Monett in Barry County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)

Whistle Stops

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 29, 2024

1. Whistle Stops Marker

Inscription. Railroad was a prominent mode of transportation in the first half of the 20th Century. Presidential nominees would come and stop in towns to give speeches and try to convince people to vote for them. These stops were known as “whistle stops.” There were 3 presidential candidates that stopped in Monett: Theodore Roosevelt, Harry S. Truman, and Thomas E. Dewey. Roosevelt was the first one to make a presence in Monett on September 23, 1912. This stop was a whirlwind whistle stop and a highlight of the 1912 election. He gave a short talk advocating an eight-hour workday with one rest day a week for women and advocated for the end of child labor. When a group of men were seen on the side talking among themselves, he stopped, walked over to introduce himself, and told them people had come to listen to him, not them. He then proceeded to resume his speech to a crowd of 1,500 people in Monett. In 1948, candidates Harry S. Truman and Thomas Dewey stopped in Monett. Truman focused on persuading the American people to love a man with guts. Dewey campaigned against Truman and stopped in Monett, staying the night at

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the home of long-time friend V.B. Hall. Dewey's wife was a teacher in Monett before their marriage. With his persistence, Truman was rewarded with a tremendous victory on election day and is noted as, to date, the only president from Missouri.

Written by: Macey Flynt and Katherine Johnson

This sign was created by students under the direction of Monett High School Missouri Literature and Composition teacher Amy M. Sampson and was paid for via a grant she wrote and was awarded from Rural Schools Collaborative and their 2023 Celia B. Godsil Grants in Place Fellows Program.

Erected 2023 by Monett High School students.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Government & Politics • Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Missouri, Monett High School class project series list. A significant historical date for this entry is September 23, 1912.

Location. 36° 55.193′ N, 93° 55.318′ W. Marker is in Monett, Missouri, in Barry County. It is at the intersection of Front Street and 5th Street, on the right when traveling east on Front Street. Marker is along the fence by the railroad tracks

Photographed by Duane and Tracy Marsteller, June 29, 2024

2. Whistle Stops Marker

Featured marker is second from the right.

across Front Street from Jerry D. Hall Pavilion. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Monett MO 65708, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Missouri and in the Branson and Table Rock Lake Area.

It is also in the American Ozarks,

in the Lewis & Clark Corridor,

and in the Corn Belt.

Globally, it is in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

the Louisiana Purchase,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Monett Lynching (here, next to this marker); Strawberry Capital of the World (here, next to this marker); Monett Harvey House (here, next to this marker); The Frisco Railroad (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Where Did Monett Get its Name? (about 400 feet away); Monett Floods (about 400 feet away); Monett Railroad YMCA (about 400 feet away); The Gillioz Theater (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Monett.

Also see . . . Bill Caldwell: Theodore Roosevelt's whirlwind whistlestop was a highlight of 1912 election.

Roosevelt's 1912 Monett Whistle Stop image. Click for full size.

via Barry County Museum (Public Domain), September 23, 1912

3. Roosevelt's 1912 Monett Whistle Stop

Former President Theodore Roosevelt gives a stump speech in Monett. Running as a third-party candidate, he finished second behind Democrat Woodrow Wilson in the four-man race.

Promoting a third-party candidacy was a tremendous task. In September 1912, he traveled from Kansas City to Oklahoma City, which led him through the Tri-State District via the lines of the Frisco railroad. (Bill Caldwell, The Joplin Globe, Oct. 1, 2016; archived Nov. 3, 2020 by Internet Archive) (Submitted on July 16, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.)

Rear Platform Remarks of President Harry S. Truman at Monett, Missouri image. Click for full size.

White House Press Office; via National Archives (Public Domain)

4. Rear Platform Remarks of President Harry S. Truman at Monett, Missouri

During his Sept. 29, 1948 whistle stop, Truman apologized for running late and missing the dedication of an American Legion hall, quipping “it is like moving the Ringling Brothers Circus to get the President around.” The Democratic incumbent also urged the crowd to vote in a Democratic Congress. He got his wish: The party regained the majority of both houses that year.

Credits. This page was last revised on July 17, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 16, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 234 times since then and 37 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on July 16, 2024, by Duane and Tracy Marsteller of Murfreesboro, Tennessee.