Sunday, August 27, 2017
Tuesday, July 25, 2017
Ida Kenney Memories of 1955 Celebration {From the 1975 4th History in Review}
Ida Kenney Memories of 1955 Celebration
Rich Hill Mining Review "History of the Fourth {June 28,1975}
The 4th of July have always been held on the fourth of July or on a Monday,if the Fourth fell on a Sunday with one exception.
In 1955 it was decided by business people and residents of Rich Hill to have a belated celebration commemorating the birthday of the nation and combine it with the seventy fifth birthday of the city. A three day celebration July 29,30,and 31,was planned and what a celebration it was.
The first day,Friday,July 29 was Agricultural day awards were presented at the High School and in the afternoon a parade of people dressed in 1880 costumes and old machinery was held downtown.
In the amateur contest Jeffrey O'neil vocalist won first Second place winner was Willow Branch club and third Foster Busy Bee Club.
Miss Sharon Colwell,daughter of Mr. Tom Colwell won the Queen contest Sponsored by the American Legion and its Auxiliary.
Saturday, July 30 was the big day.In the afternoon a parade of seventy-five entries was held in the afternoon. The first christian church won first Community Garden club second and the V.F.W. Auxiliary third.
The last day Sunday, July 31 was another big day.Union church services were held in the west Park in the Morning.A basket dinner was held in the East Park and in the afternoon.the new shelter house in the East Park sponsored by the Women's Civic club was dedicated followed by the presentation of play ground equipment for the park.It was presented by a representative of the American Legion Auxiliary, sponsors of the project to the City of Rich Hill.
News commentator of radio and TV Mr. Randall Jesse made the major address of the afternoon.
It is estimated that 30,000 people attend the 3-day event.They came from surrounding towns all over Missouri and Kansas, also Oklahoma,Arizona,Tennessee,Florida,Iowa, Illinois Nebraska and Washington, D.C.
Rich Hill Mining Review "History of the Fourth {June 28,1975}
The 4th of July have always been held on the fourth of July or on a Monday,if the Fourth fell on a Sunday with one exception.
In 1955 it was decided by business people and residents of Rich Hill to have a belated celebration commemorating the birthday of the nation and combine it with the seventy fifth birthday of the city. A three day celebration July 29,30,and 31,was planned and what a celebration it was.
The first day,Friday,July 29 was Agricultural day awards were presented at the High School and in the afternoon a parade of people dressed in 1880 costumes and old machinery was held downtown.
In the amateur contest Jeffrey O'neil vocalist won first Second place winner was Willow Branch club and third Foster Busy Bee Club.
Miss Sharon Colwell,daughter of Mr. Tom Colwell won the Queen contest Sponsored by the American Legion and its Auxiliary.
Saturday, July 30 was the big day.In the afternoon a parade of seventy-five entries was held in the afternoon. The first christian church won first Community Garden club second and the V.F.W. Auxiliary third.
The last day Sunday, July 31 was another big day.Union church services were held in the west Park in the Morning.A basket dinner was held in the East Park and in the afternoon.the new shelter house in the East Park sponsored by the Women's Civic club was dedicated followed by the presentation of play ground equipment for the park.It was presented by a representative of the American Legion Auxiliary, sponsors of the project to the City of Rich Hill.
News commentator of radio and TV Mr. Randall Jesse made the major address of the afternoon.
It is estimated that 30,000 people attend the 3-day event.They came from surrounding towns all over Missouri and Kansas, also Oklahoma,Arizona,Tennessee,Florida,Iowa, Illinois Nebraska and Washington, D.C.
Monday, July 10, 2017
July 4.1898 in Rich Hill Mo..
This Story is from Ed McQuitty's Memoirs
The Battle of Manila was reproduced in Pomp and splendor on the night of July 4, 1898.Commodore Dewey with a complete replica of his fleet of battleships.,cruisers and vessels was reproduced in sparkling realism. All sort of fireworks were to used to bring out the desired effect in sea warfare.This demonstration required many hours of labor and the expenditure of a large sum of money. But it was worth all its cost. The Battle was so prefect the writers for Kansas City and St.Louis papers commended it very highly.
The Battle of Manila was reproduced in Pomp and splendor on the night of July 4, 1898.Commodore Dewey with a complete replica of his fleet of battleships.,cruisers and vessels was reproduced in sparkling realism. All sort of fireworks were to used to bring out the desired effect in sea warfare.This demonstration required many hours of labor and the expenditure of a large sum of money. But it was worth all its cost. The Battle was so prefect the writers for Kansas City and St.Louis papers commended it very highly.
Friday, June 16, 2017
another Dixie Glynn facebook post
When I read Bart McClaughry's article in the Rich Hill Mining Review a couple of weeks ago about the baby buggy contest which was held in conjunction with the 1951 Rich Hill Fourth of July Parade, it reminded me of this picture. My mother and Mary Catherine Klumpp Greenlee worked so hard on my buggy and my outfit! Sweet Memories!!! Note Alice Casey's house and Kenneth and Theresa Taylor's house in the background! Mom wrote "4th July '51 Pink & aqua" on the back of the picture.
Thanks Dixie

Monday, May 29, 2017
The Rich Hill Tribune -May 3 1906(Our School Teachers)
The Rich Hill Tribune -May 3 1906 Page 5 (Our School Teachers)
The School board at their last regular meeting elected the following teachers for the ensuing year:.Prof Geo S. Smith, Principal high school.And Misses Emma Mattingly and Susie Haswell, teacher.
Prof. C.M. Leedy Principal graded school Bryant building and Misses Mary Mattingly, Blanche Rhodes, Agnes Twaddle Jo Steele and Belle Watson, teachers.
Prof. C. T. VanBenthusen, principal Franklin school, and Misses Lulu Springer, Myrs Fry and Essie Geiger, teachers.
Prof. S. O. King, principal holmes school with Misses Julia Connelly, Alma Ashby and Addlie Pettus, teachers.Very few changes were made in the list of teachers from last year.
Geo. McReynolds was elected janitor for the west side building Peter Haley for the east side building, and Geo. W. Lawson for the south side school.
Prof. Frank Robinson was reelected superintendent of the city schools sometime ago.
The School board at their last regular meeting elected the following teachers for the ensuing year:.Prof Geo S. Smith, Principal high school.And Misses Emma Mattingly and Susie Haswell, teacher.
Prof. C.M. Leedy Principal graded school Bryant building and Misses Mary Mattingly, Blanche Rhodes, Agnes Twaddle Jo Steele and Belle Watson, teachers.
Prof. C. T. VanBenthusen, principal Franklin school, and Misses Lulu Springer, Myrs Fry and Essie Geiger, teachers.
Prof. S. O. King, principal holmes school with Misses Julia Connelly, Alma Ashby and Addlie Pettus, teachers.Very few changes were made in the list of teachers from last year.
Geo. McReynolds was elected janitor for the west side building Peter Haley for the east side building, and Geo. W. Lawson for the south side school.
Prof. Frank Robinson was reelected superintendent of the city schools sometime ago.
Wednesday, May 24, 2017
Help I.D. Picture
In trying to identify a family picture that was taken in Rich Hill, MO I seen the Rich Hill History blog. I have a picture that says it was taken at Van Voorhis in Rich Hill, MO. This is some of my family but I do not know who they are. Do you put pictures on the blog for people to identify? I would like to put this picture on if possible. I do not know when it was taken - probably late 1800's. It could be from a Dudley family or Walker family. Any help you could give me would be appreciated.
Thank you.
M. Reed
Wednesday, May 3, 2017
Retirement Celebration – Kay Thompson
Copied from RHTiger Talk
Mrs. Kay Thompson has been teaching at Rich Hill for 43 years. She graduated from Hume High School and Pittsburg State University. She began her teaching career in Overland Park, Kansas where she stayed for five years. Mrs. Thompson and her family moved to a farm south of Hume in July of 1974. Mr. Les White and Mr. Jesse Teel hired Mrs. Thompson to teach third grade in the Rich Hill School District at that time. Mrs. Thompson was allowed to bring her four children to school in the district. Her classroom was in the room where the elementary computer lab is today. Mrs. Dorothy Droz was the other third grade teacher. Many of the students who were in that 3rd grade class are still living in the community and Mrs. Thompson has had the opportunity to teach their children as well.
After 43 years in the teaching field long time Rich Hill teacher Mrs. Kay Thompson has decided to retire from teaching. The public is invited to come and help her celebrate her years of service on May 11, 2017 from 6-8 pm in the Rich Hill Elementary Cafeteria.
Mrs. Kay Thompson has been teaching at Rich Hill for 43 years. She graduated from Hume High School and Pittsburg State University. She began her teaching career in Overland Park, Kansas where she stayed for five years. Mrs. Thompson and her family moved to a farm south of Hume in July of 1974. Mr. Les White and Mr. Jesse Teel hired Mrs. Thompson to teach third grade in the Rich Hill School District at that time. Mrs. Thompson was allowed to bring her four children to school in the district. Her classroom was in the room where the elementary computer lab is today. Mrs. Dorothy Droz was the other third grade teacher. Many of the students who were in that 3rd grade class are still living in the community and Mrs. Thompson has had the opportunity to teach their children as well.
Mrs. Thompson says that she has many wonderful memories of exciting events that occurred while she has been part of the school. The girls had many special basketball teams who went to State, the boys winning the State football game in St. Louis, the track teams winning many events at State, and our Science Olympiad teams winning at Regionals to go on to the State contest where many students placed first in their events at the State tournaments. She hopes that she has instilled in her students the desire to be life-long learners. She finds it very rewarding to hear from students as they continue on their journey through life.
Mrs. Thompson went on to say that one of her best memories from childhood is coming to Rich Hill to roller skate at the rink with her family. Her dad would drive around their neighborhood with the grain truck and pick up families and then drive to Rich Hill. He had a tarp over the bed. She says she had so much fun skating and can remember winning some of the skating events. She says when she tells this story to her students today, they wish Rich Hill still had a skating rink.
Thank you Mrs. Thompson for your years devoted to the education of Rich Hill students. Enjoy your retirement. It is well deserved.
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