genevieve Washburn and William Benedict Buckman were married Nov. 7 in St. Mary’s Catholic Church at Shelbina by the Rev. J.J. O’Connor.
Mr. and Mrs. Rube Dowell of Hunnewell were parents of their fourth child and second son born Nov. 11.
50 Years Ago
Nov. 18, 1959
The Monroe City Bank held open house Sunday, Nov. 15, celebrating completion of the bank’s extensive remodeling and modernization program.
The aldermen and city council promised assistance to the Fidelis Club in promotion of a skating rink project for the north and south parks. The Fidelis Club had completed a street sign project for the city and was taking up the skating rink as a new project.
Mark, three-year-old on of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Watson, was severely burned when he fell into scalding water while his mother was dressing chickens.
Frances Chisham, Sue Studer, Marceille Smith, Doris Chisham, Peggy Fishback and Ruth Ann Moss were MHS cheerleaders of the 1959-60 basketball season.
John E. White, Hunnewell postmaster for the past 15 years, retired Oct. 31. Mrs. Francis J. Bolte has been appointed acting postmistress.
Wayne Dry was elected most courteous boy for 1960 of Monroe City High School. He had previously been nominated to attend Missouri Boys State.
Becky Boling was elected DAR Good Citizen winner. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. James Clay Boling.
40 Years Ago
Nov. 6, 1969
A burglary attempt was made for the third time in three years on the Hunnewell Bank. The attempt was made in the early morning hours of Tuesday, Nov. 4 through the front door. The telephone line was cut in the back of the building and there was masking tape on the vault door where they had put a steel plate to use an acetylene torch and were driven away when a tear gas canister was hit.
Pvt. Charles P. Mudd, son of Mrs. Ellen Mudd was a passenger on a TWA jetliner that was hijacked by a marine who wanted to be flown to New York. Mudd was not injured and was let off the plane with the other passengers in Denver, Colo.
Mr. and Mrs. Charles F. Kelly were to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary with an open house Nov. 16. The couple was married Nov. 15 at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Shelbina.
Births: a daughter, Kally Lynn, Nov. 1 to Mr. and Mrs. Ray McDannell of Abingdon, Ill.; a daughter, Dee Ann Carol, Oct. 27 to Mr. and Mrs. Jim Nickell of Middletown, Iowa; a son, Kevin Curtiss, Oct. 23 to Dr. and Mrs. Curtiss Floyd of Springfield, Ill.; a son, Kyle Edwin, Oct. 29 to Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Kendrick of Lakenan; a son, David William, Oct. 30 to PFC and Mrs. Billy C. Walker; a daughter, Kimberly Michelle, Oct. 23 to Mr. and Mrs. Ed Simmons of Kansas City; a son, Steven Russell, Nov. 2 to Mr. and Mrs. Russell Miles of rural Monroe City.
Miss Sylvia Robinson, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J.K. Robinson, was a finalist in the University of Missouri Homecoming.
30 Years Ago
Nov. 8, 1979
A breakdown in the furnace at Holy Rosary School meant that the upper grades were moved to the rectory and church basement for classes until it was fixed. There was enough heat in the lower grades to continue having classes at the school.
Mrs. Phyllis Knapp was named Marion County farm wife for November by the Marion County Farm Bureau.
Births: a son, Aaron Matthew, Nov. 4 to Mr. and Mrs. Gregory Mitchell of Wichita, Kan.
Diane Kendrick was featured in the News on Special Education in the Monroe City schools. She was one of 12 special education teachers for 53 students.
20 Years Ago
Nov. 9, 1989
Santa’s helpers, Jerry Botkins and David Wilson, helped to build a new house for Santa in the back room of Pete Paris Chevrolet building.
An “Olde Fashioned Christmas” was to be the theme for the Christmas Parade to be held by the Monroe City Chamber of Commerce.
Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Ketsenburg were to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Nov. 19. The couple was married Nov. 14, 1939 at Holy Rosary Catholic Church by Fr. Edward Connolly.
The open house at CW’s was a success as they had a very nice turnout for both days, Nov. 28 and 29.
10 Years Ago
Nov. 9, 1999
Taken from the files of The Lake Gazette
St. Stephen Catholic Church was one of only 11 churches in the Jefferson City Diocese to be designated as a “Parish of Pilgrimage” by Bishop John Gaydos in a surprise visit to the parish on Sunday, Nov. 7.
The Monroe City Council heard a report on the proposed public library expansion and city hall. The cost of the 5,000 square foot project estimated to be $1,219,000.
Chantell Clark and Richard Hawkins were married Sept. 4 at Grace Covenant Baptist Church in Hannibal.
Amber Rothweiler and Philip Neely were married June 12 at the First Baptist Church.
Mr. and Mrs. Larry Grant were to celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on Nov. 11. The couple was married at Holy Rosary Catholic Church by Rev. Edward E. Connolly Nov. 11, 1949.
Births: a daughter, Carlie Shae, Nov. 3 to Amy Cochrane and Seth Turpin of Monroe City.
The Monroe City Chamber of Commerce held their annual banquet at the Knights of Columbus Parish Hall. Diana Hendrix received the President’s Award, Ed Thomas received the Rollie Oschlaeger Ward, Harold Garner won the Sally Watson Community Award and David and Marie Little received the Outstanding Youth Award.
 

In the fall of 1918 the “war to end all wars” appeared to be drawing to a close. For many families the greater fear by October of that year was losing sons and daughters to an enemy that struck closer to home: Spanish Influenza.
There was no vaccine to prevent the pandemic outbreak, and no effective antibiotic treatment against the pneumonia that often followed the disease. An estimated 550,000 Americans and 30 million people around the world died from Spanish Influenza, more than died on the battle fields during World War I.

In Monroe County, more than half of the 78 reported civilian deaths between October and the end of December 1918 were attributed to complications from the flu. No age group and no part of the county was spared. In that three month period, there were 43 flu-related deaths reported for citizens between the ages of nine months and 100 years.

Some say that the pandemic began March 9, 1918, when soldiers in Camp Funston near Fort Riley, Kan., burned tons of manure. A choking dust storm from the fires swept out over the land. A stinging, stinking yellow haze blocked the sun in Kansas. Two days later an Army private reported to the camp hospital with a fever, sore throat and headache. By noon the hospital had over 100 cases and in a week, 500. That spring 48 soldiers died in Camp Funston from pneumonia that developed after they contracted influenza. The camp was a primary training post for Monroe County soldiers.

Those who had registered for the Sept. 12, 1918 draft were not called to active duty because of the epidemic.
On Sept. 20, 1918, Surgeon General Rupert Blue of the United States Public Health Service issued a warning that state health officers were to send prompt reports by telegraph concerning the influenza and to start educational campaigns to ward off the disease. He warned, “Don’t underrate the disease. A fatal outcome is not uncommon when the infection takes the form of pneumonia.”

It is interesting to note that the precautions advocated by health officials for the 2009 flu season are not much different than those issued by the Monroe County and Monroe City boards of health October 8, 1918. They warned citizens to avoid large crowds; cover their mouth and nose when sneezing and coughing; drink water freely and don’t share cups and utensils; and consult the family doctor at the first onset of symptoms suggestive of influenza.
Today we are concerned about the short supply of vaccine for the deadly outbreak of H1N1 or “Swine Flu” and for the seasonal variety of influenza that typically strikes in the fall and winter months. In 1918 there was no vaccine. The recommended treatment was either camphor or quinine and a liberal application of the new Vicks VapoRub. Like the flu vaccine manufactures of 2009, that miracle salve to relieve the symptoms was in short supply. Full page newspaper ads asked consumers to be patient while more Vicks could be made to meet the demand.
In 1918, officials in Paris closed the public schools, theater, churches and library. Clubs, lodges and other organization were urged to discontinue their meetings until further notice after the October 8 notice was published. The County Board of Health also asked for voluntary quarantine of those with influenza and even cancelled a visit from an airplane to promote the purchase of Liberty Bonds to avoid the danger of spreading the influenza in large crowds. Mayor J. G. Wade closed all Monroe City schools and churches on Oct. 11. Similar closing orders were in effect in Hannibal, Palmyra, Shelbyville, Macon, and Hunnewell.
According to 1918 Missouri death certificates issued in Monroe County, the first death from influenza was Melisa Ulery, a 59-year-old widow and housekeeper, who died October 18 in Santa Fe. Nettie May Hays, age 29, of Holliday died the next day. Little Naomi Jane Davis, also of Santa Fe, died Oct. 20. She had just barely celebrated her first birthday. Otto Moss, age 18 of Paris, and Jim Lee Wilson, age 37, of Holliday died Oct. 29 and 30. They would have been eligible for the draft had the war continued.
Despite the precautions to cancel public gatherings, Paris reported the first of 27 Monroe County flu deaths in November: Zilla Burgess (age 26), John Hanger Palmer (45) and his daughter Lois (2) on Nov. 2; Alfred G. Bodine (61) Nov. 5; Jim Coleman (26) Nov. 7; Nadine Butler (22) Nov. 12; and Ben Lasley (27) Nov. 19. Leo Floyd Patrick, (2) died in Paris on December 2.
The St. Stephen-Indian Creek School did not officially close, but 80 cases of the flu were reported and death visited the close-knit community. Mrs. Jack Osborne, 36 years old and the mother of eight children ranging in age from six days to 15 years of age, died Nov. 6. Her mother-in-law, Mrs. Clark Osborne of Clapper had come to help care for her and the children; she died two days later. Mrs. Bessie Cusack, age 33, was a wife and mother of four children, ages five to 12. She died Nov. 9 of pneumonia. Mrs. Clarence Hays, age 32, a mother of four children, the youngest of which was two weeks old, died Nov. 16. Her father-in-law, William T. Hays died five days later. Miss Mamie Lee Mudd, age 23, had attended Mrs. Hayes. She died Nov. 18. A neighbor, Carrie Osborne Finnigan, also died Nov. 18. She was a wife and mother of five children.
In Monroe City, John Martin, age 25, died Nov. 11 and nine-month-old Mary Margaret Ryan died Nov. 17.
The William and Anna Campbell family who lived south of Madison lost three draft-aged sons to influenza. Elton (19) died Nov. 18, his brother Earl (22) died Nov. 20 and Pearl (21) died Nov. 27. The Campbell’s three younger daughters and one young son were apparently spared, but by 1920 the family had left the area after they laid their young men to rest in Swindell Cemetery.
Other November deaths in the Madison and Holliday area between Nov. 11 and 21 included: Ruth Elizabeth Hill (21), Mary Elizabeth Hill (80), Elsie Pearl Flory (6), Gregory Glasscock (64), Henry Glasscock (27), Mable Webb (11) and Chester Webb (15). Jesse Johnson (17) of Santa Fe died November 13. It is not known how many other deaths of Monroe County residents may have occurred in the hospitals of surrounding counties.
Armistice was declared Nov. 11, 1918, and with the return of the troops, the most deadly epidemic of the 20th century appeared to have run its course. By December, of the 21 deaths reported in Monroe County, only 11 were attributed to complications from flu, including Eliza Boyd who died Dec. 27 at “over 100” years of age. Hers and many of the others may have been from the seasonal variety, which in 2009, just as it was in 1918, is still a concern.