The routes of the Highline and the Leaky Roof wound in a Caduceus-like manner between their principal terminals. The lines crossed at grade or by grade separation 4 times, and the lines served seven of the same communities. Given these facts, and for those who saw Brad Scott’s excellent presentation on the Leaky Roof, it should be no surprise that Humansville was the second largest community on the KCCS that was not served by another railroad. As Brad noted, Humansville was of sufficient importance that during the early 1900’s, the KCCS operated a KC – Humansville passenger train. To support the operation of that train, a turntable and coaling facilities were maintained. By the time of this photograph, the turntable and coaling facilities were gone, but the KCCS still had a large presence in town. The KCCS served the people of Humansville with an electrically lit, 22’ x 74’ depot, and a 3-pen stockyard. Humansville was a home to a section gang, and the railroad maintained a 2-story section house and a 12’ x 16’ tool house to support the work of the gang. The caption on the back of this photograph is sparse…”Missouri State Fair August 1924 Homer J. Leeper”. By this date, the depot has lost it two-color livery, and has been painted oxide red. The gingerbread trim on the roof ridge is still in place. By 1924, the KCCS was down to a single passenger train set, i.e., numbers 1 and 2, which made the daily trip between KC and Springfield. It appears that Mr. Leeper, is returning after a visit to the Missouri State Fair in Sedalia. Perhaps Mr. Leeper is the gentleman sporting the white hat and is wearing the “delegate’s” ribbon on his coat. Homer might have arisen early to catch MKT #5, the Katy Flyer, which departed Sedalia 3:35AM and arrived in Clinton at 4:35 AM. It is more likely that he waited for number 9, a nameless local, which left Sedalia at 9:00 AM and arrived at Clinton at 10:30 AM. Either MKT train would have gotten Homer to Clinton in plenty of time to catch KCCS number 1, which departed Clinton at 2:00PM. If things are on time, number 1 called on Humansville at 3:50 PM. So who is this Homer J Leeper fellow, and why did he take KCCS #1 instead of taking Frisco’s number 21, which was scheduled to leave Clinton at 1:12 PM? He had time to make that connection. Did he disembark at Humansville, or was he heading elsewhere? After poking about, I found that Home lived in Springfield…417 W. Webster to be exact. Homer built the house at that address from a Sears and Roebuck kit. He thought enough of the kit to send Sears a letter of appreciation. http: http://books.google.com/books?id=QYw-uqMJu-gC&pg=PA80&lpg=PA80&dq=homer+j+leeper&source=bl&ots=CsqJdF716E&sig=A3RhqgZoZNDnH82XeGpybVduDYc&hl=en&sa=X&ei=oT3_UOivAea02gX95YCIDw&ved=0CE8Q6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=homer%20j%20leeper&f=false//books.google.com/books?id=QYw-uqMJu-gC&pg=PA80&lpg=PA80&dq=homer+j+leeper&source=bl&ots=CsqJdF716E&sig=A3RhqgZoZNDnH82XeGpybVduDYc&hl=en&sa=X&ei=oT3_UOivAea02gX95YCIDw&ved=0CE8Q6AEwBQ#v=onepage&q=homer%20j%20leeper&f=false Homer was also a man of some import, since he served as the Missouri President of the National Association of Post Office Craftsmen (NAPOC). Perhaps his duties with this organization took him to Sedalia and the Fair. He was born during 1881 in Ash Grove Missouri. Perhaps this was the reason for his “detour” over the Leaky Roof; he wanted to take the opportunity to visit family and friends in Ash Grove, before returning home to Springfield. Sadly, he died just 4 short years after this shot was taken. He is buried in Ash Grove.
Thanks for posting and the research, Karl. As one who grew up near Daugherty on the Leaky Roof (southeast of Harrisonville) and making many trips to Clinton, the Leaky Roof holds a special interest. Ted Ferkenhoff Flagstaff AZ
A couple of years ago, Brad gave the folks who attended the Frisco meet in Springfield a "ride" on the Leaky Roof.
Nice, I think I can see a boxcar under Homer's arm. Definately can see the house track behind the depot. Roger
