Newtonia Fall Festival

Civil War re-enactors representing Federal soldiers marched in the Newtonia Fall Festival parade. Unlike the Confederate soldiers, who generally wore civilian or farm clothes during the first half of the war, Federal soldiers could be distinguished by their blue uniforms. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)
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A group of Confederate re-enactors demonstrated a drill in front of the Ritchey mansion in Newtonia, used as a field hospital during the largest Civil War battle in town. The company commander said the South would take soldiers of any age, but most soldiers were not older than their mid-twenties. Most older soldiers could not keep up and got killed. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)
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Artillery pieces from the Wilson's Creek National Battlefield provided examples of the heavy firepower used in the first and second Civil War battles fought in Newtonia during the community's Fall Festival on Saturday. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)
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McDonald County artist Doug Hall displayed two of his paintings in the Ritchey mansion during the Newtonia Fall Festival, showing how Native Americans, who participated in the local Civil War battle, would have looked. His paintings were "Battle Ready," at left, and "Treetop Advantage," at right. One of Hall's paintings was selected for top honors at the recent show of Western art at the Buffalo Bill Museum in Cody, Wy. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)
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Exhibits describing events in Newtonia 150 years ago told the story inside the Ritchey mansion during the Newtonia Fall Festival. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)
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Families of Civil War re-enactors came to the Newtonia Fall Festival in period costumes to broaden the picture of life 150 years ago. Pictured, from left, are: Carolyn Carver, of Crocker; Maxine Moran, of Carl Junction; Nicholas Duberry, of Springfield, and Cathy Lewis, of Pierce City, whose brother, Mike Williams, has been a re-enactor for 17 years. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)
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Visitors at the Ritchey mansion in Newtonia toured the family cemetery next to the home that served as a field hospital 150 years ago. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)
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A bouncing hillbilly-style car from the Neosho Shrine Club provided one of the more colorful entries for the Newtonia Fall Festival parade on Sept. 29. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)
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Horse rides were available and equestrian units participated in the Newtonia Fall Festival parade. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)
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An exhibit next to the Ritchey mansion in Newtonia explains the historical significance of the events at the Civil War battle. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)
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A group of musicians playing instruments that were available 150 years ago. The group played period songs and serenades beside the Ritchey mansion during the Newtonia Fall Festival on Sept. 29. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)
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Civil War re-enactors set up bivouac tents on the lawn of the Ritchey mansion for the Newtonia Fall Festival. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)
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Suzanne Becker, at center, taught the fine art of quilt making to Donna Owens as part of the vendor exhibits at the Newtonia Fall Festival. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)
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Among the vendors selling products on the lawn of the Newtonia Community Center was Fern Palmer, from Fairview, who offered a wide variety of hats, blankets, crocheted and knitted items. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)
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The Newtonia Community Center was a beehive of activity during the town's fall festival. In addition to serving meals, the center provided an exhibit space for local quilt makers. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)
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A Monett R-1 School District bus was among the entries in the parade at the Newtonia Fall Festival. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)
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Train rides put smiles on the faces of children at the Newtonia Fall Festival. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)
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Van Stufflebeam and Gina Besser arranged the pumpkin and mum sale exhibit at the Newtonia Fall Festival. Proceeds from sales went toward festival costs and promotion expenses. (Times Photos by Murray Bishoff)
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