CHAFFEE'S GROWTH AIDED BY RAILROAD

CHAFFEE -- Situated 12 miles southwest of Cape Girardeau, Chaffee dates to just after the turn of the 20th century.

The community was founded in 1905, and the site was known for many years as The Old Cox Farm, since it was originally purchased by a Mr. Cox from the government in the early 19th century, according to a book titled "From Farm to City" by Mary Helen Thompson, Marilyn Whitaker and Mrs. O.E. Rigdon.

In 1905 the site subsequently was purchased by John Witt, a Sikeston farmer. On June 20, 1905, Witt sold 1,800 acres to the Chaffee Real Estate Co. of St. Louis. Thus the town and name were born.

Edith Arteme, lifetime resident of Chaffee, said that when the town was founded there was just one big walnut tree in it. "And that tree had to be chopped down to widen the streets," said Arteme. "Mr. Loy then also planted trees around the circle park.

"He began planting trees all over town, and now every street is lined with maple trees that he planted. He was solely responsible for planting the trees in Chaffee."

The growth of Chaffee was aided over the years by the Frisco Railroad, which planned to use the Chaffee community as a division headquarters.

Arteme said many of the first people came to town primarily to work on the railroad. Those people had to live in box cars and tents until they could afford to build houses, she said.

"My father and mother moved to Chaffee in 1907," said Arteme. "The Frisco Railroad had just opened up a division point here, and my father wanted to work on the railroad. He and my mother had to live in a tent until they could build a house." She said she was only 2 at the time.

"In 1910 our family was one of the lucky 150 families in town who were eligible for electricity in our home," Arteme said.

Chaffee was incorporated as a fourth-class community in August 1916. Robert Wright was appointed by the county court as the city's first mayor.

Chaffee did not have any paved streets until 1920, Arteme said. "We lived on Third Street, and it was the first one in town to be paved. After it was completed we had a big street dance in front of our house. We were able to sit on our front porch and watch the dance. It was a big time for the town."

Arteme said that every July 4 her father bought a case of strawberry soda at the town's ice plant. She said that was the only time the got soda as a child.

"The old ice plant was located on main street," Arteme said. "We got an ice delivery every morning. Each home placed a card in the window to tell how many pounds of ice you wanted for the day.

"Then he would bring the dripping ice block in the house and put it in our big ice box. As kids we used to follow the ice wagon and he would break ice chips off to give all of us. That was a big treat in my day, and it was better than any candy we could have ever had."

According to Arteme, the railroad is what really made the town. She said her father and many other family members worked on the Frisco Railroad for a number of years.

"It really hurt the town when it closed because it is what built the town," Arteme said. "We used to have six passenger trains pass through town daily going to Memphis and St. Louis."

Arteme said young men from all over the state came to work on the Frisco. "Many of those stayed at my grandmother's boarding house," she said. "It was always full of railroad men."

Then, in 1921, Chaffee had its first and worst railroad strike, Arteme said. "The National Guard had to be brought in here just to hold the peace," said Arteme.

"Those who did try to go back to work ... the union men would try to stop. One man was even murdered. Parents wouldn't allow their children to be out on the streets alone. It was a sad time for Chaffee."

During World War I, Chaffee had a bumper factory and Buckstein Clothing, which made women's house dresses, Arteme said.

"The town also had a hoop mill, which employed all the women in town," Arteme said. "At that time all the men were in the service, and it was the first time I had ever saw women wearing pants and overalls."

Marcus Lauck, former city alderman, said the town really hasn't changed a lot over the years. He said the population has been at approximately 3,000 people for many years.

One change in Chaffee was the housing project that started 1965, said Arteme. It contains 194 units that are well cared for, she said.

"It was a nice addition to Chaffee, even though many people didn't want it here," Arteme said. "It's so different from any of the other housing projects I've ever seen. It hasn't turned into the slums.

"The worse thing in town is the business area because there are so many businesses that have closed down. It's just so sad to see so many empty buildings in town."

Thorngate Limited and Columbia Sportswear Co. are the two major employers in Chaffee. At one time Chaffee's industries included International Hat Co., Florsheim Shoe Co., Buckstein Clothing and a hospital, all of which have closed.

The Burlington Northern and Frisco railroads merged in 1980. The merger brought more rail traffic through Chaffee and new jobs.

Agriculture has always remained constant over the years, Lauck said. "The town has grown a little over the years, but it's a nice little retirement community now," he said.