Photo at right printed in the Carthage Evening Press on November 2, 1918 when Ed Gerkey was running for the office of Jasper County Recorder.
As a child lived near the lake at southwest corner of the square at 4th & Lyon streets, next to Dr R F Brooks. He is reported as swimming in the lake in 1874, to wit:
AN EARLY CARTHAGE LAKE
Mrs. E. O. Brown Tells of "Beauty Spot" Southwest of Square
The reference by Mrs. E. O. Brown to a lake just southwest of the square in the early days of Carthage, in telling yesterday about the Jerry Casey bakery, prompts Mrs. Brown to tell something more about that lake as she recalls it when she arrived here with her father, I. F. Garner and family in 1874.
"The Carthage square was on a bluff," she says, "rising to its highest point at the southwest corner, and there was a sharp drop to the lake level. Most of the area between Main, Fourth, Lyon and Fifth streets was covered by the lake, which was quite deep. It was fed by several springs. The water was clear and was deep enough to swim in. It was full of growing cress and was a popular resort for boys of the neighborhood. Ed Gerkey, then a 4 year old tot, delighted to wade in its edges and drew frequent reprimands for her temerity.
"The Gerkey home stood on the corner of Fourth and Lyon streets, the present site of the Springer building. Just south was the Spangler residence and next to that was the Dr. Brooks home at the corner of Lyon and Fifth. Lombardy poplars bordered Lyon street and enhanced the attractiveness of the lake, which was considered a real beauty spot.
"The only building in the lake area was the structure occupied by the Carthage Daily Banner, facing Main street, on part of the site of the present B & L building. It stood on piles 10 feet high to put it above the water and to the street level.
"At the southwest corner of the square where the College Pharmacy, (Howard Gray), now stands the drop to the lake level was probably 20 feet. In later years when R. Roessler and his sons, Julius and Ed built the brick building now occupied by the College Pharmacy, (Bill Gray) the workmen excavated deep and laid drain tile to carry off the water from the principal spring that fed the lake.
"The water was carried to an open ditch that is now a walled-in storm sewer on West Fourth street. As other buildings were erected, the lake was drained and the hollow filled to bring it to the street level."
NOTE: The above article was also the subject of Carthage's Jo Ellis in her 2013 article published in the Joplin Globe newspaper.
Later, Ed Gerkey and his wife, Anna B. Yancey Gerkey resided at 522 East Chestnut in Carthage, Missouri. He had been the county recorder and also employed by the Home Abstract & Title Company.
At age 88 yrs, 3 mos & 4 days he passed away at his home of prostate cancer according to his Missouri Death Certificate.
Dr. Russell Smith was the attending physician and funeral arrangements were handled by Knell Mortuary of Carthage
Burial in Park Cemetery
Parents;
Lewis/Louis Gerkey and Margaret Myers Gerkey
NOTE: The death certificate can be viewed at Missouri Digital Archives/death certificates online website.
As a child lived near the lake at southwest corner of the square at 4th & Lyon streets, next to Dr R F Brooks. He is reported as swimming in the lake in 1874, to wit:
AN EARLY CARTHAGE LAKE
Mrs. E. O. Brown Tells of "Beauty Spot" Southwest of Square
The reference by Mrs. E. O. Brown to a lake just southwest of the square in the early days of Carthage, in telling yesterday about the Jerry Casey bakery, prompts Mrs. Brown to tell something more about that lake as she recalls it when she arrived here with her father, I. F. Garner and family in 1874.
"The Carthage square was on a bluff," she says, "rising to its highest point at the southwest corner, and there was a sharp drop to the lake level. Most of the area between Main, Fourth, Lyon and Fifth streets was covered by the lake, which was quite deep. It was fed by several springs. The water was clear and was deep enough to swim in. It was full of growing cress and was a popular resort for boys of the neighborhood. Ed Gerkey, then a 4 year old tot, delighted to wade in its edges and drew frequent reprimands for her temerity.
"The Gerkey home stood on the corner of Fourth and Lyon streets, the present site of the Springer building. Just south was the Spangler residence and next to that was the Dr. Brooks home at the corner of Lyon and Fifth. Lombardy poplars bordered Lyon street and enhanced the attractiveness of the lake, which was considered a real beauty spot.
"The only building in the lake area was the structure occupied by the Carthage Daily Banner, facing Main street, on part of the site of the present B & L building. It stood on piles 10 feet high to put it above the water and to the street level.
"At the southwest corner of the square where the College Pharmacy, (Howard Gray), now stands the drop to the lake level was probably 20 feet. In later years when R. Roessler and his sons, Julius and Ed built the brick building now occupied by the College Pharmacy, (Bill Gray) the workmen excavated deep and laid drain tile to carry off the water from the principal spring that fed the lake.
"The water was carried to an open ditch that is now a walled-in storm sewer on West Fourth street. As other buildings were erected, the lake was drained and the hollow filled to bring it to the street level."
NOTE: The above article was also the subject of Carthage's Jo Ellis in her 2013 article published in the Joplin Globe newspaper.
Later, Ed Gerkey and his wife, Anna B. Yancey Gerkey resided at 522 East Chestnut in Carthage, Missouri. He had been the county recorder and also employed by the Home Abstract & Title Company.
At age 88 yrs, 3 mos & 4 days he passed away at his home of prostate cancer according to his Missouri Death Certificate.
Dr. Russell Smith was the attending physician and funeral arrangements were handled by Knell Mortuary of Carthage
Burial in Park Cemetery
Parents;
Lewis/Louis Gerkey and Margaret Myers Gerkey
NOTE: The death certificate can be viewed at Missouri Digital Archives/death certificates online website.
Photo at right printed in the Carthage Evening Press on November 2, 1918 when Ed Gerkey was running for the office of Jasper County Recorder.
As a child lived near the lake at southwest corner of the square at 4th & Lyon streets, next to Dr R F Brooks. He is reported as swimming in the lake in 1874, to wit:
AN EARLY CARTHAGE LAKE
Mrs. E. O. Brown Tells of "Beauty Spot" Southwest of Square
The reference by Mrs. E. O. Brown to a lake just southwest of the square in the early days of Carthage, in telling yesterday about the Jerry Casey bakery, prompts Mrs. Brown to tell something more about that lake as she recalls it when she arrived here with her father, I. F. Garner and family in 1874.
"The Carthage square was on a bluff," she says, "rising to its highest point at the southwest corner, and there was a sharp drop to the lake level. Most of the area between Main, Fourth, Lyon and Fifth streets was covered by the lake, which was quite deep. It was fed by several springs. The water was clear and was deep enough to swim in. It was full of growing cress and was a popular resort for boys of the neighborhood. Ed Gerkey, then a 4 year old tot, delighted to wade in its edges and drew frequent reprimands for her temerity.
"The Gerkey home stood on the corner of Fourth and Lyon streets, the present site of the Springer building. Just south was the Spangler residence and next to that was the Dr. Brooks home at the corner of Lyon and Fifth. Lombardy poplars bordered Lyon street and enhanced the attractiveness of the lake, which was considered a real beauty spot.
"The only building in the lake area was the structure occupied by the Carthage Daily Banner, facing Main street, on part of the site of the present B & L building. It stood on piles 10 feet high to put it above the water and to the street level.
"At the southwest corner of the square where the College Pharmacy, (Howard Gray), now stands the drop to the lake level was probably 20 feet. In later years when R. Roessler and his sons, Julius and Ed built the brick building now occupied by the College Pharmacy, (Bill Gray) the workmen excavated deep and laid drain tile to carry off the water from the principal spring that fed the lake.
"The water was carried to an open ditch that is now a walled-in storm sewer on West Fourth street. As other buildings were erected, the lake was drained and the hollow filled to bring it to the street level."
NOTE: The above article was also the subject of Carthage's Jo Ellis in her 2013 article published in the Joplin Globe newspaper.
Later, Ed Gerkey and his wife, Anna B. Yancey Gerkey resided at 522 East Chestnut in Carthage, Missouri. He had been the county recorder and also employed by the Home Abstract & Title Company.
At age 88 yrs, 3 mos & 4 days he passed away at his home of prostate cancer according to his Missouri Death Certificate.
Dr. Russell Smith was the attending physician and funeral arrangements were handled by Knell Mortuary of Carthage
Burial in Park Cemetery
Parents;
Lewis/Louis Gerkey and Margaret Myers Gerkey
NOTE: The death certificate can be viewed at Missouri Digital Archives/death certificates online website.
As a child lived near the lake at southwest corner of the square at 4th & Lyon streets, next to Dr R F Brooks. He is reported as swimming in the lake in 1874, to wit:
AN EARLY CARTHAGE LAKE
Mrs. E. O. Brown Tells of "Beauty Spot" Southwest of Square
The reference by Mrs. E. O. Brown to a lake just southwest of the square in the early days of Carthage, in telling yesterday about the Jerry Casey bakery, prompts Mrs. Brown to tell something more about that lake as she recalls it when she arrived here with her father, I. F. Garner and family in 1874.
"The Carthage square was on a bluff," she says, "rising to its highest point at the southwest corner, and there was a sharp drop to the lake level. Most of the area between Main, Fourth, Lyon and Fifth streets was covered by the lake, which was quite deep. It was fed by several springs. The water was clear and was deep enough to swim in. It was full of growing cress and was a popular resort for boys of the neighborhood. Ed Gerkey, then a 4 year old tot, delighted to wade in its edges and drew frequent reprimands for her temerity.
"The Gerkey home stood on the corner of Fourth and Lyon streets, the present site of the Springer building. Just south was the Spangler residence and next to that was the Dr. Brooks home at the corner of Lyon and Fifth. Lombardy poplars bordered Lyon street and enhanced the attractiveness of the lake, which was considered a real beauty spot.
"The only building in the lake area was the structure occupied by the Carthage Daily Banner, facing Main street, on part of the site of the present B & L building. It stood on piles 10 feet high to put it above the water and to the street level.
"At the southwest corner of the square where the College Pharmacy, (Howard Gray), now stands the drop to the lake level was probably 20 feet. In later years when R. Roessler and his sons, Julius and Ed built the brick building now occupied by the College Pharmacy, (Bill Gray) the workmen excavated deep and laid drain tile to carry off the water from the principal spring that fed the lake.
"The water was carried to an open ditch that is now a walled-in storm sewer on West Fourth street. As other buildings were erected, the lake was drained and the hollow filled to bring it to the street level."
NOTE: The above article was also the subject of Carthage's Jo Ellis in her 2013 article published in the Joplin Globe newspaper.
Later, Ed Gerkey and his wife, Anna B. Yancey Gerkey resided at 522 East Chestnut in Carthage, Missouri. He had been the county recorder and also employed by the Home Abstract & Title Company.
At age 88 yrs, 3 mos & 4 days he passed away at his home of prostate cancer according to his Missouri Death Certificate.
Dr. Russell Smith was the attending physician and funeral arrangements were handled by Knell Mortuary of Carthage
Burial in Park Cemetery
Parents;
Lewis/Louis Gerkey and Margaret Myers Gerkey
NOTE: The death certificate can be viewed at Missouri Digital Archives/death certificates online website.
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