Chaffee Signal  7/10/1924

PROSPECTS LOOK GOOD FOR HARMON FOUNDATION PARK

The prospects for a Harmon Foundation Park, mention of which was made in the Signal two weeks ago, are looking good.  Dr. Geo. Huff wrote for particulars and the application blank, and has received same.

It is planned to purchase a six acre tract of land from J.A. Clayton, situated west of Fifth street, somewhere between Elliott and Davidson avenues.  The Harmon Foundation agrees to donate $2000 toward the purchase of the land, and they require that be guaranteed the land will be equipped with playground equipment.  The Harmon Foundation have no equipment to sell, nor do they say what kind or the amount of equipment shall be purchased.

It is planned to have a baseball diamond, swimming pool, and tennis courts, besides the playground equipment.

This park is something that is of interest to each and every citizen and the community as a whole, and should receive the hearty endorsement of every individual.

It would be advisable for the different organizations to get together and devise ways and means of raising money for the erection of the swimming pool.  The local order of the Brotherhood of Locomotive Engineers has offered to donate the balance of the Labor Day Fund, amounting to between $300 and $400, for that purpose.  F.W. Dunn has offered his services in drawing plans of the grounds, which are required by the Harmon foundation, in order to show the approximate location between the schools and residential section.

Chaffee Signal  7/??/1924

HARMON FOUNDATION SEEKS INFORMATION

Dr. George Huff received a letter yesterday from the Harmon Foundation requesting the official positions of the appraisers J.H. Hale and F.W. Dunn, who appraised the value of the land selected for the Harmon Foundation Park.

The Harmon Foundation advised that upon receipt of this information the application from Chaffee would be placed on file until some time

after the first of August when the work of making the selection will begin.  This information has been sent to them and all that can be done now is to wait and hope.

Dr. Huff wrote a strong letter along with the application, setting forth the great need of such a park in Chaffee.

Chaffee Signal  8/21/1924

ASSURED OF THE HARMON FOUNDATION PARK

From all indications the efforts of Dr. Huff have not been in vain, and Chaffee will have a much needed playground park

The Harmon Foundation Park for Chaffee is practically a reality.  Monday of this week Dr. Geo. Huff received a lengthy letter from the foundation headquarters, stating that Chaffee had been put in Class "A".  More than 750 inquiries were received in response to the offer of the Harmon Foundation to give 50 playgrounds this year to growing cities and towns in the United States.  For various reasons, chiefly the fact that the original requirements could not be complied with, 650 of these have been eliminated.  The reminder - slightly more than 100, have been classified as "A", "B" or "C" applications,  class "A" consists of those that have met all conditions so far required or where minor data has not been furnished.

The competition will be finally limited to Class "A" and this group will be submitted with all data and advice available to a committee of three, whose decision will determine the final selection.

Before the gifts are actually made, there are certain additional important requirements that must be met as stated below.  It is not considered necessary that these conditions be fulfilled until a group of fifty first choice applications is tentatively selected.  The purpose of this procedure is to avoid embarrassing situations arising in the event that a town so qualifying might not finally be selected.  Reference to those conditions is made here so that it will be clearly understood what will be expected;

(1)  An option must be secured sufficiently long to insure the Harmon Foundation getting a free and clear title.  Under this revised plan they assume that a sixty day option will be sufficient and if not already acquired, it need not be secured until the actual selection of the towns has been made.

(2)  An abstract of title and survey must be furnished them, free of cost, prepared by a competent attorney, together with an opinion as to the character of the title, both with respect to its legal soundness and market-ability.  This need not be ordered until requested them.

(3)  An agreement for maintenance, signed by the governing body of the town, Board of Education, or group responsible must be given providing for the following maintenance program;

     A.  That the property shall be place in first class condition.

     B.  That it shall be so maintained, policed and controlled for at least five years.

     C.  That on properties costing $2000 or less, $300 will be required the first year, and $200 per annum thereafter for four years.  On properties costing more than $2000 individual arrangements will be made.  The $300 installment for the first year's improvement and maintenance program must be deposited with the local bank handling the gift of the Harmon Foundation in advance of conveyance of title.

(4)  There must be agreement to place in a suitable stone - preferably a rough boulder - a bronze table measuring "10x18" which will be furnished without charge, by the Harmon Foundation.  This tablet will be inscribed as follows;

"HARMON FIELD"

This playfield was made ours though the assistance of the Harmon Foundation

1924

Dedicated forever to the plays of children, the development of youth and the recreation of all.

"The Gift of Land is the Gift Eternal."

Chaffee Signal  10/16/1924

CHAFFEE SELECTED

ONE OF FIFTY COMMUNITIES TO GET PLAYGROUND

Selection Made Subject to Approval of a director who is soon to arrive here to make final investigation

Dr George Huff received the following telegram last Sunday from the Harmon Foundation, Inc. of New York City.

"Subject of approval of director who will visit Chaffee shortly send date later and formal compliance with requirements, outlined in communication of August six to you can rely on your city being one of the fifty selected.  Best wishes for success.  Acknowledge."

Dr. Huff has been very actively interested in securing this donation for Chaffee and it is through his untiring efforts that Chaffee has been selected as one of the fifty communities in the United States to receive this award.  From all information available Chaffee is the only community in Missouri that considered in this award.

As stated in the telegram received from the Harmon Foundation it is not known the exact date that the director will be here, but it is certain it will not be a very long time.  It is therefore necessary that the three hundred dollars that is to be added to the two thousand dollars donated by the Harmon Foundation to guarantee the upkeep of the park for the first year be raised before the director arrives.  There will also have to be additional funds raised for the purchase of equipment.  As previously stated in these columns there is a balance of approximately two hundred and seventy dollars remaining in the Labor Day Fund, which has been promised for this purpose.  The committee that has charge of this fund should arrange to get in touch with Dr. Huff as soon as possible and make arrangements to have this money deposited to the credit of this park.  Further arrangements should be made for the raising of money with which to buy equipment.

It is the sincere wish of Dr. Huff, since this donation has been made to Chaffee, that the citizens of this community interest themselves sufficiently to raise enough money to erect a swimming pool in this park early next spring.  There is no use in enlarging on the fact that a swimming pool is something that this community is sorely in need of, as there are no natural lakes or suitable swimming ponds within easy striking distance of Chaffee.  Swimming is the most wholesome and refreshing exercise a child can enjoy.  The editor, therefore, hopes that our good citizens will not let this opportunity pass by unnoticed, but will interest themselves to the extent that Chaffee will boast a swimming pool equal to any in this section of the State before the year 1925 is very old.

The efforts put forth by Dr. Huff in securing this donation go to show what can be accomplished by a little stick-to-it-iveness on the part of one individual.  It can readily be seen what may be accomplished if all our citizens or a group of citizens, cooperate.  The fact that Chaffee is lacking in industries is merely due to lack of united effort on the part of citizens for this community.  It is high time that our citizens awake to this fact if Chaffee is to grow and prosper and keep in step with the rest of the world.  As you know, only a hen can lay around and produce dividends.

Chaffee Signal  11/13/1924

DIRECTOR FROM HARMON FOUNDATION VISITED CHAFFEE

Seemed very high elated over the approved site, and general improvements going on here

Miss Mary Beaty Brady of New York City, a director of the Harmon Foundation, Inc. arrived here from Duluth, Minn. last Sunday afternoon to inspect and approve the site selected by the local committee for the Harmon Field.  

Due to an oversight on the part of the director, she failed to notify Dr. Huff of her coming, she having lost his address, but Mr. Barnes, president of the school board was sent a message, which he did not receive on account of his moving to Cape Girardeau some weeks ago.  Incidentally, there were no preparations made to meet the lady.  Dr. Huff was notified of Miss Brady's arrival 1:30 p.m. Sunday and he immediately arranged to meet her at her hotel and make arrangements to inspect the proposed site.  Mayor Nunn was also notified, and he, together with Dr. Huff went over the ground with Miss Brady, and she expressed herself as being very favorably impressed with the location, and also the three different entrances it would afford.

The only question raised by Miss Brady was whether or not there would be any objection to this park being permanently known as "Harmon Field".  She was assured that there would be no objection to that.

Mr. Harmon, the donor of this playground, instructed the directors to make special requests of the different communities participating in this donation to have the bronze tablet bearing his name placed in the most obscure part of the field because he dislikes publicity.

It was also stated that prizes ranging from $1000 to $100 will be awarded next year to the communities that show the most enthusiasm in the care taking and beautifying of these fields over the country.  Aerial views will be taken of the prize winning fields and will be published in the St. Louis newspapers.

It was requested of the local committee to make a statement guaranteeing the Harmon Foundation a deposit of $300 for the upkeep of the field for the first year.

There has been two meetings called by the old Labor Day committee for the purpose of making disposition of the $272.87 remaining in the Labor Day Fund.  It is the wish of this committee to donate this money to the credit of the Harmon Field committee for the development and improvement of the ground when the donation is made by the Harmon Foundation to this city.  But three or four citizens have interested themselves enough to attend these meetings, and the Labor Day committee are unable to legally to dispose of these funds.  Where are the public spirited citizens of Chaffee keeping themselves:  Are you not interested in Chaffee's future:  There are surely more than a handful of citizens in our town that would like to see us awarded this field.  If you want to see our city grow and prosper you will interest yourselves in things of this kind, if not, you are not a good citizen and the town doesn't need you.  The Signal has been doing all it can to try and get our citizens interested in this worthy cause, but it seems they're doing as they have in the past - sleeping!

We are now at the threshold of a great future for Chaffee, but it won't mean anything unless we wake up and start doing things.  Our first objective should be to work hand in hand and be ready to go at a minute's call to anything that will tend to promote the best interests of our community.

The $300 that is to be raised must be raised within the next ten days.  Another meeting has been called by the Labor Day committee for Saturday night at the City Hall for the purpose of making disposition of the money remaining in that fund.  There should be at least fifty citizens present at this meeting, if for no other reason, to show that they are interested in Chaffee.  This includes the women, too.  If there are any questions anyone would like to ask in regard to the donation of the Harmon Field to this community, they will be gladly answered by Dr. Huff who will be at this meeting.

Chaffee Signal  11/20/1924

LABOR DAY FUND DONATED TO HARMON FOUNDATION FUND

At a meeting held in the City Hall last Saturday night, the $272.87 remaining in the old Labor Day Fund was donated to the Harmon Foundation Fund.  This money, plus $27.13, will be deposited to the credit of the Harmon Foundation to insure the upkeep of the Harmon Field for the first year.

A resolution was adopted at this meeting, which reads as follows:

"Whereas, there remains in the treasury of the Labor Day fund, belonging to the Chaffee Labor Day Association of the city of Chaffee, the sum of $272.87, and whereas, it would serve a good and worthy purpose to appropriate said amount to the Harmon Foundation Fund, for the purpose of helping to equip a Public Play Ground for the children of Chaffee, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Chaffee Labor Day Association of the city of Chaffee, Mo, as follows:

That the sum of $272.87 being the balance of cash on hand in the Treasury of the said association and known as the Labor Day Fund be appropriated to the use of the Harmon Foundation Fund, for the purpose of helping to equip a Children's Public Play Ground in the City of Chaffee.

This resolution was signed and introduced by G.A. Bienert."

A motion was moved by G.H. Finley and seconded by E.A. Reissaus that the above resolution be carried out.  By a vote of quorum motion was carried.

Chaffee Signal  2/12/1925

CHAFFEE AWARDED HARMON FIELD

Untiring efforts of Dr. Huff in boosting for Chaffee awarded in presentation of playground by Harmon Foundation Inc. of New York

Outright donation of $2000 for purchase of land for playground purposes made to Chaffee, and is only award in this State out of 74 applications

The long looked for report from the Harmon Foundation, Inc. of New York, advising that Chaffee is to receive a playground gift was received by Dr. Geo. Huff, Chaffee's pioneer chiropractor, last Friday morning in the form of a telegram.

This donation is made to Chaffee for the purchase of approximately 6 1/2 acres of land, a tract selected by the playground committee, consisting of Dr. Huff and Mr. F.W. Dunn, located on the north side of Elliott avenue between 5th street and the rock road.  This land is owned by Mr. J.A. Clayton, and was approved by Miss Mary Beatie Brady a director of the Harmon Foundation Inc. during her visit to Chaffee last fall, as the most suitable tract of land obtainable for that purpose.

Most of the readers of the Signal are no doubt familiar with the terms and conditions of this donation, but for the benefit of those who are not, we will again give an outline of the conditions upon which this donation has been made.

1st   That the playground shall be known as the Harmon Field

2nd   An agreement must be signed by the municipality or the Board of Education that certain conditions of maintenance will be fulfilled.

3rd   Please send us the name of one of your banks which will act for us mutually handling the funds and recording the deed.  Legal opinion as to title, preparation of deed, recording fees, survey, etc. are to be furnished free of cost to the Harmon Foundation.

4th   A warranty deed conveying the property to William E. Harmon, 140 Nassau Street, New York, NY should be made out and forwarded to us without signature for the purpose of examination.  This must be accompanied by a Certificate of Title from an abstract company or from a thoroughly competent attorney showing the title to be clear and indefensible in the persons giving the deed, and what they have the right to convey a good clear and marketable title subject to no encumbrances or restrictions.  We request that you send us a survey of the property.

5th   As soon as the deed and title have been examined and the bank has notified us that the money to cover the upkeep for the first year is on deposit with them, your check will be mailed to them at once so that payment may be made and recorded.   The bank will have in its possession a deed, conveying the property from William E. Harmon to the City of Chaffee.  In this connection we request that you furnish us with the correct legal title of the grantee for insertion in the deed.  The deed will contain the following provisions;

a.   The property shall be used in perpetuity for playground and recreational purposes.

b.   No building shall be erected upon the property except for the furtherance of desirable play and recreation.

c.   The premises shall be known as Harmon Field.

d.   The land shall be open to all persons except that with written consent of the Harmon Foundation reasonable racial restrictions may be imposed.

e.   The land shall be open without charge to all except that under reasonable regulations admission may be charged for amateur athletic contests or for activities the proceeds of which are devoted to the betterment of the property or to recreation.

f.   The premises hereby conveyed shall always be kept in such condition as to be attractive as a place for recreation and shall not be permitted to become a nuisance in appearance or unattractive as a place for recreation.

g.   On material breach of any of these conditions the property shall revert to the grantor, William E. Harmon, his heirs or assigns.

In connection with the reversion clause it should be understood that the playground is not a gift from the Harmon Foundation but is a personal gift by Mr. Harmon.

Another survey of the land was made first of this week by Mr. Dunn.  Mr. Clayton from whom the land is to be purchased will be here one day this week to close the deal for the purchase of the land.

A permanent committee is to be appointed for the purpose of overseeing the improvements and management of the playground.

The Security Savings Bank have offered their services in handling the funds, the recording of the deeds and to assist in other ways in terminating the deal.

A lot of work will be necessary in getting the grounds in shape, such as cutting the weeds, plowing the ground and then rolling it, and proper drainage provided for.  All of this will take some money, but not as much money as cooperation on the part of all citizens.  The directors of the Harmon Foundation advised that they would rather every individual citizen take an active part in improving this land, in the way of donating labor and money.

It is expected that upon the closing of the deal, weather conditions permitting, that the Mayor will proclaim a half holiday for the purpose of getting everybody interested out to the playground to assist in the work of improving the tract of land.

Chaffee Signal  5/21/1925

WORK STARTED ON HARMON FIELD

The work of clearing and preparing the ground of the Harmon Field was started in earnest the latter part of last week.

For a time only the city tractor and a disc and harrow were being used by Chaffee's first volunteer workman, who is none other than Pee Wee (Lyman) Foulk, who has been sticking with his job diligently every day since, from morning until night, and on Saturday afternoon thru the courtesy of the Regenhardt Construction Company, the Regenhardt tractor was also used on the field and was driven by Lawrence Williams, one of the Regenhardt employees.

A number of other boys who seem to be taking a great interest in their younger brothers and sisters have made themselves conspicuous on the Harmon Field the past few days by clearing off the weeds and underbrush around the edge of the field, all of which is very necessary work that has to be done in preparing and beautifying the grounds.

Much more work is left to be done however, before this field will be ready for use.  Dr. Huff, who is in charge of the playground activities reports that he can use the assistance of about 25 or 50 more boys for another week or possibly more, as he intends to get all the ground in good shape before work is started on the swimming pool.

Now that school vacation is at hand, and there is nothing to hinder, all parents who have boys of school age should interest their boys in the playground sufficiently to get them to at least put in one day's work at preparing this field.  There is no real hard work these boys will be required to do, and they will not be made to work any harder than they want to themselves, and besides, if they are made to take interest in the field sufficiently to assist in preparing the ground, they will later on take special pride in the fact that they HELPED to make this field, and further, it will have a tendency to instill a desire in them to be of service to their fellow men, and create or bring forth beauty where there was none, and this desire and pride as it may be called may stay with them thru their lifetime enhancing them in usefulness to themselves as well as others and bringing them from mediocrity to the higher levels of human usefulness.

There is no time to make a starting point in molding a boy's career as well as character than when he is in his first few years in school.  Show him and interest him in the better things in life, show that to be useful to himself, he must first be useful to others.

Start right in and get them interested in the playground activities, get them interested sufficiently so that they will get out there and work a few days in order that they can have a place to spend their idle hours in clean and healthful recreation entertainment afterwards.

Nearly everyone, not only the small boys and girls, but a larger number of the older children of mature age would "just love to get up on the springing board and dive into a nice clean pool of water" during the hot summer days, and it might be mentioned here, that Dr. Huff is working every day, making arrangements to start on a good size swimming pool on this field as soon as the other work of preparing the ground is completed.  The Signal is informed that this swimming pool in to be 50 x 100 feet inside measurements, with a graduated bottom containing a water depth of from one to about nine feet.

The younger boys are all anxious to have this swimming pool ready when the hot summer days finally make their presence known, and every parent should make it a point to do all in their power to provide this privilege for their children this summer since the opportunity has presented itself.

Within the next few days several boys will be started on a house to house canvas for cash donations to raise money with which to buy the necessary material to construct this swimming pool, and it is hoped that every home that is called on will acknowledge this call with a generous donation.  All lodges and church organizations are also requested to to their part in helping to provide clean and healthful recreation for the children of their members and parish.  These donations are not confined to local individuals, lodges or churches but also those of neighboring towns and communities of reasonable distance, where young folks will come to enjoy the pleasures that this playground and swimming pool will afford.

All out of town donations should be mailed direct to Dr. Geo. Huff, Chairman Harmon Field Committee, Chaffee, Mo. who will make acknowledgements for all such donations or to the Chaffee Signal, Chaffee, Mo.

Chaffee Signal  6/3/1926

WORK STARTED ON BASEBALL DIAMOND

Work was started Tuesday on a new baseball park for Chaffee, to be located on Harmon Field.  It is planned to built first a grandstand that will seat approximately 500 people, and will be built so that additions may be added to it.  It will be built according to the original specifications worked out by Frank Nohl of the Smith Engineering Company of St. Louis.

The local committee of the Harmon Field have agreed to donate $500.00 towards the erection of the grandstand.  A number of local carpenters have agreed to donate their labor in building the grandstand, as have a number of the Frisco shop men here.

John Cravens was busy first of the week cutting the weeds and dragging the ground in an effort to get it in suitable shape for playing baseball as early as possible.  A.J. Finn of the Frisco Engineering department laid out the diamond yesterday, and practically everything is in readiness to put Chaffee back on the baseball map.

A meeting of interested citizens is to be held one night this week, at which time a baseball club will be organized and a manager for it selected.  Then efforts will be made to bring some good ball clubs here for games.