History of McDonald Territory

by Walter R. Arndt
Postmaster General of McDonald Territory

Noel MO 64854

 

     This letter is composed of excerpts from letters and newspapers to picture on a wide screen and in a sharp focus the greatest ostentatious performance that McDonald County, Missouri has been since the filming of the Jessie (sic) James picture. It clearly shows the disappointment of all citizens of McDonald County, by the omission of the Lanagan, Southwest city, and the Noel Ozark area from the official Missouri "Family Vacation Map."

     Like an unloved child of a large family, McDonald County has been pushed away from the lap of its mother, and left to "root hog or die." But die it would not. McDonald County is no runt, but a giant in God-given resources, self sufficient within itself if need be.  It is populated by a people whose sipirt is not softened by the salve of subsidization. It is a veritable light in the wilderness, a green oasis in a barren desert.

     Let us then, unsullied, unflinching, and untouchable, push forward in the pioneer spirit of our hardy Anglo ancestors, and carry high and proud the flag of rebellion against the omission in the true revolutionary spirit of "76". On April 6, 1961, a group of McDonald County citizens, each having the same idea at the same time, met to form the provisional government of McDonald Territory and declared itself independent of the State of Missouri.

     The secession movement was instituted at that meeting and it grew into magnanimous proportions with a few days as citizens from all over McDonald County voiced their opinions and freely expressed their ire at the tyranny of the Missouri State highway Department's re-routing of Highway 71 and failure to include our resort cities and this beautiful scenic area on the "Family Vacation" side of the official State Highway Map.

     McDonald Territory officers were duly elected and 100,000 territorial stamps and 50,000 VISA¹ (sic) cards were designed, engraved and printed.

     Local and national television and local, national and foreign newspapers came to our assistance by devoting their time and front page columns to publicize the McDonald Territory "Family Vacation Area." So, what started out to be an angry group of citizens were now happy and appreciative and began talking wise advantage of every opportunity to get more publicity for our "Vacation Land."

So, we say thanks to every person who had a part in making a really great and wonderful performance.

Signed,

/s/

Walter R. Arndt

Undated


     ¹When placed in all caps, it becomes the acronym for a well-known credit card; "visa" as in a diplomatic sense was the intent.

 

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     Page created 22 April 2010, 1723Z