What is an arpent?
I came across the word "arpent" in an old deed at the Ralls County, Mo., Courthouse. The reference was in this context: "800 arpents on...
What is a farrier? 1852
Here's an interesting word from an 1852 Hannibal newspaper: "James Griffith would respectfully offer his services as a Farrier." What is...

No fire engine horses 1875
Hannibal Clipper newspaper, Aug. 12, 1875 Is it not about time that our City Fathers should purchase horses for our fire department? Or...


Sarah Francis Fisher Archer: Principal of Hannibal's first public high school 1866
Regarding fashion and education in a bygone era Mary Lou Montgomery A hundred and two years ago, a respected educator with early ties to...
A shot in the right direction- 60-year-old shuffleboard table maintains its character
(Reprinted from the Dec. 31, 2010 edition of the Hannibal Courier-Post) Six decades ago, Mike Clark was barely tall enough to reach over...