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Pemiscot County Historical Society, 707 W 13th Street, Caruthersville, MO (2026)

06/20/2026

History of the First Baptist Church, Caruthersville, Missouri (Compiled in the mid-1990s)

The First Missionary Baptist Church, Caruthersville, was organized on February 14, 1887, with 16 charter members. G. W. Bradley was elected as church clerk, N. B. Graves as moderator, and J. R. Carroll and R. M. Harris as deacons. Rev. N. B. Graves was elected to be the first pastor of the church. The population of Caruthersville was around 600 people at this time.

On December 8, 1897, Elder I. R. M. Beeson of Holt County, Missouri, held a 10-day meeting at the Methodist Church for the Baptists of Caruthersville, and 10 people were added to the church roll. On May 4, 1898, a business session was held during another week-long meeting. This meeting was also held by Rev. Beeson, and at this business meeting, the church elected trustees and also compiled Articles of Faith and Order, and they adopted the rules as set forth in Pendleton's Manual. J. R. Carroll, G. W. Bradley, J. D. Tinsley, and S. P. Reynolds were elected as the first trustees of the church. The name of C. L. Mitchell was added to those above, and these were authorized to secure a house of worship for the church. Four were added to the church during the revival.

For some time, the church held its meetings in a vacant room in the rear of the Bank of Caruthersville buildng. One of the most active members in this infant congregation was W. E. Tally, president of this institution. J. E. Franklin of St. Louis, with whom Mr. Tally was associated, donated to the church a lot for a building site. The lot was later sold and the ground where the church now stands on 8th and Ward was secured from Mr. Tally. On June 29, 1902, the new brick building, the first unit of the present house of worship, was ready to be dedicated. The sermon was preached by the much loved and honored J. N. Hall of Fulton, KY. In stepping off the boat on the Missouri shore of the Mississippi River, Elder Hall ran a nail in his foot. So painful was the injury, he was borne into the church on a rocking chair, from which pulpit he preached such a sermon upon the subject "God's Name" that for many years, the eyes grew misty and voices would break as the "old timers" told about it.

By 1900, the church had 35 members on the roll and by 1906, through a series of revivals and other spiritual movements that number had risen to some 140 attendees. By 1902, Brother Allen was pastor of the church and the new building had been constructed. At the resignation of Brother Allen in 1903, Rev. Blaylock of Kennett was called to be supply pastor until the church should call another. On June 22 of that year, Rev. T. J. Duvall was called to be the pastor of the church, which he accepted. The envelope system was adopted by the church at the same business session, by which means they hoped to raise the pastor's salary and additional money for missions.

On May 16, 1904, a great revival was held in the church under the leadership of Rev. Dew, state evangelist in Missouri. Forty accepted Christ as their Saviour, 16 of these coming into the church for membership and baptism, and in the same month, Rev. Duvall resigned as the pastor of the church. In July of that year, Rev. J. O. Willett of New Mexico was called to be pastor of the church at an annual salary of $900.00.d
In 1904, the following statistics reveal the actual condition of the church at that time: Total membership, 102; Sunday School enrollment, 136, with an average attendance for the year of 68; Total amount raised by the church as finances for the year, $1370.09. During the years 1904-1906, 3 members of the church were refused the hand of fellowship for unchristian conduct, and the total membership of the church decreased somewhat.

By 1918, Brother Setzer was pastor of the church, and on November 24 of that year, a great revival was held in the church in which 47 were added to the church roll, 44 by profession of faith and 3 by letters. Brother Paul Montgomery was evangelist for the revival. In addition, by that time, the church had a B. Y. P. U., with Miss Nellie Lee Dorroh as leader. W. M. Setzer resigned as pastor, effective September 1, 1920, and sometime after that Rev. D. K. Foster was called to pastor. Through the years, the membership of the church increased under the leadership of Brother Foster, so that, by the year 1925, the membership as reported in the minutes of the church, was 661, and by the year 1926,it had increased to 800. The total expenditures that year had also increased, to the sum of $11,643.71. The Sunday School attendance for the year 1925-1926 averaged 352.

Around 1925, a single Missionary Society was organized. The Women's work developed into a full W. M. U., carrying forward a full missionary program of the denomination. A group had stood by through the years and at one time was known as the Ladies' Aid Society. Through this association, the Lottie Moon, the Annie Armstrong, and the State Mission programs are all emphasized.

In the following years, the church had its ups and downs under the leadership of Rev. D. K. Foster, some years showing great additions and great growth and at other times showing the reverse. By 1930, the total church membership stood at 772, with total additions for the year before being 53, and losses by letters and deaths being 29. The total church budget was $8,172.81.

By 1941, the total church membership stood at 686, and the following years, a little upsurge was noted, with 727 being shown on the church roll by August of 1943. Of course, this was during the World War II years and many of the young men and boys of the church had gone into different branches of the armed services.

On October 7, 1945, President Harry S Truman came to Caruthersville and attended the American Legion Fair and spoke to an estimated crowd of 70,000. He didn't want this trip to be any different than the others in the 12 years he had attended the fair. He was so closely guarded, though, he couldn't do all the things that he had done in the previous years. Nevertheless, he said he had a wonderful time and wouldn't have missed it for anything. President Truman attended services at First Baptist Church, accompanied by Gov. Phil Donnelly and Senator Frank Briggs. They heard a sermon preached by the pastor, the Rev. D. K. Foster, longtime personal friend of the President. The pastor's subject was "The Broken Vessel Mended". The dinner at Sunday noon was President Truman's favorite menu served by the ladies from the Baptist, Methodist, and Presbyterian churches at the Majestic Hotel.

A new pastor was called to the church in April, 1945, Rev. Vernon Sisco. Upon his coming, the church experienced a tremendous period of growth, and attempts were put into progress to undertake a building program and more space for the church. This attempt did not succeed, but during the years which followed, a mission was started on the west side of town, which grew into a substantial small body of worshipers. In addition, during the 7 years Brother Sisco was pastor of the church, more than 700 members were added to the church by letter and baptism. Mr. Earnest Felts was hired as choir director of the church, and a part-time secretary was hired. Rev. Sisco resigned as pastor of the church in October, 1952, and for the interim between 1952 through May 1953, Brother Zbinden faithfully discharged his duties, and, although a man advanced in years, managed to unite the membership to a great degree under his leadership.

Dr. S. G. Shepard, called by the church in March 1953, became pastor effective June 1, 1953. From that time until June 1, 1954, the church had 250 additions by letter and by baptism, and for that period the church was able to raise $42,000.00 for all causes. Under Dr. Shepard, the mission on the west side of town became a church named Second Baptist Church, now Temple Baptist Church. All ground work was laid for remodeling the sanctuary and more than half of the money was collected under the leadership of Brother Guy Magee. The people went out by twos and tried to contact every person on the church roll. The church bookkeeping system was updated during the time Brother Magee was pastor.

Rev. Howard Ray was called to pastor in 1959 and was to stay until 1967. Under the leadership of Brother Ray, the sanctuary was completely remodeled and the new education building, housing Sunday School classes from Nursery through Primary was completed in 1963. A new parsonage was built in 1964 and a parking area was made where the old parsonage stood.

In 1969, the remaining portion of the church was completely air conditioned during the time Rev. Harold Wilder was pastor. He served as pastor from 1968 until 1973.

In December 1973, Rev. Ira Singleton was called as pastor and moved on the field in 1974. More than $22,000 was given in 1974 to all mission causes. Membership was 1021 in 1975.

In 1976, the sanctuary was redecorated and a new organ was given as a memorial. In 1977, the dining room was redecorated and in 1979, there was additional remodeling of buildings and a new chapel. The third floor was remodeled for youth activities. In 1974, the 24-hour Dial-a-Devotion, given by Brother Singleton, was started, and in 1980, a new bus was purchased.

Rev. Ron King was called to pastor in 1989. A new roof was placed on the sanctuary at the beginning of his ministry. The J. F. Patterson Scholarship was also started. In 1990, a TV ministry began and the property on the corner of 8th and Walker was acquired. In 1991, the new flagpole was dedicated, and in 1992, the roof was replaced on the children's building.

Dr. James Pinkerton came as pastor in 1994. New front doors to the church were purchased and installed as a memorial. The stained glass over the doors was also given as a memorial. A new grand piano was purchased. In the fall of 1996, a tent revival was held across the street from First Baptist Church. All of the churches in the association were involved in this revival and it was a great success.

A paragraph from a copy of the "Word and Way" published December 28, 1933 had a wonderful message. It reads as follows: "From it's birth until now, the Caruthersville church has been gripped by the missionary spirit, finding at its door an ever-growing number of unevangelized people, pouring into this section of reclaimed farmlands, as rich as the valley of the Nile. The challenge on Associational missions was heroically met, and the church has never made up an annual budget that did not include all the denominational causes. Rejoicing in the victories of the past, she faces a future unafraid, a future that is "as bright as the promises of God."

06/19/2026

Frisco Park -From Clayton’s Comments

Frisco Park was located where City Hall now sits. It was in close proximity to the Frisco train station. This article provides some commentary about the it, along with showing a photo of the “Come Again” that crossed 3rd Street at the park.

06/16/2026

From June 18, 1970 ( a slow news week)

Triangle Girl Scout Day Camp was held on the McClanahan farm south of Caruthersville, where approximately 106 Girl Scouts and Brownies participated in the annual event. The theme for 1970 was "Aim for the Stars". Caruthersville, Hayti, Steele, Holland, and Cooter Girl Scouts are represented at the camp. In this photo, several scouts are being shown how to fold and fly Ole Glory.

Winning her weight in Kroger meat Made Mrs. Mable Butler happy. Cecil Dunnam, local Kroger manager, discussed the total number of pounds Mrs. Butler won in the recent giveaway, but Mrs. Butler said "I won several pounds of meat", rather than give the number of pounds.

Mr. and Mrs. Felix Bullington of Route 1, Caruthersville were informed that their son, Berl M. Bullington, was promoted to sergeant. Sgt. Bullington was serving in the 51st Infantry just below Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam, as clerk typist.

From Clayton's Comments - "The largest hens egg I have ever seen was brought to the Pem. Pub. Co. office recently by Patricia, Danny and Luther Sanders, children of Mr. and Mrs. Ed Sanders, who live on the Howard Fike farm near McCarty. Danny, holding the egg (It is difficult to see.) said it was four inches long and three inches across. The shell on the egg was soft."

In a bit of a cautionary tale that is even more true today, Pemiscot Publishing Company featured an add showing the grave of "The Mind of John Doe, who at age 30 stopped thinking". It said: "By the time he was 30, he realized to get things done and to really get somewhere, he had to keep up with what was going on around him, and to act. His first fault was that he did not keep up with what was going on around him.

He did not worry about actions the city council took because he could do nothing about it, and besides, it was not his worry. He did not know about the local recreation programs and baseball league and so his son missed playing on a team. He did not think, because he did not know what to think about.

Don't let your mind die at age 30. Read the Pemiscot Journal and Democrat-Argus and keep up with your community and county. Know what is going on. Don't let the world pass by you because you did not know it was going anywhere."

annual event.

06/13/2026

From the Fall, 2022 issue:

The Visit of the President

(This article was submitted by former resident Richard Richardson, who grew up in Caruthersville and is the son of J.J. and Fern Richardson. He graduated from CHS in 1953 and was an Eagle Scout in Troop 41. Nominated for a Rotary International fellowship by the Caruthersville Rotary Club, he studied at the University of Dublin, Ireland (Trinity College). He graduated from Tulane University with an MLA 91963) and Ph.D. (1967) He retired from the University of North Carolina as Provost and Vice-chancellor in 2000.)

“The Visit of the President” has been previously published in “Voices: A Literary Journal” and Mr. Richardson holds all copyrights.

I saw the President of the United States once. Up real close. But it happened during one of the most embarrassing moments of my life.

President Harry Truman came back to our little county fair in 1945. He had been there before as our United States Senator, but no one expected him to return after his sudden move to the presidency. But he did. Just as ordinary as you please. Guess he figured that if southeast Missouri was good enough for a senator, it was good enough for a president.

I was nine years old and mother allowed me and my five-year-old sister Ann to miss church on Sunday morning and go to the grandstand so that we could get a front row seat for the President’s speech at one o’clock. She packed us a lunch of chicken and fried peach pies and lemonade and we headed to the county fairgrounds by 8:00 a.m.
This was before television and most people had never seen a President except in newsreels. So they poured in from three states – Arkansas, Tennessee, and Missouri. By 11:00 the place was packed with 70 thousand cotton farmers and pig breeders, housewives, implement dealers, and business folks. They pressed us against the railing next to the race tracks.

Although it was October, it was hot. Ann and I devoured our lunch by ten o’clock and she drank all the lemonade. By noon, we could hardly move in our seats because of the pressure from the crowd. Excitement about seeing the President was everywhere.

The military band from the air force base arrived at noon and set up in front of us on the racetrack. Security police were all around the track. In the distance we saw convertibles and local dignitaries, shaved and bathed, and ready to meet the President.

Suddenly, Ann had to go to the bathroom. Too much lemonade. Had she chosen the last Judgment Day it would not have been any more inappropriate. But little girls who have to go to the bathroom don’t care about the time. Or the fact that you can’t stand up or move because all of the aisles are filled. Oh no. They just start crying. And expecting big brothers to do something at the very time the President of the United States is coming around the racetrack in the white convertible. I patted her hand. I admonished her to courage. I held her in my lap. I threatened her life.

The President’s car was at the three-quarter pole. The band began to play. Ann cried harder. For a moment, I forgot about her and realized I was about to see Missouri’s only President.

Then, there he was, right across the racetrack in front of me on the makeshift platform. Funny little glasses. Big smile. Looked like the guy who worked down at Kingsbury Hardware Store. Mr. Ahern, President of the American Legion, said “Ladies and Gentlemen, the President of the United States.”

I then realized Ann was gone. Not on my lap. Not on my left or right. The wild applause was dying down. The President was beginning to speak.

Then I saw her. She had slipped under the railing and was down on the racetrack beside the bass drum. Panties down. Going to the bathroom. In front of the President of the United States.

I wanted to disappear. Or die. The very least I wanted to do was to shout to everyone that I was an only child.

Later that night, Dad assured me that President Truman would have understood if he saw her. He had a daughter named Margaret and must have known the perverse ways of little girls. I had my doubts. Even if Harry Truman understood, what about the Air Force guy who played the bass drum? Did HE understand?

06/12/2026

In January of 1962, the Caruthersville City Council discussed bringing a new industry to town - the Colson Corporation. The decision was made by the corporation in 1961 to move their Ohio plant, and after reviewing cities within 100 miles or so of their Jonesboro location, it was boiled down to Cape Girardeau and Caruthersville. The enthusiasm and hard work of local citizens, businessmen, and the Chamber of Commerce influenced their final decision to locate here.

The biggest obstacle at first was finding a location to build the factory, and the recently closed Chris-Craft property was inspected but wouldn't work. A bond issue was put on the ballot by the city and only nine residents voted against the measure. After this, it was decided that a 160 x 400 concrete and steel building would be built on the relatively new "by-pass" - Fair Boulevard. It began with 75 employees but grew to several hundred in later years.

Begun in 1902 in Elyria, Ohio, and eventually with four plants across the United States, Colson manufactured industrial, institutional, and commercial wheeled equipment.

A "Colson Day" was held on November 9, 1962 to welcome the industry to town, in conjunction with the birthday of Sterling Price Reynolds, one of Pemiscot County's oldest citizens, and Governor John M. Dalton, of Kennett.

The factory closed in 1993, and the Grizzly Jig Company now occupies the building.

06/09/2026

From June 11, 1970

The big question over the past few weeks was "When is the street work going to start again?"A company from Cape received a new contract after work on the west side of town had stalled earlier. Mayor Bill Inman said work would resume soon.

These four local young men, Brian Murphy, Tommy Hill, Richard Taylor and Van White, attended Boys State at Missouri Central State College in Warrensburg, MO. The event was sponsored since 1938 by the American Legion of Missouri and American Legion Post 88 sponsored this group.

James Ahern, only the second Recorder of Deeds for Pemiscot County, announced he would retire after serving seven terms and 28 years. The first Recorder of Deeds was John W Green who started this position in 1900. (Prior to that, the office was handled by the Circuit Clerk and an ex-officio recorder.) Green served for about 42 years when Ahern took over the office. Ahern was also a top official with the American Legion Fair committee for many years.

The new "bull", stationed in the front of the new Chaparral Restaurant on Highway 84, was installed by David Lowery.

"My, aren't these interesting!" may be what Floyd Barnhart and "Peck" Hayden are saying as they look over the "Hobby of the Month" displayed in the lobby of the First State Bank. It was a collection of paperweights owned by Mrs. Harry Baker. The "Hobby of the Month" was an Missouri Community Betterment committee project.

06/06/2026

From the December 3, 1948 issue of The Democrat-Argus

New Telephone Directory is Sizeable; Job/Classified Section Almost Doubles Number of Pages; Being Distributed

From “Abernathy” to “Zarecor”, a wide range of names is presented in the new directory of the Southeast Missouri Telephone Company, which was delivered from the commercial printing department of the Democrat-Argus early this week to the offices of the company in Cape Girardeau. In between the two are printed some 1665 or so names of individuals or firms which make up the more than 10 ½ pages of solid listings, all arranged in absolute alphabetical order, as checked both by this office and the management at the local telephone company.

With Caruthersville’s listings are also those of Hayti, ranging from “Alexander” to “Yates” and including a total of 378 names of people and firms. These require nearly 5 ½ pages, so that the total comprises 20 pages of “numbers”, along with the explanations of service, instructions, etc. and the four cover pages, one of which sets out rates of long distance charges to various points.

These do not take into account the classified section or “Yellow Pages” - 36 in number - which in recent years have come to mean a great deal to business houses, to the telephone company and to people using the directory, especially those who may not be entirely familiar with local firms. In these, every kind of business or profession established in the city at the time the directory was prepared is listed under its proper classification, so that if a stranger wishes to find a bank or a beauty shop, a drayman or a dentist, all he has to do is trace it down in the middle yellow section. Many of these concerns, in addition to listing their places and professions, carry advertisements concerning their services or sales, so that around 120 of these announcements are included in sizes ranging from an inch in depth to an entire page. The classified section applies only to this city, however; advertising for Hayti firms appearing along with the listing of their numbers, around a dozen of these advertisements.

In the way of familiar, time-approved, good old Anglo-Saxon names, that of “Johnson” leads in the Caruthersville directory, of total of 18 homes or businesses with a Johnson for good measure. Next most numerous seems to be the “Smith” tribe, of which there are 14. Then comes the “Browns”, with 10 (and one “Brownie”); the Taylors number 9 and the Watkins 8, with the variation to Watson numbering 3. There are 8 Neeleys and 4 Neelys, the Allens and Bakers have 5 each, the Jones family has six representatives, and there are 6 Martins. There are 5 Moore listings, and 6 for the Pierces, 4 named Phillips, while there are 3 Roberts, 6 Robertsons, and 2 Robinsons. The Thompsons are 6 in number (with 2 Thomassons), while the Williamses and Wilsons vie for supremacy with 5 and 6 respectively. Also there are 4 Wrights and 4 Youngs, with one Younger thrown in.

Among names identified more of less closely with past Caruthersville history (or names peculiar to this community): 9 Bairds are listed, homes or businesses, 7 Bennetts, 6 Cunninghams, 8 Nelsons, 7 Sawyers, 6 VanAusdalls, 8 Wards (and one Ward-Coppage), and most numerous of all is the 10 Wilks listings. There are 6 firms whose titles begin with “City” (such as barber shops, etc.) and the City proper lists 7 departments – while the county accounts for double this number.

Attesting the Scotch or Irish or perhaps the Scotch-Irish origin of many people, there are 32 listings beginning with “Mc” ranging from “-Adams” to “-Ternan”. On the other hand, there are no “O” handles at all and indeed only 4 names come under the O division, typing with the Us and the smallest of any excepting the Z category. Of course X is omitted altogether.

Some years ago, the SeMo company issued its directories about mid-year, later lengthening the date to October. This year, the company had planned to put them out about the same time, but due to circumstances they could not control, had to delay the issue to November. With so tedious and exacting a piece of work and the great amount of labor connected to it, the printers barely came in under the wire with delivery to the company, making it run a day or so into December before distribution to the “customers” could be effected. Shipment is made to headquarters in Cape Girardeau and they are distributed by mail to subscribers in the two cities.

The job was greater and more exciting than ever before, owing, in part at least, to the large increase in subscribers within the area, and also in part to the fact that for the first time, the Hayti section adds the addresses of the persons and firms listed. Since city mail delivery recently has been instituted there, this was desirable, and of course it has been done in Caruthersville for a great many years.

06/05/2026

In the 1970s, building a pyramid was easy if you are in the fourth grade and do it in P.E. These students in Mrs. Margaret Williams room at Westside School, performed this trick for Mrs. Gail Speight, P.E. instructor, with ease. They are (top) Debra Smith, (Middle left) John Eledge, (Middle right) Cathy Boyd, and Bottom row (left to right) Tanya Hall, Phyllis Hankins, and Terry Webster.

A Ten-Man Pyramid? The Girls probably wouldn't agree. The students are: (Top ) Tina McCoy, Second row (left to right) Lisa Johnson and Linda Lynn. Third row (left to right) Mike Cole, Willie Pettigrew, and Johnny Reno. Bottom (left to right) Jeffrey Oatsvall, Kenny Clayton, Teddy Hite, and Lane Williams.

Couldn't make a bigger one, though. This group tried to make a 15 boy-girl pyramid, but couldn't quite make it. They did do a fine job on the ten man-sized one, though. The kids are (Top) Kimmy Hill, Second row (left to right) Jackie Grooms and Patricia Isom. Third row (left to right) Eugene Cecil, Robin Parker, and Howard Hayes.
Bottom row (left to right) John L. Timothy, Jeffrey Wimberley, George Pierce, and David Hudgins.

06/02/2026

From June 4, 1970

The "good old days" came back to Caruthersville when the Bootheel Antique Car Klub held its eighth annual Trade and Trophy Days meet. Mayor Bill Inman was caught enjoying a ride in Glenn Petersen's sharp Model A. Ford at the fairgrounds. Approximately 89 antique cars were entered in the competition for trophies and honors.

"Pass the Gravy, Boys", says Danny Thomas (left) as he and Glenn Petersen eat breakfast with BACK members and visitors of the Trade and Trophy Days early Sunday morning. The breakfast for the antique car buffs is held each year in Jake Lattimer's clubhouse on South Ward, where the car club meets each month. Serving began about 5:15 a.m. and continued til around 8 o'clock, with Jake, Dallas Lattimer, Ed Adams, Danny Thomas, and Floyd Smith doing the cooking. All the ham, eggs, biscuits, and gravy that visitors could eat were served. Over 50 car owners went out to eat an early breakfast and talk about their old cars.

From Clayton's Comments - "That Ain't the way we used to do it", some of the older men will say when they see the guys loading hay on a big trailer truck. Taken at the field at Fair Blvd. and 84, the boys were cutting, baling, and loading hay. Used to, the bales were thrown up on the trailer by hand, but now the loader is hooked onto the trailer and is pulled through the field by the truck. As a bale of scooped up by the loader, it is raised up to the top of the trailer, where the men working on the trailer take it off the loader and stack it. It sure is a lot easier this way.

Westhaven merchants help St. Jude by presenting Mrs. Margaret Mayo with a check for $80.00. The money will go to the Memphis children's hospital for research in the field of leukemia. Presenting the check to Mrs. Mayo, the local chairman for the hospital are (from Left) Ronald Holland, Sears manager, Bud Morgan, IGA manager, and Major Schoenbrun, Magic Mart manager.

A young baseball player sells soap to Mayor Bill Inman to help pay the expenses of the Youth Baseball program in the city this summer. The soap concentrate, Drex, sells for $2.00 and has a number of uses. All youth baseball players have the product and will be selling it for the next few weeks. Charles Hemenway, left, watches as Scott Waddell tries out his sales pitch on Mayor Inman.

This bus had been purchased by the Kinfolks Ridge Baptist Church by interested farmers and businessmen. The bus was dedicated on June 7th, and approximately 60 people promised to go to the church on the bus. The pastor is Rev. Alvin McGill, and chairman of the bus fund is Mrs. Margaret Mayo.

05/30/2026

An editorial from the Pemiscot Journal, December 13, 1977 regarding the old Roberts house near the seawall. Citizens wanted to save the home from demolition for a possible museum or venue for weddings and occasions, but it was not to be.

"The haste with which Caruthersville Mayor B. F. Rogers is showing to destroy the historical Roberts home near the seawall is typical of several projects he has undertaken. Why would Mayor Rogers sneak this project through the city council with no previous notice? Why is he in such a hurry to get the old house torn down? Why did he try to keep the matter a secret from the taxpayers and residents of Caruthersville?

What will it hurt to wait a few days before tearing the house down? If the administration would give the community a few days to try to work up support for restoring the home, perhaps one of the few remaining landmarks in town could be saved. The people have not had a chance to save the house, which was built in 1900.

Mayor Rogers actually believes that he is the only person in town who can make a decision regarding city business. He has never accepted the face that he is elected by the people to represent them, not dictate to them. He is obligated to lay the facts of a problem out before the people before a decision is made. He has no right to make decisions without even the approval of the city council, as he often does.

The mayor said, regarding the purchase of the Roberts home, "I don't want 45 old women from the Historical Society up here complaining", so he kept the entire matter from the people of Caruthersville until he asked the council to pay $26,000 for the property.

Is the price of property, after the home has been torn down,, worth $26,000? Mayor Rogers told the council that the land was almost two acres large. We have been told that there is only a little over an acre in the area the city bought. If that is the case, the city paid almost $26,000 for a little over an acre of land, high even by big city prices.

The land is no good for retail development, nor is it desirable for residential development. So why would the mayor pay such a high price for an empty piece of land? (With the house the land is worth the $26,000. Without it, it is only a little over an acre of land and nothing more.)

"The city can save enough in rent and theft prevention to pay for this property in ten years," the mayor said. The city currently pays $125 a month for rent on the garage used the city equipment repair. Over a period of ten years, the saving in rent would add up to $15,000. That means the mayor expects $11,000 in thefts to pay for the perhaps $7,000 needed to fence the property and to build a maintenance building. The figures just don't work out the way he says they will.

We are not opposed to the city buying a piece of property and building its own maintenance shed. We have been in favor of that for years. We just don't feel things like this should be done in secret, and without enough planning to justify the move.

If you don't feel like the old Roberts Home should be torn down, act now. Call the mayor and your alderman today. If you wait, it will be too late.

(The Roberts house burned to the ground in a spectacular fire in early spring of 1978.)

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