
20/08/2025
50 Years Ago from the Independence Bulletin Journal for August 15, 1975:
Schmit Antiques: from Horn chair to hall tree. by Nancy Kimball
An 1865 Texas longhorn chiar, with a bobcat-skin-covered seat; a mammoth hand-carved walnut bed and campanion dresser; an elongated smoking pipe imported from Germany three generations ago; a depot lamp with rare cranberry glass shades. Sound enticing: Thenb don't stop here - experience these and many more exquisite antiques at an open house to be held today... at the late Joe Schmit residence located near the Gayla Ballroom...
..Joe Schmit and his wife Orpha, founders of the Gayla and for 15 years Independence residents, practiced a 25-year hobby of collecting antiques. This past year they celebrated their golden wedding anniversary. Then six months apart during the first half of 1975, they both passed away, leaving their children the accumulated treasures. The seven children chose to auction off the pieces at a sale this Saturday rather than try to divide them equally among the family members. But before the collection is dispersed for the final time, they want to let the public view it in its entirety...