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Thank you for Jordan Coller story

Posted 3/9/22

To the Editor :

Thank you so much for the biographical article on “Jordan Coller: Fayette’s forgotten Civil War hero” published any February 16 copy of the Advertiser. What a …

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Thank you for Jordan Coller story

Posted

To the Editor:

Thank you so much for the biographical article on “Jordan Coller: Fayette’s forgotten Civil War hero” published any February 16 copy of the Advertiser. What a fascinating story! The Civil War adventures of this young man as a member of the 46th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment read like a history of the war years as he participated in so many major campaigns and battles as well as spending months in the Bell Island prison—much of this at an age close to that of CMU students!

A picture of Fayette and such a thriving Missouri town after the war is a vivid one. Coller clearly made major contributions as a successful businessman and as a heroic firefighter as well. (How fortunate that we have detailed records of some of these activities and events, thanks to the 1877 Advertiser for one of the most exciting!) It sounds as if he became a well-to-do citizen and property owner, and his lifelong generosity reveals his community involvement and interest in many areas of Fayette life. I was disappointed to hear his burial site is not in one of the town cemeteries, along with other Fayette veterans.

Of course, the article raised so many questions—Coller’s story is like the plot of a John Grisham novel! I'd love to know how he decided to come to Fayette after St. Louis, how he got here and what he found when he arrived. Who were his earliest friends? Did he send letters back home? Did he participate in social organizations and events important to town life? How and by whom were his Civil War artifacts preserved and how in the world did they find their way to the attic of the library? Were the photographs included? And, of course, what led to his brother’s making his home in Fayette, and why under secret identity? It isn’t surprising that this strange mystery was of interest beyond Fayette and those who personally knew the brothers.

The authors and researchers did an excellent job with her story! Any follow up details would also be enjoyed—as are any other stories about Fayette’s history from “back in the day,” especially with the Bicentennial Year approaching. I'm looking forward to visiting the CMU museum of history to see the items the authors described and learn more about this interesting man! Thanks for the writers and publisher of an intriguing and educational article about a hometown hero!

Marian Rusk

Webster Groves, Missouri

Fayette, Missouri

Editor’s Note:

I agree with Marian Rusk. The article was a fascinating look at a local war hero and at post-war Fayette. However, I can take absolutely none of the credit. The authors and researchers of the article are Dr. Robert Wiegers, Charles Thompson, and Charles Straatmann. These men have been tracking down the history of Jordan Coller for years and have uncovered stories and artifacts about him and Fayette during the time. Their passion was clearly evident in the article they submitted to the newspaper. It was my pleasure to publish their fine work.

The article that appeared in the newspaper was an abridged version so as to fit into the limited space a physical newspaper can offer. I have no doubt the authors would be happy to supply the full version to anyone who is interested.

Justin Addison

Editor/Publisher

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