Tuesday, August 17, 2021

Obituary - Charlene Sue Crafton

Cremation with private graveside committal will be 10 a.m. Thursday, August 19, 2021 at Crescent Hill Cemetery in Adrian, Missouri under direction of the Schowengerdt Funeral Chapel (660-679-6555) in Butler, Missouri. Online condolences www.schowengerdtchapel.com.

Charlene Sue Crafton, age 74 of Butler, Missouri passed away Monday, August 9, 2021 at Butler Center in Butler. She was born September 14, 1946 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Charlene is survived by her husband of 40 years, Edward N. “Bud” Crafton of Butler, Missouri; one son, Rocky Ramage; two daughters, Lorie McLaughlin and Sue Lynn Haworth; two granddaughters, Crystal Crafton and Katrina Haworth; six grandsons, Alex, Tray, Tyler, Kaden, Tanner and Tucker; one great-grandchild, Khalio; and a sister, Sharon Prior. She was preceded in death by her parents, Charles and Naomi Henderson; and a stepson, Neil Crafton.



Coming soon: Crisp cool weather... and football!

Fall means more than shorter days and cooler nights but as an added bonus, FOOTBALL SEASON will be upon us! Here are the schedules for our local high school varsity teams, all games 7 pm unless otherwise noted:

Butler
Aug 27 Adrian away
Sept 3 Sherwood away
Sept 10 Fort Scott home
Sept 17 Cole Camp  away
Sept 24 Lincoln away
Oct 1 Buffalo  home
Oct 8 Warsaw home
Oct 15 El Dorado Springs away
Oct 22 Lone Jack home

Adrian
Aug 27 Butler home
Sept 3 Lighthouse Christian away
Sept 10 Knob Noster away
Sept 17 El Dorado Springs away
Sept 24 Warsaw home
Oct 1 Crest Ridge away
Oct 8 Lone Jack home
Oct 15 Midway home
Oct 22 Wellington Napoleon away

Miami/Drexel
Aug 27 Concordia home
Sept 3 Appleton City/Montrose away
Sept 10 Liberal home
Sept 17 Rich Hill/Hume away
Sept 24 Osceola away
Oct 1 Archie home
Oct 8 Greenfield away
Oct 15 Jasper home
Oct 22 St. Paul Lutheran away


Rich Hill/Hume
Aug 27 Greenfield away
Sept 3 Archie away
Sept 10 Lockwood home
Sept 17 Drexel home
Sept 24 Appleton City away
Oct 1 Pattonsburg home
Oct 8 Jasper away
Oct 15 Osceola home
Oct 22 Liberal home

Appleton City/Montrose
Aug 27 Stanberry home
Sept 3 Drexel/Miami home
Sept 10 Jasper away
Sept 17 Lockwood away
Sept 24 Rich Hill home
Oct 1 Osceola away
Oct 8 Archie home
Oct 15 Liberal away
Oct 22 Greenfield home



Appleton City Celebrates it's 150th, plus one


By LeRoy Cook

Appleton City has always been an adopted Bates County town, even though it sits a half-mile inside St. Clair County’s territorial limits. Originally platted in 1870, this city of 1163 souls was all set to celebrate its Sesquicentennial last year, but had to put it off due to the coronavirus threat. Last week, it finally got its chance to strut its stuff.

And the three-day celebration went off in fine style, despite some early heat and rain threats. By the weekend, relatively cool temperatures prevailed, promoting outdoor activities like a threshing demonstration using a Case separator and a steam engine formerly owned by a late Mayor, Paul Eye. A huge lineup of historic farm tractors lined the railroad tracks. Other attractions were a bus tour, plus open houses at the Appleton City Museum, the restored Katy Depot, the 100-year-old Zink Motors Ford dealership and the Durley Hotel (formerly the Ellett Memorial Hospital), which is now a private residence. Saturday’s main event was a parade of vehicles, floats and horseback and marching units.

Appleton City was originally to be called “Arlington” but that name was already in use elsewhere in Missouri. A chance meeting with New York publisher W.H. Appleton brought an offer of a free library if the town would be named for him. Because a Bootheel town of “Appleton” already existed, Appleton City was chosen. The restored library is located near the Railroad Park.

A stipulation of a 100-wide main street in the founding paperwork has kept the 11-block long downtown open and inviting over the years; Missouri Highway 52 runs its length, with business houses proliferating along it. Paving of the street came about in 1921. Another original feature, Forest Park, is a block square green space anchoring the east end of the main drag.

Over the years, the fortunes of Appleton City have been tied to the MK&T Railroad tracks that fostered the town’s beginning; before passenger service ended in 1958, it guaranteed a steady influx of travelers. The Pittsburg and Midway coal mining company and the construction of Minuteman missile systems also boosted the economy in the mid-1900s. Today, the lively town once known as the “Queen of the Prairie” is justifiably proud of its history and looks forward to a bright future.



78th Hume Fair & Rodeo Wrap Up


A big thank-you goes to everyone who attended and supported the Hume Fair & Rodeo this year and we’ll see you in ‘22!


Horseshoe Tournament
1st – James Rogers of Hume
2nd – Vernon McGraw – Nevada
3rd – Steven McSperitt – Rich Hill
I tried Trophy – Caleb Ogle – Milo, Mo.

Corn Hole Tournament
Kids – Division 15 & Under
1st – Isaac Irwin & Addi Metcalf
2nd – Bennett Irwin & Kamee Snider
3rd – Nate Harris & Karys Crawford
Adult Division 16 & over
1st – Bryce Lewis and Dakota Thornburg
2nd – Jay Rogers & Coltoin Rogers
3rd – David Troth & Darryl Maus

Washer Tournament
1st place Joe & Jeff
2nd place Kolby & Dakota
3rd – Sumo & Eric
Kid’s Entries
1st. place Hawks Grandkids
2nd place Blaklee & Qwinn Stigall
3rd place Best Boys

ATV’s
1st place – Kolby & Blake Steuck
2nd Beriah & Bryson Morrison & Gavin Conrad
3rd. Logan & Isaac Brooks

Cars
1st place Rodger Hensley 54 Chevy PU Flatbed
2nd place – Pat & Jerry Mellenbruch – 1966 Ford Mustang

Floats
1st place – Hume Alliance Ministry
2nd place – Citizens Bank
3rd place – Farmers Lumber

Miscellaneous
1st place – Madison the Bullfighter
2nd place – Laughlin Farms
3rd place – Rayburn Construction

Mounted entries
1st place – James Robert on Little Bit
2nd place – Shoe-N-R Horsemanship & Farrier
3rd place – Mary Clark riding J.R.

Horse Drawn Entries
1st place – Keeler Clark driving Dixie & Grandpa tagging along

Honorable Mention
Remembering Bob with children & grandchildren
Most Unusual – CR McKellips Rodeo

Baby Contest Winners
Girls – 0 – 3 months – 1st place - Lainey Fields 7 wks
Daughter of Joey & Brooke Fields
7 – 9 months
1st place - Jeopardy Jean Swarts Daughter of Kennedy & Larry Swartz
10- 12 months
1st place Samanth Jo Myers daughter of Kaylee & Philip Myers

13 to 15 months girls
1st place – Chloe Ann Olive daughter of Chandler & Mary Ann Olive
19 to 23 months
Tie for 1st place
Aunah Yarick daughter of Andy Yarick & Cheyenne Page
Finley Hough Daughter of Andrew & Taylor Hough
2nd place - Inez Easley
daughter of Erika Easley
3rd place
Julia Hinton
Daughter of Megan & Cameron Hinton
Boys
4 to 6 months
1st place -Colter Spencer – 6 months Son of Robbie & Emily Spencer
7 – 9 months
1 st place - Weston Brooks Son of Taylor Brooks
10-12 months
1st place – Isaiah Grady son of Mike Grady
13-15 months
1st place – Kannon Mcsperitt son of Steven & Stephanie McSperitt
16 to 18 months
1st place – Ridge Morrison son of Jordan & Taylor Morrison
19-23 Months
1st place – Ryatt Spencer son of Rhett & Haleigh Spencer
Swimsuit Winners
Girls
2 year olds
1st place – Lorinda Pruitt daughter of Eric & Katie Pruitt
2nd place – Aleesa Malcon daughter of Beverly Spencer
3rd place Joey Sears Daughter of Matthew & Kate Sears
3 year old girls
1st place – Oakley Austin daughter of Ryan & Hannah Austin
3 year olds 1st place – McKenna Fairbanks daughter of Jeff & Sarah Fairbanks
Swimsuit Winners – Boys
2 year olds
1st place Jamie Spencer son of Robbie & Emily Spencer
2nd place – Craytin Gander son of Ryan & Kayla Gander
3 year olds Gunner McDonald Son of Ricky & Sam McDonald
4 year olds 1st place – Reed Spencer son of Rhett & Haleigh Spencer
2nd place
Kace Myrick Son of Travis & Jessie

Pet Show
Best Trick – Mavis 1 yr old Lab – Paris Brooks
Best Dressed – Lily 1 yr old Westy – Chesney Kimbrough
Most Unusual – Honey 4 months old Lab – Clara Hemphill
Crowd Favorite – Angus 5 months old Lab – Tinley Hemphill
Judge’s Choice – Trig 2 year old Toy Aussie – Callie Ryser
Smallest Dog – Roxy 2 month old Dachshund – Ryland Austin
Furriest – Ruger 2 yr old Aussie – Hadley Whitten
Most Quiet Pet – Cowboy 5 yr old Cowboy Corgi – Kamee Snider
MC Favorite – Sky a Boarder Collie/Aussie – James Spencer
Best Pet/Owner look-a-like – Cooper – dog – Ean Gwinn
Largest Dog – J.D. one year old Corgi – Veronica Gwinn
Scariest – Pepper a Boa Python – Caden Cooke
Best Singer – Binji the cat – Baileigh Rogers
Oldest dog – shown by Dakota


Not exactly an open and shut case...

What’s Up by LeRoy Cook
Despite the storms late in the week, there were plenty of open skies for flying, so the Butler airport saw considerable activity. Friday’s cold front passage cooled things down but came at the cost of gusty winds and wind shear on approach.
We observed a big Beech King Air 200 executive turboprop coming in on Thursday, and other visitors were a UCM Cessna Skyhawk trainer and a Piper Warrior from ATP flight school in Kansas City. A Robinson R22 helicopter stopped in on Sunday. The battle to save agricultural crops continued last week, so the AirTractor sprayplanes were again in residence.
Locally, Jeff Arnold flew the Cessna Skyhawk, CFI Eric Eastland flew some student training flights, I took a Skyhawk in and out of Pleasanton’s Linn County airport, and Jeremie and Natalee Platt flew their Grumman Tr2. The SkyDive KC Beech King Air E90 jump plane made up for lost time, hauling skydivers over the weekend.
The 52 year-old hangar at the Butler airport has early-style electric bifold doors, which normally operate without a hitch. However, on Friday the 13th all four of the doors exhibited the same problem; they refused to roll up more than a foot or so. Must have been gremlins emanating from the date, or perhaps lightning damage, but the City utility crews did a quick job of getting them fixed. Thanks, guys!
A Beech Bonanza made an emergency landing on a road in Johnson County, KS last Sunday, without damage or incident. We don’t normally recommend using roads for a forced landing because of the hazards from wires, signs and traffic, but sometimes there’s no better choice. A 20-foot roadway is awfully narrow for an airplane, with ditches threatening. An open pasture is safer.
Our weekly question asked the origin of the puffs of blue smoke coming off tires when a high-speed airplane lands. As Aaron Rains and Rodney Rom correctly answered, it’s rubber burning off as the tire goes from zero to 150 mph in a split second. It’s the opposite of a hot-rod car burning rubber, when the pavement is stationary but the tire is moving. For next week, tell us if there was ever an airplane built that had electric motors to spin up the tires before touchdown. You can send your answer to kochhaus1@gmail.com.

The Museum Minute: Boy Scouts Deserve Badge of Determination

Courtesy of the Bates County Museum 802 Elks Drive, Butler Mo 64730 (660) 679-0134


Herrman’s Historical Happenings week of August 18th

1853 In the earliest record of the County Court of Bates Co, it shows the assessor’s book declaring there is $324,877 taxable property in the county.

1858 Mo Governor Stewart is assured by Kansas Territory Gov J.W. Dewey that there is no need for Mo troops along the Mo/Ks border, in spite of constant raids into Mo by Ks terrorists.

1909 Ray Tyler, Butler tinsmith has closed a contract with the Pleasanton Handle and Manufacturing Co to make 1,000 galvanized tubs and fixtures for a patent washing machine.

1916 Butler’s new swimming pool opens for evening sessions. The first days receipts are nearly $20. (on Water st, between Dakota & Fort Scott).

1929 Two dozen Boy Scouts from Butler arrived at Camp Sugar Lake. In spite of 5 flat tires and one runaway, they finally reach their destination.

1942 The Butler City Council sets employee salaries per month as follows, Charles Miller $185, August Schmidt $150, D. Cutmyer $120 & Fred Niggley $80

1951 Early this morning, 28 year old Kenneth Nordyke of Butler, driving a Jack Cooper auto transport truck, evidently dozes and just south of Arthur, on U.S. 71 Highway south of Rich Hill takes out a guardrail and plunges into the Little Osage River. He is pulled from the water and taken to the Nevada Hospital.

1951 Mrs. Alice Ghere and daughter Mrs Cleta York open their “Al Eta” Fabric Shop, having purchased the Opal Rood Remnant Shop in Butler.

1965 Thieves take guns & coins from the Museum of Pioneer History, Butler.

1967 The Moonlight Madness sales promotion on the Butler square begins at 7:30 pm and draws a big crowd.

1995 Caricature and portrait artist Judy Porter, and photographer Harold Heuser, both of Butler, are featured with work displayed at the Baxter Art Gallery on the west side of the square.


Better Health Through Education

Sandy Fenton, owner, Sandy's
Herb Shop
Sandy’s Herb Shop located in south Butler is indeed a business, but in her words it’s way more than that. “It’s more of a ministry” she shared in our recent conversation. “This may come as a surprise, but herbs don’t heal the body. They nourish the body like food. God made our body so wonderful it actually heals itself”. This tidbit is part of the insight she’s gained in her 38 years in business, and achieving this type of knowledge actually started with a truck driver.

Nearly four decades ago, Sandy was working from the basement of her home in Rich Hill when a man who was delivering products gave her a piece of paper that showed what individual herbs are for “If you educate people on herbs, your business will survive” he said. And that is exactly what she did- converting her basement to product storage, with ample room for meetings, and holding ‘herbal hours’ meetings as she called them. Over time, she added refreshments and bingo to make it fun. It was a hit and his suggestion of education was clearly the key.

All the while, she’d been toying with the idea of moving her business to Butler when a couple from Butler came to her store and by chance, she asked them if they had any idea where she might look. Their answer was quick, “Yes, right across the street from us, we’d love to have you as a neighbor!” Hence, Sandy’s Herb Shop took up residency at 200 N. Main street, a move that would turn out to greatly benefit her business as the location was easy to find and there was plenty of room for additional products.

Yes, there were some growing pains. Sandy had taken notice of the Nature Sunshine line of products, which clearly appeared to be of the best quality; and she wanted to broaden her stock but finding a steady supply was a bit of an issue. Early on, replenishing supplies required a four hour drive but fortunately the internet, while still in its infancy, was the answer. With a little help, she was ordering online and able to trade windshield time for more important things such as learning about the other offerings of Nature Sunshine.

Her store, now located at 507 S. Orange in Butler, is bigger than ever with row after row of every conceivable herb, spice, essential oil and some little known secrets… such as, do you know that putting lye soap in the fork of fruit trees will help keep insects away?

With that in mind, we had some fun and ‘tested’ Sandy, throwing out a variety of issues such as insect and pest control; stomach, aches and pain issues; relief for common illnesses and more. And with every question, she replied in rapid fire succession and pointed to the exact product needed, with nearly forty years of experience behind every answer.

All that aside, customer testimonials seem to be the truest method of gauging success. She has what appears to be an endless list of customer praises saying her oils are of the purest; her spices are the freshest; and her pricing is easy on the pocketbook. And for those looking to explore, new customers get 10% off.

Sandy’s Herb Shop has become one of the largest health food stores between Kansas City and Joplin, open 8 am to 8 pm Monday through Saturday, 10 am to 4 pm Sunday. Got a question? Sandy has the answer, as we can attest. Feel free to stop by or call anytime at 660-679-5060.


A party, indeed

Henry rifle winner Joann Buhr
August 10, 2021, marked the two hundredth anniversary of Missouri’s entry as the 24th state to enter the United States and the Bates County Museum hosted a ‘Party on the Porch’ last Tuesday evening to celebrate, with emphasis on Bates county of course. While it was a tad warm to hold the celebration outside, Robertson Hall provided the perfect environment for a fun evening of comedy, music, stories, and of course, the giveaway of the well touted Henry Golden Boy Repeating rifle- the winner of which was Joanne Buhr of Adrian. There was also quality entertainment from the Adrian Community Theater where ‘news announcers’ shared a glimpse of the past, courtesy of the Eddie Herrman collection; and acclaimed vocalist/guitar picker Hank Roberts serenaded the crowd with well chosen patriotic music, along with a few good stories to boot. The evening finished with an old fashioned ice cream social, a tradition shared around the Show Me State in celebration. A bit of trivia- there is only one Bates County in the U.S.A! The museum and the Bates County Historical Society would like to thank everyone who attended and the community for their ongoing support.



The Adrian Community Theater provided news courtesy of the Eddie Herrman collection


Search news