The Kansas City Times Friday, July 5, 1968

Tonights blog information and pictures were sent to me by a long time resident of Rich Hill, Mo. She stated that they were printed in the Kansas City Times Friday, July 5, 1968. Thanks Peggy!
I appreciate the information I receive from the blog readers.
If there is anyone else reading this blog who has information or pictures they would like to share about the history of Rich Hill just forward it on to me. bartm@ckt.net

The fourth of July is rapidly approaching, and Rich Hill is planning to have a fabulous July 4th celebration as they are famous for. Tonight's blog describes a couple of the July fourth celebrations from the past.

In the traditional Fourth of July parade at Rich Hill yesterday the crowd of about 6,000 persons seemed to enjoy the antique cars as much as the horses, floats and other attractions. Starting at 11 o'clock in the morning, the 88th annual event continued throughout the afternoon and evening, climaxing with a display of fireworks.

The Main Street of Rich Hill was cramped with rides, concessions and spectators beginning yesterday morning about 11 o'clock. Children made up most of the crowd of 6,000 that took part in the festivities, but many adults were just as excited as the youngsters.

Ice Supply,Source and Storage in the early days

This Blog is from E.R. McQuitty's stories at the 1955 Diamond Jubilee Celebration for Rich Hill
Ice Supply,Source and Storage in the early days
The ice supply for Rich Hill in the early days came from the rivers and lakes in the vicinity. This was long before the artificial method of producing the product was established in this section. The ice harvest was a busy time and gave employment to a large force of men for weeks each winter. That portion used for household purposes, pure and crystal clear, was obtained at the nearby rivers, while that for cooling usages came from lakes and ponds. There were three large storage building in the town, each with a capacity sufficient to take care of hundreds of tons. Krieger and Klumpp perhaps had the largest building lo­cated at the corner of Myrtle and Sixth streets. J. C. Skaags was next with a huge building on South Ninth Street and Rudolph Kunz and Sons located on North Fifth at Cedar Street.
The ice, after having been sawed into huge blocks, was brought in by wagon train, sometimes twenty wag­ons in close procession. Each block or cake of ice weighed near three hundred pounds, so nine blocks taxed a wagon to capacity. It was a cold job for the drivers. With twenty degrees below zero, and clad in the heaviest clothing with gunny sacks wrapped about their boots, they were forced to walk behind their wagons, which afforded some pro­tection from the cutting sleet and snow and biting winds. Generally the roads were packed deep with frozen snow and ice and the screech of the moving wagons could be heard for a mile or more. And, after all this, some people complained of the payment of a nickel for a twenty pound hunk when the summer's sun was scorching at 100.

After prom pictures for Rich Hill Missouri 2009 prom

City Hall and the Power Plant

This blog comes from the Dec.21 1922 Mining Review.
The pictures are the blueprints of the old power plant.

Mayor W.W. Jamison and members of the city council awarded the contracts Friday evening for the Electric light improvements and equipments and for the remodeling of the city hall. City Clerk Vogel and city engineer Arthur L. Mullergreen were present and assisted in the work. Although there were several bidders from Kansas City the contracts were awarded to Rich Hill men.
Power Plants Bids
There were six bids offered for electric light light improvements, but G Jaeger of this city was the lowest bidder and and awarded the contract. The bids were: G. Jaeger,combined bid,power plant and machinery,$23,330
W.C. Burns building, 14,555.
L.W. Cropper, Engineering Co. Kansas city, building $15,215
Carrothers & Pilburn Co. Kansas City, combined $29,490
Merkle Machinery Co. Kansas City, combined $26,900
Beason Machinery Co. Kansas City, machinery, $15,916
City Hall Bids.
In the city hall bids John Robertson, Rich Hill was awarded the contract for remodeling the building and Myron Sproul the concrete and stucco work.
The bids;
Myron Sproul, stucco and concrete floor work $871.25.
John Robertson, combined bid, stucco and floor remodeling building $2109.95
N.W. Ballfich, remodeling building $2535

O.A. Smith, remodeling building $1476

W.C. Burns, work complete, remodeling and stucco and concrete $2,856

G. Jaeger, combined $2525

The work on the electric power plant is to be started by Mr. Jaeger the contractor within 30 days and complete within 120 days.

The work of remodeling the city hall by Mr. Robertson, contractor is to be started within 5 days and completed in 30 days. The concrete work by Mr. Sproul, contractor, is given a reasonable time.

The present city hall structure will be reduced to one story building, and will be finished for all practical purposes for the transaction of municipal business and providing for the fire department headquarters, police department, city clerk and collectors offices.

The city power plant building will have a brick enclosure.

Wm Mudd awarded the contract for the galvanite roofing for the city hall building.

Rich Hill in the War Effort

This Blog comes from the 1945 Rich Hill Yearbook
The ad was purchased by the I am American club

Frist Customer at the New Rich Hill Post Office

This story comes from the history of the Rich Hill Post office booklet.
The first customer in the new Post Office building on, Saturday October 1, 1960. This shows Frank E. Ralston who was waiting for the office to open, buying a sheet of Commemorative stamps. Frank was waiting for the office to open and brought along his own photographer. He has been a stamp collector for over 50 years

Installing new lights -July 1971

The pictures and story comes from the Community Betterment book at the library

Installing new lights-July 1971

A crew of workmen from the City this week began installation of the new the light fixtures at the park entrances an at Highway 71, bought by Community Betterment with cooperation of the citizens of the entire community. It is hoped to have them all installed by this weekend.

Old Post office

They say that the Rich Hill post office was located at 7th & Park Avenue in this building for over fifty years. Before it moved in 1960 to where it is now.

MAYOR JAMISON'S VETO.

Tonights blog I found in the City Council minutes for July 12, 1898.
It pertains to fire limits for Rich Hill.
North part of Block 85 is on Southside maple in between 7th and 6th
North part of Block 84 is on Southside maple in between 6th and 5th
South part of Block 52 is on the northside walnut in between 7th and 6th street
South part of Block 53 is on the northside Walnut in between 6th and 5th street



MAYOR JAMISON'S VETO.

Some of the Reasons Why He Is Opposed to the Extension of the Fire Limits at this particuar.
To the Honorable: Board of Alderman


Gentlemen: — I herewith return to you Ordinance No. 292. concerning
the fire department, amending Or­dinance No. 277 and extending the fire limits, without, my approval, for they following reasons :

1st. The north part of Block 85 being almost exclusively occupied by a lumber yard , any addition of frame buildings that may be erected thereon would not increase the risk in the slightest degree; besides, there is no room in said north part of the said block for any other buildings, the balance of the space not occupied by the lumber yard being occupied by brick buildings; hence the application of the ordinance to said block is without any reason or just cause to support it.

2d. The lines of business that have always been carried on in the north part of Block 84, and that it is likely to be carried on in said block, if any at all, is of such nature as not to justify the expenditure of large amounts of money in the construction of brick or stone buildings; and if this ordinance be passed, the result will be to exclude from that block all the lines of business that can profitably be carried on there, and will amount to a prac­tical confiscation of all the real es­tate situated in said part of the said block, which I am not willing to do.

3d. What is said of Block 84 can be as fully and truthfully said of the south part of Block 52. And we might as well extend the fire limits to all parts of the entire city as to Block 52.

4th. As to the south part of Block 53, the experience of those who have invested their money in brick buildings there is not such as to encourage others to invest any money in brick or stone buildings along there. Business along that block in the past, has not been such as to make it profitable to put much money in buildings. And, besides, all these blocks are so isolated from the main business blocks of the city as to render danger from them very remote.
As a summary of my objections, the extension of the fire limits to these four blocks would prevent those already burnt out, or those likely to be burnt out, from rebuilding, and would convert the ground into a weedy waste, and would amount to nothing as a protection to the business part of town sought to be benefitted by this ordinance.
Let us welcome any good frame buildings, that may be constructed on any of, these blocks,

The First Rich Hill Ministerial Alliance Meeting

On October 16, 1961 the ministers of four churches in Rich Hill met at the Methodist church at 6:30pm for the purpose of forming a Ministerial Alliance, and to make plans for the forthcoming Union Thanksgiving Dervices; the churches represented and their Ministers are: Park Avenue Methodist Church, Rev, Rundel, Assembly of God Church, Rev. R. J. Foreman, Baptist Church, Rev. Knox, and the First Christian Church, Rev. L. Clyde Hall.
The meeting was opened with prayer by Rev. Rundel; it was decided that as an Evangelistic service would be in progress at the Methodist Church that the Union Service would be at the Methodist church, with Rev. Knox bringing the message. The choir will be composed of members of all churches, and under the direction of Mrs. L. Clyde Hall. Rev. Rundel will prepare the programs.
In forming the Ministerial Alliance, Rev. R. J. Foreman was elected President, Rev. Rundel Vice President, Rev. L. Clyde Hall secretary, and Rev. Knox as Treasurer.
The date of the next meeting was set for November 4th at 8:30am to be at the Baptist church.
There being no further business at hand the meeting was closed and Rev. Hall gave the benediction.
Attested to by,
L. Clyde Hall, Secretary.

Football 1945

Tonight's blog comes from the 1945 Rich Hill Annual. Some of the Football players are Harold Heuser,Edwin Edmonds,James Heck,Doyle Darr,Billy Pfeiffer,Edwin Fisher,Grover Moore,Joe Vaughn,Lavern Harp, Johnnie Copeland, Wilbur Sivils,Forrest Wheatley,Maynard Miller,Walter Murdock,Donald Humble,Doyne White, Jack Jamet,Bob White,Paul Reed,Bob Clarkson,Bill Palmer,Warren Beatty,Joe Vaughn,

Old Advertisements of 1928

Tonight's blog comes from a 1928 Mining Review Newspaper. It is interesting to take a look back in time to see how the town and advertising have changed in the past 80-90 years. To me it is amazing that there were so many businesses and opportunity in a now small town

Old Power Plant Blueprints

How the Rich Hill Power Plant looks today

This is the blueprints for the power-plant improvements. The prints were drawn in Dec 1922 by Arthur L Mullergren 555 Gates Bldg. Kansas City Missouri.

Barber Shop

One of the first barbers in early Rich Hill was a man named "Pappy" Henry May. This story is from Ed McQuitty memoirs in 1955.

"Pappy" May stepped off one of the first passenger trains to arrive in Rich Hill. In his late seventies with snowy hair he was as chipper as a youngster of school age.

It was said of him that on his arrival here his only posses­sions were a razor, a strop, a home and a shaving mug. Within a week he had built a ten by ten shop where the Memorial library building is now located and was doing business.With nerves as steady as a youngish matron at a country quilting he was able to give a customer the "once over" before the word "next" had time to echo through the when the old gentleman would douse a badly soiled rag, previously used in cleaning his kerosene lamp, into a pail of rain water with which to wipe off the excess lather.

Uneeda Biscuit

Ad over 100 years old still on building at 617 E. Park Street. Rich Hill Missouri

Ad from the July 30, 1903 Rich Hill Mining Review

In 1898, the New York Biscuit Company and the American Biscuit and Manufacturing Company merged over 100 bakeries into the National Biscuit Company, later called Nabisco. Founders Adolphus Green and William Moore, orchestrated the merger and the company quickly rose to first place in the manufacturing and marketing of cookies and crackers in America. In 1906, the company moved its headquarters from Chicago to New York. About.com

After the consolidation, the president of National Biscuit Company -- Adolphus Green of American Biscuit and Manufacturing Company, asked Frank Peters to create a package to distribute products in huge amounts. This paved its way for In-Er Seal package, whose logo is a prototype for the "Nabisco Thing". This In-Er Seal package is a system of interfolded wax paper and cardboard to "seal in the freshness" of the product. This was first used for Uneeda Biscuits {From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia}

Rich Hill July 4 1952

Rich Hill July 4, 1952

Rich Hill First Band

The Picture comes from the Bates County History Book. The story is from Ed McQuitty's 1955 Historical Memories.

Rich Hill's First Band
Rich Hill's first band and orchestra for Rich Hill was organized in 1881 by Charles and Bert Covall, who had embarked in the grocery business on East Park avenue. The establishment, the third of its kind started in the town was known as the Blue Front Grocery. That musical in­strument was never manufactured that the Covall broth­ers were unable to "make talk" Charley wrote and pre­pared much of the music for both band and orchestra and was the director. A baton in his hand would have been just another hickory stick. He used, instead, his own cornet and joined in the themes at all times when extra emphasis was required. Bert's neck was encircled by a bass or tuba instrument which, on a guess, would break a mule's back to carry. A massive man of 190 pounds, the notes from his horn would come forth in such volume as to blow a man's hat off at twenty paces. The Rich Hill band had an envious reputation throughout the southwest. There were few musical events within a radius of two hundred miles that it was not the main attraction. Its services were constantly in demand and in contests where prizes were offered, Mr. Covall and his organization, without exception, always came home with the bacon. For years the Rich Hill band had the honor of being placed at the head of the old Priest of Pallas parade at Kansas City. Mr. Warnall, who was one of the prominent promoters of the great pageant, once said, when it appeared doubtful it the band could attend: "No Rich Hill band. No parade."
Being a mere strippling in 1881, the writer is unable to recall the names of all of the members of the organization, but does remember that other than the Covall brothers, William Swallow, Andy Speers, James Chastain, Ed Bertrow, Andy Hackett, Tom Hackett and Billy Jones were on the roster.
Frank Koontz was ever present wherever the band was engaged tho it is my recollection he was not a member just a friend and enthusiastic follower. Having Mr. Koontz in mind at the moment it is ap­propriate to recount one of his experiences that could well have resulted in dire consequences, not only to himself, but the entire band, as well, although Frank had nothing but fun in mind. Mr. Koontz was a ventriloquist of no mean ability, so one day while he and the Covall band were on the depot platform at Ft. Scott awaiting transpor­tation home, a passenger train arrived. In the express car were the remains of a deceased Negro. Six stalwart Negro men, (pallbearers) one a minister, were at the station to take charge of the body. As the casket was being lowered from the car to the baggage truck, Frank slowly and sol­emnly "threw his voice" into the coffin with the words: "Let me down, gently boys." Whereupon the casket was let down, but not gently. It crashed to the platform. With-out further ado the pastor shouted as he started running, hat in hand: "I dunno what's on you alls mind but for my­self Is gwine from heah." Frank immediately had busi­ness elsewhere while the train crew gathered up the wreckage.

Rich Hill 1992 final Four Girls Basketball Team

Tonights blog is from the 1992 Missouri Final Four Basketball Championship Souvenir Program (Classes 1A- 2A)and the 1992 Rich Hill Year Book.

1991-92 Girls Basketball Team pictured from left to right; Back row: Assistant Coach Jerry Cornelius, Assistant Manager Carmen Wilson, Kim Diehl, Kim Tourtillott, Carrie Lyons, Manager Angie Wright, and Head Coach Sonny Smith; Middle row: Courtney Klinksick, Brendy Boyles, Tiffany Beshore, Whitney Steuck, Brandi Humble, and Chanda Wilson; Front row: Mendy Dale, Brandi Williams, Dana Black, Charity Covell, Kendra Fischer, and Melissa Brockman.

The Lady Tigers fought hard all season. They made quite a following of parents and fans. At the beginning the team was on a roll; they won twenty-three straight games defeating their opponents. The teams luck ran out against Drexel Bob­cats when they were defeated 53-57. One team member said "losing to Drexel released all the pressure and tension of winning all the time." The Rich Hill Lady Tigers got on a roll once more, taking District, Regional, and Sectional Tourna­ment for first place. Quarter Finals was the next step for this team; it was held March 7 at Warrensburg against Santa Fe. After a nail-biting four quarters the Tigers pulled out a win 64-62. After winning against Santa Fe, they were headed to the Final Four at MU in Columbia. The whole town came together to see their team off to victory. The Tigers however, knew they would have to play their best game of the year to win against their opponent, Scott County Central. It wasn't too long into the game that the Lady Tigers knew they had met their match. During the second half of the game Scott County Central gained a 30 point spread to win the game 88-58. Now their sights were set on winning third place. Saturday morning the Tigers played Wellington Napoleon. It was a close game, but the Tigers just couldn't turn on for a victory. The final game left the Tigers in fourth place. (That was bad. NOT!) The students, faculty, and community extend a warm and sincere thank you for a great season.

Rich Hill Band

Tonights blog is from the book "THE TOWN THAT COAL BUILT "

A Rich Hill Band about 1910. Standing is Guy Wheatley,Whit Isley, John Thomas,William Cheverton and Ernest Mosier.Seated are George White, Tommy Akrigg, Harry Smalley,Arch Jones,and Homer Driskill.

Grave of first Rich Hill Mining accident victim

This blog comes from the Wagon Wheels -November 26,1987 by Mary Griffin
Unusual stone marks grave of first Rich Hill minimg accident victim

Rich Hill was a busy mining town in the 1890's and Mine No. 15 just south of town was producing between 1000 and 3000 tons of coal daily. The Rich Hill Coal Mining Company employed many men to work the six-foot deep veins of coal in this huge operation. This mine extended over such a vast of area that it even undermined other coal fields. Working conditions were good in this union-operated mine, but like all coal mines there were accidents. The first fatality did not occur until September 14, 1896. On that day a thirty-year-old man named Ed Bahling was killed.
This young man was a member of the newly organized fraternal organization of Modern Woodmen of the World, Pine Camp No. 34.
Mr. Bahling was buried in Green Lawn Cemetery, and soon a monument was erected at his grave, symbolic of a tree, the emblem of the Modern Woodmen of the World.The organization spent months in preparation for the unveiling of the monu­ment in a public ceremony. The unveiling was to take place at the gravesite on Sunday, June 20,1897. A program was planned for the entire afternoon under the supervi­sion of J. K. Martin, Consul Commander of the Woodmen Lodge, Harry Brown, Clerk and T. W. Hicks, Chief Vice Counsul.
Six special trains in addition to the regular scheduled trains brought lodges from all over eastern Kansas and western Missouri. Each lodge brought a uniformed drill team to participate in the festivities.
Bands accompanied by large crowds came from Butler, Adrian, Harrisonville, Clinton, Deepwater, Schell City, El Dorado Springs, Stockton, Nevada, Lamar, Ft. Scott, Arma, Pittsburg, Mound City, Pleasanton, Carbon Center and Panama to march in the parade to the cemetery. This was indeed a colorful sight as these bands marched to the sound of music accom­panied by large throngs of people forming a mile-long parade.
There were speeches and appropriate addresses by distinguished out-of-town speakers at the gravesite.
Never before had Rich Hill witnessed such a celebration. It would have been a gala event except for the sadness con­nected with it.

Comprehensive Plan 1969

The blog tonight comes from a Comprehensive Community Plan from 1969. This is a very interesting book that I found tucked away upon the shelves of the Rich Hill Memorial Library. There are many interesting ways of improving our community as well as information about the forcasted future of Rich Hill.

City of Rich Hill

November 17, 1969
This planning report has been prepared over the past year at a cost of $10,500 of which two-thirds was a Federal matching grant through the State of Missouri, Department of Urban Affairs.
You will note from this report which touches on all aspects of the growth pattern and development of the City of Rich Hill, that there are many serious problems be-setting this community. Most of these prob­lems are linked either directly or indirectly with our past history of de­clining population. However, from this community inventory and analy­sis, and proposed planning recommendations itappears quite logical and probable that the City of Rich Hill can stabilize this declining population and perhaps reverse the trend if the citizens will rally behind and support such recommendations.
The City needs improvements to its water system, sewer system, street system, schools, parks and playgrounds, off-street parking, etc. These are expensive items to provide. Unless they are provided, the City of Rich Hill will not be in a competitive position with other communities throughout the brateand the nation to attract new business and industry, which in turn brings jobs and people.
It will be noted that the recommendations are quite clear that the City does not have the tax base or the taxing potential to provide for all of the necessary public improvements. Therefore, itwill be necessary to qualify for various Federal assistance programs which can provide up to three-fourths Federal grants for most of the public improvements indi­cated.
This planning report has not been formally approved by the Planning Commission, nor yet recommended to the City Council. This report will be submitted firstly to the citizens for their review before the Commission schedules a public hearing on it in accordance with the State Statute?. The next step will be for the Commission to forward the report to the City Council with whatever modifications are deemed pertinent. Thereafter, the City Council will schedule another public hearing before adopting it, with or without further changes or modifications.
In view of the foregoing, we urge the citizens of Rich Hill to review this report and to present their views, preferably in writing, to the Com­mission either at or prior to the pubic hearing.