Liberty in Clay County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
China Slaughter Reading Park
Photographed by Erika Brant
1. China Slaghter Reading Park Marker
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China Slaughter Reading Park. .
"Not everyone can be famous but everybody can be great because greatness is determined by service. You only need a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
, Lawrence "China" Slaughter (1913 to 1997) was a great man. China grew up in Liberty. After receiving his college degree in education from Continental College in Brazil, Indiana, China returned to Liberty to find the only job available was as a custodian for the Liberty School District. China remained a custodian for the School District for over 47 years, and in the end, he served as Supervisor of Custodians for the School District. He also taught a masters custodial class all across the State of Missouri. His career was what he wanted to be. It exemplified the philosophy of "lead from where you are," and he became known as the finest custodian in the State of Missouri, an asset to the Liberty School District and model citizen of Liberty. China is most remembered for his service as crossing guard at Franklin School, for many years, the only elementary school in Liberty. For 32 years, as crossing guard from the mid-1950's through the early '80s, children and parents loved China's caring and loving attitude toward the children crossing Mill Street. He taught them humility, honor, duty, responsibility and respect for their fellow man. Students would walk out of their way to give themselves a chance to speak with China and have him tell them what fine persons they were and would become. If children were injured crossing the street or outside the school building, China would rush to help them and if necessary, carry them to the nearby doctor's office for treatment. He truly loved all children, his job and his community. By the time China's own daughter, Ann, reached high school, the Liberty schools were integrated. She was the first African American to be a yearbook queen and the first to be a member of the National Honor Society. China Slaughter was a good father and perfect example of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s definition of greatness.
"Not everyone can be famous but everybody can be great because greatness is determined by service. You only need a heart full of grace and a soul generated by love." - Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Lawrence "China" Slaughter (1913 to 1997) was a great man. China grew up in Liberty. After receiving his college degree in education from Continental College in Brazil, Indiana, China returned to Liberty to find the only job available was as a custodian for the Liberty School District. China remained a custodian for the School District for over 47 years, and in the end, he served as Supervisor of Custodians for the School District. He also taught a masters custodial class all across the State of Missouri. His career was what he wanted to be. It exemplified the philosophy of "lead from where you are," and he became known as the finest custodian in the State of Missouri, an asset to the Liberty School District and model citizen of Liberty. China is most remembered for his service as crossing guard at Franklin School, for many years, the only elementary school in Liberty. For 32 years, as crossing guard from the mid-1950's through
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the early '80s, children and parents loved China's caring and loving attitude toward the children crossing Mill Street. He taught them humility, honor, duty, responsibility and respect for their fellow man. Students would walk out of their way to give themselves a chance to speak with China and have him tell them what fine persons they were and would become. If children were injured crossing the street or outside the school building, China would rush to help them and if necessary, carry them to the nearby doctor's office for treatment. He truly loved all children, his job and his community. By the time China's own daughter, Ann, reached high school, the Liberty schools were integrated. She was the first African American to be a yearbook queen and the first to be a member of the National Honor Society. China Slaughter was a good father and perfect example of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s definition of greatness.
Erected 2018 by Liberty Arts Foundation & Liberty Public School District; plaque donated by the LHS Class of 1964.
Location. 39° 14.691′ N, 94° 25.29′ W. Marker is in Liberty, Missouri, in Clay County. It is at the intersection of West Mill Street and Gallatin Street, on the right when traveling west on West Mill Street. This marker is directly across from Franklin Elementary School where China Slaughter served as a crossing guard from the mid-1950's through the early 80's. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 14 W Mill St, Liberty MO 64068, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in the Missouri River Corridor and in Greater Kansas City. It is also in the American Midwest, in the Lewis & Clark Corridor, and in the Corn Belt. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture, the Louisiana Purchase, and the Antebellum South.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 22, 2025. It was originally submitted on May 22, 2025, by Erika Brant of Liberty, Missouri. This page has been viewed 372 times since then and 109 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on May 22, 2025, by Erika Brant of Liberty, Missouri. • Devry Becker Jones was the editor who published this page.
