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The seller is listed as seller Eugene P. Miller Jr. and purchaser as Homestead Equities LLC; the document was notarized by Jessica J. Taylor who is legally commissioned in Missouri. As everything was in order, the recorder’s office proceeded with putting the change of ownership on file as part of standard protocol.
But that’s not where it ends. Executor of Miller’s estate Deanna Baumgarden says no one, including Miller, knew of the transfer until about five months later when she went on line to Bates County GIS only to discover his property was now listed with a new owner, Homestead Equities, LLC.
“Before that, I got suspicious when Shannon Bone, who had been helping with a beneficiary deed, called asking for titles for Gene’s cars. That’s when I looked and was completely shocked to find the property in someone else's name.”
Hence, the fact finding began.
In questioning 83 year old Miller (now deceased) and his family, all strongly contended that neither he, nor any family member agreed to sell nor were there any discussions about doing such. Likewise, the family claims Miller’s bank account did not show receipt of funds, which based on current market values, would have been in the neighborhood of $200,000.00 or so.
Unfortunately, Eugene Miller passed away May 13, 2024 and hopes were dashed of any resolution as they were told that since the transaction was complete and appeared to be fully legal- there was nothing more to be done and the only help could come from an outside investigation.
In the meantime, Miller and his family made several attempts to reach Bone to discuss the issue but said she was longer answering calls and had seemingly left the area.
Enlisting the help of others, Baumgarden and the family elected to begin an investigation on their own with findings that didn’t paint a very pretty picture, leading them to believe fraud could be involved:
According to the Missouri Secretary of State website, Homestead Equities LLC was formed August 9, 2023 (19 days before the sale) showing a registered agent name of Shannon M. Bone of Butler, Mo. The search also revealed another business owned by Bone known as Circle B Bookkeeping LLC created in January of 2016.
To date, this is the only transaction on file for Homestead Equities LLC at the recorder’s office in Bates county.
As further attempts to get answers by the family were unsuccessful, an on line search revealed that Bone may have relocated to Ash Flat, Arkansas. That search also revealed a criminal history in Arkansas that indicates Bone previously had four charges of Class C Felony forgery with the disposition listed as guilty and one of charge of Theft of Leased, Rented or Entrusted Personal Property, a Class C Felony, also showing a disposition of guilty all of which occurred in 1999.
The criminal record also indicated other similar charges during the same time frame that were disposed as not guilty.
“This thing just stinks. Gene would not have knowingly given up his property” said Baumgarden “And to think his family has been cheated out of land that has been in the family for a very long time just crushes my heart.”
Another variable has come into play as prior to his death, Gene battled onset dementia and Alzheimer’s for the past couple of years bringing into question whether or not he was mentally clear enough to know what he may have signed.
But regardless, according to his closest family members “he was VERY clear he never agreed to sell his land that was meant to be passed on to heirs.”
Multiple checks of his bank account have never shown receipt of money from Homestead Equities or even a large cash deposit- all done to insure there was not some kind of clerical mistake or a lost check.
Shannon tells her side
The previous information notwithstanding, Mid America Live was able to contact Shannon Bone via telephone to get her side of the story.
When informed that there were questions regarding the transfer she stated “I helped Gene with a lot of things over the years. In return, he told me he wanted me to have the property so I put it in a safe place.” She went on to say that her intent was to honor his wishes and that holding the property “would insure nothing that went against his wishes would happen to it.”
In our 16 minute conversation Bone assured multiple times that she was only following Miller’s instructions.
However at this juncture, the matter has caught the attention of the Department of Health and Senior Services who took interest in the case and are preparing to open a formal investigation.
A timeline regarding the investigation is yet to be revealed.
April 3, 2024 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner Ken Mooney and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present. 10:00 Approve Bills 11:00 Judge Julie Highley and Prosecutor Hugh Jenkins came in to discuss how they would like to use the Opioid Settlement Money that the County is to be getting. After some research on the Opioid Settlement and the requirements to use this money, they feel the Bates County Recovery Court would qualify and be a good choice for this money to make amends for those recovering from addictions. The Bates County Recovery court has perimeters set for those admitted. They must be non-violent, low-level crime willing to go through treatment and tracking. This is an alternative to regular court and parole and probation. There are several phases. The main ones being treatment, counseling and graduation. In this court if an infraction occurs the consequences happen right away and for those that make it through the original charges are thrown out. They enter back into society clean and clear. During this process the people struggle with employment, housing and childcare. Breaking old habits and building new ones. With this the money could be used to support when needed. However, this court is not funded by any means. There are state grants they can apply for. Their budget is often short. They have had to cover one line item with another. They are hoping to secure the County’s support with the Opioid Settlement Money. Julie pointed out that with the qualifications for the money there are only a few entities that could qualify, Compass Health, (which is a for profit business) and County Health. Jim stated the Commission had been talking to Boone and Callaway Counties to see how they were utilizing the funds. He states he missed the first hand out of settlements monies, or no one followed through with it. This round he was having trouble getting someone to appoint to receive the funds and disperse them. The one he had in mind couldn’t as he cannot disperse money he receives. Julie did mention that she would like to see a DUI recovery court set in place as well. To be like the drug recovery court. The community continues to be plagued with those that are life offenders with drinking and driving. Offering both drug and alcohol offenders helps get them out of the circle of these offenses. Jim asked Julie and Hugh if they preferred the money being dispersed as a grant or an application process. Jim showed them the ARPA application we had used. They had no preference. Jim stated the application was something the auditors could use to see where the money was spent. Hugh stated that they keep records and documentation of all monies spent. Trent stated he was for using the settlement money for treatment of addictions. Julie extended an invitation for the Commission to attend the Recovery Court Graduation on May 3rd in the evening. She stated this would be a good thing for the people to see. Ken asked if they had any need for employers willing to accept those in Recovery Court? Julie said she will give him her card to extend to those willing to employ them. She also mentioned these employers get vested into the participants and usually show up at the graduations. Work In Progress- Policy Regarding Indigent Cremations given 8/25/2023. Policy Regarding Computer, E-Mail, Devices and Social Media given 2/14/2024. Bid for Hallway lights given 2/14/2024. Township Contracts not competed Lone Oak, Hudson, South Hudson Special, Mt Pleasant, and Deer Creek. Township Contracts not received Mingo, Elkhart, Shawnee, Spruce, New Home, Osage and Cornland Special.
April 8, 2024 The Bates County Commission met with Northern Commissioner Ken Mooney and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present. Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley is attending Legislative meetings in Jefferson City. Lindsey Chaffin called about the sidewalks around the courthouse. The commissioners had a few phone calls with no notes given to the deputy clerk. After lunch, Ken was out looking at 2 box culverts. Trent went to inspect a drain issue with water over State Line Road West of Foster. April 10, 2024 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner Ken Mooney and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present.
10:00 Approve Bills. 10:30 Attended the MAC Policing/ Justice/ Mental Health phone conference. Sheriff Chad Anderson in attendance. 11:00 Lindsey Chaffin with Great River brought the TAP Agreement for the side walk project around the courthouse. This will be MoDOT funded at 80% and county funded at 20%. MoDOT construction start date is July 1st 2026, however Lindsey believes it should be in 2025. Jim stated he has already talked to SHPO to make them aware of the upcoming project. Agreement was signed by the Commissioners and County Clerk, Jami Page. Lindsey also updated on the BRO-2023 Bridge. Studies are still be done. They are moving forward contacting the property owners for donations.
April 15, 2024 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner Ken Mooney and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present. 11:00 am Julie Moulden and Timothy Woemmel Missouri State Auditor has questions on ARPA funds that were originally sent via email to the commission on 3/14/2024 and not answered. Jim suggested that they not be disturbed and go into closed session. Ken stated with Jami’s absence, (in closed session the County Clerk acts as recording secretary), that they could keep their own notes. At 11:02 Ken made the motion to go into closed session per RSMO 610.021 (17), per Jim use the one previously cited by Jami with the auditor. Trent seconded. At 12:02 the open session resumed. 1:30 pm Teresa Heckenlively, Shannon Stewart and Dillon Harness, with Kaysinger Basin Regional Planning Commission came in to discuss a new program they are asking for support on. They have an opportunity to develop a Safe Streets for all Plan. They need the support of all 7 Counties in the region to move forward with this. The plan would include one project for every county for safer transportation modes, identify problems and reduce fatalities. After this process then the projects could go into other grants for construction or implantation at an 80 / 20% match. This would be a 20-year active plan with opportunities for supplemental plans. Jim asked if this was similar to TAP that the City of Butler just asked for support on. Shannon stated no. The commissioners cited several issues in a few areas. Kaysinger needs a buy in from all Counties with $1565.00 divided over 2 years from each county, and in-kind support from the areas of projects identified. Jim stated that they will look this over and speak to other counties to decide. Shannon stated that she will email the Commissioners and request a respondence by May 10th. Dillon stated he hasn’t heard from Dennis Jacobs with EMA on the Hazard Mitigation Plan. The current plan will expire in May of 2025 and FEMA is requiring the new one be submitted 6 months prior, November 2024. There needs to be 3 community meetings. One in each major community. Jim called Dennis and requested his presence. Possible dates so far are April 24th or May 1st. The Courthouse Clocktower that was damaged by power surges needs a new controller. $1,114.99. Trent made the motion to purchase the controller and provide a back-up and protection system and added $150 to the total. Ken seconded the motion. All voted yes. Motion passed. No opposition. Part shipped today and will be installed by Gary Ratliff, county maintenance when they arrive.
April 17, 2024 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner Ken Mooney and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present. Approved Bills. 1:30 call in appointment did not call. The commissioners called to talk to 3 other counties on the Kaysinger Basin Safe Street proposal. They need more information and decision was tabled till later date. Trent made the motion to pay the Kaysinger Basin Regional Planning Commission Annual Membership dues. “There are several reasons to use the services of Kaysinger. The main one being MoDOT has handed off the Bridge Replacement Program (BRO) to Kaysinger Regional Planning Commissions (RPC’s). Kaysinger is one of the States RPCs.” quoted Jim.
Ken seconded. All voted yes. Motion passed with no opposition. Work In Progress- Policy Regarding Indigent Cremations given 8/25/2023. Policy Regarding Computer, E-Mail, Devices and Social Media given 2/14/2024
Bid for Hallway lights given 2/14/2024. Township Contracts not competed Hudson, South Hudson Special, Mt Pleasant, Deer Creek and Elkhart. Township Contracts not received Mingo, Shawnee, Spruce, New Home, Osage and Cornland Special.
April 22, 2024 The Bates County Commission met with Presiding Commissioner Jim Wheatley, Northern Commissioner Ken Mooney and Southern Commissioner Trent Nelson present. 10:00-3:00 Congressman Mark Alford’s Staff in the office for open meetings with citizens. Set up in the County Clerk’s Office. The Commission had a phone conversation with St. Clair County on the Safe Streets Project with Kaysinger Basin. St. Clair had tabled this idea as well. There is not enough supporting information to move this program forward. The Commission received a phone call on a water district issue in Amsterdam. Ken and Trent went out to look at a few of the “roads” in the rattlesnake area. They are working on making a few of these unofficial roads into official roads.
To be continued
Crawford, Steven Sr to Schmitz, Guy T Lt 5 Bl 5 Amoret, Original Town Of+
Nitsche Family Trust 6-10-2009 to Bricker, Emily Lt 2 Bl 8 Gilbert Heights+
Whitten, Thomas L to Gibson, Luke Str 31-39-33 //Se
3rd Street Lofts LLC to Yoss Bros. Inc Lt 172 Town Company’s First Addn
Arndt, Donald Duane Trust 01-28-2008 to Stockdale, Jennifer Lt 32 Mills, C. L. Addn+
Wheatley, Stanley R. to Vision Construction Properties IV Str 29-40-31 //Se
Craft, Valerie D. to Gibler, Reagan Lt 5 Bl 6 William’s Addn
Cameron Heights LLC to Byrd, Mark Anton Bl 42 Walnut NKA Foster
Nieder Farms, LLC to Amerson, Allison Str 25-41-33
Downey, Amber to Mulberry Avenue LLC Lt 25 Adrian, Original Town Of+
Pemberton, Richard D to Pemberton, Richard D Str 4-41-29 //Se
Bagby, John M to Hair, Devyn Str 33-42-32 //Sw
Nichols, Susan L. to Burnett Rentals LLC Lt 2 Bl 1 Peck’s Addn
West Central Investments Group to Algiere, Geoffrey Str 15-40-31 //Se
Johnston, Rebecca to Davis, Dickie C Lt 1 Bl 9 Thompsons Addn
Davis, Dickie C to Newsome, Justin Lt 32 Lynwood Estate
US Bank (Trustee) to Elkhart Enterprises LLC Str 22-40-31 //Nw
Marriage License
Skocy, Caleb William and Watson, Charlene Faye
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T’was a beautiful weekend, so flying got on everyone’s agenda, even if a few showers intervened. The long days of summer are about here, so there’s plenty of time after work to get in a flight. Daylight lasts until almost 9 p.m.
Among the week’s transient arrivals were a Robinson R44 helicopter, making a few laps around the traffic pattern for training. Rotary-wing traffic is required by law to avoid the flow of fixed-wing traffic, so helicopters generally fly a 400-foot high traffic pattern on the opposite side of the standard 800-foot pattern for fixed-wing. Also in were a Cessna Skyhawk, and Ryan Ferguson was back from Fort Collins, Colorado in his Cessna Skylane.
Local flyers were Roy Conley in his experimental gyroplane, as well as a Beech Bonanza N35, Jeremie Platt in his Grumman Tiger, Layne Anderson in his Darter Commander, and Jay McClintock in his Piper Tomahawk.
Don’t forget that it’s time for the breakfast flyout of the Fliar’s Club, so we should assemble at 0730 next Saturday morning on the Butler airport ramp, to evaluate our chances. At least the sun comes up early so we don’t have to take off in the dark.
Way back in the 1930s, I’m told, Ben Gregory landed his big Ford TriMotor barnstorming airplane in the pasture that’s now Dirk’s Construction, west of the present-day hospital. And I recall Chuck LeMaster from Ottawa, KS bringing his TriMotor to hop rides at an airshow at the Butler airport in 1975. This weekend, you can buy a ride in the EAA’s old Ford airliner at Springfield Downtown airport, May 23 to the 26th. It’s a real time-warp experience.
We’ve been asked why the City locked up access to the south drive at the airport. It’s an inconvenience to tenants on that side, and for UPS deliveries, all now having to go through the north fenced-in drive. The move was warned off for months, necessitated to stay in compliance with FAA rules regarding keeping taxiing aircraft separated from vehicles. Logic does not prevail, and it would seem other arrangements could have been made. The next airport commission meeting is scheduled for June 13, at 5:30 p.m. in the City Hall.
Last time we asked about the origin of Cape Air airlines, which flies little Cessna 402 and Tecnam P2012 twins on routes up and down the east coast and in Montana. It’s because they started on Cape Cod, out of Boston and Providence. Our brain-teaser for next week is, what’s a “blast fence”, usually seen at airports with jet airliner traffic? You can send your answer to kochhaus1@gmail.com.
