State Historical Society of Missouri Archives

Monday’s inauguration in Jefferson City kicks off celebration of 200 years of Missouri history

January 10, 2021 By Brian Hauswirth

About 2,000 people are expected to attend Monday’s inauguration ceremonies at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City. The festivities will help kick off the historic celebration of 200 years of Missouri history.

Missouri Governor Mike Parson and First Lady Teresa Parson attend a legislative prayer service in Jefferson City on January 6, 2021 (photo courtesy of the governor’s Flickr page)

State Rep. Ron Hicks, R-Defiance, plans to bring his children to the 2021 Bicentennial inauguration ceremony.

“That’s one of the exciting things about being a part of this, not just for myself but my family. I have two young boys and for them to be parts of history and things and then learn about it, this is just an amazing experience,” Hicks says.

James Harris of Jefferson City, who co-chairs the inaugural committee, tells Missourinet that he expects about 2,000 people to attend. The ceremony on the Capitol lawn will start Monday morning at 11:07, with Bicentennial remarks from Gary Kremer of the State Historical Society of Missouri.

August will be the 200th anniversary of Missouri’s statehood.

After a performance from the Missouri State University Chorale, Senate President Pro Tem Dave Schatz, R-Sullivan, will convene a rare joint session of the Legislature, on the Capitol lawn.

The oaths of office will be administered at 11:40 a.m. to Attorney General Eric Schmitt (R), State Treasurer Scott Fitzpatrick (R), Secretary of State Jay Ashcroft (R) and Lieutenant Governor Mike Kehoe (R).

Missouri Supreme Court Justice Mary R. Russell will swear Lt. Governor Kehoe in, and Governor Parson will be sworn-in by Jackson County Circuit Judge Sarah Castle, who is disabled.

Governor Parson appointed Judge Castle to her position in October.

Secretary Ashcroft will be sworn-in by Cole County Circuit Judge Jon Beetem, and Treasurer Fitzpatrick will be sworn-in by Judge Johnnie Cox from Missouri’s 39th Circuit in Monett.

Attorney General Schmitt will be sworn-in by Judge Thomas Albers.

Governor Parson will be sworn-in at high noon, after the bells ring at the nearby St. Peter Catholic Church. He will deliver his inaugural address at 12:04, and it’s expected to be a 16-minute speech.

Parson defeated Democratic Auditor Nicole Galloway by about 500,000 votes in November’s gubernatorial election.

Representative Hicks expects hope and safety to be two of the themes in the governor’s inaugural address. Hicks says COVID remains a major issue.

“I think the people (Missourians) are wanting to hear him (Governor Parson) say that we’re secure, we’re going to be safe. We’ve got viruses, we’re implementing them. He does have a great (vaccine) plan for it. I’ve read it, I’ve seen it,” says Hicks.

In addition to the joint session of the Legislature, several members of Missouri’s congressional delegation are expected to attend. Former Missouri Governors Jay Nixon (D) and John Ashcroft (R) are also expected to attend.

Our live Missourinet inauguration coverage begins Monday morning at 10:30, with Brian Hauswirth, Alisa Nelson and Bob Priddy at the Capitol.

Click here to listen to Brian Hauswirth’s two-minute interview with State Rep. Ron Hicks, R-Defiance, which was recorded at the Missouri Capitol in Jefferson City on January 8, 2021:

America’s first female county clerk to be inducted into Hall of Famous Missourians Wednesday (AUDIO)

August 25, 2020 By Brian Hauswirth

The first female elected to public office in Missouri in 1890 will be inducted into the Hall of Famous Missourians Wednesday morning in Jefferson City.

Missouri House Speaker Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, presides over the House in Jefferson City on April 29, 2020 (file photo courtesy of Tim Bommel at House Communications)

House Speaker Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, notes Annie White Baxter, who grew up in southwest Missouri’s Carthage, was the nation’s first female county clerk, in Jasper County.

“It’s our 100th General Assembly and it’s the 100th anniversary of women getting the right to vote. Annie White Baxter got elected years before women could vote. She couldn’t even vote for herself,” Haahr says.

Haahr praises Baxter as a trailblazer in Missouri history, noting his three daughters have the right to vote because of people like Baxter.

The Speaker notes the Secretary of State certified the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote on August 26, 1920. Wednesday’s ceremony is 100 years later.

“Annie White Baxter is still sort of a legend down in Jasper County. There’s an award for her every year that they give out. The goal here (at the Missouri Capitol) is to sort of bring her to state and national prominence,” says Haahr.

The State Historical Society of Missouri says Annie White Baxter was nominated for Jasper County clerk in 1890, by the Democrats. Some questioned whether she could legally run for office, since women weren’t permitted to vote at that time. She defeated Republican Julius Fischer in that race, and he challenged it in court. A judge in Greene County upheld the election results.

The Historical Society website says that during her time in office, “Baxter earned a reputation as one of the best county clerks in the state, overseeing taxes, elections and licenses.” She later worked for the Missouri Secretary of State’s office in Jefferson City.

She died in 1944 in Jefferson City, at the age of 80.

Speaker Haahr is encouraging you to attend Wednesday morning’s 11 o’clock ceremony, which will take place at in the Missouri House chamber. Haahr will unveil a bronze bust of Baxter, at the ceremony. A reception is also planned.

“We’ve got Wendy Doyle from the Women’s Foundation will be speaking,” Haahr says. “My three daughters are going to do the pledge of allegiance. Peggy McGaugh, (State) Representative and former county clerk is going to do the prayer. And then Wendy and Charlie Davis and myself will speak.”

Former State Rep. Charlie Davis, R-Webb City, is now the Jasper County Clerk, a position that Baxter once held. State Rep. Peggy McGaugh, R-Carrollton, is a former county clerk in northwest Missouri’s Carroll County.

Speaker Haahr says Baxter played a prominent role in Missouri’s history. Annie Baxter Street in Joplin is named for her as well.

Click here to listen to the full interview between Brian Hauswirth and House Speaker Elijah Haahr, R-Springfield, which was recorded in the Speaker’s Missouri Capitol office in Jefferson City on August 25, 2020: