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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...

John Fullerton
3 min read


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...

John Fullerton
3 min read


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..

John Fullerton
4 min read


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...

John Fullerton
3 min read


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...

John Fullerton
3 min read


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

John Fullerton
3 min read


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...

John Fullerton
3 min read


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...

John Fullerton
4 min read


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.

John Fullerton
3 min read


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.

John Fullerton
3 min read


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.

John Fullerton
5 min read


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...

John Fullerton
4 min read


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...

John Fullerton
3 min read


Memories from the Homestead: Sparky, our first area tour guide
There are not a lot of details known about Pearl's beginnings. She was not from around here originally.

John Fullerton
3 min read


Memories from the Homestead: Remembering my home neighborhood of Flag, Missouri
Now that ya'll have an idea of the area that Flag covered, the townsite was up on the south side of Compton Ridge, just above ...

John Fullerton
4 min read


Memories from the Homestead: 'Bells of Rosarita' featured an all-star cast of cowboy actors
Not only are Roy and his horse Trigger well featured, the familiar cast of Gabby Hayes, Dale Evans, with Bob Nolan and the Sons...

John Fullerton
3 min read


Memories from the Homestead: 'Lights of Old Santa Fe' – a Western favorite
Every Saturday and Sunday afternoon, they would air a Roy Rogers/Dale Evans film. I was glued to the TV.

John Fullerton
3 min read


Memories from the Homestead: Remembering Ken Curtis (part 2 of 2)
While on the trip, Ken was asked to temporarily fill in with the Pioneers since their tenor vocalist Lloyd Perryman had to rush back...

John Fullerton
3 min read
![Memories from the Homestead: Remembering Ken Curtis [Part One, 1916 - 1949]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0d906d_ee465b9613e84c9bb8b4b784542fb1bb~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_333,h_250,fp_0.50_0.50,q_30,blur_30,enc_avif,quality_auto/0d906d_ee465b9613e84c9bb8b4b784542fb1bb~mv2.webp)
![Memories from the Homestead: Remembering Ken Curtis [Part One, 1916 - 1949]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/0d906d_ee465b9613e84c9bb8b4b784542fb1bb~mv2.jpg/v1/fill/w_296,h_222,fp_0.50_0.50,q_90,enc_avif,quality_auto/0d906d_ee465b9613e84c9bb8b4b784542fb1bb~mv2.webp)
Memories from the Homestead: Remembering Ken Curtis [Part One, 1916 - 1949]
The entire family was musical. Dan played fiddle and Nellie the pump organ. Curtis played clarinet in school.

John Fullerton
3 min read


Memories from the Homestead: The legacy of Miss Lizzie
She was a huge fan of “The Shepherd of the Hills” novel. Around here everyone still calls her "Miss Lizzie."

John Fullerton
3 min read
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