Real photo postcard. Postmarked “Cassville, September 17 8 AM 1910.“ Hinchey Photo
We acquired this outstanding real photo postcard after the publication of James Fork of the White or it would have been a half-page illustration in our book. The front identifies the spring as being two-and-a-half miles south of Cassville, Mo. Like many real photo postcards of this era, it is exquisitely exposed and sharp-focus.
Flat Creek is the longest tributary of the James River. Access to it is limited and it isn’t much fished or floated compared to the James between Springfield and Galena. Quoting from our book on the James (page 94): “Cherokees rested here on their Trail of Tears journey, and it was a well-known camping spot for settlers coming to Cassville to trade. Missouri highway 37, which runs next to the spring, was once the Old Wire (telegraph) Road. Both sides in the Civil War traveled this road and watered their horses here.”
The little stone springhouse is still there, but the spring today is enclosed by a circular rock and concrete wall.
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