WHAT THEY DID FOR FUN
In the early days of Cooper County, communities often shared the workload. Combining work and fun was a welcome and common activity. Barn raisings and barn dancing when the barn was finished were great social events.
Another type of work/entertainment would be working together as a team to get major farm crops harvested.
In the Fall, neighbors would gather for hog butchering at one farm and work together at what is a chore for one or two people, but not that difficult with many hands. The next week they would gather at another farm and repeat the work. They would do the same thing when it was time to bring in the grain crops at harvest time. Meanwhile, the women would be busy preparing food for the hungry workers. When the work was finished at one farm, the group would then move on to the next farm and repeat the activity until all the area crops were in. This was the “many hands make work light” idea. It was a very successful way of getting things done and enjoying the activity. Today we see farmers doing a similar activity when one of their neighbors is very ill, has been in a serious accident, or the widow needed help because she had no one to bring the crops in.
The same process would also take place when it was hog butchering time. Not only was it enjoyable for the men to work together, it was a wonderful learning experience for young men.
Women have had a similar type of “many hands make work light” activity. Preparing food together was a wonderful way to learn new techniques of cooking, new recipes, try new dishes and also make new friends "Quilting “Bees” were a similar activity for women. Whether it was creating a quilt for a new baby or for an upcoming wedding, women would work together on the project and have a great time during the discussions that went on. Like the young men, young girls would learn the art of quilt making which they could use in their future lives.
Today, women still gather to do Civic projects and spend the day canning food. During WWI and WWII, women in the Cooper County area made quilts to raise money to send supplies to the soldiers. Today, Cooper County women make “Prayer Shawls for women with cancer.
“Many hands make work light” is still true today.
A Note About Quilt Making
Making a quilt today is almost a lost art. Cooper County has been blessed with many current and former quilters. Even though there are many sources for fabric for today's quilters, this wonderful craft is almost unknown to most of today’s young women. If one has the opportunity to examine earlier quits, one is amazed at the variety of stitches used. These quits are truly a work of art!
In colonial and later days, a family's only source of heat was the fireplace, and the fire was always "banked" at night for safety reasons. Quilts were invaluable to keep the family warm on cold/freezing nights.
Early quilters usually did not have a source for their quilting materials other than their own household. Depending on the weight of the fabric, when a garment became stained, torn or had holes in it, it was not just thrown away, it was used for another purpose. It could be remade into a garment for a child or used for some other household use such as scrub clothes, towels or rag rugs. Small attractive pieces could be saved and used for quilts.
Wool from men's trousers or jackets were often used for family winter quilts. For many families, it was the "wear it out, use it up, make do, or do without” policy.
To receive a quilt as a wedding gift or a gift for a newborn, was almost a priceless gift.
Source: Barbara Dahl
Entertainment in Pilot Grove
Gem Theater
A small town just south of I-70 on M-135, Pilot Grove was once a thriving community. Schools, churches, doctors, and dozens of businesses once catered to the needs of hundreds of people in town as well as hundreds more on nearby farms.
Heinrich's Country Store opened for business in October 1915. Later, the top floor of the store housed the town's main entertainment center—the Gem Theater.
Admission was 15 cents for adults and 10 cents for children. Air-conditioning consisted of six paddle fans. Heating was done by a huge coal burning stove that was fired up early in the morning for evening shows.
“Deep Purple,” a melodrama starring Clara Kimbell Young and John Gilbert, was the attraction on opening night. Unlike today when whole movies are on one DVD, these movies were shown on several reels of actual film. Between reels, slides were flashed on the screen advertising local merchants. And did I mention these were silent movies? The only sound was from a live pianist who was often accompanied by a violin or mandolin.
Other great silent movie stars appeared at the Gem. For comedy, there were Abbot and Costello, Our Gang, and Charlie Chaplin. Westerns starring Buck Jones, Tom Mix, Gary Cooper, and Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., were always a big hit.
The movie house closed with the advent of “talkies.” The Gem continued for a number of years in its new life providing a place for high school plays and commencements. One such play, “The Feast of the Red Corn,” took place on March 4, 1937.
On July 1, 1969, Heinrich's Country Store closed its doors for the last time. The building still stands and old-timers often look up at the second floor … but those days are now just a distant memory.
Resource: Tales From the Village, by Richard L. Salmon
“Deep Purple,” a melodrama starring Clara Kimbell Young and John Gilbert, was the attraction on opening night. Unlike today when whole movies are on one DVD, these movies were shown on several reels of actual film. Between reels, slides were flashed on the screen advertising local merchants. And did I mention these were silent movies? The only sound was from a live pianist who was often accompanied by a violin or mandolin.
Other great silent movie stars appeared at the Gem. For comedy, there were Abbot and Costello, Our Gang, and Charlie Chaplin. Westerns starring Buck Jones, Tom Mix, Gary Cooper, and Douglas Fairbanks, Sr., were always a big hit.
The movie house closed with the advent of “talkies.” The Gem continued for a number of years in its new life providing a place for high school plays and commencements. One such play, “The Feast of the Red Corn,” took place on March 4, 1937.
On July 1, 1969, Heinrich's Country Store closed its doors for the last time. The building still stands and old-timers often look up at the second floor...but those days are now just a distant memory.
Source: Elizabeth Davis "Historically Yours"
The back of the Gem Theater looking to the left across the back of the theater at the projection room which is at the top of the short stairs
The back of the Gem Theater in Pilot Grove during the town's 150th anniversary in Aug. 2023.
Notice the stage and doors on each side going behind the actors or the screen
Lyceum
There was a Lyceum in the early 1900's which hosted local and area educational talks on different subjects. At one time Pilot Grove had two movie theaters. One was in the hall above Pat Conway's store that was also used for roller skating.
There was theater at the Mercantile store on the corner of Second and Roe, now the Meisenheimer Funeral Home. Mr. Conway was the first theater operator in Pilot Grove to run a weekly serial for children and parents. Two that were very popular were "Snow White" and "Perils of Pauline." Heinrich's Mercantile on the corner of First and Roe housed the second theater. His theater featured stationary folding chairs, an elevated floor which slanted towards the orchestra pit and a stage that was used for performances and movies. Admission to the theater was an expensive 15 cents for adults and 10 cents for children. Pearlie Dwyer was the first person to sell tickets and Miss Frieda Kistenmacher was the first pianist.
Source: Elizabeth Davis "Historically Yours"
The Princess Stock Company
The Princess Stock Company presented plays featuring "Toby" and his players. In July of 1944, Toby and his players presented "The Long-Lost Perkins." "Chautauqua’s" were frequently held in Pilot Grove. They were a form of entertainment for adults by the giving of lectures, plays and concerts. They were held for several days, sometimes in tents.
Outdoor movies were shown for a short time in the 1920's in a vacant lot where Twenter Lumber Company is now located. Movies were also shown in the Catholic Church Hall and there was a "CCC" or Civilian Conservation Camp located in Pilot Grove where outdoor movies were shown on Sunday evenings.
Source: Elizabeth Davis "Historically Yours"
The Pilot Grove Rodeo
The Pilot Grove Rodeo, started in 1953, celebrated its 70th anniversary in 2023 featuring the Pilot Grove “Range Riders”. In 2023, over 2,000 people attended this event.
Entertainment in Bunceton
Princess Theater
This was a theater, then a funeral home/furniture store in the 1930's, early 40's.
Later a laundromat, then a bar, and is now apartments.
Entertainment in Boonville
Roller Skating Rinks Come to Boonville
Boonville’s government and city council has changed over the years. In 1902 for instance, all elected officials were men. While the number of wards has changed occasionally, there have always been two councilmen per ward on the city council. Unlike today where the mayor leads the meetings, one councilman was elected President of the Council and led the meetings. When ordinances were passed by a majority, they were signed by the President, and then presented to the mayor for his approval. If ordinances were returned unsigned there would usually be more discussions and a vote to override the mayor’s objections.
In 1902, the council had to decide if baseball could be played on public property on the Sabbath. Less than 40 years later the issue was roller skating rinks. In 1938, Ordinance #1281 was passed prohibiting the operation of skating rinks in Boonville. On November 9, 1938, Mr. Walter Viertel appeared before the Council and presented a petition requesting the city rescind the ordinance and asked for a license to operate a skating rink.
Also present at the council meeting was Attorney John H. Windsor who was representing a group of businessmen who opposed rescinding the ordinance. The council voted to go into Executive Session to discuss the matter. After a lengthy discussion, no action was taken, and the regular session resumed.
The following month, on December 5, 1938, a bill entitled “An Ordinance repealing Ordinance #1281 prohibiting the operation of roller-skating rinks in the City of Boonville, Mo.” was introduced by Councilman Cleary. The bill was read three times and passed unanimously by the council. The bill was signed by the President of the Council, and then presented to and approved by the mayor.
Another bill was introduced to regulate and license the roller rinks. The first reading of the bill said license fees should be $50. A motion was made and seconded before the second reading to make the license fees $100. After a discussion, the bill was rewritten, read three times, and then passed unanimously. Signed by the President, it, too, was presented to and approved by the mayor.
Sadly, roller rinks and bowling alleys aren't as popular in Boonville anymore.
Missouri State Fair in Boonville
The first attempt
Within thirty years of statehood, citizens were calling for a state fair, a fair that would showcase the best of the best in the world of agriculture. On February 24, 1853, the Missouri Legislature authorized the incorporation of the Missouri State Agricultural Society.
Paragraph 2 of their Charter begins: “In addition to the powers above enumerated, the Society shall, by its name and style aforesaid, have power to purchase and hold any quantity of land not exceeding twenty acres, and may sell and dispose of the same at pleasure. The said real estate shall be held by said Society for the sole purpose of erecting enclosures, buildings, and other improvements calculated and designed for the meeting of the Society, and for an exhibition of various breeds of horses, cattle, mules and other stock, and of agricultural, mechanical and domestic manufactures and productions, and for no other purposes…”
Officers were named in Paragraph 5 and were from various counties around the state. M.M. Marmaduke was appointed president.
James S. Rollins, Nathaniel Leonard, Dabney C. Garth, Roland Hughes, James C. Anderson, and Camm Seay, were named vice presidents.
James L. Minor, Joseph L. Stephens, and William H. Trigg were appointed corresponding secretary, recording secretary, and treasurer, respectively.
The Board of Directors held their first meeting in Boonville on June 22, 1853, and the first exhibition/fair was held in Boonville during the first week of October later that same year. As it was decided the Fair should also be educational, an annual address was included and the first speaker was Uriel Wright of St. Louis.
The Missouri Legislature appropriated $1,351.50 for the event. The second fair was held the following year and the Missouri Legislature appropriated another $2,652.88. General James L. Minor, the Society’s corresponding secretary, was the speaker. While it has long been assumed that one learned farming and related agricultural skills by doing, Minor said, “The day is fast approaching when we must be educated for our great occupation.” It seems his vision of the future was on the mark. Few farmers today are without at least some college education.
The third and last fair in Boonville took place in 1855, but it wasn’t for lack of interest. It was the last year the Missouri Legislature appropriated funds for the event. However, that did not permanently stop the fair. For years, people continued to come and compete just for the ribbons.
It wasn’t until 1897 that the next serious attempt at a Missouri State Fair began.
Source: Elizabeth Davis "Historically Yours"
In this image we find 6 locals at the 1908 fair on Main Street.
To the right you see a ferris wheel. The date is August 10, 1908.
From the Wayne Lammers collection
Before Heritage Days
After the turn of the last century, Boonville’s business leaders came up with the idea to have festivals in order to bring people into downtown. The main event would be a parade of carriages and carts covered in flowers.
The Missouri Drummers’ Association (traveling salesmen) held their first annual meeting in Boonville during the 1906 Street Fair and Flower Parade. During the three-day event on July 5-7, over 600 salesmen attended and participated in that year’s festival. Besides the Flower Parade, there were concerts by bands from as far away as Moberly, a shooting tournament, and other athletic events. The ladies were not excluded as they enjoyed rope skipping, potato races, and bowling. And there was a Grand Ball for everyone. No records are available to indicate when the festivals ceased, but by World War I, they were gone.
Although Boonville was platted in 1817, the official “Act to Incorporate the City of Boonville” wasn’t approved until February 8, 1839. To celebrate Boonville’s 100th birthday in 1939, the city organized a Daniel Boone Days event to run from September 28 to October 1. The 4-day party must have been a success as it was repeated the following year from September 15-18.
Records on display at the Old City Jail on Morgan Street indicate Daniel Boone Days became an annual celebration through most of the 1950s. There is a picture of ladies called the Sunbonnet Belles wearing long dresses that is dated “early 1950s.” These celebrations lasted until at least 1957 because “the 1957 festival also marked the centenary of Thespian Hall.” There were no records indicating additional festivals.
Until 1989… As Boonville began to plan for its 150th anniversary, another festival was born—Boonville Heritage Days. Unlike Daniel Boone Days which were celebrated in early fall, Heritage Days take place is early summer. It might have started small but, with each passing year, it continues to grow. This year boasted a parade, high school reunions, a carnival, beer and wine gardens, and enough live entertainment to satisfy the whole family.
Happy Birthday, Boonville.
Boonville Events and Festivals - Past and Present
Boonville is known for its many festivals and special events. It was the site of the first Missouri State Fair.
Cooper County Fair Established in 1950’s
Daniel Boone Days (1940s – 1950’s)
Festival of Lights – (no longer held)
Festival of Leaves – (no longer held)
Heritage Days -est. 1989
Peddler’s Jamboree – est. 2000’s
Big Muddy Folk Festival of the Arts – est. 1990’s
Historic Homes Tour – off and on over the years
Christmas in Historic Boonville
