Above is an AI colorized and enhanced image of the article referenced below
Men Who Promote the Fox Hunt – Nodaway County Tribune, September 4, 1941, Page 4. via Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/nodaway-county-tribune-pumpkin-center-fo/196061801/ )
J. W. Clayton, Fay Baker, Bert Icke, Chester Espey, and Bill Hall, left to right, are officers of the Pumpkin Center Fox Hunters Association who arranged for this annual event, which closed last week. Mr. Clayton, Mr. Icke, Mr. Espey, and Mr. Hall have served as directors since the association was formed 14 years ago. Mr. Baker is master of hounds, Mr. Icke is president, Mr. Espey is secretary, and Mr. Hall is director of grounds.
Below is some background
Pumpkin Center FOX CAMP, Pumpkin Center, Missouri. The Maryville Daily Forum, October 5, 1928, Page 6. via Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-maryville-daily-forum-pumpkin-center/196065937/
In Bert Ickes Grove on Highway 71, ten miles south of Maryville, Mo. October 8 to 13, 1928, The Pumpkin Center Fox Hunters Association will hold its first annual camp hunt at Pumpkin Center, Monday, Oct. 8, assembly of fox hunters. First fox hunt, Tuesday morning at 4 o’clock, and each morning thereafter.
Time set by the master of the hunt. Concert Each Evening at 8 o’clock. Baseball Game Thursday Afternoon and Good Speaking. Friday is “Ladies Day.” Big basket dinner at noon. Come with well-filled baskets and have a good time.
Fox Hunters program in the afternoon, “Bench Show.’ Horseshoe Games, Kiddies’ Contests. A rocking chair will be given to the oldest person on the Camp Grounds on Friday afternoon. BY THE COMMITTEE.
FOX HUNT NEXT WEEK. Icke Grove will be the Scene of Many a chase, and Reynard Will Have to Watch His Step. PROGRAM BOOKS ARE SENT OUT. Interesting Programs Will be Given Each Day of the Meet, and a Chase Will be Run Every Night.
The Barnard Bulletin, August 22, 1929, Page 1. via Newspapers.com (https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-barnard-bulletin-1929-fox-hunt/196092262/ )
The Fox Hunters are coming into their own! At least the coming week will keep them ace high in this community, for it marks the second annual!
Meet of the Pumpkin Center Fox Hunters’ Association. The headquarters of the Association are in the Icke Grove just at the end of the pavement on Highway 71. Here, a tent city will be built beginning Monday, and the dogs will start barking. Last year, about 80 hunters joined the Association, and it is expected that membership will be at least double that this year.
Officers for the Association are as follows: president, Glenn D. Swinford. Barnard; vice-president, Chet Espey, Maryville; secretary-treasurer, George W. Cole, Barnard; master of hounds, W. L. Hughes, Bolckow; assistant master of hounds, Delbert Toke, Barnard. The directors of the Association are Wm. Hall, W. L. Hughes, F.A. Icke, Lloyd Heifner, and Leslie Weatherman. It is understood that an election will be held sometime during the encampment, and officers for the coming year will be chosen. The membership fee is $1.00, and a $1.00 entry fee is charged for each foxhound entered. Tents and dog feed are furnished by the Association; however, hunters are expected to furnish their own bedding.
The programs:
On Monday, August 26, the Fox Hunters will assemble and register. In the evening, the hunters’ stunts will be the program. Several of the local boys are expected to put on a blackfaced sketch, songs, and dances that should prove highly spectacular and entertaining.
Tuesday evening, the Trego Farm Club will furnish the program. Last year, this Club put on a very popular play. We understand that the program this year will be varied.
Wednesday in the afternoon, the Rev. J. Howard Thompson, former pastor of the Barnard M. E. Church and popular speaker, is scheduled to give an address. At night, Ottie Auburn and his celebrated ten-piece orchestra will give the entertainment. This orchestra is one of the best in Northwest Missouri, according to reports, and an excellent program is expected.
On Thursday afternoon, all addresses by a Modern Woodman of America representative will begin at 2:45, followed by the Bench Show. In this show, prizes will be given in the following events:
- Best dog over one year old.
- Best bitch over one year old.
- Best pair over one year old.
- Best dog or bitch over one year old.
- Best dog or bitch under one year old.
- Best dog under one year old.
- Best bitch under one year old.
- Best pair under one year old.
- Best dog or bitch, any age.
Some special prizes have been arranged as follows: A prize to the oldest person on the ground on Thursday. A prize to the best Woman Chicken Caller. A prize to the best Hog Caller. A prize to the best Fox Horn Blower. A prize to a boy under 10 years winning in the Sack Race.
At night, the program is in charge of the Modern Woodmen, and some pictures will be shown alongside a musical concert.
On Friday, the big event of the meet will be a basket dinner. The entire community eagerly anticipates this event. In the afternoon, Lee and Betty Mansfield, entertainers who have been entertaining over KGBX, the Foster-Hall radio station in St. Joseph, will give a short program.
Then Judge Haysler Pogue, an eminent jurist, an enthusiastic fox hunter, and an able speaker, will make an address. At night, the entire program will be given by Lee and Betty Mansfield. Saturday will be breaking up day. No programs are being arranged. Of course, there will be hunts each night, and the location will be announced from the platform by the Master of Hounds.
The Icke Grove is an ideal place for a Fox Hunt. Plans are being made for lighting the grounds and erecting a stage for the entertainments, and every. The thing will be in apple pie order sometime on Monday. Stands have been sold, and one can get anything to eat that one usually finds at the fairs and picnics.
So next week, one should wake up about three or four o’clock in the morning, after having enjoyed a good program in the Icke grove, and hear the “Yo-yo-yo” of running hounds, put it down that both men and dogs are enjoying a good chase.
Subsequent chases included dancing (at the 71 Club)
