The Beckoning Road For Many
Blue skies... blue skies/Nothing but blue skies from now on
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Sunday, October 30, 2022
From TV series Nashville
Bryce Martin, on Nashville last night, right after Gunnar kissed Scarlett on stage.
Screen shot by Eileen Sisk and posted on her Facebook website "Buck Owens: The Biography," May 26, 2016
Saturday, October 29, 2022
Friday, October 28, 2022
Why Bakersfield?
There are seven "Bakersfield" restaurants in seven U.S. cities. The one pictured above is in Pittsburgh, Penn. Nashville has one. Bakersfield, Calif., the city, developed a reputation as "The West Coast Capital of Country Music." I expected names such as Buck Owens and Merle Haggard to be found somewhere as part of their menu. Instead, there are salads named "Johnny," another called "Loretta," and a third one named "Willie." That's it. A restaurant can chose its menu and name as it likes, I realize. But, in this case, why Bakersfield? What's the draw? I could go for some Haggard Hash. -- Bryce
Monday, October 24, 2022
Sunday, October 23, 2022
WEST END LIME KILN -- West End California, Searles Valley, Mojave Desert
[In the background left are the evaporation towers]
A Kil'n Job
By Bryce Martin
Entering Searles Valley from the west you couldn't miss the massive rotary lime kiln. Its radiated heat matched with the already blistering summer temperatures made it a real chore to work near. Yet, that was part of my routine at Stauffer Chemical Co. On a semi-regular schedule it was my job to walk along the kiln's catwalk and adjust the trunnions as necessary. In doing so I held a gloved hand over my ear nearest to the kiln to help block the heat from entering my eardrums.
Brine and lime were the two main, raw ingredients that kept the Westend plant running and profitable. And they had plenty of it.
CO2 gas produced in the kiln was delivered to the carbonating towers several hundred feet away and was essential in producing top quality soda ash. The large, circular towers, made of wood, were each several stories high, bunched close together and an amazing sight to behold. The 8x340-ft rotary lime kiln at Westend was installed in 1956.
The kiln was envisioned in 1955 when the company discoverd a large limestone deposit just north of the plant. A quarry was established and the plan was to use natural gas as fuel. Top capacity was estimated at 170 tons of lime per day.
It was a Traylor kiln, from an engineering and manufacturing company that also built mills and crushers. Traylor started building it at its facility in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and finished it at the Westend plant. It was so precisely aligned at the site by the Traylor engineers that it operated continuously for five years without needing brick replacement.
The channel-iron chain length designed to snake-whip and loosen any crusts that might form inside became mangled from the high heat and was removed for replacement. Management decided it would be a good time to rebrick as well. In late 1963 I was the lucky one who got the job of jack-hammering out the "old" bricks.” It was still more than a little warm inside after a three-day cool-down shutdown. Room inside allowed for one person. I laid a board across for back support and to keep away from the residue of the wet bottom lime. The bricks were upward. I somehow got in contact with the wet lime and it was soaking into my jeans bottoms. I felt the burn from the lime, got out and notified my foreman. He sent me home to shower and change clothes. I returned shortly and soon you could again hear the rat-a-tat.
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Saturday, October 22, 2022
Minor/Miner 49er
It was no gimmick, Mickey Mantle worked in the lead mines industry before he ever hit the big time with the New York Yankees. It was during his minor league baseball off-seasons of 1949-50, 1950-51. Minor leaguers didn't make enough money during the summer months of baseball to support them through an entire year. The same was true for major leaguers. In 1958 with the Yankees he became baseball's highest paid player, earning $65,000 per year. -- Bryce
Friday, October 21, 2022
In the Autumn of 1955, a booklet on the Tri-State Spook Light was produced in Joplin, Missouri by the retired Capt. Bob Loftin, an enthusiast on the light.
An excerpt:
LEGEND
By O. W. Buzzard, Hornet, Mo.
There are several legends about the spook light. The oldest one
is handed down by an Indian tribe who live in this vicinity, the
Quapaws. I have talked to many Indians in the area and the story
that their forefathers handed down to them is no doubt true. It has
of course, by now become a matter of record.
The legend is that a handsome young Indian brave fell in love
with a beautiful Indian maiden of the Quapaw tribe. The young
Indians were desperately in love and it seems that the old Chief,
father of the maiden, tried to take undue advantage of the situation
by asking for an unusually large payment for his daughter's hand.
Being unable to meet the demands of the Indian Chief, the couple
decided to escape and elope. They had scarcely reached the outside
of the camp area when their absence was discovered. The Indian
Chief became very angry and sent out a large group of warriors to
pursue the young brave and his daughter. The young maiden knew
that she would be severely punished and her lover would be killed.
Knowing that they were going to be captured, the young couple de-
cided to commit suicide by leaping from atop a
high rocky cliff over-looking Spring River.
This spot is now known as "Lovers' Leap" or
"Devil's Promenade." It is believed that the
spirits of the young Indian couple return
nightly to form the phenomenon which we view to this day.
A large Indian Pow-wow and stomp dance
are held annually in the Spook Light area
which is attended by thousands from near and
far. The bridge crossing Spring River has
been named Devil's Promenade Bridge.
For over 50 years tourists have stopped at
the store here in Hornet for directions to view the light which per-
forms nightly.
(Mr. Buzzard is operator of the general store at Hornet, Mo.)
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Friday, October 14, 2022
Belt buckle featuring the "Western Sportsman's Association" --- "Securing Your Outdoor Heritage.” On the heavy 1976 pewter Bergamont Brass Works buckle, you see a fishing pole, a rifle, a couple of fish, a deer, what is probably an elk, and a ram's head in the middle. The WSA was founded in Colorado Springs, Colorado, by my Aunt Louise and her husband, Walt Sharp. In the late 1970s Walt was expanding to California. I secured a write-up for him and his association at the Bakersfield daily newspaper with outdoors writer Cec Wilder. Louise babysat me regularly in Galena, Kansas, at home on Amherst Street when she was 10-years-old. Louise grew to be a renowned big-game hunter.
Louise
Louise was a “gamer” even before starting the WSA. She fished in Alaska and as a hunter bagged grizzly, moose and caribou, some of whose heads are mounted on walls of her Colorado Springs home. She hunted with then-husband Walt who devised a special-made .357 rifle for her, to cut down on recoil impact. On an African trip, she brought down several animals, including a spiral-horned kudu, a large antelope. A close call was when a herd of cape buffalo headed in the direction of her group, turning away at the last moment. It was a scene captured by a cameraman they took along. -- Bryce
Buckle Up For The Great Outdoors
Thursday, October 13, 2022
Heap on the Kansas!
Sunday, October 09, 2022
Saturday, October 08, 2022
CHRIST FIRST OF ALL
THOMAS STEPHENS
(Galena, Kan.)
In a report of a medical missionary convention held in Chicago, I find these sentences: " Tell the people how they can be saved. Do not spend time in talking doctrine to them. When you have once led them to Christ, he can teach them the rest."
"We must use wisdom and good sense. The people need Christ and the simple gospel. Let us give it to them, and not spend all our time on doctrine."
Such utterances have a deeper importance than is at first apparent. When one is deeply convicted, and bowed down with a burden of
'guilt for his past sins, all the doctrine necessary for the immediate condition is the forgivness of sins, a reconciliation with God — a being born again. After this the doctrine can be given in proportion, to the ability to receive.
We are told to be temperate in all things, yet we often see overzealous persons crowd around one who has just "stepped into the light," and so cram the poor victim with special doctrines that he becomes surfeited and con- fused. lf, perchance, he survives such intem- perance, it takes considerable time and study to gain spiritual health. Therefore we find many to-day in our church, who, instead of being teachers, and living on the strong food of the Word,, are weaklings, living on milk, simply because of the surfeiting of doctrine in the beginning of their spiritual career.
To illustrate: We held a prayer-meeting at the house of a Baptist, who had gone back to the beggarly elements of the world, but who wished to return to his " first Love." Several of the brethren insisted on presenting the doctrines. So he was told of the investigative judgment now going on, of the perilous times in which we are living, and of the soon coming of Christ — all at one time. The man was confused, and is still out of Christ — and out of the doctrine, too.
There is a time for all things; a time for every purpose under heaven. We may know the doctrines; these are all good, if the soul first has Christ. But doctrines without Christ lead to destruction. " But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you," are the words of Christ. Let us heed them.
The Review and Herald (Battle Creek, Mich.), November 6, 1900, Pg 3
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GHS Journalism Students Shine
"Late Flashes
Annual Queen Coronation
Pauline Stratton, a senior, was crowned queen of the l95O Blue and White Annual May lOth in the high school auditorium. Her attendants were Kathryn Owens, junior, Delores Bynum, sophomore, and Joy Lewman, freshman. These were the other classes' candidates for queen. Pauline and her attendants were escorted by members of their own classes. Their escorts were as follows: Harold Cure, senior, Marion Murray, junior, Mervin Crook, sophomore, and Larry Patterson, freshman. The senior class presented the queen with an arm bouquet of beautiful white mums with a silver ribbon. The attendants had identical corsages of red and white roses presented by their respective classes. They were also presented with gifts from the annual staff, who were in charge of the Coronation ceremonies. Donald Carriger, editor of the annual staff, crowned the queen and presented the gifts. The crown bearer was Claudie Evans and the flower girls were Dorothy Hopkins and Joyce Mallatt. The ushers were as follows: Lola Bullard, Norma Jenkins, Beverly Ledbetter and Lajunta Jackson.
Student Council
The Student Council held a primary election under the new constitution this spring for the first time in the history of the school to elect officers for the following year. As there were several candidates for each office, a final election was to take place later. Ronald Rice was elected to the office of vice-president as there were only two nominees for the position. Election returns left the following candidates for various offices: president--Cary Patterson, Vic Tackett, secretary-Patricia Hilton, Norma Jenkins, and treasurer-Larry Patterson, Joe Dugan.
Band
The climaxing activity for the high school band for this year took place when members made the trip to Kansas City, Missouri Friday, May 5, accompanied by instructor Vernon L. Wade. Upon arriving at Kansas City the group had lunch at Swope Park. Other points of interest throughout the day were the Nelson Art Gallery and the Municipal airport. Teachers Mr. Dee Holmes and Mrs. Jane Williamson, sci- ence and physical education instructors respectively, have announced that they will not teach here next year. Mr. Holmes has accepted a position in the Columbus school system and Mrs. Williamson plans to return to her home in Texas.
Journalism Class
The Galena High School "Scribbler" tied for first place with the Joplin High School "Spyglass" in the sweepstake honors in the first annual Tri-State High School Press association clinic sponsored by the Northeastern Oklahoma A&M college journalism department April 2l. The Scribbler was rated meri- torious at the Tulsa University clinic and Mary Campbell received an honorable mention for her fea- ture article, being one of six chosen from 105 entries. At the Kansas University press clinic, Lewis Rice's editorial was one of six chosen out of 80 entries and was given an honorable mention. This year, the Scribbler received its highest awards. Gold Seal certificates were awarded to each winning school and also to the individual winners. The Galena individual winners were judged from l24 entries. They follow: Lewis Rice, superior in sports story, superior in news story, superior in editorial and good in headline writing, Mary Campbell, superior in news article, excellent in human interest story and good in suspended interest story: Kathryn Owens, superior in column, and Vic Tackett, excellent in biographic sketches. Thirteen members of the journalism class wrote all the school news for the Scribbler. ln addition, the reporters had stories published in the Joplin Globe, Joplin News Herald, Parsons Sun and Coffeyville Journal. Donald Carriger was editor the first semester, Lewis Rice was editor the second semester and Mary Campbell was assistant editor. Four newspapers, the Parsons Sun, Coffeyville Journal, Pittsburg Headlight and The New York Times, were subscribed to by the class. A three deck tray was purchased for the reporters to put stories in to be copyread. A Neosho Valley League journalism workshop was held at Galena December 15. Sixty-two journalists and annual workers attended from four of the seven schools in the league. To make money the class sold subscriptions to The Galena Sentinel-Times, and covered the NVL basketball tournament at Baxter Springs for the Joplin Globe."
The 1950 Blue and White Yearbook (Galena, Kan.)
Thursday, October 06, 2022
Cockrell Cocksure Bet For Future Stardom
Alan Cockrell, fourth Grade student from Galena Kan., will compete in the sectional Punt Pass and Kick competition during the halftime of the Kansas City chiefs Houston Oilers football game Sunday at Arrowhead Stadium in Kansas City. Cockrell has already posted victories in the local zone and area competition. A complete young athlete Cockrell batted .872 as a Little League baseballer last summer and placed fifth in the 100 yard dash in the Kansas Junior Olympics. The youth has been working with head coach Jim Frazier and the Missouri Southern coaching staff. He is shown in the accompanying photo with his father Delvere Cockrell and Jim Lee, a Joplin Jaycee who will accompany Cockrell to Kansas City. Dan Stanley motors of Joplin sponsors the youth.
Joplin Globe, November 17, 1973, Pg 16
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Galena/Riverton Not Good Enough?
Twice named first-team all state, Cockrell led Joplin, Missouri's Parkwood High School Bears to a 31-3 record during his three years as starting quarterback. Alan's career statistics included not only 3,499 yards passing and 44 touchdowns as quarterback, but an additional 1,541 yards and 36 touchdowns rushing, and 154 extra points and 8 field goals as a kicker.
His mere presence on the team was controversial as his parents had relocated from nearby Riverton, Kansas for the express purpose of giving him the opportunity to play for a higher profile program, and not without the help of local boosters who secured Cockrell's father a job with a local engineering firm despite his questionable qualifications.
The move paid off as Cockrell led the Bear's wishbone attack to an undefeated season (14-0) andthe Missouri State Championship in 1980, gaining him the national attention necessary to secure a full scholarship to Oklahoma State (Cockrell would later transfer to Tennessee).
An All-American at Tennessee, Cockrell was the Volunteers starting quarterback for the 1982 and 1983 seasons, a tenure that culminated in a Citrus Bowl championship in his final season. Alan is one of only four quarterbacks to start a game for Tennessee as a freshman - the other three are Peyton Manning (1994), Casey Clausen (2000), and James Banks (2002).Twice named first-team all state, Cockrell led Joplin, Missouri's Parkwood High School Bears to a 31-3 record during his three years as starting quarterback. Alan's career statistics included not only 3,499 yards passing and 44 touchdowns as quarterback, but an additional 1,541 yards and 36 touchdowns rushing, and 154 extra points and 8 field goals as a kicker.
en-academic.com
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During a very brief 1981 trip from Dallas with my mother, I ran across Ted Watkins in Galena. Ted’s brother, Bill, was married to my Aunt Margie. Ted was born and raised in Galena and was a longtime postman. We started talking baseball, of course, and I told him about George Grantham, a big-league baseball star born in Galena. He said that might have some connection to an old deserted and grown-over homesite he had seen on one of his routes. “Overhead, at where had been the entrance, was an old and rusted iron structure that spelled out ‘Grantham’ at its top. It’s made me wonder who they might have been.” It might have been that family I told him; however, I had done some previous research and found out George and his family left Galena when he was young, and that had been a long time ago. Ted informed me that fact about George Grantham being the only big-name (there was also a lesser-known Bill Windle) big-leaguer to come out of Galena was about to change. He seemed sure of it. “There are two right now who can’t miss, in my opinion,” he said. He mentioned a Gibson boy and Alan Cockrell. His words turned out to be largely prophetic. Atlee Alan Cockrell was born in Kansas, but in Kansas City, Kansas, December 5, 1962.
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Regarding Parkwood's upcoming 1978 season:
Combs, entering his 11th season at Parkwood, was returning just five starters from last season’s 8-1 team. Based on his current squad, he felt it necessary to switch from a wishbone to a veer offense.
Alan Cockrell and Curtis Wilson have been battling for the starting quarterback job since the first Day of practice. Cockrell is a 6-0, 185-Pound sophomore who transferred from Riverton, Kan. Wilson a 168-pound junior saw limited action for the Bears last season
First year [Parkwood] coach Richard Kruse played football at Kansas State University. He played football, basketball, and track at Galena Kansas High school and coached at Galena before coming to Parkwood. Kruse coaches the offensive ends and is an assistant track coach.
Joplin Globe, August 27, 1978, Pg 56
Remembering former assistant football coach for the Galena Bulldogs.
Dewey Combs won state championships in 1975, 1980, and 1983, at Parkwood High School and also coached the 1966 Trenton team to the state title.
"This was my dream job," Combs told Columbia TV station KOMU during
an interview at the dedication of the Dewey Combs Athletic Complex at Junge
Field on August 22, 2014. "I ended up here in Joplin and I never looked
for another job."
Combs arrived in Joplin the year after leading Trenton to the state
championship and remained through the 1986 season. He was inducted into the
Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in 2010.
Ed. -- Alan Cockrell moved from high school at Riverton, Kan., across the state line to Joplin Parkwood. He quarterbacked on the '80 championship team for Combs, ended up at University of Tennessee, and was the first freshman to earn the starting QB position there. Combs was born in Carthage, Mo. He began coaching at Joplin in 1967. He died at age 87, June 25, 2017. He was an assistant football coach at Galena under J.W. Brewington, and the girls' basketball coach.
Wednesday, October 05, 2022
Watchlist
Tyler Little, Tight End, Galena, Kansas
6-6, 230 POUNDS, JUNIOR
STATS, HONORS: Little is an all-state honorable mention for the Bulldogs as a junior. He is also a two-time all-state pick in basketball after helping Galena to back to back Final Four appearances at the state tournament.
COACH BEAU SARWINSKI: "Tyler is the youngest of three brothers that were all great athletes here at Galena. He grown up understanding what it takes to be a Galena Bulldog: grit, toughness. He's an extremely hard worker. He cares about his family, teammates, school and community. It's been amazing to see him grow up since he was a baby. We are glad he's a Galena Bulldog."
Joplin Globe, 2021
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Ed.: He may be going to K-State, a program on the rise. Should already be on NFL radar.
Tuesday, October 04, 2022
ARE WE IN MISSOURI?
The talk of a re-survey of the Kansas-Missouri line was at fever heat in Galena last week. The people in East Galena thought they were going to be put over in Missouri, the line being drawn at a point between here and the eastern part of town, it was said. The TIMES knows little or nothing of the survey. Some three or four weeks ago it was said surveyors were at Fort Scott and declared that half that town was in Missouri. The line is said to be true of Pittsburg. In short, the Kansas line is said to be about two miles west of Galena.
The Galena Times, September 20, 1895, Pg 1
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Saturday, October 01, 2022
Black-eyed Susan and Sweet William
"Never pick a black-eyed susan," Grandma Martin told me, reminding me more than once. I never knew for sure why exactly. It had something to do with an old myth turned-poem from England. Black-eyed Susan and Sweet William were lovers, according to the poem. According to Grandma's interpretation of the poem and the myth combined, if one planted sweet william and black-eyed susan seeds at the same time, they would grow and bloom at the same time. Maybe then, just maybe, if I picked a black-eyed susan, or if anyone did, then sweet william would be alone. Grandma clearly did not want that for the two eternal lovers.
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