Ante-bellum Tour and Tea shares pre-civil War history of Cooper County, takes pride in past Story and photos By Melissa Bushdiecker The Record Reporter June 10, 2003 Page 9 Sunday, May 24, 2003 marked the first Ante-Bellum Tour and Tea to take place in southwest Cooper County. Sponsored by the United Daughters of the Confederacy [UDC] with help from the Daughters of the American Revolution [DAR], the event went off without a hitch. Pre-Civil War plantation homes Pleasant Green, Crestmead and Burwood hosted more than 100 folks to tour each of the featured estates. William Painter, one of Hannah Cole s last living relatives, kneels beside Cole s grave looking at a Pilot Grove school book that has a 1932 photograph of the first marking of Hannah Cole s grave sponsored by DAR. Painter is three years old in the photograph. The event kicked off at 1:00 p.m. with a wreath laying tribute to Hannah Cole, Missouri first pioneer woman settler. DAR sponsored the ceremony at Cole s grave located at Briscoe Cemetery next to Hannah Cole Roadside Park on Hwy 5. With over 35 people in attendance, coordinated Angie Fountain couldn t have been more pleased. I think we had a really nice turnout, said Fountain. It was wonderful to see the Sons of the American Revolution [SAR] Color Guard come all the way from Kansas City to honor Hannah s grave.

After the presentation of the Color Guard, a prayer was lead by DAR Librarian Patricia Holmes followed by a brief history of Cole s life. HANNAH COLE, born in 1764 in Wythe County, Va., is recognized as the first white woman settler south of the Missouri River in Cooper County. She moved west with her husband William Temple Cole and nine children. When her husband was killed by Indians at Loutre Island, she continued the journey with the Steven Cole family and eventually landed in a cabin near the Missouri River east of Boonville. The cabin later became a fort during the Indian wars, which is said to be the meeting place when Cooper County was organized in December of 1818. Cole was an accomplished leader. At her fort she nursed the military, cast leaden bullets and performed many other tasks to help her fellow settlers plight. Cole s place, thus called Hannah s Fort, was the home of the first circuit, county and probate court, and the first polling place. According to DAR, Cole was the first business woman in Missouri as well as the first to obtain a license to operate a ferry. Cole County, which is the home of our Missouri State Capital, was named after Hannah Cole and the land that Boonville sits upon was once owned by Cole including some 240 acres for which she paid $2.00 per acre. Cole passed away in 1843 at the age of 79. DAR and UDC recognize Cole for making tremendous contributions to Missouri s history. Among those attending were two of Cole s remaining relatives, William Painter and son Jean Painter. In conjunction with the ceremony in honor of Cole, all three plantation homes were open for touring from 1-5 p.m. where a great piece of history was taught to all who attended. PLEASANT GREEN residence of Florence Winky Friedrichs, located on Hwy 135, was built in 1820 by Winston and Polly Walker, with federal style additions in 1835 and 1850 of hand made brick that was made on the property. The red bricks, rich in color, were made from clay that was taken from the sloping hills on the property. One slave cabin remains behind the home, which was open for touring and hosted a chair caning demonstration on the porch, led by Diane Clark of Glasgow. Clark has been caning chair bottoms for 30 years. She weaves the chair bottoms with the outer covering of the rattan plant, which resembles small-bamboo-like strips. UDC, donned in period dress, hosted a Victorian tea, serving numerous refreshments and snacks. A variety of handmade quilts hung from the trees lining the property, which made for a lovely display of color. Friedrich s parents, with help from Winky and grandchildren, began restoring Pleasant Green in 1970, after it sat vacant for almost 30 years. For the last 33 years, Pleasant Green has been a work-in-progress that today represents a wonderful show of respect for the past and its deep memories. We were just tickled to death that so many people came all the way to southern Cooper County for this event, said Friedrichs. I just never would have guessed that folks would be so interested. It shows a great future for tourism in our area.

pe r /c oo or g eb. nw og e.m w w w This exquisite bathroom located on the second floor of Pleasant Green, was a highlight of the Ante-bellum Tour and Tea for many folks. Florence Winky Friedrichs and her family have been restoring Pleasant Green since 1970. BURWOOD, the home of Vicki and Mike McCarrell, was another highlight of

the tour. Burwood was built in 1880 by son Henry Rubey Walker II in Queen Ann style. The plantation once encompassed 800 acres that backed up to Pleasant Green. It boasts 8 fireplaces and has been in the process of restoration for almost eight years. The McCarrells returned to Missouri after 19 years in Los Angeles and purchased Burwood in 1996. Vicki McCarrell (center) poses in the living room of Burwood with son Sean (far left) and other family and friends who helped with the tour. Each person was assigned to a different room of the home and gave a brief description of the history. Vicki McCarrell grew up in a nearby town and always admired Burwood as a little girl, but never thought it would someday actually belong to her. After having their son, Sean, the McCarrell s relocated to Burwood to follow a dream. They continue the restoration of Burwood today. CRESTMEAD, the home of Robert and Ann Betteridge, located south on Route A, is a sprawling residence built in 1856 by John Taylor, the wealthy son of Corn Taylor. Numerous windows and elegant woodwork exemplify the Italianate Style of the pre-civil War home. Crestmead, which means high meadow, includes 16 restored rooms in total, along with exquisite library and living rooms with original antique furniture. In the 1800 s, homes were taxed by the amount of closets they had. Interesting enough, there is only one closet in the entire house located in the room belonging to the hired help.

Ann Betteridge plays old Civil War music for two of her old students (left) who came to thank her for the history book they received. Betteridge wrote Discover Cooper County by looking back, a book about the history of Cooper County. All fourth graders in the area receive the informational book. In November of 2003, the Betteridge family will celebrate 100 years at Crestmead. William Bill Betteridge, son of Robert Betteridge and principal of Pilot Grove Elementary, told an unforgettable story during the tour of Crestmead, hat he says represent the Cooper County community to a tee. The story goes something like this. His Betterridge ancestors came over from England in 1856. His great, great, great grandfather, George Betteridge, was four or five years old at the time. Before leaving England, the Betteridge family had agreed to make the tremendous journey with another English family. When the Betteridges arrived to board the ship, their friends, for some reason had not yet arrived. They had a very important decision to make, said Betteridge. They either had to go on without the other family and break their agreement, or wait for their friends and lose out on their passage. Well after thinking it over, the Betteridges decided to keep their promise and wait for their friends. It is a good thing because that first ship was lost at sea and never did return to the States. Betteridge describes this story as a divine intervention. This is an excellent example of the importance of being a good neighbor and living up to the things you say your going to do, said Betteridge. If it weren t for my ancestors decision to wait, we wouldn t be here today to carry on the wonderful legacy of Crestmead. The Ante-Bellum Tour and Tea raised over $700 for the UDC scholarship fund. According to Friedrichs, UDC had never before hosted a fundraiser. Barbara Stevens, member of both UDC and DAR, said her organizations were very pleased wit the community response and support. We were all overwhelmed and delighted with the tours success, said Friedrichs.

A multi-media project in the works from the coverage of this event. Check wit the Boonville Daily News for information on how to access the project.