Fiftieth Anniversary

[Page 13]

     The congregation at Bonne Terre, Missouri, will celebrate its fiftieth anniversary with an all day meeting, June 12. Bonne Terre is the oldest town in the "Lead Belt" area of St. Francois County, Missouri, having been incorporated in 1864. It is the home of the district St. Joseph Lead Company offices. The French called the area La Bonne Terre, "the good earth," because of its mineral wealth. The congregation was planted by miners who came from Mine La Motte, named after Sieur Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, governor general of Louisiana, who opened the first lead mine in Missouri, in 1715. The Mine La Motte congregation subsequently moved to Fredericktown. The second Sunday in June has for years been the occasion of an annual homecoming for former members at Bonne Terre. For information write to C. H. Mabery, 135 North Spruce Street, Bonne Terre, Missouri.