A new DAR marker will be dedicated on Route Z at 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 30. A  cake and punch reception will follow at Clark’s Chapel on Highway 87. 

The marker honors Ezekiel Williams, who on his farm, held the first meeting to organize the Santa Fe Trail Trading Trip and elect William Becknell as the leader on August 4, 1821. Ezekiel and William wanted to “cash in” on trade with newly independent Mexico and bring back horses, mules, and silver coins. The first trip left Franklin on September 1, 1821. It is not known if Ezekiel was on that trip, although he captained a large caravan of 105 men and 53 wagons and carriages in May 1827. They returned with 800 horses and mules with profits of about 40%.

The marker was made possible by three local DAR chapters: the Howard County Chapter, the Hannah Cole Chapter in Boonville, and the Arrow Rock Chapter. The marker, located on Route Z, 5.5 miles from Highway 87 North at the junction of Route Z and County Road 351, is 8.6 miles from the Missouri River Bridge at Boonville.

The public is encouraged to attend. A bus will leave Clark’s Chapel at 2:10 p.m. to the site on Route Z and will return shortly after the ceremony. Ezekiel Williams’ descendants will be on hand at Clark’s Chapel during the reception to answer questions. Missouri State Representative Tim Taylor will also speak at the dedication.