It’s difficult to believe that one of the best representatives of Cassville and Barry County was operating nearly 60 years ago. The Barry County Sheriff’s Posse, which lasted through three sheriffs and covered 18 years, was one of the best diplomats for this area that ever existed. Unfortunately, changes in lifestyle and interests of individuals and groups permitted the Posse to fade out of the picture.

Started about 59 years ago at this time of the year, the group was the brainchild of then Barry County Sheriff Bill Hemphill. A newcomer to this area, Ollie Stimson was to become the drill director for their performances. He came to this area from Texas and settled on some pastureland that bordered Highway 112 just south of Hilltop. He and Mrs. Stimson, Gladys, were active in many rural happenings, and he was especially interested in horses. It was Stimson’s shrill whistle that was the signal for the riders to change formation as they would ride at different speeds around an arena.

Between Hemphill and Stimson, the 29 original members formed the center of a group that was to become the best-known horsemanship group in this part of the country.

Magnet

The reputation of the Barry County Sheriff’s Posse was soon known throughout the area. Their fame reached the Kansas City area where the pres-tigious Saddle and Sirloin was headquartered, and it was at Hemphill’s invitation that their riding group made two or three trips to the Cassville Rodeo where they displayed their drilling techniques and added much to the local event.

During their trips to Cassville, they occupied the Group Camp at Roaring River State Park where they enjoyed all the amenities of the park and the Barry County Ozarks. A number of entertainment events were put together for their evenings at the park facility. Their trips here were something to view for the local citizens, whether they were interested in horses or not. There was no expense spared in any of their equipment or trappings.

Travel

Posse activities provided a good travel opportunity for the members who made numerous trips to Arizona, Colorado, and other points of interest where western activities were being sponsored. They were always anxious to answer a call to communities and cities in Missouri in addition to their wide travel.

Like all such groups, their activities were not without expense, which didn’t seem to bother any of them. They either needed to own or have access to a good vehicle, trailer and other equipment that might be needed on an extended trip. Naturally a good mount under the rider was a necessity.

Then there was the planning for rest stops for both the members and their horses, which were of the highest type available.

Deputy

Each member of the Posse was deputized by the sheriff in whose group they rode. After Hemphill served 16 years as sheriff, his successor Abe Dummit continued sponsorship of the group as did Jimmy Hopkins, Dummit’s successor.

While they were a good-time group, they had a serious side, often called out to act with the sheriff in times of emergencies in the county. They served as deputies of the sheriff before the time formal education was required and before a commission could be issued.

A typical piece of their humor was to direct a happening at one of their members just before a trip. In one of these instances, two businessmen who were always at each other, Marion Wooten and Bill Smith, were involved in hiding Wooten’s saddle just before it was to be loaded for a trip west. The saddle never was made available to the one-time druggist until they reached their destination, just before he purchased another so he could participate in their activities.

Ending

The Posse operated until 1983 when a practice-drilling event resulted in a collision of two horses and one of the riders was killed. This was during a fast moving figure-eight maneuver, which usually finished their performance for that particular event.

In the later years of the Posse’s operation, new members were added as some dropped out for one reason or other. There are still some members living who recall all the good times and many activities in which they participated over the history of the group. Although it’s doubtful if many still own a horse and even fewer who ride anymore.

Memories

A couple of pieces of history remain of the Posse, their chuck wagon, which always accompanied them on trips, is stored at the Barry County Museum. The operator of the wagon, at least in later years was Earl Hutchens, who was a non-rider member of the group.

Memories, like the equipment mentioned, will be around for a long time to keep the Posse alive.

Bob Mitchell is the former editor and publisher of the Cassville Democrat. He is a 2017 inductee to both the Missouri Press Association Hall of Fame and Missouri Southern State University’s Regional Media Hall of Fame.