Fire crews are on the scene of a garage fire within the city of Hume, there is danger to nearby structures. Additional equipment has been called to the scene, use caution if in the area. More information will be posted as it becomes available.
Sunday, January 31, 2021
Structure fire in Hume
Fire crews are on the scene of a garage fire within the city of Hume, there is danger to nearby structures. Additional equipment has been called to the scene, use caution if in the area. More information will be posted as it becomes available.
60 Years of Memories: If the shoe fits...
ON THE SQUAREMemories of 60 Years In Butler
by James Ring
Staying Shod In Butler
One had choices in obtaining footwear in Butler, as I recall from the latter portion of the 20th Century. It didn’t take a lot to satisfy us working-class folks, just a durable pair of clod-hoppers for work and perhaps a set of oxfords for Sunday. The ladies wore sensible heels and kids had black-and-white sneakers.
One could obtain suitable shoes at one of the stores on the Square, or take a chance on ordering something from the mail-order houses in Kansas City or Chicago. I always preferred to try them on for fit and comfort, given the chance. Levy Mercantile Co. had an extensive selection, including rubber galoshes, and Martin Levy truly enjoyed selling shoes. Across the Square, Davison’s Shoes on the west side concentrated on footwear, along with some sporting goods like athletic jackets. I don’t recall ever buying shoes at J.C. Penney, but it would have been logical for them to carry such items.
The western wear aficionados would patronize Smith’s Shoe Shop, initially on the south side of the Square and later north of the Square on North Main street. Ennie Smith and sons Cecil and Francis were true cobblers, building up special shoes for orthopedic needs and repairing your favorite cowboy boots and other leather items. Those were the days when shoes were made with provisions to have soles and heels replaced, by sewing and tacking on new ones. Shoes were then made in America, in places like Clinton, Missouri. I still have a pair of G.I.-issue boots that Cecil Smith fixed up with new underpinnings; they fit like old gloves.
Alas, Americans eventually lost their pride and began opting for price over all else, when it came to buying footwear. Korean and Chinese workers could turn out throw-away shoes cheaper than anyone, first the sneakers and then the work boots. The molded-together uppers and soles can’t be repaired, but that’s by design. The Smiths would try to glue on foam cushion half-soles for a while, but it was a losing proposition. Even then, the insoles would develop toe-destroying holes inside that even Dr. Scholls couldn’t fix. Nearly all U.S. shoe manufacturers, like Red Wing Boots in Minnesota and New Balance athletic shoes, assemble some oriental-produced parts to add a “made in in U.S.A.” label.
We have deteriorated into a buy-and-discard society, losing our resourcefulness and ability to make-do in a pinch. One of my friends in grade school had to fasten pieces of tire tread onto his boots, using hog rings, in order to keep his feet dry. I’ve added cardboard inside otherwise-good shoes to extend their life, not having the $5 to get them resoled. I still use Kiwi shoe wax on my dress shoes so they’ll stay pliable and last longer, although I no longer spit-shine them.
When the landfill overflows with fallen-apart foreign shoes, maybe we’ll get back to repairing shoes and buying ones that last. Or not…
Saturday, January 30, 2021
Way to go fellas!
JV Bears had three players named to the Eldo All-Tournament Team this week. Kaleb Sandborn, Dylan Davidson, and Bryce Triebel were the three selected. Proud of these guys for their accomplishment and helping us to a 3rd Place finish!
Updated Obituary - Larkin "Dub" DeWitt
Larkin “Dub” William DeWitt, age 75 of Adrian, Missouri died Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at Adrian Manor in Adrian. He was born January 12, 1946 to Henry A. and Oma L. Sanders DeWitt in Rodney, Arkansas.
Dub is survived by his wife, Evelyn DeWitt of Adrian, Missouri; two stepdaughters, Toye Hensley and husband Scott of Cave Springs, Arkansas and Tammera Halliburton and husband Chet of Butler, Missouri; three sisters, Ethel Fann and husband David of Arizona, Judy Dillenger of Viola, Arkansas and Deloris Tate and husband Terry of Pineville, Arkansas; one brother, Frank DeWitt and wife Norma of New Boston, Missouri; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; nephews; nieces; great-nephews; and great-nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Thurston DeWitt; four sisters, Cleatus Kruse, Henrietta Kern, Clorse Newman and Dolley Coonce; one stepdaughter, Tonya Lannette Wassam; and two grandsons, Weston Cox-Halliburton and Woody Cox-Halliburton.
Due to Covid, the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel respectfully asks that everyone wear a mask and practice social distancing.
Update: Police Pursuit ends in Kansas
The pursuit ended at the junction of 69 Highway and Missouri 52 Highway when the vehicle traveled off the roadway and disabled.
Mid America Live News will update when more information is made available to us at a later time.
Obituary - Donna Clidene Burrus
Donna attended grade school in Sheldon and graduated from Nevada High School class of 1964. Following graduation, Donna started a family. Becoming a mother established her love and admiration for little ones. As her children got older and built friendships, Donna became a friend and mother to her children’s friends and family. She was impartial and showed love to all who knew her.
Her compassion for children motivated her to pursue a career at Head Start, which began in 1970. Donna faced many trials in her life, one of which was losing her two sons, Oran and Travis, in 1984. During that difficult time, Donna embraced her faith evermore and comforted those around her with God’s word. Following her daughter’s death in 1995, Donna continued Lisa’s dream of a home daycare. Her selflessness led her to provide sanctuary to many of her grandchildren by providing a safe and loving home. Through her many years of home daycare, she has been influential to many families by becoming a grandma to their children and teaching them God’s unconditional love.
Survivors include one son, Elvy Burrus, Jr.; six grandchildren, Brooke Silvola, Micha Cargill, Khameron Cargill, Kendra Shepherd, Logan Burrus, Emily Burrus and numerous inherited daycare grandchildren; eleven great-grandchildren, Rhylee, Asher, Khadyn, Finley, Rayden, Bryce, Andrea, Gavin, Conner, Adalynn, and Ella; one great-great grandchild, Lucas; and one sister, Maria Tucker, Hugo, OK; and an abundance of dear friends. She was preceded in death by her parents; grandparents; two sons, Oran and Travis; one daughter, Lisa; one grandson, Khaleb Cargill; and two brothers, Ralph Roby and Francis (Benny) Irvin.
A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, February 13, 2021 at the First Baptist Church in Nevada with Pastors Jerry Pyle and Mark Mitchell officiating.
Arrangements are under the direction of Ferry Funeral Home, Nevada.
In lieu of flowers and gifts, a scholarship fund has been established for her great-grandsons, Rayden and Bryce Cargill, who reside in the home. The family is asking the community to share memories and pictures of Donna by emailing them to donnabmemories@gmail.com.
Bates County Sheriffs Office assists in Cedar County search warrant
On January 29th the Cedar County Sheriff's Office obtained a search warrant for illegal drugs, related paraphernalia and firearms at a residence east of Stockton. The search warrant was served by Bates and Cedar County Sheriff's Office.
Methamphetamine, cash and firearms were seized in the search. Three persons were arrested at the location and they are currently in Cedar County Jail.
Criminal charges are pending and should be filed later today. Special thanks to Bates County Sheriff Chad Anderson and his crew for responding to assist
Obituary - Edna Jean Cunningham
Edna was born October 12, 1938 in Koshkonong, MO, the oldest daughter of Henry and Clara Jean (Butler) Thompson. She had lived in the Kansas City, MO area until moving to Harrisonville in 1960. Edna enjoyed spending time with her family and playing cards and games. She loved to garden, fish, and listen to music, especially old country music.
Edna was preceded in death by her parents and one brother and two sisters. She is survived by three sons, Danny Cunningham (Jan), Freeman, MO, Tom Cunningham (Keri Bell), Peculiar, MO, and Phillip Cunningham (Trish Strouse), Macks Creek, MO; one daughter, Amie Cunningham, Leawood, KS; three brothers, Jimmy Thompson (Pamela), Warsaw, MO, Johnny Thompson, Lebanon, MO, and Romie Thompson (Lisa), Archie, MO; four sisters, Jo Ann Huskey (Jim), Pomme de Terre, MO, Lois Gray (Jerry), Harrisonville, MO, Kay Eisel (Bob), Harrisonville, and Valerie Risner, Clinton, MO; 7 grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Police pursuit on I-49
Use extreme caution if traveling in the area of northbound I-49 near mile marker 134. Police are in pursuit of a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed. More details will be published as they are available.Update:
Friday, January 29, 2021
Bridgewater scores 1,000th career point in basketball
Hume R-VIII School District is seeking applicants for the head Baseball coach position
Coaches MUST have a minimum of 60 college credit hours but a Bachelors degree is preferred.
If you are interested in this position, please contact Scott Morrison at 660-643-7411.
Warsaw Man Wins $146,000 Show Me Cash Jackpot
When asked about his initial reaction, Miller said, “I about fell out of the chair.”
Miller purchased the winning ticket at Osage Mini Mart, 915 E. Main St., in Warsaw.
Show Me Cash is drawn daily at 8:59 p.m., with jackpots that start at $50,000 and grow until won.
All Missouri Lottery offices are open – by appointment only – for claims of $600 or more. Winning tickets may also be claimed by mail.
In FY20, players in Benton County, where the ticket was sold, won more than $2.9 million in Missouri Lottery prizes. During the same time period, retailers received more than $307,000 in commissions and bonuses, and more than $1.3 million in Lottery proceeds went to education programs in the county.
Obituary - William Loyd, Jr.
Burial will follow in Vansant Road Cemetery, Clinton. The family suggests memorial contributions be made to Golden Valley Hospice or the Truman Lake Cancer Fund and can be left in care of the funeral home. Fond memories and condolences can be left online at www.vansant-millsfuneralhome.com.
William Franklin Loyd, Jr. (JR) was born March 2, 1967 in Clinton, Missouri to William and Catherine Loyd. William liked to hunt and fish, watching old westerns, he was a Union painter and owned his own business. One of his favorite things was spending time with his children and family.
William is preceded in death by his mother Catherine Loraine Loyd. He is survived by his loving wife Kerry Loyd, his daughter Allison Loyd his sons Jacob Loyd (McKenna Mendenhall) and Billy Loyd. He is also survived by his father William Loyd Sr. two sisters Lisa Gatlin and Juanita Utly and two brothers Mark Loyd and Robert Loyd. He also has nieces, nephews, and many friends that will miss him greatly.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton, Missouri.
William Franklin Loyd, Jr. (JR) was born March 2, 1967 in Clinton, Missouri to William and Catherine Loyd. William liked to hunt and fish, watching old westerns, he was a Union painter and owned his own business. One of his favorite things was spending time with his children and family.
William is preceded in death by his mother Catherine Loraine Loyd. He is survived by his loving wife Kerry Loyd, his daughter Allison Loyd his sons Jacob Loyd (McKenna Mendenhall) and Billy Loyd. He is also survived by his father William Loyd Sr. two sisters Lisa Gatlin and Juanita Utly and two brothers Mark Loyd and Robert Loyd. He also has nieces, nephews, and many friends that will miss him greatly.
Arrangements have been entrusted to Vansant-Mills Funeral Home, Clinton, Missouri.
City of Butler April 6th Election Candidate List
City of Butler April 6th Election Candidate List:
Ward 1:
Timothy Young – 507 N. Delaware Butler, MO 64730
Ward 2:
Mike Irick – 403 W. Ohio Butler, MO 64730
Ward 3 Two Year Term:
Linn Nitsche 905 Country Club Drive Butler, MO 64730
Tray Douty 504 W. Vine Butler, MO 64730
Ward 3 One Year Term:
Alan Mundey 715 Country Club Drive Butler, MO 64730
Ward 4:
Scott Mallatt – 601 E Dakota Butler, MO 64730
Dale Newkirk – 114 S. Havana Butler, MO 64730
Obituary - Larkin "Dub" DeWitt
Visitation will be prior to services from 10-11 a.m. Thursday at Schowengerdt Chapel. Inurnment in Byron, Arkansas. Contributions to East Lynne Baptist Church. Online condolences, www.schowenbgerdtchapel.com.
Larkin “Dub” William DeWitt, age 75 of Adrian, Missouri died Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at Adrian Manor in Adrian. He was born January 12, 1946 to Henry A. and Oma L. Sanders DeWitt in Rodney, Arkansas.
Dub is survived by his wife, Evelyn DeWitt of Adrian, Missouri; two stepdaughters, Toye Hensley and husband Scott of Cave Springs, Arkansas and Tammera Halliburton and husband Chet of Butler, Missouri; three sisters, Ethel Fann and husband David of Arizona, Judy Dillenger of Viola, Arkansas and Deloris Tate and husband Terry of Pineville, Arkansas; one brother, Frank DeWitt and wife Norma of New Boston, Missouri; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; nephews; nieces; great-nephews; and great-nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Thurston DeWitt; four sisters, Cleatus Kruse, Henrietta Kern, Clorse Newman and Dolley Coonce; one stepdaughter, Tonya Lannette Wassam; and two grandsons, Weston Cox-Halliburton and Woody Cox-Halliburton.
Due to Covid, the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel respectfully asks that everyone wear a mask and practice social distancing.
Larkin “Dub” William DeWitt, age 75 of Adrian, Missouri died Tuesday, January 19, 2021 at Adrian Manor in Adrian. He was born January 12, 1946 to Henry A. and Oma L. Sanders DeWitt in Rodney, Arkansas.
Dub is survived by his wife, Evelyn DeWitt of Adrian, Missouri; two stepdaughters, Toye Hensley and husband Scott of Cave Springs, Arkansas and Tammera Halliburton and husband Chet of Butler, Missouri; three sisters, Ethel Fann and husband David of Arizona, Judy Dillenger of Viola, Arkansas and Deloris Tate and husband Terry of Pineville, Arkansas; one brother, Frank DeWitt and wife Norma of New Boston, Missouri; eight grandchildren; four great-grandchildren; nephews; nieces; great-nephews; and great-nieces. He was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Thurston DeWitt; four sisters, Cleatus Kruse, Henrietta Kern, Clorse Newman and Dolley Coonce; one stepdaughter, Tonya Lannette Wassam; and two grandsons, Weston Cox-Halliburton and Woody Cox-Halliburton.
Due to Covid, the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel respectfully asks that everyone wear a mask and practice social distancing.
Museum Minute: The Bates Brothers
Museum MinuteJanuary 28, 2020
Bates County and the Bates Brothers
Bates County, Missouri
~ Established January 29, 1841~
Many of you know that 2021 marks Missouri’s Bicentennial. 2021 is also Bates County’s 180th anniversary…
History has always been written by men and women who long to record particular happenings they deem worthy of remembrance. For the most part, there is substantial truth to the old adage, ‘history is written by the winners’ in what is chosen to record and what grows to become accepted as fact. After reading this article, I shall leave it to you to make-up your own mind about one of the little mysteries of Bates County.
In the Museum’s grand old scrapbook there is a photograph of Frederick Bates. The inscription below it says that Bates County was named after him and that he was the second Governor of Missouri. I’ve been told that from the time I was a little girl and so had my mother. When I asked others, they all said the county was named for Governor Frederick Bates.
Frederick was born in Virginia in 1777 and was the eldest of the Bates brothers. His family was prosperous and well-connected. Frederick received an adequate education and soon began a career in politics.
In 1819, Frederick married Nancy Opie Ball, the daughter of a wealthy Virginia colonel, and they acquired 1000 acres of land in our state and named it “Thornhill.” It is the oldest governor’s home still standing in Missouri and is now a State Park located not far from St. Louis. Frederick was a slave holder and it was these men and women who built and worked in the main house, barn, distillery, smokehouse, icehouse, blacksmith shop and granary at “Thornhill.”
Then, in 1824, Frederick Bates, who was now a deeply rooted Missourian, was elected as Missouri’s second governor and he took office on November 15th of that year. Sadly, on August 4, 1825, 48 year old Frederick Bates died from what is believed to have been pneumonia. He is buried in the family cemetery on his estate.
You’re now going to be introduced to Frederick’s brother, Edward.
Edward, too, was born in Virginia in the year 1793, sixteen years after Frederick. He moved to St. Louis, Missouri in 1814 and there studied law, earning admittance to the bar, and then serving as a U.S. Attorney from 1821-1826. Notice, if you will that these years as U.S. Attorney coincides with the political rise of his elder brother, Frederick. Edward married Miss Julia Coalter from South Carolina. They had 17 children.
Now, Edward’s first foray into politics came in 1820 when he was elected as a member of the state’s constitutional convention. In 1822 he was also elected to the Missouri House of Representatives, and then served one term as a U. S.Representative. He returned to Missouri where he then served in the Missouri State Senate from 1831-35.
Edward Bates was a practicing Quaker and indeed a man of integrity. He proved as much in the 1840s trial of a young slave girl whose mother was suing for her freedom. Young Lucy Ann Berry was the daughter of Polly Crockett Berry. Polly had been born ‘a free negro’ in Illinois but as a young girl was kidnapped, taken to St. Louis, and sold. Bates was able to secure affidavits to support Polly’s claim of free birth. He then successfully argued that her daughter should be considered free as well. Lucy Berry was 14 years old when the court declared her to be free.
Following Abraham Lincoln’s inauguration as President, Edward Bates was appointed as Lincoln’s Attorney General and held the post from 1861 to 1864. Although Edward was opposed to slavery, he held very strong views, believing African-Americans were inferior to whites. He was vehemently against recruiting and training African-Americans for the Army. In 1864, Edward Bates resigned from Lincoln’s Cabinet due to policy differences with regard to full equality. He returned to St. Louis, where he died in 1869.
So, there is the story of the two Bates brothers. Both were men of political influence and personal integrity. Both would be suitable candidates for having a county named for them, but here is where we now learn of the controversy surrounding the history of our county….
The 1883 History of Bates County book states that, “Bates County was named in honor of Edward Bates by the general assembly of Missouri in 1841.”
In our, Old Settlers’ History of Bates County we are told Bates County was “so named in honor of Edward Bates, a native of Virginia and a very eminent lawyer and statesman, his last public service being rendered as Attorney General in President Lincoln’s Cabinet.”
You may believe that having a matter stated as fact in two of the books that are considered primary sources for historians should bring the matter to rest. That is certainly not the case here.
For you see, according to Legislative records in the Missouri State Archives, Bates County was indeed, absolutely, positively named for the second Governor of the State, Frederick Bates.
We know are the names of the men who wrote our Bates County history resource books and it’s quite possible that they themselves may shed some light on the mystery. The 1883 History of Bates County was written by a group of 15 men and one woman. Of the group, every one of them was a supporter of the Union during the War. Every single one.
The Old Settlers’ History of Bates County was compiled by John Newberry and Clark Wix. John Newberry was born in New York State. He moved to Bates County in 1853 and during the war he enlisted in the Union Army. Clark Wix is the onlyauthor to have been born in Bates County. His birth was in 1850 but his family soon moved to Illinois and didn’t return until 1868.
As near as I can tell, none of the authors of these two important written histories lived in Bates County at the time of its founding. And, only Mrs. Freeman (Asenath) Barrows and John Newberry resided in Bates County before the Civil War. As you have no doubt guessed, they were both strong Unionists.A large portion of the people living in Bates County during the War supported the Southern cause. We are known far and wide for the guerrilla fighting that occurred here, and of course we are ground zero of the infamous Order No. 11.
So, let me ask you…. What better time to create a new, more worthy legacy, than in the confused aftermath of a Civil Warwhen counties everywhere were busy writing their histories? The mystery and intrigue of politics in Missouri, and Bates County in particular, during the years following the war certainly causes one to wonder. Being named after Frederick, aslave-holder, even if he were a Governor of the State, surely would not promote civic pride… and it could possibly jeopardize the prosperous future envisioned for the county.
Perhaps these outstanding Unionists undertook to tell the story of their ‘new’ home in a way that would reflect well on Bates County. What better hero could a county be named for than a man who sat on President Abraham Lincoln’s Cabinet? Plus, Edward was not a slave holder, unlike his brotherFrederick. Even though Edward’s views toward Black Americans were far from inclusive, he was the best choice of the two brothers, both of whom were dead and gone.
Interestingly, W. O. Atkeson’s 1918 History of Bates County, doesn’t seem to mention for whom our county was named. Could it be that Mr. Atkeson discovered the discrepancy and decided it best to simply not address the matter? After all, some of the men who wrote those histories were still alive and were close associates of Mr. Atkeson’s.
We are left to draw our own opinions as to why local history books made such a glaring error. Did they truly believe what they printed? Or, did they knowingly print what they wanted to believe because it would be favorable to their future? Revisionist history. What goes around comes around and today, as we celebrate Bates County’s 180th anniversary, we find ourselves in the midst of our collective history being disgraced, dismantled, and rewritten before our very eyes. Future generations will be well-served if we insist on more stories of our history being told and remembered rather than removing stories to silence those that some find offensive.
For now, we celebrate the extraordinary history of Bates County and the colorful, determined, stubborn, creative, God-fearing, hard-working visionaries who helped build this wonderful place we all call home. Happy 180th Anniversary!
The Bates County Museum strives to Preserve Our History & Sustain Our Heritage!
Peggy Buhr ~ Museum Director
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