Minutes from the Spring Meeting at Wickliffe

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Apr 30 2013

Minutes from the Spring Meeting

President Dr. Bob Lochte called the meeting to order at 10:30 a.m.
1) Approval of the minutes of the January 26, 2013 meeting
2) Secretary’s Report. In the absence of resigned Secretary Kate Reeves, Downing shared her minutes about the January meeting. Bobbitt moved, Ullrich seconded, approved as distributed.
3) Treasurer’s Report. Wells moved, Mathis moved, approved as distributed.
4) Journal Editor’s Report. Downing shared Sarah Strange’s email that the Journal will be finished upon President Lochte presenting his comments. She possibly could accept another article for the July publication and definitely for next year. Lochte encouraged Dr. Wesler to submit an article. The latter noted he promised Sarah an article about 10 years ago. So, that is a possibility. Hopefully Dr. Wesler will come through.
5) Discussion of elections. With all present officers willing to continue into 2013-2014, the officer slate is complete except for Secretary. Lochte asked how to proceed. Mathis noted the Bylaws allow appointment in case of a vacancy. Lochte will inquire about possible candidates.
6) Old Business
– Summer and Fall 2013 meeting plans.
– Summer 2013. The next meeting is scheduled for July 27, 2013, at the McCracken County Public Library. Lochte presented for consideration 3 possible programs. We could tour the Market House Theatre which has museum features. A couple of issues there are that his contact does not ordinarily work on Saturdays and there is a tour fee. A second approach is to have Nathan Lynn of the McCracken County Public Library to sing and also talk about pre-radio copies of music in the area. Another possibility is Irvin Cobb. Robertson promptly gave a brief biographical sketch of Cobb’s career. Urged by Lochte, Robertson and Bobbitt will cooperate to put together the July program about Cobb. Naturally that leaves us still with two future possibles.
– Fall 2013. That meeting will be at the Weldon Public Library in Martin, Saturday, November 2, 2013. Bobbitt explained the origins of the joint JPHS – West Tenneseee Historical Society meeting in Martin and the necessity of continuing that association. Downing just started to explain one of three topics by UTM Civil War historian Dr. David Coffey when Robertson suggested covering a Civil War “reign of terror” in Western Kentucky. Apparently Ullrich and Robertson disagree about that “reign.” Lochte encouraged the two fellows to put together the program for Martin, and they will. [Two other items Downing did not present for consideration by the UTM Civil War historian were an account about a Tennessee cavalryman and the forthcoming multi-volume Civil War Encyclopedia of which Coffey is an editor.]
– Membership recruitment. We definitely need more publicity about our programs and activities. A secretary can assist us along these lines. Other ideas are certainly welcome!
7) New Business.
– Docents for Wrather Musem. Presently there is no head for Wrather and future plans are uncertain. According to Ullrich, we should know more in May. We definitely have an interest in Wrather since it stores our Journal back issues. Maybe JPHS members in and around Murray could provide tours. Ullrich noted that the MSU History Department has a Public History program which might play a role. Wells will explore the matter.
– Old Cemetery Preservation Records. Betty Johnson expressed her interest in preservation of cemeteries and cemetery data and wondered about JPHS interest. Wells spoke about a Graves County survey. Ullrich contributed some information, too, perhaps about Calloway County. Lochte saw possibly there being a sort of sub-group of JPHS. They will explore.

Adjournment. The JPHS business session ended at 11:07 a.m. after a vote moved by Robertson and seconded by Ullrich.
Program. Dr. Kit Wesler of Murray State University presented his research about the Wickliffe Mounds. Several members toured the site at the reduced $3.00 made available by Carla Hildebrand.

Present: Marvin and Sandy Downing, Gil and Cathy Mathis, John Robertson, Dieter Ullrich, Bill and Jo Wells, Charles and Bobbitt, and unidentified local couple. Guest and former member Betty Johnson who paid her dues. Our speaker Dr. Kit Wesler of Murray State University.