Chariton's culinary attraction: Fried mush

The menus of Lucas County eateries are fairly broad-based these days, ranging from tenderloins through steak to Mexican and Asian fare. And, of course, candy from Piper's as dessert.

Piper's candy was available back in 1919, too, served up then as now on the northeast corner of the square. But one item, once celebrated, is missing now.

This delicacy earned front-page coverage in both The Leader and The Herald-Patriot during the first week of January of 1919 when a brief article from the Mid-West Hotel Reporter was republished in part as follows in both:

"The Mid-West Hotel Reporter, in a recent issue, contained the following mention of the Bates Hotel of this place: The Bates House at Chariton, E. R. Welker, proprietor, has an excellent reputation, judging from the complimentary references to it by the traveling men who work that territory. The basis of this popularity is the splendid meals that are served.

"One enthusiastic traveling salesman tells us that he shapes his dates so as to land there as often as possible so that he may feast upon the fried mush served there. He says there is nothing like it in all his travels."

That's the Bates House above, located a half block west of the northwest corner of the square from 1874 until 1959. Midwest Heritage Bank now occupies the site. If you're interested in the history of the hotel, follow this link.