LETTERS: PERSONAL MEMORIES PROVIDE HISTORY

To the editor:

The recent death of Russell Fowler left a huge gap in my personal local history sources. Most of you know my passion for local history and genealogy. There is the unwritten rule in genealogy that when one is researching an unknown area, you seek out the undertaker and the newspaper historian or archivist. These are the folks who direct you to the old-timers in town.

Time has not been good to the history and genealogy crowd the last few years. I recall the losses of Katherine Cochran, Mildred Vogelsang, Frederick Schneider, Rush Limbaugh Sr., Dr. Ray Ritter Sr. and my buddy, Mr. Fowler. Mr. Fowler and I were early-morning coffee pals with the late Colonial Cape Giardeau Foundation and its efforts to save the old seminary (which, by the way, is a worthwhile project someone should take back up).

I believe the city or newspaper should commend the local history people for their efforts in preserving the city and regional histories. Reporters use them. The college students use them. But little thanks is ever offered. Here's my partial list of folks I have used or spoken to, and they are always kind and ready to assist: Tom Meyer, Miss Judith Crow, Jean Adams, Sharon Sanders, B.W. Harrison, John and Loretta Schneider, Roy Kinder, Vernice Baumstark, Cecilia Sonderman, John Seesing and Jim Wulfers. For Scott County, it is Ramona Glasstetter and Edison Shrum. For Southern Illinois, it is Ray Owen, Edward Hanna and Vincent Doss. For local black history it is Father Darling in Perryville.

I challenge every one of you to contact these people and thank them. It is a true random act of kindness. Maybe the city and the university will follow and recognize them too.

DIANA STEELE BRYANT

Cape Girardeau