The TelegraphKey

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OFFICIAL DISPATCH FOR THE MAJOR THOMAS J. KEY CAMP #1920KANSAS DIVISION, SCV • JOHNSON COUNTY, KANSAS

The Commander’s CornerThomas J. Key Camp Commander, Jim Thornton

Something that is very unusual in today’s social environment happened to me atthe Mine Creek Heritage Day event. It was very shocking. And it happenedmore than once – at least 3 times for sure.

I was thanked for having the Confederate Battle Flag displayed. I was alsothanked for having a group providing a Confederate and Southern presence at theevent. That’s right – people were happy and grateful to see the ConfederateBattle Flag.

It was an amazing feeling. After all we have experienced recently and over thelast 3 years as individuals and as a group, to have someone come up andTHANK US for flying the flag was almost overwhelming. Those whoapproached Compatriot Carl Jowers and me were of all age groups.

The most emotional “thank you” we received was from a gentlemen who wasthere with his grandson (about 7 to 8 years old). His purpose was to teach his grandson about the war and the events of the time. He thanked us for our participation and for flying the flag. And he explained the flag and theCause truthfully to his grandson, explaining to him how the South seceded to try to form their own nation that followed the guidelines as set up by the men who wrote the Constitution. Compatriot Jowers and I chatted with the young boy and allowed his grandfather to take pictures of the boy holding our display pistols.

The second most important “thank you” we received was from a Pleasanton woman who wanted to be sure we knew how much the community appreciated the Key Camp and all the work & support we put in for the battlefield and site director Tami Neal. She mentioned the article published in the local paper after our spring work day. This made me so proud of the Key Camp and you men who I am honored to be associated with. This comment hit a home run for me as it proves the Key Camp is fulfilling the charge as given to us by General Stephen Dill Lee in 1906.

A third “thank you” was from an out of town family visiting relatives in the area. The parents thanked us for providing a Southern presence at the event. They mentioned how saddened they were at the lack of Confederate symbols and souvenirs available at the front desk. And they were right. Other than a couple of grey Kepi’s (which were sold within minutes of opening), all the souvenirs and trinkets were Union items. Thisis no fault of Tami’s as she has no control over what is stocked by the Kansas Historical Society. Everything stocked by the vendor at the historic site is approved by the KSHS. This visiting family commented how there were two sides, two combatants in this battle and in this war; and that it was important both sides be represented.

Wow. A THANK YOU for being a Confederate and flying the Confederate Battle Flag. Kind of gave me goosebumps.

Newsletter Editor Volunteer Needed

The Telegraph Key is published for the Major Thomas Key Camp #1920 each month. The Camp is currently in need of a compatriot to volunteer to take over newsletter editing and distribution beginning as soon as possible.

Interested compatriots must have the ability to edit, write, lay out images and articles, and distribute the newsletter to compatriots electronically. In addition, hard copies must be mailed and sent to compatriots who do not have an email address.

Main areas of focus in assembling the monthly newsletter:

1 1) Communicate with Camp Commander about upcoming articles and newsletter content2 2) Plan, organize, edit and write parts of the content for each month’s newsletter3 3) Work with compatriots to solicit articles

1.1.1.1 4) Work with Commander to ensure compatriot email/mailing address lists are current

4 5) Distribution to compatriots via email and U.S. mail

If you’re interested in becoming the next Telegraph Key editor, contact the Key Camp Commander, Jim Thornton, at JDThornton85@live.com.

The Telegraph Key

The Telegraph Key is a newsletter published for the Major Thomas Key Camp #1920 of the Sons of Confederate Veterans (SCV). The SCV is a non-profit organization with a patriotic, historical, and genealogical orientation and is not affiliated with any other organization. Opinions in this newsletter reflect the views of the writers and are not necessarily a statement of the views of the SCV, the Kansas Division, the Kansas Brigades, nor any other camp. Comments and articles are solicited.

Key Camp Website Resources

Key Camp: www.MajorKey1920ksscv.orgSCV National: www.SCV.org

Kansas Division: http://www.ksscv.org/

Key Camp Officers

COMMANDER 1 ST LT. COMMANDER 2 ND LT. COMMANDERJim Thornton John Weir Scott Lalumondier

ADJUTANT CHAPLAIN NEWSLETTER EDITORSteve Crawford Carl Linck VACANT – NEEDED

RAIN AND THUNDERSTORMS DAMPEN MINE CREEK HERITAGE DAY

On Saturday, August 5, Mine Creek Battlefield Historic Site held their annual Heritage Day Festival on the grounds surrounding the visitor’s center. Tami Neal, the site administrator, invited the Key Camp to provide a display to represent the life of the Confederate soldier and the weapons he would have carried; as well as provide scheduled interpretive walks to the Confederate Memorial. She also invited the 3rd Missouri Light Artillery Unit to take part and provide hourly cannon firing demonstrations during the day.

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The Key Camp had a very strong turnout with 14 members and spouses showing up throughout the day. Commander Jim Thornton, 2nd Lt. Commander Scott Lalumondier, Compatriots Paul Allen, Bennie Hamilton, Carl Jowers, Myra Jowers, Eric Martinez, Carrie Martinez, Jacob Martinez, Dan Peterson, Jack Poynter, Walter Schley, Kathleen Schley, and Lane Smith traveled to Mine Creek and oversaw a 2-table display of our new camp collection of artifacts, memorabilia, and replica weapons.

Our display was divided into 2 sections or exhibits. The first section provided a glimpse into the personal life of the Confederate soldier on the battlefield. It contained the personal effects a ranking soldier or officer would have been carrying in his footlocker, including his mess kit, bed roll, devotional prayer book or bible, family photo, and maybe a deck of cards or set of marbles. Also displayed was a McClelland Saddle which drew considerable interest in its design.

The second exhibit contained the replica weapons recently purchased by the camp for just such a purpose as this. Of course, this drew the attention of all the children and young people passing through. Several requests were made for photos holding a rifle or pistol.

Sadly, we were unable to provide the interpretive walks to the Confederate Memorial and Monument due to the rain and thunderstorms throughout the day. The trails were impassable and advance scouting parties reported the area around the memorial was quite “soupy and swampy”.

Compatriot Lane Smith as General Robert E. Lee along with Mr. Randy Durbin as General Ulysses S. Grant presented “The Road from Appomattox” for a crowd of several guests in the visitor’s center conference room.

Jack Poynter brought his artwork and prints to display inside, as well as bravely setting up outside on the patio under the awning with other demonstrators in the hopes of doing a bit of painting.

The Key Camp received several compliments and words of appreciation for providing a Confederate presence for the day (see Commander’s Corner Column). Although wet, it was a good day for the camp.

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A PICNIC ON THE LAKE FRONT

A total of 20 people gathered at Shawnee Mission Park on Saturday, August 12, to enjoy the beautiful weatherand a picnic lunch of burgers, bratwurst, hot dogs, potato salad, pasta salads, veggies, chips, drinks, desserts (including 2 types of homemade ice cream!!), and other goodies. Compatriot Matt Sewell graciously did all the grocery shopping (with assistance from Compatriot Dan Peterson) and also hauled his personal charcoal grill to the park for camp use. The camp provided the burgers, brats, hot dogs, drinks, condiments, plates, utensils, and cups.

With Compatriot Sewell handling the grilling duties, everyone was soon filling their plates with a great lunch and even better desserts with ice cream provided by 1st Lt. Commander John Weir and Compatriot Matt Sewell. Our shelter was right on the lake front with a wonderful breeze coming in off the lake and through the shelter. It was a good time for all to enjoy conversation and fellowship away from the usual constraints of the monthly camp meeting or camp event.

The gathering was even treated to live music provided by Compatriot Tim Peterman and his mandolin. We could have had quite the music ensemble going as Betty Allen brought along a fancy roll-up key board. Hmmm – possibly a future Key Camp Band in the works?

-- 4 --More fun was made available for everyone as fun games as would have been played during the Civil War era were provided for all to enjoy. It must be said however that Commander Thornton’s daughter cut corners a bit by using her smartphone to Google search how to solve one of the puzzles.

Jack Poynter brought along his computer to share with everyone the videos he made during the Key Camp’s presentation to school groups during the Lone Jack Missouri History Days in May. Jack also brought along home grown vegetables to share with everyone.

What a great day the camp had. A perfect example of Southern hospitality and camaraderie.

KEY CAMP REPRESENTED AT TOMBSTONE DEDICATION

On the same day as the Key Camp Picnic, Saturday, August 12, a Confederate Tombstone Dedication Ceremony was held in Galena, KS for Private John Leeman, Company C, 22nd Texas Cavalry. Compatriot ScottSarley of Campbell’s Camp, Missouri Division, who did all the leg work and arranged the tombstone, had extended an invitation to the Key Camp to take part and represent the Kansas Division.

Compatriot Bennie Hamilton, who resides in Joplin, MO, and Compatriot Carl Jowers with wife Myra, who resides in Fort Scott, KS stepped forward to take part in the ceremony and represent the Key Camp.

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Wanted: Male Descendants of Confederate Soldiers

The Major Thomas J. Key Camp, Sons of Confederate Veterans, is currently recruiting new members to honor and affectionately memorialize our Southern ancestors and their brave deeds. We are making progress, but we must always be thinking of recruiting. Our camp actively recruits at events in which we participate. If you know of someone who may be interested in defending his ancestor’s good name and heritage, talk to him about the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

Next Camp Meeting: September 7, 2017The Key Camp will meet on Thursday, September 7, at Zarda Bar B-Q on the southwest corner of 87th and Quivira in Lenexa, Kansas at 6 p.m. for dinner and conversation, with the official meeting at 7 p.m.

Our featured speaker for the evening will be Mr. Robert Jones. He will be giving us a presentation on General Jo Shelby and the Iron Brigade.

It will also be our annual “Awards Ceremony” meeting where individual compatriot contributions to the camp are recognized and rewarded.

Join us for camaraderie, dinner, and education. As always, your wife or significant other is welcome.

Don’t forget to bring a prospective recruit!

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The Key Camp is proud to take part in many perpetual service projects throughout the year.

Upcoming 2017 Events

Living History Weekend: Civil War on the Missouri/Kansas Border Saturday, September 2nd 10am - 4pm

Pittsburg

Warrensburg Middle School Civil War Day at Lone Jack Battlefield Friday, September 15th

Lone Jack, MO

McLouth Threshing Bee Saturday, September 16th 10:00am to 3:00pm

McLouth

Presentation to Boy Scout Troop at Mine Creek Battlefield Saturday, October 14th Mine Creek Battlefield

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