Hatcher Reunions

Nel, Bruce, and all those other Hatcher families,

Nel gave me the credit for being the oldest attending the family reunion, so I'll use that excuse for being the slowest to say we got home safely and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves.

Nel asked for a recount of what we saw in "The Hills" while attending. Darleen and I did shun-piking getting to Hill City. We came cross country to Sturgis from Pierre then on to Spearfish to catch the Passion Play at their amphitheatre.

Being so close, I couldn't resist the chance to again see Devil's Tower just a few miles across the state line into Wyoming. The tower marks the north end of the geologic "uplifting" event that accounts for the gem known as the Black Hills.

Into Hill City via the beoootiful Spearfish Canyon drive. Took in the Crazy Horse sculpture project with the bus ride to the foot of his mountain for a full-face view (worth the $4 price), otherwise you just get the profile view, which in its self is impressive.

Missed Friday A.M. session, but made the acquaintence of the tow truck driver as we got hauled to Rapid City for a diagnosis of why the car's 'Check Engine' light was showing. Uneasy about that! Very uneasy about the diagnosis that we needed a new fuel pump, afterall the car was running perfectly. Decided that Service Manager was reading our Wisconsin tag and seeing "SUCKER" printed across my forehead. We drove out and back to the reunion and a great dinner at the Alpine.

No more shun-piking; we caught I90 and bee-lined for home. Car never missed a lick (at home new sensor turned out the 'check engine' light).

I thought I had talked to everyone at the reunion, but realize now that I missed talking to Franklin (while waiting to be called to dinner, I tried to steal his chair on the veranda of the Alpine). Realized that I also missed Maxie & Margaret when we caught up with them Saturday on the road at Chamberlain, S.Dak., during lunch break.

Evaluation: Wonderful! Our thanks to Bruce & Nel. Our condolences to those who planned, or wanted, to come and couldn't make it. Greetings and best regards to all who could and did make the reunion. The GOOD LORD willing, we may meet again.

John (and Darleen) Chipman.

Our Journey and Adventures to and from the Hatcher Reunion at Palmer Gulch, South Dakota.

Eight days of fun filled adventure to and from the Hatcher Reunion.

-- Saturday, June 16, 2007 -
Left Home in Milledgeville GA early on Saturday morning and drove through Atlanta to Chattanooga TN then on through Nashville and then across Kentucky into southern Illinois to St. Louis where we spent the night in Columbia, Missouri, which is about half way across the state. We logged about 850 miles that day.

-- Sunday, June 17, 2007 -
Got up Sunday morning and drove to the west side of Kansas City Kansas to a huge Cabala’s store and spent several hours shopping and enjoying this wonderful store. Wish we had one around here! Cabala’s is a much nicer store than Bass Pro Shop.

Left Cabala’s and drove all the way through Iowa, to South Dakota to Sioux Falls where we spent the night. We were so glad to get out of the cornfields of Iowa; what a boring state to drive through.

-- Monday, June 18, 2007 -
Got up early and left Sioux Falls and drove to Mitchell SD and visited another smaller Cabala’s store although still very nice and then drove around and looked at the Corn Palace.

Left Mitchell and drove on to the Badlands State Part and drove through the Badlands on the scenic road where we saw some mountain goats (got pictures). Came out at Wall SD where we visited and shopped in the famous old Wall Drug Store.

Left Wall and drove on to Rapid City and picked up the road to Hill City SD. Arrived late Monday evening in Hill City SD at our destination, the Lantern Inn, and then took supper at the Bumping Buffalo's on Main Street (Nice place).

Got the old laptop working that night and informed Nel we had arrived and set a meeting for Tuesday afternoon at the Mangy Moose.
More on that later...

-- Tuesday, June 19, 2007 -
Woke up very early at the crack of dawn, gosh it gets light early in SD, around 5 am. Drove to the Palmer Gulch KOA and checked out where the reunion was to take place, and then on to visit Mt Rushmore. We then drove back to Hill City to the Mangy Moose where we met Nel and Bruce and spent some real quality time getting to know them while talking and enjoying happy hour.

-- Wednesday, June 20, 2007 -
Got up and drove to and through the "Needles", a very nice drive. Finished the Needles tour and then drove down to Custer State Park where we picked up the scenic loop and observed a lot of native wildlife including Buffalos, Mountain Sheep, Mountain Goats, Prairie Dogs, Pronghorn Antelope, and one BIG Buffalo who got right up next to our vehicle. I could have reached out and touched him, even though I did not, I did get a very good close up picture of him eyeballing me..

Left Custer State Park and drove southwest into Wyoming and looped back north to Deadwood SD where we walked and toured the old town. Me and puppy dog (Rebel) spent some quality time in the
famous old No. 10 Salon where Wild Bill was killed sipping a cold one while Miss Susan played some nickel slots. Deadwood is a must see if you are in the area.

-- Thursday, June 21, 2007 -
Arrived at the reunion that morning and got to meet everyone, we then had a round table introduction where we each introduced ourselves and talked briefly about who our ancestors were and how we connected back to the main Hatcher family.

Next, Anthony Chitwood and his wife arrived in their wonderful Southern War Between the States period outfits where they explained all about the period clothes they wore. Very nice!

After some DNA discussions and some Hatcher genealogy updates by Nel, we spent the better part of the day going around and talking to each person and getting to know them a little better informal like.

-- Friday, June 22, 2007 -
Arrived at the shelter and after a short time, the presentation of Roots
Magic was begun by Bruce Buzbee of Salt Lake City who was most knowledgeable in his subject matter. I think most everyone in the group enjoyed the presentation he presented for the group and was impressed by his knowledge level of not only his companies' products, but other competitors as well.

Bruce was asked a lot of questions and he fielded them all with ease and candor. Several attendees' including myself bought RootsMagic and Family Atlas after seeing all the things it can do as opposed to FTM or one of the others. Bruce gave any buyer a good discount off the normal retail price which was most appreciated by all who purchased.

We all left the shelter and met at the Alpine Inn for a wonderful group supper of Black Angus Filet Mignon with all the trimmings. Everyone had a great time sharing our final night together.

-- Saturday, June 23, 2007 -
Got up very early and drove all the way back to Columbia Missouri to spend the night, a little over 800 miles and about 13 hours driving time.

-- Sunday, June 24, 2007 -
Got up very early and drove all the way to Atlanta to fill our bellies with some Varsity chili burgers and fried onion rings, they are the best in the land. Left Atlanta and drove home arriving a little after 9 pm, about 12 hours + driving time. Was very glad to be out from under that steering wheel. Puppy Dog (Rebel) was ecstatic to get home and be out of the car so he could run around the yard.

A most enjoyable and treasurable trip, to say the least...

Thanks again to Nel and Bruce for making this reunion happen and especially to all our wonderful Hatcher cousins who made the long trips to make this reunion a success....

With kindest regards to all,

William W. Hatcher Sr.

Here is what the Chitwood/Hatcher Clan did on our summer vacation:
--- Saturday, June 16, 2007 - We left Virginia and drove to Fulton, Missouri (to look for Anthony's dead relatives) which is were we stayed the night in a Walmart parking lot.

--- Sunday, June 17, 2007 - We left Fulton and drove to Branson, Missouri to see the Titanic Museum. We stopped at Bass Pro shop in Springfield, Missouri along the way. Then we drove back to Springfield and stayed the night in another Walmart parking lot.

--- Monday, June 18, 2007 - We left Springfield and drove to Manhattan, Kansas (where our son, Micheal, was born). We showed Micheal the hospital where he was born and the apartments that we lived in. We stayed the night in a motel (sorry Walmart).

--- Tuesday, June 19, 2007 - We left Manhattan and traveled North into Nebraska. Then into Iowa and finally South Dakota. We stopped in Mitchell, South Dakota at Cabela's. And stayed the night in another Walmart parking lot.

--- Wednesday, June 20, 2007 - We left Mitchell and drove to Deadwood, South Dakota. We toured the beautiful downtown of Deadwood and got to see where Wild Bill and Calamity Jane are buried. We also got to hear the story of "Potato Johnny". Then we left and headed to the campground. We went to Mt. Rushmore and saw the lighting ceremony at night (very beautiful!!!!...worth going to see)

--- Thursday, June 21, 2007 - Awoke at the crack of dawn...at 5:30 am. After breakfast and meeting Nel and Bruce, Anthony and I got dressed in our Civil War period clothes. When we got up to the picnic shelter, we got a dozen or so pictures taken of us. Everyone was interested in what we do and the clothes we were wearing. After everyone introduce themselves, we changed back into our regular clothes (just toooo HOT!!!)

--- Friday, June 22, 2007 - Awoke again at the crack of dawn...(we are not use to it being so bright at 5:30 am). After breakfast, we took the kids to Reptile Gardens near Rapid City, South Dakota. Then we went to Crazy Horse monument (very impressive). Then we went back to the reunion to see everyone and listen to the presentation of Roots Magic.

--- Saturday, June 23, 2007 - Left the campground at the crack of dawn and drove to St. Joseph, Missouri. We stayed the night in a Walmart parking lot.

--- Sunday, June 24, 2007 - We stopped by the house in St. Joseph were Jesse James was shot and killed. Then we drove to Kearney, Missouri to see the Jesse James Farm House and Museum (very interesting). Then we drove to Frankfort, Kentucky and stayed the night in another Walmart parking lot.

--- Monday, June 25, 2007 - Left Frankfort and high tailed it to Virginia!!!!! We got home around 3 pm and actually got to sleep in our own beds (sorry Walmart)!!

This was a great vacation for us all and one that we will never forget.

It was great to meet everyone that was at the reunion and hope to see you again. If you are ever in Virginia please let us know. Thanks again to Nel and Bruce for everything you did for us.

Sissy, Anthony, Micheal, Michele, Buck and Oleen
(The Chitwood/Hatcher Clan)

This is a bit late, but better late than never...

Tuesday:

Carolyn and I started out for the Black Hills of South Dakota from our home in Liberty, MO (metropolitan Kansas City area). We made a stop for lunch in Council Bluffs, IA and met some family from my maternal grandmother's family. Then it was on to South Dakota where we stopped for the night in De Smet and stayed at the Prairie House Manor Bed and Breakfast. We drove by the Little House and Laura Ingalls Wilder sites before dark. We would have liked to have visited more, but needed to head on the next morning.

Wednesday:

Headed west to Huron, SD. Stopped at the local library for information on Wolsey. Wolsey is where the brother (Arlie Hatcher) of my great-grandfather (Willis Hatcher) lived for a time and where, while on a visit to see her son, my 2g-grandmother, Catherine (wife of Charles Delaney Hatcher) died on Aug 4, 1922. After finding a book entitled "Wolsey - The First 100 Years" (with a photo of a group of men, including Arlie!, but didn't find a city directory), we headed west of Huron about 8 miles to Wolsey. There isn't too much there now.

After Wolsey, we headed for Pierre, the state capitol, for Catherine's death certificate. With the proper information (I found the location and death certificate index online), it was easy to obtain. Nel now has a copy, too.

Then it was on to the Black Hills. Drove through Rapid City, Hill City, by the Crazy Horse Memorial and on to Custer where we stayed at the Custer Mansion Bed and Breakfast for the next three nights. Ate dinner at the Elk Canyon Downtown Pub & Grill. It came recommended by our hosts, but the cook must have had an off night (or was himself off for the night).

Thursday:

We attended the first day of the Hatcher Reunion. It was very enjoyable to finally put faces to names and email address. Those of us belonging to the John/Eve line were remarking about the family resemblances. Good information was also shared.

That evening, we ate at the Sage Creek Grille and had a great dinner!. Afterwards, we took a drive to Custer State Park and found a couple of buffalo. Dark caught up with us, so we didn't make it completely around the Wildlife Loop.

Friday:

Another good day at the Hatcher Reunion. We heard a great presentation by Bruce Buzbee of RootsMagic. It was so good (and the price was right!) that we purchased a copy of his software (as did several others) and are going to make the switch from Family Tree Maker.

After going back to the B&B for a little freshening up, we met the Hatcher cousins for a final farewell dinner at the Alpine Inn. After dinner, we drove up to the Profile View of Mt. Rushmore to take a sunset photo.

Saturday:

With still more to see in the Black Hills, we decided to take two days to drive back home instead of the one long day we had planned. We started out by driving up to Sylvan Lake (what a beautiful lake!!!). Then we drove down Needles Highway in Custer State Park (a very nice drive!) and the around the Wildlife Loop. We saw a few antelope, some burros (what do you call a group of burros?) and finally found a buffalo herd (I was beginning to think we were going to miss them).

Then it was time to put some miles behind us. But, we just HAD to stop at Wall Drug, in Wall, SD. Ate lunch across the street from Wall Drug.

Drove by the 1880 Town on I-90 (would have liked to have stopped; maybe next time). Stopped in Mitchell to see the Corn Palace. Drove through Yankton and saw some of the historical district before it got dark. Thought about staying the night there, but there were several large events going on and everything was booked. So drove on to Vermillion for the night (no, not a B&B this time, it was too late).

Sunday:

Got up early to get on the road again. Needed to make home by about 2pm in order to make it to our nieces 7th birthday party at 4pm. After the motel continental breakfast wore off about 10am, we stopped in Missouri Valley, IA at a new local diner (Penny's Diner) and had a real breakfast. Missouri Valley, IA is were my dad was born. In fact, three generations of my Hatchers were born in Pottawattamie County, IA after Charles Delaney Hatcher (remember him from above?) moved from Indiana with his father, Wiley Blunt Hatcher (grandson of John/Eve Hatcher). After breakfast, we drove down the county road (paralleling I-29) to the next "little" town (not much there any more) called Loveland. Off the road a block is a church that used to be called Council Bluffs Primitive Baptist Church where the Hatchers used to attend. Took a couple of photos, then drove back to the interstate and back home. We made the birthday party.

We very much enjoyed meeting some of our Hatcher cousins and hope to see some of you again sometime. Maybe at another reunion, maybe one of our future trips, or maybe one of you will stop by and see us. We'd love to have you stop in if you are ever in the Liberty, MO area.

Steve and Carolyn Hatcher
John/Eve Hatcher line

...................the feedback