Ordinarily, one coach wou1d have been enough, but for this last memorial trip the Frisco happily put on the extra two coaches for people who wanted to make history by riding this last passenger train. It was a Chaffee crew that took the 807 on its last run. The southbound crew was Conductor John Montgomery, Fireman Clifford A. Pobst and Engineer James A. Barnes. The northbound crew for the last run was, Conductor Lon A. Tohill of St. Louis, Fireman S. R. Duncan, and Engineer Otis Synder, both of Chaffee.

Conductor John Montgomery, who has been in railroad service over 51 years said, "One thing I'll miss most is having my wife bring my lunch to me when we stop in Chaffee."

This last southbound passenger train marked the end of an era that helped bring prosperity and popu1ation to the Southeast Missouri territory.

Betty Ruth (Montgomery) Rowland has donated her father's Frisco uniform to the CHS Museum and we are very proud to have an original from Chaffee

Dernolished Building Yields Glimpse of the Past -Comerstone was horne to 92-year-old letter.

Signal-March 23, 1997

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 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 demolish the structure, they discovered a kind of time capsu1e with the building's cornerstone.   When Joe Strack, manager of the company, broke open the cornerstone he found a copy of the Chaffee Review newspaper dated Dec. 8, 1905, and a 1903 silver dollar.

The issue of the 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 had an ad as did the now defunct Chaffee Development Co and the Chaffee Quarry.  

A typed unsigned descript On of Chaffee, dated Dec. 5, 1905, was among items found in the comerstone. lt is reprinted as it was written.  Chaffee, Dec. 9th, 1905   The lying of the cornerstone of this building finds the town of Chaffee will under way toward becoming the future "city" of Southeast Missouri. At present there are erected, or under course of construction, about forty dwe1lings and business buildings, most of the businesses being on either side of Yoakum Avenue and West of Second Street. Mertz Bros. Have a large two­story building, covering two lots on Main St., north of cook, JAMES ALEXANDER

Chaffee Alumni Celebrate  Signa1.Nov. 2, 1997 Written By Joy Dobbs Hooker

The Chaffee High School Annual Alumni Banquet, Sat. Oct. 11, 1997, was a huge success with approximately 260 in attendance. Barbara Amold, Alurnni President, gave the welcoming address, fo1lowed by the school song.

Jessie Bumett and Althena Harnpton, 1996­97 scholarship recipients, were introduced and each gave a short description of their school plans.

Ann Whittield presented a reading in memory of the many classmates who have passed away.

After the banquet, catered by the New Hamburg Ladies, master of ceremonies Randy Dooley introduced Dr . Bob Biggs, superintendent, who gave an update on the Chaffee Schools.

The class of 1947 celebrated their 50th reunion while the class of 1952 had their 45th reunion. Both classed were given specia1 recognition. Then, as each decade beginning with 1925 was ca1led, classes graduating in that decade were recognized.

Jackie (Shen) Fowler, member of the 1947 graduating class, gave a history and update on their class. Jackie was vice president of her graduating class and was also Mogu1 Queen. The class presented the Alurnni Association $675 for the scholarship fund.

The class of 1967 also gave the scholarship fund $250 that had been donated to the class by classmate Jay Enderle. The money was given to the fund in memory of classmates Theresa Shaw Band Margie Groves and former teachers, Mrs.Winnie Ozee and Miss Zeta Dunn.

Ann Whittield gave a reading dedicated to the class of 1947 entitled "Moments."

Entertainment by the A1umni Choir, led by Mary Frances (King) Burnett, was entitled "Our Horne Town-Then and Now" with a south Pacific therne and began with four "exotic dancers" in grass skirts, AKA Burl Hooker , Randy Dooley, HoweU Rice and Marvin Mirly. Barbara (Mantel) Arnold led the "dance of the hands" to the tune of "Blue Hawaii.

Other selections by the choir brought back lots of happy memories, especially the good time of Slaughters Confectionery . Slaughters was recently sold at auction after the last owner's, Fay slaughter's death.

Presenting some of the current projects in town were Howell Rice reporting on the newly completed hiking trail at Lake Tywappity .  Betty (Burnett-Dooley) Mirly reported on the recently organized Chaffee Historical Society and Museum.   Randy Dooley reorted on the Chaffee Community Choir organized this spring.  

Christmas ornaments, 1st edition, deicting the Frisco rai1road train station were given as door prizes along with Chaffee Commemorative plates. A1so table decorations in the South Pacific theme made by Audrey Morgan were given as table prizes.   Following the banquet and program, the A1l Stars Band played music for the "30's, 40's 50's and 60's for dancing.  Many thanks to all who worked so hard to make the night a great success.

Loca1-Personal ........Signal-Friday May 5, 1922

L. C. Bisplinghoff has been awarded the contract for installing the plumbing in the concrete residence of Dr. Sample.

Rooms for rent furnished or unfurnished, Mrs. C. H. McCarthy. Phone 5.

Miss Lurlyn Hurt, Kenneth Lankford and Dennis Elrod of this city have enrolled with the S.E. Missouri Teachers College for the summer term.

It rids the house of ants - Strumpfs Magic Hoodoo Paper - The Winchester Store

Pioneer Citizen of the Week - Mrs. Emma O'Bannon 

The Chaffee Leader, Thursday Aug 11, 1955

A daughter of August Heeb, Mrs. Emma O'Bannon was born 1898 in a little log cabin on a 90 acre farm that later would become part of Chaffee's south side. Mr. Heeb may have been the community's first businessman for he operated a butcher shop in his grainary on the farm.   In 1905 Mr. Heeb sold part of his 90 acre farm to the city and the rest to the Hubbard family. He also opened a butcher shop in the second block of South Main and then in 1907 the family moved to a larger farm three mi1es south of Chaffee   Throughout these articles the different people interviewed have expressed varied beliefs as to whether the land on which Chaffee was built was a wheat field or whether it was timber . Mrs. O'Bannon says it was not too well cleared and "as I remember it most of the land was timber with patches of wheat growing here and there. It needed clearing," she said.   Mrs. O'Bannon's uncle Otto Heeb, lived in town in a little house on Fourth and Parker and she used to come to town to visit him. "I remember how 1 used to hear the wolves howling and fighting with the pigs, " she said."

There are not very many things I can remember but what I do remember I remember it very well.  In about 1905 a bunch of us were having dinner out at Witt's farm when we heard a train coming.   It was the first passenger train through Chaffee.    "I was only seven years old but when everybody started across the Witt's wheat field to see the train I was right behind them with the wheat slapping me in the face as I ran."    "1 can remember the first picnic we had here in town. It was held on thecorner.of Fourth and Gray and I'll never forget the merry go round and the big mule they had pulling it"   Another thing I'll never forget is how hard we worked. With eight children in the family there wasn't much time to loaf in those days."   Mrs. O'Bannon was one of the many pioneers that were interviewed during the Golden Jubilee.

GIRL SCOUTS ORGANIZED ,,,,,On May 20, 1935 the Past Matrons Club of the Eastern Star discussed the possibility of sponsoring a Girl Scout troop for Chaffee. At a specia1 meeting June, 1935, the idea was presented to the organization and they discussed the ways and means for sponsoring a troop. Plans were then made and approved.

In July 1935, Miss Lucille Gamet was appointed as a Group Leader and on August 3, 1935, Miss Coquella Klages was appointed as the Co-Leader of the troop. They became leaders of the first Girl Scout troop in Chaffee.   Miss Garnet served as the troop leader for two years but turned in her resignation to become Mrs. Ralph Pfefferkorn.   Miss Klages did not continue with the troop.

An executive committee was to work and try to secure other leaders.   It was composed of Mrs. George Scott, Mrs. J. E. Barkley, Mrs. R. Cooper, Mrs. George Grace and Mrs. C. 0. Slaughter.    On September 21, 1936, Florence Packwood and Ruth Gettings were asked to serve as Captain and Lieutentant.

On October 26, 1936 the club asked Comelia (Burgess) Shuford to serve and she accepted.   On December 15, 1936, she passed her Tenderfoot requirements and on September 20, 1937, she was appointed as Captain of the troop with Mrs. Lyman Faulk as Lieutenant. This troop consisted of girls ages 12 tbrough14.   Connie served until December 1938, when she resigned to accept employment in Kansas City, Missouri.   There are no records regarding this troop after 1938.

Girl Scouting in Chaffee had been an on and off endeavor until 1957 when Mrs. Harold (Hazel Brock) Williams became a 'Neighborhood Chairman.  The organization took a new lease on life during the ten years she was serving in that capacity.

Mrs. W. J. (Ruth) Buckhanon was one of the faithful leaders that had to give up her troop of 8 girls.   Shortly after their June meeting in 1957, Mr. Buckhanon became seriously ill and it was necessary for her to care for him.

In the 1970's, Girl Scouting continued under leadership of such women as Saline Heisserer, Carol Williams, Hazel Williams, Carol (Ryan) Cannon, Janice (Thomton) Rice and Judi Eaker.  The largest group from Chaffee to achieve First Class was honored in May 1974, when 13 girls from Troop 190 became First Class Scouts. Julie Rice and Tammy Boyts each attended two Nationa1 Wider Opportunities.   Cheryl Miller and Madonna Hart went on the council sponsored Bicentennia1 trip to Philadelphia.

Some other leaders over the years have been: Jane Pfefferkom, Mary Ann Jackson, Ruth Ann Glenzy, Lee Ann Martin, Pat Rogers, Dolly Aubuchon, Sharon Talley, and Avis Jean Wolfe.

Hope you enjoy this first newsletter and if you have an article you would like to see in the next newsletter (April) send it to Chaffee Historica1 Society Box 185, Chaffee, MQ 63740.