Tony Disney, Classmate Passes Away, Age 58

Tony Paul Disney, 58, of Mapleton, Kan., formerly of Warrensburg and Clinton, passed awayThursday, Nov. 1, 2012 at Mercy Health Center in Ft. Scott, Kan. 
Tony was born Sept. 23, 1954 in Warrensburg, Mo., son of David E. and AnnaMargaret "Margie" (Colster) Disney. He was raised in the Warrensburg/Centerview area. He moved to Colorado for a brief time. He was united in marriage to Rita K. De Atley on Jan. 11, 1973 in Centerview. The couple returned to the Warrensburg/Centerview area where Tony was a heavy equipment operator at the Johnson County Barn. He also was an over-the-road trucker for several years. In 1999, he moved to Clinton. Tony had been a Kansas resident since 2005. He enjoyed fishing, following sprint cars and especially, spoiling his grandchildren. He also frequented the Checker Tavern while in the Warrensburg area.
Survivors include three children, Tracy Disney (Billy Heyer) of Mapleton, Kan.; Kevin Disney (Michelle Pirtle) of Kingsville, Mo. and David Disney; four brothers, Jesse Calhoon (Joanne) of Centerview, Mo.; Mike Calhoon (Diana) of Centerview, Mo.; Randy Disney (Janet) of Sedalia, Mo. and Mark Disney of Centerview, Mo.; two half sisters, Debbie Hillsman of Holden, Mo. and Lisa Rassum of Chilhowee, Mo.; five grandchildren, Kiel Brannon, Lee Heyer, Logan Heyer, Kamille Disney, and Jesse McKinney; close friend, Rita Pinkston of Calhoun, Mo.; and several nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by both parents.
Funeral services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, Nov. 7, 2012 at Williams Funeral Chapel in Warrensburg. Interment will follow in Cumberland Presbyterian Cemetery at Columbus.
Pallbearers will be Kiel Brannan, Randy Templemire, Dana Calhoon, Ricky Bundy, Zack Daniels and Scott Brown. Honorary pallbearers will be Jesse Calhoon, Mike Calhoon, Randy Disney, Mark Disney, Ricky Bundy Sr. and Steve Heyer.
The family will receive friends from 6 to 8 p.m. Tuesday at the funeral home.
Memorial contributions are suggested to the Tony Paul Disney Memorial Fund, in care of the funeral home.
Online condolences may be left at www.williamsfuneralchapel.net.

To the  family and friends of Tony our prayers and sympathy go out to you. We fondly remember Tony during our school years together.  Class of 73, WHS.

The Murder of Marsh Foster...Was this the start of the Civil War? Warrensburg, Missouri

The Courthouse was the site of a murder of the newly elected county clerk, Marsh Foster, by the former clerk's son William McCown on February 18, 1861. This was just before the official start of the war, but was based on the political sympathies of the two men. The men of Johnson County quickly formed troops both Union and Confederate. Local lore says that the two armies, the beginning of Cockrell's Brigade (Confederate) and Emory Foster's (Union) took turns drilling on the same parade ground. By the end of the war the town square had become a Union army camp. A hotel serving as a hospital and other buildings constructed for stables and barracks.

Old Courthouse Warrensburg, Missouri Planned 1837 Complete 1841

Marsh Foster Murder

In 1837, the settlement was platted; it centered on a Public Square that was to hold the courthouse, an essential institution for the governance of the county. Attendant businesses, such as lawyers’ offices and a hotel, were quickly established around the perimeter. The design and construction of a permanent courthouse was of immediate concern, and it was finished in 1841. Interestingly, one of the three commissioners to choose the site for the building was Daniel Morgan Boone, son of legendary frontiersman Daniel Boone. The two-story brick structure has a square floor plan and was built on a foundation of local brown sandstone. Rather simple in outward appearance, the highlight of 3 of the 4 facades is an arched entryway with 8-over-4 paneled double doors capped by a delicate fanlight. It remains one of the few early Federal-style courthouses still standing in the state.The "Old" Johnson County, Missouri Courthouse was completed in 1842 and functioned as the County seat until 1871.