By Debby Woodin

dwoodin@joplinglobe.com

It has been 35 years since descendants of one of Joplin’s founders, miner E.R. Moffet, were on hand for a city birthday celebration, but several were at City Hall on Tuesday to observe the city’s 135th.

“It feels good” to help Joplin celebrate, said Eugene Moffet Jr., a great-great-grandson of the miner who, along with partner J.B. Sergeant, hit the first lead strike in 1870 that led to Joplin’s incorporation in 1873.

“I just think it’s terrific,” said his sister, Carolyn Moffet Clayton. Also on hand was another great-great-grandson, Marion Moffet, of Jasper.

Eugene Moffet Jr. said the family members believe the last Moffet to attend a city birthday celebration was their father, his namesake, who was one of the honorees in 1973 at Joplin’s centennial.

“There’s still a few around,” he said of the Moffet great-great-grandchildren; he named 13. “They’re just scattered all around the country.”

E.R. Moffet was Joplin’s first mayor, appointed to the post by the governor, Eugene Moffet Jr. said, showing off a commemorative certificate issued by the city to his family at the centennial celebration.

Eugene Moffet Jr. said it was the first time he or his sister had attended a city birthday party because they have lived away. He moved back to Joplin in 2001 from Wisconsin; his sister returned in 1995 after living in Arkansas City, Kan.

In honor of Joplin’s birthday, the City Council recently declared zinc the official city mineral.

E.R. Moffet and Sergeant won $500 in a contest for hauling the most lead from a mine near Oronogo, and they used that to make their first strike on Joplin Creek in what today is the city limits. That strike yielded $60,000 worth of ore in about three months. Zinc and lead ore often are found together, records of the mining strike at the Joplin Public Library note.

Mayor Jon Tupper read a proclamation recognizing the city’s mining roots.

Brad Belk, director of the Joplin Museum Complex, which includes a mineral display, welcomed residents to the reception and noted that City Hall now is located in one of Joplin’s historic downtown landmarks, the Newman Building. “This is a fabulous City Hall,” he told the crowd of celebrators that included officials from some other area towns like Carthage and some city employees as well as residents.

Eugene Moffet Jr. said Joplin has enjoyed growth while still feeling like a small town.

“It changed in the time we were gone,” he said. “We noticed the expansion yet, on the other hand, when my wife and I came back from Wisconsin, I didn’t get lost trying to get around town.”