from the research of Charles and Brenda Fiddler
Will H. Neely, depot agent (circled) on porch, water, right. Will Neely (1869-1960) worked for the railroad for more than 30 years. He taught himself the Morse Code and was a member of the Railroad Telegraphers. He was the first agent for the Parsons station and lived in the town for 23 years.
The city of Parsons received its charter in 1913 and a mayor had to be named. Will Neely was selected as mayor rather than elected. He served three terms, according to Younger’s history of Decatur County. John Neely Davis (grandson of Will Neely) said that Neely took pride in the wide main street in Parsons and believed that Parsons would grown into a large city and would need the extra streets to accommodate the traffic. “He always referred to Parsons as ‘Parsons Flat,’ or simply the ‘Flat.’”
Photo courtesy of Karen Davis
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