150 years ago (1874)
A Visit to Fulton {by a correspondent of the St. Louis Globe}. I was ushered {by railroad} within the
boundary lines of Callaway, where could be seen the beautiful oak ridge, with their heavy and stately
timbers bordering the rail. The scenery, trees and soil are so different from Audrain and Montgomery
counties, it feels like you are visiting a foreign and distinct country after leaving the counties just
mentioned. I sojourned for more than a week in Fulton, the county seat. The hospitality shown me made
me less inclined toward departing from their midst than I have ever felt before in my life on leaving any
community. I am satisfied anyone else but a horse thief or our honorable Governor, who made himself
by his late military orders so obnoxious to the Callawegians, would have the same regret. {References to
Sheriff Law and Peter Kessler incident. For more info, see Callaway Memories 9/16/23.} If anyone should
have family or friends in The State Hospital and The Institute for the Deaf, they should be thankful for
they have fallen into kind and trustworthy hands. I can safely say there is not an institution of the same
kind in any of our States better conducted. Someday, after road improvements are made, nothing will
prevent Fulton from being a place of considerable size. With the county wagon roads graded and
macadamized, leading to and from the city, it should double in size and cause properties to 'enhance in
value.' It is unfortunate in these precarious financial times that Callaway is compelled to shoulder a
heavy railroad tax. Hopefully, this plus improved roads, would make the land more salable. There are no
lands in any part of Missouri to be found better for the growth of tobacco and other products of the soil,
to say nothing of the undeveloped mineral wealth, which certainly is no insignificant item. Callaway,
with the proper and timely energy, can make herself second to no other county in the State, except St.
Louis. I will say, in conclusion, and on behalf of Fulton, one can find no healthier place in the West and
where the facilities of a complete, thorough and liberal education can be provided, amidst a society both
cultivated and refined.
125 years ago (1899)
From the number of horses trained on Main Street between the Methodist church and Asylum Street, a
stranger might think he was on the edge of a race course rather than a thoroughfare. Someone is going
to be run over and seriously injured if it's not stopped. On Wednesday, a racking horse and a trotter
were being trained. Both made numerous, rapid and reckless trips up and down Main Street. Requests
from individuals have no effect on such 'jocks.' If there is a city ordinance prohibiting rapid riding or
driving, why don't the authorities arrest the violators?
100 years ago (1924)
Horse Vs. Auto. Oh, horse, you are a wonderful thing: no buttons to push, no horn to honk; you start
yourself, no clutch to slip, no spark to miss, no gears to strip; no license buying every year with plates to
screw on front and rear; no gas bills climbing up each day, stealing the joy of life away; no speed cops
chugging in your rear shouting summons in your ear. Your inner tubes are all ok and thank the Lord, they
stay that way. Your spark plugs never miss and fuss; your motor never makes us cuss. Your frame is good
for many a mile; your body never changes style. Your wants are few and easy met; you've something on
the auto yet. ~American Forestry.
50 years ago (1974)
Millersburg Men Are Wise Men. The men of the Millersburg Christian Church have hit on a great idea
that taps what we call the urban gap. They simply chop and cut firewood, a chore that many of the older
Callaway residents did daily for many years than they care to remember. And what's more, the people
of Columbia can't get enough of it. The church is fast building a sizable bank account for needed
projects. What surprises us is the helplessness of the city fireplace owners. Without someone to cut
their wood, their hearths simply would grow cold. The Millersburg Church is selling its wood at an
incredible buy and for a good cause, but in St. Louis and Kansas City, things have gotten out of hand. A
friend tells us of a 7-11 store in KC that sells packets containing four or five green sticks @ $3 each. The
manager told him that his supplier can't chop fast enough to keep up with the demand. A father bought
his son- who really wanted to be a guitar player-a new chain saw and pointed him towards the woods.
John Poff is writing a column for the paper about the weather. Entitled "Charley Jim," the column is
batting 100% on the next day's weather compared to only 70% for the National Weather Service. He
uses Callaway folk lore entirely for his predictions. "Two stars in the ring of the moon mean rain or snow
soon," was the basis for his on-the-spot prediction of last weekend's 1 foot snow fall. Here are some of
his favorite folk lore...If corn shucks are heavy, it's going to be a hard winter. For every summer fog,
there will be a winter snow. If rain stands on leaves, it will rain more. If the sun sets behind a cloud bank
on Sunday, it will rain the next Wednesday. Thunder before 7, rain before 11. Rain before 7, stop before
11. If a horse paws the ground or neighs for no reason, or a tame swan flies against the wind, it is going
to rain. If a barnyard hen crows, there will be a food. Other mentions may include home remedies such
as: smearing blood from a black chicken to cure hives and washing face with May dew to make freckles
disappear.