Obituary

Obituary of William Mason

1 Comment

William Ray Mason, age 36, a former resident of Ft. Scott, Kansas and more recently of Joplin, Missouri, passed away Friday, October 1, 2021, in Joplin. He was born May 6, 1985, in Kansas City, Missouri, the son of William Andrew Mason and Phyllis Irene Harris Mason.

Will graduated from the Ft. Scott High School. He was a self-taught musician and used his talents of singing and playing the piano and drums at area churches. He was of the Pentecostal faith. Will enjoyed traveling, cooking and spending time with his nieces and nephews.

Survivors include two sisters, Sabrina Wolfley and her husband, Dana and Christie Colbert both of Joplin; seven nieces and nephews, Zachary Mason, Justin Morrow, Alex Morrow, Keisha Morrow, MaryCybil Colbert, and True Colbert all of Joplin, and Ashley Colbert, of Wyandotte, Oklahoma and two great-nephews, Theodore and Callum. He was preceded in death by his parents.

Rev. Roger Harris will conduct funeral services at 1:30 P.M. Tuesday, October 12th at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Evergreen Cemetery.

Memorials are suggested to the Will Mason Memorial Fund and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, 201 S. Main, P.O. Box 347, Ft. Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Obituary

Obituary of Gwen Lancaster

1 Comment

Gwendolyne “Gwen” Jewel Lancaster, 65 of Fort Scott, Kansas, passed away Wednesday, October 6, 2021 at Citizens Memorial Hospital in Bolivar, Missouri.

Gwen was born July 5, 1956 in Fort Scott, Kansas to Bob and Winnie (Leek) Daly.

She graduated Fort Scott High School class of 1974.  Gwen married Don Lancaster on November 2, 1979.

The couple had three boys, Adam, Keith and Kyle, who were her world until the grandkids came along.  She always mentioned how blessed she was to get the daughters in-law she had, and loved each one of them like her own.

Gwen worked at Newman Young Clinic for many years, and later for Mercy Hospital until her retirement.  She loved her Newman Young Family and would reminisce often about all the fun memoires she had with them.

Gwen became a huge sports fan and spent countless hours traveling to different sporting events to watch her family play.  She especially loved having a good time with friends and family, but especially her grandkids.

Gwen is survived by her husband, Don, of Fort Scott; her three sons, Adam Lancaster (Bridgett), Fort Scott, Keith Lancaster (Amy), Carthage, Missouri, and Kyle Lancaster (Sarah), Bolivar, Missouri; six grandchildren, Eli, Kallie, Kylie, Olive, Daly, Kodie; two sisters, Becky Davis (Don), Judy Hayden (Sam), brother, Max Daly (Laurie), Brother in-law, Tom Lancaster (Kay), Sisters in-law Sharon Daly, Debbie Baxley, and Carolyn Washburn (Gary), and numerous other family and friends.

She was preceded in death by her parents; brother, Jeff Daly; sister in-law, Marsha Lancaster; and two nephews, Eric Hayden, and Joel Daly.

Rev. Rhonda Dunn will conduct services at 1:30 PM Monday, October 11th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the Memory Gardens Cemetery, Ft. Scott. The family will receive friends from 2:00 – 4:00 PM Sunday at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

In lieu of flowers the family suggests memorials be made to Care to Share and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, P.O. Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Ft. Scott, KS 66701.  Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Fort Scott Community College, Schools

FSCC Math Relays are Oct. 18

Leave a comment

Submitted by Kassie Fugate-Cate

Fort Scott Community College will be hosting the annual Math Relays October 18th, starting at 9 am in Bailey Hall.

This contest will be represented by 18 different schools in the area, with about 333 students registered to compete.

Students will compete in 10 different math versions including Online Math Test, Mental Math, Set Theory, Algebra, Simplifications, Equations & Inequalities, Geometry, Potpourri, Word Problems, and Number Theory.

Each student has approximately 15 minutes to complete each test and each student may participate in no more than four events at their level or above.

The award ceremony will take place immediately after the contest at 1:00 pm. Registration begins at 8:45 am in Bailey Hall.

 

For more information, please contact Kathy Malone at [email protected].

 

Click HERE for the full list of times and rules.

 

Area schools include:

  • Christian Learning Center
  • Fort Scott
  • Girard
  • College Heights
  • Marmaton Valley
  • Wellsville
  • Covenant Academy
  • Prairie View
  • Uniontown
  • Jasper
  • Yates Center
  • Thomas Jefferson Day School
  • Jayhawk-Linn
  • Nevada
  • Gardner
  • Pittsburg
  • Eudora
  • Labette County
Bourbon County, Fort Scott, History

Local Historian Shares Antique Photos

1 Comment
May be a black-and-white image of one or more people, outdoors and tree
A photo of unknown subjects that Brian Allen discovered at a garage sale recently.

Brian Allen, a local historian in his spare time, likes to collect old items and if he can, reunite them with family members.

Brian Allen. Submitted photo.

At a recent garage sale, Allen found some antique glass photo negatives circa, he believes, the 1890s to the 1910s.

“I found the negatives and the photos at a local garage sale two weeks ago,” Allen said. “I have always collected vintage Fort Scott items.”

Along with many items in a box, there were 13 glass negatives, he said.

“I have a scanner that can make negatives into photos,” Allen said. “They were very dark, and without the scanner, it would have been almost impossible to make them out even with a bright light.”

Allen has been sharing photos online for several months now.

“The photos do depict some local scenes,” he said. “One is clearly the old (Fort Scott)High School, and one is taken from the side of a house across the street from the school.”

The photo finds are posted in the Historical Fort Scott and Surrounding Areas group on Facebook, as well as the Bourbon County Historical Preservation Association page, he said.

“The ones on the HPA page belong to the organization,” Allen said.  “I have posted well over well over 100 photos. I have been able to reunite about 30 photos with family members during this time, as well as a family Bible to a family in Texas.”

“I love to be able to return these old items to a family,” he said. “If someone wants to contact me about any of the photos, please just send me a message on Facebook.”

Government, Kansas

Land Transfer to the Iowa Tribe of Kansas

Leave a comment

Governor Laura Kelly Ceremonially Signs Legislation, Authorizing Land Transfer to the Iowa Tribe of Kansas

TOPEKA – This week, Governor Laura Kelly ceremonially signed House Bill 2408, authorizing and directing the Executive Director of the Kansas Historical Society (KSHS), on behalf of the KSHS, to transfer 9.86 acres of land in Doniphan County to the Iowa Tribe of Kansas and Nebraska.

“This legislation is long-overdue and returns land that belongs to the Iowa Tribe,” said Governor Laura Kelly. “I want to thank the bipartisan group of legislators and the Executive Committee of the Iowa Tribe for making this bill possible – my administration will continue to be a partner in your efforts.”

Obituary

Obituary of Wayne Houston

Leave a comment

Wayne Jackson Houston

Wayne Jackson Houston, age 93, resident of Richards, MO, died Tuesday, October 5, 2021, at Medicalodge of Fort Scott, KS.

He was born on September 7, 1928, in Bagnall Dam, MO, the son of Andrew Jackson and Ida Mae Houston. He graduated from Richards, MO high school.

He served in the U. S. Army.

Wayne worked his entire life on the farm. He loved his tractors. In fact, he was still operating tractors up until a year ago.

Wayne worked for several years in groundskeeping for Fort Scott Community College until retirement.

He married Lois Darlene Cooper on July 20, 1981, in Fort Scott. She preceded him in death on May 20, 2017.

He enjoyed fishing and hunting through the years.

He was a member of the Unity Lodge #495 Richards, MO, and the Community of Christ Church in Fort Scott.

Survivors include two sons, Tim Ater and wife Pam, Nevada, MO, and Gregory D. Houston and wife Linda, Richards, MO; seven grandchildren; 11 great-grandchildren; two great great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

Besides his wife Lois, he was preceded in death by two sons, Gary Houston, and Ron Ater; a brother, Willard Houston; a sister, Lois Cooper; and his parents.

Services will be held at 10:00 AM Tuesday, October 12th, at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Burial will follow in the U. S. National Cemetery.

The family will receive friends from 5:00 until 7:00 Monday evening at the Cheney Witt Chapel.

Memorials are suggested to either Care to Share or Community of Christ Church and may be left in care of the Cheney Witt Chapel, PO Box 347, 201 S. Main St., Fort Scott, KS 66701. Words of remembrance may be submitted to the online guestbook at cheneywitt.com.

Government, Kansas

Photos and Student Posters Featured at  Kansas Virtual Water Conference

Leave a comment

Kansas Water Photo Contest & Student Poster Research Submissions Being Accepted

 

Kansas is blessed with an abundance of great natural resources and Kansans are encouraged to capture the most vital of these; water. The Kansas Water Office (KWO) is accepting water photos to be featured in conjunction with the 2021 Virtual Governor’s Water Conference in November. The photos need to pertain to water or water use in Kansas.  Examples include all bodies of water, irrigation, agriculture, recreation and fun, or other water infrastructure.

 

Worthy entries will be voted on during this year’s Virtual Governor’s Water Conference by conference attendees. The winning photo will earn feature photo at the 2022 Governor’s Water Conference. It will also, along with second and third place, be displayed in the Kansas State Capitol and KWO during the year. November 5 is the deadline to submit photos at [email protected].

 

Student Research will also continue to be a feature during the virtual conference. Undergraduate and graduate students are invited to submit abstracts on their water-related research to be presented as posters. Any research that involves water quantity, quality or water education is eligible and cash awards are available. The submission deadline is November 4.

 

For more information about both contests as well as tentative conference agenda and speakers, please select Governor’s Water Conference at kwo.ks.gov under the News & Events section. Conference registration will be free and available to those planning to attend any of the virtual conference.

Area News, Government, Kansas

KS State Treasurer Will Speak in Pittsburg Oct. 10

Leave a comment

STATE TREASURER TO CELEBRATE OKTOBERFEST IN PITTSBURG

Lynn Rogers, Kansas State Treasurer, will join local citizens in celebrating Oktoberfest on Sunday, October 10th. Rogers will be the guest speaker at a fundraiser hosted by the Crawford County Democrat Party being held at the Frisco Event Center, 210 E. Fourth, in Pittsburg starting at 12 noon.

Nancy Ingle, Party County Chair, said that the “local Democrats are excited to welcome the State Treasurer back to Crawford County. Lynn has served the people of Kansas well first as Lieutenant Governor and now Treasurer.” In a recent month (August) nearly 6,000 Kansans received checks for unclaimed property totaling 6.3 million dollars. “That’s the kind of common-sense hard work that Kansans expect from their government,” Ingle stated.

In addition to Rogers, other candidates, including Patrick Schmidt, candidate for Second District Congress, will be in attendance.

The celebration will offer a traditional Oktoberfest menu and live performances by local musicians. Tickets are $10 for adults, children age 5 to 12 $5, and children under the age of 5 are free.

Business, Fort Scott

Market Street Pavilion Project Kicks Off

Leave a comment
Interim Fort Scott City Manager Mark McCoy, right, looks at the $50,000 check display, from left are four T-Mobile representatives, with Fort Scott City Mayor Josh Jones in the green shirt.

The Market Street Pavilion Project kicked off Wednesday evening at Skubitz Plaza, with the presentation of a $50,000 check to the City of Fort Scott from T-Mobile.

T-Mobile, a company that provides wireless voice and messaging services along with data services, will be opening a retail store in late November in the strip mall at the 2400 block of South Main Street. Scott Hunsaker will be the manager of that store.

Local officials and company officials gave brief speeches in recognition of the grant, Fort Scott Community College Cheerleaders were there along with the public. T-Mobile provided one Luther’s BBQ dinner to the first 50 people who attended the event.

The company has been granting and will continue to grant other small towns in the nation, to help with revitalization projects, according to Matt Lane, T-Mobile Market Manager.

Fort Scott was selected this year to receive one of those T-Mobile Hometown  Grants.

The Market Street Pavilion will be located west of the wooden square structure, north of downtown Fort Scott, in front of the Fort Scott National Historic Site on Skubitz Plaza.

To view the grant proposal from the city:

FortScott Hometown Grant Phase 1(1)

From the grant proposal:

“This project would return Market Street as a community place which was previously removed by Urban Renewal. It will improve underutilized green space and extend the use of the area for residents, and visitors including numerous events.
The initial phase of this project is an addition of an entrance pavilion and walkway to the Lunette Blair Block House.
The former Market Street was a central connection to the City from the original Fort grounds. Fort Scott’s downtown has
been the heart of the City since its discovery in 1842. Anchored by the Fort Scott National Historic Site, the purpose of this critical ground has changed over the years yet has maintained its extraordinary significance in history.

“Named one of the 8 Wonders of Kansas History, the Fort is a legacy of the city’s involvement combined with congressional support overcoming a multitude of obstacles led by an impressive group of visionary citizens.”

Bourbon County, Food, Fort Scott

Food Assistance Offered by The Beacon

Leave a comment
Wib Mowen and Joe Lee stand in front of the new sign at The Beacon. Submitted photo.

Those who need food assistance for 2022, may sign-up at  Beacon Food Pantry, 525 East Sixth, Fort Scott from October 25 through October 29.

“Sign-ups must be done by October 29th ,” Dave Gillen with The Beacon, a helping agency, said. “No exceptions. You will need to call in advance for appointment for one of these days.”

The Beacon staff started taking appointments on October 4.

Gillen said the participants will need to bring the following to qualify for a food card:

  • Picture ID for all adults in household
  • Social Security card for all in household and birthdates, all dependent children with different names must show full-time parental custody, adoption papers. must live with you to be on your card.
  • Proof of income, pension, retirement, social security disability, VA benefits, unemployment, child support/alimony and any other income
  • If you receive any services from DCF please bring the verification letter.

“If you are also getting food that day, you will need to call in advance and your order will be put on the back porch for pick-up,” he said.

“We’ll also be doing sign-ups for the Adopt-A-Child program and additionally the Elk’s Club food basket, at this time,” Gillen said.

“Adopt-A-Child pick up and food baskets will be at Community Christian Church on December the 17th from 9 am to 1 pm,” he said. “Pick-up will be a drive-through like last year.”

“Elk’s baskets will be delivered the Sunday before Christmas.”

There will be COVID-19 Protocols when one comes to sign-up.

“You will be required to have temperature checked and wear a mask before entering the Beacon,” he said. “If you do not have a mask, one will be provided for you. Please enter through the front door. We are asking only one person per family in the building at this time.”

 

 

 

 

Bourbon County Local News