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Henry and Jane (Bess) Sitzes Homestead
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 The
"Sitzes" Homestead is constructed of hand-hewn pine logs and was originally
located on the family farm, outside of Marquand on DD Highway. the
couple's first-born children were a set of twins who died in infancy.
they were later blessed with a daughter, Bessie. the couple resided
in the log cabin, raising their daughter and farming. Over the years
the cabin underwent many changes. Clapboarding was used to cover
the exterior and tongue and groove lumber adorned the walls, each adding
its own form of insulation and modernization. a wood frame kitchen
was added to the back. In June of 1940, Henry passed away.
while on his deathbed, he made his son-in-law and grandson, Gale cheek,
promise to dismantle the cabin to the point that Jane could no longer live
in it. Shortly after his death, they did just that. The cabin
stood, unprotected from the elements of time and nature until the spring
of 1989, when it was donated to The Village of Marquand Historical Park
by Mr. Rudy Brothers of Cape Girardeau.
In October of 1989, Mr. Brothers
sold the farm to a family out of Seattle, Washington. The family
stipulated that the Park Board had one month to remove the cabin from the
premises or it was not to be moved. With time running out, the C.R.O.P.
organization and Park Board disassembled the cabin and hauled the logs
and fireplace stones to their present location. In January of 1990,
reconstruction of the cabin began and is still underway.
THE ROOF
The cedar shake roof and labor was completely donated by Warren Huffman
Roofing at an estimated expenditure of $2000
THE FIREPLACE
The fireplace is original to the homestead. It was dismantled
and the stones were transported into town where it was reconstructed by
Braswell Masonry. the company has also assisted in the chinking.
the sandstone rocks in the fireplace were hand quarried near Moore's Chapel,
about two miles from the original site of the cabin. Look for the
stone inscribed with the year "1895" about halfway up on the chimney outside.
THE WINDOWS
The original cabin windows would have been exactly like those in
the front of the cabin - 6" over 6" construction. this style became
popular because glass production was so crude in the late 1800's that to
produce one large piece of glass, without it breaking, and then to transport
it without any damage, was extremely difficult and costly. Therefore,
it became the practice to make smaller pieces of glass, put them into a
wooden frame, and thus produce windows in this manner. The windows
used in the cabin today were donated by Jesse Yow, Jim Wilson, Mr. &
Mrs. Theron Sparks and Everett and Elsie Tripp.
THE INTERIOR
The original interior had an enclosed staircase and the second floor
ran the entire length of the room. It was the decision of the Park
Board to reconstruct it in the manner you see in order to present a more
open effect and to allow visitors to go upstairs.
HOMESTEAD FURNISHINGS
Oak Refrigerator: Donated by Jack and Betty Grumke from the
Emmitt Family Farm.
Pump Organ: On loan from John and Shirley Blecha.
Utility Cupboard: On loan from Denny and Kevin Ward from the
Cozean Estate.
Wardrobe: On loan from Denny and Kevin Ward; hand constructed
by Lum Combs.
Baby Cradle: Handcrafted by Shirley Blecha - on loan.
Wheat Cradle: Donated by Tony East.
Table and Chairs: Purchased by the park.
Treadle Sewing Machine: Donated by Dorothy Kelly from the Norma
Whitener Estate.
Marquand Railway Map: Donated by Raymond Whitener.
Fireplace Utensils: Handcrafted and donated by Rick Coplin.
Medical Saddlebags: Belonged to Dr. Lafette Hull and date from
the turn of the century. Donated by Mrs. Nathan Yow.
Wood Chest: Brought to Marquand in 1804 by the Michael Mouser
Family. Donated by shelby Ann (Mouser) Shell.
Bed: On loan from Denny and Kevin Ward.
The only items original to the cabin are the oil lamp and small picture
on the desk.
Photos of Henry and Jane Sitzes hang above the fireplace and staircase.
Information from brochure by Citizens
Realizing Our Potential.
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