Book on history of Jackson arrives in time for holiday

Written by, about and for local families, a new Jackson history book is an account of how the community sees itself, rather than through the eyes of an outside historian.

"Anyone who has been here any length of time, two weeks to a hundred years, could be in this book," said Cathi Stoverink, history book coordinator. "Some families go all the way back to coming over to the United States in the early 1800s, but then there are also families like Jerry and I who started in 1975."

Several hundred copies of the "History of Jackson, Missouri, and Surrounding Communities" were delivered to Stoverink's Jackson home Friday afternoon. Those who pre-ordered books can pick them up today, Monday and Saturday, Stoverink said.

The book, containing information dating back to Jackson's establishment in the early 1800s, began as a project of the Jackson Heritage Association in January 2000. The association used a book called "History of Southeast Missouri" published in 1888 as a model for the Jackson book.

"The best thing about the book is definitely the family histories, people sharing with other people their past and their story," Stoverink said. "It gave a real sense of community to outlying Cape and Jackson.

"We've have an influx of new people in the last few years. We now have a younger generation and older generation mixed together."

The 304-page book, indexed by last name, contains 400 family histories submitted by area families and more than 400 old and new photos. Almost every contributing family provided a photo. Stoverink shot many of the photographs showing current-day Jackson. Others came from a file of historic images identified and organized by Bernard Schaper, director emeritus of Jackson's heritage organization.

The book is full of stories similar to that of the Henry and Lula Weiss family. Lula was an excellent marksman yet scared of mice. When her mousetraps didn't work, she would grab her .22-caliber rifle and shoot mice in the head, according to the family history submitted by one of her sons, Norman Weiss. There are still several bullet holes in the house's baseboards.

Surrounding communities included in Jackson's history book include Arnsberg, Brookside, Burfordsville, Daisy, Fruitland, Gordonville, Millersville, Oak Ridge, Pocahontas, Tilsit and Whitewater. These accounts were written by area historians. Southeast Missouri State University history professor Dr. Alberta Macke Dougan wrote the history of Jackson.

In addition to families and towns, the "History of Jackson, Missouri, and Surrounding Communities" contains information about local businesses, transportation, agriculture, schools, libraries, epidemics, disasters, sports, churches, military service and organizations.

Saturday morning, Stoverink and her husband, Jerry, were busy wrapping books in cardboard, labeling packages and taping bundles. Books that required mailing were then loaded up and taken to the post office. Stoverink said she hoped they would reach their destinations before Christmas.

"It's three pounds of history," Stoverink said.

jgosche@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 133

Getting books

The "History of Jackson, Missouri, and Surrounding Communities" may be picked up at 868 Morgan Street in Jackson from: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday, Dec. 23; and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 29. Extra books are available on a first-come, first-served basis for $59.95 each. Call Cathi Stoverink at 243-4667 for more information.