The following stories were written by David Burton for the Cross Country Times newspaper, Willard, Mo. in 1991 after the morning press conference held to announce the state's purchase of the Nathan Boone farm.
Boone descendants glad to see state park (1991).
Descendants of Nathan Boone have more than their relationship in common. They are
all excited about the state's decision to purchase the log cabin north of Ash Grove.
Geraldine Stanton, a great-great-granddaughter of Nathan Boone, is proud of her Boone
family history and believes having the home restored will give others a great appreciate
of what occurred there.
"Nathan was a gold ole' guy. He could do anything he wanted to and it makes me feel
good to know I am a part of him," said Stanton from her Ash Grove home. "I just hope
the kids realize ho much it means ... to have the home and to keep history alive."
Stanton's biggest disappointment is the fact that many graves in the area are unmarked.
"It just makes me sick to see some of the graves go unmarked. I think about those
poor slaves down there in the timber," said Stanton. "I wish there was a way to locate
each of them and mark their graves the way they should be."
But the fact remains that after a number of years of work the park is now a reality.
"I am glad to see the state buy the home," Stanton said. "I was afraid it would never
come about. I wish it would have happened earlier. I just hope I live to see it all
finished."
Laura Nell Hall, a great-great-grand daughter of Nathan Boone living in Ash Grove
recalls her father speaking of Nathan Boone.
"I grew up with the family ties and talking about Nathan just seemed like old hat,"
said Hall.
Now she is "thrilled" to see a state park become reality and points to the positive
impact it will have on the community as a reason for that excitement.
Hall, who has helped promote many of the past Boone events in Ash Grove, describes
the area as "pleasant and beautiful" and says the area's importance cannot be overstated.
"This entire township was settled by Boone and he stayed here because he liked it
so much," said Hall. "He was a forefather for the state and its is important for
a town to capture an identity based on that."
Boone's great-grandson Robert Hosman agrees that Ash Grove's identity with Boone will
help the community grow.
"I think a great deal of the area's identity can be found in the Boone family's history.
Nathan's estate was in probate during the Civil War because much of the family was
southern and they returned to Kentucky leaving the land in probate," said Hosman.
Hosman, who was involved with attempts to save the Boone home beginning in the 1960s,
says seeing the park near reality leaves him with a bittersweet feeling because of
the many years it has taken to reach this point. But he always remained active in
promoting the land because he realized its importance.
"I helped with the project because I've thought it would help Ash Grove," said Hosman.
"I worked on things in order to develop a tourist site and because I am a descendent."
Another Ash Grove family, John and Marjorie Perryman, have fond memories of the old
Boone home and are proud to see it become a state park for another reason -- they
were the last family to live there.
"It was the most peaceful area we have lived," said John Perryman. "I recall one evening
going out and it was snowing and seeing the moon shining on the snow out there was
one of the most peaceful things I have ever seen."
But, even more than the area's peacefulness, Perryman believes it will be good for
area business.
"The park will help get history into the community and draw visitors," said Perryman.
This information researched and written by David L. Burton. |