BCHS Spring 2023 Newsletter

Earhart evoked ‘lure of flying’ in her 1936 lecture at Princeton High Pioneering aviator disappeared 15 months later over Pacific Ocean

By Jim Dunn Bureau County Historical Society Board

Fifteen months before she disappeared over the vast Pacific Ocean during an attempted around-the-world flight, pioneering aviator Amelia Earhart found herself on a lecture stage in Princeton, Illinois.

“The lure of flying is the lure of beauty,” the 38-year-old pilot told a Bureau Valley Civic League audience that crowded into the Princeton High School auditorium on Tuesday evening, April 7, 1936.

“It takes one to know one,” might have been the enraptured audience’s response as they beheld the famous Earhart –5-foot-8, slim, gray-eyed, with fair, wavy hair kept short –who had racked up a series of impressive aviation firsts.

Wearing a brown crepe dress with a satin jacket and egg shell trim, Earhart “impressed her listeners as much with her charm as with her intellect,” according to a story in the Bureau County Republican.

“Her voice was well modulated and her stage presence most pleasing,” the BCR reported, adding an admiring nod to her “keen sense of humor.”

Earhart tickets were the hottest item in town that April evening. The Civic League, in a BCR story the previous week, sternly announced it had to refuse numerous requests for tickets from non-members eager to see the first woman to fly the Atlantic alone and the first person to solo

Jessica Gray – Curator’s notes

Stories behind artifacts are begging to be told

I have been Curator at the Bureau County Historical Society for just over five months, and I have to tell you one of the aspects of this job that has struck me so soundly is the overwhelming presence of stories here. They’re all around us – every week someone walks in the door of the museum with an unusual item from their family and I swear, if you’re someone with good eyesight and a questioning mind, you just might

see the gossamer threads of the stories from that family trailing behind, clinging to the object and begging to be told, to not be forgotten.

Not having grown up in Bureau County, not having any family history here beyond that which I make every day with my family of three, I daily have the enviable experience of wishing I was from here. Wishing I had family that built one of our fine, old homes,

over the Pacific from Honolulu to California.

“A rigid ruling is made to the effect that since tickets for the season are available in advance to all residents of this vicinity, no admission courtesies will be extended to non-members excepting in the case of guests of members,” the Civic League announced.

So there.

EARHART, page 4

owned a Main Street business in a historic building in any of our charming little towns, played a role in a notable event, even just as a witness, or were now residents of one of the silently beautiful cemeteries we have.

I wish I could search for my ancestors in the digitized Bureau County Tribune – let me tell you that’s a wonderful way to lose an afternoon – or walk down any street and say, “My family played

6

Amelia Earhart stands next to her Lockheed Model 10E Electra airplane in 1937. Earhart spoke in Princeton on April 7, 1936, 15 months before she went missing over the Pacific Ocean.

JESSICA GRAY, page

From the President’s pen

Discovering a hidden gem of history

While touring the Bureau County Historical Society’s excellent new exhibit on the life of Grace Clark Norris, I expected to find out more about her, which I did.

What I didn’t expect to find was a photo taken of a famous World War I general during his visit to Princeton. But there it was, hanging on the wall of the Clark-Norris House as part of our Getting to Know Grace display that opened in March.

Looking out from that photo is none other than Gen. John J. Pershing, the commander of the American Expeditionary Forces that deployed to France to fight the Germans. The date was May 30, 1921. Pershing, dressed uncharacteristically in a suit, tie and straw hat, poses with several local residents next to a vintage automobile.

I’d heard several times previously that Pershing once visited Princeton, but I didn’t know the date. Now I did. Later that day, while visiting Newspapers.com, I found a story in the Bureau County Tribune from June 3, 1921, that described Pershing’s visit. Here’s the gist of it.

Pershing wanted to visit the grave of his sister, Grace Pershing Paddock, in Princeton to lay flowers on it for Memorial Day. However, he didn’t want to make a big splash, so he traveled in civilian clothing, accompanied by his brother, James, and an orderly.

What foiled the planned secrecy was the fact that he ordered flowers ahead of time through his sister-in-law by marriage, and she spilled the beans.

Arriving by train, Pershing graciously acceded to the request of a local delegation to ride in a parade, give a speech, and attend a dinner. During all the hubbub,

BUREAU COUNTY HISTORICAL SOCIETY BOARD OFFICERS

President – Jim Dunn

Vice President – Dan Martinkus

Treasurer – Lexi Mecum

Secretary – Eliott Wolfe

Pershing accomplished his original goal of seeing that his sister’s grave was decorated with red Milady roses supplied by Trimble’s Greenhouse.

Addressing a crowd in the thousands at the courthouse square, Pershing said he was glad for the privilege of speaking there.

“Memorial Day comes at a time of the year when nature is in full bloom and our hearts are filled with kindly sentiments. In such surroundings we recall to mind our loved ones and do honor to those who made the supreme sacrifice for our country,” he said.

Pershing finished his short remarks to great applause. He was then honored at a dinner at the Bureau Valley

Unexpected excitement ensued when on the way back

Pershing and his companions were safely delivered to

What a story! And I’d never have known this hidden gem

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Steve Bouslog

Bill Bouxsein

N. Dana Collins

Stephanie Foes

Curt Johnson

Becky Kramer

Ann Lasson

Jon McCutchan

Herb Rhees

Tori Yepsen

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Lex Poppens

MUSEUM ASSOCIATES

Jessica Gray – Curator

Mike Hult – Research

Pam Pratt – Sales/Sponsorships

Executive Director’s letter

Fulfilling our mission as a historical society

Over the past year, I’ve been asked a lot about the purpose of the Bureau County Historical Society. Our mission is fairly straightforward—to educate the public on the history of Bureau County and the surrounding area through the collection, preservation and interpretation and exhibit of artifacts and related materials.

It really is much more than that. Recently, a couple drove in from Lone Tree, IA to visit the gentleman’s grandmother. Prior to seeing her, they stopped in to see the “Getting to Know Grace” exhibit. They also wanted to see a display of pocket knives they had viewed several years ago.

When the gentleman saw that the pocket knife display was no longer out, he asked if I knew where the knives were. After a couple minutes of description and timing, I was able to find this knife and learned the significance of it to him.

This simple knife was an artifact from the American Civil War and belonged to his Second Great Grandfather, who placed the knife in the foundation of his Bureau County home. In later years, the gentleman’s grandparents searched and found the knife after hours of dismantling a portion of the home’s foundation.

As he held the knife, I could see how much it meant for him to hold an item from a Civil War-era relative and recall the memories of his grandparents. How wonderful it was to witness this moment and to know that despite the time that has passed, this artifact still holds meaning. What I’ve discovered over the past year is that the artifacts and stories associated with them are part of our collective history. Every day at either of our two museums, we discover these cool nuggets of history and the impact they have had locally and, in many cases, nationally. I am so thankful for our past and present donors and members. Their gifts to us, whether physical or financial, give us the opportunity to share our history and treasured memories. We are preparing to launch a new exhibit for our beloved veterans as well as embarking on a planning process to give the Sash/Stalter/Matson Building a new purpose. Donations of any size help keep our doors open and provide historical moments for the present and the future.

There are ten museums in Bureau County representing our past. Take time to visit them especially with young people. Explore your history!

EARHART, from page 1

Biographer Susan Butler writes that Earhart was paid $300 per lecture. In 1935, Earhart earned about $40,000 for 136 lectures given in front of a combined 80,000 people – money she used to finance her aviation exploits.

Earhart, who was introduced by Dr. K.M. Nelson of Princeton, made two key points during her lecture: first, that aviation would and indeed must play an increasingly important role in America’s commercial and social life.

“She states that her flights as well as those of other air explorers all help to build more firmly the foundation on which future aeronautic development rests,” the BCR reported.

Second, Earhart called on women, through aviation and other nontraditional fields, to advance above and beyond society’s limited expectations in the 1930s.

“The speaker declared that twothirds of the success of any expedition depends upon the preparation, and that in all of her major flights she confers with a technical adviser who is usually a pilot in whom she has confidence,” the BCR reported.

“Miss Earhart also maintains that since mental hazards are one of the greatest obstacles, all worrying should be done at least two months before the expedition gets underway, and in the line of worry, it has always been her endeavor to overcome, not overlook, risks.”

For Amelia Earhart, greatness as a pioneering aviator and advocate for women is her lasting legacy. For Princeton, the story of its brush with Earhart’s greatness is worth remembering.

In those days, about 1,000 people could fit into the PHS auditorium –quite ample for a city with a mid1930s population of about 5,000. It had been in use since the school building first opened in September 1926. According to the 1927 PHS Tiger yearbook, “The large stage is inclosed [sic] in gray, with a gorgeous curtain of blue and gold.”

Those fortunate enough to gain admittance heard Earhart, standing on that large stage, tell of her flights “on starlit nights, through billowy clouds, as well as during rain storms, and in daylight over water and landscape.”

Ironically, Earhart drove, not flew, to Princeton for her 8:15 p.m. appearance, having arrived late in the afternoon. She was in the midst of a busy lecture tour. During the previous six months, according to the BCR, she had traveled to 30 states from Massachusetts to California, averaging 4,000 miles of driving a month.

“Women should strive for goals outside of what is ridiculously known as their sphere, if they are to become persons. Women must do for themselves what men have already done for themselves,” she said.

While it was not widely known, Earhart was making plans at the time of her Princeton lecture to fly around the world. On July 24, less than four months later, she took possession of a brand new twin-engine Lockheed Electra 10E airplane in California – the same plane which, the following year, carried her and navigator Fred Noonan more than 22,000 miles on their ill-fated journey. They disappeared over the Pacific en route from New Guinea to Howland Island on July 2, 1937. Separate searches organized by the U.S. Navy and George Putnam, Earhart’s husband, proved fruitless.

Wrapping up her lecture at PHS, Earhart described how she typically got ready for her epic air journeys.

Author’s note: Sources for this article are Bureau County Republican archives; “East to the Dawn: The Life of Amelia Earhart,” by Susan Butler; “The Sound of Wings: The Life of Amelia Earhart” by Mary S. Lovell; the 1927 PHS Tiger yearbook; and Wikipedia. Note to readers: Jim Dunn, a retired editor of the Bureau County Republican, is president of the Bureau County Historical Society Board.

FUN FACT!

The Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Princeton was built on behalf of the citizens of Bureau County in 1912-1913. When completed, it was dedicated on June 12, 1913, to commemorate the soldiers and sailors who served their country during the Civil War.

Amelia Earhart

This photo appeared in the Bureau County Republican on April 2, 1936, to promote Amelia Earhart’s upcoming lecture at Princeton High School on April 7. It shows Earhart with her Vega 5B single-engine airplane, “Old Bessie.”

New Exhibit Opens the 2023 Year

As a part of our celebration of significant women of Bureau County, on March 4, the Society opened the Clark/Norris Museum with a new exhibit focused on Grace Clark Norris, titled Getting to Know Grace. The exhibit is an intimate look at the lives of Grace and her parents, Sam and Ann Clark, the early days of the Clarks’ marriage in Dover in the 1860s on their farm, Ivy Gate, to the building of their beautiful home in 1900 on the corner of Park Avenue West.

“The staff at the BCHS has created an in-depth experience related to the life of Grace Norris,” says Board Member Steve Bouslog. “Grace was an integral part of the creation of the BCHS. You will learn about

her life and impact on others in Princeton and the surrounding area.”

Although the Clarks were a wealthy prominent family in the county, only one of their six children, Grace, survived to old age. Their remaining children were all taken by disease and public tragedy. In addition, Grace’s only child, a daughter, died at birth.

Nevertheless, this remarkable family, including Grace and her husband, Alfred Norris, remained open-hearted and gave of their time and money to various community organizations, churches and businesses.

This great philanthropic family has left an indelible mark on this county that remains to this day. The exhibit introduces them to the public through the stories of those who knew them best - from family and friends to servants - through the family’s personal letters and photographs, to the stories of the grand parties they enjoyed hosting

New Military Exhibit Opens in May

Please join us in May for Military Appreciation Month as we acknowledge and honor the sacrifices of our Bureau County veterans. The exhibit will feature military artifacts dating from the Civil War to the present, including numerous uniforms, medals, photographs, and military accessories. As a part of this exhibit, we have nearly 150 audio and video interviews with Bureau County veterans from WWII and Vietnam that will be accessible to the public.

in this home, and the lengthy news coverage of their business dealings, social engagements, charitable work, and finally their deaths.

The response to the exhibit has been strong, so we’ve extended it through April 15, 2023. Don’t miss this intimate tribute to the legacy of Grace Clark Norris and her family.

Getting to Know Grace

Grace’s Coat

The Family Wall

George and Harriett

JESSICA GRAY, from page 1

a role in the building of that house, or these streets, or that monument.”

Daily I come across the names of well-known families still living here and the activities their ancestors were involved in 100 years ago, and I think that’s just so fascinating To know exactly what your greatgrandfather or great aunt or uncle were involved in, to know not only their names, but their stories, and where they walked and spoke those stories to others.

The people of Bureau County, and I suppose in small towns everywhere, live side by side with their history. It is an indelible part of who they are. The Bureau County Historical Society Museum is often the final

Black History Month Celebration

resting place for much of that history. Working here is a daily exercise in concentration and at least an attempt on my part at getting from Step A to Step B without getting sidelined by my ever-present curiosity about literally everything around me. I think – what’s the story about that piece? Where did that come from? I wonder who the unnamed people are in the photograph, the baby kissing her mother’s cheek, her lips just on the verge of a smile, I wonder what joys they held, what sorrows they met. Who did they become, and where did they go?

I look at black and white photographs of a horse and buggy

processing down dirt streets of a business district, and I swear I can hear the clip-clop of hooves, the din of conversation as the shoppers shoulder their way down the sidewalk, feel the grittiness of the dust from the street kicked up in the wake of passing wagons, filled with goods from the general store. Your stories are all around you and we’re here to help you tell them, keep them, and pass them on to your children. Please visit with us, we can’t wait to listen, and give you back your history in a new way.

Volunteer Spotlight

12 Questions with new board member

Herb Rhees

1. College Alma Mater – Oklahoma University

2. Last show you binge watched – Fox News

3. Favorite place for a business meeting –My house

4. We’ll find you on the weekend doing –Chores and reading

5. Any pets – No

6. Last book you read – Lincoln On The Verge by Ted Wilmer

7. Most famous person you’ve ever met –Bob Dole

The Bureau County Historical Society celebrated Black History Month in February with two compelling presentations in collaboration with the Princeton Public Library. Professor N. Dana Collins presented “The Lincoln Years, 1830 to 1861.” BCHS Curator Jessica Gray presented the compelling story of Free Frank McWorter and his family’s struggles and victories. For more information on their presentations, visit our website, www. bureauhistory.org and click on the Events/Exhibits page.

8. People would be surprised to know that you – Love children and church

9. Favorite candy – Chocolate

10. Favorite exhibit at BCHS – Military

11. Favorite childhood memory – Many friends and school

12. Words of advice – Make as many friends as you can and keep them

Bureau County Historical Society April–June 2023 Event Calendar

Sat., April 1 Celebrating Grace Norris (extended through April 15, 2023)

Sat., April 15 Museum Exhibits Closed until May 5, 2023

Tues., April 18

Thu., April 20

Happy Birthday Grace Clark Norris

Happy Birthday Samuel P. Clark

National Military Month Preparation Begins

National Military Appreciation Month

Mon., May 1 Civil War movie. Call for title information. Free admission.

Sat., May 6 Jim Dunn presents “The nearly forgotten story of C. Wayland Brooks”

Mon., May 8

Sat., May 13

movie. Call for title information. Free admission.

Happy Birthday Virgil Fox

Mon., May 15 WWII movie. Call for title information. Free admission.

Thu., May 18

Mon., May 22

Tue., May 23

Museum Day

War movie featuring Robin Williams, Forest Whitaker and more

Happy Birthday William Bascom, Folklorist

June Museum Exhibits Closed until July

Fri., June 16

Happy Birthday Jerry Hadley

Mon., June 19 Juneteenth

All dates, times and locations subject to change. For detailed information call us at 815.875.2184 or visit our website, www.bureauhistory.org., for current information.

Maintenance Wish List – Funding opportunities for the Bureau County Historical Society

Future capital and program projects

- Scholarship funds for high school and college/ university internships

- Memorial Day 2023 Exhibit

- Alarm System for facilities

- Paint the trim and outside of the Matson Library

- Tuckpointing the Clark/Norris Museum

- Replace the porch door of the Clark/Norris Museum

- Repair or replace the disabled door of the Newell/ Bryant Museum

- Research room lighting

- 2nd floor light switch wedding gown room of the Newell/ Bryant Museum

- Research room walls leaching/paint peeling

- Level the entry before the stairs of the research room

- Gutter repair north/east/center of the Clark/Norris Museum

- Past Perfect Program for collection

Staff Wish List

- Small, counter top microwave

- Desktop printer

- Printer paper

- Coffee maker (Thank you Dr. and Mrs. Jeff Martin)

Would you like to help fund one of these items? Call us at 815-875-2184 for details.