Rich Hill Missouri History

Rich Hill Cagers

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The Nevada Daily Mail - Nov 27, 1964

Rich Hill Cagers-Coach Gary Snadon is Shown with the members of the Rich hill Tigers basketball team witch opens its 1964-1965season on December 1 with a contest at Hume.The players, shown from left to right,are:Duane Harkrader,Jim McCombs,Larry Palmer,Jerry Boyles,Jack Wessel,Jim Harris,Ron Koehn,Larry Isaacson,Gary Steuk And Bill Davis

http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=M3zsPnPgUlUC&dat=19641127&printsec=frontpage&hl=en

More Pictures from the1955 Rich Hill Newspaper

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Here is some pictures of the Fire Dept in the1955 Jubilee Newspaper

Thanks to Tom Perry for the use of this paper

This Equipment is maintained and kept in condition and can be used in an emergency

Melvin Kithcart-Obit

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Melvin Nathan Kithcart

Melvin Nathan Kithcart, 88, owner/operator of Kithcart Orchards was born Nov.16,1923, in Rich Hill, to Nathan Melvin Kithcart and Ruby Grace BriscoeKithcart.

Aftergraduating from Rich Hill Bryant High School in 1941, Melvin joined theArmy. He saw the Battle of the Bulge and was within 400 yards when the Americansfirst crossed the Rhine. He also fought in the Battle of Hurtgen Forest. After thefighting stopped in Europe, Melvin was a guard at the Nuremberg War Trials. He personally, guardedHerman Goering, leader of the Nazi Luftwaffe.

On his23rd birthday in 1946, Melvin married Mary Lou Sherman from Butler. Theirfirst business was an Army/Navy Surplus store which later became a men's workclothing store.

Melvinbegan the next and most enduring work venture of his life by planting fruittrees on his parent's property in 1951. In 1968, U.S. - 71 became fourlanes and took most of the orchard. After moving the house and buildings,a new 600 tree orchard was planted. Before the new trees produced, Melvin begandriving a school bus. He also tried his hand in many other jobs to make endsmeet. This lasted 20 years.

In1970, Melvin and Mary moved to the farm and began selling fruit. As the yearspassed, the business was expanded to include nuts, candies, yardornaments, souvenirs and anything else Mary could find at the"getting place". Son Jim and grandson Richard joined the business in 1996.Melvin enjoyed working with his family, never . missed an opportunity to share a smileor give a word of hard-gained knowledge.

Melvinpassed away Thursday, Jan. 26, 2012, at Willow Lane, Butler, in his lastdays Melvin was cared for by the staffs of Heartland Hospice and Heartland ofWillow Lane. He was preceded in death by son, Jim, in 2006.

He is survived by his wife of 65 years Mary; daughters Sharon Tourtillott andhusband Leonard, Rich Hill, Donna Zeller and husband Gregg, Springfield anddaughter-in-law Carol Kithcart, Raytown; grandchildren, Jeff and MistyTourtillott, Jimmy and Lindsey Kithcart, Richard Kithcart, Luke and KileyTourtillott all of Rich Hill, Nicholas Zeller, Elizabeth Zeller, Springfield, Kim and Curtis Wilkie,Kansas City andTonia and Brantley Highers, Raytown; great-grandchildrenMorgan, Ashlyn and Nate Kithcart, Andrew Kithcart, Stachia and Jenavieve Tourtillott,Conner and Kyle Wilkie and Mischka and Brantley Highers and a host of friendsfrom around the country.

Funeralservices were held Jan. 30, at Heuser Funeral Home with interment andMilitary rites at Greenlawn Cemetery by American Legion Post #67. Donations toHeartland Hospice may be made through Heuser Funeral Home.

Shelter House in the East Park

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This is a picture of the Shelter House in the East Park when it was new.This picture comes from the special anniversary Edition of the Rich Hill Mining Review July 29 1955-Thanks to Tom Perry for the use of the Paper

Conclusion of the Depression years

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Mrs. Jesse Anderson had a 1940 Rich Hill Review that lists these prices:10 Ibs. sugar 47c with 24 Ibs. Kausas Seal Flourfor $1.22; ¹/2 gallon syrup 49c; 5 Ibs.Kausas Seal Flour $1.22; ¹/2 gallon syrup 49c; 5 Ibs.Kausas Seal Flour Bobby coffee - 2 Ibs for 25c

Driskill Dry Goods advertised prints at lOc, 15c and 18c a yard. Beasley Clothing had men's work shoes for $1.69 and sport shirts for 49c.

Oleo Margarine was white (looked like Lard) and had a little capsule or envelope of coloring in the box.The oleo had to be softened, then colored because the law did not allow colored oleomargarine to be sold.This oleo sold for 15c a pound but would have been too much competition for the dairy industry if colored.

Small cans of vegetables sold for 5c a can, bread 5c a loaf and oxydol 10c a box.

Milk was delivered to the door each morning by the Maplewood dairy. Glass bottles were delivered in the oint and quart sizes. Clean empty bottles were put on the porch and picked up when the delivery was made. Milk could be paid for by the month or money could be placed in the empty bottles and paid for on delivery.

There was no minimum wage and organized labor was not very strong.

Economic conditions were made worse by extreme drought for several summers. This reduced the farmers yielda great deal. seeds were not drought resistant and much of the experimentation of the 1930's produced hybrid corn.

If the farmer participated in government programs by planting a limited number of acres, the government would by his grain. This eliminated the possibility of a surplus on the farmers hands. He could by the grain back if the market price went higher than the government had paid him.

This period marks the beginning of government aid to the needy. this help came in the form of jobs, food clothing, and aid to dependent children. The Social security Act of 1935 gave people a feeling of securityfor the years when they were no longer wage earners.

The event of World War II brought about the end of the depression years as the war created a demand for more jobs, more workers, and more money came into circulation. Every economist knows that the solution to one economic problem merely creates another. The war economy started and inflationary movement, and over a period of year, we once again have a high rate of unemployment.

We do not ever want another depression and in general many people feel that we are better off with today's inflation and other economic problems than we were during the 1930'

Those Depression Years Part 4

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Government employees also felt the depression.They took a 10% cut in pay temporarily. It was restored after three years.
For recreation the Booth Theater had familynight on Friday. If the family went as a unit, theywould be
admitted to the show for 10c each. By 1940 the regular admission (not family night) was 11c and26c
federal and state tax included.On summer evenings young people and married people put on their bathing suits at home andwent to the Rock Quarry for a swim. Some people went tothe Drainage Ditch but the water was better at theRock Quarry and it was in walking distance for many.

The Band concerts in the park on Thursday night attracted many people.This was a town band made up of a number of local musicians. To name only a few there was Marion Hall ,Martian Johnson, Emil Johnson Earl Week,Fred Marquardt,Ward Moore , Curtis Burris,Sam Klumpp,Byron Myerley, Gerald Myerley, Dr. Bill Allen, Raymond Peterman, Glenn Droz, Harold Douglas, Doris Van Gordon and Dolores Klumpp The merchants collected the money to pay them $1.00 if they came to both practice on Wednesday night and band concert on Thursday night. Some being very versatile could play severalinstruments People who walked, sat in the park on thebenches and those who rode parked their cars around the sat inthem. The drug stores remained open until afterthe concert- so anyone could get a 5c icecreamcone.

The American Legion had card parties during the winter months and many people enjoyed an evening of bridge or pinochle.The parties were sponsored by various businesses that furnished the refreshments and prizes.

People-came to town on Saturday night and parked their cars in the center of the street,sometimes they got out and walked around the street and visitedwith their friends, or at other times they sat intheir cars and visited with people they saw. The stores remained open until 9:00 p.m. in winter and 10:00 p.m in summer. Just before closing time, perishables such as strawberries and peaches could be purchased at really low prices.

Those Depression Years Part 3

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Some teachers taught two or three months without pay or until the new tax money began to come in.I
was more .fortunate because I was teaching in a consolidated district and the school money wasin different banks, some that did not fail.

I received $75.00 per month for the first three years of teaching. Then the pay dropped back to$55.00. It was about this time the statelegislature said rural districts were to pay tuition fortheir students who went to high school.

The two rural schools in which I taught (Mission Branch and Reavley) were considered large rural schools with an enrollment of 33-35 pupils. Perhaps this accounts for the fact that neighboringschools paid $35.00 per month. After teaching five yearsin the rural schools, I went to Foster where Ireceived $60.00 per month, did no custodial work andtaught two grades instead of eight. I paid $2.00 a weekfor board and cleaned the house once a week for my room. In 1939, I came to Rich Hill where Itaught at room. In 1939, I came to Rich Hill where Itaught at the South School with Miss Add Pettus. We didour own janitor work and carried our coal. It was not until World War II that experienced teacher's pay wentto $80.00 per month. It was at this time that many teachers left the school room and went into defense work where the pay was better and there were social security-benefits.

It was in the 1930's that a hot lunch program was started in the rural schools.It was not a hot lunch in the way we think of it today. At the Reavley School one parent loaned us a two burner kerosene stove.

The older girls prepared the hot lunch while the younger ones had class.Students brought a lunch from home,supplemented by one hot dish prepared at school.Each family furnished ingredients for one days lunch On Monday there was hot cocoa Tuesday vegetable soup, Wednesday rice, Thursday beans, and Friday chili. A list was made out so that each family would contribute an equal amountover the year. Consideration was given to what eachcould contribute without making a hardship on anyone.Hand washing drills were also introduced. Students formed two lines outside the door. One student came along, poured warm water on the hands, then another with soap and a third one with warmrinse water. Every student brought a clean towel oncea week. Then we were ready to eat, again each furnished his own bowl for his hot dish. Of course since this was a large school with thirty-fivepupils grades one to eight, no one had to miss class todo the extra jobs. I am sure the smaller schoolsworked out their own plans.

Once a month, the last Friday afternoon was reserved for a ball game, spelling or arithmetic match with a neighboring school. This was an event everyone looked forward to and it didn't require money. We walked to the neighboring school and they to ours.

In the summer of 1933 I bought a 1929 Model A Ford, brown with black leather top and yellow wire spoke wheels for $150.00. The boys thought thiswas quite a flashy car, and one of them still tellsme how much he admired that car. There was no heaterand Jf the windshield wiper didn't work, I got outand cleanedthe snow off with my hands, hoping that I cleanedthe snow off with my hands, hoping that I

were also no snow tires and the radiatorwouldn't hold anti-freeze, soon a cold day I drained thewater after arriving at school and filled it up again before starting home.

It was teach school from September to the middle of April. Then spring and summer school untilthe middle of August, but I had also earned fifteenhours of credit. I was lucky if I didn't have toborrow money to go to school

Those Depression Years part 2

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The Ranks of the unemployed grew rapidly as the depression intensified.Soon government projects were underway. For the young boy graduate, there was the civilian conservation corps (ccc) a conservation project. the pay was $30.00 per month, $15.00 of which went home to his parents.For women,there was the Sewing Room.This was located in the block east of the Bank in an upstairs room. Several women worked here making dress, shirts, children s clothing and bed clothes.These were given to these who needed them. Another project with which I am not familiar was binding library books for schools. I think this was done by young people at the court house. Roads were surfaced with shale from the old mines. This, was a red substance that packeddown hard and made an all weather road. It was especially used on the mail routes. People who lived along these roads were asked to donate money and therest was furnished by the government. Creek gravel was used in areas where it was available. The firstof these gravel roads was built east of town withgravel from the Philbrick Hills. It took quite a longtime to surface these roads because there were no large earth moving machines used. This was one way to WPA and PWA projects were started. They built gymnasiums, athletic fields and band stands. The Rich Hill City Band Stand, the Rich Hill HighSchool Gymnasium and Athletic Field were built by thesprojects. Most of this work was well done andstill stands in good condition today still there were many unemployed who formed long lines at City Hall on Commodity Day. They were given government surplus products. I recall seeing people carrying large sacks of grapefruit,onions and cabbage. They also received prunes, raisins,rice, flour and powdered milk.At certain times turkeys and hams were also given. There was another group of unemployed who were traveling from town to town. Since these peoplehad no moneythey rode under the train cars or in empty boxcars. When the train stopped they got off and spent the night in town. Harve Campbell was our city marshall. He was a large man with an equally large heart. During cold weather he would unlock thejail and let the travelers sleep in there out of the cold.
"Bud" J. D., Anderson had a grocerystore on North Sixth Street. He would open up early each morning so working men could buy something for their lunch buckets. At this same time the men at the jail were awakening and getting ready to hop another freight train for another day's journey. Before leaving town they would go to the store and askfor bread, coffee and tobacco. Bud would never turn them down on the bread and coffee, but herefused tobacco. I am sure other merchantshad the same experiences.

On one very cold night, the travelers at the jail had gathered enough food to make a stew. Mr.Peter-man, a butcher had giventhem a nice piece of meat and vegetables came from the merchants. They had no stove on which to cook. Themarshall's wife had justpurchased a kerosene stove from Sears. Feeling forthese men, he sent them to his daughter's home toget the stove. The daughter not knowing what to do stood in amazement. Whenthey knowing what to do stood in amazement. Whenthey knowing what to do stood in amazement. Whenthey told her that her father had sent themfor the stove she gave it to them.They took the stove to the jail, cooked the stewand the next morning cleaned the stove and returnedit before leaving to catch a train for another town.

Almost daily some of these traveling unemployed would go into the residential area and ask the housewives for a sandwich and coffee. Sometimes they would offer to do some work for the handout.When given the handout, they would often sit on the porch,under a tree, or on a well rock and eat it:Sometimes they put it in their pocket and saved it foranother meal. They never left scraps of paper or litter.

People who had jobs were not always secure because someone would underbid for their job.

There was hot much market for farm produce, so sometimes the farmer went from house to house selling roasting ears, potatoes, apples,watermelons,andeven fish. Some farmers borrowed money to buy land when the price of grain was good. when the prices fell,they were unable to make payments and lost their land. there were suicides caused by debts people were unable to pay.

Those Depression Years By Mary Griffen Part 1

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Wagon Wheels Jan.13,1977
Those of us who lived through the 1930's will remember the depression in the light of our own experiences.
During the 1920's unemployment had been on the rise.The war ended, many soldiers returned to no jobs, and the demand for American agricultural products was diminishing as European nations went back into production.

Thereal blow came to Rich Hill on August 27, 1930, when our two banks failed to open at 9:00 a.m. Thesame pattern followed here as elsewhere across the nation. It was heart breaking for the elderly, wholost the savings they had hoped to use in their nonproductive years. Businesses were hardhit and many working men lost their jobs.

At this time all the buildings in the business district were occupied. There were two feed and poultry houses, two lumber yards, an elevator, four barber shops, with two or three chairs and a shoe shine boy, a bakery, a cleaning and tailoring shop, shoe repair shop, harness shop, two hardware stores, two men's clothing stores, two drug stores with soda fountains, two jewelry stores, two dry-good stores, insurance offices, two medical doctors, two osteopaths, two dentists, a lawyer, a photograph studio, variety store, six or more grocery stores, a hotel, a theatre, restaurants, a telephone exchange, two local newspapers, a milinery shop, a hatchery, a blacksmith, garages, filling stations, two funeral homes, an implement shop, two butcher shops.and two second hand stores.
A familiar sound at 7:00 and 4:00 P.M. was the mine whistle. The mines furnished energy for the light and water plant, the Krieger-Klumpp Ice Plant,the local residences in addition to shipping some coal out on the railroad. The coal sold for $3.50 to $4.00 per ton.It was delivered by horse and wagon the men shoveled the coal into the coal houses. Men who worked in the mines were paid $2.50 per day in 1931.Most unskilled labor was $1.00 per day and carpenters received $.50 per hour.
The men who worked at the city power and light plant had year around employment.The Kreiger-Klumpp Ice Plant employed men three 8 hour shifts from May through October. Ice was delivered daily by an ice wagon with a little platform on the back for the man to stand on. People placed a card in the window to tell the ice man how much ice he was to put in their ice box. A twenty-five pound block of ice cost 15c. The large blocks of ice were scored and the ice man cut the size you ordered. Children would follow the ice wagon and Mr. Kreiger would give them chips of ice that broke off when he cut it. The men who worked at the Ice Plant would blow a whistle at 6:00 a.m., 2:00 a.m., and 10:00 p.m. when they were going off their shift. After the plant closed in October, deliveries were made only to the business district. The ice plant continued in operation through the depression and until refrigerators were available about the time of World War II.
My father was sexton at the cemetery and worked for $30.00 a month May through October. For the remainder of the year, he was paid for grave digging a box grave. If the family of the deceased was unable to pay, friends could get a permit from the City Hall to dig the grave for nothing. During the winter months my father would trim trees or do whatever he could get to do. My mother would sew for people and often got as little as 50c for making a dress and $2.00 for a coat. My parents managed to pay the bills and make payments on the place on this small income. We must remember that the water bill was $1.00 per month and if you couldn't afford $1.50 a month for electricity, you used a kerosene lamp. There were not many electric appliances. Washing was done on, the board, water was heated in the wash boiler and poor but we were fortunate; my father had a job.

1981 Rich Hill Yearbook Tiger

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Football State Champions 1999

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Rich Hill Mining Review December 2 1999

It was a dream that stared in the hot August sun for a small group of Rich Hill High School football players and their three coaches.
That dream became reality at 2;08 P.M. Friday, November 26,1999.
The 1999 Rich hill Football Tigers had just won the Missouri Class 1A state title.They had won the 1999 Show Me Bowl, the 32nd MSHSAA Football Champion.And the title trophy was headed their way.
That dream stared on the practice field near Rich Hill High School with nobady watching but those three coaches.
Now,Clear across the state at the Trans World Dome in St. Louis,in front of a huge crowd of family,friends and fans, the 1A Champion title was theirs.
It had been a wild and wonderful ride that took in 14 straight Rich Hill victories,two,in crucial games by a slim one point margin.
As it should be, the championship game was a thriller with Rich Hill coming from behind to beat the Santa Fe Chiefs 15-7.
Thanksgiving plans were altered for many Rich Hillians, that turkey left in the freezer for a future dinner date.By bus and by car a growing crowed of fans made their way to St. Louis.And,in the end,they found a few more things to be thankful for.The Championship title for sure.A group of dedicated,hard working achieving young people even more so.And for certain memories to last a lifetime.

Dorcy Manchester

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This is a Picture of Dorsey Manchester

Rich Hill Mo. Whiskey Jug

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This Jug is on sale on E-bay Check it out

Rich Hill is a town in Bates County, Missouri.

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Rich Hill is a town in Bates County, Missouri. The population was 1,461 at the 2000 census. Rich Hill is known as the “Town That Coal Built” The purpose of this Blog is to give some history of the town through old newspaper articles, history books, and other history sources

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Green Lawn Records

Click on the above link if you want to look at the Cemetery Records

Report to Governor Morehouse

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Evening Tribune - Jan 5, 1889 Lawrence Kansas

Report to Governor Morehouse

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Evening Tribune - Jan 5, 1889 Lawrence Kansas

City Officers 1893-1894

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Green Lawn Cemetery Records (Rich Hill Missouri)

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Green Lawn Records

Click on the above link if you want to look at the Cemetery Records

Holmes School on 6th and Oak Part 2

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Holmes School on South 6th Street.

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This is a picture of the Holmes School that was on south 6th sreet. .Mary Griffin said in the Nov. 1984 Wagon Wheels- that the corner stone for the School was laid 1889.Mary also said that the school was built with 3 classrooms downstairs and 3 classrooms upstairs.This provided classroom space for 500 pupils.

The School was dismantled in the fall of 1984 by a crew out of Joplin. The crew found the School still to be sound and well built.The Corner Stone was a solid rock,they were hoping that the stone would have a place for records or information.

1883 Rich Hill Missouri Directory

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Check out the 1883 City Directory on Line this book is at the Rich Hill Library

1883 Rich Hill Directory

1883 Rich Hill Directory

Parade Tradition

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I forgot to get a date on this picture,but I think it came out the 1980 Wagon Wheel

This photo shows Stephanie,age4,and Gretchen age1 as they made their debut in the 1967 July 4th parade. In 1971 their new baby sister, Jennifer,joined in the parade tradition. Stephanie had been every parade until this year, Gretchen has been in every parade for 14 years and Jennifer in everyone for 10 years.They are the daughters of Mr. and Mrs. Bill Perkey.

Jerry Lee Boyles Links

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JERRY LEE BOYLES
is honored on Panel 50E, Row 36 of
the Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Nevada Daily Mail - Oct 21, 1998

● 1968 Jerry Lee Boyles from Foster, MO born on 11/08/1948 holding the rank of SP4 in the Army is listed as Causality number 25891

http://www.virtualwall.org/db/BoylesJL01a.htm

http://www.teachvietnam.org/thewall/Wall_Id_No=5187

http://www.richhillmo.com/2011/08/23/0957-renaming-rich-hill-ballpark/

http://www.findagrave.com/cgi-bin/fg.cgi?page=gr&GSln=+Boyles&GSfn=jerry&GSbyrel=all&GSdyrel=all&GSob=n&GRid=23684492&df=all&

City Hall 1970's

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1970's picture of City Hall

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Rich Hill Football wins the Show Me Bowl 1999

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1999 MSHSAA Championships Show-ME Bowl (Official Program)

Historical Notes from Reva Stubblefield 1974

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Ice storm causes havoc in Rich Hill

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by Jan Newcomb staff writer Rich Hill Mining Review (Feb.7, 2002)

Tuesday night rain began to fall over the area. By Wednesday the cold temperatures caused the to freeze on trees,power lines anything above ground.The only saving grace of the ice storm is that the roadway did not freeze.

Area residents awoke Thursday to a frozen winter wonderland.The weight of the ice snapped power lines and the poles that held them.Limbs were down and in some cases entire trees fell.

Rich Hill and Hume cancelled classes Thursday and Friday due to Electrical outages.

To apply with the Department of Natural Resources regulations a boil order was issued Thursday for the City of Rich Hill. Lack of electricity caused the water pressure to be low.Residents were asked to boil water for drinking and cooking.The order was lifted at noon on Saturday.

City crews worked a 36 hour shift in the rain repairing lines in Rich Hill on Thursday night. City Superintendent Phil Morrison said,"the only time we went home was to put on dry clothes." Morrison said, the crew's moral stayed healthy with the help of hot coffee, food and patience from city residents."I've got a good crew," Morrison added.

City Clerk,Rose Entrikin says as of Monday all city residents have power as far as the city knows. However, many lines remain down. Many poles still need repair. The crew repaired lines in the quickest, fashion possible. Some residents have been hooked up temporarily. The city has field papers with State Emergency Management. Entrikin expects to hear from them very soon regarding funding to assist the city in this disaster.

Entrikin also asks for residents to, "be patient, with the tree limbs." The city dump is full and the city cannot burn tree limbs without approval from the Department of Natural Resources. the paperwork has been filed to receive permission to burn. Residents are asked to pile limbs and wait patiently.

Advertisements from the Christmas 1979 Wagon Wheel

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J.C. Crosswhite Obit

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J.C. Crosswhite Obit is from the Aug.1930 Mining Review

J.C. Crosswhite as he was known to his friends was born in Greenburg Mo. ,July 17, 1862.He departed this life at his home in Rich Hill, mo. August 8, 1930,age 68 years and 21 days.

He came with his parents to Vernon county, Mo., while he was yet a small boy.He there grew to manhood and resided there until 1893 when came to bates County,Mo. and home and remained a resident of Bates County during the remainder of his life.

In 1887 he and miss Eugenia Davis were untied in marriage.To this union four children were born, Nellie ,who departed this life about 8 years ago:A.W. Crosswhite of Rich Hill,Charles C.Crosswhite of Cameron,Mo. and Lida Gordon of Seminole Okla.Mrs Crosswhite,the mother of the children above named, departed this life February 10,1897.

On December 25,1898 J.C. Crosswhite and Miss Mary Burns were married and to this marriage one son,James B. was born but departed this life in infancy.

Mr. Crosswhite is survived by his Widow, the two sons and one daughter mentioned.

J.C. Crosswhite gave twenty-five years of the best of his life to the work of pubic School teacher. He was one of the outstanding teachers of this and Vernon county.He was a man splendidly equipped for this work by reason of education, temperament,devotion to duty, integrity of character and the ideals that inspired him to effort.

By his splendid work as a teacher he has build into the lives and characters of the youth with whom he came in touch a monument of splendid constructive achievement more lasting than granite pile and higher than marble shaft could be erected to his memory,and by the helpfulness of his life has left in departure a permanent and lasting benefit to the communities in which he lived and served.

By reason of the splendid character of the man and the great value of his life's services, he leaves, in addition to those of his immediate family mentioned, four brothers and two sisters and a vast host of friends who are fully conscious of the distinct loss this state sustains by reason of his departure.

In the death of J.C. Crosswhite a devoted father, loyal husband,consecrated teacher,dependable friend and splendidly patriotic citizen has passed from our midst.

Link to Rich Hill Historic Harmony Mission Marker

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http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=39941

First Farm Market Road in Bates County

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The first Farm Market road in Bates County was {A} hi-way.That is why it 's the letter A for the first road

1932 Map from http://www.modot.org/newsandinfo/publications/documents/1932.pdf
HUME NOW RICH HILL'S NEXT DOOR NEIGHBOR
State Road Makes Travel Communication With Rest of County Possible.
With the first farm to market road in Bates County completed about ten days ago, the accessibility of the southwestern corner of the county is becoming realized. This road which extends from Hume, a town of 700 in the extreme corner, eastward to Rich Hill where it connects with U.S. highway 71 taps one of the most productive agricultural and industrial sections of the county. says the Hume Messenger.
The completion of this road now makes us Missourian. Our county seat is now less than an hour's drive away. It can be reached by all-weather road. Nevada the county seat of Vernon County on the south, is at a similar distance. And Rich Hill has become our next door, neighbor.
Now that Hume has no banking facilities this immediate travel connection with these towns should be and are appreciated.
Rich Hill Daily Review Aug. 21 1931

1938 Rich Hill Football

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This is from the Oct. 14 ,1938 Bates County Republican Newspaper

Rich Hill News Jan.1980

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The Nevada Daily Mail - Jan 2, 1980 by Mrs.Charles (June)Rhodes

Missouri State Offices Political and Military Records for Rich Hill1919 - 1920

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1.C.J. Allen (physician) in Rich Hill Mo.{page 316}

2. J.T. Baker (Justice of the peace) in Rich Hill Mo.{page 316}

3. N.W. Ballfinch (clerk) in Rich Hill Mo. {page 316}

4. E.E, Bean (Mining Review) in Rich Hill Mo. {page 704}

5. E.E. Follin (street commissioner) in Rich Hill Mo. {page 316}

6. William Fritz (alderman) in Rich Hill Mo. {page 316}

7.Alva Gordon (superintendent water & light plant) in Rich Hill Mo. {page 316}

8. R.E. Hoover (justice of the peace) in Rich Hill Mo. {page 316}

9. J.F. Isley (alderman) in Rich Hill Mo. {page 316}

10.S. J. Jamison (postmaster) in Rich Hill Mo. {page 316}

11.Dan Lowery (marshal & night police) in Rich Hill Mo. {page 316}

12. Richard March (alderman) in Rich Hill Mo. {page 316}

13. J.J. Martin (justice of the peace) in Rich Hill Mo. {page 316}

14. L.W. Mathews (Western Enterprise newspaper) in Rich Hill Mo. {page 704)

15.H.E. Sheppard(acting attorney) in Rich Hill Mo. {page 316}

16. W. V. Smith (Mayor) in Rich Hill Mo. {page 316}

17. Jake Thomas (justice of the Peace) in Rich Hill Mo. {page 316}

18 .Albert Wiek (alderman) in Rich Hill Mo. {page 316}

Rich Hill Missouri passing for 2011

2011-12-03T15:45:00.000-08:00

Pvt. George Phillips

2011-11-27T16:01:00.000-08:00

I found this information on Pvt George Phillips at http://www.history.navy.mil/photos/pers-us/uspers-p/g-phlps.htm

George Phillips was born on 14 July 1926 in Rich Hill, Missouri, and enlisted in the Marine Corps in April 1944. Phillips was assigned to the Second Battalion, Twenty-eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division during the battle for Iwo Jima. During the night of 14 March 1945, he was standing watch as other Marines rested when Japanese troops tossed a hand-grenade among them. Instantly realizing the gravity of the situation, Private Phillips threw himself on the grenade, sacrificing his own life to save his comrades from the blast. For his "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty," he was posthumously awarded Medal of Honor. George Phillips is buried at Bethel Cemetery, Labadie, Missouri.

Medal of Honor citation of Private George Phillips, USMCR (as printed in the official publication "Medal of Honor, 1861-1949, The Navy", page 241):

"For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while serving with the Second Battalion, Twenty-eighth Marines, FIFTH Marine Division, in action against the enemy Japanese forces during the seizure of Iwo Jima in the Volcano Islands, on 14 March 1945. Standing the foxhole watch while other members of his squad rested after a night of bitter hand-grenade fighting against infiltrating Japanese troops, Private Phillips was the only member of his unit alerted when an enemy hand grenade was tossed into their midst. Instantly shouting a warning, he unhesitatingly threw himself on the deadly missile, absorbing the shattering violence of the exploding charge in his own body and protecting his comrades from serious injury. Stout-hearted and indomitable, Private Phillips willingly yielded his own life that his fellow Marines might carry on the relentless battle against a fanatic enemy. His superb valor and unfaltering spirit of self-sacrifice in the face of certain death reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."

More on Cleo F. Craig

2011-11-26T09:46:00.000-08:00

I got this picture and story from Craig family website:http://www.weigertfamily.com/

Very interesting article...it's funny to read about what they thought the future in telecommunications was going to be, back in the 50s.

The magazine states:
"Missouri-born Cleo Craig, (he got his odd first name, because his parents had picked it for the girl they were expecting and didn't bother to change it. - who knew??), has spent 43 years learning his huge job. Armed with an engineering degree and varsity letter in basketball from the University of Missouri, he started in St. Louis as a $15-a-week maintenance man. After tours in Kansas City, New York and Atlanta, he settled into 195 Broadway in 1933 as long-lines general manager. By the time he stepped into AT&Ts top spot in 1951, he had held half a dozen vice presidential portfolios - long-lines, personnel (for seven years), finance, revenues, operations and engineering. Craig doesn't "run" the telephone company. No man could. But he has a big hand in keeping its line unsnarled."

It then goes on to describe a day at the office as well as his philosiphies. Very interesting article.

Rich Hill at MU

2011-11-25T06:50:00.000-08:00

Cleo Craig 1913 MU Yearbook

Leo Loeb 1906 MU yearbook

James Rand 1913 MU Yearbook
William Harris 1901-1902 MU yearbook

Rich Hill Photos By Trinity Bennett (Nelson)

2011-11-24T17:36:00.000-08:00

I got these pictures from Trinity Bennett.Trinity said, it was OK to use her photos as long as there is a photo credit-So check out Trinity's website :/http/www.trinitybennettphotography.com/

More on the Sam Queen Shooting in 1913

2011-11-21T19:56:00.000-08:00

Chillicothe Morning Constitution (Chillicothe, Missouri)March 6,1914

Identify Kansas City Suspect,

Rich Hill, Mo. March 6-Sheriff Harve Johnson and Deputy Charles Horton today returned from Kansas city, where they positively identified John Shread , who is being held by Kansas City officers as the man who shot constable Sam Queen of Hume, Mo. on a train here in 1913,Shread will be returned to Bates County to answer a charge of Murder.

Chillicothe Morning Constitution (Chillicothe, Missouri)June 13,1914

A Life term For John Shead.

Butler Mo. June-13-John Shead was found guilty this Morning by a jury in the circuit court here of the murder of Sam Queen,a constable of Hume, Mo. The jury fixed his penalty at life imprisonment,Shead shot and killed Queen on a train near Rich Hill .Hume was taking Dale Jones to the Bates County jail on the charge of stealing a motor car.Shead dumped on the passenger train and shot Queen,both Jones and Shead escaped.Thy later were arrested in Kansas City,letters said to have been found in the pockets of Jones told of a plot to blow up the Bates County Jail.The Jury went out last night and returned the verdict this morning.

City Hall and the Jail

2011-11-19T13:54:00.000-08:00

The first picture below is of the Rich Hill Calaboose (City Jail). The structure is made of sandstone, which I find interesting because the city hall is made of brick. I often wondered if city hall and the jail were built at the same time, I am now closer to finding that answer. Below this picture of the jail are 3 more pictures which happen to be old city maps I recently found. The first map picture is a layout from 1888 it shows no city hall or jail. The second map dated 1893 of the same area shows some kind of fire station with a bell tower and the jail is built. Finally, the last map is of the area in 1898 and you can see city hall is now built with the jail or Calaboose next to it. These maps prove that the jail was built first sometime between 1888-1893. The maps also prove the city hall was built sometime between 1893 & 1898. It has been said, that the Rich Hill City Hall was built in 1896 which according to these maps is correct. From these maps I now have a time frame as to when the jail was built.

Old Rich Hill City Maps

Map #1-1888

Map #2-1893

Map #3- 1898

Daily Review March 5 ,1930

2011-11-16T17:25:00.000-08:00

High School Notes

Last Thursday morning during the assembly period, the Junior class presented a musical program, which was very entertaining. Those who took part were Mary Jane Moreland, Marvin Gench and Edwin Carr.

Last week the winners of the essay contest sponsored by our mayor, George B. Dowel, were announced in assembly. Mr. Dowell is very generous and takes a profound interest in our school. Recently he offered cash prizes for the best essay written by high school students on the subject, "Why We Need Laws and Why Laws Need Enforcement." the winners in the Junior-Senior division are: Nell Anderson, first; Christine Weathers, second; Kathleen Earsom, third; The winners in the Sophomore class are: Sylvia Myers, first; Elsie Glenn, second; Olive William, third. In the Freshman class: Louise Wilson, first; Louise Crabb, second; Mildred McCullough, third. Mr. Dowell also offered prizes to the grade students but the awards have not been made.

Editor--Erna Fajen

July 4th 2002 Rich Hill

2011-11-15T17:22:00.000-08:00

Bart and Rich Hill History

2011-11-11T05:28:00.000-08:00

Here is some History: thats my Dad in the yellow shirt and me on the pony.Rich Hill 4th of July 1971

1912 Rich Hill Boys Basketball

2011-11-08T16:22:00.000-08:00

Out of the 1912Rich Hill Yearbook

Boys Basketball Team -Harry Williams (top Left) W.L.Coonrod-Coach(Top center)Fred Yarrick(top Right)Robbin Wright(center Left)James Wheatley(Center- Center)Leo Engles (left Center)Ernest Long(lower left)Hendrick Cheverton(lower right)

Rich Hill Caboose MP 13689

2011-11-07T17:54:00.001-08:00

MP 13665-13714 (50 cars)

Assigned UP Class CA-32
Built in October 1976 by International Car Corp. (Lot 2325).
Bay window; 41 feet, 7-3/4 inches over coupler pulling faces; 52,700 pounds light weight.

MP 13689

12 Apr 1989

Removed from service on 25 July 1986 at Sedalia, Mo. Donated to City of Rich Hill, Mo., April 1989.

These pictures came from Train web http://www.trainweb.org/screamingeagle/caboose3.html

The Nevada Daily Mail - Aug 23, 1960

2011-11-06T18:08:00.001-08:00

Essay Winner

Don Droz 16, and his mother ,Mrs. Glenn Droz of Rich Hill,have just returned from Trenton, N.J. where they spent a week as guests of the Trenton chamber of Commerce.Don was awarded the trip as winner of a national essay contest entitled "Why I would like to visit historic Trenton" They were guest guests at leading restaurants, a hotel, visited places of business, made a tour of the city and on a boat cruise during the week.Don tops his class scholastically, is a Letterman in Football at Rich Hill High School and represented the junior class at boys state.He has been interested in writing for some time, having worked as a paperboy, learned to operate a Linotype and eventually served as a reporter for the paper .His father Glenn Droz ia a rural mail carrier.Don experts to attend the University of Missouri, after his Senior year at Rich Hill .

Rich Hill Today by George B. Dowell August 1,1930

2011-11-05T16:42:00.000-07:00

Tonight's blog is on former Mayor George Benjamin Dowell.George was mayor at the 50 year celebration and it appears that he worked very hard to make the celebration a great event. I found this article where he was concerned about Rich Hill of today and its future.

From the Bates County Republican August 1,1930

Without imaginative boosting it can truthfully be said that Rich Hill is growing,in spite of the inertia of conditions.The low ebb in Rich Hill History was in 1925.At that time a check showed over sixty empty houses in town,five empty business houses and a depression in every way.If Rich Hill's census had been taken at that time it would have looked very bad.

But then came Highway No.71.This may have hurt some towns but was the beginning of the new growth to Rich Hill.

Until No. 71 was built the towns in this part of the state had coal yards which shipped in Illinois coal by that strange freight rate which gave it an advantage. Now when anybody in these towns wants coal he calls his truck driver who comes to the Rich Hill Mines to get it.A check made last winter showed that a 100 diggers were busy supplying this business.The town filled up and growth began.

More coal shafts were sunk.More are now contemplated.For that reason it is no exaggeration when it is claimed that the coal industry is growing,and Rich Hill is the one Town between here and Kansas City with a real pay roll during the winter when most towns are without any.

Then about that time the school added Vocational Agriculture,Domestic Science,Teachers Training, Business Course and whether you not-football. All or these together have been swelling the non-resident attendance until each September it becomes a problem

Constable Queen, Shot in Rich Hill

2011-11-04T20:00:00.000-07:00

Queen, Sam
Constable Queen, who was shot by a bandit at Rich Hill the early part of last week, died at his home in Hume last Friday morning. It is too bad that men should died in the performance of duty. -- Died at his Home in Hume Nov. 28 1913 in Hume Missouri.The Adrian Journal, December 4r, 1913, Page 4 column 2, Death

After the shooting shooting of Constable Queen at Rich Hill and tho offering of rewards by the Missouri Pacific railway company .

The Nevada Daily Mail says that it was Nov.of 1913 that Constable Queen was shoot in Rich Hill.The daily says that John Shead and Dale Jones were charged with desperate crimes committed in Kansas city.Constable Queen of Hume arrested Jones and Shead and took them to Rich Hill where he boarded the evening Missouri Pacific Train for Kansas City.Before the Train started the officer was attacked and shot and his prisoner's escaped Jones and Shead were charged with killing the constable and Shead was convicted at Butler but Dale Jones broke jail later escaped.(Jan.12,1914)Nevada daily Mail

Coal Oil in 1883

2011-11-02T18:59:00.000-07:00

The Missouri Oil Fields

ST.LOUIS, Aug.9.--The discoveries of coaloil in Bates and Vernon Counties in this State are attracting considerable attention from Eastern operators.Today W.W. Gilmore a Pennsylvania oil Man, who has just returned from a visit to Rich Hill and vicinity, said that the surface indications in both Bates and Vernon Counties are the best he ever saw.The oil lands about Rich Hill had all been taken up, but in prospecting in Vernon County, near Carbon Center, he found the finest indications seen anywhere in the County. The Oil can be found in paying quantities.He met a farmer there who sank a tub into his land at night and found it filled in the morning with oil almost as thick as that which is sold as lubricant for 50 cents a gallon.The Oil is essentially petroleum.Mr. Gilmore said that he leased 1,700 acres of land,and was on the way to Pittsburgh to get the necessary machinery.Dumon +Foote are now sinking their second Well,and within 10 days,Mr. Gilmore said,there will probably be six more wells.The Machinery for five wells is now on the way from Pittsburgh.There is great excitement all through the oil region,which is full Pennsylvania speculators, who are leading all the land they can get hold of.

The principal companies are Wright & Co. Scott & CO. Collins & Hardeson ,and M.S. Cowles & Co.

Speaking of the quality of the oil. Mr. Gilmore Said it is not richer than Pennsylvania Oil but is of good quality."The oil man are only leasing the land. Collins and Hardeson paid $5000 for an option lease of 320 acres for 18 months at $75 an acre.

Pictures from the Mining Review June 28,1973

2011-11-01T19:01:00.000-07:00

Several businesses in the business district have undergone a face-lift recently,just in time for the Fourth.Hughs Insurance and Moreland's Cafe received a new coat of paint.
Larry's Barber shop was given a new look with red paint and new signs.The circle windows given an old-fashioned look to the shop.
Dan Zumbrunnen put new siding on the D&L Variety Store and did painting on both the Variety Store and the Fabric Shop.

Slim Gulick has been busy in the East Park cutting dead trees.This will help the appearance and also improve the safety of the Park.

Old Baseball Picture

2011-10-30T19:32:00.000-07:00

This Picture is out of the Wagon Wheels September 15 1977

They are left to right:Herman Eccher,Orval Smith,Jake Swope,Oren Smith ,Rollo Smith,Mike Quaiatto,Raymond Smith,and Roy Swope.

TORNADO IN MISSOURI.; Kilns and Furnaces Destroye in Rich Hill--City Hall Roof Blown Away--Damage to Crops.

2011-10-29T08:50:00.000-07:00

Published: June 26, 1897

Rich Hill Mo. June 25-A Tornado stuck northern portion of this city last night.The amount to thousands of dollars.One set of kilns and one set of furnaces of Cherokee- Lanyon Smelter Company was blown down,caught fire, and were totally consumed.The blacksmith's shops and other buildings at the plant and the Rich Hill Canning factory were wrecked.

The brick block of the M.S. Cowles Mercantile Company and the Burkeridge block were unroofed,and buildings occupied by The Daily Review badly damaged.The City Hall had its,roof blown away,while the Amphitheater House,horse stalls,sheds,and floral hall,together with agricultural halls and other buildings at the fair grounds were completely demolished.

The Christian and Episcopal churches were badly damaged. The round house of the route is a total wreck, and freight cars were blown from the tracks on the Pacific and Memphis yards.No lives were lost.

The streets are impassable from debris. The damage to crops alone will reach a high figure. During the storm which lasted for thirty minutes the rain fell in blinding sheets, accompanied by hail.

Map of Green Lawn Cemetery

2011-10-27T18:33:00.000-07:00

I have made this map of Green Lawn Cemetery.If you have any questions about were your loved one's are buried ! Call Rich Hill City Hall at (417 395 2223)

In the beginning Green Lawn was only on the south side of the road. The cemeteries on the north side were Lutheran, Catholic and Robinsons. The Robinson cemetery was started as a family burial ground. Mr. Harve Robinson permitted his friends to have a burial plot without cost except for a small yearly fee to pay for maintenance. The Catholic and the Lutheran were for the members of their congregations and were maintained by these groups. When the problem of maintenance became evident, these groups decided to turn their cemeteries over to the City of Rich Hill.

The day the roof fell By Mary Griffen Wagon Wheels Dec.1979

2011-10-25T16:32:00.000-07:00

The Morning of June,26 1953, dawned clear and hot just like any other summer day ,but something was different.As Carolyn Jenkins came to work at the Engel Store, she was unable to open the door .The postman came along and opened .In a short time Hazel Engel came down from her apartment upstairs and they noticed and talked about plaster sifting down.Wayne and Lavone Freeland were quite concerned about an excessive amount of plaster sifting on the west wall of their store.This continued all morning Hazel ,Carolyn and Lavonne carried many of the small items from the west wall shelves to the Engel Store.

Noon came and Carolyn went to lunch. Shortly after she returned the building collapsed at 1:20 P.M. Karl Engel was upstairs in their apartment and walked down the back stairs unharmed,Hazel and Lavonne were blown out into the street.Betty Kisner was in the Engel building about midway back and as she heard the wall crack, she ran to the front door.As the crash so came,it pushed her out.She was shocked and first went to a car to sit down then took out for home.The fire whistle blew ;her mother and Grandmother ,Mrs. Wright heard about the crash so came to town to find Betty .No one knew where Betty was ,but Mrs. Blanche Starr was on the street and had seen Betty heading for home.All covered with dust it was difficult to tell if she were black or white.

Carolyn was caught inside the Freeland Store with bricks,plaster and a beam falling across her pinning her down and cutting her leg.Her glass were about two feet from her,but she could not reach them because she was pinned down.Later Carl Hankins waded through the debris and got them for her.

Wayne Freeland was caught under the stairway and unharmed .He said he heard the west wall crack and give,and ran to the east side of his store.Somehow he got under the stairway and after the crash,he thought he was doomed . He didn't know how he could get as there was so much dust and debris he couldn't see. Soon Carolyn began to call for help. He managed to get to her and lift the beam from her and free her. Men made a saddle and carried her to Dr. Boyd's Clinic, but she was hurt enough to require hospitalization. Carolyn and Hazel were taken by ambulance to the Nevada City Hospital. Maurine Crossland Linard had a beauty shop upstairs over the Engel Store. When the building upstairs over the Engel Store collapsed, the beauty shop just dropped down. Billie Brooks Ferguson was getting a permanent and had all the curlers onher head fastened to the machine.

Dr. Claude Allen had an office upstairs over the bank. He had just gone out on a call. Mrs. Inez Vodry, his receptionist, had some laboratory work and had just returned from the beauty shop where she had borrowed a match. She had just lighted the gas when the crash occurred. She remained right there in the office.

It all happened so fast. The fire alarm was sounded and almost immediately the firemen came. Orben smith came in and told Mrs. Vodry to leave. The stairway had remained but all was covered with laths and plaster, and everyone was dirty from plaster. Mrs. Vodry went home, cleaned up, changed her clothes, and came back to town. She said, "That's where the excitement was."

Orben Smith tied a rope around his waist but used a slip knot. As the men let him down to rescue Billie the rope tightened and was quite uncomfortable.

Dr. Allen and Mrs. Vodry continued to keep his office open until the new office on south Sixth Street was ready for him to move into.

Dr. Halke had a dentist office over the bank. Mr. Hall was in the dentist's chair. when the building fell, he left with the dentist's towel still fastened around his neck.

The Engels Store opened in the building across the street where Terry Wheatley is now located. They remained there until their original buildings could be rebuilt. The Engel's and Freeland's stores reopened in their new buildings upon completion of the structures.

This Picture below come's from (Tom Perry)

Anderson Family-Mining Review April 12,1990

2011-10-24T16:00:00.000-07:00

Community Banquet 1990

James Delbert "Bud"Anderson was the son of J.H. and Sarah Jane Cathy Anderson.On September 30, 1922, he married Jessie Marie Evans, daughter of William A. and Jane Michel Evens at Butler, Mo.

"Bud" and Jess lived in Kansas city for a short time while he worked at Armour's.They came back to Rich Hill to stay in 1925. Bud's father operated a feed and produce about where the library is today.Bud invested $100.00 in the business and put in a line of groceries. Later he bought out his father and became owner.The store moved to its north Sixth Street location in September,1928 , where he and Jess continued in business in spite of the bank's closing and years of depression, until they retied in 1962.

Bud had one rule in business that was the Golden Rule. He never sold anything he would not never sold anything he would not but himself and his word was his bond.Many people would have gone hungry during the depression if not for the credit extended by him.

He served as alderman for several terms ,always willing to help when need.

Jess and Bud had three daughters:Norma Jean and twins,Peggy Sue and Betty Lou.Peggy Heuser owns and operates Heuser Hardware and will know no doubt be honored at one of our future banquets.

Bud passed away May 12.1972 and Jess lives in Rich Hill.

Bates County Live: Rich Hill resident to be honored Wednesday...

2011-10-24T14:00:00.000-07:00

Bates County Live: Rich Hill resident to be honored Wednesday...: Rick Jageles of Rich Hill will officially be the 'man of the hour' this Wednesday Oct. 26th as he will be honored as the Most Outstanding O...

Re-run on the Opera

2011-10-23T19:13:00.000-07:00

Rich Hill's Historic Opera House (Wagon Wheels)May 31,1979

By Mary Griffin

In the late 1880's when the town was booming and the population was increasing daily,Thomas D. Sanderson, a hardware merchant, and S. B. Lashbrook saw the possibilities of a profitable enterprise by providing a place for entertainment and pubic meetings. With this in mind they built a two story double brick structure at the cost of $11,000 in the heart of town.The ground floor was used for a drugstore and grocery store.

The upstairs was to be opera house fashioned after those in the larger metropolitan areas. The gallery would seat five hundred people. The opera house was to be used for dramatic presentations using both local talent and commercial entertainers.

It was also used for public speakers when such dignitaries as Governors Marmaduke, Polk, Francis and Dockery acme to town. Many important speakers appeared on the platform including senators W.J. Stone and Jarves A. Reed. William Jennings Bryan, Candidate for President, also known as the "Silver Tongued Orator" was scheduled to make an appearance, but a tornado near Joplin delayed his Train for Several hours, and the speech had to be canceled.

The Opera House served still another purpose. When the businessmen met to consider important issues for the improvement of the town, the meeting was held in the Opera House. Representatives of Railroads met with business men try to sell shares for the construction of a Railroad to nearby towns. On one occasion $100,000 was pledge to build a railroad to Walker, Schell City and ElDorado Springs.The project never materialized not for the lack of money or cooperation but because of the difficulty of building a grade across the Maraais Des Cygnes bottoms.

During the time that Sanderson and Lashbrook owned the Opera House, it was first managed by Jake Goldenburg and later by Newman Gassam.The Gassam Home was a large house on the Northwest corner of second and Myrtle Streets.

Mr. E.W. Heims became the next owner and Mr. Alva Gordon father of Mr.W.W.(Cory)Gordon and Marshall Gordon, became the manger. Alva Gordon and Frank Isley had a picture show. I have been told there were two other picture theaters in town, the Happy Gem and Spraker's. This was in the early days of motion picture industry, and Rich Hill was providing the latest in entertainment for the citizens.

In 1920 Mr. H.M. Booth, owner of a Funeral home and livery Stable, bought the Opera House. Bill Long and Otis Baker, both mail carriers operated the projector. In a short time the building was destroyed by fire.The grocery store of Albert Christman and Henry Porter's restaurant were completely destroyed. The fire threatened to destroyed the whole block, but the efficiency of the fire department confined the fire to the building.

When Remodeling,the top story was taken off and the ground floor was completely remodeled decorated and converted into a modern,up to-date picture theater, but retained the name Opera House.This was the day of silent pictures and Opal Jones Newton played the piano always varying the tempo of the music with the action of the show.During the late 1920's when talking pictures were introduced,the Booth Theater was one of the best in this part of the country.The Sound effects were good and the projection on the screen was excellent.

During the depression years the show was in operation nightly. Every Friday was family night when the whole family(going as a unit)was admitted for 10 cents each. The Booth Theater or Opera house continued to serve the purpose for which it was originally built.

In the 1920's a dramatic production using local talent was presented.

The Opera House continued to be used for school and community programs until the gymnasium was built at the High School in 1938.

In addition to performances at the Opera House, Rich Hill also held a Fall Festival each year in October.This usually took place on the streets and in the parks. Over a period of nearly 100 years rich Hill entertainment has changed with the times.

For a number of years Thursday night was considered Band Concert night with the Rich Hill Band providing an evening's entertainment in the park. Friday night was Family night at the show. Saturday night everyone went to town to buy the weeks groceries, get a hair cut or take care of business maters. Family members not busy sat in their cars and watched or visited with friends who walk around the streets until nine or ten o'clock when the stores begun to close for the night. We forget that we didn't always have paved streets downtown. Before the streets were

paved there were board sidewalks crossing the street at intersections and other places.

There were hitching racks at the back of the stores where people who came to town in buggies, carriages, wagons or on horseback could tie the horse until time to go home.There was even a law stating how long a horse could be left tied without giving it food and water. Now we find there are no more stage shows at the Opera House and with the coming of television, the picture show has lost much of its appeal. Now Rich Hill,Like many other towns finds it difficult to support a movie theater. However, with an energy crunch, the local theater may once again become a popular form of entertainment.

Very intresting reading.The only thing I would add would be purely promotional.That would be to state that the Opera is still operating.and the stage has been remodled to accomodate acts rangeing from Plays performances to Band. Feel free to share it on my two sights
JW Adams and
Rising Sun Opera.
On Facebook. Thanks.

Then and Now -Working on the Roads

2011-10-23T07:09:00.000-07:00

(John (Blackie) E. Robertson, JR, pouring the concrete streets of Park Avenue.

Working on the Dollar Store Alley summer of 2011

AD out of the Rich Hill Directory 1880's

2011-10-22T18:16:00.000-07:00

M.S. Cowles Merantile Company Rich Hill Missouri"

This story is out of The old settlers' history of Bates County, Missouri

FRANK E. KELLOGG

was born in Claridon. Geauga County, Ohio, on the 20th day of April, 1851 ; brought up on a farm, remaining on the one purchased from the Connecticut Land company and cleared up by his grandfather in the earlv part of the present century: taught several terms in the district school and "boarded around"; in 1879 in his home township, was elected justice of the peaqe and at this time was also reading law. Resigning his position, he came to Missouri in October, 18S0, and embarked in the mercantile business; resided in Butler one year, since which time he has been a resident of Rich Hill Missouri, and for eighteen years was secretary and treasurer of the M.S. Cowles Mercantile company. His old congressional district (the 19th Ohio) was for many years represented by Benj. F. Wade. Joshua R. Giddings and James A. Garfield, and he was quite well acquainted with the latter. Was married to Delia J. Wells in 1877; one child, a daughter, Delia May, was born February 5, 18S3. He was elected superintendent of the First Presbyterian Sunday School in Rich Hill in January, 1894, and still holds that position, going to Rich Hill every Sunday. His hobby is the breeding of Shorthorn cattle and he is interested in one of the best herds of pure bred animals in the country, Mr. Kellogg has always been a republican in politics and represented his, the Sixth Congressional District of Missouri, as a delegate in the Republican National Convention at St. Louis in 1896. Was appointed Collector of Internal Revenue for the Western district of Missouri, and entered upon the duties of his office May 1, 1899. Frank Kellogg, as he is familiarly called, is one of the most companionable men in the world, and his friends are only numbered by the limit of his acquaintance. He is a capable, faithful business man, and an honorable party politician. His relations and influence with the present administration is all that one of his position could ask. While he is temporarily residing with" his estimable family in Kansas City, Bates county is his home, and her people feel a local pride in his successful career. Hence his place in this Bates County book.

June 28,1979 Wagon Wheels

2011-10-21T21:14:00.000-07:00

This Picture is from Page 5 of the Wagon Wheels June 1979The Sandlot Baseball team features Larry Vogt and Charlie Nace in the front row and in the back row and in the back Row Left to Right are Dean Holiday,Jerry Bolser ,Bob Parks,Larry Johnson, Gary Ramage,Don Droz and Bob McCombs.

Perry A. Burgess one of the first Bankers

2011-10-19T18:24:00.000-07:00

{A friend of my showed me this Link on Perry A. Burgess Thanks Don!!!}

Bart; I came across this data on the web, and it involves one of the first Bankers in Rich Hill. His name was Perry A. Burgess. His mother was Emma Semantha Cheney Burgess.

It is some very interisting reading and covers a lot of history.

I thought you might be interested.

Cheers;

Don

Rich Hill's historic Opera House (Wagon Wheels)May 31,1979

2011-10-18T19:21:00.000-07:00

PART 3 of the Opera House History By Mary Griffin

During the depression years the show was in operation nightly.Every Friday was family night when the whole family(going as a unit)was admitted for 10 cents each.

The Booth Theater or Opera House continued to serve the purpose for which it was originally built.

In the 1920's a dramatic production using local talent was presented.

The Opera House continued to be used for school and community programs until the gymnasium was built at the High School in 1938.

In addition to performances at the Opera House,Rich Hill also held a Fall Festival each year in October.This usually took place on the streets and in the parks.

Over a period of nearly one hundred years Rich Hill entertainment has changed with the times.For a number of years Thursday night was considered Band Concert night with the Rich Hill Band providing an evening's entertainment in the park. Friday night was Family night at the show.Saturday night everyone went to town to buy the weeks groceries,get a hair cut or take care of business maters.Family members not busy sat in their cars and watched or visited with friends who walk around the streets until nine or ten o'clock when the stores begun to close for the night.

We forget that we didn't always have paved streets downtown.Before the streets were paved there were board sidewalks crossing the street at intersections and other places.

There were hitching racks at the back of the stores where people who came to town in buggies, carriages,wagons or on horseback could tie the horse until time to go home.There was even a law stating how long a horse could be left tied without giving it food and water.Now we find there are no more stage shows at the Opera House and with the coming of television,the picture show has lost much of its appeal.Now Rich Hill,Like many other towns finds it difficult to support a movie theater.However,with an energy crunch,the local theater may once again become a popular form of entertainment.

Rich Hill's historic Opera House (Wagon Wheels)may 31,1979

2011-10-17T18:11:00.000-07:00

Part 2 by Mary Griffin

Mr. E.W. Heims became the next owner and Mr. Alva Gordon father of Mr.W.W.(Cory)Gordon and Marshall Gordon,became the manger.Alva Gordon and Frank Isley had a picture show .I have been told there were two other picture theaters in town,the Happy Gem and Spraker's .This was in the early days of motion picture industry, and Rich Hill was providing the latest in entertainment for the citizens.

In 1920 Mr. H.M. Booth,owner of a Funeral home and livery Stable, bought the Opera House.Bill Long and Otis Baker,both mail carriers operated the projector. In a short time the building was destroyed by fire.The grocery store of Albert Christman and Henry Porter's restaurant were completely destroyed. The fire threatened to destroyed the whole block,but the efficiency of the fire department confined the fire to the building.

Rich Hill's historic Opera House (Wagon Wheels)may 31,1979

2011-10-16T14:54:00.000-07:00

Part 1

It was also used for public speakers when such dignitaries as Governors Marmaduke,Polk,Francis and Dockery acme to town . Many important speakers appeared on the platform including senators W.J. Stone and Jarves A. Reed . William Jennings Bryan,Candidate for President,also known as the "Silver Tongued Orator" was scheduled to make an appearance, but a tornado near Joplin delayed his Train for Several hours, and the speech had to be canceled.

The Opera House served still another purpose. When the businessmen met to consider important issues for the improvement of the town ,the meeting was held in the Opera House.Representatives of Railroads met with business men try to sell shares for the construction of a Railroad to nearby towns.On one occasion $100,000 was pledge to build a railroad to Walker,Schell City and ElDorado Springs.The project never materialized not for the lack of money or cooperation but because of the difficulty of building a grade across the Maraais Des Cygnes bottoms.

1962 Rich Hill Yearbook Basketball Team

2011-10-15T18:47:00.000-07:00

Rich Hill Mining Review January 17,1931

2011-10-14T17:27:00.000-07:00

New Rich Hill Bank opened for Business today

A stream of Visitors and Deposit Visit the Security Bank and Welcomed by Its officers.

The Security Bank of Rich Hill Opened its door at 9 o'clock this Saturday morning under the most favorable auspices.Regardless of the inclement weather,a steady stream of visitors called to get acquainted with Mr. Lindsey,the cashier-elect,and his son Jordan Lindsey,meet the directors present,R.A. Padgett President;J.P.Klumpp Vice President;W.G. Myerley and K.K. Engel,to extend well wishes ,and to get a line on the business methods and system of banking adopted.Many persons made deposits , showing confidence in the new bank management and loyal Co-Operation for the success of the new institution and giving expression to the fact that Rich Hill again has banking facilities for this city and trade district.

Potted plants and Flowers graced the lobby of the bank gifts from friends,including several from out of town,among them Wesley Denton, Presidents of the peoples Bank of Butler;D.K. Snyder,Cashier of the Drovers Bank of Kansas City and others.

The Bank officers were pleased with the business of the opening Day.

March 28,1930 Rich Hill Mining Review

2011-10-13T16:25:00.000-07:00

Opera House changed to talkies Thursday Night.

First Program Delighted a Packed House standing Room Only:A great Success Scored.

After being closed for several weeks for the installation of vita phone talking picture equipment, remodeling and rearranging the interior of their show house, Booth& Boughan, owners and managers reopened on Thursday night with a one hundred per cent talking picture program, "On with the Show" a picture in natural colors thought;also a comedy.

The walls of the building have been paneled with sound-proof felt,the aisles heavily carpeted and heavy draperies hung in the rear to eliminate outside sounds,all of which add greatly to the beauty of the interior,as well as to deaden noises that interfere with the perfect reproduction of taking pictures.

The People of Rich hill and Community are justly proud of the improvements at the Opera house and showed their appreciation by their liberal patronage Thursday night.Every seat in the house was occupied and many standing at both shows.

Booth& Boughan have the best talkie equipment obtainable and the program Thursday night demonstrated the fact that it is the best that can be found anywhere.They also have booked a number of good shows for the future.

The exterior of the building has also been remodeled,with new lighting fixtures,and Rich Hill now has one of the finest theaters in this section of the county

On with the Show

On with the Show (1929 film) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Two Panther cubs captured(Nevada Daily Mail)1906

2011-10-12T18:11:00.000-07:00

Two Cub Panthers Captured

Rich Hill, Mo. Sept.19

Four young panthers were found by three boys and taken from their lair in the hollow of a large tree in the Marias des Cygnes bottoms within four miles of Rich Hill.Two of the cubs are in captivity ,one was killed and the other made its escape.While the captives were being secured by the boys, the eldest 18 years and the youngest 10 years of age,the parents of the cubs were absent from their young.

George C. Brooks

2011-10-11T21:52:00.000-07:00

By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D. 1918), Sergeant George C. Brooks (MCSN: 154257), United States Marine Corps, is cited by the Commanding General, SECOND DIVISION, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Sergeant Brooks distinguished himself while serving with the 17th Company, Fifth Regiment (Marines), 2d Division, American Expeditionary Forces at Toulon-Troyon, France, 14 March to 15 May 1918.Hall of Valor

(Fitchburg, Massachusetts)june 1918

Hall of Valor

Rich Hill Mining Review March 28,1928

2011-10-11T05:11:00.000-07:00

Fine Program Given High School Contestants

The program given at the Opera house Tuesday night by the contestants who will enter the spring at Nevada Friday and Saturday.Was very fine and admirably rendered and greeted by a packed house.The contest will be in music,pubic speaking and dramatics.Rich Hill will have entrees in all of these events.

Sixty Seven High School students will go to Nevada and we confidently believe they will bring home their share of the prize.

George Rowden

2011-10-10T16:11:00.000-07:00

George Rowden was the chief of the Rich Hill Hook and Ladder Department in 1884

Rich Hill Basketball from the 1923 yearbook

2011-10-09T08:34:00.000-07:00

Rich Hill Basketball Team 1922-1923

The boy's basketball team was very successful considering the fact that were not experienced in the art of Basketball.This being the second year that R.H.H.S. has had a boy's team for sometime and there were only two or three of the boy's that ever played before.

The personal of the team is follows: Chas. Foster and Willie Lowder at forward always play at their best.

Donald Fix and Wesley Thomas always do their duty at the guard with ease.

Orval Deputy at center can be credited as doing himself justice at the pivot position.

Roy Hickan and Charles Crabb as subs were always willing to do their bit in the game.

Next year it is hoped that a football team can be organized in order to create further interest in Athletics

Rich Hill Mining Review June 4,1987

2011-10-08T05:29:00.000-07:00

1954 Telephone directory ,Rich Hill Missouri

2011-10-06T21:56:00.000-07:00

Telephone Directory Rich Hill Telephone Co. Summer 1950

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This is a 1950 Rich Hill Missouri Telephone Dirrctory

Rich Hill Mining Review May 17 1926 from Tom Perry's

2011-10-04T18:50:00.000-07:00

Rich Hill Winner in Tennis Tournament

Rich Hill "Walloped"Butler and Adrian in the County Tennis Tournament held here Saturday.Five loving cups were offered and five is all we won.Ruth Pearson and Grace Lee West won the girls doubles championship, and Ruth Pearson decided it would be nice to win the girls singles.When Ruth sets her mind to do anything it is quite a hard job to change it,as her opponents found out,and so for the second time she is county champion having won the championship last year.

Herman Sick and Fred Marquardt helped fill the trophy case by winning the boys doubles,after getting hit(with the tennis ball)two or three times the net men from Adrian and Butler concluded that Herman and Fred were pretty good with a tennis racket and wouldn't venture up to the net again so that sport was ended. Fred got "hot" as he expressed it,and won the boys singles almost before Butler and Adrian knew what was going on.

Then just to be accommodating ,Fred played them a game.The singles men from Butler and Adrian received quite a lot of experience in the art of waving-that was about all they could do to the returns that Fred gave them.To sum the tournament up,Adrian played pretty poor and Butler was even worse.

Last spring at Butler,Rich Hill won the boys and girls doubles and singles and the girls singles, and this year we won everything.

Bruce Black of Butler , refereed the game.

Rich Hill Mining Review May 26 1926 from Tom Perry

2011-10-03T19:31:00.000-07:00

Robert C. Glenn Buys Commercial Bank Building

The bank fixtures of the Commercial state bank,southeast corner of Park and Sixth street, which passed into the hands of the F&M Bank when the two institution were consolidated some months ago have been dismantled having been sold to a bank at Huntsville Ark. Robert C. Glenn well Known druggist has purchased the bank building and will move his stock of drugs to the new location about 15th of this month. Mr.Glenn will have the interior of the building handsomely and his stock arranged in a modern style, with a view of making his new loction one of the most attractive and business like locations in the southeast.Mr.Glenn ia a progressive business man and will no doubt have an up to-date drug store,pleasing his patrons and the public.

Public Auction of the Clarks Drug Store

2011-10-02T05:52:00.000-07:00

Contact Information
Contact Terry J. Clark
Phone: 417 395-cash
Location : Rich Hill, MO

More Information
Oct. 22 2011 in downtown Rich Hill, 5th & Park Ave.. Public Auction of the Clarks Drug Store, building and small garage to sale at No Reserve, as is. All size of glass medical bottles, soda fountain, glass items for fountain drinks and ice cream. old coke-cola syrup bottles, and coke change trays, lots more items in the coke field. Lots of coins, old Rail Road stocks, check out the website later in the month www.larryhackerauctions.com or the Xchanger in Oct. for a full listing. Auction by Larry Hacker Auctionerrs 417 395-2277 to see building call Terry J. Clark in Rich Hill at 417-395-CASH

Story on how Toppy got his nickname

Forrest gained his Nickname “Toppy” from his competitive edge and winning area Top
tournaments. He was one of 8 kids who were mostly raised by his Mom. Forrest was born in Sabetha, Kansas on Aug. 15,1911

Rich Hill Mo. Editor Dies at Fort Scott (May 14,1936)

2011-10-01T13:27:00.000-07:00

Dismantling the KLM Telephone Company microwave tower Nov.12 2002

2011-09-29T17:22:00.000-07:00

Rich Hill Mining Review Volume 123 Number 3

Phone tower coming down

Work began this week on dismantling the KLM Telephone company microwave tower.The tower was erected in 1983 to meet the needs of area telephone customers.

Use of the tower was discontinued several years ago when the company began using fiber optics.

The tower will be dismantled and removed and removed from the site.

Swopes Drive-inn 1978

2011-09-28T18:04:00.000-07:00

Mr. and Mrs. Don Swope will take over the operation of Wally's Drive Inn now to called Swope's Inn this Sunday.Shown with Don and Linda Swope are their two children.Donya and Landon .Don is a 1967 graduate and Linda is a 1969 graduate of Rich Hill High .

The Atlanta Constitution Newspaper(Atlanta, Georgia)Dec.5 1901

2011-09-25T05:26:00.000-07:00

New Castle News (New Castle, Pennsylvania)July 15 1927

2011-09-25T04:57:00.000-07:00

News about Rich Hill in the New Castle News (1927)

Sedalia Democrat, The (Sedalia, Missouri) May 5 1950

2011-09-25T04:33:00.000-07:00

4th of July 1957

2011-09-18T16:49:00.000-07:00

Enterprize Newspaper April 4 1913(Rich Hill)

2011-09-18T16:21:00.000-07:00

Dennis Miller,the livery Man has the barn wired ready to light with Electricity, when he gets juice.Dennis ia a progressive citizen,and believers in being up with procession.

Old cemetery

2011-08-21T19:01:00.000-07:00

Bart:

I stumbled upon your Rich Hill blog this afternoon and enjoyed the posts
and all the pictures.

My GGG grandfather J.B. Chorette (b. 1799) was an early settler in the
Rich Hill area, founding a mill on the Marais des Cygnes in about 1839.
His son-in-law James E. Bailey (my GG grandfather) continued farming in
the area long after he died. Bailey died in 1928 and is buried in
Greenlawn Cemetery.

J.B. Chorette, his wife, and their daughter are buried in a small
private cemetery just east of the Marais des Cygnes on private land. I
visited the cemetery in 2001 when I visited Bates County (I live in
California), and re-discovered the headstones and markers, almost all of
which had been knocked down by cattle and were down among the weeds.
Since then I've been interested in finding ways to restore the cemetery
and graves, and--most importantly--maintain the cemetery. The land
owner was amenable to restoration, but he didn't want to create an
eyesore if it would get overgrown again without maintenance. I was
unable to make any progress or find any group or individual interested
in local history who could offer maintenance.

Do you have any idea who I could approach about the subject of cemetery
maintenance? My family and I are willing to cover reasonable costs for
headstone repair, fencing, weed removal, etc. provided we can arrange
maintenance afterwards. I'd be grateful if you can think of anyone I
can contact, or even another solution I haven't thought of.

Thanks and best regards,

Jeff Bailey
Scotts Valley, CA
--
Jeff Bailey
rjbailey@fastmail.fm

Photo Help-George Washington Webb

2011-08-21T18:44:00.000-07:00

I saw your blog on Rich Hill, so I thought you might be able to help with this photo. It says it was taken at the Corner Gallery in Rich Hill MO. I would like out if you may know when it was taken and if you know ho Van Voorhis was? I believe the photo is George Washington Webb and his future wife Rosa Maud Speece. Thanks

Pictures

2011-08-07T18:03:00.000-07:00

City of Rich Hill Ordinances

2011-06-13T04:54:00.000-07:00

Here is a Link to Rich Hill Missouri active Ordinances https://sites.google.com/site/cityofrichhillordinances/ordinances

Rich Hill First Baptist Church in the 1980's

2011-05-28T10:25:00.000-07:00

1898 Rich Hill Maps

2011-05-22T07:45:00.000-07:00

Here is a link to 1898 Rich Hill Maps

1910 Rich Hill Graduating Exercises Program.

2011-02-28T17:08:00.000-08:00

Received e-mail and pictures from Jim Craig:Thanks Jim

Bart;

It has warmed up enough for me to get into the barn loft. Attached is the 1910 Rich Hill Graduating Exercises Program. It was sent to Misses Cora and Maude Hoover. N Edith Hoover their sister was in the graduating class as was my Grandmother Laura Heck.

Jim Craig

Public vision meeting participants set their sights

2011-02-25T17:35:00.000-08:00

Rich Hill Mining Review February 25,2011

About 30 residents participated in the Public vision meeting held at the Rich Hill High School auditorium ,Tuesday evening on Feb.22.They included city officials,school board members,leaders in the community and concerned citizens.

Prior to the meeting,those examined large displays which depicted Rich Hill past and potential future.There were economic graphs,demographic studies and comparisons made with other communities.

The meeting opened with Vision Committee Chairman,Bart McClaughry,welcoming representatives from Drury University and those in attendance. Then Professor Jay Garrott greeted guests and introduced the students involved in the project.

According to Garrott ,the Drury students had the opportunity to select the community they wanted and this semester,his top five students all selected Rich Hill.

Workshops were then formed with residents teaming up with Drury students to determine a primary goal for the city,complete with objectives and suggested methods to achieve their aim .Groups were furnished with goals,objective and method cards.

Each group was asked to look over proposed goals and select the one they felt was most important.Examples included :to promote economical growth through the creation of new jobs,become a model for small town renewal,enhance the city's identity, etc.There was also a blank card to make other suggestions.

This required discussion among those present and negotiation.Then each team was asked to select five objectives that would best equip the community in reaching their goal which included suggestions like create career opportunities for young adults, increase curb appeal, capitalize on the nearby interstate, etc.

The next step was to identify ten methods toward reaching their objectives. Examples included: adding a truck stop, encouraging the development of industrial park, provide pedestrian walkways and bike paths, road improvements, a historic museum, community center, etc.

For over an hour, groups discussed and worked on their vision proposals determining a primary goal, objectives and methods which according to Garrott will enable the students to gain insight into the community's values and priorities.

The students will then take what they have learned and develop a proposed vision for Rich Hill complete with objectives and step by step methods. Those proposals will be presented at the next public meeting to be held April 5. at that meeting the students will again seek feedback from the community, taking what they learn with them to finalize their vision proposal.

In the upcoming weeks, the Mining Review will present the goals of each of the four groups that participated, including the objectives and methods which where proposed. Two of the four groups had identical goal; tho had other directions in mind and all varied in their objectives and methods.

In an effort to communicate to the public and encourage participation, the Review will interview those involved in tuesday's meeting and get their perspectives and vision for Rich Hill's future.

Drury University students visit to Rich Hill (Rich Hill Mining Review)

2011-02-08T19:18:00.000-08:00

Drury University students visit to Rich Hill (Rich Hill Mining Review)(Jan.28 2011)

Vision Team Chairperson Bart McClaughry traveled to Springfield, to give a power-point presentation to the students of the Drury School of Architecture, Wednesday, Jan.19 as a preliminary step in the Vision Initiative Program.

According to McClaughry, about 40 to 50 students listened to the presentation which highlighted both Rich Hill's history and the Vision Committee's concerns for the future. Other towns were also present that day giving presentations, but according to McClaughry, only rich Hill providied a power-point presentation.

"I felt like it went very well," said McClaughry who also stated that Professor Jay Garrott, the Vision Program director, related later that he had received positive feedback from many students regarding Rich Hill.

The next step in the process is the selection of those students who will be working on the Rich Hill initiative. Those hand picked students will then visit Rich Hill, Saturday, Jan. 29, when they will meet with the Vision Team Committee members and be given a tour of the community.

Natalea Hoeper, a member of the Vision Team Committee, who helped put the power-point presentation together, will be part of the group that hosts the students.

"I am looking forward to their visit," said Hoeper who also expressed interest in the work they will be doing.

"I've seen the kind of work they've done for other communities,"said Hoeper who mentioned two-inch thick books the students put together complete with studies, drawings, graphs, and forecasts.

Hoeper also expressed some of the concerns that the committees members have set before the students which include: curb appeal, a new community center, better roads and more jobs.

History of the Rich Hill Phone Company

2011-02-06T07:34:00.000-08:00

History

In January of 1955, Ken Kern, a teacher at the Finley Engineering College in Kansas City, was looking for a business to invest in. That business turned out to be the Rich Hill Telephone Company which had been owned by Mr. & Mrs. A L Shopper since 1941. Mr.

Kern asked a student at the college if he would be interested in going into partnership with him on this venture. That student was Raleigh Masur. A third partner, Mr. James Lamble, would also join them. Thus the name KLM was formed from the initials of their last names. Bill Turner of Pleasant Hill continued as manager of the Rich Hill exchange for a period of time.

In 1956 a small mutual company at Papinville was acquired from Mr. Clyde Rapp. The Rapps had operated the switchboard from their home and continued to do so until the area was converted to dial service in 1961. A complete renovation of the system was started in 1958 and would also be completed in 1961. By this time the company had outgrew the original office at 111 S 6th St and construction was started on the present building at 616 E Park.

Mr. Lamble resigned from the company in 1957. In 1959, the corporation bought the Metz and Richards exchanges from Mr. Charles R Spicer. The Spicers had owned the exchanges since 1938. Metz and Richards were converted to dial service in 1963. The KLM Corporation operated these exchanges as a separate partnership called the Missouri Union Telephone Company.

Mr. Kern continued to teach until 1962, when he moved to Rich Hill and assumed the day to day management of the company. Raleigh Masur sold his shares in the corporation and partnership to Kenneth Kern on January 25, 1965.

The Deerfield area near Richards was still a mutual exchange in 1971 with magneto service. Some customers petitioned the Missouri Public Service Commission for Bell service because they wanted dial. Mr. Kern made arrangements to rent some Stromberg equipment and by plowing cable “all winter”, the Deerfield area was converted to dial in six months (early 1972). That marked the end of crank telephones and the oh so familiar “Number Please”. Missouri Union Telephone Company was merged in to the KLM Telephone Company in 1973.

On December 21, 1987 all four exchanges were converted to digital. KLM could now offer services we had only heard about on TV. Call waiting and touch tone would prove to be the most popular.

Ken Kern died on February 10, 1990. His widow Cathy continued to operate the company until selling to the RBJ Corporation on December 23, 1992. This family oriented business is made up of the Copsey family with Evan and wife Jane having the honorable positions of President and Vice President. RBJ stands for Reese, Bruce and Jennifer with Reese taking the role of outside plant manager, and Bruce overseeing the office management.

In 1999 the offices would again be upgraded with new central office equipment. This would allow you to choose your long distance company. By the end of 1999 internet service would also be offered to allow local access to our customers.

In November 2007 the company would be purchased by American Broadband with Reese and Bruce staying on as local managers.

Late October of 2008 the central office and remotes were upgraded with new switching equipment.

Drury University students visit Rich Hill

2011-02-05T01:04:00.000-08:00

Drury Students that will be studying Rich Hill this Semester are,left to right: John Williams, Melissa Petrie, Mike Czajka, Robert Snyder and Justin Rios.
Drury University students visit Rich Hill (Rich Hill Mining Review) February 4, 2011

Five Students from the Drury School of Architecture were met by Rich Hill Vision Committee members Bart McClaughry, Natalea Hoeper, Jennifer Perkey Ewing, Randy Bell, Debbie Bradley, and Peggy Entrikin at Swopes Drive Inn at 11 am. on Saturday,Jan.29.

Following introductions, the students loaded up in the Myrtle Tree Christian Church Van and were given a tour of Rich Hill and the surrounding area by Natalea Hoeper. They visted Harmony Mission, a number of strip mine pits,the McGennis Youth Center,the Mennonite Community and Rich Hill itself arriving back at Swopes at 1:30 P.M.to enjoy a late lunch with committee members.

They really ebjoyed the Town, said McClaughry,"they especially loved our parks".

McClaughry also add that they were thrilled seeing Mennonites driving horse drawn buggies.

Their excitement according to McClaughry was partially due to the fact that most of the students were from urban areas like St. Louis and Chicago.

Following their tour of Rich Hill, the students traveled to Butler to visit the Bates County Museum to gain further insight on the history of the community.

"You could see their wheels already turning,"said Hoeper speaking of their interest in the community and their desire to find ways to enhance Rich Hill growth in the future.

"They've got their work cut for them,"said McClaughry ,"but we're all excited about the project".

According to McClaughry, the committee will probably meet a couple times in the upcoming weeks, but what he is excited about is the open public meeting Feb. 22

"It's an opportunity for others to get involved,"said McClaughry,"and we want to encourage anyone who would like to help to attend".

It's a sentiment that Hoeper also expressed.

"We need all the input we can get,"said Hoeper,"that's why we're doing a public meeting".

The Vision Initiative is intended to help citizens visualize what the town can become in the next 20 years. It's not a comprehensive plan, but a vision building program that combines community input with architectural talent.

Rich Hill Missouri History

Rich Hill Cagers

More Pictures from the1955 Rich Hill Newspaper

Melvin Kithcart-Obit

Shelter House in the East Park

Conclusion of the Depression years

Those Depression Years Part 4

Those Depression Years Part 3

Those Depression Years part 2

Those Depression Years By Mary Griffen Part 1

1981 Rich Hill Yearbook Tiger

Football State Champions 1999

Dorcy Manchester

Rich Hill Mo. Whiskey Jug

Rich Hill is a town in Bates County, Missouri.

Report to Governor Morehouse

Report to Governor Morehouse

City Officers 1893-1894

Green Lawn Cemetery Records (Rich Hill Missouri)

Holmes School on 6th and Oak Part 2

Holmes School on South 6th Street.

1883 Rich Hill Missouri Directory

Parade Tradition

Jerry Lee Boyles Links

City Hall 1970's

1970's picture of City Hall

Rich Hill Football wins the Show Me Bowl 1999

Historical Notes from Reva Stubblefield 1974

Ice storm causes havoc in Rich Hill

Advertisements from the Christmas 1979 Wagon Wheel

J.C. Crosswhite Obit

Link to Rich Hill Historic Harmony Mission Marker

First Farm Market Road in Bates County

1938 Rich Hill Football

Rich Hill News Jan.1980

Missouri State Offices Political and Military Records for Rich Hill1919 - 1920

Rich Hill Missouri passing for 2011

Pvt. George Phillips

More on Cleo F. Craig

Rich Hill at MU

Rich Hill Photos By Trinity Bennett (Nelson)

More on the Sam Queen Shooting in 1913

City Hall and the Jail

Daily Review March 5 ,1930

July 4th 2002 Rich Hill

Bart and Rich Hill History

1912 Rich Hill Boys Basketball

Rich Hill Caboose MP 13689

The Nevada Daily Mail - Aug 23, 1960

Rich Hill Today by George B. Dowell August 1,1930

Constable Queen, Shot in Rich Hill

Coal Oil in 1883

Pictures from the Mining Review June 28,1973

Old Baseball Picture

TORNADO IN MISSOURI.; Kilns and Furnaces Destroye in Rich Hill--City Hall Roof Blown Away--Damage to Crops.

Map of Green Lawn Cemetery

The day the roof fell By Mary Griffen Wagon Wheels Dec.1979

Anderson Family-Mining Review April 12,1990

Bates County Live: Rich Hill resident to be honored Wednesday...

Re-run on the Opera

Rich Hill's Historic Opera House (Wagon Wheels)May 31,1979

Then and Now -Working on the Roads

AD out of the Rich Hill Directory 1880's

June 28,1979 Wagon Wheels

Perry A. Burgess one of the first Bankers

Rich Hill's historic Opera House (Wagon Wheels)May 31,1979

Rich Hill's historic Opera House (Wagon Wheels)may 31,1979

Rich Hill's historic Opera House (Wagon Wheels)may 31,1979

1962 Rich Hill Yearbook Basketball Team

Rich Hill Mining Review January 17,1931

March 28,1930 Rich Hill Mining Review

On with the Show (1929 film) - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Two Panther cubs captured(Nevada Daily Mail)1906

George C. Brooks

Rich Hill Mining Review March 28,1928

George Rowden

Rich Hill Basketball from the 1923 yearbook

Rich Hill Mining Review June 4,1987

1954 Telephone directory ,Rich Hill Missouri

Telephone Directory Rich Hill Telephone Co. Summer 1950