Rich Hill students visit State Capitol this week

Rich Hill School Government classes went to the Missouri State Capitol on Monday. From the Dome to the first floor, we explored our working state government building and had a great learning experience. Lunch was provided by Representative Diehl's office and the students enjoyed the day. The students represented Rich Hill with decorum and respect and hopefully brought home some wonderful memories!

Courtesy Rich Hill Tiger Talk

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September like weather ahead

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Obituary - Mary Spall

Mary Elizabeth Spall (Ward), born February 13, 1949, passed away peacefully in her home on September 13, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was a devoted mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and cherished member of her family.

Mary was born to Dorothy and James Ward and grew up in Howell, Michigan, alongside her siblings, Judy, Harold, Raymond, Keith, and Alan. She graduated from Howell High School and carried many cherished memories of growing up with her family and siblings.

After graduating, Mary moved to Sheldon, where she began the next chapter of her life. There, she married her husband, Rex Spall, and together they raised their two daughters, Tracey Hanson and Candi Belew.

Mary dedicated nearly 25 years of her life to Walmart before retiring. She was known for her hardworking nature and devotion to her family.

Mary found joy in growing flowers and gardening. She especially treasured spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, creating memories that will be cherished by her family for generations to come.

Mary is survived by her daughters, Tracey Hanson, married to Larry Hanson, and Candi Belew (Jimmie, who preceded her in death), along with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Tracey and Larry's family includes Shane Hanson and Kim, and their children Logan, Landon, and Kristen; Kylei Hanson and her husband, Landon Wilson, and their children Kaelynn and Lane Wilson; and Colten Hanson and Nicole, and their children Bentlyee, Taylen, and Clay Hanson.

Candi's family includes Briana Kalleck and Casey, and their children Alyson and Emma Kalleck; Taylor Belew and Tierra, and their son Dayton Belew; and Tyler Belew and Jaycee, and their sons Holden and Jimmie Belew.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, Dorothy and James Ward; her beloved husband, Rex Spall; her brother, Harold Ward; and her sisters-in-law, Sue Ward and Kay Ward.

She will be deeply missed by her daughters, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, along with all of her family and friends who were blessed to know and love her.

Mary’s memory will live on through the family she loved so dearly, the gardens she lovingly tended, and the many lives she touched throughout her years.

Graveside services will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 21, 2026 at Sheldon Cemetery in Sheldon, MO with Elvin Winans officiating.

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McGennis Youth Center Barbecue and Auction Set for Sunday, September 27

This year’s annual McGennis Youth Center Barbecue and Auction are set for Sunday, September 27.

2026 marks the 60th anniversary of the McGennis Youth Center. To mark this milestone, several things have been added to the barbecue along with all the traditional events.

This year there will be special demonstrations of blacksmithing and quilting, plus an historical reenactment of Betsy Ross. Youth Center board members will also be available to provide history of the Center and its founder, Mary McGennis.

As he has for a number of years, Harry Byram will be on hand to give horse and wagon rides starting at 12:30. Harry will also be available to answer questions and talk about his team and wagon.

In conjunction with the barbecue this year will be the Tenth Annual Car and Truck Show. Car show registration is from 12 to 1 p.m. For more information on the car show contact Jared Rankin at 417-448-4903 or rankinfarms@hotmail.com.

Children’s games will start at 12:30 p.m.

Serving for the barbecue is at 1 p.m., with barbecued beef, pork and chicken, along with beans, cheesy potatoes, coleslaw and bread. A wide variety of cakes will be available for dessert. Everyone is invited to bring a cake for the dessert table, if they’d like to. The meal is catered by Food Fair of Rich Hill.

The auction will start about 1:45. Larry Hacker will be our auctioneer this year.

A popular part of the auction will again be featured this year. The Mad Hatter features ten McGennis Youth Center caps donated by Pony Keg. These caps, each numbered, will be auctioned off. At the end of the auction one of these numbers will be drawn. That winning number will win this year’s gun donated by Bell Farms.

In the same vein, Bob Schlyer has donated a beautiful diamond ring. Numbered envelopes will be auctioned off and a lucky winner drawn at the end of the auction.

For more information about the auction or to donate an item call Marc or Alison Bell at 660-832-4196. The generosity of those who donate and those who bid has made the auction a major revenue source for the Youth Center.

Admission to the barbecue is $13 for adults and $7 for children (ages 6-12). Tickets are for the meal and are not required for the auction.

From Rich Hill, the McGennis Youth Center is located five miles west on A Highway and four miles south on WW Highway.



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Little Apple news

Ellett Memorial Hospital will host its annual Community Block Party Saturday, September 26 starting at 9:00 a.m. at Ellett Memorial Hospital in AC. The Block Party will have little something for everyone.  Reduced-price lab draws will be available from 8:00-11:00 a.m.  Booths will be set up with health information on available services and resources.  Come shop the vendors! It’s never too early to start your Christmas Shopping and they have small business vendors on-site selling a wide range of products.  There will also be several activities for the kids to enjoy: bounce house, petting zoo, face painting, kid’s games, fire truck and ambulance. EMH will also be providing free snow cones, popcorn, and cotton candy. The St. Clair Co Sheriff’s Department will have K-9 demos. Bring the whole family for a fun day at the EMH Community Block Party! Check the EMH Community Block Party Facebook Page at https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=emh%20community%20block%20party for more information.

Stop by the EMH Community Block Party on September 26 and help our local students meet their fundraising goals! At the Block Party, the ACHS After-Prom Committee is doing a taco salad fundraiser. In addition to taco salads, they'll also have nachos & hot dogs available for purchase. Stop by their booth, get a filling and affordable lunch, and help support their fundraising for the after-prom celebration.

The A.C. Fall City Wide Garage Sale dates are set for September 25 & 26. Permits are $5 and can be purchased at City Hall through Tuesday, September 22. Permits to set up in the City Park are $25 for the pole shelter, $15 for the stage, $10 for lawn permits and these fees cover both days. Park permits can also be purchased at City Hall on a first come, first served basis and cannot be reserved by phone. Maps will be available at Food Fair, Casey's, Fika and Powell’s True Value on Thursday afternoon. House of Joy Ministries will no longer be at the City Park to collect donations. However, Growing in Grace Community Center will have a trailer at the back of their building for your donations. For questions, please contact Dianne Foster at 660-679-1125.

West Central Missouri Community Action Agency is seeking volunteers to help support the St. Clair County Food Pantry in Appleton City. Volunteers are needed to assist with a variety of activities that help the pantry serve local individuals and families. Volunteer opportunities include packing and preparing pantry bags for upcoming distributions, assisting on food distribution days, unloading and stocking food deliveries, organizing donated food and pantry shelves, helping with inventory management, and assisting with other pantry projects as needed. Food distribution days are typically held on the second and fourth Wednesdays of each month. Volunteers must be at least 18 years old and able to safely stand, walk, bend, and lift or carry up to 50 pounds. Whether someone is available to volunteer once a month or simply whenever their schedule allows, their time can make a meaningful difference for local individuals and families facing food insecurity. Those interested in volunteering or learning more may contact Dana at the West Central St. Clair County Food Pantry, 112 West 4th Street, Appleton City, MO 64724. Call 660-476-2185 or text 660-466-2134. The St. Clair County Food Pantry is a proud partner of Ozarks Food Harvest. This project/program is funded 26% at $13,100 with federal funds received from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provided by the Missouri Department of Social Services and 63% at $31,300 from the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food and Nutrition Service, and 11% at $5,600 by other non-federal sources.

In this, the 250th year of the independence that our first military fought and won for US, DbarJ Quilts etc, along with Marge Zink, will have 1 more drawing for quilts this year.  There is no cost to sign up.  You need to be a veteran and have a name and phone number.  You or a friend/family member can call Marge at 660-207-8063 or Joyce at 660-679-1809 or drop by DbarJ Quilts etc in Rockville, MO to give them your name.  

The drawings will be Veterans Day, November 11.

Ellett Memorial Hospital Appleton City offers outpatient specialist services for September and October. Call 660-476-2111 for appointments. Sept 16 - Upper GI, Colonoscopy-Dr. Namin,  Thursday, Sept 17 - Podiatry: Dr. Pace, Wednesday,   Sept 18- Dermatology- Dylan Timmerman, PA,  Tuesday, Sept 22 - Rheumatology- Dr. John,  Wednesday, Sept 23 - Orthopedic-Dr. Gray,   Wednesday, Sept 23 - Ophthalmology, Dr. Soni, Thursday, Sept 24 - Neurology- Dr. Shoaib,  Friday,  Sept 25 - Orthopedics- Laura Noble, FNP,  Monday, Sept 28 - Rheumatology- Dr. John, Thursday,  October 1 - OB/Gyn- Dr. Kallberg,   Friday, October 2 - Dermatology- Dylan Timmerman, PA,  Wednesday, October 7 - Upper GI, Colonoscopy-Dr. Namin,  Friday, October 9 - Orthopedic-Dr. Gray,  Tuesday,  October 13 - Rheumatology- Dr. John,  Thursday, October 15 - Podiatry: Dr. Pace, Friday, October 16 - Dermatology- Dylan Timmerman, PA,  Wednesday, October 21 - Upper GI, Colonoscopy-Dr. Namin,  Friday,       October 23 - Orthopedics- Laura Noble, FNP,  Tuesday, October 27 - Rheumatology- Dr. John,  Wednesday, October 28 - Orthopedic-Dr. Gray,  Wednesday,  October 28 - Ophthalmology, Dr. Soni,  Thursday, October 29 - Neurology- Dr.- Shoaib.

“The Little Apple” was started by the A. C. Economic Development as way of informing residents of news and events sponsored by area businesses and organizations.  Items of a clearly personal nature, such as birthdays, anniversaries, awards (not group sponsored), personal sales and the like are not accepted for publication. Items may be edited for accuracy, grammar or space restrictions. Please email articles for “The Little Apple” to dcp81@embarqmail.com by Tuesday evenings or bring them to Dr. Payton’s office to be included in that week’s edition. To receive "The Little Apple" free by e-mail, or to be removed from the email list, send your e-mail address to dcp81@embarqmail.com If you have changed your email address, please send the current address, so the list can be updated.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

Sept 25-26    A.C. Fall City Wide Garage Sale

Sept 26         Ellett Memorial Hospital annual Community Block Party starting at 9:00 a.m. 

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Mayce McKim named Young Professional of the Month

Congratulations to Mayce McKim, CCC’s Rotary Club Young Professional of the Month for August! Mayce is a leader in our Adult Cass Career Center PN Program, and she exemplifies the Triple C Program through her kindness, preparation, dedication, strong work ethic, patience, and positive attitude, making her a dependable and respectful role model for her peers. We are so proud of you, Mayce! Sponsored by the Harrisonville Rotary Club.

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Details regarding Butler Homecoming parade

Butler Homecoming Parade 2026

Party in the USA

Alumni Floats

We are excited to invite all alumni to take part in this year’s Homecoming Parade on Friday, October 2nd.

Parade Details:

Line-Up: Begins at 1:30 PM at the Fairgrounds. Please enter through the middle entrance (the west entrance will be closed).

Staging Area: Alumni will line up at the west entrance of the fairgrounds.

Groups: If your class or group is riding together, please gather at the Fair Building first. Once everyone is on your float, you may proceed to the lineup area.

Parade Order: Alumni will follow the school floats at Fulton Street.

Start Time: The parade begins at 2:00 PM.

We would love to see as many alumni as possible represented in this year’s parade—bring your class pride and help us celebrate!

Questions:

Jalyn Watson – jalyn.watson@butler.k12.mo.us or 660-679-6121 ext. 253

Let’s make this Homecoming Parade one to remember!

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Bates County History: The Hanging of Noah "Buck" McGinnis

A Bates County story of murder, justice—and a question that has never completely gone away

There are places where history can be read in old books.

And then there are places where history seems to linger.

The old Bates County sheriff’s house and jail is one of those places.

More than a century ago, the building stood at the center of law and order in Bates County. Sheriff E.C. Mudd lived and worked there, and behind its walls men accused of terrible crimes were held in custody.

But in the winter of 1900, the building became associated with one of the darkest responsibilities a county sheriff could carry.

The responsibility of carrying out a lawful execution.

His name was Noah “Buck” McGinnis.

And the man charged with seeing that justice was carried out was Sheriff E.C. Mudd.

⸻

THE MURDER

The story began more than a year before the hanging.

On the evening of April 16, 1899, Frederick W. Borcherding, a German farmer living in southern Bates County, went outside his home to tend to his livestock.

Inside were his wife, Margaret, and a hired man who was upstairs asleep.

According to the evidence later presented in court, Borcherding encountered another man outside.

What happened next was terrifying.

Borcherding suddenly ran back toward his house.

His wife heard the commotion.

Then came the gunshot.

A pistol was fired through the window, striking Borcherding in the back.

He collapsed onto the kitchen floor.

The darkness inside the house made the scene even more frightening. The lamp had gone out when the shot was fired.

The gunman entered the house and demanded money from Margaret Borcherding.

He showed her a pistol and ordered her to remain quiet.

When he failed to obtain the money he wanted, he took Margaret outside and continued demanding money from her.

Then he disappeared into the night.

Frederick Borcherding did not survive.

The bullet had inflicted a mortal wound. He lingered for three days before dying on April 19, 1899. The indictment described the wound as penetrating approximately nine inches into his body. (OpenJurist⁠)

The crime was not simply murder.

The evidence established that the shooting occurred during an attempted robbery, and that became an important part of the prosecution’s case.

⸻

THE SUSPECT

Investigators soon focused on Noah McGinnis.

Witnesses had reportedly seen McGinnis traveling in the area that afternoon with other men.

When he was eventually arrested, he was carrying a .38-caliber Colt revolver, approximately $65 in cash, and a ticket to Nevada, Missouri.

Margaret Borcherding identified him as the man who had been inside her home.

There was also physical evidence connecting the bullet removed from Borcherding’s body with ammunition designed for the type of revolver McGinnis carried.

The prosecution presented additional testimony concerning McGinnis’s movements before and after the killing and statements he allegedly made while in custody.

McGinnis denied committing the murder and presented an alibi.

But the jury was not persuaded.

He was convicted of first-degree murder.

The Missouri Supreme Court later reviewed his case and upheld the conviction.

His sentence was death.

⸻

SHERIFF E.C. MUDD

That sentence eventually placed an extraordinary burden on Bates County Sheriff E.C. Mudd.

In 1900, executions in Missouri were not necessarily carried out at a single state penitentiary.

They could take place at the county level.

And the records preserved by the Missouri State Archives contain something remarkably personal from this particular execution:

An actual invitation to the hanging of Noah McGinnis, issued by E.C. Mudd, Sheriff of Bates County.

The invitation was for an execution scheduled for December 20, 1900. The State Archives specifically preserve it as part of Missouri’s official Execution Document Collection. (Missouri Secretary of State⁠)

Imagine what that means.

This was not merely something written about years later.

Sheriff Mudd himself sent invitations.

He was the sheriff.

He was the jailer.

He was the man responsible for the prisoner.

And on the appointed day, the scheduled hangman failed to arrive and Sheriff Mudd was responsible for carrying out the sentence of the court.

⸻

THE DAY OF THE HANGING

Imagine Bates County in December of 1900.

There were no flashing emergency lights.

No police cruisers.

No radio communications.

No modern jail system.

There were horses, wagons, lanterns and men carrying out responsibilities that today seem almost impossible to imagine.

And somewhere inside the sheriff’s jail was a condemned man waiting for his final morning.

Outside, word of the execution would have traveled quickly through the community.

People would have known.

Some would have come because they believed justice demanded it.

Some may have come because they were curious.

Some may have come simply because executions were public spectacles in an era when death was far more visible than it is today.

And Sheriff Mudd had to stand in the middle of it all.

For him, this was not merely history.

It was his job.

The same sheriff who had arrested men, kept order, investigated crimes and protected the people of Bates County now had to oversee the death of a prisoner who had been placed in his custody.

At the appointed hour, the machinery of justice was put into motion.

Noah McGinnis was taken to the gallows.

The sheriff and those assisting him carried out the sentence.

And when it was over, the life of Noah “Buck” McGinnis was finished.

The records identify him as approximately 27-29 years old, depending on the source, when he was executed.

The Missouri State Archives date the execution December 20, 1900, although other historical sources have reported December 31, 1900. It’s reported that the execution was the last official duty performed by Sheriff Mudd.

Whatever the exact date, one fact is certain:

Sheriff E.C. Mudd was the Bates County sheriff responsible for the execution.

⸻

WHAT DID IT DO TO SHERIFF MUDD?

We know what happened to McGinnis.

We know what happened to Frederick Borcherding.

But what happened to the man standing between them?

What did an execution do to the sheriff who had to carry it out?

That part of the story is much harder to find.

History is often very good at recording dates.

It is much less interested in recording emotions.

We do not have a surviving diary from Sheriff Mudd telling us what he thought when the trap was released.

We do not know whether he slept well that night.

We do not know whether he believed McGinnis deserved his fate.

We do not know whether he prayed before carrying out the sentence.

And we do not know whether, years later, he ever walked through the old jail and remembered the man who had once occupied a cell there. One newspaper reported that on a return trip home Sheriff Mudd reported encountering the spirit of McGinnis on a trail.

But we do know something important.

Sheriff Mudd lived with the responsibility.

The execution was not something that happened somewhere far away.

It was connected directly to the office he held and the jail he operated.

The same building that housed prisoners, protected the community and represented the authority of the sheriff also became part of the final chapter of Noah McGinnis’s life.

⸻

AND THEN THERE IS THE QUESTION…

Today, more than 125 years later, the building remains.

The boards have aged.

The walls have witnessed generations come and go.

Children who were not yet born when McGinnis was executed eventually grew old.

Sheriffs came and went.

Deputies came and went.

Prisoners came and went.

But the building remained.

And that leaves us with a question.

Not a question that history can answer.

A question for you.

If a place witnesses enough human suffering, fear, desperation and death, can something of those moments remain behind?

Maybe the answer is simply no.

Maybe every strange sound has an explanation.

Maybe every cold spot is merely an old building settling.

Maybe every unexplained shadow is nothing more than a trick of the light.

Maybe ghosts are simply stories we tell ourselves because we want the past to remain alive.

Or maybe…

just maybe…

some stories refuse to leave.

Imagine walking through the old sheriff’s jail after dark.

The building is quiet.

The town outside has changed completely.

Cars pass where horses once traveled.

Electric lights replace the lanterns.

The sheriff’s office is no longer what it was in 1900.

But the walls are still there.

And somewhere in that silence is the memory of a young man named Noah McGinnis…

A man convicted of shooting Frederick Borcherding during an attempted robbery.

A man who spent his final days behind the authority of Sheriff E.C. Mudd.

A man whose final journey ended at a Bates County gallows located directly behind the Jail and Sheriff’s residence.

And a sheriff who had to watch justice take its final step.

So the next time you stand inside this historic building, look around.

Listen carefully.

And ask yourself:

Is it only history that you feel here?

Or could there still be something—or someone—wandering these rooms?

Perhaps Noah “Buck” McGinnis left this property more than a century ago.

Or perhaps he never truly left at all.

The evidence is yours to decide.

The story is ours to remember.

And the old jail…

is still standing.

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