Flashback Friday: What's your handle?

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Listen up, millennials...

A long time ago, there were NO cell phones, voice mail, email or texting. No Snapchat. No Instagram. Facebook? Notta.

Now don't get too carried away, we did have electricity and indoor plumbing back then...

One way to keep in touch in the 1970's was to key up your CB radio and have a chat. Granted, anyone else who had a CB radio could listen in, so be careful what you say. 

And don't use your real name, silly. You need a 'handle', a nickname, like Bandit, the White Knight, or what ever fits you.

The vintage advertisement shown here, endorsed by local celebrity Virgil Ward, shows all the finer points of this CB radio offering 23 channels and transmitting at the highest power allowed by law, guaranteeing your friends will 'catch you on the side' many miles away. 

And yes, you can still buy a CB radio today. Hey, anybody got a Smokey report?


Popular CB slang here:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_CB_slang

FLASHBACK: LaCygne power plant goes on line

Some 46 years ago, something began appearing in the west...

And a short time later, the LaCygne Generating Station went on line, providing power for thousands of people throughout the midwest. As construction began, it was a regular 'outing' for local folks to drive over and marvel at the construction of something huge that appeared in a once empty field.

In conjunction with the plant was the P&M Coal mining operation that covered a large area basically between Amsterdam and Amoret; where coal was removed and trucked directly to the LaCygne power station, allowing the plant to be as 'self sustaining' as possible. 

Both the plant and coal company provided many local jobs as well.

Over the years, P&M exhausted the local of supply of coal and it now comes by rail as seen regularly around Amsterdam every few days.

The LaCygne power plant recently went through renovations to meet the latest EPA emission guidelines, see more about those upgrades here. 

-courtesy LaCygne Historical Society

FLASHBACK: Butler Roller Rink

PAUL STAMPER readies another record (circa 1960's) for skaters at the Butler Roller Rink located on business 71 highway, current building behind the former Sonic location. Plenty of good times were had, including budding romance for many over the years. Besides some bruised buns and the occasional wall smack, skaters enjoyed limbo, skating backwards, couples skate and a penny pickup, which required true accuracy and skill to avoid a smashed digit. - Our thanks to Bruce Furman

FLASHBACK: Mount Vernon School finds a new home

 Around 1979, the Mount Vernon Schoolhouse was given a new life when it was moved from its original location five miles west of Passaic to the current location at Frontier Village in Adrian. The building was in pretty good condition considering its age, complete with bell still intact. The photo below was taken just after the move was completed with Perry Rexroad and Don Arndt having a congratulatory handshake in the doorway.

-photos courtesy of the Western Missouri Antique Tractor And Machinery Association

Flashback...

This photo taken around the turn of the century features local ball players with the southwest corner of the Butler square as a backdrop. Note the building on the far right is the current Union Restaurant; at which time was used (upstairs) as a place where men could rent a room. It is rumored that outlaw Jesse James stayed there multiple times.

It's been told that upstairs in the building on the left, abortions were performed around the same time, leading to a legacy of 'strange noises' that have been heard coming from there over the years.

Photo courtesy of Randy Weiss

FLASHBACK: This Coke's for you...

THE YEAR WAS 1939 and the location was 216 N. Main street. The product? Coca Cola, bottled right here in Bates County. Over the years, Butler was home to many grocery stores, shoe and clothing stores, JC Penny's, Montgomery Wards, Sears, a lens manufacturing plant and yes, fresh made Coca Cola. - our thanks to Jana Rosier

Flashback: ‘Takin care of business

 

This photo taken looking North from the courthouse lawn during an REA event shows Tom Chandler (left) chatting it up with Fred Cornell in 1958. Some interesting features in the background include a new John Deere tractor (likely a 520), the A&P grocery store and Russel’s Variety store. Courtesy Jana Rosier

FLASHBACK: Some hospital history...

AT ONE TIME our local hospital was located on the west side Maple street, just south of Mill street and was known as the Butler Memorial Hospital. It served as the primary local hospital until 1960, when the new  Bates County Memorial Hospital on Nursery street was completed.

The facility was used for a variety of things post-hospital, including a nursing home and other extended care related businesses. The building has since been razed and a home now sits on the property. - Our thanks to Lena Ray

FLASHBACK: Bailey's Cafe

Rear entrance of Bailey's Cafe, early 1960's

Many moons ago, 71 highway came straight through Butler; the bypass wasn't completed until the late 60's.

This presented the Butler strip with an opportunity for plenty of customers and consequently there were many fine eateries such as Bailey's Cafe on the north end.

The building remains mostly unchanged today; it is now attached to the north end of the county storage building next door to Midwest Lumber company.

Flashback: Cinema under the stars

 

As seen in this week's News-Shopper

FLASHBACK: Farming in the 50’s

A dandy pocket ledger courtesy of Deems Farm Equipment allowed farmers to quickly calculate weights, adjust settings and easily get other ‘need to know’ data. This one dated 1956 had all the info needed for the day and included plenty of advertisements for the lineup of quality John Deere tractors and implements.

FLASHBACK: A vital component for the Electric City

Butler Light Plant circa 1950's

Many years ago if you were in the vicinity of west Mill street, there was a constant rumbling that could be heard up to several blocks away. That was the sound of diesel engines generating power by Butler's very own light plant seen here. There have been many upgrades since its infancy, where it originally generated inefficient DC power- later changing over to AC, as it was much better for sending electricity over a long distance.

A few of the older (and still operational) engines can be seen through the windows today, not to mention one of the oldest engines which is on display outside.

While the plant doesn't run as much as it used to, it is on stand by, ready to light the Electric City when the need arises.

Butler Light Plant today

A vintage 'genset' (engine and generator) on display in the east yard

FLASHBACK: Greg York receives high Scouting honor

Editors note: Many of you remember the York family, and for a good number of years Greg served as a police dispatcher for the city of Butler. Greg received the this award in August, 1969

FLASHBACK: Country carwash

In 1948, an easy way to wash your pride and joy was to take the car to the water, not water to the car. Here, Stanley Walley parked in the shallows of Miami Creek near Amsterdam to get the job done. 

FLASHBACK: Early days of radio in Bates County

On the air in 1963 Edwin Blocher and Bob
Spurrier on location

 

It's often called the Golden Days of Radio and yes, Bates County was in the mix. Over the years, the station has grown in many ways- here is a brief history:

Established in 1962 by two brothers, Bill and Jerry Thornton. Bill Thornton began his career as a DJ, continued his career in the United States Navy as an engineer, then graduated from Arkansas State with a degree in Journalism and a dream to build his own radio station.

On May 11, 1962, the first broadcast from KMAM AM 1530 began at 6 AM. The Bates County Broadcasting Company, located at 800 East Nursery Street in Butler, may be the last radio station in the country of its age, still under its original ownership.

The FM frequency was added on January 15, 1975 and KMAM/KMOE became two stations, simulcasting in FM and AM. In the beginning, the radio station could only broadcast during daylight hours. The station has gone from reel-to-reel tape, to cartridge tapes, then cassettes, and now there is full automation and no tapes required. Local broadcasters had to come to the radio station in person to perform and be on air. Music was on vinyl. Now programs can be recorded anywhere at any time and brought to the station to be aired at a scheduled time. From noisy teletype in a soundproof room, to satellites receiving programs from 24,000 miles in the sky, KMAM/KMOE-FM 92.1 brings the Kansas City Royals, ABC World News, Farm Market Reports and a variety of other shows to listeners. Bill and Louise Thornton still own the station, but they have retired from working there, and the General Manager is their daughter, Melody Thornton. Melody has been announcing since 1980 and she has made positive changes to the format and programs at the station. The station continues to move forward into a competitive and up-to-date venue of music, news, and entertainment for the ever expanding broadcasting area.

Bill Thornton – Owner

Bill is the Founder of KMAM-KMOE, the first radio station in Butler, Established in 1962 by two brothers, Bill and Jerry Thornton. Bill began his career as a DJ, continued his career in the United States Navy as an engineer, and then graduated from Arkansas State with a degree in Journalism and a dream to build his own radio station. On May 11, 1962, the first broadcast from KMAM AM 1530 began at 6 AM. The Bates County Broadcasting Company, located at 800 East Nursery Street in Butler, may be the last radio station in the country of its age, still under its original ownership. The FM frequency was added on January 15, 1975 and KMAM/KMOE became two stations, simulcasting in AM and FM. In the beginning, the radio station could only broadcast during daylight hours. The station has gone from reel-to-reel tape, to cartridge tapes, then cassettes, and now there is full automation and no tapes required. Local broadcasters had to come to the radio station in person to perform and be on air. Music was on vinyl. Now programs can be recorded anywhere at any time and brought to the station to be aired at a scheduled time. From noisy teletype in a soundproof room, to satellites sending programs from 24,000 miles in the sky, KMAM-KMOE now brings the Kansas City Royals, Kansas City Chiefs, ABC World News, Farm Market Reports and a variety of other shows to listeners. Bill and Louise Thornton still own the station, but they have since retired, their daughter, Melody Thornton now acts as General Manager. Melody has been announcing since 1980 and she has made positive changes to the format and programs at the station. The station continues to move forward into a competitive and up-to-date venue of music, news, and entertainment for the ever expanding broadcasting area.

Melody Thornton – General Manager

Melody has been announcing since 1980 and she has made positive changes to the format and programs at the station. The station continues to move forward into a competitive and up-to-date venue of music, news, and entertainment for the ever expanding broadcasting area.

Editor's note- Many thanks to Bill Thornton for hiring me in 1982. KMAM/KMOE FM nicely launched my career in broadcasting which included on-the-air work at KNEM/KNMO in Nevada, KOMB in Fort Scott and later 61 Country, WHB, KUDL and Oldies 95 in Kansas City. All of which could not have been done without a start right here in Bates County. -Doug Mager

-courtesy 921news.com

FLASHBACK: Hot off the press

WATCH YOUR FINGERS when the press was in action at the Bates County Democrat Newspaper- it took several sets of eyes to make sure everything was running smoothly. The above photo is the trial run of the new Goss Comet Automatic press in May of 1960, which stayed in use for many years to come.

The Democrat office was located on the north side of the Butler square (current Bartz location) and was quite a buzz of activity right up to print deadline as Bates Countians eagerly awaited their weekly update.

The Democrat later was replaced by the Headliner; in the 1980's Jim Peters and C.A. Moore headed up the News Xpress which remained in publication until a short time ago.

Dick Ellis, Quentin Cumpton, Tommy Roberts, and C.A. Moore

-thanks to Cyndi Walton Cumpton

Flashback: Merwin school

This photo taken over 50 years ago shows many happy faces from the Merwin school. The school, which is no longer standing, sat on a hill on the south edge of town and later merged to become part of the Miami R-1 school district. 

See anyone you know?

-our thanks to Butch Leuthart

Flashback: Greetings from Merwin

 

Flashback: Christy’s Lake

 

Flashback: Uptown Grill