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Feature Articles
LEETON HIGH SCHOOL
ALUMNIST OF THE MONTH
JULY, 2011
"KENNY BURFORD"
Singer, Writer, Performer
Seeking to Make a Better World
In a conversation with Kenny Burford online it has been learned that he is on
leave in England and will be returning to Afghanistan in the near future. He is currently involved in building military bases to prepare
the Afghan forces. This is his 3rd tour of duty and he is in his sixth month. He reports that the Taliban at this point are more like gangs
than a military force. They randomly attack and destroy what they can without any true plan in mind.
Kenny noted that only ten percent of the women are attending school because of strict traditions opposing education
for women. Those who do attend are in danger of injury or death. Recently, Kenny knew of a group of women on their way to school who had
acid thrown in their faces.
"Life there is very different for women," Kenny said. "They are centuries behind those of the United States in
terms of freedom and equality."
Kenny reported that while working in Iraq the projects were building schools and hospitals rather than military bases
and he said it was gratifying to see the progress being made. In Iraq he was able to leave the base for 2 or 3 days and felt generally safe.
In Afghanistan the only time they leave the base is with a helicopter fully armed. The American workers live in a central portion of the
military base they are building with considerable protection."
Kenny has been employed with the USACE which has wrapped up its work in Iraq. In Afghanistan, it is believed that the
allotment financially is 100 million dollars for 2011 and 120 million for 2012. He believes the United States will be leaving Afghanistan
by 2014. He has no doubt in his mind that the work they did in Iraq helped the people there and that in that part of the world people are
safer and much closer to being free and equal. In Afghanistan he has many questions and does not see much hope for the future of the people.
"It is a very different and much more complex situation," reported Kenny. "Since the death of Ben Laden the Pakistan
government has been sending secret troops into the Afghan border to kill teachers and others who would benefit the Afghan people."
Kenny Burford graduated from Leeton High School and had a flourishing music career in Nashville for a time.
He was a member of Georgia Mudd singing group. Later performed at night clubs and even wrote many songs that were published and performed
by stars in the country music field. He is married and has children and grandchildren who he will proudly talk about.
He led a drive to collect shoes for the Iraqi children a couple of years ago and continues to do what he can to
make a better world. We recognize him as Leeton High School Alumnus of the Month.
CLASS OF 1955 MEETS
The Leeton High School Class of 1955 met June 10 at the Leeton Community Building
for a reunion. Those attending from the original class were Carol (McAllister) Smith, Barbara (Paxton) Bolles, Bertie (Barnes) Young, Jane
(Dady) Clark, Bill Bird, Tommy Phillips, Vera (Green) Quick, Jim Thompson, Pat (Smith) Clear, and Clyde Robbins.
The group had a great time visiting and remembering their experiences in Leeton High School. Many of them later
attended the Leeton Alumni Reunion held at the school on Sunday.
LHS ALUMNIST OF THE MONTH
BOBBY G. NEWBILL
PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL PLAYER for NY YANKEES
Bobby G. Newbill was born August 26, 1929, in Bowen, east of
Leeton, the son of Howard Sanford and Grace Elizabeth (Humphrey) Newbill.
He attended elementary school in the Liberty country school and graduated from Leeton High School in 1946
at the age of 16. On January 8, 1955, in Branson, Missouri, he married Nancy Rose Call. He and his wife had one daughter,
Cynthia Newbill of Gladstone.
After graduation he played baseball in the KOM league for the NEW YORK YANKEES and for four years was a
team mate of Mickey Mantle, Bill Virdon and other major league ballplayers.
He joined the Navy in 1951 and served four years aboard ship in the South Pacific and Indian Oceans.
While on board the Navy Tanker Patapsco he was contaminated by radioactive fallout during atomic and hydrogen weapons tests.
After completing his tour of duty he worked as an assistant manager at the Milgram's Grocery Stores
in the Kansas City area for over 32 years. He and Nancy moved back to Windsor to retire. He was a member of the First Baptist
Church and Windsor VFW Post #2610.
On May 11, 2011, he passed away at his home in Windsor. Funeral services are scheduled for May 16
at 1:30 p.m. at the Hadley Funeral Home in Windsor with burial in Laurel Oak Cemetery.
LHS ALUMNIST OF THE MONTH
ELIZABETH (BAILEY)HARTMAN
Pilot/Accountant
Elizabeth Bailey Hartman was married 57 1/2 years to her husband,
E. B. Hartman who died in 1986. They had one son born in 1933 who is now a father and grandfather of three. She reported
when we talked to her some years ago that she was very proud of him.
Elizabeth became a pilot and served with the Civil Air Patrol from 1944 to 1948. Despite this exciting
occupation she made time to be a den mother for eight Cub Scouts for three years during World War II. She served as president
of the P. T. A. (Elementary School 1 year and Jr. High School 1 year). She was a charter member of the Association of American
Retired Persons Chapter #1376 and Chapter #50.
She reported that she never "shot for the moon---only for being a good wife helping her husband with his work
and a good mother rearing her son to be a good, moral, unselfish and God-loving person along with being a good housewife. I've
had a full life and wouldn't change any part of it."
She reported that she wanted to be a nurse but her mother was set on her beoming a teacher. The compromise
was that she went to a business college. She became a bookkeeper and accountant with the Insurance Company of Kansas City. She
noted that Leeton High School did an excellent job preparing her for college and lacked in nothing. She said the faculty
achieved the most they could. Many opportunities were provided in sports, plays and musical programs. Contests, hands on
activities, book reports and the study of Latin were of great benefit in preparing her for life. She graduated from Leeton
High School in 1926.
LHS ALUMNIST OF THE MONTH
MARION M. CORSON
Pipeline Terminal Superintendent
Featured this month is a 1930 graduate of Leeton High School. He is
Marion M. Corson. He was born January 30, 1912 in Leeton the son of Arthur S. and Ada Ann Corson. After completing his training
at Leeton he was employed by the Phillips Petroleum Company and moved to Madison, Kansas.
He returned to the Leeton area to marry his sweetheart Stella June Peters, daughter of Mr. and
Mrs. C. J. Peters of Tipton. His bride was a student at the college in Warrensburg preparing to graduate with a bachelor
degree in education. She had already taught four years in Moniteau County, Missouri. The two were joined in holy matrimony
at Cupid's Parlor in Olathe, Kansas by Judge Bert Rogers.
The couple were kept a part for a short time as Stella finished her commitment to the school where
she was teaching and Marion had to move to his work in the oil field with Phillips. They were soon together and from this
union came a daughter, Sharon Flint, of Topeka, Kansas. Later Marion and Stella were moved to Wichita where he was appointed
superintendent of the Wichita Pipeline Terminal (1977) and remained in that position until his retirement.
At his death February 26, 1995, he and his wife had two granddaughters and four great grandchildren.
Funeral services were at the Parker-Price Mortuary in Topeka with burial in Mount Hope Cemetery in Topeka.
Marion was an active member of the Paola Lodge No. 37 A.F. & A.M., the Wichita Scotttish Rite Bodies;
Midian Shrine Temple of Wichita and the Old Manor Baptist Church in Wichita.
Our congratulations to the family of Marion Corson and thanks for the dedicated life and example that Marion
provided for future Leeton High School graduates.
LEETON HIGH SCHOOL
ALUMNIST OF THE MONTH
MARCH, 2011
SERENA (BRICKEN) VAN HOFTEN
Hall of Fame Teacher
Serena (Bricken) Van Holften was born in Arapaho, Oklahoma, on August
20, 1903, to James and Georgia Bricken. Serena spent her childhood on a farm with her three sisters in Leeton, Missouri. Upon
high school graduation in 1923 she journeyed west to Colorado to attend Boulder University. After her first year she tested
for the teacher's certification and to her surprise passed the exam and began a teaching assignment in the small town of
Meeker, Colorado.
This was the beginning of a long and distinguished teaching career. She spent her summers in classes at the
University of Colorado in Greeley so she would have better qualifications. A succession of one room school houses followed
until she accepted a position as a 6th grade teacher in a larger school system in Saguache, Colorado.
Serena met and married Arend VanHolten, a Dutch business owner, on December 12, 1932. Teaching, visits to
Denver and bridge parties for 16 years were pursuits during the years in Saguache until 1940. The VanHoftens then settled in
Yucaipa in their Avenue E Street home in California, which they occupied for the next 56 years.
During World War II, Serena served as a Civil Defense volunteer spending hours at the "aircraft observation post"
situated atop the Flag Hill. In 1949 she returned to teaching accepting an elementary position at Colton and then secured a
job at the Yucaipa Elementary School, just a block from her home. Her years of teaching in Colorado had helped her decide that
the most definitive time in a young student's education was in the first grade year. In the mid-1950's, the VanHoftens started a
poultry operation and worked together to run the business, but she continued to teach.
She educated some 1450 young minds at Yucaipa Elementary. Teaching was her obsession for the next
45 years and she taught four generations often teaching grandchildren of her students. The Yucaipa community is truly the
product of this remarkable woman. Education did not end with the school bell. Serena took courses at the University of Redlands
and was asked to participate in their Demonstration School each summer as part of the University's teacher training program.
As a master teacher Serena helped train teachers as student teachers in her own classroom but summers she instructed future
teachers at the University of Redlands program.
In 1986 at the age of 82 she finally retired because she felt that she could no longer give the energy to
the profession she felt it deserved. Mrs. VanHoften had received special yearly dispensation to continue teaching past
traditional retirement age. That year she was inducted into the Teachers Hall of Fame where she is honored by a commemorative
plaque on the wall of the San Bernardino County Museum.
Her support of Education did not end there. Each year since 1984 she has awarded a Yucaipa High School
senior with a college scholarship for a student entering the field of education.
Serena was active in the American Legion Auxiliary serving in several capacities. She was part of the
Legion Scholarship selection committee. Her professional involvements included ADK, the teaching sorority and Phi Delta Kappa,
AAUW of Redlands and finally the Retired Teachers Association.
During their time in Yucaipa both of the VanHoftens were active in the United Methodist Church of Yucaipa.
Arend was involved in the construction of the sanctuary. Serena was part of the shut-in ministry calling committee of the
church.
Over her last four years Serena had suffered with osteoporosis and her professional colleagues from
Alpha Delta Kappa provided tremendous support in meal service and visits. Surrounded by family, she died of heart failure at
Loma Linda Hospital on May 1, 1996 at 93.
On March 28, 1984, Serena was recognized and honored by being named to the Teacher's Hall of Fame for
the Yucaipa Valley. Here is the article on her recognition that appeared in the Yucaipa & Calimesa News-Mirror:
The Yucaipa Valley has inducted its second member into the Teacher's Hall of Fame and for Serena
VanHoften, it was like a TV episode of "This Is Your Life."
The surprized educator was greeted by more than 50 colleagues, former students and special guests at a
reception March 11 at the San Bernardino County Museum. "There's no way to measure the influence of Serena VanHoften," said
Nulah Cramer, school district coordinator of student services and master of ceremonies for the event.
"She is a teacher---a candle that lights others as it consumes itself." Cramer reviewed the career of Serena
which included 43 years of teaching. "You can only see her at high school graduation circling the names of former students.
Serena's students have been like a family to her. She's always had other people's children to love," Cramer said.
Other guest speakers included school board member Dr. Norman Miller, county supervisor Barbara Riordan,
county museum president Dr. Gerald Smith, Hamilton Sheppard, Yucaipa Elementary School principal, and Dr. Albert Cavanaugh,
pastor of the United Methodist Church.
"The most significant part of a child's education is the quality of the teacher," said Miller, senior member
of the Yucaipa Board of Education. "Mrs. VanHoften has a deep affection for her students and is one of the finest educators we
have in the school district. She's the best of the best."
Riordan presented a resolution from the county Board of Supervisors honoring Serena for her 43 years
of teaching. Sheppard also praised the teacher for her continued achievement year after year. "She has the ability to stay
young," Sheppard said. "Serena hasn't changed a bit over the years and is always learning something new each day."
The surprised recipient said she was greatly honored. "I pray, with the help of God, that I will live
up to the honor you have bestowed upon me."
FEBRUARY, 2011
"AURELIUS B. HARRIS"
Civil Engineer for Illinois
and Corps of Engineers in Tennessee
Aurelius B. Harris was born on a farm two miles south of Leeton in Henry
County, Missouri, on March 19, 1908, being the first of two sons of Aurelius B. & Bertha (Venable) Harris. The family moved
to Leeton in 1914 and Aurelius entered grade school. Despite moving back to the farm in 1922 he continued his education at
Leeton public school and graduated from Leeton High School in 1926 with honors.
He majored in engineering at the University of Missouri in Columbia in 1927 and completed the three
year study in 1930. From 1930 to 1942 he was civil engineer for the State of Illinois, Division of Highways, District 9, Design
and Construction. From 1942-1944 he was a civil engineer for the Corps of Engineers, Memphis, Tennessee, involved in a number
of World War II construction projects. From 1944 to 1946 he was Post Engineer at the Army Services Depot in Memphis, Tennessee.
He returned to Illinois and District 9 and was employed from 1946 to 1953 as civil engineer for the State of Illinois in their
Highway Department. In 1953 he was promoted to field engineer for the Division of Highways, District 9, in the Bureau of
Local Roads and Streets. From 1958 to 1965 he was assistant engineer for District 9 in Illinois and from 1965 to 1971 was
the top Engineer of Local Roads and Streets for the State of Illinois. He retired in 1971.
On April 11, 1933, he married Helen Reynolds of Vienna, Illinois. They joined the First Baptist Church
in Carbondale, Illinois in 1953. They had one son, Robert Banks Harris, and he has two daughters, Nancy and Dierdre.
Bob attended Southern Illinois University in Carbondale until he entered the military. He served
in the army in Japan and Korea. On leaving the service he was employed at Central Illinois Light Company in Springfield and
Canton, Illinois, until he retired due to a disability in 1983.
Aurelius was active in the Lion's Club and held several offices. He was a member of the Illinois
Engineers Association (past president), Illinois State Employees Association (past president), and the County Superintendent
of Highways Association (past secretary). He served as secretary of the First Baptist Church and also served as a member of
their Board of Trustees and was church clerk. He was president of the Couples Sunday School Class.
Our congratulations to Aurelius Harris on his successful life. We express our thanks to him for his example
of dedication to serving the public in his professional and volunteer work.
LEETON HIGH SCHOOL
ALUMNIST OF THE MONTH
JANUARY, 2011
"MARY FRANCES (FEWEL) THOMPSON"
Successful Teacher
And Department Administrator
Mary Frances Fewel, daughter of Floyd and Dearing (Reynolds)
Fewel of Leeton graduated from Leeton High School in 1947. She married Earl Bryan Thompson August 25, 1951, at the time
she was finishing her studies at the University of Central Missouri with her Bachelor of Science in Education. She taught
kindergarten in Kansas City for seven years before moving to the Los Angeles area with her husband.
They had two sons. Earl Bryan Thompson, Jr. is first vice president of investments with Paine
Webber. The other son, Floyd Fewel Thompson, graduated from Cal. Poly and is in sales with Standard Paper Box.
While at the university in Warrensburg Mary Frances was active in a number of organizations. She
was in Sigma Sigma Sigma sorority and Alpha Phi Sigma. Extending her knowledge and experience in education she participated
in the Association for Childhood Education and was in Future Teachers of America where she served as Secretary-Treasurer.
She was a Rhetor Queen attendant (yearbook queen competition at the university).
After moving to Los Angeles she was employed as a teacher in the Los Angeles system for 28 years
where she served as chairman of the kindergarten level. She was named Teacher of the Year for her dedication to education.
Mary Frances continued her connection with Sigma Sigma Sigma as an alumnist and served as
president of the Kansas City chapter. She became a member of Alpha Delta Kappa (teacher sorority). In her church work
she was also dedicated serving both the Woodland Hills Presbyterian Church and the Canoga Park Presbyterian Church as
a deacon. Her involvement in the Daughters of the American Revolution started very young as she participated in various
pageants and served as 1st Vice President. In the social area, she was also active in the Woodland Hill Women's Club.
We congratulate Mary Frances on her dedication to making a difference in people's lives and for
her service to the many areas in which her life has been involved. She has been a great example to those around her and
for future graduates of Leeton High School.
LEETON HIGH SCHOOL
ALUMNIST OF THE MONTH
DECEMBER, 2010
"J. C. SEUELL"
World War II Veteran
Missing in Action
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There were over 150 individuals who served in the military
from Leeton during World War II. Most came back but some were lost at sea or on the battlefield. This is a couple of articles
concerning 1934 graduate of Leeton High School, Lt. John C. Seuell.
"Lieut. John C. Seuell of the Ordinance Department who was formerly reported missing is now
determined dead by the War Department. The telegram sent to Mrs. J. C. Seuell July 24th states that he was
killed in action in the early part of February, in the North Atlantic Ocean. He enlisted in the army air corps in July, 1940.
He received his officers training at Camp Lee, Virginia. Lieut. Seuell served as commanding officer of 500 men and 15 officers
for more than a month before leaving the states.
Last September he was married to Miss Bertha Taylor of Thayer, Missouri, now Vocational Home
Economics instructor at Linn. He was the only son of Mr. & Mrs. Beechie Seuell of Butler, Missouri. He is also survived by one
sister, Mrs. Clifford Bruner of Kansas City.
Obituary/newspaper article: "Mrs. John C. Seuell of Linn, Missouri, has received the Purple Heart awarded by
the President to her late husband, Lt. J. C. Seuell, for gallantry and devotion. Lt. Seuell was a son of Mr. & Mrs. Beechie
Seuell, formerly of near Calhoun, now near Butler; and a sister of Mrs. Pauline Bruner. February 7, 1943, Lt. Seuell, of the
Ordinance Department, was reported missing after the ship he was on was torpedoed in the North Atlantic, and he has since been
reported killed in action. He enlisted in the army in July, 1940 and before leaving the States served as commanding officer for
500 men and officers for six weeks. Before his enlistment he was also a loyal Mason."
Another newspaper report: "DEATH AT SEA CONFIRMED - Lieut. John C. Seuell Is Victim of Submarine in
Atlantic (Kansas City Times, August 21, 1943): "Lieut. John C. Seuell, formerly of Kansas City, has been listed as dead, the
War Department recently notified his wife, Mrs. Bertha Seuell, Thayer, Missouri. He was reported missing in February, when
the ship he was on was sunk by an enemy submarine in the North Atlantic. In July, 1940, he enlisted in Kansas City. Later he
was graduated from the officers' candidate school at Camp Lee, Virginia. He was the son of Mr. & Mrs. Beechie Seuell, Butler,
MO. Surviving also are a sister, Mrs. Clifford Bruner, 11 East 62nd Terrace, Kansas City, MO.
Here is a picture of J. C. Seuell as a 1934 senior in Leeton High School.
The next picture is of his sister Pauline Seuell (Mrs. Clifford Bruner) who graduated in 1935 from Leeton High School. The third
picture is of J. C.'s father Mr. Beechie Sewell. J.C.'s mother had died and Mr. Seuell met the widow, Mrs. Clarence (Edith)
Lowry. Both lost sons in the war and eventually married.
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The next picture is of Pauline and J.C. as small children. The final
pictures are different shots of J.C. as he models the various attire worn in the military. One is he and a friend doing cleanup
duty with their mops. Some of the items he is carrying in another picture are the pots, pans, and plates for eatting.
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NOVEMBER, 2010
"JAMES WOLF"
Syndicated Columnist/Journalist
OCTOBER, 2010
"LUCILLE BRICKEN"
Executive Director Family Services
Park Named in Her Honor
Lucille (Bricken) Martin lived in Yucaipa, California. She was
born the daughter of James and Georgia Bricken who lived south of Leeton. She was one of four daughters, Serena, Mary,
Bernice and Lucille who attended Leeton Public School with Lucille graduating in 1927.
She continued her education and earned a Bachelor of Science in Education degree and belonged to
Kappa Omicron Pi. She completed graduate work at both the University of Missouri and Iowa and extended her education to
include counselling at the University of Redlands, California.
Her teaching career started at $47 a month at a school in the state of Iowa where she taught Home
Economics. She decided this was not a livable wage and returned to M.U. to obtain more education. She was hired as supervisor
of home demonstration under the Farm Security Association and later became Executive Director of Family Services.
She and her husband had two children. Her only daughter died at 27 years with cancer. This tragedy
led the couple to move to California in 1942. Complicating things more was her husband becoming ill. She was forced to get
employment to help support the family and accepted a position with Family Services where she remained for 30 years. Her
husband died 25 years after they moved to California.
Lucille became active in the Tri Delta Sorority, Business and Professional Women's Club at
the University of Redlands and the A.A.U.W. organization at the University. She served many offices in these organizations
including president.
She was active in the Methodist Church including leadership in the Methodist Women's Society. She
continued despite her health and age to call on 12 to 15 shut-ins per week.
Lucille was elected 'WOMAN OF THE YEAR' in Redlands, California. In her honor they named the city
park 'Lucille Bricken Martin' Park. The County of San Berdanio later recognized her for her dedication and service beyond the
call of duty naming her to their Hall of Fame. She continued counselling, assisting shutins and helping young people focus
their lives in the proper direction even when she was past 90 years of age.
We salute Lucille (Bricken) Martin for an example of dedication to helping people. She is another
graduate of Leeton High School deserving recognition. Our thanks to her for living a life that made a difference.
SEPTEMBER, 2010
"JETTA CARLETON"
Best Selling Author
Operated Lightning Tree Publishing Company
Even as a high school student her classmates knew Jetta Carleton
would be writing for the rest of her life. Examples in the high school newspaper exhibited her talent. After graduating
from LHS in 1931, she attended the University of Missouri on an education scholarship and very quickly made an impression
winning nearly every writing competition that occurred during her tenure at the university. Following graduation she was
awarded a scholarship from the Writers Conference at Boulder, Colorado, which demonstrated that she could compete at the
national level as well as the university level.
Jetta was the youngest daughter of Professor and Mrs. P. A. Carleton. Mr. Carleton was the superintendent at
Leeton for a number of years and helped to guide the educational program providing graduates with a well rounded education.
There was also a sense of pride and respect for education that he instilled in the minds of those that knew him or studied
with his faculty. Jetta taught at Joplin High School first and then married Jene Lyon. She caught national attention with
her book, "The Moonflower Vine" in 1960 which included a town and school remarkably similar to Leeton. The books sold
rapidly here as people sought to see what was included in the book. (copies are on display at the museum along with the
original critics comments published nationally).
She and her husband settled into New Mexico where they founded and operated The Lightning Tree
publishing company. They issued a number of books publishing a dozen or so a year and along with Jetta's writing did very well.
Jene unfortunately developed cancer and Jetta dedicated much of her final dozen years caring for him. She did complete
another book that she commented about in a letter to former high school classmate Fyrn Harris. She laughed and said it
was making the circles in New York with good responses but no companies had chosen to publish it. Her "Moonflower Vine"
was also purchased for movie rights but, as she noted, she would make lots of money on it if the project was completed
but the speed at which movie projects move she was afraid she would be long gone.
Jetta left us another success story of those who attended Leeton High School. Our thanks to her and
to the books and writings she provided. Her papers and records were donated to New Mexico University and are on display
there.
LEETON HIGH SCHOOL
ALUMNIST OF THE MONTH
AUGUST, 2010
"COL. LOUIS MILLER"
Pilot In Three Wars
Awarded Numerous Military Medals and Honors
Louis E. Miller, the youngest of the three Miller boys graduated from
Leeton High School in 1942. He enlisted in the AirCorp Enlisted Pilot training program called C.P.T. (Civilian Pilot
Training Program) in November 1942. He attended college and Flying training at Dowling College, Des Moines IA., Carleton
College in Northfield, Minnesota, and the University of Kansas City in Kansas City MO. He went on active duty in August
of 1943 and later into the Aviation Cadet Program. He earned his commission as a 2nd Lieutenant and Pilot Wings in April
of 1945. At the end of World War II, he had finished four engine training in the B-17 Flying Fortress destined to fly
the B-29 Super Fortress against Japan.
Choosing to try civilian life, he signed up in the reserves and flew for 5 years in the reserves out
of the Training Base in Enid, OK. In March of 1951 as a 1st Lieutenant he was recalled to active duty and decided to
make a career of the Air Force. He flew 55 combat missions over North Korea. All flights were at night in the B-26
twin engine attack plane striking trains, truck convoys, and bridges.
He also spent 2 months on the front line with the 7th Army Ethiopian Battalion, directing air strikes
against the North Koreans. He finished his 55th mission in December 1951 and returned to the same Oklahoma Air Force
Base in Enid Oklahoma.
While in Korea he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, three air medals and the Bronze star.
At other times he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Presidential Unit Citation Award,
AF Commendation Medal, Korean Service Medal, and the United Nations Medal to name a few. From 1952 to 1959, then as
1st Lt. and Captain, he instructed at Vance Air Force Base, Enid OK, graduating 46 students in the AT-6, T-28, B-25
and the T-33 Jet Trainer. He earned college credit hours by going to night school at the same time and the Air Force
allowed him to finish college with a Bachelor Degree at Oklahoma State University in Stillwater Oklahoma in 1957.
From 1959 to retirement he was assigned to the Air Force Strategic Air Command. The first plane he
flew as Crew Commander was the B-47, a 3-man crew six engine bomber out of MacDill AFB, Tampa FL. His crew made 7
flights to Spain and North Africa for Alert Duty during the Cold War. The most notable in 1961 was the Cuban Crisis
where he and his crew were on constant alert, sleeping by the plane for immediate take off.
In 1963 he was trained in the B-52 eight Engine Jet Bomber and stationed at Wright Patterson AFB
in Dayton, Ohio.
"Those cold war days," Col. Miller reported, "were when we were keeping bombers loaded with nuclear
weapons in the air, all the time."
With his crew of six men he flew several 25 hour plus flights, each requiring two inflight air refueling.
In 1967 he was promoted to Lt. Colonel and was assigned staff positions in Operations and maintenance. While on assignment
as a Detachment Commander stationed at Homestead Air Force Base in southern Florida, he was awarded his top promotion of
Colonel in the Air Force. While assigned as a Maintenance Officer on Guam during the Christmas holiday of 1973 the maximum
raids on North Vietnam were taking place. During that event, on Dec 24, 1973, he was active on the flight line assisting in
the launch of one hundred two B-52 bombers off the same runway in 106 minutes. These raids were a major catalyst in
bringing the enemy to the peace table.
He retired from active duty in July of 1975 while positioned as the Logistics Officer for the 42nd
Air Division at Blytheville, Arkansas. After his Military career, he and his family moved to Altamonte Springs, Florida,
where he continued flying as a Civilian Flight Instructor and working as corporate pilot for many years. We salute
Col. Louis Miller on his service to this country and for the example he set for Leeton students as they prepare for
their future.
JULY, 2010
"HAROLD I. MOHLER"
Chairman of Board of Directors
Cameron Insurance Company
Harold I. Mohler, son of Kate Mohler, graduated from Leeton High School in 1934.
He attended McPherson College where he was quite active as a part of the college basketball team, drama productions and
musical groups. He was selected Outstanding Man on Campus, elected senior class president, and named to Who's Who in
American Colleges.
In 1938 Harold began teaching at Bunick, Kansas, and capped that year with a marriage to his long
time girlfriend Estelle Baile. They moved to Pleasant Hill where he taught, coached and soon became principal. By 1944 he
had a successful teaching career going but the Navy called. He served as an ensign from 1944 to 1946 in World War II.
Following his service in the military he had an opportunity to enter the insurance business with
Johnson County Mutual Insurance Company. He remained with that company actively selling insurance until 1983 when he retired
from the sales part of his job.
Mohler was first elected to the board of directors for the insurance company in 1955, was named vice
president in 1958, president in 1981, and chairman of the board in 1983. With 47 years of experience in the insurance
industry, Mohler was among a select group of employees whose longtime experience proved invaluable to the company.
"There are two principles that we must continually strive for," Mohler said. "First we
must continue to provide quality service and second, this service must be performed with integrity at all times. Throughout
our entire history the key to our growth has been service to our policyholders."
Mohler served as chairman of the board of the Missouri Association of Mutual Insurance Companies in
1968 and as secretary in 1949 and 1950. He was inducted into the associations Hall of Fame in 1977. In addition, in 1976,
Mohler served as chairman of the board of the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies and was also a member of
the executive committee.
In addition to his work in the insurance business, Mohler served on the board of directors at McPherson
College for 23 years becoming chairman of the Board of Trustees. His church work has included serving on the local Church
of the Brethren board, moderator, District Board member, General Board member of the denomination and Moderator of the
Missouri District. He was active in Rotary and the Warrensburg Human Relations Commission.
Our thanks to another outstanding graduate of Leeton High School and to a man who gave much to making
sure people were treated fairly in the insurance business. His leadership and moral character were unquestionable and he is to be
admired.
JULY, 2010
"THE SPEARS FAMILY"
Family of Five
Who Went On to Success
This column is provided to recognize Leeton High School graduates
for their successes after graduation. The family of five young people who operated the Spears Grocery with their mother
Maxine during the 1960's is worth noting. This information came as a result of my requesting a history of the Spears Store.
I thought this was a good place to share it. Thanks and congratulations to the whole family on their dedication to Leeton and
to this country.
The Spears family moved to Leeton from Johnstown, Missouri, primarily so that all who wanted to get
a college education would have the opportunity. "Our parents were big on education. Their only rule was that you had to earn
your own way by working and paying for all your college expenses," reported Phil. "We owned the Spears store from June, 1959
until May, 1962."
The store building was two stories and measured approximately 20 feet by 100 feet. The bottom floor
housed the grocery store while the family lived on the upper floor of the building. Rent was $60 a month. One cash register
was at the front of the store which tabulated all sales. They used the old punch numbers and pull type calculator.
Price markup for all groceries was 20 percent and sales items were marked at cost. The store was
heated by one coal stove located in back of the store near the meat counter.
"The store never made much or any profit," said Phil, "but we had a place to live and we ate really
good. All of us were allowed to take food from the store at any time for consumption."
The store had running water but no water heater or shower or bathroom facilities. They used an outhouse
in back of the store. There was no air conditioning, just some old long hanging ceiling fans.
"The good old days we refer to them now," laughed Phil, "but we had a telephone. Our telephone
number was 46."
NOTE from another source: The boys all slept in the front part of the upstairs where the windows
faced the street. The daughter Mary had a square boxed off in the central part of the upstairs and the parents had their room
on the landing halfway up the stairs.
The family head was Asa D. Spears. He served two tours in the Navy in World War II and the Korean
War. He worked at Kansas City Power & Light for 30 years and during the time they owned the store, Asa came home only on
weekends. The mother Maxine was the manager of the store and worked long hours. Most days she worked twelve hours or longer.
She had no formal retail training but had graduated from Ballard High School in 1941.
The oldest child was David Spears and he started college in September of 1959. At the Spears Store
he hauled wholesale stock and cleaned. He attended CMSC at Warrensburg where he earned his B.S. in engineering and a
Master's degree in Nuclear Physics. He completed his PHD from the University of Oklahoma. David worked for the United
States Energy Department and various private companies after his college career.
Lt. Col. Phillip Spears, the second child, was in his senior year when the family moved to Leeton. He graduated
in 1960 being named to the All-State Basketball team along with team mate Paul Underwood. He became an active member at the
Christian Church and was an example for all. He worked all areas of the store operation including grocery checkout,
transporting wholesale groceries, stocking shelves and clean up.
He reported that his mother was the only person who was allowed to do the books at the end of the day.
Phil was the one who made home deliveries since he was the only one home who had a driver's license. They did home delivery
all three years they had the store.
Following high school Phil attended CMSC and received a B.S. in Business. He was drafted into the military
at graduation and served for 20 years in the United States Air Force as an Electronic Warfare Officer flying aboard
Strategic Air Commands B-52 aircraft. He served seven tours of duty in Vietnam, two on the ground and five in the air.
He retired as a Lt. Colonel in the Air Force.
Dudney Spears was a junior when the family moved to Leeton. He was the store meat man. It was his
fulltime job cutting and grinding all the meat sold by the store. After high school he attended CMSC for one semester
and reported he hated it. He worked at the Majestic Window Factory in Leeton for a while but then went to work as a
metal lathe operator in Kansas City where he stayed for forty years.
Mike Spears was an 8th grader when the family arrived and he did clean up in the store as well as
stocking shelves after the store was closed at night. His hours were all after the store was closed so many shoppers
were surprised to find Mike was a son as they had never seen him in the store. He completed his junior year in Leeton
and then graduated from Lee's Summit High School when the family moved there in 1962. He received his B.S. in Education
and was then drafted into the military. He spent four years in the Air Force. He graduated from DePaul University later
with his Master's Degree and worked for the ATF and IRS for thirty years.
GS 14 Mary Ann Spears was in the 7th grade when the family arrived. She worked most areas of the store
for the three years they were in Leeton. She graduated from Lee's Summit High School, married and reared five children.
When the children were all grown she began working for the U.S. Government and rose thru the ranks the next thirty years
to a GS 14 which in military terms would be a General. She has retired.
Richard Spears, the youngest, was in the fifth grade. He was too young to work in the grocery store
but did find plenty to do. He graduated from Lee's Summit High School and enlisted in the Navy. He served aboard the Navy
Aircraft Carriers during Vietnam and was stationed on Midway Island. After his Navy time he completed a B.S. in Industrial
Arts and a Master's in Industrial Safety at CMSU. He worked for the Army and Department of Defense as a Safety Officer
until his retirement in 2008.
Our congratulations to this fine family for their example of hard work, service to country and dedication to
providing a better world to live. Pictured in 1991 are left to right: David, Mike, Phil, Mary, Dudney and Rick Spears.
JUNE, 2010
"RAYMOND A. TOMPKINS"
TRUCKING COMPANY
Shipping Groceries
Raymond A. Tompkins graduated from Leeton High School in 1931. He was
the son of Virgil and Cora (Stump) Tompkins of Leeton. He was born October 17, 1913, and had two brothers, Earl and Forrest,
and two sisters, Mildred Tompkins and Hazel Carlone of Clifton, Colorado. The family was active in the Leeton community
and were popular.
After graduation Raymond moved to Colorado where he attended Ross Business College in Grand Junction.
He later moved to Fruita where he purchased the Shell Service Station and grocery store. As time passed and trucking was
often the cause of delays in getting his products for the store he began his own trucking business delivering wholesale
groceries throughout the state of Colorado and other locations.
He married Amelda Mock in Fruita on June 12, 1937 and they had three sons, Kenneth, David and Saul, along
with one daughter, Elaine Mason. At the time of his death he had 14 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. He died
December 3, 1996 in Fruita following a lengthy illness.
During his lifetime he was active in community events including leading a drive to get a swimming
pool for the city of Fruita. He was involved in assisting transients that came to Fruita and was a dedicated member of the
Fruita Christian Church. His involvement in church work was most apparent in his volunteering for many jobs at Camp Christian
at New Castle.
His example of leadership and dedication to Christian causes is to be admired. We congratulate and
thank Raymond Tompkins for his life of service of helping people.
MAY, 2010
LT. COL. JOHN MARVIN HARRIS
Computer Expert
Invented Checkout Machines for Stores
John Marvin Harris graduated from Leeton High School in 1935. He was
born in Leeton on November 5, 1917, the son of A. B. and Bertha (Venable) Harris. His father was postmaster of Leeton
for a number of years. Marvin died July 30, 1996 in Kansas City and is buried in Mt. Moriah Terrace Park Cemetery.
After holding a number of jobs including "slicing bread," "selling soda pop door to door," and
"mixing yellow coloring in magarine to make it look like real butter," Marvin took a position with the Baltimore Bank of
Kansas City in 1939. When World War II came it was not long before he enlisted for service and was commissioned as a
2nd Lieutenant and sent overseas. He served much of the war in North Africa and Italy as an Artillery Officer
and was decorated for bravery. He remained in the Army Reserve until 1972 when he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel.
Following the War, he returned to the Baltimore Bank where he continued to expand his education.
A new field of data processing caught his attention. He seemed to have a natural ability to understand and use the new
processes. Shortly after beginning to study the new field he was persuaded to work at Riss Trucking Company overseeing
their data. At the time of his departure from Riss in 1958 he was recognized nationally as a pioneer in the field of
data automation.
Marvin went to work for Associated Wholesale Grocers in 1958 where he developed and installed the automatic
computerized checkout devices now used worldwide to total the prices of items in grocery stores. He retired in 1982.
He was a faithful member of the Primitive Baptist Church and served as an ordained deacon.
He and his wife, the former Dorothy Pollard, had five children including Phillip, a colonel in the Air Force; Susan, vice
president of the Bank of France located in Denver; Kiah, a well respected engineer; Jerald, a man of all trades; and Wayne
a lawyer on the west coast.
We congratulate Marvin Harris for his outstanding life and for his dedication to God and Country while
providing advances in technology.
APRIL, 2010
MARY (WINGFIELD) SCHWINDT
Registered Nurse
Mother of Three
Mary Wingfield was the daughter of Mrs. Cecil Corson and a member of
Leeton High School's Class of 1930. Deciding to become a nurse she went to Kansas City where she completed the courses
and was graduated as a registered nurse. During her career, she worked in a doctor's office, gave anesthetics, was a
private duty nurse and became involved in group nursing projects. She retired at the age of 70 when her husband
left General Motors.
Mary married Alexander Schwindt on May 24, 1936, and they celebrated their 59th year together before his
death in 1995. They had three children whom they reared in Kansas City.
Their daughter Suzette followed in her mother's footsteps becoming a registered nurse, graduating
from Research Hospital School of Nursing in Kansas City. Suzette moved to Phoenix, Arizona, continued her education
and was four hours from earning her Master's degree when she discovered she had Leukemia at the age of 28. At the
time Suzette was supervisor of Intensive Care at the local hospital.
Mary's son, Thomas, became a lawyer in Kansas City. He spent three years in the Marine Corps and
served in Vietnam. He and his wife had two children with one becoming a CPA and the other completing work at KU.
Mary's third child was Ed who graduated from Kansas University and spent twenty years in the
Air Force and Reserves. He has two girls both of whom have graduated from college. Ed followed in his father's footsteps and
has been employed since the military service at General Motors.
Mary is another successful graduate of Leeton High School whose example of service to people and seeking
to provide for a better America is worth examining. We salute her for her service in nursing, to her family and to the
country.
MARCH, 2010
PEARL (WALKER) DAVIS THURMOND
Commercial Artist
Pearl Walker graduated from Leeton High School in 1929 and
was the daughter of John and Verdie (Greer) Walker of Leeton. Pearl was well known for her artistic talent during
high school as she did many of the covers of the school paper and artwork in the yearbook. A large number of her
works from that period are on display in the Leeton Museum.
Following graduation from Leeton she attended the Kansas City Art Institute majoring in Art.
She married Dewey Davis in October, 1933. He was the son of Mrs. Alice C. Davis of southeast of Warrensburg. Pearl and
he had one daughter, Lura Jean, born August 14, 1934. Mr. Davis was active in the military and served during World War
II. After retiring from the military he became a plumber.
After his death, she married John Thurmond of Chicago. She was living and working as a
commercial artist in Chicago by that time. She prepared advertising for the major businesses there and was gaining
quite a good reputation for her artwork. She died June 8, 1968. Her remains were returned to Leeton and she was buried
in Mineral Creek Cemetery.
Here are some examples of her work in high school. Remember in those days the printing was done
by simple mimeographs with drawings scratched on a stencil. Detail was not going to happen but still Pearl's talent shows
thru with her fun characters for each month. The building in the back is easily identified as the Baptist Church where
graduation was held that year on the cover of the school paper for May. The others are from the two April issues.
FEBRUARY, 2010
FREDA LEE (FORD) POWERS
Missionary to Kenya
State President of Homemakers
Freda Lee Ford was born December 13, 1925, to C. J. and
Ruth (Downs) Ford in Versailles, Missouri. She accepted Christ at age six and was baptized at the First Baptist Church
in Warrensburg. She joined High Point Baptist Church at 14 years of age when her father was called as pastor of the
church.
Freda attended College High School in Warrensburg and graduated from Leeton High School in 1943.
She went on to college at Southwest Baptist University in Boliver and later at the University of Central Missouri where
she was prepared as a teacher. She taughter Easter College and Adams School.
On August 24, 1944, she was married to her classmate, Norman Powers and they had two children.
Linda Cates is a school counselor and lives with her husband Randy in Lincoln, Missouri. Gilbert Powers is Johnson County
Clerk and is married to Jane (Moreland). They live in Warrensburg. There are four grandchildren.
Besides a teacher Freda was a business woman. She worked as a secretary to the superintendent of
schools in Warrensburg; was a beautician and owned her own shop; was an area Tupperware manager; and later sold "We Care
Skin Products" and "Free Heat Fireplace" inserts.
Socially, few people have been more dedicated to community and to the organizations that surround
them. Freda served on the University of Missouri President's Advisory Council for Extension and was state president
of the Missouri Extension Homemaker's Council. She served on the Johnson County Extension Council and was a member
of the Valley Grove and Good Neighbors Homemakers.
Politically, she was a Republican party member and served in various offices including
chairman of the Johnson County Republican Central Committee and Johnson County Republican Women's Club. She was
a registered parliamentarian, charter member and president of the Kansas City Parliamentary Club.
She was nominated for the Missouri Mother of the Year Award.
In her spare time she enjoyed teaching knitting and adult literacy classes. She was a long time
member of the L.E.C. Club that played "Rook" each month and was a loyal member of the Leeton High School Alumni
Association having served as an officer in both Leeton organizations.
During Freda's 70 year membership at High Point Baptist Church, she held the offices of
pianist, organist, Sunday School teacher and Vacation Bible School director. In 1992, she went on a four week mission
trip to Kenya.
Freda was a dedicated and loyal friend to many. Her death this past week, January 24, 2010,
was a loss for all of us. Our thanks to her for her example in church, public life, and as an individual. She is
another Outstanding Alumnist of Leeton High School.
JANUARY, 2010
CLYDE DESCOMBES
Pharmacist in Military Commando Unit
Later a Funeral Home Operator
Clyde Eugene DesCombes was born September 3, 1913, in Leeton,
the son of Eugene and Nellie (Thomas) DesCombes and was reared on the DesCombes homeplace southwest of Leeton in the early years.
He graduated from Leeton High School in 1932 and went to El Paso, Texas, where he was employed at Peak-Hegdon Funeral Home and later
the Daniel Brothers Funeral Home in Kansas City, Kansas. In the 1940's he was drawn to enlist in the U.S. Navy and served during
World War II. He was discharged November 11, 1945 as a pharmacist mate 1st class.
This article about his service in the military appeared in the Warrensburg Star Journal September 23,
1942. It gives an inside view of what it was like to serve during the war. It is a view that most do not get to see.
"Clyde E. DesCombes, who is a pharmacist's mate in the Naval Reserve medical corps and whose picture
appeared in Friday's issue of the Star-Journal, is one of the Commando type troops of the U.S. Navy medical corps considered
among the most versatile and well trained of 'shock' troops. He is the son of Mr. & Mrs. E. F. DesCombes of Leeton and entered
the service last January."
"He is a member of a medical corps mobile unit trained to go ashore while fighting is still continuing
and in almost less time than it takes to tell about it, have its facilities ready for treating the injured."
"Given a small piece of land and running water, these 'shock' troops will set up, as if by magic,
a 500 bed hospital---better equipped than many civilian institutions of comparable size. Since pre-fabricated materials are
used, the task is completed at astonishing speed."
"Like Commandos, members of such units undergo vigorous training in team-work, adaptability and
working quickly and efficiently under any circumstance. Since each unit is self-contained, its doctors and pharmacist's mates
not only have to be skilled in medical practice, but also must be able to wield hammers, saws and other building tools with
facility. Some will be the electricians, others the plumbers to get all the necessary facilities installed and working
properly."
"As a result of their all-around training, these men can, and probably will, build their hospitals, with
as many as 70 buildings and complicated electrical, refrigeration, water and sanitation systems, without assistance of any
kind."
"To obtain the necessary efficiency, the unit has been divided into groups, each of which is trained to perform
a different phase of operation. While some are caring for the wounded, others will be unloading and uncrating material and
equipment, staking out foundations, erecting buildings and performing other duties."
"Should the enemy strike while the work is in progress, the officers and men are trained to lay down
their tools and don steel helmets and if necessary, gas masks, without a moment's loss of time."
"All the mobile units of the medical corps need is the word to go and they are ready to move to any part of the
globe and show that the 'blitz' technique can be applied to saving lives as well as taking them."
Clyde was a salesman for the Springfield Metallis Casket Co. for a time before purchasing an interest
in the Sweeney-Phillips Chapel in Warrensburg in 1950 where he worked as a successful director until his retirement. He served
on the Warrensburg City Council, held membership in the Warrensburg Elks Lodge, Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion,
and the Missouri Funeral Directors Association. He served as president of the 4th District Missouri Directors Association,
president of the Salesman's Club, and was a Rotarian. For 27 years he was a basketball referee a job that his son and grandson
have continued.
He married Mary Kathryn Davis on December 17, 1947 in Sedalia and they made their home in Warrensburg.
They had one son, Ronald Duane DesCombes, who is a teacher in the Kansas City area. We salute Clyde for his service to country,
his example of courage to fellow Leeton graduates, and his love for family. Clyde died in 1972 and was buried in Sunset Hills
Cemetery in Warrensburg.
DECEMBER, 2009
CAPT. EDWARD C. LOWRY
Involved in Nuclear Research
There are more accomplishments in his life than this article shares, but
this is taken from a newspaper clipping from the 1950's. Edward Lowry is Alumnist of the Month for December, 2009.
Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico: Capt. Edward C. Lowry, USAF, son of Mrs. Edith Seuell of Leeton, Missouri,
and husband of the former Helen L. Munkres of Warrensburg, is taking part in the Air Force program of mating nuclear and
thermonuclear weapons with delivery systems at Kirtland Air Force Base, New Mexico.
The Air Force Special Weapons Center at Kirtland (part of the Air Research and Development Command) coordinates
research, development and testing to provide nuclear carrying capability for USAF's bombers, fighters, rockets and missles.
Largely through the center's efforts, nearly all frontline USAF air vehicles now can carry and deliver atomic or thermonuclear
weapons to defend this nation against aggression.
AFSWC also evaluates personnel hazards involved in development, test and use of atomic weapons,
and it provides support to the Atomic Energy Commission. The Kirtland center is also doing research to design structures to
withstand nuclear blasts.
Capt. Lowry is a nuclear research officer with the warheads division of AFSWC's research directorate.
He is part of a team that serves as the main source of information for the Air Force on "state of the art" developments in
nuclear warheads. The team's job includes collection, evaluation, analysis, interpretation and dissemination of nuclear warhead
data.
Included in this research are data from full-scale nuclear tests in Nevada and the Pacific Proving
Grounds. The team is concerned with the internal design of warheads and theory of operation, as well as interplay of factors like
warhead length, weight, diameter, cost and yield. Another factor is the impact of such weapons on Air Force plans and operations.
To stay abreast of the latest weapons developments, Capt. Lowry and the team keep in close touch
with scientists of AEC Laboratories and they take part in joint feasibility studies with AEC, Department of Defense, and Armed
Forces Special Weapons Projects at Sandia Base, New Mexico.
Capt. Lowry and his associate scientists at Kirtland determine nuclear compatibility of warheads in
special delivery environments. They are also charged with determining nuclear warhead vulnerability and other factors in
operational use.
Lowry began his current tour with USAF on August 17, 1950, after prior service from 1940-1945. During
World War II he was an aircraft controller with 72nd Air Force in the Mediterranean Theatre of operations.
Lowry has a B.S. Degree from Central Missouri State University at Warrensburg and an M.S. in Nuclear
Chemistry from Ohio State University. The Lowrys have one son, Warren.
NOVEMBER, 2009
LEOTA KIDWELL
Honored Teacher
Leota Kidwell spent her earlier years on a farm near Leeton and attended
Leeton High School graduating in 1929. She went to Central Missouri State Teachers College on a scholarship and because of her
high grades continued to receive scholarships allowing her to finish her degree in Education. She completed her degree in the
top ten percent of the class and was accepted into Kappa Delta Pi, an honorary organization for teachers.
She later took courses at UCLA and Fresno State in California and University of Missouri in Columbia,
Northeast Missouri State at Kirksville and St. Louis University, all in Missouri.
She reported that her teachers and supervisors motivated her and recommended her for a teaching position
at Marshall, Missouri, where she taught 1st Grade for 21 years. After settling in Marshall she married Otha Rawlings, a
successful attorney. They had two sons including one who became a CPA and an attorney. The other had a degree in accounting
but achieved notoriety by being an All-State Basketball player and becoming the athletic director at the University of
Missouri in more recent years.
Leota was active in church projects district wide and prepared and designed programs for the area. She served
in various church offices and was an elder. She lived in the same house for nearly 60 years before dying a couple of years ago. We
salute Leota for her achievements and for the foundation she laid for her successful sons and all the many students she started on
the road with a 1st Grade education.
OCTOBER, 2009
CHARLES T. WORKMAN
Professional Baseball Player
Charles T. Workman was born in Leeton, Missouri, the son of Mr. and Mrs.
C.T. Workman. He graduated from Leeton High School in 1933. Charlie was an outstanding basketball player while attending
Leeton High School and helped lead the Bulldogs team to many victories and tournament championships. During the summers he
played with the Leeton Giants baseball town team which had been organized and managed by Walter Wyatt using his Sunday
School students as the nucleus for the team. Charlie had been a member of that class and became a driving force in the
success of the team. The team was so successful and their reputation so wide spread that when the Kansas City Monarchs
were traveling thru the area they requested a chance to play the Giants. In a game here on the Leeton diamond, the
professional team from the negro league played a game to remember with the Giants. The Giants also played teams from
Kansas as their reputation spread.
Charlie had an early interest in athletics as his father had played amateur and semi-pro baseball and was
a catcher one season in the Kansas State League. He wanted his son to become a successful baseball player and taught the child
the techniques of the game.
"When Charles wasn't more than six we would send him to the pasture to drive up the cows and then
wonder what was keeping him," his mother reported when interviewed in the 1950's. "Then we'd find he was practicing batting,
using a stick for a bat and stones for baseballs."
The year of his graduation from Leeton High School the family moved to Warrensburg to allow Charlie the
opportunity to attend college. He majored in mathematics and physical education and graduated the winter of 1938 having taken time
out for one season with Springfield, Ohio, in the Mid-Atlantic Baseball League. In 1937 he was chosen most popular man on the college
campus and received a host of other recognitions.
Despite his outstanding ability in baseball it was basketball that he excelled in at college. He played for the
Mules leading them to the N.A.I.B. championship. At that time all teams played against each other as there were no college divisions.
Many semi-professional teams also participated in the tournament. Charlie was named to the all-tournament team. He was also named
to the Missouri Intercollegiate Athletic Association's All-Star Team all four years of college.
From 1934 to 1937, Workman played second base for the Prince Howard baseball team in the Ban Johnson league
in Missouri during summers. His professional career began in 1937 when he tried out for the Cleveland Indians and was farmed
out to Springfield, Ohio, playing with that team in 1937 and 1938. Mr. Workman next was with Cedar Rapids, Iowa, in the
Three-I League and Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania, in the Eastern League. In 1941 and 1942 he played for the Nashville
Volunteers in the Southern Association.
Mr. Workman's major league competition began in 1943, when he became an outfielder for the Boston Braves,
for whom he played in 1943 thru 1946. In 1945 he hit twenty-five home runs, the second highest number that year in both leagues.
The last half of 1946 he played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and in 1947 for Indianapolis in the American Association and Oakland
in the Pacific Coast League.
Playing for Nashville in 1948, Mr. Workman set three Southern Association records: He hit 52 HOME RUNS and set
records in total bases and runs batted in. The athlete played for Minneapolis in 1949 and part of 1950 and for Chattanooga
the remainder of the 1950 season. His last season of professional baseball, 1951, was with Atlanta.
From 1942 to 1945 he coached basketball and taught physical education classes at the Warrensburg public
high school between baseball seasons. When he retired from baseball he coached fulltime and taught math at Warrensburg. The
hemorrhage which caused the athlete's death resulted from an ulcer. The same ulcer caused him to be rejected by the military
during wartime.
Mr. Workman was a member of the Leeton Christian Church and the Elks Lodge of Warrensburg. He was
married to Geraldine Jones and they had a 15 month old son, Thomas, at the time of Charlie's death. Charlie was buried in Sunset
Hills Cemetery in Warrensburg.
SEPTEMBER, 2009
MIKE SCHMIDLI
Coaches Hall of Fame
Mike Schmidli, a graduate of Leeton High School, and son of Jr. and
Frances Schmidli of south of Leeton, has been named to the Missouri Coaches Hall of Fame. The Putnam County Lady Midgets Coach was
inducted into the Fast Pitch division during a coaches' conference in Columbia on August 8, 2009.
During the past twenty years Mike has coached his softball teams to 15 conference titles, 14 district
titles and 5 Final Four appearances. Remarkably his teams have amassed 379 wins while losing only 88 and having 1 tie. That comes to
an .812 percentage of winning. At North Harrison in Eagleville, Missouri, from 1988 to 1997, his teams were 151-31-1 on their way
to two appearances at the state tournament. In 1992 they took 4th and won the championship in 1993. Add to that 7 HDC Conference
titles in nine years. From 1990 to 1996 his teams did not lose a conference game. When he left the team had a 68 game winning
streak going.
He moved to Putnam County High School at Unionville where Max Mothersbaugh had coached and been named to the
same Coaches Hall of Fame. Max is married to Teresa Lowry, another graduate of Leeton High School, and daughter of Earl Lowry for whom
the ballfield is named in Leeton. At Putnam County, Mike's team dominated their opponents winning 228 while losing only 57 games.
They continued a winning streak that ended in 2008 with a 1-0 loss. The teams went on to state titles in 1998 and 2003 and a
3rd place finish in 2004.
Mike has been named Coach of the Year six times for softball and three times for basketball in the
Tri-Rivers Conference. He was named Kirksville Daily Express Coach of the Year and in 2004 NFHS Softball Coach of the Year for the
State of Missouri.
He is currently Class 2 Vice-President of the Missouri High School Fellowship of Christian Athletes and
a former president of the organization. He graduated from the University of Missouri and added a Masters Degree in Education
Administration from the University of Central Missouri. He just began his 13th year of teaching social studies and coaching at
Putnam County High School. He and his wife, Melissa, have two children. Kayla is a freshman at State Fair Community College
majoring in radiology and Clay is a sophomore at Putnam County High School.
Our congratulations to Mike and our wishes for continued success.
AUGUST, 2009
FLOYD COX - INVENTOR
Holds Patent for Post Hole Digger
Floyd Cox graduated in 1942 from Leeton High School. He is the son of
Norman and Marie Cox and was born near Windsor, Missouri. He married Anna Margaret Shobe on June 10, 1951. They have one son, Timothy,
who is a graduate of Missouri University in 1982 and Univ. of Central Missouri in 1984 with a Master's in Business Administration.
Tim received his CPA in 1997 in Austin, Texas. He presently manages the computer systems for Lackheed Martin Aircraft Corporation,
Fort Worth, Texas. His wife Julie and he have two children, Alan and Courtney, and they live in Dallas.
Floyd took the Electric & Forge Welding class at the old Leeton school shop. It was a night class
taught by Roy Moore of Warrensburg. Floyd also took training on Heavy Equipment in the 1640 Army Engineers in Sendi, Japan,
in 1946. After discharge from the military he enrolled in mechanical drawing class at UCM and received his pilot's license for a
single engine airplane at Kansas City in 1961. In 1987 he received his real estate license in Columbia, Missouri.
Floyd was employed at Goodall Lawn Mower Company in 1949 and while there invented a differential for
the self propelled walk behind mower. He owned Golden Valley Ford for 30 years in Clinton and sold it in 1980. He moved to Columbia
and worked for Danuser Machine Company in Fulton. In 1982 he began a patent search on a reverse gear box for a PTO post hole digger and
received the patent on July 22, 1986. The kit castings were made in Bellville, Illinois, and machined in Fulton, Missouri.
Floyd has been involved in church activities all his life, teaching Sunday School classes, superintendent,
deacon, trustee of two building projects. He has belonged to the Sunset Optimist and Clinton Kiwanis Club. He has been named to
Who's Who in Missouri (1974), appointed to the Bank of Leeton board of directors (1987), and received numerous trips from Ford
Motor Company by winning sales competitions. He was twice elected by the District Council to represent the area in Detroit, Michigan.
We congratulate Floyd Cox on his life and example for those who are now attending Leeton High School.
JULY, 2009
IDA CHARLENE BAKER
Pilot/Draftsman/Teacher
There are a number of people deserving to be recognized as an outstanding
alumnist of Leeton High School. Here is another as we share with you each month. The year was 1931 and graduating was a nice list of
outstanding people. One of them was Ida Charlene Baker, daughter of Mr. & Mrs. Charles Baker and a sister to Porter Baker.
Ida Charlene attended William Jewell College in Liberty after graduating from Leeton High School
and later attended the University of Missouri. Before she had completed her education she had amassed a huge number of college
credits from the Universities of Michigan and Michigan State as well as Columbia University. What did she do with this education?
She began her professional career teaching biology at Neosho, Missouri. Not challenged enough
she took additional hours and became a draftsman at Consolidated Aircraft in Ft. Worth, Texas. As if that was not enough she
taught at a private kindergarten in Eastland, Texas, drew oil lease maps and learned to pilot a plane while doing her duty as
a teacher. She was briefly married but her drive kept her too busy for family life. Eventually she moved to Wichita, Kansas,
where she taught drafting.
For seventeen years she served as Dean of Women and Dean of Admissions at a private school in Michigan.
Following this she entered the world of business operating a country store and summer cottages in Glen Arbor, Michigan. In later
life she was the Director of Housing for Bemidji State University in Bemidji, Minnesota. Then for 20 years she worked at
Stone Village Art Center in Jackson, Michigan, where she had a clay gallery, a pre-school and a hall in which live entertainment
was held. She was truly a remarkable woman with many talents and a determination to challenge herself in new areas of life.
We salute Ida Charlene Baker for her determination to make a difference where ever she was. She inspired
people to expand and restore and renew their lives and their surroundings. May we all learn from this example and become involved
in the community as we seek to restore and renew Leeton.
JUNE, 2009
EARL EUGENE LOWRY
National Lion's Club Secretary/Treas.
Earl Eugene Lowry was born near Leeton, Missouri, the son of Clarence
and Edith Lowry. He was one of five boys who were all quickly involved in the family business of raising stock. Each boy would
make trips to the American Royal and State Fair often bringing home the top awards and prizes for livestock.
Following graduation from Leeton High School in 1942 he enrolled in Central Missouri State Teachers
College (now University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg). He did not stay there long as he heard the call to arms for his country
and enlisted in the Navy. After serving three years during World War II and completing his tour of duty he began working with
Central Radio and TV in Kansas City.
During high school Earl had been a good basketball and baseball player. He was invited to tryout for
the KC Major League baseball team but did not make the team. He later played for the Central Radio and TV Team that competed
nationally and helped lead them to many victories. In 1948 his attention was turned toward a young lady named Shirley Cameron.
He married her and they had two daughters, Teresa and Lisa.
Along the way he worked for Corn Products, Stuppy Supply Company (a wholesale florist supply company),
and with Shirley operated a small grocery and service station until beginning work for Mobil Oil. He remained with Mobil for 20
years before retiring. Not being one to sit down in retirement he quickly became employed with the Leeton Lumberyard, later the
city of Leeton as city superintendent and finally with the Leeton School District as groundskeeper and other responsibilities.
During all of his involvement in Leeton business and government he was actively involved in helping to improve the Leeton
community.
His involvement in the Leeton Lion's Club is worthy to note as behind his leadership the local organization
provided many pairs of glasses for those who could not afford to purchase glasses. He helped raise funds to support the summer
recreation program and later the winter program. He led the drive to send students to Boy's State and band students to the
All-Missouri Lion's Club Band. He was right there donating time whether it was the Halloween Hootenanny sponsored to help focus
young people toward having the proper kind of time during the Halloween season or a donkey ballgame to raise funds for another
youth project or painting and working to maintain the shelter house at Grinstead Park downtown Leeton. His leadership led him
to higher offices including Missouri Governor of the Lion's Club and finally National Secretary & Treasurer of the Lion's.
He fought hard to prevent the destruction of the sports trophies won over the years by the local
young people at Leeton High School when administrators started heaving them in the trash. He spoke frequently to preserve the
history of our community and school. Earl did a lot behind the scenes to help others and to insure that Leeton was the proper
kind of community for all of us.
' For his dedication to the recreation programs at the school the baseball diamond has been designated
Earl Lowry Memorial Field. The 5th & 6th Grade Basketball Tournament held in the spring is also named the Earl Lowry Memorial
Tournament in his honor. The tournament continues to raise funds for the summer recreation program that he worked so hard to
keep operating over the years. Our thanks to Earl and to all those around him who have demonstrated a strong support for Leeton's
young people and community. Though he has passed on his works continue to serve us all.
MAY, 2009
BILL ROBERSON
Developed World's Largest Single Mirrors
Used for World Telescopes
The Leeton High School has a large number of individuals who have gone on to
do some remarkable things. This column will be changed monthly to feature a number of these individuals. Might surprise you that
people involved in NASA, national political positions, best selling author, founders of companies, inventors, doctors, and a host
of other successful people got their education at Leeton High School. Hope you enjoy reading about the different people in this
column each month. Enjoy.
Bill Roberson graduated in 1951 from Leeton High School. He was known as a creative and somewhat mischievious
young man but someone with a lot of promise if he applied himself. He was the son of Homer and Elizabeth Roberson. Many will remember
Elizabeth as the short woman looking thru the steering wheel driving to Warrensburg every weekday. Others will remember that she taught
piano lessons to young people in the community as well as at the University of Central Missouri in Warrensburg. She accompanied
a lot of community events on piano and occasionally directed community choirs. She was loved by all.
The Robersons with their two sons, Bill and Homer Jr. lived on the northeast edge of Leeton in the large
two story square house. In chatting with Bill recently, he noted that Levina Campbell took care of him when he was a young boy.
He still has many memories of those times including when her husband almost cut his foot off while cutting wood. Levina went back
and forth to Warrensburg with Bill's mother for many years while she had a job there. His father was a car salesman at the local
Downing Motors for several years and later sold cars at another dealer in the area.
Bill went to the University of Central Missouri and majored in education. He graduated in 1958, married
a fine woman named Dorothy and together they went on to have great lives together. They currently live in Greenville, South Carolina,
and are faithful to return to celebrate with the LHS Class of 1951.
Bill reported that he and his wife moved around a lot after he graduated from UCM. He taught physics in
high school in the St. Louis area for five years and found a teacher's salary not enough for them to live as they wanted. He started
work for Shaeffer Pen Co. as a test and standards engineer. He later became a design engineer for Minneapolis Moline and designed
"lift" trucks.
He next became employed by Owens-Illinois which developed CerVitŪ which was used for the Mirror in the telescope system.
It was a glass ceramic material which could exhibit zero expansion and was quite useful when photographing from 90 miles up at
those temperatures. He and his group made the largest single mirrors used for world telescopes. He still has a core from
one of these mirrors bought by the people of Cerra Tolelo Chile for several Million Dollars. It was one of those rare experiences
where he had to prove the existence of zero stress in the item 154" diameter and 24" thick. The proof was quite unique.
Bill was the Program Manager and Director of Quality for the program which developed the mirrors for the
telescope system which was used in the late 60s and early 70s for the "SPY IN THE SKY" program. His group was involved in
sighting the Missiles at Cuba as well as other things.
He recalls when he was getting his "Top Secret" access clearance and they sent all sorts of military people from Whitman
Air Force to Leeton. His mother called him in Toledo Ohio and wanted to know what he had done as all sorts of people were
asking all sorts of questions about him.
He finished his career with Michelin Tire Company as their "reliability" specialist. He was the first American
hired by the French firm to do research when they opened a branch facility in the United States.
Typical of Leeton graduates, once retired a whole new life began for Bill and his wife. They became volunteers
in the Peace Corps. In 1998, they went to Lesotho, a black African community within the boundaries of South Africa. They later went
to China and lived in Inner Mongolia where they taught English to the Chinese and Mongolians. Returning to the U.S. they settled
in Greenville, South Carolina, to substitute teach. Bill teaches Physics, Math and French. Both he and Dorothy became fluent in
French while he worked for the Michelin Company and have added several other languages along the way. In the photograph below Bill
and Dorothy are being sworn in to work in the Peace Corps.
Bill reported that "God has been good to us. We have been around the world and lived in France, Lesotho
(South Africa), and China. We have visited a large portion of the world and still find Leeton a wonderful place to renew old memories."
If you would like to contact Bill he may be reached at robersonbill@bellsouth.net. At the museum we have
a lengthy and thorough article with many pictures concerning his Peace Corps work in Africa. Another article will be coming
about his work in China.
INFORMATION ON BANK OF LEETON
Established 1896
by People in the Community
Photographed about 1906
The Bank of Leeton has long been a positive influence in the
community. In selling ads for yearbooks or the fair book the bank was ready. Any fundraiser for any good cause
that groups were working for, the bank could always be counted on to give encouragement that would spark
enthusiasm to go to all the other businesses for assistance.
When the Community Betterment committee recently organized the president of the bank was there
and supporting the effort 100%. The bank paid for the painting and cleaning of the street signs this past
summer. They provided services in their bank to make it more convenient for all of us with the addition of an
ATM here and in Warrensburg, on the web checking of bank statements, drive thru banking, and a beautiful new
facility that the community could be proud.
The impact of losing the bank will be long reaching unless someone buys the bank and insures that
it will be located here and remain supportive of the community. Here is information about the history of the
bank. The first article is from a pamphlet distributed at the 50th Anniversary celebration in 1946. The
war had just ended and the bank had survived in good shape. In earlier years it was one of the few banks
in Missouri to survive the Crash of 1929, the Depression, and the long periods of rationing. It's
stability was unquestioned.
Taken about 1913 the men are Left to right:
Rolla Stacy, Jay Kennedy (asst. cashier) and C.O. Johnson (cashier)
September 14, 1946 at 3 p.m.
50TH ANNIVERSARY OF BANK OF LEETON
TO ALL OUR FRIENDS:
We enjoy your co-operation in the celebration of our fiftieth anniversary. It is an inspiration
to meet those who have shared with us in the sunny and dark days of the last 50 years. When you are prosperous
and happy, we share with you. When lean years caused by short crops, low prices or depressions, we do not
forsake you. In fact ours is a common interest. We passed through all the depressions and low prices unhurt
and came through the 1933 moratorium which marked the end of the worst of all depressions, 100%, not a single
requirement made. No service charge has ever been made and none will be made unless forced to do so to meet
expenses.
The bank was chartered September 14, 1896; the capital stock was $12,500.00 and was increased by
its own earnings to $25,000.00 in 1917. Assets of the bank in 1897 were $41,220; 1920 were $192,808.81; and
1946 were $1,060,250.57.
The first stockholders were -- Ezra J. Wall, L. W. Bruckhart, D. M. Helphrey, B. Zick Jr., W. S.
Harwood, W. T. Baker, T. L. DesCombes, John J. Lee, J. H. Lampkin, J. C. Jones, J. L. Houx, Henry E. Fewel,
R. L. Wall, J. R. Grinstead, L. W. James, Martha C. Culp, Walter Jones, R. W. Avery, Mrs. M. R. Millner,
Miss E. D. Fewel, S. W. Harris, M. R. Amick, J. G. Callison, Pleasant Avery, J. M. Harris, Obe Hall, Mary
E. Mohler, Emma Hall, G. A. Fewel, A. B. Venable, J. F. Nellson, W. A. Calvert, A. A. Douglass, J. D.
Douglass, J. C. Beedy, John G. Beedy, B. Zick Sr., J. S. Calfee, C. E. Wilson. Of the 41 only 9 survive
for this occasion and they are B. Zick, Jr., J. R. Grinstead, Lee. W. James, Martha C. Culp, Mary E. Mohler,
Emma Hall, J. F. Nelson, J. S. Calfee and Ezra J. Wall.
The board of directors consisted of 13 members---S. W. Harris, J. G. Callison, Ezra J. Wall, L. W.
Bruckhart, D. M. Helphrey, John J. Lee, A. B. Venable, G. A. Fewel, J. L. Houx, J. R. Grinstead, A. A.
Douglass, Obe Hall, B. Zick, Sr. Two of the original directors survive and they are Ezra J. Wall and
J. R. Grinstead.
The first officers were S. W. Harris, president; B. Zick, Jr., cashier; J. R. Grinstead, secretary.
The number of directors was reduced from 13 to 7 in 1897. The presidents who have served are S. W. Harris,
J. W. Bruckhart, Henry F. Fewel, John J. Lee, William Cox and J. R. Grinstead. J. R. Grinstead is the
only survivor.
The cashiers who have served are---B. Zick, Jr., A. C. Todd, C. D. Johnson, L. M. Brazier, Porter
W. Baker. All survive except A. C. Todd.
The present board of directors are: C. A. Baker, C. W. Miller, Norman F. Cox, Elmer Hobson, J. R.
Grinstead, P. W. Baker, L. A. Corson. Officers---J. R. Grinstead, president, L. A. Corson and Elmer Hobson,
vice presidents, P. W. Baker, cashier, L. E. Preston, assistant cashier. Miss Flossie Fultz, bookkeeper.
Sincere thanks for past association and good wishes for the future.
Very respectfully,
Porter W. Baker, secretary.
BANK OF LEETON MARKS ITS 100TH ANNIVERSARY
(Reprinted from The Daily Star Journal, Warrensburg, Missouri, Tuesday, October 1, 1996)
In 1896 in Leeton, "a few farsighted cattlemen" led by brothers
James and Woods Harris, banded together to organize a financial institution that would serve the needs of the
community. The Bank of Leeton, incorporated on July 11, 1896, has been serving the community ever since.
On Sept. 14, the Leeton community gathered to celebrate the centennial of the bank and to
commemorate the foresight of the "early risktakers" who had organized it a century ago. Charles C. Baker,
chairman of the board, who delivered the keynote address at the celebration, said, "We shall forever be
indebted and grateful to these early risk-takers, who recognized a community need and proceeded to fulfill it."
According to the handwritten minutes from July 11, 1896, meeting, the groundwork for the new bank
was laid at preliminary meetings held April 6 and April 9, 1896, resulting in the election of S. W.
Harris as permanent chairman; J. R. Grinstead, secretary; and Henry Fewel, treasurer.
(Bob Wyatt additional notes: Henry Fewel and J. R. Grinstead were cofounders of the Leeton
community in 1895 along with John J. Lee)
At subsequent meetings held through June, 1896, the organization of the bank and the construction
of a building were discussed. After Lot 192 was conveyed to the bank "for the consideration of $1," a
building committee consisting of J. L. Houx, G. A. Fewel and E. J. Wall was appointed. "They were directed
to build a house 22x50 feet, two stories, 14 feet and 10 feet high, of brick and with stone foundation."
On July 11, 1896, the Bank of Leeton came into being with capital stock of $12,500. Names as the
directors..... (see same list above).
Baker said many of the early supporters included ancestors of those who are active in the community
today. He noted that the community along with the bank directors, officers and employees, preserved the
bank "through desperate times," including ups and downs in the farming industry and the Great Depression.
The Bank of Leeton was one of a handful of banks in the state that survived the Great Depression, he said.
A holdup occurred in 1925 in which his grandfather Porter Baker, and great uncle Harry Baker,
along with another employee were forced to lie on the floor until the robbers escaped. A Colt .45 pistol
used in the holdup is on display in a glass case in the bank.
(Bob Wyatt additional notes: The safe and original charter for the bank have been on display in
the new facility. Hopefully if the bank is completely dissolved these historic items will be placed in the museum
but I would rather see them in the Bank of Leeton. Pictured here with the safe and charter is last presient Phil
Klinkhardt)
Other challenges, including droughts and wet years when crop yields were low and cattle prices
dived, faced the community in past years. "These were real challenges...some of which still plague us today,"
Baker said. "But we, like our ancestors, pull together and tough out the rough times to preserve the quality
lifestyle they envisioned---a lifestyle we still enjoy---and, sadly, one that continues to fade across much
of our country."
But Baker said, rather than fixating on the past, "We must also focus on the present and future....
Today should focus on all of you who are gathered together here, and all the individuals in this community
who consistently support their local institutions and businesses."
He said the present customers "recognized that this Bank of Leeton is not just a convenience, but
an essential institution, like the school system, the post office, the many places of worship and all the
private businesses that line our streets."
"Without them, there would be no community. There would be no Leeton. There would be no common
ground to nurture and support the next generation who will be tomorrow's solid, reliable, independent
citizens, responsible for preserving this way of life that is so vulnerable in today's fast paced and
often impersonal world."
Baker urged those attending to "not just celebrate the birthday of this bank. Let's also renew
the spirit of the community. Let's use this milestone to congratulate everyone, past and present, for
a job well done, and let's use this celebration to commit ourselves to continuing to support a wholesome
lifestyle in which we truly believe."
The centennial, he said, could be the catalyst to spark renewed vigor in the community "and
inspires each of us to actively participate in some local service group, or repair a faded sign, or fix a
broken latch on someone else's smokehouse, to take the time to visit with someone who has few friends."
Baker said, "The Bank of Leeton represents this kind of unity. But it takes all of us together
to turn 'unity' into 'community.' This community we call Leeton must continue to be that special place
that is caring, cohesive and stable," he said, pledging that the Bank of Leeton will continue to support
the community as the community has supported the bank.
"Who Were the Jayhawkers?"
Several have been asking me about the term Jayhawker and where
it came from. It goes back to the Civil War. It, along with a number of other terms, was applied to roving gangs who would
rob the farms and kill innocent people. Often they would burn the homes as they left and reportedly raped the young women.
The Jayhawkers were men from the Kansas side and supported the Union troops---at least in words. They would venture
into Missouri territory where they would do their violence and stealing.
Other terms used for these groups were Bushwackers, guerrillas, partisan rangers, border ruffians
and after a short period of time it was difficult to determine if they were working for the south or north in the battles
during the Civil War. Most quickly progressed from supporting the war to stealing for their own satisfaction with no
preference to who they attacked.
Capt. William Clarke Quantrill was one of the first leaders of these gangs to rise to prominence.
In this area many considered him a hero as he was not generally one to allow his troops to shoot people for sport or
to take all the food from the farms. He was respectful of the women and tried to leave them enough food to survive. He
also took a stand against jayhawker harassment and Union occupation. In fact he was a defender of many of the farms in
the Leeton area.
He camped at the John Wash and Capt. Thomas Wash farms when traveling thru the area and when he came
back from a winter stay in Texas was outraged to find the Capt. Wash home destroyed by fire. He went on a search for Bloody
Bill Anderson who was the leader of the gang that came thru burning Cornelia to the ground, killing people everywhere they
went from Cornelia south. The Burford home was burned along with the Wash.
Amazingly Bloody Bill Anderson had taught school in the area and had been driven to gather a gang
and started killing and stealing from everyone. He met his match in the Burfords who cornered him in Mexico, Missouri, and
ended the bloody reign of the man.
"Bushwackers" were young men born to families of southern background. They were likely to have been
from a slave owning plantation and were wealthier but thanks to the Civil War had lost everything and were desitute. Groups
of these men gathered into groups known as Bushwackers and traveled the country robbing and killing. The "guerrillas" were
not savages like the northern newspapers reported but were rather from respected families who were committed to the
defense of economic status and privilege. At the same time some of them became outlaws seizing the chance to make money
while respectably defending freedoms.
The Civil War was a terrible time thru here as gang after gang pretending to be on both sides of the
War would ravage the countryside. The banning of people living in the counties bordering Kansas only added to the dangers
as people were shoved over to this county without a place to live and it opened the door to the Jayhawkers to come further
into Missouri having no one to rob in the first set of counties bordering their state.
The Jayhawkers led several men to become a part of Quantrill's group out of revenge. Examples
given by the men in Quantrill's unit: Riley Crawford reported he had seen the Jayhawkers kill his father near Blue
Springs; Hiram George saw the Jayhawkers burn his house, kill his father and hang his brother; Jesse and Frank James
lost their mother because of the union troops who supposedly supported the Jayhawker activities. These junior high
age young men were trained as killers and they quickly responded with little or no conscience as they violently
took revenge.
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