Volume 6, Number 2 - Winter 1977
Editor Speaks
As you may have noticed or heard, you do have a new editor. Jewell Ross Mehus, your editor since the summer of 1965, has asked to be given a rest--to let someone else do the job for a while. Jewell is nigh onto eighty." (She tells her age so I’m sure she won’t object to my doing so.) As editor of this quarterly she has been a proverbial workhorse. I’m sure all of us will agree that these, your organization and your White River Valley Historical Society Quarterly, have been kept alive, to a large extent, through the effort of Jewell Ross Mehus.
Those of us who know Jewell know that she is not an easy person to say no to. So, when funds were low or non-existent, she went to banks and other businesses for contributions; when material was scarce because people like you and me were failing to write the stories of our families or about our area, Jewell always managed to prod, pry, shame or inspire readers and members in some way, and she got the material.
Jewell, we appreciate what you have done as editor during the past eleven years. In your first message as editor of our quarterly in the summer of 1965, you said:
"You, the members of the White River Valley Historical Society, are the ones who have information to share. That is the purpose of this publication, that we put into print the information we have concerning our history. The history of an area is not made up of just wars, great disasters, and the building of dams. The greater part of an area’s history comes from the everyday activities of its people. You are the ones who have that information. Will you write it down and send it to me that we may all share in your knowledge."
As your new editor I cannot think of better words and phrases to ask you to please send us your information.
I ask that you always keep in mind that it is your quarterly. Please feel free to offer me your suggestions and your criticisms. Let me know of your interests and of your questions or problems with family research in this area. I probably won’t have an answer, but perhaps I can steer you toward someone who does. I’m looking forward to hearing from you.
A letter from Janice De Witt, 5124 Jackson Street, Omaha, Nebraska, 68106, seeks date and place of death of Joseph Green Jewell. Must have been about 1880 and probably in Stone County. Also seeks proof that William Phillips, born about 1805 Grainger County, Tennessee, was or was not a brother of Joel Phillips, born March 3, 1806, Grainger Co. Tenn. Lived side by side in Campbell Township, Green Co., Mo. in 1850.
Mrs. De Witt is also seeking some De Witt information. An article "George Washington De Witt: His Descendents" was in the Spring 1974 issue of our journal. Mrs. De Witt has searched records for at least ten years looking for clue to parents of George Washington De Witt, born about 1800 Va. She also needs information on William L. De Witt, b. about 1841, probably Macon Co., Mo. Last seen in Green Co. census 1850. Later thought to have lived in Stone County. Mrs. De Witt wishes to contact his descendants. She would also like information on the parents of Malinda Stow, second wife of George Washington De Witt.
I’m sure our next meeting of the White River Valley Historical Society, which will be on March 13 in the Good Memorial College Center at The School of the Ozarks, will be over before you receive this quarterly. Let me tell you, if you aren’t attending our meeting, you are missing some fine programs. Gordan McCann is serving as program chairman and he is doing a tremendous job! Watch your local papers for announcements of meeting dates and of programs. Our annual meeting will be on June 12, 1977. Plan to be with us.
Dr. O Myking Mehus uses this Old Irish Blessing. He won’t mind if I borrow it.
May the road rise to meet you.
May the wind be always at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face.
May the rain fall softly upon your fields.
And, until we meet again
May GOD hold you in the palm of His hand.
Your Editor,
Cinita Davis Brown
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