" Treasures from 1905 discovered"

.....said to be an historic find that will be a great addition to Chaffee's historical society ....."

        

Historical Note:  There is no way to provide all the text and quality photos this interesting subject deserves.  One really needs to visit the Chaffee Historical Society Museum and ask to see this collection.

From the Scott County Signal  March 23, 1997

Demolished Building Yields Glimpse of the Past

A group of men made a deposit 92 years ago in what would become the First Midwest Bank of Chaffee that has accrued a value far beyond its monetary worth.

The building was torn down recently (3/7/1997) after being vacant for four years and deteriorating to a dangerous state.  When the owners of the bank had J.W. Strack Construction in Cape Girardeau demolish the structure, they discovered a kind of time capsule within the building's cornerstone.

When Joe Strack, manager of Strack Construction, broke open the cornerstone he found a copy of the Chaffee Review newspaper dated Dec. 8, 1905, the signed business cards of some local men, a typed description of Chaffee dated Dec. 9, 1905, and a 1903 silver dollar.

Webmaster Note: On the business card, (difficult to display on a web-page, but click here for a better image) look closely and you will see that the Chaffee Real Estate Co has a St. Louis, Missouri address.)

Jim Miller, executive vice president of First Midwestern Bank of Chaffee, said it was a historic find that will be a great addition to Chaffee's historical society.

"It's kind of amazing how it stayed in such good condition," Miller said.  "It wasn't in a capsule or anything.  It was just inside the cornerstone."

The city of Chaffee was founded in 1905.

The issue of Chaffee Review, which started in 1905 and closed sometime before 1910 when the Chaffee Signal opened, advertised lots for sale in the new town for $3 per foot.  Red Snapper whiskey out of Cape Girardeau had an ad as did the now-defunct Chaffee Development Co. and the Chaffee Quarry.

One of the cards was from the Chaffee Real Estate Co. and carried the signature of H.W. Beardsley, the first Chaffee postmaster. (Note: the newspaper is mistaken on this fact.  Beardsley is with the Chaffee Real Estate Co. not the postmaster.  Carl J Norseen was the first postmaster, as revealed on page 13 of the Golden Jubilee book)

Donna Cannon, Chaffee Historical Society president, said it was a great find.

"Nobody had any idea it was there," she said.  "It was just unearthed by accident."

The historical society has been together for less than a year, but it is already planning a museum.  The capsule's contents will be a valued addition.

    

(Note that on the business card displayed above, Mr. Loy shows his law practice at Effingham, Ill and on the back of the same card he is listed as Manager of the Chaffee Real Estate Co.)

 

          

(One would have thought the Webmaster would have scanned both images right-side up)

 
   

 

In case you were wondering:  From the 1955 "Golden Jubilee" book, page 19, it reads;

The first bank in Chaffee was organized in 1906, opening May 31st of that year as the Chaffee State Bank with a capital stock of $10,000.00.  F.W. Loy was the first president and John Rotherheber, its first cashier.

 .......... On October 26, 1910 the stockholders voted to increase the capital stock to $25,000 and in November made application to become the First National Bank.  Such authorization was granted on February 7, 1911 and it became the First National Bank in Scott County.

.......... In later years E.A. Reissaus became president and Paul Reissaus, cashier; serving in this capacity until the bank closed its doors in November 1931.

.......... Chaffee was without a bank for a period of years.

.......... On August 21, 1937 the Bank of Chaffee opened its door for business with Dr. E.D. Kimes as president and O.J. O'Blryant, cashier.

(In 1955) ..... Fred Thornton is president; John D. Hale, cashier; J.R. Stephens, vice-president; and directors are Fred Lewallen and Mrs. Fred Thornton.

 

 

  
       

(Note: the Chaffee Historical Society is hoping to work with the bank to update its history from 1955 to 2005 in time for our city's centennial celebration.

Chaffee Historical Society
Box 185
Chaffee, Missouri