Logan County Museum Happenings

Logan County Museum Happenings

By Jeanne Reynolds

October is always a busy fundraising month for the Logan County Museum. Pooches on Parade had a low turnout because we had to move it to the Fairgrounds due to rainy weather. The audience and participants had a good time being with the dogs. We plan to have the Pooches on Parade in the spring during the Spring in Paris Event.

Thanks to Board Members Joe Huck, Christian Reynolds, Hildagard Varga, Bella Nelson, and Jaime Nelson for their help with the event; and to Lauren Massey and Laura Simon, for being judges. Thanks also to all the participants and their owners. You all were so much fun!

Also, we wish to thank the following for their donations of door prizes: County Discount Pharmacy, Magazine, Community Outreach Services, Paris, Miss Teen Paris, Subiaco Abby, Dollar General, and Sunshine’s Crochet.

The last Friday of the month the Museum was on the route of the ParisNormal Adult Halloween Event by the Paris Chamber of Commerce. We had three different reenactment scenes. One about the Last Legal Hanging in Arkansas, one about the two jailed singing sisters, and one about Grace Cook, jailer Blane Cook’s wife chasing a beggar off with a broom. All are true stories that happened at the Logan County Jail.

Thanks to Mike Johnson who portrayed the Reverend Ray, Christian Reynolds who portrayed the Sheriff, Cynthia DeVeiteo who portrayed Arthur Tillman’s mother, Allison Reynolds who portrayed Amanda Stephens, Susan Johnson and Hildegard Varga who portrayed the singing sisters, Glenda Ezell who portrayed Grace Cook and Ken Ezell who portrayed the beggar. Jeanne Reynolds was the storyteller.

Hayride through History was another event we held in October. We had our usual educational “spirits” to inform us about the Logan County History. We want to thank our actors for their portrayals. Glenda Ezell portrayed Elizabeth G. Humphry (Confederate spy), Susan Johnson portrayed Ada Parks Mills (businesswoman), Bella Nelson and Allison Reynolds portrayed Jane S Plunkett (Civil War survivor) on different nights, Sonya Chilton portrayed Laura Foster (Lettie Jo) who was killed by Tom Dooley; she sang the song as she told the story on the hayride and Christian Reynolds portrayed James Blane Cook (Logan County Jail Keeper). We are so blessed to have such talented people interested in doing these reenactments.

We also want to thank the following people and businesses for their participation: Subiaco Co-op for use of the hay, Ken Ezell for driving the truck, Christian Reynolds for use of his truck, getting, loading, and unloading the hay for the trailer, Rennie Reynolds for use of his trailer and Sister Hildegard Varga and Cynthia DeVeiteo for taking the money.

The money we raised is being used for maintenance on the Museum building.

We were glad to have Girl Scout Troup 4265 on hand to sell popcorn, cotton candy, and drinks. The money they raised is going towards a special trip.

Thank you to everyone who supported the Girl Scouts and the Museum by attending the Hayride.