Pemiscot County Historical Society

Pemiscot County Historical Society The Pemiscot County Historical Society is located in the Caruthersville Missouri Public Library Historical Society room. Membership is open to all.

Founded in 1970, the Pemiscot County Historical Society preserves and shares the history of Pemiscot County and the Missouri Bootheel through publications, archives, and digital collections. Meetings are held each month except December, June and July on the third Friday of the month at 1:30. An appointment can be made to use the historical society room at Caruthersville Public Library by emailing

[email protected] or calling the Caruthersville Public Library at (573) 333-2480. Cost is $10 a year. Four quarterlies of past historical features are part of the membership. Checks can be mailed to 707 West 13th Street, Caruthersville, MO. 63830. Digital county newspapers from 1891-1966 are located on the Caruthersville Public Library website (cville.lib.no.us or just Google Caruthersville Public Library) under “Online Resources”. The society can be contacted for genealogy and historical information or questions via email or at the address listed above. Membership fee of $10 is requested to allay costs.

From the Democrat-Argus in 1999Thanks to her physical therapy, Caruthersville Nursing Center resident Agnes Johnson has ...
09/05/2026

From the Democrat-Argus in 1999

Thanks to her physical therapy, Caruthersville Nursing Center resident Agnes Johnson has become an accidental celebrity of sorts.

Mrs. Johnson started sewing "Cross in my Pocket" as a way to use her time productively. She remarked, "I got to feeling like I wanted to do something. I started working with my hands. I've made all kinds of fancy work.I took this up to the doctor's and the therapist told me to keep this up. This is the best thing I can do for my hands." Her endeavor has become spiritual therapy, also, for many of the nearly 500 people who have received them.

In each hand-stitched pocket, complete with the hand-stitched cross is the following message:

The Cross in my Pocket

I carry a cross in my pocket
A simple reminder to me of the fact that I am a Christian
No matter where I may be

This little cross is not magic
Nor is it a good luck charm
It isn't meant to protect me from every physical harm

It's not for identification for all the world to see
It's simply an understanding between my Savior and me.

When I put my hand in my pocket to bring out a coin or a key
The cross is there to remind me of the price He paid for me

It reminds me, too, to be thankful of my blessings day by day
And to strive to serve Him better in all that I do and say

It is also a daily reminder of the peace and comfort I share with all who know my Master
And give themselves to His care

So I carry a cross in my pocket Reminding no one but me
That Jesus Christ is Lord of my life
If only I'll let him be

Mrs. Johnson also creates mug rugs for her special friends, as well as other hand-crafted items. She has become an accidental celebrity, with her Cross in my Pockets traveling across the country and all the way to China.

Mrs. Johnson credits her upbringing with making her the person she is. "I learned a lot by experience. I still say the old saying:Experience is the best teacher is correct," she noted. At 96 years of age, she has had the opportunity to learn a lot.

Mrs. Johnson commented, "I was born out here in the middle of a cotton patch right off of Route U, hear the Chapel community, which was located between Stubtown and Braggadocio. Her family had moved to Pemiscot County from Uniontown, Kentucky, where they had owned a to***co farm. "They heard that Pemiscot County was the land of opportunity and they thought that everything was flowing down here with money and opportunity

The business district in Caruthersville was bustling in the 1940s. Many recognizable businesses are shown, including t...
09/04/2026

The business district in Caruthersville was bustling in the 1940s. Many recognizable businesses are shown, including the Exchange Building, the oldest building in the city, which will have a ribbon-cutting event next Thursday at 4:00 after its recent renovation.

From September 3, 1970County election fallout continues with a state court judge recommending Sheriff Clyde Orton's oust...
09/01/2026

From September 3, 1970

County election fallout continues with a state court judge recommending Sheriff Clyde Orton's ouster. Also, three Holland men were indicted for perjury, as they had insisted in court that certain individuals had voted when they had not.

Another front page story was that the Department of Conservation, with the help of the Pemiscot County Health Department, were announcing that the city dump must be abandoned because rats were becoming a big problem in the city. This photo shows the location of the dump, with the Mississippi River in the background. Other health measures like covered trash barrels and cleaning up abandoned properties were also in the plan.

Floyd Smith had an interesting way to trim the long hedge beside his house, a "hedge mower". It was his lawn mower that he took the wheels off of and set up on a set of legs, which have wheels on the. By straddling the hedge and pushing the mower, he can finish a fifty foot strip in about a minute and a half.

Finally, it was back to school for Caruthersville students. Included here is a "Senior Highlights" column, describing what that first day was like in the eyes of a sophomore student - the youngest class at CHS at that time, as 9th grade was still at the Junior High School.

From The Democrat-Argus, January 27, 1977Community Pride Alive at McCartyBy Charles BradyMcCarty, a small community a fe...
08/29/2026

From The Democrat-Argus, January 27, 1977

Community Pride Alive at McCarty
By Charles Brady

McCarty, a small community a few miles southwest of Caruthersville, has been and still is a fine example of a community pulling together. The reorganization of several school districts into McCarty R-3 is one such example. Another is the R-3 Party.

The main road to McCarty is Route D. There's not much there, only a few businesses, the school, and some homes. But the people that make up the McCarty community can take special pride in their two major accomplishment of school reorganization and the party, which is an annual event that has been held for many years. People and businesses donate all types of items for the auction and the money raised goes to several causes. Hundreds of people attend this party and a good time is had by all. In addition to the auction, there are country stores, games, and a supper for those in attendance.

The party, a tribute to the people of the McCarty community who make sure it is held each year, is appropriately held in the school. The school itself is a tribute to the community.

At one time there were a total of 31 school districts in Pemiscot County. Now, of course, there are seven. But in 1948, there were 31, including 21 rural districts, nine consolidated districts, plus the Caruthersville district.

Because of the large number of districts, students just were not able to enjoy the best in educational facilities. School personnel did the best they could with what they had but the school facilities were mostly frame buildings that were just not very good.

Ten of the schools that existed in 1948 before the reorganization in 1952 were Canady Switch School, Chute 16 School, McCarty School, Chapel School, Kinfolks Ridge School, Hunter School, Cottonwood Point School, and Mound School. Two schools for Black students were another Mound School and another Chute 16 school.
Students attending the eleven school then went to just one school, McCarty R-3, after the reorganization. So instead of eleven school and eight school districts in the rural county, there is now one school district and one school.

At the time of the reorganization, there were between 600-700 students divided between the eleven schools. At the time of this writing McCarty R-3 had 274 students.

Education has certainly been improved as a result of the reorganization. At one time there were 19 teachers employed at the eleven schools. Now there are 17 teachers and one school.

One of the first projects after the reorganization in 1951 was getting a new building. In 1955, a bond issue in the amount of $150,000 was let and the present building was constructed in 1955-1956. The bonds were finally paid off in 1976.

The McCarty community continued to support the school by passing a bond issue totaling $129,000 in 1957. This was for an expansion program.

Charles Johnson was the first principal and superintendent of the reorganized district. Floyd Hamlett succeeded him and served as superintendent for 15 years before retiring in 1973. Other former Principals at McCarty were Elzie Danley, a Caruthersville High School graduate who became a professor at Memphis State University, Tom Moore, Lonnie Daughtry, and Paul Brackens.

Commenting about his time at McCarty, Hamlett said the high point was "the ease of integration as accepted by the students, teachers, and administration. It was easy because of the community's attitude toward integration." He said other high points were the benefits from the Title I program and the development of a fine facility ad staff at McCarty.

Some teachers at McCarty in 1977 were employed from the very beginning, the days of the reorganization: Mrs. Ruth Carson, Miss Lugene Clifford, Mrs. Jean Saliba, Mrs. Martha Thompson, and Mrs. Agatha Travis, lunchroom supervisor.

Four weeks from today, on September 25, the 2026 class of the Pemiscot County Wall of Distinction will be honored. They ...
08/28/2026

Four weeks from today, on September 25, the 2026 class of the Pemiscot County Wall of Distinction will be honored. They are J.J. Bullington, George Byers, Randy Crawford, Delbert DePriest, and Pvt. Emzie Waddell.

The ceremony will begin at 1:30 with a reception following and we hope everyone can attend.

Outstanding Community Leaders honored in 1980. Fifteen men and women were honored by the Chamber of Commerce at its fo...
08/28/2026

Outstanding Community Leaders honored in 1980. Fifteen men and women were honored by the Chamber of Commerce at its fourth annual awards banquet. The award winners were, left to right: First row - Rev. John Bell in the field of religion, Miss Mary Crews Joplin and Mrs. Mary Dunagan in the field of civic work (women), Miss Diane Sayre in the field of education, and Walker Boyd in the field of business. Second row - Harvey Brown in the field of civic work (men), Kenneth Sellers in the field of industry, Byron Luber in the field of professionals, and Earl Bullington in the field of business. Five special awards were given, those being to: Third row - James Brown, Mrs. Christine Jones, Mrs. L.H. Schult, and Bob McDaniel. Mrs. Robert Clausier was not present to receive her award.

From August 27, 1970County Primary Election fallout continued with a front page story and an editorial.Teachers headed b...
08/25/2026

From August 27, 1970

County Primary Election fallout continued with a front page story and an editorial.

Teachers headed back to school and attended a tea at the Southside Cafeteria in honor of new teachers at District 18. Those in the picture from left to right are: Mrs. Sandy Scott, Mrs. Nancy Luber, Mrs. Gloria Hemenway, Mrs. Charlotte Hogeland, Mrs. Sally Neel, Clarence Carnell, Mrs. Karen Meeks, Paul Carmean, Verlon Till, and Robert O. Pierce, chairman of the Board of Education

Serving up the fish at the recent Youth Baseball Picnic is Mrs. Ezra Huffman, whose husband furnished and cooked fish to go with the hot dogs for all the ball players. The large crowd of boys and their managers ate many pounds of fish and two batches of hot dogs, along with plenty of sodas. But then, they were just growing boys.

Captain John F. Sloan of 701 South 4th Street in Hayti was in charge of security for a reception held in St. Louis for General W. C. Westmoreland, Chief of Staff, U.S. Army. Captain Sloan was responsible for the security es**rt upon arrival and during his entire tour and men from Captain Sloan's unit were used for the General's honor guard. He was serving a tour with USAAC as Enlisted Detachment Commander. Sloan was given a personal commendation by General Westmoreland for the manner in which he handled his mission.

From Winter, 2014A change of pace this week as we give you some recipes from Joyce Gillam, Marianna Meales, Jo Ann Roger...
08/22/2026

From Winter, 2014

A change of pace this week as we give you some recipes from Joyce Gillam, Marianna Meales, Jo Ann Rogers, and Mary Frances Pickens. These were taken from the feature article "From the Kitchen" in the Democrat-Argus newspaper for this quarterly:

First, Joyce Gillam from the Democrat-Argus on April 13, 1967

CHILI MACK

1/2 pound ground beef
1/2 green pepper
1/2 onion, cooked
1 1/2 cans cooked tomatoes
1 cup kidney beans
1 tablespoon sugar
1 1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 tablespoon vinegar
1/2 cup water
4 ounces elbow macaroni

Brown beef, green pepper and onions; add tomatoes and kidney beans; add all other ingredients. Cover and simmer 20 minutes. Then add macaroni and cook 20 more minutes.

Marianna Meales from the Democrat-Argus on July 6, 1967

MEXICAN PASADO

1 can hominy (drained)
1 large can chili (without beans
1 onion (chopped)
29 cent size Fritos
Grated cheese (American or Cheddar)

Place in layers the homini, chili, onions, Fritos and cheese. Pour hominy liquid over dish and bake at 325 for 20-30 minutes or until liquid banks up around dish.

URANIUM PIE

3 eggs
1 stick melted oleo
1 1/2 cup sugar
2 tablespoons meal
2 tablespoons vinegar
1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix together and pour into unbaked pie shell. Bake slowly at 325 degrees until pie is golden brown.

Betsy (Cookie) Cook from the Democrat-Argus on June 22, 1967

HAM CASSEROLE

1 large slice ham
1 medium-sized onion
4 medium potatoes (sliced)
1 can cream of mushroom soup

Brown ham in skillet, take out of pan, then add diluted soup, onions and potatoes. Cook until potatoes are done.

Jo Ann Rogers from the Democrat-Argus on March 9, 1967

FRESH STRAWBERRY PIE

1 regular-sized box of strawberry Jello - mix according to directions
Add 1 cup miniature marshmallows
1 cup fresh strawberries

Pour into baked 9" pie shell and set in refrigerator (not freezer) and let set until firm.

Mary Frances Pickens from the Democrat-Argus on June 26, 1967

SWISS STEAK

Use one large round or flank steak, hack well, and flour. Have your shortening hot. Brown steak on both sides. Slice onions on top of steak after it has browned somewhat.

Cook over not too hot fire so your onions will be tender. When tender, add water and 1/2 can of puree. Add salt. Let cook until good and tender, then take flour and make a thickening and add to it until you think your gravy is thick enough.

In December of 1976, newly-elected County officials were sworn in. From left to right: Mike Hazel, Prosecuting Attorne...
08/21/2026

In December of 1976, newly-elected County officials were sworn in. From left to right: Mike Hazel, Prosecuting Attorney, Billy Jack Davis, County Surveyor, Joe Joyner, County Coroner, Charles Albert Faris, Acting Sheriff, Leslie Knott,Public Administrator, John W. Dunavant, Associate Judge, and Phil Bowen, Associate Judge. They were sworn in by County Court Clerk John Alford.

Prior to the ceermony, Faris had been appointed by the old County Court to act as Sheriff of Pemiscot County, until the special election, which was held at the end of January of 1977. Hazel and Dunavant were re-elected to their respective posts, while the others were taking office for the first time.

From August 20, 1970This is an overhead photo of the bridge construction at this early phase in 1970. The bridge opened ...
08/18/2026

From August 20, 1970

This is an overhead photo of the bridge construction at this early phase in 1970. The bridge opened in Dec. 1976.

Robert Betz submitted the winning entry in the Caruthersville Chamber of Commerce Sign Design Contest. The Board of Directors of the Chamber made the selection from some 46 entries submitted by 26 contestants. Those who submitted entries were Mrs. Gertie Clifton, Mrs. Dorothy Corbin, Miss Floyd Roberts, Denise Coker and Mike Hazel, Mrs. Neal Whitfield, Mrs. Dale Bracey, Miss Jeanie Alexander, Miss Mary Crews Joplin, Connie Frame, Bill and Mary Ellen Watckins, Mrs. Paul Sturm, Mrs. Doyce Bowman, Mrs. Bernita Jo Daniels, Larry Adams, Mrs. Helen House and Larry Adams, Mrs. Robert Hawkins, and Robert Betz. A check for $50.00 was presented to the winner.

The Jaycee of the Month was Harvey Brown. Harvey was president of the Caruthersville Jaycees. He was a long-time member of the Jaycees. He brought in more new members than any Jaycee in the state of Missouri. He received the Most Outstanding Jaycee award and he also received several other awards including Speak Up and Spark Plug. He was a very good example for others to follow.

The new "piece goods" department opened at Magic Mart. The complete sewing center featured fabrics, sewing notions, Simplicity patterns, knitting yarns and needles, sewing chests, and other related items. The large new department was opened in what was formerly a stock room area on the north side of the discount store.

Mrs. Cloyd (Nettie) Handley of Caruthersville was selected as the hobbyist of the month. Her collection of soil from many states and foreign countries was on display at the First State Bank. Mrs. Handley was secretary of the
Caruthersville Chamber of Commerce.

Rain visited the Catfish Open as is evident from this dark, gloomy day in 1970. The weather did not, however, stop the golfers as the group above waited to tee off.
The rain also did not cut down the crowd at the annual event, and the enthusiasm of those who did enter the competition did not seem to be dampened.

The road is closed as a big limb fell off a tree on West 10th Street. Several turned on Tenth, then had to backtrack and take another route until the limb was moved. Carl Phillips, who lived on West Tenth, decided his car would not go under, around, or through the big limb and so, backed up and turned around.

Address

707 W 13th Street
Caruthersville, MO
63830

Telephone

+15733332480

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