[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 76 (Tuesday, May 25, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1080]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


[[Page E1080]]
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CITY OF LEBANON ON ITS SESQUICENTENNIAL BIRTHDAY

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                            HON. IKE SKELTON

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, May 25, 1999

  Mr. SKELTON. Mr. Speaker, let me take this opportunity to 
congratulate the City of Lebanon and Laclede County on its 
Sesquicentennial birthday.
  Through the 1830's and 1840's pioneers chiefly from North Carolina, 
Tennessee, and Kentucky filtered in to fertile little valleys along 
streams and creeks in an Laclede County, Missouri. These settlers were 
farmers with only the bare necessities, and few tools, who relied upon 
their energy, efficiency and resourcefulness to overcome deficiencies.
  In 1849 Laclede County was organized out of three neighboring 
counties, Pulaski, Wright, and Camden. A donation of 50 acres of land 
by Berry Harrison and James Appling established the county seat on what 
is now Old Town hill. A courthouse, jail, general store, and various 
office buildings were eventually added to this beautiful setting.
  The county changed with the arrival of the Frisco railroad. The 
railroad was established three quarters of a mile out on the muddy 
prairie, which caused the railroad to be located a quarter of a mile 
outside of the town. Businesses eventually moved toward the railroad 
and in a couple of years a new business center grew up and Old Town 
became simply the first ward of new Lebanon. Small towns grew up and 
along the railroad each taking its quota of trade that the first years 
had given to Lebanon.
  After 150 years Laclede County can boast of prosperous farms, schools 
within the reach of every child, churches for every community, and 
prosperity over the entire county.
  Mr. Speaker, I wish to extend my congratulations to the residents of 
the city of Lebanon and Laclede County. It is with great pride that I 
honor their achievements on their Sesquicentennial birthday.

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