Memories from the Homestead

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Memories from the Homestead: The blue-eyed postmaster, Elbert Butler

By 1870, Stone County had been in existence for almost twenty years. Local resident Elbert Butler, who named the first trading post...

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Memories from the Homestead: Aunt Martha – Springfield's famous performer and restaurant executive

John Fullerton

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Memories from the Homestead: Aunt Martha – Springfield's famous performer and restaurant executive

Shortly after her birth, the family relocated to Christian County, as her mom's family was based there at the time.

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Memories from the Homestead: George Rhodes was popular on KWTO

John Fullerton

4 min read

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Memories from the Homestead: George Rhodes was popular on KWTO

This led me down another goose chase, all I wanted to know was whatever became of George Rhodes. All of a sudden, doing a few online...

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Memories from the Homestead: Branson Hotel was the place for events

John Fullerton

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Memories from the Homestead: Branson Hotel was the place for events

One of Branson's long-standing structures, the Branson Hotel was built by the Branson Town Company on Main Street...

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Memories from the Homestead: The Iron Horse - the life of Jay Gould [part 3]

John Fullerton

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Memories from the Homestead: The Iron Horse - the life of Jay Gould [part 3]

Into the 1870s, Gould would take over the Union Pacific Railroad after its stock had dropped during the Panic of 1873.

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Memories from the Homestead: The Iron Horse [part 2]

John Fullerton

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Memories from the Homestead: The Iron Horse [part 2]

Setbacks would almost always be an issue. As the years went by there would be more rock and dirt slides, flooding, burned out bridges...

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Memories from the Homestead: The Iron Horse opened us to the world

John Fullerton

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Memories from the Homestead: The Iron Horse opened us to the world

That railroad would become the line that brought all of the fans and readers to our Roark Valley to see the Shepherd of the Hills...

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Memories from the Homestead: Remembering Monte Hale and 'Home on the Range'

John Fullerton

3 min read

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Memories from the Homestead: Remembering Monte Hale and 'Home on the Range'

Hale definitely came into the business with a splash, but slightly late in the game. When Gene Autry left Republic Pictures for Columbia..

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Memories from the Homestead: A trip along the Oregon Trail

John Fullerton

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Memories from the Homestead: A trip along the Oregon Trail

Excited to learn more, just outside of Kearney on I-80, we stopped by the historic Archway exhibit, a wonderful museum...

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Memories from the Homestead: Reynolds was a nationally famous book publisher

John Fullerton

4 min read

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Memories from the Homestead: Reynolds was a nationally famous book publisher

Elsbery W. Reynolds was born in Carroll County, Missouri, on February 7, 1868, just south of Chillicothe. He was the third of six children..

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Memories from the Homestead: Harold Bell Wright and the real numbers

John Fullerton

3 min read

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Memories from the Homestead: Harold Bell Wright and the real numbers

A couple of days ago a guest here asked a few questions wanting to know more about Harold Bell Wright's popularity as an author...

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Memories from the Homestead: Legendary locomotives still operate in Durango

John Fullerton

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Memories from the Homestead: Legendary locomotives still operate in Durango

In 1880 the community of Durango, Colorado, was founded by the Denver & Rio Grande Railway. In early August 1881 the rail line...

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Memories from the Homestead: Jackpot, Nevada, and Cactus Pete's – a popular destination for seventy years

John Fullerton

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Memories from the Homestead: Jackpot, Nevada, and Cactus Pete's – a popular destination for seventy years

While doing some exploring in this little neighborhood, I have discovered that Piersanti was born in Superior, Wyoming, on November 3, 1916

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Memories from the Homestead: Unexpected stop led to an awesome visit

John Fullerton

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Memories from the Homestead: Unexpected stop led to an awesome visit

A few days ago we came through central Texas and into west Texas where we spent a night in Littlefield, located 35 miles northwest...

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Memories from the Homestead: Authentic Ozarks hillbillies - the Weaver Brothers and Elviry

John Fullerton

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Memories from the Homestead: Authentic Ozarks hillbillies - the Weaver Brothers and Elviry

During the 1920s the Weaver Brothers and Elviry act really took off, as they performed in front of large audiences. In 1923 Leon and June...

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Memories from the Homestead: Ray Price brought his number one hits to Branson

John Fullerton

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Memories from the Homestead: Ray Price brought his number one hits to Branson

Ray was known for his pop hits and country hits. When he arrived in Branson his records had numbered over 100 million in sales.

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Memories from the Homestead: Joaquin Murphey, steel guitar legend

John Fullerton

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Memories from the Homestead: Joaquin Murphey, steel guitar legend

A Los Angeles promoter by the name of Foreman Phillips opened a number of ballrooms and venues for Western swing bands.

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Memories from the Homestead: Getting the facts straight on the Life of Young Matt (Charles Ross)

John Fullerton

5 min read

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Memories from the Homestead: Getting the facts straight on the Life of Young Matt (Charles Ross)

In chapter two of "The Shepherd of the Hills," Young Matt is introduced to the readers in the third paragraph.

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Memories from the Homestead: Eddy Arnold's television run included Springfield

John Fullerton

4 min read

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Memories from the Homestead: Eddy Arnold's television run included Springfield

Lately, a number of Eddy's television appearances on the Ozark Jubilee from the 1950s have surfaced on YouTube...

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Memories from the Homestead: Missouri photojournalist began with Cliff Edom

John Fullerton

3 min read

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Memories from the Homestead: Missouri photojournalist began with Cliff Edom

On June 30, 1928, Cliff married Vilia Clarissa Patefield (1908-2004), and the young couple purchased the Edgar News...

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