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A wrinkle in time

April 29, 2020
Picture
Current photo of the Messer house in Cassville
    Sheila Harris

    Melville C. and Mary Messer raised six daughters in this historic Cassville home, built shortly after the Civil War. According to youngest daughter, Maco (Messer) Farwell, the rear portion of the house was built first, by her (step) grandfather, Edward Smith, after he and her grandmother, Arabella Messer Smith, moved to the area from Rogers, Arkansas, after the war.

    The larger front portion of the house was added later.

    The dining room in the smaller portion was once used as the Cassville post office, where M.C. Messer’s sister, Eglentine Messer, served as postmistress from January of 1870 through December of 1884.

    M.C. Messer was a Cassville druggist for 40 years, until his death.

    According to Farwell, her mother, Mary Messer, kept boarders in the house, including visiting teachers and preachers. She also kept a fine garden, hogs, a milk cow and laying hens.

    The Messer home was the first house to have electricity installed when it was offered to Cassville residents in 1904.

    For more information about this and other historic homes, visit the Barry County Museum at 15858 Highway 76, Cassville. Or visit their website at www.barrycomuseum.org.


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  • Home
  • This Week's Issue
    • New CHS program offers hope
    • Chris's Story: COVID patient thankful for community
    • Accident claims life of Purdy resident
    • Soroptimists gift LeCompte
    • More COVID patients in isolation hospitalized, no additional deaths
    • Crowder receives grantm American Welding Society Foundation
    • Southwest guns down Wheaton
    • Purdy Lady Eagles upset Cassville
    • Central Crossing Masons Donate to Backpack Program
    • "Students of the Month" named at CHS
    • Diva Bling & The Tiny Highlander host ribbon-cutting
    • CHS Speech and Debate Team scores
    • Flapper dress display enlivens museum
    • Freedom Bank retiree has crafty plans
  • Classifieds
  • Obituaries
  • Advertising
    • Advertising Rates
    • Place Ad
  • Contact us
  • Archives
  • Subscription