Garrett Gabel will give an illustrated presentation at 10 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 10 at the James Family Center, across the street from James & Gahr Mortuary, 103 W Center Street, Salem, Mo. Gabel is a local author, lecturer, historian, and Civil War re-enactor
Gabel’s program will consist of images of various styles of veteran monuments, both military and civilian; monument-cleaning procedures; and procedures for acquiring and installing military monuments.
Gabel will discuss his research project and the follow-up on the ground, including finding these graves and setting military stones in collaboration with John Harris. Their volunteer work has led the men to locate more than two hundred Missouri State Guard and Confederate graves in Dent, Phelps, Shannon, and Texas Counties in Missouri.
The ultimate goal was that each time they found or learned of a grave, it would be marked with the appropriate military stone and information, developing an extensive database of Civil War Missouri State Guard and Confederate Soldiers buried in this area, ensuring each one is not forgotten.
Gable’s Confederate ancestors lived in the northwest corner of Dent County. He served in several organizations, such as the Missouri State Guard and the Missouri Confederate Units that formed in South Central Missouri.
Gabel is the former Commander of the Brigadier General E. T. Wingo Sons of Confederate Veterans Camp #2213 in Salem.
Gabel’s program is free and open to the public.
Gabel’s focus will be on Northwest Dent and Southern Phelps County of Missouri.
Gabel, who lives in the Yancy Mills Community in Southern Phelps County, will have the following books on hand: “History of Yancy Mills, Mo,” “Days of Yore; A History of Southern Phelps Co., Mo. 1861-1921,” which includes Watkins Township in Dent County; Harvest; and Whilom. To get more information about the author or his program, email Garrett Gabel at vessie_secesh@yahoo.com.
For more information on the meeting, call Deloris Gray Wood, President of the Dent County Historical Society, at 729-2545.