Jasper County History Finds with Annie Golden

05/26/2026

Children, buried and forgotten for more than a century, are given their identity this Memorial Day.

05/24/2026

From the Heart: Memorial Day ♥️🇺🇸

As we head into Memorial Day weekend with plans for burgers on the grill, time at the lake, and gatherings with family and friends, I think it’s important to pause for a moment and remember why this day exists in the first place.

Memorial Day wasn’t originally created as the unofficial start of summer. Following the Civil War, communities across the country began gathering to decorate the graves of fallen soldiers in remembrance of those who gave their lives in service to our nation. At the time, it was often called “Decoration Day.”

Over the years, the traditions changed, but the purpose behind the day never should.

Memorial Day is about remembering the men and women who never made it home. The ones who sacrificed birthdays, holidays, graduations, weddings, and futures so the rest of us could enjoy the freedoms we often take for granted every single day.

As someone who works with historical records, military records, newspapers, and local history, I’m reminded often that behind every name carved into a stone or written on a document was a real person with a family, a story, and people who loved them.

So this weekend, enjoy the sunshine (if it ever comes out) the food, the laughter, and the time together. But somewhere in the middle of all of it, take a moment to remember the true meaning of Memorial Day and those who paid the ultimate price for the freedoms we enjoy today.

♥️💛Annie

05/09/2026

🏡 HOUSE & HOME

I’ve always thought there’s a difference between a house and a home.

A house is the building itself.
The people are what make it a home.

One of the things I help people with most often is researching property history — helping someone discover where their grandparents once lived, or learning more about the house they call home today.

Deeds allow us to track the ownership and history of the land, and newspapers help us learn about the people who lived there. But it’s rare that we find records that tell us much about the actual houses themselves.

A couple of weeks ago, I came across something fascinating tucked away in a box at the Records Center.

These books were created in 1932, right in the middle of the Great Depression. Mortgage companies were documenting and valuing homes and buildings that had gone into foreclosure.

The books contain detailed information on around 150 homes in Carthage — everything from the roads and sidewalks outside to the utilities inside, wall coverings, flooring, and countless other details.

It’s an incredible glimpse into everyday homes in our community during one of the most difficult periods in American history.

And while the books document the houses… I can’t help but think about the families who made them homes.

👉 If you could see one historical detail about your home from 100 years ago, what would you want to know?

05/05/2026

I love partenering with the Sheriffs office through the Jasper County Records Center to work in these abandoned cemeteries. This cemetery has come a long way from when we started four years ago. I will post pictures in the comments from that first cleanup 4 years ago.

Jasper County Drug Treatment Program Participants Assist with Alexander Cemetery Clean-Up

Inmates that are in the Jasper County Jail 120-day Treatment Program periodically do work projects in the County. Last week, treatment participants worked at cleaning up overgrown vegetation, removing debris and filling low spots at Alexander Cemetery. This cemetery is one of more than 80 abandoned cemeteries in Jasper County. At this cemetery there are headstones for some of the earlier founders of our community as well as veterans of World War I and World War II.

05/02/2026

Spent the morning learning new techniques on headstone preservation and ground penetrating radar. It was so interesting and I can’t wait to use the ingot to further preservation efforts in Jasper county.

04/12/2026

This isn’t a headline from World War II—it’s a letter home.

This letter was written from Anzio Beach, Italy during World War II.

Not from a general.
Not from a headline.

From a soldier.

Sgt. Bill Bacon wrote this letter home after 14 months overseas, describing life on the front lines. He spoke of constant artillery fire, sleeping in holes in the ground, and going without simple comforts like a warm meal.

At one point, he wrote:

“The boys back home don’t know what ‘tough’ means… and I know what I’m talking about.”

It’s not dramatic. It’s not polished.

It’s real.

Bill Bacon enlisted in the Army on July 2, 1942, just days after marrying his wife, Dixie. He would go on to serve in both Italy and Germany before returning home in 1945.

After the war, he came back to Jasper County. He built a life as a farmer, business owner, and family man. He raised four children, worked hard, and became part of the same community he had left behind to serve.

He passed away in 1988—but this letter remains.

From ration books at home…
To rebuilding economies overseas…
To the voices of the men who lived it—

World War II wasn’t just history.

It was personal.

Unforgettable history, one story at a time.

04/11/2026

Ever heard of “Mickey Mouse money”?

During World War II, Filipinos themselves nicknamed the currency issued under Japanese occupation “Mickey Mouse money.”

Not because it had cartoons on it—but because inflation made it nearly worthless by the end of the war.

As more and more of it was printed, prices soared. It took stacks of bills just to buy basic goods, and many people turned to bartering instead.

It’s a reminder of how difficult daily life became for families during the occupation.

Then came liberation.

This note is a Philippine One Peso “Victory Series” bill, issued as U.S. and Allied forces regained control of the islands.

It wasn’t just new money—it was a reset.

Backed by the United States, these notes helped restore trust in the economy and replace the occupation currency that had lost all value.

The word printed boldly across the back says it all:

“Victory.”

While Americans at home were carefully using ration books and saving stamps to stretch their food supply… families in the Philippines were navigating an entirely different kind of hardship.

Different experiences—same war.

From ration books at home to currency overseas, World War II changed how people lived, spent, and survived.

Unforgettable history, one story at a time.

04/10/2026

Ever wonder how Americans bought groceries during World War II?

It wasn’t just money.

This little booklet—and even this small red coin—help tell the story.

This is a War Ration Book issued during WWII. Every man, woman, and child had one. This particular book belonged to a woman in Independence, Kansas, and inside are the stamps she would have used to feed her family.

Because many goods were being sent overseas to support the war, everyday items like meat, butter, and canned foods were rationed. To make sure everyone got a fair share, the government created a system where you had to pay with both money and stamps.

🔴 Red stamps were used for meat, butter, and fats
🔵 Blue stamps were used for canned and processed foods

Each stamp was worth a set number of “points,” and the government could change how many points things cost depending on supply.

But here’s the part most people don’t realize—
you couldn’t just use any stamp whenever you wanted.

Only certain stamps were valid at a time, and they expired if you didn’t use them. So even if your book was full, your buying power was still limited week by week.

And if you didn’t have the exact number of points?

That’s where this little red token comes in.

It was used as change. If you turned in too many points, the store would give you one of these back.

Imagine planning meals not just around what you could afford—but what stamps (and even tokens) you had left.

Every stamp torn out… every token saved… meant something made it to the dinner table.

It’s a small collection, but it tells a powerful story of sacrifice, fairness, and everyday life on the home front.

Unforgettable history, one story at a time.

04/07/2026

🕵️‍♂️ Jack the Ripper: The Rest of the Story

So… here’s the rest of the story.

According to a 1902 article from the Joplin Globe, Jack Abernathy made his way to Jasper County around 1896 — and let’s just say, he became very familiar with the county jail.

In fact, he was there so often, he seemed to spend more time inside than out.

Interestingly enough, local law enforcement didn’t seem to mind him much. He was described as pleasant, and when he went to trial, he reportedly showed up with a smile on his face and never disputed the charges — which were usually things like stealing chickens.

At one point, he took 12 hens and a rooster. Another time, he stole linens and traded them for a meal at a local diner… with the newspaper noting he probably should have gotten a four-square meal for those fine linens.

For the most part, Jack was considered a pretty good inmate.

In one instance, a female inmate changed clothes during dinner and simply walked out of the jail. There was some confusion about whether she had been released or not, but Jack didn’t wait around — he took off after her on foot. Once it was confirmed she was still an inmate, he tracked her down and brought her back.

He even served as a trustee, spending his days helping clean around the courthouse.

That is… until one day in August.

Jack decided he was done cleaning and headed back to the jail — where he was later found having a rather personal conversation with his girlfriend in the sheriff’s buggy.

That moment seems to have been a turning point.

He was placed back into a cell, and apparently that change didn’t sit well with him. Over the next two weeks, he stirred up the other inmates, and according to reports, the noise kept nearby residents awake at night.

Eventually, the jailers had enough and called in the fire department.

Yes… the fire department.

Two hoses were brought in, and the inmates were thoroughly soaked. Not to be outdone, the inmates found their own water source and turned it back on the jailers.

The end result? About six inches of water in the jail.

Eventually, the inmates decided they weren’t going to win that battle. The next day, the cells were cleared out and everyone received new bunk assignments.

And as for Jack…

This is the last mention I’ve been able to find of him here in Jasper County.

⸻

👉 History has a way of giving us stories we never would have expected. Have you ever come across a local story that surprised you?

04/02/2026

There are certain people from our school days that just stay with you.

For me, it’s the lunch ladies.

From 1st grade through 6th, Mrs. Bennett and Mrs. Terry were there every single day. Helping open milk cartons when I was little… and later on, making sure I actually ate instead of just talking the whole lunch period 😄

They were part of our routine, part of our growing up, and part of so many everyday moments that we didn’t think much about at the time — but we remember now.

I think sometimes those are the people who don’t always get enough credit, but they had an impact on more students than they probably ever realized.

Even all these years later, I still remember them. And I have a feeling I’m not the only one who can say that.

👉 Do you remember your lunch ladies?
👉 Do you have a favorite memory of them?

I’d love to hear your stories — I’ll share a little more of mine in the comments too.

04/01/2026

There was a time when the school lunch menu was printed in the Friday paper… and Sunday evening meant sitting down with my mom and going through it for the week.

We’d look at each day and decide which ones I was eating on the tray and which ones I probably wasn’t 😄

I went to Carthage, and I can tell you right now… I would have been eating Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday. No question.

And my absolute favorite? Those peanut butter confection squares. Those were the best. I would love to go back and have just one more.

Seeing these menus again just takes me right back. It’s funny how something as simple as a school lunch can bring back so many memories.

Carthage Press — February 19, 1988

What school did you go to, and what was your favorite school lunch?