General Pleasonton Days offers several new events, experiences

By Justin Messner

The Fort Scott Tribune

Those planning a trip to Pleasanton Saturday and Sunday to participate in the 2nd annual General Pleasonton Days will be in for an added experience this year.

As part of the celebration, the Mine Creek Battlefield State Historic Site will be offering several shows, demonstration and events live on Saturday.

"We're hoping to get a lot more people this year," said Pleasanton Deputy Clerk Linda Macklin. "We have a lot more events."

The eventful weekend is slated to kick off Saturday at 7:30 a.m. followed by a welcoming address by Pleasanton Mayor Charlie Rowe at 10:40 a.m. and the historical presentation of the 1869 founding of the city.

After introductions conclude, one of the most popular events of last year's celebration will begin at 11 a.m., the parade.

"We have a really good size parade," said Pleasanton City Employee Diana Smith. "I think we had about 100 entries last year and I think we have the same amount this year."

Several of the events this year are new to Pleasonton Days including the longest beard and mustache contest, car show, hay maze, community picnic -- featuring a city furnished hog roast and turtle race.

"We've added the turtle race this year," said Smith. "We're hoping all the kids will be able to find turtles before Saturday. All of the city employees have been out searching for turtles too."

Also new this year, is the involvement of the Mine Creek Site, which will be offering a free guided tour and admission to the battlefield visitor center.

The guided tour will be conducted by Fort Scott's Darren Crays at 1 p.m. Saturday. At 12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. on the same day, Harold Sites will present "Surgeon's Call," a look at the role of medical staff during the Civil War.

Mine Creek Battlefield Historic Site Board Member and Curator Arnold Schofield said, Sites "is gonna describe the roll of a surgeon in the field during the civil war and the treatments and medicines used at that time."

Throughout Saturday there are scheduled to be several Civil War artifacts on display not usually available at the site.

These displays will be presented by area collectors and are to include photos, carbines (shoulder weapons), muskets and revolvers from the civil war. However, Schofield said these Civil War buffs also present an opportunity for local collectors.

Schofield said those who have collected items from the Civil War can bring them to the site Saturday and possibly have the artifacts identified and valued.

"All of these individuals (artifact collectors) are very knowledgeable about the prices of civil war items," he said.

Music will be included in the events throughout the weekend with Fuss and Feathers -- comprised of two local musicians -- performing Saturday at 1:30 and 3:30 p.m. and the Blue & Gray Brass Brigade Band for Kansas City performing at 2 and 3 p.m. Sunday. Both bands will be playing Civil War period music.

Free parking and shuttle services will be available from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Sunday, running from Dunnlap Park to the battlefield site.

"We're trying to make it as convenient as possible," said Schofield.

Pleasanton was named after Major General Alfred Pleasanton, a Union cavalry commander during the Civil War. On October 25, 1864, General Pleasanton commanded a provisional cavalry division from the Department of Missouri. Some of these soldiers participated in the Battle of Mine Creek, where approximately 2,800 Union troops attacked and defeated nearly 8,000 Confederates along the banks of Mine Creek.

For additional information regarding the Mine Creek Battlefield Site call (913) 352-8890.

On the Web:

Kansas State Historic Society: kshs.org/places/minecreek

Pleasanton city: www.pleasantonkansas.com

Mine Creek Battlefield Historic Site: www.minecreek.org