McDonald County Historical Society

by Alberta Anders

The semi=monthly meeting of the McDonald County Historical Society was held, as announced, Sunday, July 18, at the McDonald County Court House in Pineville. The speaker, Bob Evenson, Attorney at Law, entertained and informed a fascinated crowd. Attorney Evenson was introduced by Carol Klein. The presentation included interesting stories around the (2nd) old Court House on the square in Pineville. As Attorney Evenson shared his favorite subject, history, he introduced his mother and then shared a bottle (empty) from "McDonald County territorial, Special Reserve Whiskey." He shared stories about the Dixie Bell Saloon, in McDonald County, talked about his grandfather, Tommy Alexander and explained the circumstances regarding some bonds, issued to help build the court house and described how history saved McDonald County 19 to 20 million dollars, he talked about his first murder case and differences in the law in Missouri, before and following 1980. He described a court house with a different atmosphere as those days a judge could allow smoking which was done, as well as pipes and the need for a spittoon. A different world, he said, no computers, instead, a big docket book and lots of memories regarding the court house building. We learn things about our county from it he said, and we need to keep it and preserve it. He expressed appreciation to Paul Lewis and Joye Helm for their time and energy spent researching bonds from the 1800's in their successful efforts in confirming they had been redeemed and accounted for.

He talked about a time when visas were required to come in to McDonald County (50 years ago) and about his favorite historical character, President Abraham Lincoln. Time flew as he fielded questions and left the crowd asking for more. The next meeting of the Historical Society will be the 3rd Sunday in September at which time we look forward to a presentation by Linda Lindquist Baldwin at which time we will learn about her Belsnickles and the latest happenings with the historic Iron Bridge at Powell Missouri.

You won't want to miss this interesting program. In the meantime, if you have not had a chance to visit the McDonald County Historical Museum at 302 Harmon, please note it is open Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. and Saturday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., www.mcdonaldcohistory.org or www.mcdonaldcohistory.org/museum.htm