Order No. 11 presentation this Saturday at the Bates County Museum

Tom Rafiner

Tom Rafiner, a native of Jackson County, has a passion for the Civil War history of Missouri’s Burnt District. On Saturday, April 28th at 10:00 am, Mr. Rafiner will present a free program at the Bates County Museum and the public is invited to come hear him speak in Robertson Hall. There will be a free will offering Sandwich & Salad Luncheon immediately following his presentation.

Tom is well known in the neighboring county just north of Bates, as his extensive research into the families displaced by the 1863 Order No. 11 in Cass County resulted in the publication of, “Caught Between Three Fires.” According to the book description, “Citizens struggled between three raging fires, Secessionism, Unionism, and an undying Border War.” Tom is now focusing his research on the 1850-60s families of Bates County and will publish another book that includes this history. The compelling and often heartbreaking stories of people displaced and lives destroyed, or at the very least disrupted, will now be compiled into a published work.

Serious research into this era of history in Bates County is particularly difficult because so many of the records were lost during the War. From the infamous late 1863 forced exodus until 1866, three long years, there was no county business conducted and therefore no records. Tom’s research has already taken him to the National Archives in Washington, D. C. and he plans additional trips in the future.

Tom Rafiner’s ancestors lived in Cass County through the Border War and well into the Civil War. His reputation as a talented and engaging oral historian, and storyteller, rests upon meticulous knowledge of Order No. 11. Bates County is fortunate that Tom Rafiner has taken an interest in the stories of Order No. 11 and the Museum is proud to host him as a guest speaker. The public is invited and encouraged to attend this very special program. Contact Peggy Buhr at the Museum for additional information. 660-679-0134.

Butler Optimists present Student of the Month awards

The Butler Optimist Club would like to recognize three Butler R-V students for their outstanding academic achievements and character. The three students were selected by the staff at Butler R-V. Each student receives a certificate of honor and a $20 gift card to Sonic donated by Miles Umstattd of Sonic in Butler. Madyson Shaffer and McKinzie received the Butler Elementary Optimist Student of the Month for March. Madyson Shaffer is the daughter of Justin and Amber Shaffer. McKinzie Wheatley is the daughter of Jerret and Brandy Wheatley. Derek Noe is the Butler JH Optimist Student of the Month for March. Derek Noe is the son of Damon and April Noe.

Heath Oates, Optimist member, presenting the award Derek Noe. 

 Mrs. Stacey Lawson, Optimist member and Principal at Butler elementary school
presents the awards to Madyson Shaffer (middle) and McKinzie Wheatley (right).

Elementary Picture: In the picture, Mrs. Stacey Lawson, Optimist member and Principal at BES, is presenting the award Madyson Shaffer (Left) and McKinzie Wheatley (Right).

Wimsatt family makes donation to Adrian fire department

The family of the late Richard Wimsatt made a monetary presentation to the Adrian Fire Department during the regular department training meeting held yesterday evening. Richard was a long time advocate and supporter of the fire department and the family's wishes were to present the donation of just over $2,300.00 in his honor.

Adrian Fire Chief Gary Dizney accepted the donation from Jewel Wimsatt on behalf of the family.

Senator Caskey to be honored Thursday at State Capitol

April 26th will mark a milestone; it will be the 20th anniversary of the Crime Victims Rights legislation as well as honoring Senator Harold Caskey whose dedication and commitment to victim rights was instrumental in this legislation in the state of Missouri.

The State of Missouri Crime Victims’ Rights Week Ceremony will be held on Thursday, April 26th on the south steps of the State Capitol Lawn in Jefferson City. This year’s theme is "Extending the Vision: Reaching Every Victim" and is scheduled to begin at 12:00 p.m.

Senator Caskey will be recognized with a public acknowledgement of his hard work and his dedication to victims’ rights.

-story courtesy FM 92 the Bullet

Butler high school sports results

Track results for April 23 at Cass Midway:

The Butler Boys finished 4th out of 14 teams.

The top 8 finishers are:
 Shuttle Hurdles- 2nd place- Jonathan Jons, Corbin Duffield, Jared Best, Stacy Davenport
 4x200 relay- 2nd place- Kyle Martin, Corbin Duffield, Trey Mareth, Stacy Davenport
 Sprint Medley- 6th place- Kyle Martin, Trey Mareth, Jonathan Jons, Mauricio Perez
 4x400 relay-2nd place- Corbin Duffield, Stacy Davenport, Mauricio Perez, Trey Mareth
 High Jump- 3rd place- Jonathan Jons, Trey Mareth, Stacy Davenport
 Long Jump- 5th place- Kyle Martin, Corbin Duffield, Alex Clover

Golf results from Monday evening:
A tough day for Butler Golf who were in competition with Drexel and Barstow. We finished 3rd without the help of Joe Strauch who is recuperating from a shoulder injury. A highlight though is that Brett Miller finished 2nd overall individual with a low score of 42 and Brian Todd put up a respectable score of 47.

Lone Jack Relays April 20th:

Girls Results
Lady Bears earned a 2nd place finish

Top 6 Place Finishers
Long Jump Relay: 5th place (Sam Hooper)
Shot Put: 4th Place (Sam Hooper, Gabby Blevins, Hali Heckadon)
Discus: 4th Place (Sam Hooper, Gabby Blevins)
4x200M Relay: 1st place (Kayla Morris, Maggie Massey, Kassidy Hannah, Kiersten Morris)
1600M Medley: V team 1st place (Maggie Massey, Kassidy Hannah, Kayla Morris, Brytani Musick)
JV team 4th place (Hali Heckadon, Ashleigh Floyd, Tabitha Foote, Jenay Rosier)
4x100M Relay: V team 1st place (Kayla Morris, Maggie Massey, Kassidy Hannah, Kiersten Morris)
JV team 4th place(Ashleigh Floyd, Savannah Smading, Hali Heckadon, Annette Warden)
Sprint Medley: 4th place (Annette Warden, Ashleigh Floyd, Savannah Smading, Tabitha Foote)
4x800M Relay: 2nd place (Brytani Musick, Tabitha Foote, Jenay Rosier, Hali Heckadon)
4x400M Relay: 1st place (Kassidy Hannah, Kayla Morris, Brytani Musick, Kiersten Morris)

Obituary - Gladys Linard

Funeral services for Gladys Linard will be 2:00 PM Saturday, April 28, 2012 at Mullinax Funeral Home (660-679-0009) in Butler, Missouri with Pastor Dave Owsley officiating. Visitation prior to services at 1:00 PM at the funeral home. Burial in Oak Hill Cemetery, Butler. Contributions, Ohio Street United Methodist Church. Written messages and memories may be left for the family at www.mullinaxfuneralhome.com.

Gladys Marie (Cumpton) Linard, 98 of Butler, Missouri died April 24, 2012 at Medicalodge of Butler. Gladys was born September 16, 1913 in Spruce, Missouri, daughter of William Everett and Rosa (Diehl) Cumpton. She attended schools in Butler, Missouri and was united in marriage to Howard S. Browning, and to this union two children were born. She was later married to Homer Claude Linard; to this union, two children were born.

Throughout her life, Gladys maintained an avid faith in God and was a member of the Ohio Street United Methodist Church in Butler. She never missed a Sunday for as long as her health permitted. Gladys was hardworking, honest, loyal and loving. She was selfless and kindhearted, and never had a bad word to say about anyone, and never any hatred in her heart. Her family remembers the special food she made for various family members at different occasions; particularly banana bread and homemade popcorn balls. Gladys never met a stranger and her family describes her as the “most amazing woman you’d ever meet.”

Gladys was preceded in death by her parents; her husband; sons Larry Lee Browning and Freddie Lynn Linard; brothers, George Cumpton, Johnny Cumpton, Marvin Cumpton, Everett Cumpton, and Quentin Cumpton; and sister Wilma Klingman.

She is survived by sons D.J. Browning and wife June of Chesepeake, Virginia and Dr. Homer C. Linard, III and wife Laurie of Brighton, Michigan; grandchildren David Browning and wife Debbie of Chesepeake, Virginia; Chris Browning of Oilville, Virginia; Pat Bohlen and husband Chip of Virginia Beach, Virginia; Erin Linard of Peoria, Arizona; Andrew Linard of Brighton, Michigan; and Nathan Linard of Brighton, Michigan. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, and friends.

Butler choir students head to Columbia this week

Eleven Butler High School Choir students will be traveling to Columbia, Mo this week for State Music Contest. They were given this opportunity based on their ratings at District Music Contest. The following students received "Superior I" ratings on their vocal performances:

Austin Douty, Breann Sargent, Madison Van Gordon, Rachel Hurshman, Christian Lawrence, Shannen McCoy, Dalton Fischer, Aarika Gardner, Baustin Sargent, Lacy Craft, and Piper Edgmon

-our thanks to Raquel Lawrence, Vocal Music Director, Butler High School

Students of the Month honored...

The Adrian Optimist Club is pleased to honor Students of the Month from the Miami, Ballard, and Adrian schools. Criteria for this honor center on outstanding academic and civic achievement and school spirit. Staff at each of the schools make the selection, and their decision is based on expansion of these criteria. Selection is based on the criteria, but a student stepping up to a particular task will come to play in it. Each student is honored with a certificate of recognition from the Adrian Optimist Club and $20.00 in Adrian Chamber of Commerce “Chamber Bucks”.

The Ballard student for March is Scott Morris. Scott is the Freshman son of Gene and Brandy Morris. Scott is credited with being a model citizen with a positive attitude and a great sense of humor. He works hard in everything that he participates in and helps others along the way. Scott has made substantial progress in mathematics, and he is persistent, not giving up in the face of difficult things. He is usually quiet in the classroom, but stands up for right when right is being challenged.

Adrian Optimist member Gene Irvin, Scott Morris, and Ballard Principal Jimmie Barton

For March the Miami student is Senior Laeci Jane Hall. Laeci is the daughter of Kathi Hall and Bud Hall. Her favorite things to do are hang with friends, play volleyball, swim, tan, and watch the sunset. During Laeci’s high school career she has participated in Volleyball, Softball, and Basketball. She is a real asset to her school, particularly in Volleyball. Laeci is going to college at Fort Scott Community College and will plan her life from there.

Miami Activities Director Brian Wood, Laeci Hall, and Adrian Optimist member Gene Irvin

This month’s student from Adrian is Payton Wilson. Payton, a Senior, is the son of Angie Wilson and Jim Wilson. He participates in FFA, Football, peer-tutoring, and Food and Nutrition Class catering in school. Outside of school his activities include volunteer fire-fighting, working, hanging with family and friends, and refereeing little league soccer. Payton plans to gain a degree in Criminal Justice followed by attending Law Enforcement Academy for a career in Law Enforcement.

Adrian Optimist member Gene Irvin, Payton Wilson, and Adrian Principal Chris Shanks

-our thanks to Jerry Ferguson for photos and story