USA > Missouri > Dade County > History of Dade County and her people : from the date of the earliest settlements to the present time > Part 14
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Following is a complete roster of the John M. Stem- mons Camp. C. C. V. of Greenfield, Mo., from its or- ganization to the present time:
Andrews, W. I. (deceased) private Co. E. 9th Mo. Cav.
Blevins, E. L. (deceased) private Co. E. 9th Mo. Cav. Burton, J. M. (deceased ) private Co. A. Brd Mo. Cav.
Brown, T. L. (deceased) private Co. G. 37th Tenn. Inf.
Bnek, J. H. private Co. A. 23rd Ark. Inf.
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HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Birch, D. C. Co. K. 8th Mo. Inf.
Blevens, A. L. private Co. G., Irvin's Regiment.
Brown, F. M. (deceased) private Co. 3rd Mo. Cav. Blevins, John, (deceased) private Co. E., 9th Mo. Cav. Calfee, J. B., (deceased) private Co. E., 59th Tenn., Inf.
Carlock, J. M., private Co. G., 16th Mo. Inf.
Creek, A., private Co. C., 9th Mo. Cav.
Coble, E. D., private Co. 1, 3rd Mo. Cav.
Cooper, J. M., (deceased) private Co. C., 60th Ga., Inf.
Dale, W. A., (deceased) private Co. G., 16th Mo. Inf. Donglitery, W. T., (deceased) private Co. G., 16th Mo. Inf.
Dunean, J. P., (deceased) private Co. D., 63rd Ten. Inf.
Davidson, G. W., (deceased) private Co. F., 3rd Mo. C'av.
Finley, J. R. private Co. G., 16th Mo. Inf., Lieut-Com. Fly, J. B., (deceased ) private Co. I., 8th Mo., Inf.
Butterworth, R. L., private Co. A., Brd Mo. Cav.
Hunt, Joel T., (deceased) private Co. H., 24th Texas D. C.
Gambill, G. W., (deceased), private Co. I., 3rd Mo. C'av.
Hoover, S. J., private Co. A., 3rd Mo. Cav.
Hiatt, J. J., (deceased) private Co. K, 6th Mo. Cav.
Howard, S. H., (deceased) private Co. A., 6th Ala. C'av.
Haynes, W. H., private Co. H., 10th Texas Inf. Irby. Joseph L., (deceased) private Co. A., Brd Mo. C'av.
Jeffreys. J. R., private Co. E, 2nd Tenn. Cav. Jones, J. M., private Co. 1., 3rd Mo. Cav.
Literal, James, (deceased) private Co. A., 3rd Mo. Cav. Manus, E. A., (deceased) private Co. E., 43rd Tenn. Inf.
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HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Merrick, W. H., (deceased) private Co. I., 3rd Mo. Cav.
Mills, A. J., private Co. A., 3rd Mo. Cav.
MeLemore, Patrick, private Co. F., 3rd Mo. Cav.
Means, L. M., (deceased) private Co. F, 9th Texas Cav.
Me Kinzie, Robert, (deceased) private Co. K, 8th Ken. Cav.
Marshall, C. T., private Co. A., Freemans Regiment Mo. Cav.
Neale, B. M., Captain, (deceased) Co. B., Ist Mo. Cav. Owens, Oscar, (deceased) private Co. C., 59th Tenn. Inf.
Oldham, G. W., private Co. G., 16th Mo. Inf.
Poindexter, J. R., (deceased Co. G., 5th Texas M. I. Poindexter, K. F., private Co. A., 3rd Mo. Cav.
Preston, Isaac, (deceased) private Co. 1., 6th Mo. Inf.
Renfro, Lewis, Lieutenant Co. A., 3rd Mo. Cav., Com. Roseman, Joseph, private Co. E., 6th Mo. Inf.
Renfro, J. H., private Co. A., 3rd Mo. Cav.
Ragland, O. S .. Lieut .- Col. (deceased) Brd R. Ga. M. Inf.
Sturdy, J. M., (deceased) private Co. C., 4th Mo. Cav. Sooter, M. J., private Co. C., 4th Mo. Cav.
Shrum. Jacob, private Co. F., Brd Mo. Cav.
Sturdy, Farrell, (deceased) private Co. C. 4th Mo. Cav.
Stephenson, O. J., (deceased) Lieutenant Co. A. 31st D. C.
Spain, Robert, private Co. A., 3rd Mo. Cav.
Thomas, H. B., private Co. A., West's Mo. Bat. Cav. Wilburn, T. J .. private Co. A., 15th N. C., Inf.
Winkle, J. J., (deceased) private Co. F., Brd Mo. Cav. Winkle. Charles, private Co. G., 16th Mo. Inf.
Wills, J. M., Captain, (deceased) Co. 1., 3rd Mo. Cav. Wills, F. A., (deceased) 1st Ser. Co. A, Brd Mo. Cav. White, B. F., private Co. G., 14th Ark. Inf.
Woods, J. C., (deceased) private Co. G., 1st Mo. Cav.
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HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Of the officials, Lewis Renfro has served continuously as Commander since the organization of the Camp ex- eepting one year, 1900, when S. H. Howard was elected Commander. The Camp has had four Adjutants-O. S. Ragland, O. J. Stephenson, Captain B. M. Neale and J. M. Carloek. It has had four Lieutenant Commanders-J. R. Finley. Captain J. M. Wills, F. A. Wills and JJ. R. Jeffreys. It has had six Chaplains-G. W. Oldham, J. M. Sturdy, J. M. Carlock, Patrick MeLemoro, J. B. Fly and 1. L. Blevans. Four surgeons-R. L. Butterworth, Isaac Prest- on, T. L. Brown and H. B. Thomas.
The present membership of the camp is as follows:
Lewis Renfro, Commander.
J. R. Jeffreys, Lieutenant-Commander.
J. M. Carlock, Adjutant.
I. A. Bleavans, Chaplain.
II. B. Thomas, Surgeon.
ES. D. Coble
W. H. Haynes
K. F. Poindexter
A. JJ. Mills
J. R. Finley
J. II. Renfro
Patrick MeLemore
Charles Winkle
Robert Spain
Jacob Shrum
J. M. Sooter
A. J. Olinger
Making 17 members left out of a total enrollment of 80.
The following members have been honored by the state organization:
Captain B. M. Neale was Colonel of the 4th Regiment of the Western Brigade.
Lewis Renfro was his Adjutant. Mr. Renfro held a Lieutenant Colonel's Commission on General Love's Staff and is now Adjutant General of the Missouri Division, C. C. V.
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HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
J. R. Jeffreys holds a Major's Commission on General W. C. Bronough's Staff.
J. HI. Renfro holds a Major's Commission on General W. C. Bronough's Staff.
Miss Annie G. Neale was maid of honor on General T. C. Love's Staff.
Misses Hattie Griggs, Effie Montgomery and Maud Kyle are Maids of Honor on General T. C. Love's Staff.
ODD FELLOWSHIP IN GREENFIELD.
Dade Lodge No. 518, I. O. O. F. was organized Octo- ber 10th, 1895 under a special dispensation from the Grand Master. The Charter was granted by the Grand Lodge on May 21st, 1896. The names of B. B. Crews, W. M. Malone, O. J. Stephenson, C. D. Boisseau, C. D. Templo- man, E. P. Mann and Mack Salling appear on the face of the charter, but C. B. Templeton was never a member and Mack Salling was borrowed from South Greenfield for the purpose of organization. The first night was a big night when the following new members were taken in: I. J. Martin, C. F. Robinson, H. H. Davis, R. C. Thomas, J. W. Hull, Uel Murphy, P. S. Griffith, J. L. Rubenstein, Ed. Frieze, A. N. List and T. S. Brown. The first organi- zation comprised the following officials:
O. J. Stephenson, P. G.
E. P. Mann, N. G.
C. Z. Russell, V. G.
W. M. Malone, Rec. Sec'y.
C. D. Boisseau, Financial Secretary.
T. S. Brown, Chaplain.
Fred Grether, Treasurer.
Phil S. Griffith, Cond.
Uel Murphy, Warden.
B. B. Crews, I. G. Ed. Frieze, O. G.
H. H. Davis, R. S. N. G.
I. J. Martin, L. S. N. G.
C. F. Robinson, R. S. V. G.
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HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
R. C. Thomas, L. S. V. G.
J. W. Hull, R. S. S.
J. L. Rubenstein, L. S. S.
C. Z. Russell, Mason Talbutt and O. J. Stephenson, trustees.
In addition to the above the name of A. D. States appears as a Charter member. Distriet Deputy G. M. Major of Springfield officiated in organizing the lodge.
For a number of years the lodge occupied a rented hall over the hardware store on the north west corner of the square and did good work. The membership increased and the lodge became financially strong.
On the 11th day of April, 1910 a proposition was sub- mitted to the lodge for the purchase of a lot upon which to erect a "Lodge Home." This was the beginning of the move for the present Odd Fellow building.
In order to better prosecute the work, Dade Lodge No. 518 I. O. O. F., was duly incorporated under the laws of the state of Missouri, April 4th, 1911. R. C. Divine, J. W. IIull, J. L. Rubenstein, H. A. Potter and W. E. Montgomery were the incorporators with A. JJ. Young act- ing as attorney for the corporation. By reason of a defect in the title to the lot purchased the building was delayed until a decree could be obtained in the Circuit Court quiet- ing the title.
The contract for the building was let to W. C. Starr, and the work of excavating begun early in the summer of 1911.
On the 10th day of August, 1911 the corner stone was laid by Canton Barton, No. 19, with appropriate cere- monies. The following articles were placed in a metal casket and deposited in the corner stone:
(1) List of members of Dade Lodge, No. 518, I. O. 0. F.
(2) Names of members who contributed to pur- chase of lot.
(3) Copy of By Laws of Lodge.
(4) Copy of constitution of Grand Lodge of Mis- sonri.
ELLEN AMANDA (RIDALL) JOHNSON.
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HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
(5) History of Dade Lodge No. 518 by A. J. Young.
(6) History of Rebekah Lodge No. 239.
(7) Signatures of officers of both lodges.
(8) Signatures of original members who are still
members.
(9) Purposes for which building was erected.
(10) Name of the President of U. S. (W. H. Taft).
(11)
Name of Governor of Missouri. (Herbert S.
Hadley).
(12) Copy of the Holy Bible.
(13) Copy of the Greenfield "Vedette."
(14) Copy of the "Dade County Advocate."
(15) Names of officers of Canton Barton, No. 19.
(16) Name of Grand Secretary.
(17) Name of Commander Militant Patriarchs.
(18) Copy of "Republican-Sentinel" of Lamar, Mo.
(19) History of the Building.
The new building was completed in May, 1912 and was dedicated shortly afterward. The Building Commit- tee was composed of J. L. Rubenstein, R. C. Divine, J. W. Hull, Fred Grether and J. E. Shaw. The Financial Committee-Edwin Harrison, A. B. Wilkerson and F. G. Van Osdell.
The building proper was erected at a cost of ap- proximately $10,000. The furnishings cost perhaps $500 more. The building is a brick structure, 3 stories high and is 44 feet by 98 feet with basement.
The first floor is a double store-room now occupied by Harrison Bros. Furniture Company. The second floor is the lodge room proper, with ante-rooms, halls and a reception room. The third floor is a complete dining room and kitchen.
When the building was completed, Rebekah Lodge No. 239 papered the walls, furnished the dining room and kitchen, furnished the reception room and bought a fine piano for the lodge room.
The officia chairs cost about $250.00 and were donated by the folowing members:
Nobe Grand's chair, J. L. Rubenstein.
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HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
R. S. N. G's. chair, W. O. Underwood.
L. S. N. G's. chair, Phil S. Griffith. Vice Grand's chair, W. R. Bell.
R. S. V. G's. chair, J. G. Sloan.
L. S. V. G's. chair, Ben Carr and R. S. Gregory. Past Grand's chair, A. B. Wilkerson.
Chaplain's chair, C. D. Boisseau.
Conductor's chair, W. E. Montgomery. Warden's chair, N. B. Weir and J. T. Willett.
R. S. S's. chair, J. E. Shaw.
L. S. S's. chair, R. C. Divine.
Canopy, W. C. Starr.
Altar, J. L. Rubenstein.
Chandeler, F. G. Van Osdell.
The lodge has had since its organization 253 members on its roll. Twenty-nine have "crossed over" others have taken withdrawal cards while a few have dropped for N. P. D. The present active membership is about 175. Fol- lowing is a list of the Past Grands:
E. P. Mann
J. E. Shaw
C. D. Boisseau
W. E. Montgomery
Fred Gretcher
R. C. Divine
B. B. Crews
R. S. Ramsey
Mason Talbutt
R. F. Vert
I. J. Martin
R. H. Gregory
J. W. Hull
J. A. Taylor
P. S. Griffith
George F. Hull
J. L. Rubenstein
T. R. Courtney
J. C. Brown
J. E. Hull
Mark Bunker
G. W. Curtis
W. O. Russell
B. F. Starr
A. H. Montgomery
J. M. Mitchell
E. L. Kell
W. R. Bell
A. B. Wilkerson
Bert Shrum
W. H. Toler
S. H. Reed
Z. T. Martin
F. G. Van Osdell
W. O. Underwood
I. A. Wetzel
C. P. Ellis
S. H. Wetzel
J. O. Wasson
J. C. Webb
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HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
Frank Grider
Roy Gregory
H. A. Potter
Tim Gallaspy
A. J. Young
J. N. Scott
J. L. Kilgore
Guy Jones
Frank Hull
G. M. Foster
W. E. Goodnight
Hade Carr
A. B. Ayers
The present officials of the lodge serving from Jan- uary, 1917 are as follows: Roy Gregory, N. G.
W. C. Starr, V. G.
William Scroggs, Rec. Sec'y.
J. W. Hull, Fin. Sec'y.
Hade Carr, Treas.
GREENFIELD REBEKAH LODGE, NO. 239.
Was organized May 19th, 1898 with the following charter members: Mamie Crews, Mary L. Helman, Rose G. Rubenstein, Lottie M. French, Estaria Glascoe, J. M. Pidcock, J. C. Brown, O. J. Stephenson, J. L. Rubenstein, B. B. Crews, S. A. French and Sam Kellogg. It has a present membership of 42 and is in fine working order. Much of the success achieved by Dade Lodge No. 518 is due to the enlivening, entertaining and enthusiastic in- fluences of its Rebekah Auxiliary.
This lodge has lost but two members by death, viz: O. J. Stephenson and J. M. Pidcock. Its present officials are as follows:
N. G., Mary Belle Mitchell.
V. G., Mary Belle Weir. Recording Secretary, Kate Miller.
Fin. Secretary, Mary McMillen.
Treasurer, Mary Scroggs. Warden, Emma Young.
Conductor, Rose G. Rubenstein.
Past Grand, Lizzie Jeffreys. Chaplain, Minnie Belle Van Osdell.
I. G., Lizzie Hull.
O. G., Emma Boisseau.
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HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
R. S. N. G., Sarah Brown.
L. S. N. G., Ruth Carr.
R. S. V. G., Tessie Carr.
L. S. V. G., Susie Gillaspie.
Musician, Hester Hembree.
HISTORY OF GARRETT LODGE NO. 359, A. F. & A. M., AT ARCOLA, MISSOURI.
by Dr. R. M. Crutcher.
Master Masons in the vicinity of White Hare, Cedar County, Mo., met at the masonic hall in White Hare, March 22, A. D. 1870, A. L. 5870, to organize a Masonic lodge under dispensation. Brother H. J. Church, D. D. G. M. was present and called the brethern to order and opened a lodge of Master Masons and called the appointed officers to their stations, viz:
W. C. Montgomery, W. M.
C. G. Snyder, S. W.
S. P. Collins, J. W.
The following brothers were present-J. B. Sellars, W. N. Sellars, James J. Frisbie, Jesse Harris, P. R. Dix and William T. Shaw. Visiting brothers present:
D. W. Roberts, Union Lodge No. 7, Kansas. J. M. Conoway, Stockton Lodge, No. 283, Missouri.
G. W. Murphy, Washington Lodge No. 87, Missouri. W. A. Ackison, Hesperian Lodge, No. 286, Missouri. J. T. Farris, Stockton Lodge, No. 283, Missouri.
The lodge next elected JJ. B. Sellars, treasurer and P. R. Dix, secretary. The worshipful master then appointed W. N. Sellars, S. D., J. J. Frisbie, J. D., D. W. Roberts, S. S., Jesse Harris, J. S., Charles Corprell, Tyler and the fol- lowing committee on finance: J. J. Frisbie, R. C. Ball and Morris W. Mitchell.
The following petitions were received for initiation: B. F. Handley. J. L. Thurman, A. M. Morrison, after which the members of Garrett Lodge, U. D., met in special committee for the purpose of organizing under a charter
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HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
at Masonic Hall, White Hare, Mo., October 26th, A. D., 1870, A. L. 5870. The charter granted by the Grand Lodge of Missouri was read and the lodge proceeded to the elect the following officers: W. C. Montgomery, W. M., C. G. Snyder, S. W., S. P. Collins, J. W., J. B. Sellars, Treasurer; J. L. Thurman, secretary and the following officers were appointed :
P. R. Dix, S. D .; J. J. Frisbie, J. D .; W. N. Sellars, Tyler; and the following finance committee: James J. Frisbie, Morris W. Mitchell and John Dale. John C. Har- ris, chaplain.
Garrett Lodge, No. 359 continued at White Hare, Cedar County and was very prosperous both fraternally and financially, having money loaned out, until Jerico Springs decided to organize a lodge of Masons, when a number of brethern demitted from it to help organize at Jerico about April 10th, 1884, when Washington Lodge, No. 87 at Greenfield and Melville Lodge, No. 458 at Dade- ville, were asked for a waiver of jurisdiction that Gar- rett Lodge might be removed from White Hare, Cedar County, to Arcola, Dade County, a distance of five miles. The waiver was granted and the Grand Lodge permitted the removal.
On the 24th day of July, 1884, a Special Grand Lodge of Missouri met at Arcola, Missouri, to dedicate the new hall of Garrett Lodge. D. D. G. M. Seymour Hoyt opened the Grand Lodge with the following officers present:
Seymour Hoyt, W. M .; J. F. Boston, Deputy; Alfred Kennedy, S. W .; T. J. Van Osdell, J. W .; J. R. Clark, Secretary; W. Kennedy, Treasurer; R. M. Crutcher, S. D .; R. A. Church, J. D .; T. P. Calfee, Tyler,; Thomas Toney, Chaplain.
Seymour Hoyt then read his commission from Lee A. Hall, G. M., and proceeded to dedicate the hall, after which he made a pleasing address, urging the brethern to be faithful and gave valuable instruction in Masonry. He was followed by Thomas Toney, J. J. Van Osdell and J. M. Travis. This part of the program was followed by a splendid dinner for everyone present.
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HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
The lodge met the same night and initiated two mem- bers: B. G. Thurman and James H. Martin with the fol- lowing officers in the chairs: Samuel Achord, W. M .; T. J. Travis, S. W .; T. J. Pyle, J. W., A. Harrell, Chaplain; P. H. Hawkins, Secretary; R. M. Crutcher, S. D .; R. A. Church, J. D .; T. J. Underwood, S. S .; John W. Bray, J. S .; T. P. Calfee, Tyler. Others present were: W. N. Sellers, D. Russell, D. W. Edwards, N. S. Noffsinger, J. M. Travis, J. C. Brickey and the following visitors: Seymour Hoyt, W. R. Russell, W. R. Bowles and D. B. Beard.
During the intervening years Garrett Lodge has dis- tributed much charity and made many Masons and is now in a prosperous condition. The present officers are: E. O. Kelley, W. M .; C. W. Cassell, S. W .; G. O. Mitchell, J. W .; J. M. Carson, Treasurer; H. W. Kitsmiller, Secretary; R. M. Crutcher, S. D .; William Price, J. D .; C. M. Camp- bell, S. S .; S. H. McGuire, J. S .; G. H. Maberry, Tyler. Many interesting and pleasing events have transpired since the organization of this lodge as well as many sad ones. Deaths and funerals have been frequent, min- istrations of benevolence and charity have made their calls and amid these dark and gloomy days have been many of sunshine and flowers. Upon the whole, Garrett Lodge has had its special mission to perform in the making of Dade County history and it has seemingly performed that mis- sion well.
Chapter 10 THE TELEPHONE IN DADE COUNTY. by Aaron D. States.
About the time the Greenfield and Northern Railway was constructed between North Greenfield and South Greenfield in the latter part of the eighties, the builder, Thomas A. Miller, saw the importance of having some form of communicating service between the two towns, either telegraph or telephone. IIe decided after some little investigation that the telephone though in its real in- fancy would give the best service, accordingly a circuit was builded between the two towns and the rude instru- ments were installed. Everything worked well until one day it was noised around that the Bell Telephone people had represententatives going over the country investigat- ing the various independent lines in respect to infringe- ments on their rights of patent. It was not very long thereafter until the line between the two towns was use- less on account of the taking of parts of the instrument upon which infringements were claimed, therefore, Green- field was without any nature of telephone service for a few years thereafter.
The late Captain W. S. Wheeler, Honorable Edgar P. Mann, et al, decided that Greenfield and Lockwood should be connected by telephone. They constructed the line and bought the best instruments obtainable. They were aided by Lockwood people. Among them the pioneer telephone man of the entire Lockwood district, was D. C. Clark. This was at the very close of the eighties and the first year of the nineties, when this line was erected and put into use. The Greenfield telephone was placed in the law office of Mann & Talbutt and remained there until the line was purchased by Aaron D. States. Everybody thought this line was a wonder and it was surely a revela-
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HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
tion to all the people. This was really the first long dis- tance telephone line erected in the country. There were other lines erected from Lockwood to Ernest, Arcola, Cedarville, Golden City and Stockton about the same years. Lockwood soon became a telephone center and remained so for a long time. It is yet known for its complete exchange under the control of that veteran tele- phone man, Mr. Clark, who has stood at the front of the telephone development all these years. His devotion to Lockwood and the Lockwood territory is a matter of history.
Late in the year 1893 James M. Taylor and Isaac Evans of Aldrich decided to embark in the telephone business to some extent. They first built a line from their town to Fairplay. When this line was completed and tested they decided to build another line to Bona and Dadeville. When they completed the line to these Dade County towns, they made arrangements to extend the line into Greenfield. This was during the year, 1894. After the line was finished into Greenfield, using common Series Telephones requiring a metalic circuit, being some- time before the advent of Bridged Telephones, a per- manent home was arranged in the Delmonico hotel for the Greenfield instrument under the care of Uel Murphy, there was a long distance instrument placed at Rest-a- while, the Greenfield home of Mr. States, the first long distance telephone ever installed in a Dade County home.
Soon after this the next year, Mr. States purchased the Taylor-Evans interests in Greenfield and Dade County and began the construction of a line to South Greenfield. Soon after this he purchased the Lockwood-Greenfield line and the line from Lockwood to Golden City, con- necting the two at Lockwood and running them to a com- mon center at Greenfield, thus directly connecting Golden City, Lockwood, South Greenfield, Dadeville and Bona with Greenfield central.
Mr. States set to work at once to get a Sprinfield connection. He aranged and built the line from Everton to Ash Grove and from Ash Grove on to Springfield. The
ABSALOM RENFROW AND WIFE.
First Cirenit Conrt and County Court Held Here in 1840.
+ + +
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HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
honorable F. M. Stockard, of Republic, the late Thomas Yakely, of Yakely Chapel, and the late William E. Drumm, of Bios d'Arc assisting. It was completed to Springfield during the year 1900 and the first office in that city was at the Hinton Drug Store on College street. This was the first long distance line from the west to enter Springfield. It preceded the Bell a little over a year. In the meantime Mr. States had installed a cir- cuit in Greenfield that gave service to fifteen homes and business places in the town. After the construction of so many lines with the Greenfield offices, he decided that it was necessary to install a switch board.
A fifty-drop capacity board was ordered and in due time installed. When the switch-board was installed there were about twenty-four Greenfield patrons including the business houses. This with the long lines made the Greenfield central look like a sure enough telephone ex- change. Mrs. States was the first operator and she held that position for a number of years, thoroughly looking after the entire home business while Mr. States was building other lines. Her good work is remembered by every old telephone user in Dade county. At first the ex- change patrons did not use their telephone as they should, sometimes they would walk to their grocer and order their needs, instead of telephoning him their wants, but they did not fail to call up some friend in some nearby town and have a friendly chat every night. And they did not fail to chat with their friends and neighbors. The idea of using the telephone for business was slow in plac- ing its force upon the people. A great many considered it a luxury while others considered it a sort of play thing, just to amuse and drive away monotony.
Soon after the first switchboard was installed in Greenfield, a line was constructed to Corry and Seybert. The Bridged telephone was then being introduced re- quiring only a single wire instead of a circuit. The cir- cuit lines were soon discarded and the Bridged telephones were used extensively. The first Bridged telephone ever placed in Dade county is still giving most excellent serv-
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HISTORY OF DADE COUNTY AND ITS PEOPLE
ice at the cabin home of Mr. States. He recently stood in his home and talked to St. Louis and the patron at the other end asked Mr. States to not talk so loud. This tele- phone has been in use twenty-one years.
The telephone business remained almost exclusively in the control of Mr. States in Greenfield and many parts of Dade county until the early spring of 1903, at which time a number of local men induced him to form a tele- phone corporation known as the Aaron D. States Tele- phone Company. The new corporation was completed in a short time. Mr. States was made president, he having held the largest amount of stock. The new company as- sembled the Arcola-Stockton and immediate telephone in- terests and connected them with the Greenfield central. A new switchboard was installed, the lines greatly im- proved and the service was considered most excellent. The company purchased a lot and building which they used to further their business interests. This company held the fort for a little over a year, then Mr. States left the company which afterwards sold the interests to a gentleman by the name of McCombs, who operated the exchange in a very acceptable manner. In the mean time, the long lines were disposed of, they being considered unprofitable and more attention was given to town serv- ice. Only one or two of the original long lines still re- mained in the Greenfield Central. Mr. McCombs sold his interest to the present owner, Mr. Watson, who is giving the patrons as good service as their patronage demands. He is a very careful and efficient telephone man and he is building the Greenfield exchange every day.
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