Springfield, '98
by Dave Fulbright
The track record for reunions in this family has been excellent. In fact, it is even better than that. The North Carolina reunion was something to remember for many years. We think that "Springfield, 1998" will be a worthy successor and go beyond that. First, we shall be able to visit the Fulbright Family Archives Room at The History Museum for Springfield-Greene County. We shall have as our guests members of the Louis Fulbright line. Black Fulbrights were at the first reunion we had in Springfield in 1991, but this will be the first time that members of the Louis Fulbright line will be there. We have a documented family connection that is clear. Very, very few families have the opportunity to meet one another after a separation that has lasted for at least a hundred years. Louis, the "father" of this line of Fulbrights, was the child of a white father and a black mother. It was during America's period of slavery. Make no mistake, this is a genetic relationship. His parents were William D. Fulbright of Springield, Missouri, and a slave woman named Minirvia. The relationship is as well documented and substantiated as is humanly possible. It is a common story from the tangled relationships that went with slavery. It is also a fascinating story. It is made all the more remarkable that David Fulbright, Clara Maddox and Howard Kennedy discovered one another in the first place. It is amazing that they were able to do the research necessary to give historical underpinning to the story that Louis's descendants have known for many years. Slavery is gone, but all of us are still here, connected by ties that many of us have known about for only a short time.At the Batesville reunion, we voted to invite the members of the Louis Fulbright line to be our guests in Springfield. Their family has a reunion in Kansas City, Missouri, on the same week end that we meet in Springfield. It has been my personal delight to know several members of the Louis Fulbright line for several years. You too will enjoy meeting those whom I often call, "Clara's family."
Clara Maddox of Kansas City, Missouri, and her uncle, Howard Kennedy, are the members of the Louis Fulbright line whom I know best. Clara Maddox wrote an article that is in this issue. Be sure to read it. Several members of Clara's family will receive this newsletter.
In short, Springfield, '98 will feature a new chapter for all of us. It should be one of the very best reunions we have had.