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.

Old Western Auto Building

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

year unknown

12-8-2008
About 2002

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.

September 2001

September 2001

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

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."

Rich Hill Depot 1967

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

Then and Now

6th and Park- South East Corner 1909

6th and Park- South East Corner 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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. '

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.

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.