Memories from the Homestead: Mary Hemphill recalls the beginnings of Crane, Missouri [Part 1 of 2]

     One of our dear friends with Garber connections who spent her adult life as a Crane resident, tells Crane's early beginnings during an interview in 1963. Mary's Grandparents (the Wood family) lived south of Old Matt's Cabin on the land that became known as Mutton Hollow. I wanted to share Mary's side of the story. This is quite a fascinating history of one of Stone County's finest. Here's what she recalled.

Crane, Missouri in northern Stone County thrived thanks to the arrival of the railroad in 1905. Seen here is one of Crane's early store buildings. (Photo courtesy of the Stone County Genealogical/Historical Society)

     The town now known as Crane, Missouri, had its beginnings under another name. In the early 1880s, the little group of homes, a general store or two, a mill and a blacksmith shop were known as Hickory Grove. It was nestled on the south bank of Crane Creek in the vicinity of the Christian Church, and took its name from a log school located on the ground just north of the Church near the Dodge Hollow bridge.   

     The community's children were gathered there under the watchful eye of John C. Hayes, one of the first teachers. The school also served as a meeting house and a place of worship when occasional preachers came through and held meetings. A little cemetery was located farther east. A great flood in the summer of 1882 washed away wheat shocks and some of the graves. So, the cemetery was relocated to higher ground.  

     Among the earliest merchants were Tom Fought, who had the first general store, and James T. Moore, O.F. Douglas, and a Mr. Rinker also ran stores. John J. Williams had a drug store. John Brown had the blacksmith shop. The mill was operated at different times by Lee and Wiley, and later Uncle Ike Long. O.F. Douglas was also one of the community's first teachers. The medical profession was represented by Dr. Wasson and Dr. Langston, who had come to minister to the little community.

     At that time, the mail came in on hack from Marionville on its way to Galena. Among the earliest carriers were Jesse Darrell, Frank J. Taylor and Tom Crumes. On the way down from Marionville, there were stops at Bradfield, then a post office, and at Curran, another post office on the Dr. King place. A need for a post office was felt and so an application to the postal department went forth asking for an office to be known as Hickory Grove be established there. Back came the reply that there was already a post office in Missouri by that name; would the citizens please select another name.  

     Someone suggested "Crane," after the little creek which was named for the great number of blue cranes that lived along the stream. In due time came the word that the post office should be known as Crane, and Tom Fought was promptly named as the first postmaster as the office was located in his store.

     The community grew and prospered. Settlers were moving into the fertile valley and onto the heavily timbered ridges. Granville Gipson owned the land where the present town is located. Big crops of wheat were cut there by Will Bass and H.G. Parsons who were said to have the first reaper used in the community.  

     Charles F. Smythe claimed that he and his brother Will operated the first binder used on the future townsite. William B. "Uncle Bill" Cox served the County as treasurer and judge at one time, and introduced the first double shovel plow seen in these parts. Another one-time local resident, John L. Cox, was a school teacher and served as Stone County Treasurer.

     Excitement and interest began to mount when rumors of a railroad began to drift in. Where would it go? Some talk had been heard of running south of Aurora to Scholten, then a thriving community, and then on east through Galena and into Arkansas. It is said many residents of Stone County offered to give land for a right of way so eager were they for railway service.

    Rumors became facts in 1903 when grading machinery and gangs of laborers moved in. The Missouri Pacific Railroad reached Crane in December 1904 and made a division terminal there in June 1905. The roundhouse was built in 1906. The Springfield branch was built in 1905 and 1906. J.H. Taylor became the first railroad agent and later built the Hotel Portland.

Stay tuned for Part 2 next week as Mary Hemphill shares more on the early history of Crane. 

Happy trails, ya'll!