Good Evening Friend,

You are invited to attend an event happening in Fulton tomorrow, Wednesday, Dec. 21, beginning at 6:00 pm, recalling the contemptible execution of Celia Day 150 years ago in the Callaway County town. Celia was a young black slave raped and abused by her master in the early 1850s.  She killed her master in self defense and was brought to trial, found guilty and executed that day in 1855.

A brief ceremony will begin at Court Street Coffee (see directions below to get there from Columbia) with a candlelight procession to the courthouse, including remarks from Gary Kremer (Executive Director of The State Historical Society of Missouri), other historians and authors, as well as community leaders. 

Thanks to Larry Brown for passing along to us word of the gathering (I lifted much of the info from a posting he made recently). Both the Mid-MO Fellowship of Reconciliation and Missourians to Abolish the Death Penalty are co-sponsors of the event. My apologies on the tardiness of getting this note to you.
 
Perhaps some of you have read the book or play about her life, Larry notes. A committee has been planning the observation and commemoration.  College students and community members are displaying art work at Court Street Coffee beginning next week and continuing for a few weeks. 

You may contact Larry more information at brownlar@missouri.edu and/or contact Jane Bierdeman-Fike (jbierdeman-fike@sbcglobal.net). Larry writes, Our purpose is not simply to focus on past injustices of our ancestors, but rather use the remembrance as healing and an occasion to remind us of continuing problems of domestic violence, racism, sexism, and their resolution.       

Hope to see you there,
Jeff Stack
Mid-MO FOR coordinator


I-70 E / US-40 E. 23.3 miles

Take the US-54 exit- EXIT 148- toward AUXVASSE / MEXICO / FULTON. 0.1
miles

Turn RIGHT onto US-54 W. 3.5 miles

Take the US-54 BUSINESS ramp toward FULTON. 0.2 miles

Stay STRAIGHT to go onto US-54 BR / BLUFF ST. Continue to follow US-54
BR. 2.7 miles

Turn RIGHT onto E 6TH ST. <0.1 miles

Turn LEFT onto COURT ST. <0.1 miles 

 End at 529 Court St Fulton