History book to be on sale at the Vernon County Youth Fair

Tuesday, July 6, 2004

By Nancy Malcom

Nevada Daily Mail

Advance orders for the Vernon County Sesquicentennial history book will be available at the Youth Fair, July 13-17 at the Centennial Park Fairgrounds.

The two volume history of Vernon County will be on sale at a significantly higher price after Aug. 1 and during the 2005 Bushwhacker Days celebration, when Vernon County celebrates its 150th anniversary.

The set features histories of local families, civic groups, businesses, churches, and even towns that are (or have been) a part of Vernon County.

Almost 2,250 of these essays have been submitted already for inclusion.

Stories, such as this tale of the little known town of Swart, will offer entertainment and insights into our community. This story, like hundreds of others, was written and submitted to be included in the history book at no charge to the one submitting the story.

"Swart, Mo., submitted by Robena Wise Rasnic (and used here with her permission.) Swart, Mo., the only town in Harrison Township, was founded in 1888 by Dennis S. Swart a farmer and land owner, who died in 1911.

"The Nevada & Minden Railroad, built in 1887, and the Kansas City southern in 1890, made possible the mining of coal in the area.

"Swart consisted of a general store and post office, about four Kansas City Southern section houses of families, and three or four other families living there in 1936. The post office lasted from 1893 to 1919.

"My mother, Vena Howser Wise worked as a clerk in the store in 1912 and the store was owned by Bob Kendrick at that time.

"The store consisted of a grocery section and dry goods and carried many other items. Also there was a building attached to the outside of the store for chicken and livestock feed which they sold.

"The town was kept alive by the housing of the Kansas City Southern section crews living there. The railroad did away with the last four section crews in 1930.

"When I was growing up the George and Lester Pfeiffer families owned the store and lived in Swart with six other families. I spent many good times with the Pfeiffer's children. The store building also had apartments upstairs that were often rented to school teachers teaching at McHugh School west of Swart or Pleasant View School about one mile east.

"Charley Reeves was the last person living in Swart. He was a "character."

"Everyone in the area knew "Shad" as he was called.

"He could be found any day walking along the county road to and from Swart with his long walking stick.

"He worked by the day for farmers and neighbors all of his life. I remember as he took dinner at our house he ate his peas with his knife, sliding them gently in a row on his knife. This was quite a deal for us kids. He died in 1959 and was the last person living in Swart.

"The Pfeiffers sold the store in 1936 to Mr. and Mrs. Ola Hawkins, who later sold it to Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Brezendine.

"As the years passed and the country roads improved, neighbors bypassed the little country store to Garland, Kansas, Fort Scott, and Nevada."

Those interested in doing so can still order a copy of this luxury two-volume collector's set for only $75. This price will significantly increase after August 1.

These pre-sold books will be available by April 2005.

For more information, or to place an order, contact Helen Emery at (417) 667-6367 or Betty Pitts at (417) 465-2558.

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