HISTORICAL SOCIETY FORMS IN CHAFFEE

CHAFFEE -- Preserving Chaffees railroad history is just part of the job for a newly-formed historical society.

Residents formed the Chaffee Historical Society April 9 in this Scott County railroad town.

The organization meets at 7 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each month. Officers will be elected at next month's meeting.

The group is just getting off the ground, so everyone is playing it by ear, said Betty Mirly, one of its founding members.

The first meeting only drew six people, she said. But about 16 attended a meeting Thursday night at Chaffee City Hall.

A group of residents had wanted to form the society for many years, but no one made the effort until Mayor Bill Cannon called a meeting, Mirly said.

Eventually, the historical society wants to buy land and build a museum. Until then, members will raise money for other projects.

One of their first fund-raising efforts will begin today with a food stand at a local railroad auction. The money collected will help with the society's operating costs.