Unknown Buildings

Here's a dismal, highly forgettable structure that probably didn't make the cover of Stunning Architecture magazine. Still, it was, at one time, important enough to somebody to ask a professional photographer to come out and take a picture of it.

And here's a bunch of junk piled on a table in a basement somewhere:

Still, these pictures are part of the Simmon's studio collection and they're older than I am - so they're history.  If anyone knows anything about either of these pictures please leave a message.

The Baker Family

Here's an unusual picture.  Unusual because, for the first time in Simmons Studio Collection history, I pulled out a picture of a large family and I can tell you who they all are:

Front row from left to right:

William Carl Baker, Jr., the oldest child, was called J.R. by his family.  He was a World War II vet wounded in the Phillipines. Through the 50s and 60s he was a member of the Missouri Army National Guard commanding the local unit as a Lieutenant Colonel.  He was the founder of Bill Baker Insurance and was for a time the mayor of Warrensburg.

Leona Baker, was the the mother of six. She was born in Oklahoma Territory to the Narron family. According to Buddy she was a wonderful woman and a great cook.  She could take nothing and make a fine meal for eight.

William Carl Baker (called Carl), was the town's iceman.  Although he lived into the 1960s, he never learned to operate a car.  He drove a horse and wagon for his ice delivery business and for the Daily Star Journal when they needed someone to drive their team in parades.

Back row left to right:

Robert L. (Buddy) Baker worked most of his life as a printer for the Daily Star Journal and Central Missouri State.  He's currently the volunteer groundskeeper at the Historical Society.

Neomia May (May May) Baker married George Taraba.  Together they ran the Western Auto store in Knob Noster.  May May currently lives in Harmony Gardents in Warrensburg.

Blanche Joan (Jo Ann), the baby of the family, was named after Blanch Russell, co-owner of the Russell Brother's clothing stores.  She married Joe Scalf and moved to Kansas City where, along with her daughter, she ran several restaurants.

Alberta Baker married Joe Hensley and moved to Grain Valley.

Albert Baker, twin brother of Alberta, was a Korean War veteran.  He was the First Sergeant of the 635th Aviation Batallion, Missouri Army National Guard for many years.  Most people knew him as the sextant of Sunset Hills Cemetery.

Joan and Alberta died within weeks of each other in 2010.  Albert followed them in 2011.

The True Story of Norman Little

I found a negative from the Simmons Studio collection that was stuck in an envelope with the words "Private Little" written on the back.

When I searched the family files, I found this interesting story published December 4 & 5, 1967 of the life and death of one Norman Maurice Little who seemed to fit the description (I've combined several articles):

"A fire of unknown origin early Sunday morning at 121 North Water Street resulted in the death of Norman Maurice Little, 36, who was visiting in the home.

Little was apparenty alone in the house at the time.

He was found by firemen, unconscious on the kitchen floor, and immediate efforts to revive him with heart massage and resuscitator were begun and continued until the ambulance arrived.

Efforts were continued at the Jonson County Memorial Hospital until 2:30 a.m., at which time he was pronounced dead of asphyxiation.

Survivors include his wife Neomi (Collins), 416 West Market Street and three daughters Aurelia, Norma Jean and Connie Jo of that address; two sons, Kelvin and Anthony, Kansas City, his mother, Hannah Brown, 3419 Mersington, Kansas City; grandparents Mr. and Mrs. Clarance Harvey, 108 South Washington Street; a brother Herbie Lee Nelson 215 Polk Street.  Additional survivors include two step-children, Sheila Fae Little and Louise Ann Collins, both of Warrensburg, and his uncle, Leo Brown and Mrs. Brown with whom he made his home."

He had served in the Armed Forces from 10/28/48 to 3/29/50."

Thanks to Shirley Briscoe for confirming that the Private Little pictured above is the same Norman Maurice Little who met his untimely fate so early in life. Now I am sure that I'm telling the true story of Norman Little.