The stamp is a relic of when McDonald County seceeded from the state in the 1960's that's a whole 'nother story. Marilyn is going to write today's blog.
Below are a couple of events that I remember from several years ago:
Many years ago, my brother-in-law, Earl Spears, was Sheriff of McDonald County, MO. Earl was one quarter Cherokee and had an easy-going way about him. He looked a lot like a movie star of the 1950s called Jeff Chandler – High cheekbones, slanting gray eyes and very fit. He married my sister when I was eleven years old and I grew up idolizing him. He was droll and understated and was the source of many interesting events in my young life. Earl was sheriff for 12 years or three terms. The pay was paltry, but as crime wasn’t overwhelming it was a pretty good life. At the time, there were no retirement benefits for county officials, so he was never well to do, but so rich in personality in a dry, comic way. He was a crack shot and because he felt he might use his pistol before thinking, he usually kept it in the glove box of the squad car.
He seldom gave out traffic tickets, leaving that the Highway Patrol, but on one occasion, he gave a speeding ticket to a young man from the next county.
Soon after, the young man was in one of the McDonald County watering holes, bellied up to the bar and bitterly complaining about having got a ticket. One of the regulars slowly leaned back and said, “Son, you have to understand that here in McDonald County we have a government of the people, by the people and for the people. Your problem is, you ain’t one of the people.
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After he was sheriff, he worked for a state agency for a few years. He decided to retire as it involved a lot of time away from McDonald County where he wanted to spend his time. I was invited to his retirement party at the Shangri-La Motel and Dining room, a local hangout with good food and generous drinks.
The bartender was a strapping young woman named Susie, who could go bear hunting with a switch. In other words, she was very capable of handling anything that came down the pike. Several of Earl’s colleagues came down from Jefferson City to bring the blessings of the Capitol to his new life. The party was a lot of fun. I remember that we all had a very good time teasing Earl and enjoying good company.
The next day, as was a frequent custom, we met again at the same place to relive the fun. Susie was on duty again and as she handed around the usual drinks, she said off hand. “One of those guys from Jefferson City kept patting me on the butt last night.” The testosterone level went stratospheric. How dare a stranger even touch one of our fair maidens? What did he do? Why didn’t you tell us!” echoed around the table.
Well… said Susie. “I didn’t mind that much. He was such a gentleman about it.”
Lucky
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