Person:George Weatherby (3)

He published the Blade and Ledger newspaper in Chicago. His partner was W. D. Boyce, the man that brought the Boy Scouts to America from England.

Mr. Boyce was a world traveler and author. Once when he was in London a young man helped him cross the street in a dense fog. He questioned the young man and was told he was doing his "good deed" for the day. Upon talking with him further, he learned he was a Boy Scout. Then he decided to bring the Boy Scout idea to the United States.

After George and Lorraine were married, on the 4 th of July he would bring an enormous box of fireworks to Butte des Morts for the Donkle's to set off. Included were many sky rockets, Roman Candles, Cherry Bombs, sparklers, pin-wheels, firecrackers, fountains, etc . ,etc. The whole town of about 100 people would come to watch our display. One year the big box was laying on the front steps and somehow a spark got in it. in about five minutes the 4 th Celebration was over. Everyone ran for cover in all directions with sky rockets, Roman Candles, and everything else going off seconds apart. No one was hurt and it was an experience no one in the family will ever forget... memorable!!! On another occasion he brought up to Butte des Morts the material needed to make and fly a 6 foot by 4 foot kit. It was assembled with heavy craft paper glued to a three pole frame surrounded by heavy cotton twine. Next, the letters E-L-K-N-O-D were painted on it in about 8 inch high vertical red letters. Finally, Lucius, Jr. and Brother-in-Laws, George and John took it to a cow pasture and, after checking for bulls, launched it in a fairly brisk wind. Even with its 20 foot rag tail it soared quickly aloft and it was all John and George to could do keep from going with it. A 2 foot diameter by 6 inch wide steel drum held about 1000 feet of twine all of which was mounted on a 5 foot long 2 x 12. The break on this device was not able to stop line from being paid out and soon the upper winds took the rest of the line and the twine broke. The next year a farmer brought back our kite. He said he found it in a corn field about a mile or two from the pasture.

George Weatherby, Senior, certainly was one of the kindest and gentlest of men. He and Mary are buried in Chillocothe, Missouri.