METZ BANK ROBBED ... AGAIN Metz Times, March 12, 1954
 The Metz Banking Company was the victim of burglars sometime last Friday night or early Saturday morning. The exact time is not known, as no one heard any commotion during the night and the act was not discovered until Saturday morning. Entrance to the bank was made by forcing open the west window and then prying loose from the casing the steel mesh that is used as a protection on all the windows. Having forced their way in, it is evident all attention was centered on the vault. The safe containing the bank's money was not molested. First the combination lock was knocked off the vault door but it failed to open. Then a large hole was knocked through the south side of the 2-foot brick wall and entrance made in this fashion.
Those involved gained very little for the time and labor it must have taken. No money is kept in the vault except pennies and about $40 in these coins were taken. However, as a favor, many of the bank's patrons keep their lock boxes of personal papers-in the vault. Several of these had been opened and their contents scattered. About mid-moming six of these boxes were found north of Panama, just east of Highway 71. They were taken to Rich Hill and later returned here. They had all been forced open, but as far as is known the contents were still intact. Deeds, bonds and personal papers were left behind. Whether any of those rifled contained any cash or jewelry or has anything missing can only be told by having the owners check. The bank has no record.
Law enforcement officials were notified as soon as discovery of the robbery was made. Sheriff Hunt, his deputies, the FBI and the state patrol spent the day in Metz searching for clues and running down leads. Whether any worthwhile clues were discovered is not known, as it will be several days before a complete report of the robbery can be made.
PODCAST INITIATIVE - The Kansas Humanities Council is pleased to announce that the Vemon County Historical Society has been selected to be a part of Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area Podcast Initiative. A podcast that tells your local story will be featured on the Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area website.
KHC wall host a meeting with all podcast participants after the next Freedom's Frontier National Heritage Area meeting (date and location pending). The meeting will provide you with an opportunity for you to: leam more about the podcast project; schedule a time to record your pod-cast in March or April 2008; discuss revisions to your final script with the KHC staff; meet with historical consultant Christy Davis and leam about her research into the participating sites. KHC looks forward to working with you on this exciting project.—Tracy Quillin, Director of Communications., KHC, 112 SW 6th Ave., Suite 210, Topeka KS 66603-3895.
 The Vemon County Historical Society proposes to create, for the Kansas Humanities Council's audio tour project, a podcast relating John Brown's 1858 slave-liberating raid into Vemon County, Missouri, one of the most important events in all the Kansas-Missouri troubles of the 1850s.
For Kansas, as the noted Kansas historian James Malin said, along with Brown's other deeds, it "really precipitated the conflict in SE Kansas.
For the nation, it propelled John Brown into national prominence for the first time; and was the dress rehearsal for his Harpers Ferry raid, a major incitement to the Civil War.
For Missouri, it further embittered the people of western Missouri against Kansans, Abolitionists, and the North generally, confirmed their Southern sympathies and their sense of grievance, and sealed their support of the Confederacy in the coming war.
COMMEMORATION
Three Vernon County figures of Civil War days will be honored and their new gravestones dedicated Saturday, May 10, in ceremonies jointly sponsored by the Society and the Col. John T. Coffee Camp #1934, Sons of Confederate Veterans.
The occasion, to which the public is welcome, will include a picnic at the old schoolhouse in the center of Montevallo.
Those to be honored are: Lt. Joe Wood, in Sandstone Cemetery; lady Bushwhacker Eliza Gabbert, in Montevallo Cemetery; and John Brown, in Brasher Cemetery. The ceremonies will include a rifle salute, etc.
Sandstone Cemetery is located exactly 5 miles east of highway 71 at Milo on highway E. The turnoff will be marked. The event here is set for 10:30. Those coming from the Nevada area may choose to go there first. Those coming from the east are recommended to convene first at the Montevallo schoolhouse at 10:00 and carpool from there.
After Sandstone will come the event at Montevallo Cemetery, then the picnic at the schoolhouse; and the day will conclude at Brasher Cemetery, which is located not far south and east of Montevallo.
Those wishing to contribute to the picnic lunch may bring an item of their choice. Or for suggestions call Ruth Ann Ayres, 417-754-8397. Everybody is welcome to what should be an enjoyable occasion, not to say one of genuine historical substance.
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