In 1922, Bedford Woman Killed Starting a Fire

On July 25th, 1922, the Bedford Times-Republican printed this story about a woman killed trying to start a fire:

Again we are called upon to chronicle a story as old as the ages, that of a person being burned to death by starting a fire with coal oil. The last victim to pay the awful toll was that of Mrs. Emmet Lasley, residing on Route 5 out of Bedford.

This last sad tragedy resulted on Sunday last at the Lasley home, southwest of Bedford. The noon hour had arrived and Mrs. Lasley in an effort to make a quick fire to get the noon day meal, picked up the coal oil can and started to quicken a slow fire. With a boom that was heard for some distance, the oil can exploded and scattered its burning contents all over the clothing of Mrs. Lasley. With piercing and heart rending screams, the unfortunate woman rushed out into the yard, frantic with fear and pains. Her husband and her brother rushed to her assistance and did everything in their power to squelch the flames but could not kill the fire demon before it had accomplished its awful purpose and the unfortunate woman died a few minutes later. Mr. Lasley, the husband of the fire victim, was terribly burned in his efforts to save the life of his wife, and is reported now in a critical condition. Her brother was also burned, but able to be about.

In the men's wild desire to save the life of the unfortunate woman, no thought was given to the cause of the fire and, when turning to look at the house, were horrified to see their home burn to the ground with all its contents, and they powerless to try to check it.

Mr. and Mrs. Lasley were well known to many of the citizens of Bedford, and the sympathy of the entire community goes out to the grief stricken husband and brother, in their loss, which is irreparable, and never to be forgotten to their dying day.

Since the above was written, a conflicting story is reported here, the claim being made, that the unfortunate woman had filled a coal oil stove with gasoline instead of kerosene, and when the fire was lighted, the explosion occurred as above noted. Just which of the two stories are correct we cannot as yet state, and it would not change the result, and the moral of it all, is that one cannot be too careful in the handling of these combustible oils.

 

Ida Smyser Celebrates 90th Birthday

Recently, friends and family helped Ida Smyser celebrate her 90th birthday. Among things they did was put up a poster highlighting various historical events that took place in 1935:

—US population was 127.3 million. Household income was $2,750.

—Hit songs included “Cheek to Cheek” by Fred Astaire, the popular gospel song, “Can the Circle Be Unbroken”, “On The Good Ship Lollipop” by Shirley Temple, “Lovely to Look At” by Eddy Duchin, and “Isle of Capri” by Ray Noble.

—Born in 1935: Elvis Presley, Mary Berry (TV show host), Woody Allen (film director), the Dalai Lama, and Julie Andrews (movie actress).

—Movies: Top Hat, Vagabond Lady, No More Ladies, Whipsaw, The Last Outpost.

—Amelia Earhart becomes first person to fly solo from Hawaii to New York.

—Airplanes were banned from flying over the White House.

—The world’s first parking meters were installed in Oklahoma City.

—The first canned beer is sold in Richmond (VA) by Gottfried-Kruger Brewing Company.

—Parker Brothers began selling Monopoly.

 

Kathleen Groom 1933-2025

Mary Kathleen Groom was born June 27, 1933, in Clarinda, Iowa. She was the daughter of Jesse O and Wilma M. (Edwards) Glick. She passed away October 30, 2025 at the age of 92.

Kathleen married Donald M. Groom on her 21st birthday June 27, 1954. They were married at the Worth, Missouri Church of Christ and remained a loyal member there throughout her life. They were married over 45 years until his death on April 21, 2000. Both loved to travel and together they were in all 50 states plus Canada and Mexico. They also had a goal of being in every town in Missouri and were successful in achieving that except for about 8 or 9 suburbs of St. Louis. Kathleen continued to travel after Donald’s death and recently said “I probably hit those towns also.”

Kathleen worked in the telephone industry for more than 40 years. She started as an operator in Clarinda, Iowa, but after she and Donald were married, she began working for the Missouri Telephone Company in Albany, Missouri. She retired after the company was sold.

Kathleen and Donald did not have children of their own, so their respective families became their children.

Besides her husband, Kathleen was preceded in death by her parents and one sister, Evelyn Weaver.

She is survived by two sisters, Frances Stipe and Marilyn King, one brother, Lowell W. Glick, many nieces, and nephews from both sides of the family. She also felt that her traveling companions were part of her extended family.

Kathleen was blessed in life and shared those blessings with everyone. She will be missed by all.

Graveside Service and Burial: 2:00 PM Tuesday, November 4 at the Grandview Cemetery, Albany. The family will receive friends from 1:00-2:00 PM prior to the graveside service at the Roberson-Polley Chapel, Albany. Friends may call anytime after 9:00 AM on Tuesday morning at the chapel. Memorial Contributions: Kathleen Groom Memorial Fund.

www.robersonpolleychapel.com

 

Letter to the Editor -- Greetings on Isadora Church of Christ's 125th Anniversary

My heart took a leap and moisture came from my eyes when I (Lou) saw your photo of the Isadora Church of Christ.

Isadora was home to my family from late summer 1953 to May 1960. We were the Kirk family. Our Daddy, David was the minister at the Church next door. Our Mom, Demoi, was busy raising we four older "kids" (Lou Etta, Esther, Paul, Debbie, Bonnie arrived 10/1959)

I loved living there - a very comfortable place to call home. Thank you to all who welcomed us, attended church services, revivals, Vacation Bible School, summer camp, etc. Your welcoming, hospitality, kindness and sharing from the fruit of your labor was immensely appreciated.

By way of information: Dad & Mom spent their latter years here in AZ. It was a blessing to have them nearby. Momma passed Dec. 2000 and Daddy Sept. 2017. To add to this message - Debbie, after a 20 year battle with Alzheimer's she succumbed June 2024 - a sad loss for us but joy for her.

We "kids" live:

Lou - AZ

Esther (Larry) - KY

Paul (Barb) - MO

Scott (Debbie's husband) - NC

Bonnie (Bob) - AZ

Blessings on each of you as you celebrate the Church's 125th anniversary.

 

Much Love,

The Kirks

 

Terry Oglesby Executive Director of Collegiate Officiating Consortium

The Collegiate Officiating Consortium (COC MBB2) has announced the appointment of Terry Oglesby as its new Executive Director. Oglesby has also been named Coordinator of Officials for the Big Ten and Mountain West Conferences. Oglesby brings decades of on-court experience and leadership to his new roles overseeing officiating development and performance across multiple conferences.

Oglesby will manage the day-to-day operations of the COC MBB2, a regional collaboration of Division I men’s college basketball conferences that services 63 member institutions across 28 states. He will also be responsible for recruiting, selecting, developing, evaluating and assigning officials for all men’s basketball games in the Big Ten and overseeing the assignments in the Horizon League, Mid-American Conference, Mountain West Conference, and Summit League.

“Terry Oglesby has more than 25 years of collegiate men’s basketball experience across multiple conferences including the Big Ten,” said Big Ten Commissioner, Tony Petitti. “He brings experience, integrity, and solid relationships to the role that will benefit the entire consortium.”

Oglesby has officiated at the collegiate level since 1998 and has called games in the Big Ten, SEC, Big 12, ACC, American, and Sun Belt over the last several years. Oglesby was also the Coordinator of Officials for the Heart of America Athletic Conference (HAAC) from 2016-24.

Oglesby has extensive experience on the biggest stage in college basketball, having worked 15 NCAA Tournaments, including each of the last five, advancing to the Regionals nine times. Oglesby also officiated six Final Fours and each of the last four NCAA championship games.

 

Four Hobos Find Their Way to Blockton in 1925

The February 26th, 1925 Bedford Times-Press had the following item about four hobos who found their way to Blockton:

On Thursday evening of last week about ten or eleven o’clock, as we understand it, four “bo’s” alighted from a freight train at this place. There was nothing unusual about that. There was a good fire at the station and an abundance of our celebrated Platte River water, which made this a most inviting place to stop.

On Friday, it became known that one member of the quartet was a member of the weaker sex and raiment first introduced into this was clad in the kind of garb or country by a man by the name of Adam, and possibly improved upon in style at “Oshkosh, begosh,” and other points.

Strange things do happen over at Editor Nulph’s town of Blockton.

 

Worth County Honor Rolls

HIGH HONOR ROLL

Seniors — Jace Cameron, Brayden Combs, Katie Fletchall, Lucas Frisch, Wyatt Hill, Brayden Murphy, Brylea Paxson, Riley Ridge, Eric Ritchie, Marissa Schmitz, Rayleigh Smith, Reed Smyser, Bailey Steele, Brayden Stevens, Sawyer Thurman.

Juniors — Brandon Bever, Kambree Briner, Bo Collins, Sara Fletchall, Evalyn Gilland, Addison Gray, Krista Monticue, Caleb New, Hayden Sanders, Emsley Spainhower, Kristen Tracy.

Sophomores — Braelyn Fletchall, JoLynn Hawk, Liam Hayden, Audrey Runde, Megan Tracy.

Freshmen — Bella Blankenship, Conner Chapman, Tucker Fletchall, Brock Healy, Kassidy Joslin, Brooke Monticue, Kennedy Murphy, Gracie Thurman.

8th Grade — Hudson Cameron, Heather Deardorff, Kaydence Downing, Jarrett Gilland, Karleigh Guinn, Cole Hardy, Jane Hawk, Lane Pickering, Brecklyn Rush, Hadley Rush, Brooklyn Smith.

7th Grade — Tatum Allee, Kaeslyn Briner, Zoey Briner, Ilene Combs, Kinley Fletchall, Emmett Frisch, Renae Gladstone, Jolee Hauber, Gabbey Maudlin, Jace Mullock, Aria Oberhauser, Alexis Snead.

6th Grade — Cree Blankenship, Desmond Dannar, Hadley Downing, Maebry Escobar, Gwyn Healy.

5th Grade — Addison Cass, Emerlee Clarkson, Sophia Combs, Riley Dignan, Elley Maudlin, Riggin Smyser.

4th Grade — Emily Dannar, Cora Davidson.

REGULAR HONOR ROLL

Seniors — Alyssa Clarkson, Andrew Griffin, Conner Pointer.

Juniors — Jessie Chapman, Luke Findley, Areanna Galanakis, Keira Hardy, Ethan Lininger, Alivia Moyer, Sumer Riley, Cole Ruby, Dylan Smith, Ryder Smyser.

Sophomores — Unique Brown, Brynn Chapman, Dale Deardorff, Lola Morin, Breeanna Ray.

Freshmen — Jordan Dannar, Robert Dees, Kenzie Dignan, Camden Gray, Brianna Riley, Haley Russell, Kynlee Steele.

8th Grade — Brielle Benson, Zaiden Chipps, Jakob Herbert, Weston Hill, Paige Hubbard, Londyn Maudlin, Catelynn Moyer, Clayton Oberhauser, Jaydon Roush.

7th Grade — Max Hiatt, Mason Moser, Luca Sagel, David Wideman, Kynlee Wymore.

6th Grade — Chase Davidson, Daden Findley, Kyah Joslin, Grayson Mullock, Coy Pickering, Jarrett Rush, Teagan Saville, Keylee Smith.

5th Grade — Kade Adams, Bristol Benson, Thiel Dalton, Stephen Lomeli, Maverick O’Grady, Sutton Patrick, Luke Riley.

4th Grade — Aurora Cadle, Leah Combs, Kellan Dannar, Gracee Frisch, Olivar Lovan, Eva Porter, Colbie Seipel, Kash Winther.