Volume 6, Number 9 - Fall 1978
Brooks Cousin's Day
by Nellie Gottschamer
This annual event, Brooks Cousin’ day was held at the Old Homestead in Brunot, Missouri on July 30th. Uncle Fred, Grandpa’s youngest son, who was eighty years old that day, got up a dedication service for this reunion.
Two of Uncle’s sons, Bob and Don, bought the Old Home Place years ago and used it for a summer home and, of course, our reunions. This year they bought the huge old bell from the Christian Church close by where my Grandfather preached (where I wiggled and squirmed). A farmer bought the dear old building which is now used for hay and grain, but they bought the bell and pulpit rostrum. They built a monument of brick and stone to put the bell on, then made a lovely pine knot shingled roof over it. A bronze plaque was engraved with my grandparent’s names and date of dedication.
The bell, rostrum and Bible that Grandpa used so many years were all dedicated and used that day. The bell was even tolled to show the younger generation what tolling the bell means.
Many great eulogies were said about my grandparents; some things I had never heard before. Grandpa’s favorite songs were sung and Uncle Fred had asked me to sing "How Great Thou Art" and read the poem "Grandpa Was A Preacher". I wrote another one for the occasion, though. Grandpa’s eighty-nine year old daughter, Estella Henson, read a lovely, sweet poem she had written. She is still a very sharp, beautiful lady.
The entire dedication service is on tape for future listening and for generations to come. It was truly a great day -- a day to remember.
FALL MEETING - DECEMBER 10,1978
THE SCHOOL OF THE OZARKS COLLEGE CENTER
Cafeteria opens at 11:30 A.M.
Come early and attend worship services at 11 A.M. at Williams Memorial Chapel on the campus or visit in the Cafeteria Lounge. Join others at dinner in the room reserved for us and get better acquainted.
Meeting at 1:15 P.M.
Warren A. Jennings, Professor of History, SMSU, Springfield, will be the guest speaker and will talk on "The Peopling of Missouri Before the Civil War." William L. Wood, our vice president and program chairman who engaged the speaker, has heard this talk and found it to be most interesting.
See you on December 10.
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