Историк Джереми Амик представил новую книгу «Голоса долины Морроу» и запустил собственное издательство

In his third installment in a series of books documenting the history of the Moreau River Valley region, local author and historian Jeremy P. Amick tells new stories of faith, military service, agriculture, immigration and education in Mid-Missouri. "Voices of the Moreau" contains nearly 60 stories from across Mid-Missouri, including Cole, Moniteau and Callaway counties. To further share these stories with the public, Amick is hosting a book signing Sept. 12, where he'll introduce the book to attendees and copies can be purchased for $20. The book begins with a story about the Algoa Correctional Center at Jefferson City, explaining its background as a farm operated by prisoners and possible connection to an expanded rail line of the Missouri Pacific Railroad that dipped into Texas, reaching a community south of Houston called Algoa, Texas. "The biggest thing was trying to determine where the name came from, and although I couldn't 100 percent pinpoint it ... I think it was connected to Algoa, Texas," Amick said. "I think the rail lines were connected and that's how Algoa got its name." Starting "Voices of the Moreau" with a story about Algoa helps readers begin with a familiar story, but Amick added it was also a natural segue into creating part one of the book, which is titled "Communities and Places." Some of the following stories are about places like Aurora Springs, Scruggs Station, a former community and stop on the Bagnell Branch of the railroad, and the former 1960s roadside attraction Nickerson Farms, previously headquartered out of Eldon. In just a year, Amick said he easily writes more than 70 stories he stumbles upon on an everyday basis. "If I am out and about and I see something that captures my attention, I'll write a story on it," he said. The stories are written as he encounters them, using primary documents and interviews with relatives or experts to piece a story together. His favorite part of the interview process, he said, is getting to uncover hidden pieces of information you couldn't find without having a conversation. "You don't really get that oftentimes, digging through newspapers or historical documents, until you go meeting with the family and find out that they have pictures of something you've been looking for for a long time or a document that kind of is the final piece of a puzzle you've been trying to solve," Amick said. Once he starts to compile a hefty list of around 70 or 80 stories, it's a sign he's ready to "build a book thematically." Though Amick's Moreau series (which also includes "Moments on the Moreau" and "Beyond the Moreau") is generally similar as each book covers the same region, each one is unique by nature because of its stories, he said. But "Voices of the Moreau" is particularly special as it's the first book Amick has published with his new publishing company. Earlier this spring, Amick's former publishing company suddenly notified him they would be shutting down. Having been hurt by publishing companies before, Amick said he thought to himself, "'Why not start my own publishing company?'". So in June, Amick established Moreau Valley Press, where he plans to publish all of his books moving forward. Now, he'll have more control and independence with his books. "It worked out great," Amick said. Amick also added a personal flourish to "Voices of the Moreau" with an author's note about his German ancestors who eventually settled in the Moreau River Valley. It's a story self-reflecting on the opportunities he has to study the Moreau region because of them, but a reminder to any reader about how their roots brought them where they are now. "It's framed from the perspective that this is everybody's story," Amick said. "It really is. I mean, not just from immigration perspective, but that we're here because of them, and we all have stories in our past that are worthy of preservation, not just mine." Amick's "Voices of the Moreau" release party is from 2-5 p.m. Sept. 12 at The Burkel & Hickman Log House, located at 309 W. Hess Way in Jefferson City. For more information on Amick's work or to purchase a copy of the book online, visit missourihistorymoments.com. Amick will host another book signing event Sept. 18 in Centertown at Tammy's Restaurant, located at 11805 Main St. The events are free to attend.