Late 19th-century Sedalia seemed to attract a large number of cons artists and swindlers who preyed on the unsuspecting. The Sedalia Bazoo reported on them as they came and went, sometimes without attracting the notice of law enforcement until the con was completed and the swindler had vanished. more

Bits and pieces: more

“If among you, one of your brothers should become poor, in any of your towns within your land that the Lord your God is giving you, you shall not harden your heart or shut your hand against your poor brother, but you shall open your hand to him and lend him sufficient for his need, whatever it may be.” – Deuteronomy 15: 7-8 more

In early September 1890, according to the Sedalia Weekly Bazoo, a man who called himself Porter arrived in Sedalia. The 35-year-old man was about 5 feet, 5 inches tall and had square shoulders, auburn hair and a heavy mustache. He wore cowboy boots and told people he was a mule buyer from LaJora, Colorado. He wore a Grand Army of the Republic badge, meaning that he was a veteran of the Civil War, and was from Custer Post, No. 2, in Saguachi, Colorado. more

Our family had an amazing vacation staying with our oldest daughter just outside of Destin, Florida, last week. It was much needed. more

I made a momentous decision last month. I had been thinking about it for a while, but something about change and the unknown kept me from jumping. Finally, though, I took the leap. I “retired” from playing or directing music at Broadway Presbyterian. more

Our air conditioner bit the dust the other day. It will need to be replaced. It was 33 years old, a grand old age, so while I’m frustrated about the upcoming purchase, we sort of saw this coming. I just wish it would have happened when it was a little cooler. We’re going to be pretty sweaty around here for a while. more

Revival! Awakening! Renewal! These prophetic words have been spoken often over the churches of America in recent months. Certainly, such is needed in our nation growing more divided, violent, corrupt and immoral each day. Certainly, repentance, humility and a genuine seeking of the Lord are needed and must precede revival of any kind, according to 2 Chronicles 7:14. more

Sedalia’s morbid interest in crime was fed by the thorough coverage of Thomas Williamson’s murders, his trial, and his hanging written by Sedalia Bazoo Editor J. West Goodwin. more

Do you ever wish that you could wake up and simply make a decision to be happy? Did you know that it’s possible? more

Like sports teams and the armed forces, Bothwell Regional Health Center recruits, and the competition is fierce. more

Because I write about Sedalia and my past growing up in the city, I get a lot of “Do you remember” questions from people who read my columns in the Sedalia Democrat. Sometimes, however, I may not recall a place or event the same way the questioner does, which can lead to some good discussions. more

“Fatherhood is a vocation in God’s service not to be held lightly or frivolously, but with the serious determination of serious men.” – Fr. Lawrence Lovasik more

Drought is the major topic of discussion for area livestock producers for good reason. more

I’ve written infrequently about my father – our strained relationship, his excellence as a teacher and coach, his tolerance of my mother’s love of stray dogs – and I suppose that’s because during his lifetime, I couldn’t quite reconcile our lack of “closeness” when I was growing up. I’ve been more successful at that since his death, but I wonder whether my youthful impatience was an impediment to our having more collegial interactions during my childhood. more

There are a number of bad fathers in the Bible. Isaac plays favorites with his two children, Jacob and Esau. Jacob followed his father’s pattern and chose Rachel and Joseph as favorites. Eli’s sons were out of control, committing all kinds of evil. Samuel was a wonderful prophet but a poor father because Israel did not want his sons to lead them. David was a bad father and it led to his own son overthrowing his kingdom. Solomon had so many children that he could not have been a good father to all of them. more

Recently as I was walking through Skyline Elementary, I noticed an unusual sight: a group of safari explorers wearing hats and creatively colored vests. They were exploring the jungle of the Boys & Girls Clubs of West Central Missouri’s Summer Program, on the lookout for tigers. more

Nineteenth century Sedalians exhibited a morbid interest in crime. The Sedalia Bazoo’s editor frequently commented on the number of people who congregated at City Hall’s Justice of the Peace Court and at the County Courthouse’s courtroom to see and hear the testimony from witnesses to crimes, especially violent crimes. more

Americans are becoming a people without hope. Our once-robust trust in our fellow man has faded until it’s barely a glimmer — we fear our government, our economy, our religious and secular institutions, even our neighbors. We also fear the future. Two-thirds of Americans believe the country is on the wrong track. Less than half of us believe the next generation will have a better standard of living than we had. Many of us are so hopeless we won’t even beget a next generation. U.S. birth rates have tumbled below replacement levels. Potential parents often cite economic, political or environmental concerns as the reason for not having children. more

The America I have always known – until recently, that is – was a bulwark of Christianity, with figures in the 75% range. more