The buzz about Chariton's 1903 honeybee invasion

Back in 1903, Chariton had three weekly newspapers, all published on Thursdays: The Patriot, The Leader and The Herald. And during the week those newspapers were published on July 30, two of the three carried reports of the great honeybee invasion.

The Herald attributed the invasion to a luxuriant crop of white clover and focused on the swarm that had settled under the vestibule of First Baptist Church:

"Honey bees are both literally and figuratively 'in clover' this summer," The Herald Reported, "and they are more than embodying the poets' description by 'improving each shining hour.' Never was white clover so abundant or so rich as it is this summer. It does not seem to have the slobbering effect on horses that it usually has, but instead makes them fat and strong.

"There have been dozens of bee swarms in Chariton within the past few weeks and some of them in queer places. One swarm settled on the roof of G.J. Stewart's house, one in a tree in the courthouse yard, one under J.C. Karn's blacksmith shop and one, as if to benefit the minister, under the floor of the vestibule in the Baptist church.

"The last named swarm was hived yesterday by Leonard Riebel after they had been at work just a month and 25 pounds of honey and 30 pounds of bee bread were taken out by Mr. Riebel as a result of the one month's work by the bees. The honey was presented to Rev. Palmer and will have a tendency to still further sweeten his christian character and constantly remind him that it takes unceasing toil if one would accomplish good results. Rev. Palmer says the honey is wonderfully white and clear and of very superior quality.

"A swarm tried to settle on Bert Murray's head as he was going home to dinner the other day, but he objected and they settled in a tree in L.F. Maple's yard instead."

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The Patriot reported upon the invasion of empty hives stored in the barn of Ephraim Cranshaw Bridge, pioneer photographer and optometrist:

"E. C. Bridge, who formerly paid some attention to bee culture but discontinued it several years ago, has had a number of old bee hives stored in his barn. Last week, a large swarm of bees entered the barn and took possession of one of these old hives. In a few days, this pioneer colony was followed by two others, and on Saturday and Sunday, the advance forces were strengthened by two more regiments until now, Mr. Bridge finds himself engaged in the bee business with five large colonies of honey harvesters busy at work.

"By what means they gained intelligence of the whereabouts of these old hives they do not stop to explain, but seeming to consider possession nine points of the law, they show a decided disposition to defend their new homes against all comers. Mr. Bridge says he doesn't care to get into an argument with them over the point anyway."

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Two weeks later, Dr. Bridge told The Herald "that the five swarms of bees that took possession of the empty hives in his yard are still with him, and a sixth has made its appearance." But after that, the buzz about the bees was silenced.