Old News

From the 3rd floor
of the Webb City Public Library

Spook Light will be topic of WCAGS meeting Tuesday

Webb City Area Genealogical Society
September 27, 2023

Local historian Larry Wood will be speaking on Tuesday, Oct. 3, at the Webb City Area Genealogical Society about the Spook Light.

The Spook Light that can be seen near Hornet, Mo. (off Highway 43 south of I-44).

The first documented account of the mysterious light is often given as 1886 when it supposedly drove homesteaders from their cabins.

Eyewitness accounts of sightings have continued to be reported until present day. Legend says the light is the ghost of a murdered Osage chief or the spirits of star-crossed lovers.

Most accounts describe the light as a multi-colored orb that changes sizes and often splits into smaller lights. The light moves through the area often settling on the hood or fender of automobiles that are parked along the road.

Numerous explanations to the source of the light have been given over the years, but the exact origin is still unknown.

Wood has written a book about the Spook Light and has extensive knowledge of the subject.

The program starts at 6 p.m. Tuesday and will be held on the first floor of the Webb City Public Library.

Sentinel bound volumes are now in the Genealogy Room

The WCAGS has accepted ownership of the complete collection of bound volumes of the Webb City Sentinel, from 1983 (after the fire) until the final issue on Dec. 30, 2020.

Those issues can also be viewed on microfilm, along with much older issues.

Webb City Area Genealogical Society

WCAGS members staff the Genealogy Room on the third floor of the Webb City Public Library. Current hours are noon to 4 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Meetings are held at 6 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month in the Genealogy Room.

Everything you want to know about Jasper County Missouri Schools is available at a site compiled by Webb City Area Genealogical Society member Kathy Sidenstricker.