The Kings of Oak Springs: 1882 - 1885, Vol. 4

By Dr. Bill Smith

Volume 4 of “The Kings of Oak Springs” ebooks is a compilation of Episodes 41-60 of "The Kings of Oak Springs" series of family saga, historical fiction stories that are a part of "The Homeplace Saga" stories originally published on HubPages, on line. The Episodes have been renumbered Episodes 61-80 in order to follow Vol. 3 numbering conventions.

Volume 4 returns to stories of the King family and the Oak Springs community, from their viewpoint, for the period of 1882-1885. Particular attention does include the activities of the McDonald family and other founding families of the community, as well.

We hope you will be able to identify with some of the good folks in Oak Springs as you explore your own family history.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Lulu.com
• Release date: Dec 10, 2016
• ISBN: 9781365598777

Book preview

The Kings of Oak Springs: 1882 - 1885, Vol. 4

The Kings of Oak Springs: 1882-1885, Vol. 4

William Leverne Smith aka Dr. Bill

The Kings of Oak Springs: 1882-1885, Vol. 4

Copyright 2016 William Leverne Smith aka Dr. Bill

ISBN #: 978-1-365-59877-7

The cover image is taken from the author’s personal collection of photographs that he took, personally.

Preface

This ebook is a compilation of the third 20 episodes of The Kings of Oak Springs first published onlilne at: http://hubpages.com/@homeplaceseries - they have been renumbered Episodes 61-80 (from 41-60 as originally published in HubPages) to become Volume 4.

These stories are a part of the larger works of the author known as The Homeplace Saga series of family saga historical fiction stories, based at: http://thehomeplaceseries.blogspot.com/

The author uses the King family in the community in this series of stories as another way for readers to gain a better understanding of and insights into the many families and characters of The Homeplace Saga set in the southern Missouri Ozarks, from 1833 to the present day.

Each episode (or chapter) in this series is about 1,200 words so that they may be read with only a short time commitment, but we hope, will allow you to learn about the characters and learn to love them, as we do. We hope you will want to read more about them and the neighbors with whom they interact.

Stop by the HubPages site for the latest episodes, and, stop by the home blog, referenced above, for the latest information on The Homeplace Saga generally, found on various media platforms. Your comments and suggestions are always appreciated.

You can also visit William Leverne Smith on Facebook at: https://www.facebook.com/pages/William-Leverne-Smith/100836503289407

and also see The Homeplace Chronicles for occasional updates at:

https://www.facebook.com/HomeplaceSaga

Episode 61: At the Kings on New Years Day 1882

Keith and the Campbells were guests for New Years Day dinner

Catherine King invited Ralph and Sally Campbell, and their son, Vic, to join the King family for dinner on New Year’s day so that Vic would have a good chance to talk to their son, Keith King. Keith was now in the middle of his second year at the University of Missouri, in Columbia, in the Civil Engineering program. Vic would be going to the Banking Administration program at Washington University, in St. Louis, in the summer. There were not many opportunities to talk to other young people about the college experience. Vic Campbell and Kate King were ‘best friends’ who were seniors at the Oak Springs High School, where they would be graduating in May.

Vic asked, Do you live on campus, Keith?

I live just off campus a couple of blocks, Vic, in a boarding house of all college students. Most of them are also in the Civil Engineering program, which is very nice. We can support each other in studying, as needed, as well as discuss both concerns and special interests that we each have as well as sharing social times.

That sounds like a very good idea, Keith. Dad, do you suppose they have arrangements like that at my college?

I really don’t know, son, Ralph replied, But it is certainly something I should be able to find out for you. I just made a note of it, to be sure to ask the people I know about it.

They were all interested to hear that the University had offered its first civil engineering course in 1849 and there had been a Civil Engineering Department at Missouri since 1868. Keith added that everyone mentions how the Land-Grant Act in 1862 really gave engineering a boost. He said the curriculum focuses on building roads, railroads and bridges along with improving rivers and harbors. I just finished my Introduction to Civil Engineering course, so that is all fresh in my mind. Most of my courses, so far, have been math, science, English and some social studies along with mechanical drawing. Next semester I take my first actual engineering course. I can hardly wait.

Banking was discussed as well

Keith then asked, What do you know about the Banking program you will be going to, Vic?

Really only that Dad’s friends in the business say it is really important, now that they have a program available, relatively nearby. Right, Dad?

Ralph replied, Yes, that is correct, Vic. I really wish it had been available to me. My father has taught me well, but it has been slow. I’ve learned a lot by him telling me the mistakes he believes he made when he learned by ‘trial and error.’ It would be nice to learn the techniques the right way, the first time. There is always more to learn, and experience is the best teacher. But, having a solid foundation to work from would have been very helpful.

Vic smiled, and said, I’m going to get that solid foundation first. Thank you, Dad, for making that possible.

Karl King asked, How long is the program, Ralph? I recall that you said it is not a full degree program, yet?

Correct. It is currently about 18 months. Vic starts on July 1, and the program runs through the end of the year of 1883. Then he’ll come back here to work at the Oak Springs Savings Bank and we’ll see how much he really learned. That brought chuckles around the table.

Sally asked, And what are you going to be doing when you graduate, Kate?

Actually, I hoped I could work at the bank, at least part-time, like Vic is now. That way I would begin to understand how it works, for when I become a banker’s wife. Kate said that with her best smile firmly affixed.

Sally responded, "Well, what do you bankers think about that answer? She looked at Vic, then at Ralph, and back again.

Vic spoke up first. I think it is a fine idea. We each took all the same course in school. We each have excelled. We’ve gotten nearly exactly the same grades. There is no reason she couldn’t do anything I’ve been doing. What do you say, Dad?

Honestly, Ralph was choosing his words carefully, "Such a thing had never crossed my