Saturday, March 29, 2008

Bevier Sesquicentennial Logo Memorabilia Items are Now Available

Sesquicentennial Time! Patty Cheever displays some of the lovely memorabilia items currently for sale. The logo, created by Janice Teter, is available in color or grayscale and can be put on any item.

Purchase tee shirts, sweatshirts, totebags, and hats at J.P.'s Tux, Tees, and More or by contacting Patty Cheever, Nellie Skinner, Bonnie Harrington, or any other Sesquicentennial member.

Memories in the Wings




Art show display

During the Spuds Bar Fund raiser today, guests were treated to tables of Bevier memorabilia. These keepsakes are usually displayed at the Black Diamond Building, but for today, community members could see them in a different surrounding. Also displayed today were art projects created by the Bevier art students, taught by Bridget Weiman.


Spuds Bar menu was delicious and included a lavish baked potato and a choice of topping from chili, to butter, broccoli and cheese, bacon bits, sour cream, cottage cheese, and more. Desserts of homemade pie finished the meal.

Friday, March 28, 2008

2nd Installment of Bevier Calendars For Sale

You will be able to pick up the second installment of the Bevier Calendars at the Spuds Bar on Saturday! (And no, the real ones will not have this litle green froggy as their motif!). Contact Lois McQuitty for more information. The Bevier calendars contain photographs and tidbits of information about Bevier history. More information will be available later on this blog, as well. You might check out the comments on this post if Lois has something to add!

Thursday, March 27, 2008

Bevier Homecoming Parade - Alumni Float


Dorothy "Dot" Stuart was one wonderful lady and is still sadly missed by many. Here she is riding the alumni float in the Bevier Homecoming parade. I think the year was 1975, but feel free to correct me. She is wearing a dress in the style that SHE wore to high school! - CG

The 4943


This photo of "our" CB&Q 2-8-2 #4943 was taken on July 18, 1960 by railroad photographer Alfred R. Jaeger of New York. That's Bernard Weber in the photo -- thanks to his daughter for making the i.d. and posting on this blog! (Click on the photo for the hi-resolution image). ~CG

Saturday, March 22, 2008

Marching Wildcats!



Love those "Riverboat Gambler" uniforms! This is the Bevier Band in the 2005 Homecoming Parade. ~CG

Ready for Rebekahs


Here's a cool pic of Viola and Helen Slightom...ready for a meeting of Venus Rebekah Lodge #142, decked out in their rhinestone jewelry and pretty formals...yep, they made those themselves. My dad would say, "Your mother is going to the hen party tonight."

I remember those slim volumes of "secret work" that mom had to memorize. She'd get mad if she caught me looking at them. (Though I don't know why. They were written in code anyway). On meeting night there was always something yummy-smelling in the kitchen and I would hear, "Don't touch that! It's for lodge!" Dang!

As one of the last to be inducted into #142 before it folded, I can tell you that it was, really, a cool organization. Think about it. Once a month you get out and play dress-up with your girlfriends! How cool is that?

It's easy for us to think that it was a different time, and those ladies "didn't have jobs" and had plenty of time for things like lodge meetings, but then again...I'm not hanging out my laundry on a clothesline or plucking my own chickens these days. How many of us could benefit from spending a bit more time out with our girlfriends? Maybe someday we should bring back the Rebekahs to Bevier, hmm? ~CG

Class of 1943

I know that Charlotte (Cress) Cross was a member of this class, but I'm not sure who else. This was their parade entry in 1983, for their 40th reunion. CG

The Class of 1975


John Pappenfoht, John Sparkman and Jayne Dwiggins are seen chuckin' the candy from the 30-Year Reunion float in 2005! Share your photo on this blog from your own class reunion! - CG

Friday, March 21, 2008

The Workhorse of Bee-Veer Mine

One of the largest, mobile land-stripping machines of its day was the workhorse of the Bee-Veer mine. It stood 12 stories tall, weighed in at 3,210 tons and sported a 65-cubic-yard bucket and a boom that reached 170 feet in length. My uncle, Paul E. "Gene" Slightom, was one of the operators. The cab was on the second floor, which he reached by elevator. The maintenance men worked on the third floor. Let's take the time to document the names of all the individuals who worked on this magnificient piece of machinery, before those names are lost to the past! Please leave your post now! ~CG

Thursday, March 20, 2008

The B&S 109


Bevier & Southern #109 was a 2-6-0 Mogul. It was originally made for the Illinois Central Railroad in 1900 and was that railroad's #560. Can anyone identify the men in this photo?

We've been Granted!

Good news. The Lawrence Scripps Wilkinson Foundation has generously granted us one of their commemorative trains to place in the Black Diamond Museum. This train will have seven cars and is a gift through the generosity of Mr. Wilkinson, a long time train collector. This will be the engine of the train we'll place in our museum. Following the photo, you will be able to read the grant application with Bevier historical notes. Thank you, Mr. Wilkinson!!!!!

Application to Lawrence Scripps Wilkinson Foundation
Collection of Famous Trains
Brief Narrative History of Bevier, Missouri,

Bevier’s first settlers, English and Welsh nationalities, filed a claim for the city in 1858, using land donated by Lewis Gilstrap. Named for Colonel R. S. Bevier, a Civil War commander, the town emerged through years of industry, work, and miracles into the prosperous days of coal mining boom town and into its present status of a friendly, small village.
Alex Rector’s accidental pick stroke created the impetus for the town’s record-breaking coal production. While digging for water, he found coal, the black diamond of the Midwest. In 1862-63 the railroad began to take an active part, sinking a shaft near the depot to utilize steam to hoist coal. During the 1870’s through the early 1900’s many more shafts were sunk, including the state record breaking Mine Number 68. The town welcomed immigrants from Italy, Germany, and many other countries to enrich the city with their natural desire for success and achievement. Through it all the railroad emerged as a vital lifeline for industry, commerce, and trade. Before the days of the railroad, the town existed through struggling attempts to unite with the outside world. Stage coach roads were often threatened by winter storms, spring floods, boggy bottom lands, and washed out bridges. The passengers faced raids by Missouri Indians, as well as the natural dangers of land travel. However, on February 16, 1847, the Hannibal and St. Joseph Railroad was chartered to build between the cities and provide a short-cut between the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers. Coupled with Alex Rector’s chance discovery and the entrepreneurial spirit of Thomas Wardell, the railroad began shipping coal, and history was set into motion.


The Bevier and Southern (B&S) Railroad began in northeast Missouri prior to 1898, operating as a coal spur from Ardmore to Excello, where it connected with the Wabash Railroad. For many years the B&S operated to haul coal and also the two round trips daily passenger trains. Its usual passenger list included seven miners’ cars and coach, number 204. The line, enhanced by a Roundhouse and Slackwasher, continued well into the 1900’s, with more than sixteen miles of main line. It connected to six miles of mine tracks and had up to 80 steel coal cars, two flat cars, and five modern steam engines. Although the railroad did not continue to carry huge loads of coal, it continued for several years. Today the Bevier community nurtures a giant steam engine, carefully and ceremoniously located on its main street. This train engine remains a loving tribute to the men and women who mined, worked, and cherished the town during those famous early years. Currently a freight train, the Burlington Northern, slices through Bevier daily, continuing the tradition of railways through the countryside.


The community has a strong religious background, which helps hold it together throughout times of adversity and prosperity. Churches today include the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Bevier First Baptist Church, Church of Christ, and Bevier Congregational Church.
Although the town has seen a decline from the glorious “boom town” days, it continues to maintain a growing number of independent businesses. The town has a branch bank, a wonderful grocery and meat market, three restaurants, two convenience/gas stations, a US Post Office, a RV and mobile home park, a doctor’s office, several gifts and antiques shops, beauty shops, automotive repair, carpentry, and other businesses. Each year in August a Bevier Homecoming celebration includes family reunions, local and Nashville entertainment, carnival expos, parade, and other social events. This annual event in its sixtieth year marks the town’s desire to keep in touch with those who moved away following the demise of the coal boom.


Bevier continues to prosper as a small, rural community in Missouri. Its school system, initiated in rural schools and churches during the 1850’s, evolved to the current building located on Bloomington Street. For most Bevier graduates, the history of the town is undeniably linked with the railroad as students have studied the railway’s impact and posed for many pictures with the giant steam engine on their city street. The Bevier Wildcat athletic teams are proud of their heritage, as well. They boast several victories in baseball, softball, and basketball, including state championships and personal records established by graduates. The educational sense of pride remains uppermost as the school has earned several honors of scholastic distinction during the past decades.
Members of the town, former graduates, and local citizens joined together to create the Black Diamond Preservation Organization in 1991. Its goal: To organize, preserve, and maintain Bevier History and to further education of tomorrow’s citizens. The primary location of this preservation centers on the Black Diamond Building, a former lodge. Inside a visitor will find beautifully carved woodwork and examples of old brickwork. The structure is used for community events, the annual Christmas extravaganza, wedding receptions, Proms, and other events. All events maintain careful respect of the treasured artifacts of Bevier history. Black Diamond members have also integrated a variety of display cases and preserved shelving to showcase the illustrious past. This building will house trains donated by your fine organization if you choose to honor our town’s railroad heritage with such a fine gift. The building has excellent care and is maintained for the purpose of community education and service.


The Wilkinson Foundation seems to be a special kindred spirit to this town. The spirit of collecting, of historical modeling and accuracy, and of generosity exhibited by your foundation would be a perfect complement to the efforts of our local citizens to enhance this community during its Sesquicentennial celebration this year of 2008. We are so grateful to have heard of your organization, and we are eager to hear your decision regarding this grant of application for model trains. Enclosed is a copy of our non-profit status, photos of our town, the Black Diamond building where the train(s) would be housed, and other sites of community interest. For further notices of our town’s history and Sesquicentennial events, you may link to our blog: www.beviersesquicentennial.blogspot.com

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Sunday, March 16, 2008

Bevier Homecoming Parade!


Didn't Janet make a great Mary back in 1987? I love it!!! The Sacred Heart Church always had a great float. You know, most every kid in and around Bevier ended up in the parade at some point...either on a float, decorated bike, marching with the band or just walking with mom dressed in some this-is-just-too-hot-for-words costume! Share your memories and your pics, and we'll even let you brag about how many ribbons you won! ~CG

Inside the Roundhouse

Mike Haper has been so generous in allowing us to use the wonderful photos he shot back in the early 60's, and this one brings back so many memories! I loved the smell of the roundhouse. Then again, I loved the smell of Hyde's Garage too, but the roundhouse smelled even better! Keep in mind that all the drills, sanders and stiff were steam-driven. It was LOUD when all those belts started to move! That's a blacksmith's forge in the top left corner. The B&S stayed with steam engines for as long as they could. Even after parts were no longer available, a master blacksmith named Ralph Blake could make just about any part that they needed. I have a brass bank that he made for me when I was born and I cherish it. When Mr. Blake died, the B&S had no choice but to go to diesel engines. That's when they sent my dad, Clinton Slightom, to Hannibal to learn the trade and he became the diesel mechanic for the B&S. ~CG

Are you a Bevier Bandsperson?


If you have ever tooted, drummed, marched, twirled, or otherwise participated in a Bevier Band, leave a little message about your memories!

45 Years Ago! The 1963 Bevier High School Marching Band!

Front row: Marilyn Lobmire, Richard Vestal, Janice Jones, Faye Cross, Virginia Cross, Carlotta Tuttle, Roberta Bailey, Janette Jones, Linda Ronchetto, Marilyn Glenn.

2nd row: Director Jerry Reisinger, Ramona Campbell, Rita Everly, Bonnie Harrington, Joni Patrick, Peggy Cox, Carol Vass, Susie Singleton, Joetta Amedei, Rita Norman, Jackie Richardson, Cheryl Bailey, Peggy Richardson, Majorette Patty Julius.

3rd Row: Majorette Carol Cross, Linda Biondi, Johnny Chiarottino, Jimmy Pfeifer, Johnny Falkiner, Carl Reese Harefield, Nolan Singleton, Joe Amidei, Judy Richardson, Anabel Norman, Helen Cross, Debbie Kitchen, Gloria Slightom, Majorette Brenda Day.

4th Row: Drum Majorette Pat Burk, Bruce Slightom, Marvella Thomas, Pat Vass, Freddie Ricker, J.R. Burnam, Connie Compton, Harold Compton, Lucien Cox, Mike Burk, Rodney Buster, Greg Buster, Jerry Chiarottino, Bill Day, Majorette Dana Fately.

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

Spuds Bar!!!!


Stay tuned for more information regarding an event for Black Diamond Sesquicentennial. The local cooks will feature a Potato Bar on March 29th at the Bevier School from 11 to 3. Come indulge in a loaded baked potato, beverage, and homemade pie! Following the meal, enjoy a tour of now and then as you browse through a Bevier Art Show and Bevier Black Diamond Memorabilia Presentation. Come on. You know you want that tater!

Sunday, March 9, 2008

Meet Me In .... Bevier, m'dear

1976 Cast of Meet Me in St. Louis
Front row: Cindi Slightom, Janet Adams. Second row: Colleen Wiggans, Brenda Harrington, Paula Falkiner. Back row: Roberta Hunter, Carolyn Martie, Richard Wells, Natalie Long, Bobby Craig, Tim Gill, Laura Thrasher, Doug Simons, Pam McVicker, Gina Pinkerman.

In 1975 this group of young Bevier students met a very young, totally inexperienced English teacher for the first time. These kids demonstrated quickly the elements of becoming a "Bevier person." I (of course, I was the new teacher!) soon found out that being a part of Bevier School meant dedicating a lot of hours to wonderful projects. I also discovered kids and parents who were more than willing to devote even more hours for school, community, and local events. Meet Me in St. Louis, my first attempt at directing a high school drama, was a memorable evening. Flowers arrived from parents to congratulate students. I experienced a true "opening night," and the cast will forever remain an entity in my memory, each person adding that special sparkle to the drama. I continue teaching here at Bevier, and as I look into my classes I see many students who are children of students I once taught in my earlier days. That unique experience of seeing generations unfold truly teaches me the lesson I feel most valuable: Time ticks on. People come into our lives and quietly (0r not so quietly) leave an imprint of themselves and their potential. Life is short, sweet, and full of promises.

Bevier's 150 years must seem like an eternity to our students who are waiting on their side of the banks... but if it is only about six times the span of time I've known Bevier folks, it has passed in a flash. Several of the young people in this photograph above, too, too many, have already passed into Heaven, but that strong spirit they gave us will never leave. We loved them then, and we love them now.


Please email me your photos and memories to Savannah@cvalley.net You can also let me know about your bulletins of upcoming events, and your ideas for articles for this blog. And take a look at this year's sophomore class (plus a few juniors and seniors) as they cheered for their 2008 Homecoming Wildcats. These wonderful young people are a part of our future, but even sweeter for those of us who watch them, they are a part of our past. Enjoy the ride... -- G.P.

Saturday, March 1, 2008

All aboard!


Welcome to the Official Blog for the Bevier Sesquicentennial. See local treasures, fascinating objects, places, people and events from the past. Blog hosts will be Cindi Grim and Gayla Pappenfoht. We hope all of you will help us by sharing your photos and memories.