Pvt. George Phillips

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

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

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)

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

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

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

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