Lani Briggs Has Career Night, Hali Smith has Triple Double in Shamrock Win

 Lani Briggs had a career night for North Harrison with 19 points and Hali Smith had a triple double with 11 boards, 13 tips, and 12 steals, getting her big paws in the passing lanes all night long and taking the ball away from Braymer. Jaxcynn Hansel had 12 boards and 6 rejections, and Gracie Young had one of her best games off the bench as North Harrison came away with a 47-22 win over Braymer in the first round of the Gallatin Tournament.

Braymer had a pair of post players that they were trying to feed early and often, but nothing worked for them in the first quarter as North Harrison steadily pulled away. Ava Rinehart scored off a drive, Hali Smith scored off a steal, Lani Briggs drove and scored after Addison Milligan drove down the baseline and set her up, Ava Rinehart hit a 3-pointer from the wing, Lani Briggs hit another triple, and Gracie Young scored from the baseline to put North Harrison ahead 14-1. 

Lani Briggs started the second quarter with a triple, Hali Smith scored from inside, and Jaxcynn Hansel got loose in transition after Ava Rinehart got a steal, and Smith fed her the ball. Hansel followed with a pair of free throws to make it 23-5. North Harrison got into foul trouble and the Bobcats started chipping away by pushing it up the floor a lot more and getting on the line. They got their deficit down to 23-9 before Lani Briggs hit a 3-pointer, her third of the night, at the halftime buzzer to make it 26-9.

The Gallatin gym got increasingly hotter as the game progressed, and that led to sloppier play and fouls. Natalie Wright got the hot hand for Braymer to bring her team within 31-16 before Hansel righted the ship by scoring from inside and then taking a charge on Nevaeh Scott, Braymer's most physical player, who picked up her fourth foul on the play. Briggs scored off a drive to end the period with the Shamrocks up 35-17.

Braymer went from a zone to a man to try to get the ball back, but North Harrison pulled away as Lani Briggs found a lot more driving lanes open in the fourth quarter. Briggs got a steal after Addison Milligan got a tip, and then Hali Smith got a steal and fed Hansel to push the Shamrock margin over 20 to start the fourth at 38-17. Braymer hung around for a while at the free throw line, but Lani Briggs finished strong for North Harrison, getting loose in transition after Hansel got a block and Ava Rinehart pushed it up the floor. Kaydence Lambert got a tip and Briggs a steal to provide the dagger.

Lani Briggs had 19 points. Jaxcynn Hansel had 9, Ava Rinehart 7, Gracie Young 6, Hali Smith 4, and Addison Milligan 2.

Jaxcynn Hansel had 6 blocks. Hali Smith had 3 and Raegan Hogan 1.

Jaxcynn Hansel had 12 boards. Hali Smith had 11, Ava Rinehart 7, Addison Milligan 6, Gracie Young 4, and Lani Briggs 1. North Harrison had 41 boards for the night.

Ava Rinehart had 5 assists. Hali Smith had 4, Jaxcynn Hansel and Addison Milligan 3, and Gracie Young 1.

Hali Smith had 13 tips. Gracie Young had 5, Addison Milligan 4, Ava Rinehart 3, and Kaydence Lambert 1.

Hali Smith had 11 steals. Ava Rinehart and Lani Briggs had 4, Addison Milligan 2, and Jaxcynn Hansel 1.

Rylee Ruckman Erupts as Tigers Floor Platte Valley

Rylee Ruckman erupted for Worth County early as the Tigers floored Platte Valley 53-31 Tuesday, December 2nd in the first round of the Albany Tournament. Worth County was supposed to scrape the bottom of the barrel playing the numbers game, but Ruckman scored ten points in the first few minutes to lift the Tigers to a 10-1 lead early in the game. Platte Valley spent the rest of the quarter chipping away, coming as close to 12-8 before Kristen Tracy started scoring to keep the Tigers ahead 16-10 after one. 

Platte Valley was supposed to run Worth County out of the gym with balanced scoring, the ability to do hockey line changes to keep fresh legs on the floor, and constant pressure defense and strong rebounding. When Rylee Ruckman picked up her second foul and Kenzie Redden, Mya Wray, and Maggie Swinford connected for Platte Valley in the early second quarter to tie it at 16, it looked like all the momentum was on their side. But Ruckman came back in and the rest of the cast started chipping in, with Audrey Runde hitting a free throw and Megan Tracy going backdoor. 

All of a sudden, the breaks started going Worth County's way as Kristen Tracy scooped up a carom and scored, Kambree Briner grabbed an offensive board and muscled her way up against the tall Platte Valley front line to score, Briner inbounded to Kristen Tracy for two, Briner hit Audrey Runde backdoor, and Kristen Tracy knocked one down from the high post to make it 28-16 at the half.

Platte Valley started off by throwing a trapping zone, but Worth County kept right on pulling away as Kambree Briner hit Kristen Tracy inside, Megan Tracy scored from inside, Audrey Runde hit a free throw and then added a drive, and Kambree Briner added a drive. By the time the dust had settled, Worth County had completed a 21-0 run and was up 37-16 midway through the third. 

But Platte Valley doesn't give up easily, and they threw their vaunted full-court press and started turning over Worth County. Emalee Langford connected to break the run, newcomer Hannah Klamm hit a 3-pointer, and Mya Wray hit two free throws to make it 37-23 before Kambree Briner inbounded it to Kristen Tracy and Rylee Ruckman drove against the press, blew by three blue shirts, and finished with a scoop shot at the third quarter buzzer to make it 41-23. Worth County, under April Healy, has always managed to convert a high percentage of its inbounds plays; they did so even during the lean years around 2010 during Healy's first tenure, when wins were hard to come by. 

Platte Valley kept swarming and pressing, but Worth County kept slashing to the rim at will, getting drives from Kristen Tracy, Kambree Briner, and another scoop shot prayer from Ruckman that went down to make it 47-23 before both teams started clearing their benches. Kinley Steele (sister of Kynah Steele) got her first career points as a Tiger when she converted a putback in the closing seconds. 

While the players wanted to win against Platte Valley so they could watch the State Championship Football game, they also wanted to beat their old coach, Tiffany Bliley, who is now an assistant at Platte Valley. 

Kristen Tracy had 17 points for the Tigers. Rylee Ruckman had 14, Kambree Briner 10, Audrey Runde 6, Megan Tracy 4, and Kinley Steele 2.

Kambree Briner had 7 boards. Megan Tracy had 6, Kristen Tracy 5, Rylee Ruckman 4, Audrey Runde 3, and Kinley Steele 1.

Kambree Briner had 7 assists. Audrey Runde had 3, Megan Tracy 2, and Keira Hardy and Kristen Tracy 1 each.

Keira Hardy, Kambree Briner, and Rylee Ruckman had 4 tips, Megan Tracy had 2, and Kristen Tracy 1.

Megan Tracy and Kambree Briner had 5 steals. Kristen Tracy had 4, Rylee Ruckman 3, and Keira Hardy 2.

Khloey Sperry Goes Beast Mode Against Redbirds; Paisley Taggart, Hailey McClure Notch Career Highs

Khloey Sperry went beast mode against Winston with 24 points, 16 rebounds, and 8 assists while Hailey McClure and Paisley Taggart had career nights for Gilman City, which beat Winston 55-41 Tuesday, December 2nd. Khloey Sperry seems to save some of her best games for the Redbirds; she hung 30 points on them last year in conference play. 

The first part of the game started off well for the Hawks as Khloey Sperry scored off a Tenley Griffith steal and then Avery Gregg got on the line twice and hit three out of four to make it 5-0. Gilman City fed Khloey Sperry early and often in the game and Khloey returned the favor by feeding everybody else. 

But Winston was way underrated; they have several players from the Pattonsburg softball team that surprised some people with a winning season, and they translated it over to basketball. They spread the floor, maintained spacing, and moved well all night, forcing Gilman City to work to maintain their lead. The teams traded blows as Avery Gregg and Tenley Griffith fed Sperry to make it 9-2, while Rosalynn Cameron countered with a 3-pointer to make it 9-5. Alli Burke got a pass from Paisley Taggart and drove and scored, and Khloey Sperry hit Burke in transition. Sperry got loose in transition to make it 15-5 before Weigand got a steal to cut it to 15-7 after one.

Alli Burke hit a 3-pointer to start the second quarter, and then Paisley Taggart got on the board for the Hawks, knocking down a backdoor layup off a pass from Khloey Sperry after Alli Burke got a steal. Paisley added a steal to make it 22-9.

But Winston would not go away quietly, as Rosalynn Cameron hit a 3-pointer and Reiann Hampton came off the bench to hit another to cut it to 22-15. The Redbirds got it down to 27-19 again before Hailey McClure sparked the Hawks, jumping a pass and then adding a jumper from the wing off a pass from Khloey Sperry to make it 31-19.

But Cameron continued to carry the Redbirds, knocking down her fourth 3-pointer and adding a steal to make it 31-24. But then Hailey McClure snuck behind the defense and Khloey Sperry found her to break the run, and then Sperry jumped a pass to make it 35-24. Vanessa Wiegand scored a backdoor layup for Winston and the Redbirds had a chance to cut it to seven again, but Hailey McClure struck again, tipping an errant pass and Tenley Griffth got the steal. Griffith missed, but Khloey Sperry was there for the putback. Alli Burke hit one from the top of the key just inside the 3-point line, Avery Gregg went coast to coast and drew a foul, hitting two free throws, Tenley Griffith stuffed a 3-pointer, leading to a Sperry layup, and Griffith added a free throw to make it 44-26. Rosalynn Cameron finally broke the run with a backdoor layup, but Avery Gregg went coast to coast after a defensive board and found Alli Burke open for three to make it 47-28 after three.

Reiann Hampton got the hot hand for Winston in the fourth quarter, but Khloey Sperry carried the Hawks on her shoulders, scoring eight points in the period as the Hawks never let it get closer than the final score. Both teams subbed freely in the last minute.

Khloey Sperry had 24 points for the Hawks, Alli Burke had 12, Avery Gregg 8, Hailey McClure 6, Paisley Taggart 4, and Tenley Griffith 1.

Avery Gregg and Tenley Griffith had 1 block each.

Khloey Sperry had 16 boards. Alli Burke and Avery Gregg had 6, Tenley Griffith 4, Hailey McClure and Paisley Taggart 2, and Pyper Taggart 1.

Khloey Sperry had 8 assists. Paisley Taggart had 4, Avery Gregg 3, Tenley Griffith 2, and Alli Burke 1.

Avery Gregg had 4 tips. Khloey Sperry had 3, and Tenley Griffith, Alli Burke, Pasley Taggart, and Hailey McClure had 1.

Tenley Griffith, who stayed on the floor for the whole game this time, had 5 steals. Paisley Taggart, who got a lot more confident the second time around, swiped 4. Alli Burke and Khloey Sperry had 3, Hailey McClure 2, and Avery Gregg 1.

Helen Welch 1926-2025

Helen Louise Welch, 99, of Maryville, Missouri passed away on Monday, December 1, 2025, at a local health care facility.

Helen was born on March 17, 1926, in Parnell, Missouri to Julius and Ruby (Brown) Etcherling. She was a graduate of St. Benedict’s High School in Clyde, Missouri and worked in health care at St. Francis Hospital. She was a member of St. Joseph Parish in Parnell, St. Ann’s Altar Society, 60+Club and the American Legion Auxiliary post 528.

She was also preceded by her parents, brother, Edward Etcherling and three sisters, Mary Lewis, Sr. Mary Phyllis Etcherling, OSB and Betty Lewis.

She is survived by her children, Linda (Kenny) Simmons, Mary (Jim) Waldeier, Donald (Kim) Welch, Edward (Linda) Welch, Cleo (Terri) Welch, Leo (Joni) Welch and David (Dayleen) Welch; twenty grandchildren and numerous great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren.

Mass of Christian Burial 11am Friday, December 5th at St. Joseph Catholic Church. Burial St. Joseph Cemetery in Parnell. The family will receive friends one hour prior to the service. 

The family suggests memorials to St. Joseph Catholic Church or the American Legion Auxiliary Post 528.

1937 Murder Suicide Rocked Bedford

The April 6th, 1937 Bedford Times-Press had the following account of a murder-suicide that took place in Bedford:

Roy Melvin, 55, shot his wife, Bertha Taylor Melvin, 46, his oldest of two sons, Orlen, 23, and then turned the revolver on himself at their home in Bedford Sunday forenoon about 10:00 o'clock.

Death resulted in all three shootings in a short time.

Their other son, Darold, 15, witnessed the shooting of his father and brother and heard the shots that killed his mother.  Running down into the basement in their night clothes when they heard their mother scream and the shots that followed, the boys discovered their mother lying on the cement floor, blood pouring from wounds in her mouth, neck and chest.

The older boy ran to his mother.  He believed she had shot herself, according to the younger boy's story.  Then the father, gun in hand stepped out from his hiding place and fired a shot into the older boy's back and side.  The one shot proved fatal.  Officers believe the father and older boy had a scuffle before the shot was fired that killed the boy.

Then according to the younger boy  and sole survivor of the family of four, the father put two more shells into his revolver.

"Are you going to Shoot me, too?" the younger boy states he asked his father as he watched him reload the pistol. 

"No, not you.  I didn't intend to shoot Orlen but he got in my way", the boy reports his father said.

Then the father placed the pistol to his own abdomen firing one shot about two inches below the navel, that ranged upward.

The boy says his father then took a few steps and then another shot was fired.  It is believed the second shot was fired into his mouth.  The boy says he wasn't looking when the second shot was fired. 

Roy Melvin and his wife had been having trouble off and on for some time.  Last fall Mrs. Melvin had her husband restrained by law from coming to her place and filed a divorce action against him.  This trouble was patched up and they resumed living together.

Reports are about three weeks ago trouble again broke out between them and Melvin moved out, to make his home with I.N. Weingarth, in his shoe shop on Court street. 

Saturday night Melvin is reported to have been seen in the vicinity of his wife's home.  Early Sunday morning about 4 o'clock Melvin arose and left the Weingarth store, according to reports, and it is believed he went to his wife's home and gained entrance to the basement by pushing open  a cellar door held fast by a button-lock on the inside.

About ten o'clock Mrs. Melvin got up and putting on her house slippers went to the basement to fix the fire.  Apparently Melvin was hiding in an anti-room at the time.  The fuel in the furnace indicated that she had put in some lumps of coal before he made his presence known.  The double-murder and suicide all took place in the basement.

Darold Melvin attempted to give first aid to his mother and brother, taking off his night shirt to stop the flow of blood from his mother's wounds.  Then he ran back upstairs and called for a doctor on the telephone, returned to the basement to administer to his mother and brother, and then ran across the yard to the George McLaury home to sob out his story.

Deputy Sheriff Ivan Wells, Sheriff T.V. Lacy, Coroner Floyd Shum and other were soon at the scene.  The bodies were taken to the Walker Shum funeral home.

No inquest was held as it was apparent what had taken place, by the boy's story and the appearance of the bodies and the cellar.

Melvin secured the gun an old six-shot revolver, .32 caliber at Maryville a few days ago, it is believed, and bought some shells for it at the Prugh Hardware.

In his pockets officers found over $50 in money.  Six empty shells and five loaded ones were found about the basement floor.

 

Fundraiser for Donato Chesnut

A fundraiser is being held for Donato Chesnut on GoFundMe. Proceeds will go to build a home that will help with his physical limitations and give him more independence. The goal is $100,000. As of Monday afternoon, it had raised $2,800.

On February 2024, Chesnut was involved in a vehicle crash. He was ejected from the vehicle and crushed by it. It took emergency personnel several times to revive him on both the helicopter and at the hospital. Thanks to the actions of a friend on the scene, the first responders, the LifeFlight crew, and the ICU crew at Mosaic in St. Joseph, his life was saved.

For the next 6+ weeks, he was in the ICU and started to regain the ability to breathe unassisted. He next went to a specialized rehab center. He is now confined to a wheelchair with limited upper body mobility. His mother is his primary caretaker.

Donato’s dad is a carpenter and has started the pre-construction process, but donations are needed for labor and materials. Other people will donate their time and labor to help reduce construction costs.

On October 12th, 2024, a fundraiser for Donato in Sheridan was one of the biggest events in recent memory to be held at Sheridan. Hundreds of people attended, and there was a meal, a silent auction, a live auction, and music.

 

Evergy Urges Space Heater Safety as Winter Weather is Here

Cold weather is here, and Evergy urges customers to be safe when using space heaters, electric blankets and other portable home heating devices. The Consumer Product Safety Commission reports space heaters cause more than 20,000 housefires each year. While central heating is more efficient and cost-effective, space heaters can provide extra comfort when safely used during colder temperatures.  

Space Heaters  

Always review and follow any safety instructions on your specific space heater.  

Plug your heater into a wall outlet. Never plug a portable space heater into a power strip or extension cord.

Heaters should be placed on flat surfaces, such as the floor. Do not leave them anywhere that they could fall. 

Keep them 3 feet from other items, especially blankets and curtains. 

Make sure they have the proper certifications, for example, UL approved. This means the product has been tested and meets specific safety requirements. 

Do not leave a running space heater unattended or use one while sleeping. Choose a space heater with a timer. 

Choose a space heater that is the proper size for the room to avoid wasting energy or overheating a room.  

Electric Blankets 

Throw out electric blankets or heating pads with dark, charred or frayed spots or indications the electric cord is cracked or frayed.  

Do not allow anything on top of a heating pad or electric blanket when it is in use, including other blankets or even pets. Electric blankets may overheat. 

Never fold electric blankets when in use. Folded or tucked-in blankets could overheat and cause a fire. 

Do not use electric blankets or heating pads while sleeping. Turn them off when not in use. 

An Evergy representative is available to talk about space heater and electric blanket safety, and the proper ways to use both.

 

Worth County Land Transfers for November 2025

November 3rd -- Book 211, Page 29; Eldon Thomas to Grand River Communications; Memorandum of Lease.

November 5th -- Book 211, Page 30-31; Joanne Rader to Ayvonne Morin, Mark Rader, and Rhonda Gresham; Affidavit of Distribution.

November 7th -- Book 211, Page 32; Bank of Plattsburg, Union State Bank of Everest to Revocable Living Trust, William Tracy and Marcia J. Tracy; Deed of Release.

November 7th -- Book 211, Page 33; Bank of Plattsburg, Union State Bank of Everest to Nicole Tracy and Paul Tracy; Deed of Release.

November 12th -- Book 211, Page 34; Jubal Summers and Rebecca Summers to Mark Harding and Laurice Harding; Release Deed Restrictions.

November 12th -- Book 211, Page 35; Angela LeMay to Cassandra Steele and Jeffery Steele; Warranty Deed.

November 12th -- Book 211, Page 37; Kemery Family Dynasty Trust to Christopher Kemery, Erica Grose, and Katrina Edmonds; Trustee's Deed.

November 13th -- Book 211, Page 41; Marilyn Joyce Jonasson Revocable Trust to Bill Engel Jr., Trustee's Deed.

November 13th -- Book 211, Page 42, Kyla McClain and Robert McClain to Megan Coffelt and Wyatt McClain; Beneficiary Deed.

November 17th -- Book 211, Page 44; Francis Burton and Patsy Burton to Danielle Mancuso and Vincent Mancuso; Warranty Deed.

November 17th -- Book 211, Page 45; Bailey Kemery, Christopher Kemery, Derek Edmonds, Erica Grose, Katrina Edmonds, Mitchell Grose to 5K Business Ventures, Quit Claim Deed.

November 18th -- Book 211, Page 46; Neal Borntrager and Rachel Borntrager to BTC Bank; Deed of Trust.

November 24th -- Book 211, Page 50; Tammy Summa to Mark Teegarden and Teresa Patterson; Warranty Deed.

November 24th -- Book 211, Page 51; Tammy Summa to Mark Teegarden and Teresa Patterson; Quit Claim Deed.

November 24th -- Book 211, Page 52; Mark Teegarden and Teresa Patterson to Tammy Summa; Deed of Trust.

November 25th -- Book 211, Page 54; Carolyn Hardy and David Hardy to Cynthia Studer, Julia Wideman, Kimberly Gabriel, and Susan Newman; Beneficiary Deed.

November 25th -- Book 211, Page 55; Betty Supinger to Jakob Dillard and Whitney Dillard; Warranty Deed.

Marriage Licenses:

Dalton Miller and Amber Clark

Avery Gabriel and Katy Smith

Mary Caldwell 1941-2025

Mary Kathleen Caldwell, age 84, Sheridan, Missouri passed away Wednesday, November 26, 2025, at Mosaic Life Care Center in St. Joseph, Missouri.

Mary was born on September 9, 1941, in Denver, Colorado.  She was the daughter of the late Carl E. and Madeline (Lambert) James.

Mary was a graduate of Sheridan R-II High School in Sheridan.

Mary was united in marriage to Richard Dale Caldwell on September 9, 1959, in Maryville, Missouri.  To this union one son was born, Gregory.

Mary had worked at the former Grant City Cap Factory, Grant City and the Energizer Battery Plant, Maryville.  After retiring from Energizer, she enjoyed spending time at home with her family.

She was preceded in death by her parents and husband Richard (March 10, 2016).

Her survivors include son Greg (Lisa) Caldwell, Columbia, Missouri, grandson Matthew (Holly) Caldwell, Abilene, Texas, granddaughter Natalie (Micah) Preyer, Columbia, great grandchildren Colton and Ryleigh Caldwell and soon to arrive Otis Dale Preyer, one brother Gary (Vetra) James, Sheridan, several nieces, nephews and a host of other friends and loved ones.

Mary’s body has been cremated under the care of the Hann Funeral Home, Grant City and no services will be held.  Private inurnment will be in the Grant City Cemetery.

Memorial contributions may be given to the charity of the donor’s choice.

andrewshannfuneralhome.com

Current St. Joseph’s Church Dedicated on Thanksgiving 1925

A big dedication was held on Thanksgiving Day 1925 for St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Parnell. The December 3rd, 1925 Parnell Review told the story:

The dedication of the new Catholic Church in Parnell added a special reason to give thanks on Thanksgiving Day for the people of that congregation. They may well be proud of the achievement and show with satisfaction the monument they have erected to their Creator.

On August 17th, 1924, services were held for the last time in the old church. This was wrecked to make way for the new church to be built on the same site. A week later, excavation for a spacious basement could be commenced and rapid progress rewarded the enthusiasm of the members who were active in hauling material and doing most of the work. Strong walls of concrete marked the foundation of the edifice, 83x40, and by November 9th of the same year, the basement was finished, so as to serve as a temporary church for services.

Early in spring of this year, March 25th, work was resumed on the superstructure of the church, which is of brick construction with cement copings. Besides the old glass stained windows, some new designs were added. The walls of the interior are coated with a foundation color of paint until they may be properly decorated in fresco, whilst the ceiling is already frescoed.

The plans were drafted by E. Gray Powell of St. Joseph. Ed Warren of Sheridan was foreman of construction, whose work has greatly pleased us all, and Chas. Baublits of Parnell has artistically executed the plans of frescoing, presented by Father Innocent, OSB.

On September 4th, Holy Mass was celebrated for the first time in the church proper on the new St. Joseph’s Altar. Folding chairs accommodated the members in the nave of the church. Soon, the furnishings could be installed, so that the beautiful Altars and Communion railing of Rigalico composition, finished in marble effect, form pleasing contrast with the pews of light oak.

The approximate cost of the church is around $25,000. The generous contributions of the members have made it possible that the edifice with its furnishings is practically free of debt.

This thriving little parish was cut off from the Dolorosa Mission at Grand River. The first fourteen families of St. Joseph Church, viz., Frank Berg, W.A. Berg, Anna Boedeker, M. Collins, A. Etcherling, F. Etcherling, J. Giesken, B. Hovenkotter, Ed. Klaas, A. Spire, and Alph. Waldeier, seceded from the mother mission in 1891.

Filled with zeal and enterprise, the little flock requested their shepherd, Rev. Berthold Jaeggle, OSB, to build a church at once. Already on June 14th, 1891, a neat little frame church, 60x20 feet, costing $2,800, was dedicated by Rt. Rev. Frowin Conrad OSB of Conception Abbey. Grounds for a cemetery were acquired in the following August.

Under the able trustees John Giesken, Andrew Spire, and Eugene Klaas, and the energetic zeal of Rev. Joseph Zuendt OSB, who took charge of the young mission on August 15th of the same year, the last cent of the $2,800 was subscribed on Palm Sunday, March 26th, 1893. Mr. Eugene Klaas was also the first organist and together with Mr. Julius Klaas and Miss Ellen Spire (now Mrs. J. Hovenkotter) formed the first choir. To the present time, Mr. Klaas has continued to be the faithful organist and Mrs. Hovenkotter is still a member of the choir.

Father Joseph attended the young mission from Conception Abbey twice a month for the first fifteen years, then every Sunday. In the last year of his pastorate, 1916, his happy flock succeeded in providing him with a $4,700 pastor’s residence. But failing health compelled the faithful shepherd to retire. Thereupon, Rev. Ildephonse Kuhn OSB became the first resident pastor in January 1917.

In 1920, the Altar Society provided the necessary means for a new sacristy and vestment case, the former being built by the members of the parish; the latter is the work of Ven. Bro. Matthew OSB of Conception Abbey.

Again, sickness with its merciless grasp robbed the parish of its happy little pastor, Father Ildephonse, and on April 21st, 1920, the newly returned Army chaplain, Rev. Lieut. Ambrose Bucher OSB, became St. Joseph’s second resident pastor. The untimely death of Father Ildephonse occurred at Springfield on February 7th, 1921 after almost a year’s labor at Verona (MO).

Under the pastorate of Father Ambrose activities continued. A surprise was tendered to the pastor in a new car and the parishioners also built a garage besides a coal shed and chicken house.

From the proceeds of a bazaar in 1921, a private electric light plant for the church and rectory was installed — the lights being turned on for the first time during the Feast of the Immaculate Conception — which was soon followed by a private power water plant and cistern for fire protection.

Luckily, insurance covered all the damages from lightning striking the church in 1922. However, this was the occasion for repainting the church and erecting lightning rods and adding new front steps.

In August 1922, Father Ambrose was succeeded by Rev. Odilo Schieber OSB, during whose administration the church was built. The unselfish sacrifice and united cooperation manifested by the members in the erection of their church is greatly manifested by the pastor and may serve as an inspiration to others.

To the ladies of the parish, special credit is due for the sumptuous dinner of Thanksgiving Day and the united and unselfish sacrifice displayed in making the bazaar a grand success. May God bless them all is the wish of the pastor.

The pastor and members wish to extend heartfelt thanks to the public for having helped to make the occasion a red letter day in the history of St. Joseph’s parish and for having patronized the bazaar so generously. We extend sincere appreciation to our friends who in a financial way have continued to our church.

In another article, the paper reported that over 400 dinners were served for the Bazaar, which was held from Thanksgiving Day to the following Saturday. All the sales booths were empty. After all expenses were paid, there was a sum of $1,143.11 left.

According to the November 19th, 1925 Review, the mass dedicating the building was presided over by Rt. Rev. Bishop Gilfillan of St. Joseph. Also present were the Rt. Rev. Abbot Philip of Conception and other clergy from the surrounding parishes.

 

Hayden Sanders Comes Up Big as Tigers Deny Archie Third Straight Title

Worth County once again came up big on defense when they had to as this time, it was Hayden Sanders who got a game-winning pick to seal the game as Worth County denied Archie a third straight state title with a 36-34 win Saturday. It was the same identical score as the North Shelby game the week before. Like the last time, Worth County denied an extra point try to preserve a lead. And for the second time in five years, Worth County ended someone's try at a three-peat; in 2020, Worth County beat Mound City in districts to deny them a third straight title. 

Worth County will play Rock Port Thursday at 7 pm at Spratt Stadium at Missouri Western State University for the State Championship. In order to win, they will have to overcome history, as the Tigers have never lost a regular season game and went on to win a state title. On the other hand, Jon Adwell is one of the most difficult coaches in the world to beat twice; his teams beat Platte Valley and Albany last year after suffering earlier losses to them in the regular season. 

Just like two years ago, Worth County looked like they were in over their heads against Archie. They got the ball to start the game, and they got a first down, only to be stopped at the 32. Wyatt Hill got off a good punt with the wind at his back to put Archie at their own 8, but it didn't matter as Jackson Kash ripped off a 22-yard run to the 30. They were backed up third and nine at the 31, but they ripped off one of their specialties, the double counter, and Westyn Bryant took it 20 yards to the Tiger 29. Jackson Kash then broke tackle after tackle into the end zone to give Archie a 6-0 lead.

The game looked like it would follow the same script as the Archie game two years ago as Hayden Sanders came under a heavy rush during the next series, missed a wide-open Lucas Frisch, tried to throw it away, but threw a strike to Westyn Bryant at the Archie 39. But all of a sudden, Worth County realized they could play football with them and stiffened up, forcing a fourth and seven at the Tiger 38. Normally, teams kick it away in these sorts of situations, but the wind was howling in Archie's face, and they elected to go for it. The pass went incomplete, and Worth County took over on downs in good field position.

Worth County got a first down when Jude Archer ripped off a run to the 29. Cole Ruby picked up four to the 25, and then Archer took it to the house with 11:23 left in the second quarter to put Worth County on the board. Archie had a five-man front and was crowding the line every chance they could get, meaning that Worth County was able to gash them with several big plays Saturday. Hayden Sanders weaved his way in for the extra points to make it 8-6.

Worth County tried its onside kicking game, but Archie was ready for it and had their hands team in, and recovered it at the 35. On the first try from scrimmage, Leeper came under a heavy rush, but got it away, and Sawyer Thurman batted it in the air, and it was batted twice before it fell to the ground. Leeper met Lucas Frisch the next play, and a botched handoff forced them to punt. With the wind at their backs in the second quarter, Archie nearly pinned Worth County at the one-inch line, but the player wound up in the end zone and Worth County had a touchback at the 15. On third and seven at the 18, Hayden Sanders aired it out to Caleb New into the wind, and Caleb caught it and accelerated past his defender and to the house with 8:35 left in the half. For the third time in three games, Bo Collins made a highlight-film grab with his toes in the back of the end zone to make it 16-6.

But with Archie set back second and 24 at their own 33 after a chop block penalty, Tristan Leeper aired it out to Jackson Kash, and he beat everybody to the house with 6:35 left in the second, Leeper ran in the extra points to make it 16-14.

On the next series, Jude Archer ripped off what looked to be a 32-yard run to the Archie 25. It looked like a normal play, with nothing out of the ordinary. But a phantom unsportsmanlike conduct penalty put the ball back on the 40. It didn't matter as Brayden Stevens picked up 13 yards after a quick pitch to the 20 to convert a third and three. Since Archie would have the ball to start the second half, Worth County tried to leave Archie with as little time as possible to try to score twice without Worth County having the ball. Lucas Frisch converted a fourth and one to the 10 to keep the drive going, but Jude Archer was buried at the 13 with 30 seconds left to set up third and goal. Brayden Stevens caught a five-yard pass to the eight with 23 seconds left to set up fourth and goal. Worth County tried some trickery, with Brayden Stevens throwing a halfback pass to Bo Collins, but it was wiped out by a holding penalty. A pass interference penalty put it on the nine with six seconds left, but Hayden Sanders' pass was broken up after the Tiger receiver slipped and fell and Archie had held.

Archie seemingly took control to start the second half when Tristan Leeper faked a handoff and took off down the left side and to the house with 11:20 left in the third quarter. The conversion pass put Archie in front 22-16. Jude Archer nearly broke one on the kickoff and ran it back to the 35. Hayden Sanders picked up four to the 39, and Jude Archer, running the Wildkat, took it to the 36. An offsides penalty put it on the 31, but a holding penalty put it back on the 38. Two offsides penalties put it back on the 28. Jude Archer took a pitch to the 23, and Hayden Sanders took a Wildkat run to the 18. Brayden Stevens took a counter to the three, but on the next play, Tristan Leeper came through unlocked and dropped Hayden Sanders at the four. Brayden Stevens got three yards to the one and Hayden Sanders tried a sneak for the score. He was seemingly stood up, but with his final effort, got in to make it 22-22 with seven minutes left in the third.

Tristan Leeper ripped off 32 yards to the Tiger 10, and Archie was knocking on the door again. But Bo Collins shot through unblocked and dropped him at the 13. The Archie field, like the North Shelby field the week before, was slick from all the rain, and it cost Archie as Leeper slipped and fell at the 20. Two incomplete passes gave Worth County the ball back on downs at the 20. They were stuck with fourth and five at their own 25, but Worth County made a gutsy call and went for it deep in their own territory. It paid off as Bo Collins made a clutch catch at the 34 into the wind to keep the drive going. But Worth County stalled after a long run was wiped out by a holding penalty, and they were forced to punt. 

The kick was shanked into the heavy wind, and Archie had the ball on the 40. This time, Tristan Leeper bounced outside and made it down to the 13. Peyton Himes ripped off 12 more to the one. Leeper was denied on his first try from the one but converted the next with 11 minutes left to make it 28-22. On the extra point try, Leeper came under a heavy rush, but got it off to Jackson Kash. Kash nearly dragged his defender in for a score but was ruled out at the one despite plenty of chirping from the Archie side. 

Brayden Stevens nearly broke one before Jackson Kash made a shoestring tackle at the Tiger 36. A bobbled snap pinned the Tigers at the 33, but Caleb New caught a 22-yard pass to the 25 for a first down. Jude Archer bounced outside and made it down to the three, before Brayden Stevens reached across for a score with 9:44 left. Hayden Sanders threw a short pass to Jude Archer, who was in the grasp of a defender at the one, but reached over to make it 30-28.

After Worth County used the wind to pin Archie at their own 15, Leeper tried to get it all back and aired it out to a wide-open receiver, but left it too far. Leeper picked up seven on the next run, but Bo Collins dropped him at the 20 to set up fourth and five. This was normally a punting situation, but Archie had the wind howling in their faces and elected to go for it rather than risk a shanked kick. Leeper tried to throw a quick slant to Kash, but there was a mixup on the play and the ball dropped incomplete, giving Worth County a short field to work with on the Whirlwind 20. Brayden Stevens fought forward for four, and then Jude Archer bounced outside for nine to the seven. Worth County gave it back to Brayden Stevens, who ran through a big hole to the house to make it 36-28. Worth County lined up for the extra point try, which would have made it two possessions. But a false start moved them back to the eight, and Sanders' pass to Caleb New was knocked away and Archie remained down one possession with 7:24 left.

Worth County nearly recovered a fumble on the ensuing kickoff, but a targeting penalty kept the ball in Archie's hands and put the ball on the 36. Leeper met Bo Collins at the 37 but a bubble screen to Jackson Kash put it on the Tiger 37. Leeper faked a counter and kept it himself, being tackled inches short at the 34 to set up fourth down. Worth County seemingly jumped offsides, but the referees ruled they had called timeout before the play, and they replayed it. This time, Leeper got the necessary yardage. They were faced with fourth and three and got an apparent delay of game penalty, but it was waived off for some reason. This time, a pass interference penalty put it at the Tiger 13 for a first down. Once again, Worth County backed them up, but once again, they couldn't get off the field. On third and 15 at the 18, a screen to Jackson Kash picked up the necessary yardage to the three. Leeper took it the rest of the way to make it 36-34 with 4:26 left.

Archie tried some trickery, setting up a reverse pass. The tight end on the left side was eligible and was all alone in the end zone. But the pass was batted down, and Worth County remained ahead 36-34. It was the second time in two weeks that Worth County had denied an extra point try to preserve a lead. 

On the ensuing onsides kick, there was a wild scramble for it, but Worth County came up with it at the 34. They had to run off 4:26 left and got a first down as Jude Archer carried it to the 33. But a holding penalty put them behind the sticks and Sanders was sacked to force a punt, meaning Archie had one more chance to win it with 1:53 left and no timeouts at their own 26 after the punt.

Leeper faked a scramble on the first play and pulled back and aired it out, but Worth County held firm, and the pass was incomplete. Worth County sacked Leeper at the 25, and valuable time went off the clock. Jackson Kash caught a 10-yard pass on the 35, setting up fourth and one. Hayden Sanders was in for Wyatt Hill, who was shaken up on the previous punt. Leeper tried to throw a short pass to keep the drive going, but Sanders jumped the route and picked it off to preserve the win.