Tuesday, December 29, 2009

Christmas in Rich Hill 1931

Rich Hill Mining Review Dec 1931
CHRISTMAS A HAPPY ONE
FOR RICH HILL RESIDENTS
Fine Programs at the Churches; Poor Remembered—700 Kiddies Given Gifts from the Big Tree

With mild weather and bright sunshine residents of Rich Hill enjoyed Christmas, although they had to forego the joys of a "white" Christmas. Brilliant colored lights of trees shone brightly in many homes and in the business district and the holiday spirit prevailed generally. Christmas programs at the various churches also were en­joyable to many who attended the festivities. The entertainments were given with brillant lights and colorful features.

While residents were enjoying all the good things that Christmas brings needy persons of the city were not forgotten. The B P. O Elks co-operating with the charity association distributed 30 baskets of food to the needy, and the Presbyterian church also supplied a number of baskets of good things.


Another special feature was the Christmas tree provided by the business men for the children, and it was, a big success, as about 700 kiddies were gathered at the tree and Old Santa gave them a genuine surprise by distributing boxes of candy and nuts, and everyone was glad to be there. They were cer­tainly made happy.

While merchants may not have had as large a business as in more prosperous times, they enjoyed a very satisfactory business.




Sunday, December 20, 2009

Rich Hill Mining Review June 26,2003



Kenny Thurman Retires
I like this story because Ken now works on the city crew after his retirement.
Ken Thurman was honored Sunday, June 22, by friends and famly in Hume. Thurman will work his last day for the Postal service on Friday, June 27. For last 38 years, Thurman has been a government employee.
His career with the post office started in Harrisonville as a clerk carrier. Thurman then worked at the bulk mail facility in Kansas City for 10 years. The last 18 and a half years have been spent as the Hume postmaster.
Although Thurman will miss seeing people and visiting with friends on a daily basis,he has plans retirement.
I plan on resting, was Thurman's first response. Although he also confessed to having a rather lengthy "honey do" list from Esther, his wife.
Everyone wished the Thurmans their best while enjoying,cake and listening to music by the Band,The County Storm

Monday, December 14, 2009

Pictures from Jerry

I began to feel like a had hit a dry spot as I wasn't finding any new information or pictures.
Tonights blog is from Jerry Pfeifer the reporter from the Mining Review. Thanks for the pictures Jerry they are greatly appreciated!

The picture below is located on the Northwest corner of 6th and Park Avenue downtown Rich Hill, Missouri.

The picture below is just west of the corner of 6th and Park Avenue, Rich Hill Mo. It is a picture of the old Clark's Drug Store.


Sunday, December 13, 2009

Old Rich Hill Brick factory Part2


Thanks to Jeff Droz for this Photo
Almost a year later but here is the first story http://richhillhistory.blogspot.com/2008/12/old-brick-factory.html

Vitrified Brick Factory

In 1890 Major Wilson formerly the senior member of the Sanderson and Wilson Hardware and Undertaking Establishment together with T.B. Farmer and Ben Evens, instated a brick Factory just outside the city limits to the north and alongside the Missouri Pacific railroad for the production of verified brick. After a few years of experimenting it was found that the soil in the immediate vicinity was not suited for the vermiform product desired. So they sold the plant to Hedges and Booth. However, Mr. Wilson had manufactured and sold many thousands of bricks, both locally and abroad. The product was used quite extensively for sidewalks.
Rich Hill City Hall was constructed of the bricks but after a few years the building had to be heavily succored to preserve and strengthen the(at the time)-two story walls. It might be well to mention that Mr. Wilson was a member of the board of aldermen at the time the building was erected.
Hedges and Booth converted the plant into a farm tile factory and finally sold to the Dickey Tile Company of Kansas City. The Dickey organization continued for a number of years but, after exhausting the clay substance on its own property, and failing in an effort to secure that on adjacent lands discontinued operations.

Saturday, December 5, 2009

Rich Hill Jr. Football 2009

I found this Video on Utube

Monday, November 30, 2009

One Year Old Today

The Blog is One Year old Today.Yeah !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Sunday, November 29, 2009

1980 to 1981 Rich Hill Booster Club Book










Football


Basketball Girls


Tuesday, November 24, 2009

Saturday, November 21, 2009

RHFD expands services over its history


Wagon Wheels September 10,1987 by Marjorie McGennis
How often do we stop to appreciate the 16 men who are willing to risk danger for us, who put themselves on call 24 hours a day, all because they want to be of help to the Rich Hill community. These are the volunteers of the Rich Hill Fire Department. They are willing to be roused out of bed any lime of night in heat or cold, breathe smoke, risk injury, and try to save lives and property. All this for the sum of aboul $200 per year to compensate them for ruined clothing and other expenses incurred while on duty.
The present Fire Chief is Ron Thompson, who succeeded Corey Gordon when he retired in 1980. Ron had been on the Department since 1972. Bill Bradley, who is Asst. Chief has 13 years of service this year. (Garry Hoover, Captain, has just retired after almost 19 years of service. The oldest member in point of service is Liet. Bill Reed, who has 24 years on the Department. Other members are: Alvin Briscoe and Gordon Turner, with 11 years each; Kenny Heuser, 10 years; Clinton Leer, 8 years; Jerry Williams, 7 years; Charlie Skoff, 6 years; Alfred Stewart and Kevin Peterman, 5 years each; Gary Nichols, 4 years; Elmer Derry and Don Cole, 3 years each, and Teddy Jones, 2 years.
In 1880 when the Department was set up, there were to be 12 members and a chief, but as the years went by, and more people worked out of town, it seemed wise to add a few more members to have sufficient crew available. Now and then people move away or change jobs and have to resign. Dean Cullison, who was Ass't. Chief under Gordon, had 26 years of service when he resigned.
Corey (William Walter) Gordon likes to recall the days when he was Fire Chief. He says he never missed a fire, and part of that time he was also in charge of the city dump as part of his job. For awhile he ran a store just east of the railroad tracks and could lock up and be at the Firehouse in record time. He succeeded John Craig, who had served as both Fire Chief and City Clerk.
Even as a child, Corey went to every fire that he could. He remembers the horses that pulled the Fire Wagon years ago. They were kept at the Fire Station at the north side of the City Hall - just up, childlike, to pet one of those handsome creatures. The horse, annoyed by anyone distracting him from the job, was anxious to begin, reached over and gave Corey a bite that he remembers vividly to this very day.
Finally Corey's dream of being a Fireman came true. He remembers some of the large fires, especially the buildings burning in the block where the Library now stands, as well as the fires at the Picture Show. He always wished for more and better equipment, for there were often breakdowns. He fought through the years to update the capability fo the Department, and is pleased to see some improvements today.
He tells of using some of his choicest cusswords because people would rush to the fire when the whistle blew, blocking the fire truck, running over hoses, and causing time delays. In those days, all people had to do was to call the town operator and ask "Where's the fire?". Roy Bear, as City Marshal, was a big help in keeping people away from the fire area.
In 1982 the Department presented Corey an attractive plaque, with a crest showing a hydrant, nozzles, axes and a ladder. The lettering commended him for his 35 years of service to the Rich Hill Fire Department. He truly loved the job, and although he hated to see property losses, he was always ready, and "couldn't wait for the next fire."
About 1975, Ron Thompson says, the City purchased monitors for the Firemen, and installed an encoder at the Light Plant. Each member carries the monitor on his person at all times and when a Fire call comes to the Plant, they are alerted by a beeping sound. The men contact the plant where the information is given on the problem, the location, etc. Since most fires seem to be at night, the men have their clothes laid out before retiring. When the beeper sounds and they quickly receive needed information, they can be dressed and at the Firehouse within three to four minutes. The truck is pulled out, with two or three on the pumper and those who make it in time to ride in the van can put on their gear on the way to the fire. Everybody is trained to operate the pumper, and whoever gets there first, takes some others and goes ahead. The rest follow as soon as possible. The Chief is supposed to survey the situation and decide where to attack the fire, but the responsibility is transferred on down the line sometimes in the interest of time. Since they are all friends and neighbors who know their jobs and work well together, they go ahead in doing the best job they can. They have to know all the streets in town and where all the hydrants are located.
Each fire is different and some times the ones which appear the simplest at first turn out to be the hardest to control. Some are also dangerous to the firemen, but so far no one has been seriously hurt. When the Marquardt building burned, there was a smoke explosion in the south building, which raised the roof six inches and spit fire and flame through the windows and doors,. Ron thought the building had collapsed and his heart sank, for he knew some of the men were on the roof. He ran to the back where the ladder was and met five fellows looking down the ladder at him. He was never so relieved at any fire -they were safe. As it turned out, the roof did not collapse and the men went back up to continue the fight. At the time of the explosion, Fred Marquardt had slipped and fallen on some ice just in front of the building. As Ronnie reached to help his dad up, they were both blown completely across the street. This was probably one of the worst fires the Department has handled in recent years.
When the crew returns to the Fire Station, they immediately ready the equipment for any further run, checking oil and gas, putting water in the tanks and everything back on the truck and in the van. They discuss the fire and how they handled it; decide whether they could have done it differently, and what they can improve on at a future fire. If mistakes were made, they are used as a training experience, and are not repeated in the future.
The men have been given Arson training, and have an Arson Hotline which they can call any time of day or night. A report must be made on each fire in detail, and monthly the Chief fills out a report for the State Fire Marshal's office on the amount of damage to structures, to automobiles, or other property. A report on any fatalities or criminal damage is also made. Rich Hill has a Class 8 Fire Department; a good rating helps residents on their insurance rates.
The 3-M Company, where Ron Thompson works, has given training to the Rich Hill Firemen. They have also sent Ron, in his capacity for their company, to Texas A.&M. to a Fire training course. It is an intensive training program, with a couple of days of classwork, and then experience in the field with actual fire situations. What he learned in this course, he has passed on to the home fire department here
Recently a new metal building has been erected, joining the old firehouse on the west. The new building is 36 x 48 feet, with a gas overhead heater, and a paved entrance on Walnut Street. This has been a great help in providing space for the Tanker truck, the Jeep with the small water system, and the van which carried the firefighter's equipment. Also in the van are oxygen supplies, backboards, generator, smoke ejector and other needed items.
Since the Fire Department exists from general funding from the City Council, funds are not always available for much needed supplies, or for a new truck, which is badly needed. The Firemen's Wives is an auxiliary organization to the Department and they have raised over $1500 with their Ice Cream Social in the park in August, and bake sales before Easter. This money is applied to such things as new backboards, help on some of the rural fire equipment, oxygen for the tanks, money for First Responder training, and help on completing toilet facilities for the firehouse. They are a great source of encouragement and help to their husbands and to the whole community. Anyone who wishes to be of help to the Department may make donations to the Firemen's Wives and they will see that it is used where it is most needed.
Fighting fires in Rich Hill is only part of the duties accepted by our firemen. For a yearly fee, surrounding farmers may call the Department for help and they have responded to hay and grass fires as well as to farm homes and barns. Their special hose can be used to pump water from ponds, ditches or cisterns, and they carry 1700 gallons with them on their vehicles.
About four years ago the Fire Department began offering a service that has proved to be of much help and comfort to those who make ambulance calls. When the call comes in these men, who are equipped with oxygen, and are able to perform CPR, are a wonderful help to the ambulance drivers as well as the patient and his family before the ambulance arrives. They are called First Responders, and they go to the home at once, guiding the ambulance drivers by radio to the location. Several of the firemen have taken this 5 week course at the Butler Hospital, and also take refresher courses at regular intervals. Jerry Williams, Kenny Heuser, Alfred Stewart, and Don Cole are presently First Responders. Many people thank them sincerely for caring enough to be available with help and encouragement during some desperate times.
About once a year Whiteman Airforce Base gives the Firemen a class on how to respond to an emergency at the Missile bases. The Department is responsible for the area bases, both the one at Happy Hill and one just east of town. They are obliged to respond and do what they have been trained to do.
The Department has responded to a couple of call's to the Peabody Wildlife area, one a drowning, and the other a victim trapped in the water.
The Fire Department responds to gasoline spills and highway wrecks. Half of the Department took training given by Missouri University at Nevada in order to learn how to cut people out of car wrecks. By doing so, they earned $3000 worth of equipment for this purpose and have used it several times.
Alvin Briscoe heads the Civil Defense unit, which has gone out several times to spot tornadoes, using their monitors and radio communication to be in a position to alert the community if necessary.
Of course there are problems that come up. The public is not supposed to enter a block within 500 feet of a fire; the Department would like the courtesy of having people pull off of the street for the fire truck to pass in the interest of saving time. They would ask specatators not to endanger themselves around burning buildings. The weather can cause problems, especially when it is freezing. The cold slows down the firemen, the water in the lines, and makes for a longer response time and is generally very hard for all concerned. Sometimes their outfits are frozen stiff. Corey tells about the men taking off their coats after a fire and standing them up in the corner at Moreland's Restaurant. The new water system recently installed should eliminate many of the water problems in ordinary weather.
A final request from the Rich Hill Fire Department. CALL US FIRST BEFORE TRYING TO DO ANYTHING ABOUT A FIRE!
Time is so important!

Saturday, November 14, 2009

Can anyone help


Bart: 
 I got your contact info off of the Rich Hill Blog. 
 I am a historian in northern Minnesota. 
 I am writing a book on the 1938 Midwest crime spree of St Louis desperadoes 
John Couch and James Otis Meredith.  On July 30, 1938, 
Couch and Meredith, along with James Clyde Reed held up E. McKinney at the 
Skelly filling station just south of Rich Hill.  Randy Bell  sent me a great story on the 
incident from the  4 AUG 1938 Mining Review.  I am just about ready to wrap up the book, 
and am desperately looking for a photo of the Skelly Station to use in the book.  
I have photos from just about every place they held up on their spree, and would 
very much like to get this one as well.  I am hoping that you might be able to track one down,
 or know someone who might be able to help out.  Your assistance is very much appreciated! 
 Mark Anderson Bemidji, MN 

Friday, October 9, 2009

Fastest Cigar Rollers in the State of Missouri

This story came Wagon Wheel Jan. 1977. Randy Bell took the story from the Rich Hill Daily Review in 1917


This item was taken from a 1917 issue of the Rich Hill Daily Review.


The demand for 8 cents El Nilos is such, that if the present force should work steady, they could barely fill orders now on hands, without selling another cigar between now and Jan. 1st next.

Scarcity of skilled labor has made it necessary for the workers to do their ut most to turn out the greatest number cigars possible, resulting in some of the fastest cigar makers in the State of Missouri. Mrs. Nona Fuqua Ashley, has the record for rolling a greater number of cigars, regular time between the hours of 7:30 a.m. to 6 p.m., of any cigar maker that ever worked in our shop during , our 33 years experience, and is an expert wrapper I cutter, and has learned her trade through begining at the bottom and working up, and account I of such has drawn in wages for 1 week as much I as $35.50, being the re cord of shop for above.

Another out and out cigar maker, who has learned the trade out and out, commencing at the bottom and working up is Miss Lola Merchant, who for the past week's work, including over time, drew $36.50, which is the largest amount of money ever paid a cigar maker, during 33 years in one single week. Miss Merchant also holds the record of bunch breaking, breaking 2350 bunches a day, being 500 more than is claimed for the machines capacity.
Others Following close behind are:E.C. Carlisle out and out cigar.Florence Miller, fast roller.Paul Rowland,out and out cigar maker. Neva Dibble, out and out cigar maker. Estella Dungan,roller. Jessie Evans, roller.Pauline Carlise, out and out cigar maker.Daisy Cooper, bunch breaker.Anna Thornton, bunch breaker. Cloe Boyer,bunch breaker. Anna Cooper, bunch breaker, and other. Heck&Ruble Cigar Manufacturers


Tuesday, October 6, 2009

1908-1909 Basketball Team

This Blog comes from 1909 Rich Hill annual

DURING THE school year of 1908-1909 there has been nothing that has attracted more attention and has been watched with greater interest than our Basket Ball team.
The schedule played this season was larger and stronger than that of any previous year. Although the team was not an ''ever-victorious" one, we have every reason to believe that it is the strongest team that ever represented our school.
The literary was so generous and so greatly interested in the team, that they furnished every member with a new suit.
A few days after the boys had arrived home the Town team of Rich Hill decided that they would show Rich Hill how to play basket ball, and also issued a challenge for a game. Of course the High School team accepted and when the story was told they had defeated the Town Team 34 to 15.
Their next trip was to Appleton city where they played the Academy boys and again suffered a defeat of 20 to 15.
The next game was the second annual game with our greatest rival,Butler. Although the score was very one-sided 20-4 the playing was evenly matched.
This was the greatest defeat Butler has ever experienced.
The next adventure was on Xmas day when our team defeated the Alumni 14 to 2.
Rich Hill showed her supremacy over the Hume team and easily won both games by the score of '29 to 12 and 30 to 9 respectively.
Line up 1909
Frank Wilson Mgr.- Forward
Joe Klumpp -Forward
Allen Wilson, Capt.- Center
Ivan Corbin,- Guard
Edwin Koontz - Guard
Cleo Craig- Substitute
Albert Crenshaw- Coach

Monday, October 5, 2009

The Rich Hill Banks Part 3

I found this unused F&M check on E-bay, it's from the 1920's
This story is from the 1955 memoirs of Rich Hill by Ed McQuitty
The Farmers and Manufacturers' Bank of Rich Hill commenced business late in 1882. J. C. Ferguson, of Fayette, Missouri, the principal stockholder, was president; J. C. Ferguson, vice-president; E. F. Sweeney, cashier and W. W. Ferguson and Robert T. Massie, assistant cashiers. A few years later W. W. Ferguson became president, John D. Moore, vice-president and John W. Jamison, cashier. Together with these officers, George Templeton and E. N. Hurst were also directors. It was while these gentlemen. were at the helm when, on a clear, winter's night in 1907, the bank was burglarized and blown up. Recovering from this misfortune the damage from the blast was repaired and the bank continued in business until the national crash came in 1930, when practically every bank in this section closed their doors. Mr. E. F. Sweeney, above mentioned, ultimately climbed to the presidency of the First National Bank in Kansas City.

Wednesday, September 30, 2009

The Rich Hill Bank

had a gentleman e-mail me, he was asking me questions about the Rich Hill Bank.
One question he asked was; Where did I get the picture? The answer, from the Rich Hill Memorial Library in an old souvenir book. The story I printed came from the 1955 memoirs of Rich Hill by Ed McQuitty


The Rich Hill bank opened for business in the early summer of 1881 with W. F. Tygard, president; Thos. Orr, vice president; C. G. Weeks, cashier and Triad Burch, as­sistant cashier. The bank building was then as it is today construcred of brick made in Rich Hill, with the excep­tion of the stone front. The stone was quarried and dressed in the neighborhood of Rockville and transported to Rich Hill by wagons.
The Rich Hill bank continued inuntil 1906. At that time the Bates County National Bank at Butler with F. J. Tygard, (a brother of W. F. Tygard, of the Rich Hill institution) president, failed on account of some infraction of the banking laws and in so doing, dragged the Rich Hill bank down with it. The old bank building is now owned and occupied by the Northrup Drug store.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

Old Western Auto Building


12-13-2008 just a few minutes before it was pushed down


year unknown
12-8-2008
About 2002

Thursday, September 24, 2009

Security Bank Statement (Sept.25 1931)


Rich Hill Mining Review Sept.25 1931

Responding to the official call of the state commissioner of finance, the Security bank of Rill Hill presents its statement of the financial condition of the bank in this issue of the Review. It is worth the attention of the public. The statement shows sound, conservative management, evidenced by the amount of cash on hand and in bank, and a large amount of U. S. government and other state and high class municipal securities, averaging 80 percent of total deposits. (This total combines cash and securities referred to.)
Richard W. Trefs, cashier, Tersely Says: "Probably few country banks can measure up to such a standard of conservatism. A bank and its management can only be gauged by its ability to keep its doors open and not by any possible accommodation that may be extended in a careless way to a selected few to the detriment of the real active supporter of a bank, the depositor "
The Security bank is a newly established institution, but is making steady strides for success on sound financial basis and courteous treatment to the public.

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

September 2001

September 2001
This is the flag that flew on the Rich Hill overpass after 9-11 2001









Sunday, September 20, 2009

Post from Rootsweb

I found this story on Rootsweb Message Board
A newspaper report from the time is as follows:
"July 20, 1938
11:00 p.m.
The Skelly Filling Station on Highway 71 at Rich Hill, Missouri, was robbed.
Three men had been to the station shortly before, and had the attendant put $3 worth of gas in the car. They returned a short time later armed with a sawed off shotgun and revolvers. They had the attendant, E. McKinney, fill the gasoline tank of their car.

The men took $50 from McKinney and all the cigarettes and candy he had in the filling station. McKinney was led to a back room and bound hand and foot with wire. As he lay trussed up, McKinney was smashed across the head with a gun. When he regained consciousness he found his place had been ransacked."

Saturday, September 19, 2009

Rich Hill Depot 1967

I think this is a good picture of the old Rich Hill Depot

Thursday, September 17, 2009

Then and Now


6th and Park- South East Corner 1909




6th and Park- South East Corner 2009


Tuesday, September 15, 2009

Rich Hill's First Lawyer


Rich Hill's first lawyer was C. A. Clark
Charles A. Clark, came with early settlers from "Old Rich Hill" to the new town in 1880.
On July 8, 1880 he was named the first City Clerk & Town Attorney.
He died November 17, 1925 and is buried in Green Lawn Cemetery.








Sunday, September 13, 2009

Jay Gould meets Rich Hill's E.R.McQuitty

This story comes from the History of Rich Hill (E.R. McQuitty's memories)

The original smelting plant was constructed and operated by Mr. Jay Gould, a multi-millionaire, recognized as one of the foremost wealthy financiers of the day throughout the entire United States. Jay Gould's name was a household axiom in the nation in those days and he was reported to have owned and controlled the entire Missouri Pacific Railway system. It was said of him that his sole reason for selling stock in the railroad was to enlist enough personnel to provide sufficient aid to fill the needed offices to man the vast properties. Mr. Gould was an affable gentleman, quiet and not in the least ostentatious or bigoted, notwithstanding his great fortune, in fact a real fellow, just one of the boys. Not that he was inclined toward the bright light or to sit in on "that little game," but to the contrary enjoyed the disposition of comfortably sitting on the hotel veranda after the evening meal and discussing current topics with business men of the town who came by to pay their respect and extend hospitality, (or could it be that they wanted to see for once in their lives a real, walking, talking multi-millionaire?) Mr. Gould traveled on his own special train, composed of baggage car, a dining car, an observation car and two others especially fitted for his private- office with quarters for his bookkeepers, clerks, secretaries" etc. Mr Gould visited Rich Hill quite often, which gave to the people a feeling that our town was considerably ahead of its neighbors, in that it frequently had a multi-millionaire in our midst. It was the prodest day of my life when one evening while sitting on the portico at the hotel, Mr. Gould arose and beckoned to me. By way of introduction he said that he was Mr. Jay Gould. I thought it was the proper thing to do to tell him who I was, so, bowing as low as I dared to make sure the security of my suspender buttons, I replied that I was Mr. McQuitty. This brought a broad smile to his countenance and he asked if I'd like to earn a little money. He said I appeared to be an ambitious chap and that if I would call at his special train down at the depot he would put me in the way of earning a few dimes I assurred the great man that I would be there early next morning. It was not the dimes that I cared for, but the opportunity of having been noticed by a millionaire was enough for me. Gosh, I felt I was sitting on top of the world. Mr.Gould informed me that he liked me to carry messages from his office to the smelting plant for a couple of days. The mission accepted and completed, the financier thanked me, gave me a couple of pats on the back and placed a newly minted five dollar gold piece in my hand. Right there was when I went "high hat." I strutted like a turkey gobler at mating time and brushed aside my former companions with all the dignity I was able to muster. I really considered myself a part of the great Missouri Pacific Railway system, but the delusion was summarily shattered the next day, when without a ticket, I climbed aboard a passenger train for a little ride up to Butler. The conductor was dumb to a recital of my late affiliations with Mr. Gould, so I was gently deposited beside the tracks out on the right-of-way. The conductor recommended that I impart to Mr. Gould the news that our partnership had been dissolved. Said he'd arrange for a meeting of the board of directours to fill the vacancy. Smart alack. My old friend and benefactor departed this life at his palatial home in New York City on Decmber 2, 1892.

Friday, September 11, 2009

S.B. Cole- Water & Electric Plant As One

The story and picture is from the Rich Hill Western Enterprise Newspaper Feb. 14, 1913

In 1909 Samuel B. Cole was elected Mayor of the City of Rich Hill. He believed that there should be more economy in the operation of the municipal plants.
He took hold of the situation in a business like manner by first moving the motive power of the electric plant under the same roof where the engine of the water plant was located. This reduced the hands to one and made one engine serve for one most of the time. This was a very commendable move,because it saved fuel,labor and machinery in the operating of the two plants.
Mayor Cole has been active in getting the bonds for the new electric light and power plant. He and the city council have proceeded with due caution in making a good sale of the bonds and letting the contract for construction. They are working for the interest of the city and the future consumers of electricity.



Thursday, September 10, 2009

F.M. Koontz Radio Program


Rich Hill Daily Review September 18,1931






First of new series of Radio programs over station WDAF

This Friday Evening Dedicated to F. M Koontz of this City by Kansas City Wholesale Grocery Co.


The Kansas City Wholesale Grocery, home of Pickwick, dedi­cates the first of its new series of radio programs which are to go out over WDAF (the Kansas City Star) from 8 to 8:30 o'clock this Friday evening, Sep. 18, to one of Rich Hill's foremost citizens, Frank M. Koontz, who has been with the Kansas City Wholesale Grocery Company for 29 years, the longest continuous record in this respect of any of the company's salesmen. Therefore, this new series is dedicated to Mr. Koontz, and his customers in Rich Hill, Adrian , Butler, Hume, Metz, Lamar, Nevada and other towns. This indeed is a neat compliment to Mr. Koontz who is not only recognized as a salesman of ability, but a recognition of his enterprising spirit in the upbuilding of Rich Hill's best interests. So tune in and hear an interesting program given in his honor by the Kansas City Wholesale Grocery Company, one of the leading houses west of Chicago.

Wednesday, September 9, 2009

Rich Hill Gas Works


The Gas Plant was at Pine and Railroad St.
Gas Ordinance No.101 (Revised Statutes-1893 Book)

An ordinance providing for supplying the city of Rich Hill and its inhabitants with gas; Authorizing V. D. Snyder and Francis Tiernan or their assigns to construct and maintain gas works, contracting for illuminating said city, also for submitting the same to the quali­fied voter of said; city for their adoption or rejection.

Be it ordained by the board of aldermen of Rich Hill as follows: SRC. i. There is hereby granted to V. D. Snyder and Francis Tiernan, of the city of Ft. Scott, Kansas and to their successors and assigns the exclusive privilege of establishing, maintaining and op­erating natural and artificial gas works within and near the city of Rich Hill, Missouri, for twenty years, from and after the legal pas­sage of this ordinance, and for the supplying of said city and the in­habitants thereof and-the adjacent territory with natural and artificial illuminating gas, for public, private and manufacturing uses, and to use the streets, avenues, alleys, sidewalks and public grounds of the city of Rich Hill, within its present and the future, corporate limits, for placing, taking up, and repairing pipe lines for conveying said gas and erecting lamp-posts and devices required for the service of gas.


Monday, September 7, 2009

Lighting Part II

Tonight's blog is from the book "The History of Rich Hill" ( A HISTORICAL REVIEW OF A MISSOURI TOWN) the following excert from Ed McQuitty in 1955.


Public Street Lighting

Rich Hill's first street lights were of the old English pattern of kerosene variety, all eight of them, installed April 2, 1881, during the administration of Mayor Hewett. These lamps were of about the same candle power of a well behaved lantern and fitted atop a rough hickory pole seven feet in length. Some trouble was encountered in finding a man tall enough to pour in the kerosene and trim the wicks.
A few years later artificial gas lamps were substituted placed on standards two blocks apart. These lamps were of about the volume of two lanterns with well polished globes. A man was employed to make the rounds in lighting them each evening, then when morning came he would retrace his steps in "blowing them.out." This system was replaced by the antiquated electric arc method. These lights were as far too dazzling as the gas lights were too dim.
One good thing can be said for them, however, their brilliancy would attract all the bugs and flying insects for
miles, the whole of which were unceremoniously electrocuted. During S. B. Cole's tenure of office as mayor
in 1913 the A. C. method of electricity for lighting and power was adopted. Improvements have been made from time to time until today Rich Hill's street lighting is modern in every respect and electricity is ample for all needs of the city. '

Saturday, September 5, 2009

Rich Hill Revised Statutes-1893 Book Page 175 and 176

Chapter xx
Public Lamps
Article I.
Location of public Lamps.
SEC. I. In view of the written acceptance made by the Rich Hill Water, Light and Fuel Company, of the franchise granted it in. Ordinance No. 170 of said city, the electric light lamps in said ordinance mentioned, are hereby located on the respective streets in said city, to-wit: On East Railroad Street, at City Mills, on corner Ninth Street and Park avenue, in center of East Park, on corner of Tenth and Olive Streets, on corner of Eleventh and Cedar Streets, on corner of Railroad and Walnut Streets, on corner of Fifth and Walnut Streets, on corner of Fifth and Poplar Streets, on corner Third and Sycamore Streets, on corner of Olive and Fayette Streets, on the corner of Walnut and First Streets, on corner Park and Third Streets, on comer Maple and Fayette Streets, on corner of Maple and Fifth Streets, on corner of Elm and Second Streets, on corner of Third and Vine Streets, on corner Fifth and Oak Streets, on corner of Fifth and Myrtle Streets, on corner of Second and Cedar Streets, on corner of Fourth and Chestnut Streets, on corner of Sixth and Vine Streets, on corner of Park Avenue and East Railroad Street, on corner of Sixth street and Park Avenue, on corner of Eighth and Spruce Streets, and on corner of Eighth and Chestnut Streets.

Thursday, September 3, 2009

Mining Review Oct.20, 2005 Story about Minning Review at 125th annivesary.


Carrier recalls delivering Review in early 1900's

Basil Neptune wasn't sure about the dates of when he worked at the Mining Review. He remembered that he was about 12 to 14 years old at the time. He also remembered that during his stint there that the big news for one issue was the sinking of the Titanic. Mr. Neptune was 85 years old when the Mining Review celebrated its 100th birthday. He worked for C.R. Walter and his son Dan. Neptune left -Rich Hill for a tour in the service.
Following that he spent some time in the Oklahoma oil fields and then to California where he stayed until 1967. At that time he returned to Rich Hill after an absence of 50 years. He quite often ran into people in California who took the Mining Review, he said.
The Mining Review was on Sixth and Walnut back in Mr. Neptune's time and he had the north and west part of town for his route. He and the other carriers folded the papers as they came off the press before starting out on their routes. "You could throw the paper a half a block with this fold, the star fold," stated Neptune. When the fold was completed die paper was only about four inches around and this made it a little difficult to find when thrown on the lawns but the carriers got very few complaints Neptune stated.
Others that he remembered working with included Ed Kenney, Charlie Bower, some of the Carr boys and Lee McQuitty. Maggie Bark and Goldie Foster also worked at the Review, Neptune recalled.