From the Eddie Herrman Archives
December 24
1862-At 3 PM, a man named Slater, who was captured by Major White and his troops while foraging along the Grand River in northern Bates County, is executed with 6 bullets in his heart, in front of I. N. Davidson’s store, on the west side of the Butler square.
1874-Butler jeweler John Duff presents the editors of the Bates County Record and Bates County Democrat newspapers with gold toothpicks.
1879-A shooting match is held at Stumptown, winners getting turkeys.
1883-The Rich Hill City Council authorizes Mr. Raeder to purchase an electric fire alarm for the city.
1890-The community wide Christmas celebration at Amoret is a huge success.
1920-Gratz M. Scott, Field Director of Jerfferson Barracks, writes to the Junior Red Cross in Butler, thanking them for the parcels of canned fruit and jellies sent to the Post Hospital.
1934-Judge P. A. Bruce sees a meteor flash across the sky from his window at the Southern Hotel. He find it the next morning on South Fulton Street. It weighed 7 pounds.
December 25
1873-The Grand Calico Ball is held in the Courthouse. The invitations are printed on white with green stripe calico.
1875-People on the square notice business signs have been switched around.
1879- A notice around Butler, “On Christmas day and after I shall give free lunch and hot coffee to my farm trade, at the old Regulator, right South of the Courthouse. Filar Sackett. ”
1907-Mr. and Mrs. E. M. Pennell host a party for the young people of Butler, at the Hotel Pennell.
1916-Mrs. W. E. Walton of Butler receives a Grand Knabe Piano as a Christmas gift from her husband, W. E.
For more information on the Slater execution;
https://bcmuseum.wordpress.com/2014/07/21/bloodshed-on-the-square/