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Bootheel Beacon
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The original beacon in the Bootheel played a crucial role during World War II, assisting pilots in locating Malden Army Airfield.
Positioned alongside State Highway 25, this landmark guided countless flights. Today, the frame of the light still stands in its original location, a testament to its historical significance.
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Dear Friends,
Welcome to the Bootheel Beacon - your new online source for news, culture, events, and everything that shapes the heart and soul of Missouri's Southeastern region.
Rooted in the values of fairness, accuracy, and community service, The Bootheel Beacon is proud to shine a light on the stories that matter most to our readers. As a digital publication led by seasoned professionals with deep ties to the region, we are committed to keeping you informed, inspired, and connected.
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The Editorial Team
The Bootheel Beacon
"Where local news shines brightest!"
Sunset At Frisbee, MO
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Narvel Felts: Malden's Rockabilly Marvel
Video by Stephen Hankins
November 7, 2025
When people talk about the golden age of rockabilly and country music, the conversation usually turns to Memphis, Nashville, and the bright lights of the national charts. But for thousands of fans around the world, the story also runs straight through Malden, Missouri — the longtime home of Albert Narvel Felts, better known simply as Narvel. With his tall frame, dark pompadour and a voice that could leap from a baritone growl to a soaring falsetto, Narvel Felts carved out a career that bridged cotton fields and concert halls, rockabilly clubs and country hit parades. Over six decades, he became both an international performer and a small-town neighbor, a man who carried Malden with him wherever he went.  ⸻ From Cotton Rows to KDEX Narvel Felts was born November 11, 1938, near Keiser in Mississippi County, Arkansas, the son of sharecroppers Albert Franklin and Lena Cleo Felts.  In 1953, when Narvel was a teenager, the family moved north across the state line to Powe, Missouri. There, a quiet transformation began: with money earned picking cotton, the boy bought a $15 guitar and taught himself to play, studying the sounds of Ernest Tubb, Floyd Tillman, and other country greats that floated in over the radio.  He attended Bernie High School, just up the road from Malden. Encouraged by classmates, Narvel entered a school talent show in 1956, singing the new rock ’n’ roll he’d been hearing from Memphis — the kind of raw, driving music people would soon call “rockabilly.” A talent scout from Dexter’s station KDEX happened to be in the audience and invited the teenager to perform regularly on the air.  That local broadcast — a farm boy with a guitar, sending rockabilly out over southeast Missouri airwaves — marked the beginning of a remarkable professional journey. ⸻ Sun Sessions and the Rockabilly Road By 1956–57, Narvel was traveling to Memphis, where he began cutting records at the legendary Sun studio at 706 Union Avenue — the same room that had launched Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Jerry Lee Lewis and Carl Perkins. Producer Jack Clement was among those who worked with him as he began shaping his own sound.  His early sides, including “Kiss-a-Me Baby,” “Did You Tell Me,” “Cry Baby Cry,” and “Gone, Gone, Gone,” burned with the classic hallmarks of rockabilly: slap-back echo, rumbling bass, and Narvel’s urgent, elastic vocals.  These records didn’t yet bring him household-name status, but they earned him a loyal following on the club and package-tour circuit. Through the late 1950s and early ’60s he criss-crossed the South and Midwest, sharing bills with many of the era’s rising stars and building a reputation as a fiery live performer. Even as music fashions shifted, rockabilly never left his bones. Later reissues like Those Rockabilly Days and Narvel Felts Rocks would introduce new generations to the raw energy of those first recordings.  ⸻ Reinventing as a Country Hit-Maker Like many rockabillies, Felts gradually leaned more toward country music as the 1960s gave way to the ’70s. He recorded for labels such as Mercury and Cinnamon, but it was his move to ABC-Dot in the mid-1970s that turned Narvel from regional favorite into a regular presence on national charts.  In 1973, his version of “Drift Away” — a soulful, country-rock reading of Dobie Gray’s classic — climbed high on the country charts and signaled a new chapter in his career.  Two years later, in 1975, Felts released the song that would become his signature: “Reconsider Me.” A cover of Johnny Adams’ deep-soul ballad, Narvel’s version spotlighted his astonishing high tenor and falsetto, turning the plea of the lyric into pure heartbreak. The record reached No. 2 on the Billboard country chart and ended up as the second-biggest country single of the year.  Across the 1970s, he placed more than 40 singles on the country charts, including powerful remakes of “Lonely Teardrops,” “Funny How Time Slips Away,” “Everlasting Love,” and “Somebody Hold Me (Until She Passes By).”  His ability to take R&B and pop material and translate it into heartfelt country-soul became a trademark, winning him both jukebox play and deep respect from fellow musicians. Fans and DJs alike dubbed him “Narvel the Marvel” — a nod to both his showmanship onstage and the vocal fireworks on those records.  ⸻ Malden Roots, Worldwide Reach Through all the chart success and touring, Narvel Felts kept his home base in southeast Missouri. He settled in Malden, where he raised a family with his wife, Loretta (née Stanfield), and remained a down-to-earth neighbor even as his records were spinning on radios across the world.  Over the years, Felts’ performances took him from local fairs and VFW halls to international stages. By 2019, friends were noting that he’d been an “international concert draw” for 60 years — a remarkable span for any entertainer, and especially for a man who began in the cotton fields of Powe.  In January 2019, the City of Malden formally recognized its hometown star when a section of Business 25 was dedicated as “Narvel Felts Highway,” honoring not only his musical achievements but also his decades as a Malden resident.  ⸻ Triumph, Tragedy, and Faith Behind the spotlight, Narvel’s life has held deep joys and deep sorrows. He and Loretta had two children, a daughter and a son, Albert Narvel “Bub” Felts Jr., who sometimes played drums in his father’s band. In 1995, Bub died in an automobile accident at age 31, a loss that left a permanent mark on Narvel and his music; one of his albums was dedicated to his son’s memory.  In interviews, Felts has often spoken of his faith and the sustaining power of music, family, and community. His later career includes gospel material alongside country and rockabilly, reflecting a man who carried his beliefs and burdens right into his songs.  ⸻ Rockabilly Hall of Famer For all his success on the country charts, Narvel Felts has never lost his place in rockabilly history. His early Sun and Mercury recordings, along with his relentless touring in the 1950s and ’60s, helped carry that explosive new sound far beyond Memphis. In recognition of that legacy, he has been honored by the Rockabilly Hall of Fame, placing him alongside the pioneers who first fused hillbilly twang with rhythm-and-blues drive.  Even into the 21st century, Felts has continued to take the stage from time to time — for country-music reunion shows, regional festivals, and special appearances where fans young and old can hear “Reconsider Me,” “Drift Away,” and those early rockabilly shouters straight from the source.  ⸻ A Local Legend, A Global Sound Today, Narvel Felts stands as one of the most enduring links between the first blast of rockabilly in the 1950s and the country-soul of the 1970s and beyond. He is at once an international recording artist and a familiar figure from Malden — a man whose journey from cotton rows to the country charts embodies both the grit of the Bootheel and the wide-open promise of American music. For Malden and for rockabilly fans worldwide, Narvel remains what he has long been called: “Narvel the Marvel” — a voice that rose out of a Missouri talent show and never stopped singing.
by David Black - Staff Writer
Paul Arnold Discusses Marmaduke’s Skedaddle: The Battle of Chalk Bluff
At Bootheel Youth Museum Theater of Malden
by Stephen Hankins - Staff Writer
MALDEN, Mo. — Civil War researcher and historian Paul Arnold shared the little-known story of the 1st Wisconsin Cavalry and its unconventional commander, Col. Edward Daniels, highlighting their significance in the Battle of Chalk Bluff in southeast Missouri during the Bootheel Youth Museum’s Third Thursday series in Malden. Arnold, who grew up in Stoddard County, said the Civil War was a constant presence in his childhood. “The first thing I ever heard about the Civil War was that ‘Lisa ran the answer,’” he joked, recalling early family conversations. “We always talked about my Confederate ancestors a lot more than my Union ancestors.” His academic focus shifted in college when he discovered a cache of letters from Union soldiers in the 1st Wisconsin Cavalry whose stories had never been properly recorded. “The lives these folks lived, the things they saw, and the impact they had on our little part of the world—it fascinated me,” he said. That research eventually led him to a small library in Fairfax County, Virginia, where he located the only known photograph of Col. Daniels. “I couldn’t believe no one had written about him,” Arnold said. “With all the resources I found, it shocked me that his story was still untold.” Daniels, an outspoken abolitionist before the war, had run weapons to John Brown’s forces in Kansas by disguising Sharps carbines in crates marked as Bibles. Despite having no military experience, he later served in Abraham Lincoln’s frontier guard and eventually commanded the 1st Wisconsin Cavalry. Arnold noted that Daniels’ strong moral convictions sometimes interfered with his battlefield strategy. “He was such a fundamentalist that it would get in the way of his tactics,” Arnold said. “You see it at Chalk Bluff, and you see it throughout the war.” Arnold recounted the events leading to the Battle of Chalk Bluff, fought April 30–May 1, 1863, after Confederate Gen. John Marmaduke launched his second raid into Missouri. Hoping to draw Union troops away from Vicksburg, Marmaduke led a poorly supplied force northward before being turned back at Cape Girardeau and retreating through a series of skirmishes. “If Marmaduke hadn’t invaded, the 1st Wisconsin Cavalry would have gone straight to Vicksburg,” Arnold explained. “In that sense, his raid really did divert Union troops.” At Chalk Bluff, Confederate troops under Jeff Thompson constructed a makeshift bridge across the St. Francis River by hollowing out giant logs and swinging them across the current. A critical mistake—crossing exhausted horses without loosening their girths—led to the drowning of about 40 animals. Union cavalry pressed south on May 1, battling through Confederate positions at Four Mile, Gravel Hill, and the historic Taylor Hotel. As Confederates retreated across the river and positioned themselves atop the high Arkansas bluffs, Union forces missed a key opportunity. “If they had attacked that night, they would have annihilated the Confederates,” Arnold said. “But they didn’t—and that hesitation let Marmaduke escape.” The next day, Union troops attempted to cross the river after Confederates burned the ferry and cut the bridge. With no cover, they faced devastating fire from above. “It was a turkey shoot,” Arnold recalled, sharing stories passed down through his own family. “My great-grandfather talked about how they could see every movement the Federals made.” Although the battle did not alter the ultimate outcome of the Civil War, Arnold said it was pivotal for the region. “As a turning point for southeast Missouri, absolutely,” he said. After the battle, Union forces gained permanent control of the Chalk Bluff crossing, securing a vital supply route from St. Louis into Arkansas. Arnold holds a bachelor’s degree in historic preservation and a master’s degree in history from Southeast Missouri State University. He has taught at Richland R-1 Schools in Essex for 20 years and was named the 2009 Missouri History Teacher of the Year, the 2014 Patricia Behring Teacher of the Year, and a 2022 DESE Missouri Teacher of the Year finalist. He lives in Stoddard County with his wife, Rebecca, also a teacher at Richland Schools. They have three daughters and two granddaughters. The Bootheel Youth Museum said it was honored to host Arnold for its Third Thursday program and praised his dedication to preserving and sharing southeast Missouri’s Civil War history.
The YouTube video is compliments of Mitch Green, a member of the Bootheel Youth Museum, who films each event and produces them for viewing the entire lecture and discussion by Mr. Paul Arnold.
Malden City Council debates call for full state compliance audit
MALDEN, Mo. - The Malden City Council on Monday debated a call from Ward 3 Councilman Charles Dierks to request a full compliance audit by the Missouri State Auditor's Office, covering the city government, the Board of Public Works and the municipal airport. Dierks said residents in his ward had raised concerns and wanted answers, prompting his motion for an outside review of financial practices and procedures. Several council members questioned what specific issues the audit should address and noted that the state requires a clear statement of purpose before accepting a request. Mayor Denton Kooyman told the council he had already contacted the State Auditor's Office, which outlined three pathways for review, including a council-approved resolution. City staff reported they had begun gathering bank statements and credit-card records for a preliminary assessment, which the state can conduct at no cost. After discussion about the audit's scope, the time involved and whether certain items raised by Dierks included confidential closed-session matters, the council voted 5-3 to direct the city attorney to prepare a formal resolution To be considered at December‘s meeting. Malden Chief Financial Officer Angela Earnhardt delivered the municipality’s October 2025 financial report, detailing the city’s cash position, fund balances and upcoming audit schedule. Earnhardt reported that the city’s general fund held $1,340,628.49 at the close of October. She noted that all federal COVID-19 relief funding has now been fully expended, leaving a zero balance in that category. Other fund balances include: Sanitary Fund: $166,276.19 Park Local Tax Fund: $37,976.05 Frisco Park Splash Pad Fund: $130,798.80 Malden Department of Economic Development: $43,209.98 Street Capital Project Fund: $0 Waste Management Fund: $6,306.92 Capital Improvement Fund: $504,175.38 The city’s total cash and cash equivalents equal $2,283,296.36, Earnhardt said. Malden’s total outstanding city debt stands at $1,683,266.40 as of the end of the month. Earnhardt also informed the council that the city’s auditors will arrive the week of Dec. 1 to begin work on the FY 2024–25 annual audit. She then opened the floor for questions from the body. The Council also heard from newly appointed Malden Nutrition Center Director Pam White, who outlined ongoing funding challenges at the center and options for sustaining operations. Mayor Kooyman announced he is no longer associated with the center and said White has assumed the role of executive director. He also said White and a group of volunteers recently raised about $40,000, enough to keep the center operating for the next six months. With long-term funding still uncertain, the council is now considering placing a city sales and use tax proposal on the April ballot to generate more than $80,000 annually to support the center. Council members agreed to review tax options and expect to consider an ordinance at their December meeting to meet ballot deadlines. White told the council the center serves about 75 in-house meals daily and provides 45 weekly home-delivered meal boxes, but rising food and labor costs have strained its budget. She thanked the city for covering the building and utility costs, noting that without that support the center would have closed sooner. The council voted to have staff research the tax proposal and present recommendations next month. The council voted to approve the Human Resources Committee’s recommendations, including revisions to the job description for a deputy clerk position and updates to bookkeeping duties. Council members discussed changes that would allow the deputy clerk, whether part-time or full-time, to be cross-trained to work at both the city window and the Board of Public Works (BPW) window. Malden Department of Public Safety Exec Director Jeff Mitchell, acting in place of a city administrator, said the added flexibility would help prevent service disruptions when staff members are absent or unavailable. “I want them to be cross-trained with the BPW window and the city window so they can help out on both sides,” an official explained during the meeting, noting that short staffing has occasionally forced temporary closures. “With this setup, we won’t ever have to shut down.” The updated deputy clerk job description includes BPW-related responsibilities that were not previously listed, officials said. Council members also approved a change to the bookkeeper’s job description to formally include human resources duties. The adjustment reflects the city’s plan to assign HR responsibilities to the bookkeeper going forward. During discussion, one member raised concerns about salary allocation for employees who work across both city and BPW operations. Officials clarified that some positions already have their pay split between funds, depending on the work performed. A motion to accept the HR Committee’s recommendations, with corrections adding BPW cross-training to the deputy clerk duties, passed with no opposition. Council on Monday approved an ordinance authorizing an agreement between the city and the Missouri Highways and Transportation Commission for an airport improvement grant tied to an ongoing pavement study. Council members passed the measure Unanimouslyon both readings, clearing the way for the mayor to sign the agreement required for the previously awarded grant. No members raised objections or concerns during discussion. Council voted 6–2 on Monday to remove a previously approved time frame tied to redevelopment of the property at 100 South Madison, commonly known as the former Pizza Express site. Mayor Kooyman said Judge John Welch, who is overseeing matters regarding the property, was reluctant to set a construction deadline, prompting the issue to return to the council. Members noted the owner has indicated the project will likely be completed by summer but preferred not to commit to a formal schedule. After discussion, the council agreed to eliminate the time limit, with the option to consider future extensions if needed. A lengthy exchange unfolded Monday after Dierks distributed a packet of questions he said came from constituents, prompting Mayor Kooyman and several council members to question the timing, accuracy and origin of the information. Mayor Kooyman objected that some items referenced closed-session matters unlikely to be known publicly and noted that citizens may bring concerns during the council’s 15-minute public comment period, which no one used. Ward 1 Council Member Lynette Jenkins also disputed that past submissions by Dierks had been simple requests for information, saying they often resembled accusations. City Attorney Chidister clarified that one question in the packet involving a former city administrator’s contract could be answered by reviewing documents already posted online. After additional debate, including discussion of past utility issues, power plant failures and prior board actions, the council proceeded with a motion from Dierks, seconded by Council Member Rose Downs, to request preparation of a resolution seeking a full state compliance audit. The measure passed 5–3. Chidister advised that the actual resolution will be presented for adoption at the Dec. 15 meeting, at which point the mayor would have the authority to veto it if he chooses. City Clerk Jessie Cobb reported Monday that 2025 tax bills were mailed Nov. 8, with assistance from staff and BPW workers, marking one of the fastest turnarounds the city has achieved. Cobb said the office has been busy since bills began arriving in residents’ mailboxes and also provided updates on several infrastructure studies underway through the Board of Public Works. Cobb reported an engineering review of the wastewater collection system is in progress to evaluate inflow and infiltration issues, and BPW is preparing additional engineering evaluations of the city’s electric infrastructure and water wells following recent water-quality concerns. Cobb said engineers will assess well pumps, chlorine levels and potential contamination sources, and noted that work on a looping project near the airport is expected to improve water circulation and treatment times. During discussion, council members questioned how the city will prevent further well contamination and whether previous problems could recur. Cobb said staff continue to monitor chlorine levels closely and that BPW and hired engineers are taking proactive steps after warnings from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources that another bad sample could prompt corrective actions by the state. Ward 2 Councilor Robert House addressed city business, including the resignation of Board of Public Works member Clark Duckett. House called for Duckett’s removal, citing mismanagement, including $3 million in debt accumulated while Duckett served, and alleged removal of meters from the power plant that prevented use of natural gas for heating. “The people of the city of Malden do not want him on there anymore,” House said. “He came here for 25 years and things are getting worse.” Chidister explained the process, noting any removal would require a formal motion with specific charges, proof of cause, and a trial-like hearing before the council. “If a majority of the council and the mayor believe there was a violation of law, ordinance, or policy, then the office would be vacated,” Chidister said. The council agreed to place the matter on the December agenda, with House submitting charges in advance. Mayor Kooyman addressed upcoming meetings, saying, December’s meeting will be on the 15th. “We are going to put a union committee together… December 19th, we will have building code and planning and zoning, time permitting.” He praised Mitchell and Cobb for adapting to city changes: “I think they’ve done an amazing job… change is sometimes good, sometimes not. It can be a little rough.” Kooyman also highlighted community programs, including the annual “Shop with a Hero” initiative. “As a firefighter myself, it’s fun taking those kids around and let them shop. Some of them try to buy for their parents,” he said. He encouraged councilors to schedule meetings with him in advance for questions, rather than seeking immediate answers during sessions. “Most of our records are online… if you have questions, call me up, set a time. I’ll meet with you,” he said, adding that due diligence by both councilors and residents is critical. The mayor closed his report by noting that while city ordinances and committee updates take time, “I will inform you as those come up … any businesses or citizens who want to donate, help out the Shop with a Hero.” The Malden city council meets At 6pm on the third Monday of every month At the Malden City Hall within the Malden community center. The public is encouraged to attend.
by Stephen Hankins - Staff Writer
Malden Lions Club donates to Bootheel Youth Museum
Malden Lions Club donated $2,000 to Malden's Bootheel Youth Museum.
left, Tina Roberts, Walker Culp, BYM representative Arieyanna Crank, Marilynn Reaves, Jerry Reaves, Dennis Demaree and Kevin Moore.