Editing Avilla, Missouri (section)

====Avilla Zouaves in the Spanish–American War====
After the battleship [[USS Maine (ACR-1)|USS ''Maine'']] exploded at Havana, Cuba in February 1898, a "war fever" against Spain swept through America with the cry: "Remember the ''Maine''!" On March 4, 1898, a highly charged war rally was held at the Avilla Methodist Church. Three attorneys gave rousing speeches to the packed house, fueled with patriotic songs from a ladies choir. As a result, fifty-three young men immediately volunteered for military service in a new company that would be known as the ''Avilla [[Zouaves]]''. These units were characterized by colorful uniforms and/or precision drilling patterned after the French Zouaves, and were very stylish in the 19th century military.<ref name="Wilkinson 2008">Todd Wilkinson, "Southwest Missouri's Role In The Spanish–American War," ''The Ozarks Mountaineer'' March/April 2008</ref> The Avilla youth would be designated in the [[US Army]] as Company G, 5th Missouri Infantry Regiment. Two months later, the new Avilla unit was escorted by flag-bearing [[Grand Army of the Republic|GAR]] members to the Carthage Train Depot, and with music from the Light Guard Band were ceremoniously sent off for battle in the [[Spanish–American War]]. The fighting in Cuba was over quickly and the 5th Missouri Infantry was mustered out on November 9, 1898, before the Avilla Zouaves saw any action. Although they did not fight in the war, this event illustrates the raw patriotic spirit of Avilla, Missouri, still present in 1898.<ref name="Wilkinson 2008" />

[[File:AvillaPostOffice.jpg|left|thumb|Built in 1915 the Bank of Avilla operated for three decades. During the Great Depression it was robbed and the cashier kidnapped by members of the notorious "Irish O'Malley Gang".
This historic building has served as the village US Post Office (Est. 1860) since 1952 and is a local [[cultural icon]].]]