Prairie City school story

As the annual Papinville Picnic is set for this Saturday, here's another story from the area 

We are not sure the year Prairie school was established. We could not find any records, but it is estimated in the early 1880’s. The earliest records we found was 1919.

Teacher records showed that the longest term for a teacher that taught in Prairie City was Pearle Kemper. She taught for 10 years, along with the next was Pauline (Bell) Bradley). The one good thing we found was that the four schools in Prairie township had an abundance of very dedication teachers.

The teachers not only recorded their grades at school, they had to record other activities that was held at school such as : Church, Sunday school, church programs, 4-H meetings  and programs  held at the school (Christmas Thanksgiving and Easter) . Many people mention the pie and box suppers they had to raise money for books for the library.

The four schools would get together several times during the year and have spelling, math and geography, plus sports baseball and races competitions. For the students eight grade graduation they all came to the Methodist church in Papinville.

 In 1952 the Papinville school consolidated with Prairie City school. The Seelinger and Happy Hill schools were moved and attached to the Prairie City school.  Seelinger building was added on the east.  Happy Hill was not in the Prairie township but the school was added to the west side. All four schools were going to Prairie City . The three combined builds were used from 1954 to 1958.In 1958 all student ‘s in Prairie township were bussed to Rich Hill.

Rural education started at Papinville and ended in Prairie City. The Papinville, Mission Branch, Seelinger and Prairie City schools served teachers, parents, students and communities well.  May they always remain treasured memory.

Hope to see you at the picnic on September 27th. All pass students need to sign in at 3:00..  we are having recognition of teachers and students at 3:30. If you are entering the pie contest have your pies at the museum, plus if you would like to bring a cake for the cake walk have them here by 2:00. Make sure they are in disposable containers. Fried fish and pulled pork with all the sides will be served at 5:30. We hope that we will have many alumni from the four schools. Remember this picnic is not just for students of the pass, but also for family that had somebody of their family that attended one of the schools. Bring children to come see what a country school looked like and visit the nice museum.

The quilt drawing will be at 4:00 and the painting that Tom Attenburg painted of the school will be auction off after the pie auction. 50-50 drawing will be after the painting is auction. Come out and have an eventful day. We pray that the weather will be beautiful. This is the last of the school stories. Hope to see you on September 27. Music starts at 1:30. Don’t forget your lawn chairs. Hope you have enjoyed the stories. Submitted by Phyllis Stewart (Activity Director)

Butler Lodge No. 254 installs 2025-2026 officers

 

FLASHBACK: Farming in the 50’s

 

Recipe of the Week

 

What’s Up by LeRoy Cook

  Lamar Fly-in On October 11th

It is the time of early autumn flying weather, prized for 50-mile visibility, crisp dense air and moderate density altitude. Even the sometime thunderstorm sweeps away pollution, promising clear skies in its wake. Perhaps we can enjoy it for a couple of more months.

The traffic count was low last week, despite encouraging weather. A nice restart Cessna 182T was in, a Cirrus SR22 came by and the weekly Army Guard Black Hawk helicopter hovered through. Locally, Roy Conley fired up his experimental gyrocopter for a few spins, I took the old Aeronca Champ up to air it out and we flew the Cessna Skyhawk over to Mexico, MO for the Zenith kitplanes homecoming party, always a fun event.

I’m sorry I neglected to publish the date of the Lincoln, MO fly-in that was held on September 13th. I ought to know it’s usually the 2nd Saturday of September, but I clean forgot. To redeem myselt, take note of a 64th Anniversary Fly-in at Lamar, taking place on October 11th. Seems like only yesterday I saw Lamar’s little airport opened, now a first-class facility for light jets. There will be a pancake breakfast, starting at 8:00 a.m., displays, rides and a car show, winding up by 2:30. 

Out of Canada comes news of an Air Traffic Control facility being built in British Columbia to provide “air services” to up to 20 airports. The idea is to have pilots report to and obey a control tower that doesn’t exist; instead clearances and spacing are provided remotely, with cameras, ADS-B and radar oversight. If it sounds screwy, it is. But up North all air traffic control is provided by a private company, NavCanada, that bills pilots for each contact, like it or not.

And then there was last Tuesday’s story from the island of Corsica, in the Mediterranean, when a landing airliner was having trouble getting a response from the control tower. It flew a holding pattern for 18 minutes, then landed unaided. Turns out the lone controller was sleeping; they had to break the security door down to wake him up. The little airport only handles about 50 flights per day, leaving periods of somnolence.

This past week marked the 85th Anniversary of the Battle of Britain in 1940, a summer of aerial fighting in the skies over England that changed the course of history. Germany’s mad dictator Adolph Hitler had freshly conquered Poland, Austria, France and Norway, and he assumed he could add invade England as well, just a few miles across the Channel. He didn’t reckon on the resolve of the British people, rallied by Winston Churchill, who put up Royal Air Force fighters to repel the Luftwaffe bombers and escorts. With spotters and command centers, England sent Hurricanes and Spitfires on target day after day, rescuing downed pilots and rebuilding wrecked planes, until by September 15 it became evident that Germany wasn’t going to take the “right tight little island.” In October, Hitler had to change plans to night bombing raids and concentrate on the Russian front. As Sir Winston put it “Never have so many owed so much to so few.” The Royal Air Force and its supporters gave the Allies a base with which to eventually win the war in Europe. Which is why we now speak English instead of German. 

The question from last week was about the definition of “usable fuel” when considering the amount of gas you can put in an airplane. It’s all that will feed the engine in a steep climb at full power, without interrupting the fuel tank’s outlet. For next time, we want to know “To whom is the Butler Memorial Airport dedicated?” You can send your answers to kochhaus1@gmail.com. 

The Museum Minute: WWII plane drops into Butler

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

Herrman’s Historical Happenings week of September 24

1879 U.S. President Rutherford Hayes passes through Rockville, Mo by train.

1879 The 4th annual 3 day fair for Bates, Henry & St. Clair begin in Appleton City.

1881 With the influx of so many people, for the coal mines, in Rich Hill the dog population has increased to where citizens are demanding a resolution.

1903 The Younger-James Wild West Show comes to Butler after being blasted while playing last week in Warrensburg.

1940 The temperature dips to 40 degrees this morning in Bates Co.

1944 One of our fastest airplanes, the P-38 lightning, makes a forced landing on the Butler golf course, drawing plenty of sight-seers. 

1979 The Pioneer Family Center opens on North business 71, Butler. Managers are Wesley Jensen and Barbara Delozier.

1991 Robb Steinbeck is sworn in as Coroner of Bates county, filling a vacancy created when his father, Robert, died August 31st.

1999 The Amsterdam Jubilee kicks off tonight with the musical group "Satisfied".

Bates County real estate transfers and marriage licenses

Missouri Farm Loan, LLC to Smith's Properties, LLC Lt 1 Bl 5 Conklin & Wells Addn+

Brand, Gregory to Dennis Heiman Properties, LLC Str 5-38-29 //Sw+

Koehler, Richard A to Anderson, Mathew H Str 22-40-31 //Sw

Koehler, Richard A to Anderson, Harold Lt 1 Bl 1 Montgomery's First Addn

Robinson, James W to Ritter, Michael Lt 1 Bl 5 Connelly's Addn+

Missouri Farm Loan to CIRE, LLC Lt 13 Bl 1 Wyatt's First Addn+

Muller, Aaron to Becker, Hannah M Lt 4 Bl 8 Amoret, Original Town Of+

Becker, Hannah M to Morris, Dallie Lt 4 Bl 8 Amoret, Original Town Of+

Thurman, Robin to David & Nicole Thurman Farms, LLC Str 15-40-31

Thurman, Robin to Thurman, Robin Str 15-40-31 //Sw

Stout, Michelle to Ranger Renovations LLC Lt 8 Bl 81 Rich Hill, Original Town Of+

Bartimus, Gregory D to Hedrick Enterprises Str 19-40-30 //Nw

Burnett Rentals LLC to Baker, Wendy Lt 2 Bl 1 Peck's Addn

Meade, John E to Yoder, Jaden A Lt 5 Bl 12 William's First, Ext. Of Addn

Brown, Frances I Walley to Powell, Richard Lt 8 Bl 8 Amsterdam, Original Town Of+

Cable, David L. to Salinas, David Ruiz Jr. Lt 61 Town Company's First Addn+

Underwood, Paula J to Leister, Lee Ann Bl 12 Couch's Addn

Wisdom, Judith to Wisdom, Judith Lt 4 Bl 11 William's Addn+

Wadel, Kelly to Wadel, Kelly Lt 2 Bl 11 Thompsons Addn

Marriage license

Greer, Brenton Michael and Geritz, Skyla Anne

Shine, Wesley Robert and Ward, Hunter Lee

Winfrey, Justin Ray and Stepp, Joann Rena

Hosmer, Gregory Warren and Rugg, Traci Lyn

Craft, Kenneth Michael and Lunde, Brittanny Nicole

Temperatures this week

 What about temps this week?

Monday night's showers and thunderstorms accompany an upper-low and associated cold front through the region.

By Thursday, the low has pushed off east and sunshine accompanies a warmup into next weekend.

-Greg