A quick introduction: I’m John Beydler. I was born in Jerico Springs in 1946, was reared there and attended elementary school there. I spent 52 years as a reporter and editor at daily newspapers in Joplin, Mo., Kankakee, Ill. and Moline, Ill. I live in Davenport, Ia.
Events conspired shortly after I retired in 2017 to introduce me to the Jerico Springs Optic, a weekly newspaper published in Jerico at the turn of the 20th Century. That acquaintance has led to one thing after another after … oh, well, however esoteric a topic Jerico’s history may be, I’m enjoying the pursuit of it. And isn’t “enjoying” a key word?
I created this site to share my research into Jerico, a tiny place in southwest Missouri, whose sun shone brightest c. 1900. It did have its moments, and there are still people who live there, or did live there or who just enjoy history’s minutia, who remain interested in those moments. They are welcome here, as are their contributions.
If you have photos, articles, stories or old letters relating to Jerico you’d like to share, email them to me at johnbeyd@gmail.com and I’ll organize and add them to the site as time permits. You can also comment on any site page, or on this blog.
Jerico Springs on parade 
Thanks John for the history on the banking industry in Jerico. I was born in Jerico in 1938 in the same house my mother was born, as my grandfather C P Longacre bought the house in March 28, 1910. My wife is related to the Neale’s, Gates, Whittsetts , Davis and Carricos mentioned in your bank aarticle. My gr gr grandfather John Kelly Longacre b. 1835, d. 1909was a Dr in Jerico. If you find any information on him I would appreciate. I will send copies of photos. Thanks again
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Thanks for the letter, Mr. Skaggs. I’m guessing you have, or had, a sister named Marilyn and that your parents ran the service station in the stone building at the corner of what is now 97 an B highways, the one that Bud Reagan later operated.
The only reference to C. P. Longacre I recall running across was in the 1936 story about the sale of the State Bank of Jerico’s remnant property. He bought the lot for $50.
I have seen a story about Frank Davis building a new home and business place, and several about Charles Whitsitt being injured in a train wreck in Colorado and later filing suit against the railroad company.
I would love to have old pictures you’re willing to share. I’d also be interested in any information you or your wife might have on the Whitsitt, Carrico and Davis families.
Thanks again for writing,
John
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