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Diamond Missouri woman arrested in Bates County

On 12/4/20 around 10:46pm the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Bates County arrested 41 year old Julie D. Gower of Diamond, Missouri.

She was arrested for 1.) Felony possession of a controlled substance - Methamphetamine.

Julie D. Gower was booked into the Bates County Jail in Butler and later she was released.

Copyright Mid America Live News 

Disclaimer: Arrest records are public information. Any indication of an arrest does not mean the individual identified has been convicted of a crime. All persons arrested are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

Freeman teen escapes injury in Cass County Crash

On 12/5/20 around 1:55am the Missouri State Highway Patrol in Cass County responded to one vehicle accident on Missouri 2 Highway at Route K in rural Cass County.

The Missouri State Highway Patrol says the accident occurred when the 1997 Ford driven by 18 year old Joseph E. Grimes of Freeman, Missouri ran off the roadway and struck two signs before traveling down a ravine and overturning.

Mr. Grimes sustained minor injuries in this accident and he refused medical treatment at the scene of the accident.

The vehicle was totaled and towed from the scene of this accident by J's Southland Tow of Cass County.

Copyright Mid America Live 

60 Years of Memories: Insurance Men in Butler

On The Square

60 Years of Memories of Butler

by James Ring

 

Harkening back through sixty years of Butler memories, I can recall quite a few “insurance men” over the years. And men they primarily were; most insurance agents were male back in the day, even though they probably had women taking care of the paperwork. Selling insurance is not an easy way to make a living; you’re trying to convince someone to spend money for, essentially, nothing tangible. It’s a little like book-making, in that you’re taking a bet against the odds of paying off, according to the terms of the coverage in the contract.

 

What I purchased, when I bought some insurance at age 20, was peace of mind. For $1.80 a month, I was assured that my folks would get $2000 in the event of my death in an accident. Small comfort, but at least they wouldn’t have to spend their savings to lay me away. Dale Ensor sold me the policy, and he came around to collect the premium every month, giving me a receipt. That’s the way agents worked in those days.

 

Eddie Herrman took over Ensor’s business later, upgrading me to a $10,000 ordinary-life policy that I still have; after 50 years it’s worth a little more than the the ten-grand. Eddie subsequently went into business with Wayne Beckham, with offices in the basement of the Inn Hotel. 

 

By far the biggest agency in town was George Krinn’s independent (all lines) insurance agency, right across from the Post Office (“near neighbor to Uncle Sam” was his ad line.) George was a stalwart Democrat party supporter, eventually turning the agency over to Jerry Cook; Cook Insurance is still going strong on the Square.

 

There was also Bud Robinson, whose office was upstairs over the First National Bank on the northeast corner of the square, and Nobel Ray, who had a walk-up office on the north side of the square. Harry Weiss ran his insurance agency from his home on Fort Scott street, an inspiring feat considering that he had no arms. Harry lost his limbs in a farm machinery accident as a young man, but he refused to remain helpless, driving a car with his one stump and providing for his family by typing up insurance applications with a pencil clamped in his teeth. 

 

Later on, Wesley Jensen and G.J. Six both ran insurance businesses on the Square, and there were many others that escape my memory. I would be remiss not to mention the Bates County Mutual insurance company, ran by Melvin and Mary Billington on the second floor of the First National Bank before it built its own office at the corner of Fort Scott and South Main, later moving to West Fort Scott street. County Mutuals were common in countyseat towns across the nation, usually re-insuring their risks in regional pools with one another.

 

There were also the ever-present young “Combined Insurance” salesmen traveling through, who would show up periodically with their leather folders of presentation material, trying to sell Mr. Stone’s Chicago-based Combined Accidental Life Insurance on a promised starter commission. The mostly-worthless product and starvation remuneration guaranteed rapid turnover of these eager beavers.

 

Selling insurance remains a difficult but necessary business, balancing risk versus gain, giving personal service while maintaining one’s duty to the company. Peace of mind is all your agent has to sell—until you have a loss.

Obituary - Kevin Montgomery Goodlett

Kevin Montgomery Goodlett was born in Colorado Springs, Colorado. He was as active, outgoing child who enjoyed skiing, playing basketball and video games. He spent time hanging out with his friends, his family and his dog, Poco. Kevin earned his GED in the Show-Me Challenge Program in the summer of 2000.

Kevin struggled with mental illness his entire adult life. Despite his handicap, he lived independently until the time of his death. Kevin's illness made it difficult to get to know him, but those who did found a steadfast, loyal friend with a quick wit, who was always ready with an off-kilter punch line and an impish grin.

Kevin's hobbies included programming, assembling computers, chatting with friends (online or in person) and listening to music. Kevin also cooked occasionally and could make a fantastic medium-rare steak.

Kevin is survived by his parents, Cliff and Vicki Norris, his brother Chris Goodlett, and his best friend Jason Barerra. Kevin will be sorely missed by all who knew him, including numerous aunts, uncles, cousins and friends.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Heuser Funeral Home of Rich Hill, Missouri.

Be on the lookout

Due to suspicious activity in the area of CR NW 9001 - CR NW 13002 make sure all your vehicles are locked and keys are secured.

If you see anything out of the ordinary or that raises suspicion please contact the Bates County Sheriff's Office at 660-679-3232.

Obituary - Gary Lee Brown

Gary Lee Brown was born July 15, 1951 in Kansas City, Missouri to Dennis Roy and Rose Bernice McDermott Brown. He attended and graduated from the Ruskin High School in Kansas City. 

Gary worked for over 30 years as a custodian in the Hickman Mills School District in Kansas City before retiring and moving to Rich Hill. He then began working as a dishwasher at Southside Cafe in Butler, MO.

Gary was known as a lovable little guy with a heart of gold. He was a hard worker, but loved his time family and friends, especially his great-nieces and nephews. He also enjoyed the Kansas City Royals and Chiefs.

Gary was preceded in death by his parents, brother Louis Brown, sister Cathy Swezy, brother John Francis, and nephew Kenneth Miller, Jr. He is survived by his sister Lois Miller and her husband Kenneth, his brothers Lee & Tom Francis, and by many nieces, nephews, extended family members, and friends.

Obituary - Jimmy Elvin Vaughn

Funeral services for Jimmy Vaughn will be 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 9, 2020 at Calvary Baptist Church in Adrian, Missouri under the direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler. 

Visitation will be prior to services from 9:30 - 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, December 9 at Calvary Baptist Church in Adrian. Burial in Prescott Cemetery in Prescott, Kansas. Contributions to Calvary Baptist Church. Online condolences, www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Jimmy Elvin Vaughn, age 80 of Urich, Missouri went to be with the Lord Thursday, December 3, 2020 at Truman Lake Manor in Lowry City, Missouri. He was born June 18, 1940 to Raymond Arlo and Zora Mildred Murr Vaughn in Vinita, Oklahoma.

Jimmy is survived by his wife, Wanda Vaughn of Urich, Missouri; three sons, Michael Vaughn and wife Diane of Grandview, Missouri, David Vaughn and wife Brenda of Urich, Missouri and Jimmy Vaughn and wife Shelly of Harrisonville, Missouri; two daughters, LaDonna Cubley of Grandview, Missouri and Janet Glover and husband Ed of Clinton, Missouri; one brother, Glenn Vaughn and wife Jean of Prescott, Kansas; one sister, Arlene Seitz and husband Bob of Chugiak, Alaska; 15 grandchildren; 32 great-grandchildren; and a large extended family and host of friends. He was preceded in death by his parents; two brothers, Eugene and Bobby; son-in-law, Glenn Cubley; and grandson Matthew Cubley.