Missouri Press Association
Serving Missouri Newspapers Since 1867
The death of Christopher S. “Kit” Bond (May 13, 2025) reminds me of a story that links me to a pair of Missouri GOP celebrities – Christopher Bond and John Ashcroft, although neither had any idea. The story includes a toddler and a piece of chocolate cake.
In the early 1980s (Yes, I’m that old. Hush!), before I began my journey down the newspaper road, I thought perhaps I would pursue a career in politics. I had no aspirations to run for office.
Instead, I was fascinated by the behind-the-scenes work that took place for both campaigns and office holders. I joined the Southeast Missouri State University’s chapter of College Republicans. Don’t worry. This is not a partisan story.
For several years, I served with an army of volunteers who helped make the annual Cape Girardeau Lincoln Days banquet happen. During this era, the Cape Girardeau event celebrating the Republican party was the largest in the state and volunteers didn’t mess around.
In April 1984, I found myself at Cape Girardeau’s Arena Building making sure all the seats were properly arranged and tables pre-set with homemade desserts for the event.
I had strict instructions that then Missouri Attorney General John Ashcroft MUST have chocolate cake. For others, the dessert selection wasn’t so important. I proudly placed a luscious piece of chocolate cake with chocolate frosting at John Ashcroft’s seat. It looked beautiful. I was proud of my job.
As people began arriving, it turned out Lincoln Days was a who’s-who event for Missouri Republicans of the time. Among the dignitaries at the event was then Gov. Christopher S. “Kit” Bond and his family, including his very young son, Samuel.
Sam wasn’t a fan of the dessert pre-selected for him. I watched in horror as someone quickly and quietly swapped Sam’s dessert for the chocolate cake designated for John Ashcroft.
Horrors! What should I do? Should I call out Missouri’s Governor for swapping desserts? Would John Ashcroft really mind cake of a different flavor? Was it a big deal?
I decided I better let the organizers know. Perhaps we could quickly sub in another piece of chocolate cake at Ashcroft’s seat and no one would be wiser.
As the chocolate cake caper was unfolding, the room was filling quickly with GOP dignitaries. Roy Blunt, Gene McNary, Mel Hancock, Bill Emerson and Wendell Bailey were among the attendees. It was such a big deal that the Southeast Missourian later carried two separate articles about the night.
Neither mentioned chocolate cake.
When I revealed what had happened, event organizers flew into a tizzy. Alas, replacement chocolate cake proved elusive as people were choosing their seats based on the dessert in place. We had to act fast. Ashcroft and his entourage had arrived. From my inexperienced point of view, Ashcroft seemed to glance at his cake and note that it wasn’t chocolate.
Those in charge of desserts decided the only reasonable option was to conjure a fantastic chocolate sundae for the state’s Attorney General. I’m not sure how the dessert magicians did it, but the offensive not-chocolate cake was removed, and just as Ashcroft finished his meal, a beautiful hot fudge ice cream parfait arrived. Both Sam and John seemed happy with the outcome. Crisis averted.
One of the Southeast Missourian stories mentioned that toddler Sam Bond made an impression.
“And Samuel Bond, son of the governor, ran laps around the inside of the Arena Building,” the reporter wrote. Later in the news story, the reporter added, “Gov. Bond was also present and made a short speech, although he was almost upstaged by his toddler-age son, who skipped through the crowd while the candidates spoke.”
No mention of chocolate cake, but perhaps we all know a little more than before.
Shortly after the fateful Lincoln Days, I made the shift from political science to journalism. I wanted a chance to tell the stories and to help readers make good decisions about our communities.
Two years later, I was assigned to cover the 1986 Lincoln Days for the Southeast Missourian. Then Gov. John Ashcroft and then former Gov. Christopher Bond both attended. My story doesn’t mention what either was served for dessert.
The great cake crisis of 1984 had been deftly managed. Only a few people were aware it even existed. The event taught me some important lessons that I carry with me. Toddlers and politicians love chocolate cake. Details matter, and people will notice. Take the extra step whenever possible.
And always strive to exceed expectations.
