GRANT FUNDS TWO PROGRAMS ON RAILROADS

JACKSON - A Missouri Humanities Council grant totaling $1,549 has enabled the "Friends of the Steam Railroading" to sponsor two free programs on history of railroading tonight and Saturday.

In acknowledgment of the grant, Jackson Mayor Carlton Meyer has proclaimed this "Jackson Railroad Heritage Weekend." The St. Louis Iron Mountain Railway will also kick off its sixth season Saturday.

The public is invited to both railroading programs, which will be held in the former Jackson grade school auditorium, 117 West Madison Street. They will both begin at 7:30 p.m.

Tonight, Professor Howard Nobel will speak on "Jesse James, Railroads and Banks." He is currently a professor of history at Wichita State University. He is a leading authority on Jesse James and Missouri in the late 19th century.

John Lichtenegger will serve as master of ceremonies. Mayor Meyer will present the welcome. The Cape Central High School Mixed Chorus will also perform period songs tonight, under the direction of Judy Williams. Other highlights of the evening include a train-signal demonstration and whistle contest.

On Saturday, the doors will open at 4 p.m. for viewing of displays of model trains and railroad artifacts. Retired judge Edwin Ragland will serve as master of ceremonies.

Dr. Craig Miner will be the featured speaker; his talk is entitled "The Significance of the Railroad in the Opening of the West." He is chairman of the department of history at Mineral Area College. He is the author of a noted book on the history of the Frisco Railroad, in addition to more than 20 books and dozens of articles about railroads, Indians and American history.

Also on Saturday, the Chaffee Grade School choir will perform railroad music, under the direction of Pam Dumey. Robert White will present a slide demonstration on "Houck Collection: First Train of the Region." White is an assistant professor of history at Southeast Missouri State University. His talk will be followed by a train-signal and whistle demonstration.

Pre-program music will be presented each evening by Ruth Illers. The auditorium will be open an hour after each program for viewing of the displays. Refreshments will be served.

Mary Strong, manager of the railroad, said this marked the first year the group had applied for a grant.

"The goal of the Friends of Steam Railroading is to promote and preserve the lure of railroads. We decided by applying for a grant, we could educate not only our group but the general public about railroading," she said.

"We tried to target the entire family with the program through speakers, model trains and school groups singing. We tried to get a complete family event," she added.

The St. Louis Iron Mountain Railway opens its sixth season with a 9 a.m. run to Gordonville Saturday. "Cinders," a new bear mascot for the steam railroad, will also make his first appearance this weekend.

Other Saturday trips are scheduled at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., with a dinner trip to Dutchtown scheduled for 5 p.m. Sunday trips are scheduled at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. For more information, persons can contact the train office at 243-1688.