Butler in Bates County, Missouri — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Linnie Crouch
1884-1898
Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 20, 2026
1. Linnie Crouch Marker
Butler Daily Democrat (Butler, Mo) Thursday, April 28, 1898
Linnie Crouch, the 14 year old, bright little colored girl, niece of Mrs. Geo. Ford, who departed this life the 25th, was greatly beloved by her people and esteemed by all who knew her. She was a child of unusual promise, being talented in music and she had the advantage of the best teachers, Prof. Henton having been her instructor lately. Linnie had been afflicted with lung trouble for four years and bore her sufferings with patience at all times. Early in life she professed religion and four years ago joined the Pine Street Church and was a constant little Christian. For five years, Linnie had been organist of the Sunday School and she will be greatly missed by the church and school. Funeral services held Tuesday afternoon at the M. E. Church by Rev. Grant and the choir rendered several excellent hymns. Six boys and six girls, schoolmates, were pall bearers and the remains were laid to rest in Oak Hill Cemetery. The Church presented beautiful floral offerings. Among the flowers were some sent by kind white friends, the donors being Mrs. A. L. McBride, Mrs.
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Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: African Americans • Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Religion & Religious Structures • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is April 28, 1898.
Location. 38° 15.732′ N, 94° 18.906′ W. Marker is in Butler, Missouri, in Bates County. It can be reached from East Mill Street (Missouri Route H). Marker is located at Oak Hill Cemetery. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 715 East Mill Street, Butler MO 64730, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Southwest Missouri. It is also in the American 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.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Arnold Post No. 46 Veterans Memorial (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Arnold Post No. 46 World War Memorial
Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 20, 2026
2. Linnie Crouch Marker
Marker is next to Crouch's grave
Regarding Linnie Crouch. According to a Facebook post, this marker was made by local resident Del McDaniel.
Also see . . . Ripley's Smallest Tombstone. From Roadside America, this was designated the "World's Smallest Tombstone" by Ripley's Believe It Or Not in 1966. (Submitted on September 26, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.)
Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 20, 2026
3. Linnie Crouch Marker
In 1966, a representative of Ripley's Believe It Or Not and designated this as the "World's Smallest Tombstone." It is designed to be shaped like a book
Credits. This page was last revised on September 26, 2026. It was originally submitted on September 26, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. This page has been viewed 6 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on September 26, 2026, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois.
