10 Shots Fired in Holdup Fray

The following newspaper article is about Ben E. Mann.  Ben was married to Willa Isadore Main, who is the daughter of Jason Archie Main and Willa Ruth McCarthy.  Jason is a brother to Cora Viola Main, otherwise known as Grandma Scott (to me) – my mother’s mother.  That relationship makes Isadore (the name I knew her by) Grandma Scott’s niece.

The Kansas City Times (Morning Kansas City Star)

Friday, November 3, 1961, Page 1, Column 1

10 SHOTS FIRED IN HOLDUP FRAY

Crowded Store at Truman Corners Is Scene of Robbery Attempt

FOILED BY A DEPUTY

Ben E. Mann, 51, Wrestles One Man, Shoots at the Other

            An off-duty Jackson County deputy sheriff wrestled with one holdup man while he fought a gun battle with another in a crowded Katz drugstore in the Truman Corners center last night.

            Ten shots were exchanged, four by the officers and six by the robber, at a distance of 10 to 15 feet.

            The deputy, Ben E. Mann, 51, said he thought he hit the robber twice.  Mann was not hit.

Saw the Man Fire.

            “I don’t know how he missed me”, Mann said, “I saw him kneel down behind the counter and fire from between the shelves”.

            The shoppers in the store started screaming and running when the shooting broke out.  None was hit.

            The deputy, not in uniform, but carrying a snub-nosed pistol beneath his jacket, had gone to the store to buy some dog food.  A member of the sheriff’s patrol nine years, he works in the store as a store detective during the holiday seasons.

Warned by Official.

            Mann was standing by the prescription counter when George Stanley, Belton, assistant manager of the sundries department, walked past with another man behind him.  As he passed, Stanley, who is tall, leaned over to the shorter deputy and whispered:

            “Mr. Mann, this man has a gun on me to rob the store”.

            The deputy drew his pistol and ordered the robber to take his hands out of his pocket.  As he did this he was struck on the head with the butt of a gun by the second robber.

            A pharmacist, John W. Broyles, 11111 Bristol avenue, described what happened:

            “The man pulled the gun out as if he were going to shoot and changed his mind, flipped it over in his hand, and hit Mann a light blow with the butt.”

            The blow jarred me for a minute”, Mann said, “and it gave this man [in front of him] enough time to get his gun out of his pocket.  I grabbed his gun and held it down away from me”.

            Mann, holding one man’s gun hand down with his left hand, turned on the other gunman, who dashed behind a display case and started shooting.

Hits Glass Display.

            Mann’s first shot shattered a display of glass behind the robber.

            Then the robber moved to his right and fired two or three more times, the deputy said.  Mann said he was sure his second shot struck he robber in the abdomen.  A small spot of blood was found near the front door after the men dashed out.

            The robber and the deputy exchanged shots again.  Mann said he believed he had struck him a second time.

            All this time the man he was scuffling with kept repeating:

            “Don’t be a fool.  There’s three of us.  There’s somebody coming up behind you”.

            Finally the robber who had been firing at Mann dropped to one knee and took careful aim over the counter top.  He missed again and the officer fired back.

            Someone shouted at Mann, “Look out behind you”.

            When I heard that I figured it was the time to let go”, the deputy said.  The two robbers dashed out the front door to a 1956 blue-and-white Ford in the parking lot.

            Stanley ran behind the prescription counter when the shooting started.

            “I came out to help Mr. Mann, who was scuffling with the man”, he said, “and the other man drew a gun on me so I ducked under the counter”.

Started at 8:45.

            Stanley said the two robbers accosted him about 8:45 o’clock.

            One man, the one who fired, wore a suede jacket, a billed cap, and had a flesh-colored bandage on his nose.  The other had on light gray trousers, a jacket and carried a rolled up paper shopping bag which dropped on the floor in the excitement.

            “This man stopped me in the store and asked me if I was the manager”, Stanley said.  “I said no, but he showed me his gun and ordered me to the back of the store.  On the way, he told we were going to open the safe”.

Picture included with Newspaper Article

Growing Up in Hume, Missouri

Guy Calvin Scott and Cora Viola Main (my maternal grandparents) lived in Hume, Missouri both prior to and after they were married.  I am unsure when they moved away from Hume, however, I do know they lived in North Platte, Nebraska in 1958.  I had some general questions about growing up in Hume.  About a year ago, I had a chance to ask one of my living uncles some of those questions.

Me:  Do you remember how many acres of land you had?

Uncle:  We had 80 acres.

Me:  Did you remember what kind of livestock you had?

Uncle:  We had hogs, cows and chickens.

This discussion brought back other memories that my uncle shared with me so very few questions were asked after that.  The stories just started flowing, and I started writing.  When I refer to “my uncle” in the following stories, it is my living uncle who provided them.

My uncle said he rode a horse to school in the 1^st grade because they lived about 5 miles from the school.

My youngest uncle once traded a sick chicken for a bag of flour for his mom (Cora Viola Main).

My uncle would shoot rabbits because he could sell them for .25cents and a box of shells was .35cents, so if he shot two (2) rabbits, the extra money was “gravy”.

My uncle would trade a chicken for a bologna roll.

There was no running water in Hume.  They had a well that they would pump water from.  Their well would go dry every year, but would seep enough water at night to water the animals the next day.

Guy’s father (Thomas Green Scott, my great grandfather) would sit on the porch while the rest of the family tended to the farm.  My uncle said he had heard stories from him about how good he was at farming and how fast he could get things done, but never saw him help out any.  He was disappointed that when help was needed, Thomas would not pitch in and provide any.

One day, Thomas and my uncle were talking outside when a bird flying overhead decided to poop.  The poop fell straight into Thomas’ shirt pocket where he kept his chew.  Thomas calmly went inside the house, got a rifle, came outside and started shooting birds out the sky.  This story caused great laughter from both of us!

These are the type of family stories I enjoy listening to.  I can only hope that I am able to get more stories like this in the future.  I have no older family members on my paternal side still living, however, I am happy I am able to learn things like this from my maternal side of the family.

Guy Calvin Scott/Cora Viola Main-1930 US Federal Census

The 1930 Census tells us whether or not each family had a radio.  Can you imagine life without a radio these days?  Radio = Music and music plays an important role in most of our lives.  Stay tuned to see if Guy and Viola Scott had a radio (see column #9).

This census also tells us whether each person is able to read and write (see column #17).

This census is very interesting in that it also provides whether or not the person was a veteran of the US Military or Naval Forces mobilized for any war or expedition and which war or expedition (see columns #30/31).  Guy Calvin Scott was in WWI, however, the information provided to the Census Taker states he was not a veteran.  We can't always rely on information to be correct.  In the case of the census - it all depends on who provided the information.  Did that person not know he was in WWI or did they just opt to not provide that information?  We will never know.

Also, if you notice, my mother (Leona Frances Modrell) is not listed in this census as she was not born yet.

I enjoy looking at the census information.  Sometimes you learn a little something about your ancestors and sometimes you see erroneous information (as in the veteran status).  Stay tuned to find out more about my Grandpa and Grandma Scott.

1930 US Federal Census
Guy Calvin Scott and Cora Viola Main

State - Missouri; County - Bates; Township - Howard; Incorporated Place – Blank; Ward of City – Blank; Block No. - Blank; Unincorporated Place - Blank; Institution - Blank; Supervisor's District No. - 10; Enumeration District No. – 7-13; Enumerated By Me On – April 29, 1930; Sheet – 4A; Enumerator – Mrs. Bertha Riley.

Line No. 27

Column 1 - Blank; 2 - Blank; 3 – 85; 4 - 85; 5 - Scott, Guy E.; 6 - Head; 7 – Rented; 8 - Blank; 9 - Radio; 10 - Yes; 11 - M; 12 - W; 13 - 37; 14 - M; 15 – 27; 16 - No; 17 - Yes; 18 - Kansas; 19 - Kansas; 20 - Kansas; 21 - Blank; Code - 70, Blank, Blank; 22 - Blank; 23 - Blank; 24 - Yes; 25 - Farmer; 26 - Farming; Code - Blank; 27 - O; 28 – Yes; 29 – Blank; 30 - No; 31 - Blank; 32 - 84

Line No. 28

Column 1 - Blank; 2 - Blank; 3 – Blank; 4 - Blank; 5 - Scott, Viola.; 6 - Wife; 7 – Blank; 8 - Blank; 9 - Blank; 10 - Blank; 11 - F; 12 - W; 13 - 32; 14 - M; 15 – 22; 16 - No; 17 - Yes; 18 - Missouri; 19 - Missouri; 20 - Kansas; 21 - Blank; Code - 66, Blank, Blank; 22 - Blank; 23 - Blank; 24 - Yes; 25 - None; 26 - Blank; Code - Blank; 27 - Blank; 28 – Blank; 29 – Blank; 30 - Blank; 31 - Blank; 32 - Blank

Line No. 29

Column 1 - Blank; 2 - Blank; 3 – Blank; 4 - Blank; 5 - Scott, Thomas.; 6 - Son; 7 – Blank; 8 - Blank; 9 - Blank; 10 - Blank; 11 - M; 12 - W; 13 - 8; 14 - S; 15 – Blank; 16 - Yes; 17 - Yes; 18 - Kansas; 19 - Kansas; 20 - Missouri; 21 - Blank; Code - 70, Blank, Blank; 22 - Blank; 23 - Blank; 24 - Yes; 25 - None; 26 - Blank; Code - Blank; 27 - Blank; 28 – Blank; 29 – Blank; 30 - Blank; 31 - Blank; 32 - Blank

Line No. 30

Column 1 - Blank; 2 - Blank; 3 – Blank; 4 - Blank; 5 - Scott, William.; 6 - Son; 7 – Blank; 8 - Blank; 9 - Blank; 10 - Blank; 11 - M; 12 - W; 13 - 3; 14 - S; 15 – Blank; 16 - No; 17 - No; 18 - Missouri; 19 - Kansas; 20 - Missouri; 21 - Blank; Code - 66, Blank, Blank; 22 - Blank; 23 - Blank; 24 - Blank; 25 - None; 26 - Blank; Code - Blank; 27 - Blank; 28 – Blank; 29 – Blank; 30 - Blank; 31 - Blank; 32 - Blank

Line No. 31

Column 1 - Blank; 2 - Blank; 3 – Blank; 4 - Blank; 5 - Scott, Jason.; 6 - Son; 7 – Blank; 8 - Blank; 9 - Blank; 10 - Blank; 11 - M; 12 - W; 13 - 1; 14 - S; 15 – Blank; 16 - No; 17 - No; 18 - Missouri; 19 - Kansas; 20 - Missouri; 21 - Blank; Code - 66, Blank, Blank; 22 - Blank; 23 - Blank; 24 - Blank; 25 - None; 26 - Blank; Code - Blank; 27 - Blank; 28 – Blank; 29 – Blank; 30 - Blank; 31 - Blank; 32 - Blank

Correction To Grandma Scott

One of my cousins pointed out to me that I had the spelling wrong on one of the names associated with the Pall Bearers (referred to in the post as Escorts) in an earlier post titled "Grandma Scott".

I have corrected that post and wanted to provide the information separately for those who may have seen the earlier post and also noticed the misspelling.

To set the record straight, I looked back at the Funeral Brochure for Cora Viola (Main) Scott and the name is actually spelled wrong there, which consequently led to me misspelling the information on my blog post.

The correction is as follows:  I had "Living Alvarez" as an Escort and it should be "Living Alcaraz".

Please see Grandma Scott (posted on May 12, 2015) for the complete post and to see that the above information has been updated.  I do apologize for the error, but I was typing what the Funeral Brochure stated and as we all know, we as humans are not perfect and we do make mistakes.  In the genealogy world, we are used to names being spelled wrong which leads us to search in records for many variations of each surname - and we still find new variations just when we thought we had it all down pat.

Thank you cousin for pointing out the misinformation, and I do apologize to you and the rest of your family for this mistake.

Census Sunday (Scott, Guy Calvin)

This is the 1940 Census for Guy Calvin Scott.  Below the image is the information for each of the columns.  Guy Calvin Scott is my grandfather on my mother’s side.  My mother is listed as daughter.

For Occupation – this census states he is a tractor man for the W.P.A. (columns 28 and 29).  W.P.A. stands for Works Project Administration.  I need to find out more about what that means.  My understanding is that the government put people to work in different occupations, but I need to confirm that by doing some research on the Works Project Administration and what Tractor Man consisted of.

Column 27 states duration of unemployment in weeks for Guy Calvin Scott was 96 weeks.  Since he wasn’t working, is that what constituted him working for the W.P.A.?  Column 30 states GW which indicates Government Work.  Again, need to research this.

 

1940 US Federal Census
Guy Calvin Scott Family, Howard, Bates County, Missouri

State - Missouri; County - Bates; Township - Howard; Incorporated Place – Blank; Ward of City – Blank; Block No. - Blank; Unincorporated Place - Blank; Institution - Blank; Supervisor's District No. - 6; Enumeration District No. – 7-13; Enumerated By Me On – April 15, 1940; Sheet – 4B; Enumerator – Paul Jennings.

Line No.54

Column 1 - Blank; 2 - Blank; 3 – 97; 4 - Rented; 5 - Blank; 6 - Yes; 7 – Scott, Guy C; 8 - Head; Code - Blank; 9 - M; 10 - W; 11 - 47; 12 - M; 13 - No; 14 - 8; Code – Blank; 15 – Kansas; Code - Blank; 16 - Blank; 17 - Same House; 18 - Blank; 19 - Blank; 20 - Yes; Code - Blank; 21 - No; 22 - Yes; 23 - Blank; 24 - Blank; 25 - Blank; Code - 2; 26 - Blank; 27 - 96; 28 – Tractor Man; 29 – W.P.A; 30 - GW; Code - Blank; 31 - 19; 32 - $486; 33 – Yes; 34 - 86

Line No. 55

Column 1 - Blank; 2 - Blank; 3 - Blank; 4 - Blank; 5 - Blank; 6 - Blank; 7 – Scott, Cora V; 8 - Wife; Code – Blank; 9 - F; 10 - W; 11 - 42; 12 - M; 13 - No; 14 - H-2; Code – Blank; 15 - Missouri; Code - Blank; 16 - Blank; 17 - Same House; 18 - Blank; 19 - Blank; 20 - Yes; Code - Blank; 21 - No; 22 - No; 23 - No; 24 - No; 25 - H; Code - Blank; 26 - Blank; 27 - Blank; 28 - Blank; 29 - Blank; 30 - Blank; Code - Blank; 31 - Blank; 32 - Blank; 33 - Blank; 34 - Blank

Line No. 56

Column 1 - Blank; 2 - Blank; 3 - Blank; 4 - Blank; 5 - Blank; 6 - Blank; 7 – Scott, Tommie L; 8 - Son; Code – Blank; 9 - M; 10 - W; 11 - 18; 12 - S; 13 - Yes; 14 – H-3; Code – Blank; 15 - Missouri; Code - Blank; 16 - Blank; 17 - Same House; 18 - Blank; 19 - Blank; 20 - Yes; Code - Blank; 21 - No; 22 - No; 23 - No; 24 - No; 25 - S; Code - Blank; 26 - Blank; 27 - Blank; 28 - Blank; 29 - Blank; 30 Blank; Code - Blank; 31 - Blank; 32 - Blank; 33 - Blank; 34 – Blank

Line No. 57

Column 1 - Blank; 2 - Blank; 3 - Blank; 4 - Blank; 5 - Blank; 6 - Blank; 7 – Scott, William G; 8 - Son; Code – Blank; 9 - M; 10 - W; 11 - 13; 12 - S; 13 - Yes; 14 – 6; Code – Blank; 15 - Kansas; Code - Blank; 16 - Blank; 17 - Same House; 18 - Blank; 19 - Blank; 20 - Yes; Code - Blank; 21 – Blank; 22 - Blank; 23 - Blank; 24 - Blank; 25 - Blank; Code - Blank; 26 - Blank; 27 - Blank; 28 - Blank; 29 - Blank; 30 Blank; Code - Blank; 31 - Blank; 32 - Blank; 33 - Blank; 34 – Blank

Line No. 58

Column 1 - Blank; 2 - Blank; 3 - Blank; 4 - Blank; 5 - Blank; 6 - Blank; 7 – Scott, Jason; 8 - Son; Code – Blank; 9 - M; 10 - W; 11 - 11; 12 - S; 13 - Yes; 14 – 5; Code – Blank; 15 - Kansas; Code - Blank; 16 - Blank; 17 - Same House; 18 - Blank; 19 - Blank; 20 - Yes; Code - Blank; 21 – Blank; 22 - Blank; 23 - Blank; 24 - Blank; 25 - Blank; Code - Blank; 26 - Blank; 27 - Blank; 28 - Blank; 29 - Blank; 30 Blank; Code - Blank; 31 - Blank; 32 - Blank; 33 - Blank; 34 – Blank

Line No. 59

Column 1 - Blank; 2 - Blank; 3 - Blank; 4 - Blank; 5 - Blank; 6 - Blank; 7 – Scott, Leona Frances; 8 - Daughter; Code – Blank; 9 - F; 10 - W; 11 - 5; 12 - S; 13 - Blank; 14 – Blank; Code – Blank; 15 - Missouri; Code - Blank; 16 - Blank; 17 - Same House; 18 - Blank; 19 - Blank; 20 - Yes; Code - Blank; 21 – Blank; 22 - Blank; 23 - Blank; 24 - Blank; 25 - Blank; Code - Blank; 26 - Blank; 27 - Blank; 28 - Blank; 29 - Blank; 30 Blank; Code - Blank; 31 - Blank; 32 - Blank; 33 - Blank; 34 – Blank

Grandma Scott

Cora Viola Main was born December 1, 1897 according to the Social Security Death Index, her tombstone and also a funeral brochure I received when I attended her funeral.  She was born in Amos, Vernon County, Missouri according to the “Scott-Mayes” book and was known to everyone as Viola.  Her parents are John Lewis Main and Diana Anna Louisa Austin (Polly).  Her siblings are: Reuben Erwin, Sarah Elizabeth, George Sylvester, Ida Nevel, Clark Brewster, Jason Archie, Nettie Diantha and an unnamed brother who was either stillborn or died the same day he was born.  I need to locate a record to prove her birth place information.

Photo provided by an aunt and uncle.
The Main Family
Back - Sarah, Clark, Jason, George, Nettie
Front - John, Cora, Polly

Viola married Guy Calvin Scott on July 18, 1919 in Butler, Bates County, Missouri.  Their children are Evelyn, George William, Leona Frances (my mother) and two (2) living sons.

After Guy passed away, Viola was moved to a Care Home in Denver, Colorado.

Viola passed away on June 20, 1981 and is buried at Grandview Cemetery in Fort Collins, Colorado.  Her funeral brochure provided the following information:

            Time of Service:  Tuesday, June 23, 1981 at 10:30am

            Officiating:  Dr. Joseph Laughlin

            Organist:  Mrs. W. J. Fredling

            Soloist:  Mr. W. J. Fredling

            Escorts:  Living Scott, Living Green, Living Barber, Living Scott, Living Gallegos, Living Alcaraz (name is spelled wrong on Funeral Brochure, see Correction for updated information).

            Arrangements:  Russell Funeral Chapel

Goin' To The Chapel

Scott-Modrell Marriage License

Jerry Eneau Modrell and Leona Frances Scott were married on June 12, 1954 in Raytown, Jackson County, Missouri.

Following is a rather long newspaper article that was cut from an unknown newspaper describing the wedding in great detail.  I will have to locate the newspaper so I can source this clipping.  It was given to me by an aunt (the wife of one of my mom’s brothers).  There are a lot of misspellings in this article and I will try to bracket [ ] those as much as possible.

SCOTT-MODRELL

            Miss Leona [Francis] Scott, only daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Guy Scott of Buffalo, Mo., became the bride of Mr. Jerry Modrell, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry Modrell, of Dearborn, Mo., June 12, 1954 at the First Christian Church in Raytown.  Large baskets of colorful [gladolius] and white carnations decorated the chancel.  Rev. [Canegy] read the impressive double ring ceremony in the presence of the immediate relatives and close friends.

            The bride, who was given in marriage by her father, was lovely in a white lace and net gown.  The lace fitted bodice had self covered tiny buttons down the front from a Peter Pan collar to the waist line.  She wore matching elbow length mitts.  The skirt was double net over white satin with lace incersion panels down each side.  Her illusion veil fell from a band of lace and seed pearls.  She carried a white Bible topped by a single Orchid, with white satin streamers.

            Mr. and Mrs. “Bud” Miller, close friends, attended the couple.  Mrs. Miller, who acted as matron of honor, wore pale blue nylon with a halo of blue Lilacs and carried pink Carnations.  Mr. Modrell wore a navy blue business suit.  “Bud” Miller, acting as best man, wore a grey business suit.  Each had a white Carnation boutonnieres.

            Mrs. Scott chose for her daughter’s wedding, a blue-grey nylon with white accessories.  Mrs. Modrell was dressed in [biege] with white accessories.  Each wore a corsage of pink Carnations.

Scott-Modrell Wedding Photo

            Shortly after the wedding ceremony, a reception was held in the lovely home of close friends of the bride and groom.  In the living room the arrangement for the receiving line was most beautiful with huge baskets of flowers and palms.  The bride’s table was very pretty – covered with a [corcheted] lace table cloth which the bride’s mother made as a wedding gift to her daughter.  The wedding cake was three-tier topped with a miniature bride and groom, and was surrounded by a blanket of fern and blue daisies, flanked by white candles.  After the bride cut the first piece of cake and served her husband and herself, Mrs. [Isarode] (Main) Mann, cousin of the bride, had charge of cutting the cake.  Mrs. Geneva (Beth) Jennings presided at the punch bowl.  Mrs. Wm. Scott, sister-in-law of the bride, assisted in serving of the guests.  Mrs. John Roy Johnson had charge of the guest book.  Mrs. Mattie (Main) [Laffon], cousin of the bride, assisted by an aunt, Mrs. Raymond Johnson, had charge of the beautiful as well as useful gifts.

            Mr. and Mrs. Modrell left on a two [weeks] honeymoon trip through the West.  Upon returning, they will be at home in Kansas City.  They both are employed by The Kansas City Life Ins. Co.