Sweet Springs MO Historical Society

05/16/2026

Thank you to everyone who came out today for the cyclone presentation and 20th anniversary of the museum. Join us Saturday, July 18th at 10 am for a presentation on the Sweet Springs Resort.

05/14/2026

Please join the Sweet Springs Historical Society Museum on May 16th as we celebrate 20 years of preserving history. See a display of memorabilia from the 1995 LaCoMo State All-Star Game. Listen to presentations at 9 am and 1 pm on the history of the 1882 Brownsville Cyclone/Tornado which killed 10 individuals. Cyclone Book sales will also begin on Saturday.

05/11/2026

APRIL 18, 1882. BROWNSVILLE LAID TO WASTE:

Would you like to learn more about the April 18, 1882, tornado/cyclone that destroyed much of the Sweet Springs (Brownsville) downtown? If so, stop by the Sweet Springs Museum 306 S. Miller, this Saturday, May 16, at 9 am or 1 pm. Brenda Hinck will be presenting her research on the businesses that were damaged and the photographs that were taken by W.H. Peter's of the storm damage. If the weather permits, a walking tour of the areas that were destroyed will be available.

This is being presented as part of the 20th anniversary celebration of the Sweet Springs Museum. Please take this opportunity to visit the museum. If you haven't been by in a while, it is worth your time to stop in. Thanks for letting us preserve the history of Sweet Springs and the surrounding communities.

04/30/2026

Sweet Springs Museum Celebrates 20 years with Open House and Cyclone Presentation on May 16th:

The Sweet Springs Museum, 306 S. Miller, is proud to have been preserving the history of Sweet Springs and surrounding communities for the last twenty years. In celebration of our twentieth anniversary, we will be hosting an open house and special presentation at the museum on Saturday, May 16th, 9 am to 2 pm.

Join us at 9 am or 1 pm for a presentation by Brenda Hinck, entitled, “April 18, 1882, Brownsville Cyclone.” This presentation will feature fourteen rarely seen photographs taken by William H. Peters (1847-1905) of the destruction. Maps that show the areas in Brownsville that were damaged will allow you greater insight into the storm damage. Ten individuals lost their lives due to this tragic event. After the presentation, weather permitting, a walking tour of downtown will be offered to help visualize where businesses which received damage were located. A new book on the Brownsville Cyclone will be available for purchase at the museum.

We hope you can join us as we continue the tradition of sharing Sweet Springs history with the community.

04/18/2026

There is still time to attend today. The afternoon session starts at 1 pm. Thank you to everyone who attended this morning. We had a great crowd. Presentation is at 315 S. Miller.

We hope you can attend Sam Blain's presentation tomorrow, April 18 @ either 10 am or 1 pm. It should be very informative. The museum at 306 S. Miller will also be open from 9 am until 1 pm.
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Sweet Springs Historical Society is hosting a special presentation by Sam Blain, Jr., entitled “AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY IN SOUTHWESTERN SALINE COUNTY”, on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 10 AM and 1 PM at 315 S. Miller (North end of Colonnade canopy across from the museum).

Sam Blain, Jr. has extensive knowledge of Saline County. He will be discussing African American cemeteries around Sweet Springs and the arrivals of the first slaves in 1835 to the Fitzpatrick Colony of southwestern Saline County. Also to be covered in the talk, will be the life and descendants of Mrs. Mary Hollins Spriggs (1802-1905), the matriarch of the Freedmen community at Brownsville (Sweet Springs); and the upcoming restoration of the 1872 A.M.E. Church at 236 N. Miller St.

Please plan to join us for what is shaping up to be a very interesting presentation.

04/17/2026

We hope you can attend Sam Blain's presentation tomorrow, April 18 @ either 10 am or 1 pm. It should be very informative. The museum at 306 S. Miller will also be open from 9 am until 1 pm.
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Sweet Springs Historical Society is hosting a special presentation by Sam Blain, Jr., entitled “AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY IN SOUTHWESTERN SALINE COUNTY”, on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 10 AM and 1 PM at 315 S. Miller (North end of Colonnade canopy across from the museum).

Sam Blain, Jr. has extensive knowledge of Saline County. He will be discussing African American cemeteries around Sweet Springs and the arrivals of the first slaves in 1835 to the Fitzpatrick Colony of southwestern Saline County. Also to be covered in the talk, will be the life and descendants of Mrs. Mary Hollins Spriggs (1802-1905), the matriarch of the Freedmen community at Brownsville (Sweet Springs); and the upcoming restoration of the 1872 A.M.E. Church at 236 N. Miller St.

Please plan to join us for what is shaping up to be a very interesting presentation.

04/13/2026

Sweet Springs Historical Society is hosting a special presentation by Sam Blain, Jr., entitled “AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY IN SOUTHWESTERN SALINE COUNTY”, on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 10 AM at 315 S. Miller (North end of Colonnade canopy across from the museum).

Sam Blain, Jr. has extensive knowledge of Saline County. He will be discussing African American cemeteries around Sweet Springs and the arrivals of the first slaves in 1835 to the Fitzpatrick Colony of southwestern Saline County. Also to be covered in the talk, will be the life and descendants of Mrs. Mary Hollins Spriggs (1802-1905), the matriarch of the Freedmen community at Brownsville (Sweet Springs); and the upcoming restoration of the 1872 A.M.E. Church at 236 N. Miller St."

Please plan to join us for what is shaping up to be a very interesting presentation.

04/02/2026

Sweet Springs Historical Society is hosting a special presentation by Sam Blain, Jr., entitled “AFRICAN AMERICAN HISTORY IN SOUTHWESTERN SALINE COUNTY”, on Saturday, April 18, 2026, at 10 AM at 315 S. Miller (North end of Colonnade canopy across from the museum).

Sam Blain, Jr. has extensive knowledge of Saline County. He will be discussing African American cemeteries around Sweet Springs and the arrivals of the first slaves in 1835 to the Fitzpatrick Colony of southwestern Saline County. Also to be covered in the talk, will be the life and descendants of Mrs. Mary Hollins Spriggs (1802-1905), the matriarch of the Freedmen community at Brownsville (Sweet Springs); and the upcoming restoration of the 1872 A.M.E. Church at 236 N. Miller St."

Please plan to join us for what is shaping up to be a very interesting presentation.

03/06/2026

Sam Blain asked that this be posted. If you have any examples of the artist's work or their history, contact Sam Blain.
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Here's my current list (as-is) of ARTISTS AND ARTISANS ACTIVE IN SWEET SPRINGS (fornerly Brownsville), SALINE COUNTY, MISSOURI - Before 1952. Biographical and photograph files have been prepared on each of these.

ADDOR, Louis Gustave (1841-1925) Silversmith, fl.1871-72

*ALDRIDGE, Miss Ada R....See: STEFFENS, Ada R. (Aldridge"

ANDREW, Nathan Farlow (1812-1884) Cabinetmaker, fl.1860s-1884

BABB, James A. (1856-1908) Photographer, fl.1880

BAKER, Roy Edward (1894-1978) Furniture maker, fl.1930s-1978

*BARBOUR & THORNTON Portrait Painters [active in Brownsville and Salt Springs]...See: BARBOUR, A. H.; THORNTON, John Presley
BARBOUR, Mr. A. H...(c1841-n.d.) Portrait Painter, fl.1880s

BARGER, Harry Dean (1919-1993) Photographer, fl.1939 .

BARNES, Mr. _____ (no dates) Portrait Painter, Ornamental Painter, Pastel Artist, fl.1876

BATDORF, Miss Emma (n.d.-n.d.) China painter, fl.1910s, 1919 SSF Exhibition (China Painting - 1st Prize) [had been a teacher at Baptist College for Young Ladies (Stephens College), Columbia, Mo.]

*BEATTY, Mrs. Maria H...See: BEATY, Mrs. Maria H. (McCutcheon).

BEATY, Mrs. Maria H. (McCutcheon) (1849-1927) Painter, fl.1910s, 1919 SSF Exhibition (Oil Painting, "Eddystone Lighthouse" - 1st Prize; Best Collection of Oil Paintings - 2nd Prize)

BECKER, Carolyn (Berry) BISHOP (1930-2015) [ Mrs. Benjamin Bishop (1923-1994); Mrs. Robert Eugene Becker (1924-2013)] Painter, fl.1950-2015

BECKER, Elfred Martin (1920-2006) Furniture maker, fl.1940s-2006

BELLAMY, Mrs. Emma B. (Taliafero) (1860-1940) [Mrs. John Meredith "J.M." Bellamy (1845-1907)] Watercolorist and China Painter, fl.1910s, 1916 SSF Exhibition (Best Collection of Watercolors - 2nd Prize; China Painting - Special Prize)

BELLAMY, Miss Jessie Alice (1887-1960) Watercolorist, fl.1910s, [daughter of Bradford Taylor Bellamy (1848-1923) and May V. (Tuthill) Bellamy (1860-1944)] 1912 SSF Exhibition (Watercolor Painting - 1st Prize), 1916 SSF Exhibition (Collection of Watercolors - 1st Prize; Watercolor Painting - 2nd Prize), 1917 SSF Exhibition (Watercolor Painting - 1st Prize, Watercolor Collection - 1st Prize), 1921 SSF Exhibition (Watercolor Painting - 1st and 2nd Prizes; Collection of Watercolor Paintings - 1st Prize)

*BERRY, Miss Carolyn...See: BECKER, Carolyn (Berry) BISHOP

*BINKLEY, Miss Gem Lenora...See: MYERS, Gem Lenora (Binkley)

*BISHOP, Carolyn (Berry)...See: BECKER, Carolyn (Berry) BISHOP

BOWMAN, Glenn Tracy (1894-1936) Photographer, fl.c1914-n.d.

BRIGGS, Edna Della (Wheeland) (1892-1957) Painter, fl.1920s-1940s

BUCK, Miss Cricket (n.d.-n.d.) Figurative Painter, fl.1877, 1877 BTF Exhibition (Oil Painting, Figure Piece)

COULTER, Wilber Terrell (1902-1971) [son of James Finley Coulter (1867-1947) and Sarah Jane (Terrell) Coulter (1872-1961)] Mapmaker. fl.1910s, 1912 SSF Exhibition (Maps - 1st Prize), 1916 SSF Exhibition (Maps -1st Prize)

COX, Capt. William Bush (or Boush) "W.B." (1836-1882) Portrait and landscapr painter, fl.1870s-1882, 1877 BTF Exhibition (Fine display of Crayon Drawings),1878 BTF Exhibition (Oil Painting, Landscape - 1st Prize; Oil Painting - Figure piece; Best Collection of Oil Paintings painted by one person; Crayon Drawing other than portrait), 1879 BCF Exhibition (Oil Painting - Landscape - 1st Prize; Oil Painting - Figure Piece - 1st Prize; Best Collection, Oil Paintings - 1st Prize; Crayon Drawing - 1st Prize), 1880 BTF Exhibition (Oil Painting, Landscape - 1st Prize); Crayon Drawing - 1st Prize; Pencil Drawing - 1st Prize)

CRABBS, Mary Scott (Johnson) (1889-1972) Artist, fl.1910s-20s.

CRANDALL, Benjamin Franklin (1838-1895) Portrait Painter, fl.1876

CROOKSTON, Rena Arriane "Annie" (Mitchell) (1872-1970) [daughter of Dr. John Henry Mitchell (1834-1923) and Sarah Ann (Dye) Mitchell (1832-1919)] Painter, born and raised in Brownsville and later moved to Dallas, Texas.

*DAVIS, Miss Fanita Marie...See: McCUBBIN, Fanita Marie (Davis) Huff

DEANE, Clarence Curtis (1852-1948) Photographer, fl.1881 [active in Kansas City, Mo. and moved to Texas]

DEANE, Granville May (1857-1949) Photographer and painter, fl.1881 [active in Kansas City, Mo. and moved to Texas and exhibited his paintings there]

DEANE, Jervis Corydon Spencer, Sr. (1860-1951) Photographer, fl.1881 [active in Kansas City, Mo. and moved to Texas]

DEANE, Martin Otis (1854-1901) Photographer, fl.1881 [active in Kansas City, Mo. and moved to Texas]

DeLONG, John (1846-1915) [son of Solomon DeLong (1808-1889) and Emeline (Kelley) DeLong (1828-1894)] Designer and graphic artist, fl.1870s-80s

DUFFY, Mr. G. M. (n.d.-n.d.) Photographer, fl.1882 [Sept. 1882, moved into James S. Waybright's old gallery on Spring St.]

ELLIOTT, G. E. (no dates) Photographer, fl.1898 McAllister Springs

ELSNER, Miss Birdie Alice...See: JONES, Birdie Alice (Elsner) [Mrs. Roger Quinton Jones]

FERGUSON, Lulu B. (Ruel) (1867-1934) [Mrs. Charles E. Ferguson] Burnt Leather Artist, fl.1910s, 1912 SSF Exhibition (Burnt Leather - 1st Prize)

FERGUSON, Charles E. (1861-1937) Portrait Painter, fl.1883

FERGUSON, Mrs. Ella C. (n.d.-n.d.) Oil Painter, fl.1916, 1916 SSF Exhibition (Oil Painting - 1st Prize)

FIELD, Mr. A. S. (no dates) Photographer, fl.1883-1884 [from Montgomery City, Montgomery County, Mo.]

FIELD, Eugene (1850-1895) Poet and illustrator, fl.1880s-1895

GOODWIN, Mr. J. Wesley "J. West" (1836-1927) Artist, fl.1870s-1890s [based out of Sedalia, Pettis County, Mo. and produced illustrations of Sweet Springs area sites; and, publisher of The Bazoo newspaper, Sedalia, Mo.]

GRAF, Frederick Henry "Fred" (1861-1933) Watercolorist and Illustrator, fl.1890s [based out of St. Louis, Mo.; and, commissioned to create illustrations for the Marmaduke Military Academy's annuals]

HAGAN, Charles Murray "C.M." (1858-1928) Photographer, fl.c1890-1928 [younger half-brother of Levi A. Hagan]

HAGAN, Levi A. "L.A." (1836-1914) Portrait painter, photographer, photographic apparatus inventor, fl.c1870-1910 [older half-brother of Charles Murray "C.M. Hagan; active as a portrait painter in Texas after the Civil War.]

HAGAN, Lillie Madora (Tackett) (1858-1911) [Mrs. Charles Murray "C.M." Hagan (1858-1928)] Photographer, fl.c1890-1911 [daughter of Willis Hensley Tackett (1826-1898) Photographer, fl.1890s]
HALL, Miss Martha (n.d.-n.d.) Basketmaker, fl.1916, 1916 SSF Exhibition (Basketry -1st Prize)

HAYMAN, Mrs. Mary Anna (McCarty) (1848-1941) [wife of Wayne Reading Hayman (1852-1929)] Painter, fl.1910s, 1912 SSF Exhibition.(Oil Painting - 1st Prize)

*HAYMAN, Mrs. Wayne Reading...See: HAYMAN, Mrs. Mary Anna (McCarty)

HELD, Mr. Gebhard (1845-n.d.) Photographer, fl.1880 [employed by James S. Waybright]

HEUERMANN, Magda (1868-1962) Artist and art teacher [died while residing in Forsyth Restorium in Sweet Springs]

*HIGGINS, Mrs. John R....See: HIGGINS, Willie Lorene (Tuck)

HIGGINS, Miss Sarah E. "Sallie" (1859-1944) [later (1880) married attorney Charles Brown Buckner (1859-1888)] Landscape Painter, fl.1877 BTF Exhibition (Landscape Oil Painting - 1st Prize; Collection painted by one person - 1st Prize).

HIGGINS, Willie Lorene (Tuck) (1890-1988) [Mrs. John Robinson Higgins (1888-1980)] China Painter, fl.1916, 1916 SSF Exhibition (China Painting - 2nd Prize), 1917 SSF Exhibition (China Painting - 2nd Prize).

HILL, Edna Mae (Long) (1901-1987) [Mrs. Edgar Hugh Hill (1901-1970)] Painter, fl.c1923-1960s

*HUFF, Fanita Marie (Davis)...See: McCUBBIN, Fanita Marie (Davis) Huff

JONES, Orville Anderson "O.A." (1842-1918) Photographer, fl.1869-1872

JONES, Birdie Alice (Elsner) (1888-1978) [wife of Roger Quinton "R. Q." Jones (1890-1971), Mayor of Sweet Springs, Mo.] Watercolorist, fl.1916, 1912 SSF Exhibition (Oil Painting -2nd Prize), 1916 SSF Exhibition (Watercolor - 1st Prize; Collection of Watercolors - Special Prize)

KELLEY, Miss Mary A. "Minnie" (1838-1928) Oil Painter, fl.1916, 1916 SSF Exhibition (Oil Painting - 2nd Prize), 1921 SSF Exhibition (Oil Painting - 1st Prize)

*KELLY, Minnie...See: KELLEY, Miss Mary A. "Minnie"

KILLION, Lucretia Elizaberh "Lou" (Johnson) (1860-1939) Photographer, fl.1930s

KILLION, Melvin Levin R. (1900-1989) Photographer, fl.1931 [purchased Wertz Studio]

KREIGH, Mrs. _____ (n.d.-n.d.) Painter, fl.1878, 1878 BTF Exhibition (Oil Painting, Landscape - Certificate)

LINDER, Elsie Virginia (Weddle) (1894-1990) Painter, fl.1920s-1940s

LIPSCOMB, Anna Mildred (Prigmore) (1898-1980) [Mrs MacDonald Ellett Lipscomb (1893-1977)] China Painter, fl.1910s, 1917 SSF Exhibition (China Painting - 1st Prize)

*LONG, Miss Edna Mae...See: HILL, Edna Mae (Long)
McCUBBIN, Fanita Marie (Davis) Huff (1913-2007) [Mrs. Charles Lesley Huff (1912-1978); Mrs. James fountain McCubbin (1919-1997)] Painter and art teacher, fl.1930s-1940s

*McEntire & Son {Jewelers]...See: McENTIRE, Thomas Benton, Jr.; McENTIRE, Thomas Benton, Sr.
McENTIRE, Thomas Benton Jr. (1876-1951) Silversmith, fl.1890s
McENTIRE, Thomas Benton Sr. (1844-1912) Silversmith, fl.1870s-1880s

McGREW, Franklin Beamer "Frank" (1876-1967) Woodworker and carver, fl.1920s-1967

McLESKEY, Mrs. Willie (Grayson) (1864-n.d.) Watercolorist, fl.1910s, 1917 SSF Exhibition (Watercolor Collection - 2nd Prize)

*McLESKY, Mrs. Willie (Grayson)...See: McLESKEY, Mrs. Willie (Grayson)

MALLOTT, Franklin P. "F.P." (1852-1900) Crayon Portrait Painter, fl.1883 [studio located in William Spurgeon residence]

MASTEN, Stephen L."Mike" (1839-1922) Photographer, fl.1883

*MITCHELL, Miss Rena Arriane "Annie"...See: CROOKSTON, Rena Arriane "Annie" (Mitchell)

MYERS, Gem Lenora (Binkley) (1886-1963) Brass Craft Artist, fl.1910s, 1912 SSF Exhibition (Brass Craft - 1st Prize)

NEEL, Hazel A. (Levering) (1888-1965) [Mrs. Dr. Thomas Ney Neel (1872-1926)] Painter, fl.1920s-1950s

NELSON, Frank H., Sr. (1884-1969) Photographer, fl.1910s, 1912 SSF Exhibition (Local Views - 1st Prize)

NICHOLAS, Mrs. T. A. (n.d.-n.d.) Watercolorist and Pencil Artist fl.1877, 1877 BTF Exhibition (Water Color Painting - 1st Prize)

NICHOLS, Mrs. T. A. (n.d.-n.d.) Watercolorist, fl.1878, 1878 BCF (Water Color Painting, Pencil Drawing, Pencil Drawing)

NOLTE, Isabella Rebecca (Walkenhorst) (1871-1964) Painter, Judged Sweet Springs Festival exhibits and occassional guest speaker before local clubs and organizations during 1940s-1960s

*OLIVER & BABB'S PHOTOGRAPH GALLERY [bought out James S. Waybright's operation in 1880] ...See: BABB James A.; OLIVER, Benjamin Franklin

OLIVER, Benjamin Franklin (1858-1949) Photographer, fl.1880-1882
PETERS, Will H. (1847-1905) Photographer and tintypist, fl.1870s-1881, 1877 BTF Exhibition (Ink Drawing - 1st Prize)

*PRIGMORE, Miss Anna Mildred...See: LIPSCOMB, Anna Mildred (Prigmore)

*RACE & WAYBRIGHT'S GALLERY [Photographic Gallery], fl.1879, 1879 BTF Exhibition (Photographic Work - 1st Prize)...See: RACE, Charles O. "C.O."; WAYBRIGHT, James S.

RACE, Charles O. "C.O." (1836-1909) Photographer, fl.1879

REAVIS, Wade Hampton (n.d.-n.d.) Mapmaker, fl.1917, 1917 SSF Exhibition (Best Map drawn by child under 12 years - 1st Prize)
RENTCH, William Whight (1830-1912) Photographer, fl.1870s-1880s, 1877 BTF Exhibition (Display Photographic work by one person), 1878 BTF Exhibition (Best display of Photographic work by one person)

*RIGGINS STUDIO [Photograph studio over R. C. Carter Furniture Store], Photographer, fl.1949

ROTHROCK, Miss Minnie (n.d.-n.d.) China Painter, fl.1916, 1916 SSF Exhibition - 1st Prize)

ROWLAND, Mrs. John (n.d.-n.d.) Painter, fl.1910s, 1916 SSF Exhibition (Best Collection of Oil Paintings - 1st Prize), 1917 SSF Exhibition (Best Collection of Oil Paintings - 1st Prize; Best Oil Painting - 1st Prize)

SCHUYLER, Re*****on (1884-1955) Painter and illustrator, Lecturer on art before various clubs and organizations after heading the Art Dept. at Missouri Valley College in 1948

SHANKS, Miss Florence (1861-1940) [Mrs. Dr. Richard Seaton Tyler (1855-1940)] Drawing Artist, fl.1910s, 1912 SSF Exhibition (Drawing - 1st Prize)

*SINK & TUSSEY [Photographers]...See: SINK, Daniel Phillip; TUSSEY, Julian Cicero

SINK, Daniel Philip (1846-1931) Photographer, fl.1870s

SMITH, Miss Daisy D. (1868-1964) Painter, fl.1900s-1910s, 1912 SSF Exhibition (Oil Painting - 2nd Prize)

SMITH, David Lilburn (1836-1902) Furniture maker and cabinetsmith, fl.1877-, [partnered with Martin. M. Weekly in 1877, in the firm of Weekly & Smith; and, grandfather of Roswell Shipley Smith, Photographer]

*SMITH, Mrs. John Willis "J. Willis"...See: SMITH, Novella Victoria (Charles)

SMITH, Novella Victoria (Charles) (1868-1952) [wife of John Willis "J. Willis" Smith (1857-1944), Mayor of Sweet Springs] Painter, fl.c1890s, 1916 SSF Exhibition (Collection of Oil Paintings - 2nd Prize), 1919 SSF Exhibition (Best Collection of Oil Paintings - 1st Prize, Best Collection of Watercolors - 2nd Prize)

SMITH, Roswell Shipley (1899-1973) Photographer, fl.1910s, [grandson of David Lilburn Smith, Furniture maker and cabinetsmith],1912 SSF Exhibition (Local Views - 2nd Prize)

SORBER, Johann Heinrich "Carl" (1843-1895) Wood Engraver, fl.1880s-1890s [based of of St. Louis, in partnership with Paul Ferdinand Wittenberg in the firm of Wittenberg & Sorber; commissioned by the Sweet Springs Company to produce wood engravings of area sites]

STAPLES, Mary Elizabeth (Vardeman) (1915-1989) [wife of Charles Alexis Staples (1914-1988)] Painter, fl.1930s-1950s

STEFFENS, Ada R. (Aldridge) (1906-1978) [wife of John Martin Henry Steffens (1904-1998)] Loom Weaver, fl.c1930s-1970s

STEFFENS, John Martin Henry (1904-1998) Furniture maker, fl.c1940s-1980s

*TACKETT & HAGAN [Photograph Studio]...See: HAGAN, Charles Murray "C.M."; HAGAN, Lillie Madora (Tackett); TACKETT, Cosby Berryman; TACKETT, Willis Hinsley

TACKETT, Cosby Berryman (1854-1933) Photographer, fl.1890s

*TACKETT, Miss Lillie Madora...See: HAGAN, Lillie Madora (Tackett)

TACKETT, Willis Hinsley (1826-1898) Photographer, fl.1890s

THOMAS, J. J. (c1843-no date) Silversmith, fl.1870

THORNTON, John Presley (c1839-no date) Painter, fl.1880-1881 [at Salt Springs and Brownsville, he partnered with Mr. A. H. Barbour in the portrait painting business of Barbour & Thornton]

TIPTON, Emerson Arthur "Tip" (1909-1983) Woodworker and carver, fl.1940s-1983

TUCK, Miss Lorine (n.d.-n.d.) China Painter, fl.1910s, 1912 SSF Exhibition (China Painting - 2nd Prize)

TUCK, Miss Ruby M. (1888-1981) Basketmaker, fl.1910s, 1917 SSF Exhibition (Basketry - 1st Prize) [based out of Houstonia, Pettis County, Mo.]

TUCKER, Mrs. M. F. (n.d.-n.d.) Watercolorist, fl.1880 BTF Exhibition

TUSSEY, Julian Cicero (1856-1916) Photographer, fl.1877, 1877 BTF Exhibition (Photography display)

*TUSSEY & WAYBRIGHT FINE ART GALLERY (Photographers), established 1878...See: TUSSEY, Julian Cicero; WAYBRIGHT, James S.

*VARDEMAN, Miss Mary Elizabeth...See: STAPLES, Mary Elizabeth (Vardeman)

*WAYBRIGHT & HELD [Photographers] fl.1880...See: HELD, Gebhard; WAYBRIGHT, James S.

WAYBRIGHT, James S. (1840-1898) Photographer, fl.1870s-1898

*WEEKLY & SMITH, Furniture makers and dealers, fl. , 1877 BCF Exhibition (Display of furniture), 1878 BTF Exhibition (Best display of furniture), 1879 BTF Exhibition (Best Display of Furniture), 1880 BTF Exhibition (Best display of furniture)..See: SMITH, David Lilburn;

WEEKLY, Martin M.
WEEKLY, Martin M. (1831-1914) Furniture maker and cabinetsmith, fl.1869- [moved to Brownsville in 1869, establishing his business; and, partnered with D. L. Smith in 1877].

WERTZ, Jefferson C. (1872-1951) Photographer, fl.c1920s-1931
WEST, Miss Lizzie (n.d.-n.d.) Landscape Painter, fl.1877 BTF Exhibition (Landscape Oil Painting - 2nd Prize, Fine display of Oil Paintings)

*WHEELAND, Miss Edna Della...See: BRIGGS, Edna Della (Wheeland)

WIDDER, Glenn Buford (1900-1976) Mapmaker, fl.1916, 1916 SSF Exhibition (Maps - 2nd Prize)

WILLIAMS, Miss Jennie (n.d.-n.d.) Pencil Drawing artist, fl.1880 BTF Exhibition (Pencil Drawing - certificate)

WILSON, Peachey Lee (Railey) (1860-1944) [Mrs. Alfred Perry Wilson (1854-1901)] China Painter, fl.1910s, 1912 SSF Exhibition (China painting - 1st Prize)

*WITTENBERG & SORBER [Wood Engravers]...See: SORBER, Johann Heinrich "Carl"; WITTENBERG, Paul Ferdinand

WITTENBERG, Paul Ferdinand (1847-1934) Wood Engraver, fl.1880s-1890s [based out of St. Louis, Mo., in partnership with Johann Heinrich ":Carl" Sorber in the firm of Wittenberg & Sorber; commissioned by the Sweet Springs Company to produce wood engravings of area sites]

YANTIS, John Vivian (1845-1925) Painter and photographer [born and raised in Brownsville]

02/04/2026

The Historical Society is looking for your opinion.

In April or May, we will be releasing a book detailing the 1882 Cyclone that destroyed much of downtown Brownsville (now Sweet Springs). In association with the release, would you have interest in the Historical Society providing any of the following events:

1. A lecture about the ten deaths and the damage to multiple businesses.
2. A walking tour with a guide who will describe business locations and their damage.
3. Neither, but I would be interested in purchasing a book

12/17/2025

It's not too late to get a last-minute Christmas gift for your history lover. Pick up a copy of "Spring Grounds Revelations", the history of the Sweet Spring Grounds (Memorial Park) at the Cheese Store. The cost is $30. It is jam packed with new information and photographs.