History in the making

Oral histories being collected to be used in conjunction with a book on the first half of the century in Southeast Missouri

Dick Kent Withers was in Sikeston Wednesday to talk with the public about their family stories and memories of events from the first half of the 20th Century. (Photo by Jill Bock, Staff)

Dick Kent Withers was in Sikeston Wednesday to talk with the public about their family stories and memories of events from the first half of the 20th Century. (Photo by Jill Bock, Staff)

SIKESTON - History isn't just numbers and dates agreed Dick Kent Withers and Dixie Rolwing. It is the story of the people.

Rolwing of Charleston has delved deep into her own family's genealogy.

"You can go to a tombstone and find the date of birth and the date of death, but I want to know more. I'm interested in what happens in between," said Rolwing about her research.

Withers agreed. "The only thing I find wrong with history -- and I love history -- is that you don't get the people's side of it," he said.

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