STRICTLY BUSINESS; LUCILLE, OCTAVIA OR JUST PLAIN DALE

Recognize the name Lucille Wood Smith?

How about Frances Octavia Smith?

OK, so you knew her as Dale Evans.

But as a youngster attending school in Osceola, Ark., she was a Smith -- Lucille or Octavia.

Though she is best remembered as America's favorite cowgirl, Dale Evans spent her high school years in a small Arkansas town near the Mississippi River.

Osceola, a town of about 10,000, is just a few miles east of Interstate 55, southeast of Blytheville.

It was in Memphis, Tenn., that Smith made her singing debut, which eventually led her to the movies, and marriage to singing cowboy Roy Rogers.

A native Texan, she was born Lucille Wood Smith. Somewhere in her young life, the name was changed to Francis Octavia Smith. The Smith had relatives in Osceola, Ark., and moved there, where she attended high school. She was intent on a singing career and moved to Memphis, where she worked at an insurance company while taking occasional radio singing jobs. It wasn't until the early 1940s, when she moved to Chicago, that she changed her name to Dale Evans. It was also about this time she signed with 20th Century Fox and made a few film appearances, including a leading lady role to Roy Rogers.

In 1946, Rogers' wife died and Evans' marriage ended about the same time. A year later, they were married. Evans and Rogers starred on their own television programs during the 1950s and 1960s. She also wrote their famous theme song, "Happy Trails."

Evans quickly became known as "Queen of the West" to Rogers, who was "King of the Cowboys." They appeared in 35 movies, and recorded more than 400 songs together.

Roy Rogers died in July 1998, at age 86. Dale Evans died last week, at age 88.

Both will be remembered.

"You hear the name, Dale Evans, frequently at Osceola," says Nola Fincher, a volunteer with the United Way at Osceola. "People here will mention Dale Evans with a source of pride."

Evans and Roy, who were married more than 50 years, are familiar figures in the history of cowboys in the movies. The Roy Rogers-Dale Evans Museum is in Victorville, Calif.

Rogers and his family were noted as humanitarians, in part through the Happy Trails Children's Foundation. Rogers and Evans helped raise money and awareness for abused children through the foundation's projects.

"They devoted their lives to children," said a member of the foundation.

The Rogers are also subjects of the antique and collectible crowd.

A signed Dale Evans and Roy Rogers program for appearances, can command a price of $50 to $125. And, one Dale Evans comic book, a 1948, No. 1 "Queen of the West" can fetch from $100 to more than $250.

No less than 11 pages of Dale Evans collectibles can be found on the Internet's www.Ebay.com auction site, ranging from dolls to comics, to autographs. More than 15 pages of Roy Rogers memorabilia can be found on the same site.

Buchheit looking forward to another 67 years

Buchheit's is looking forward to another 67 years of business.

"The past year has been a challenging one," says Tim Buchheit, president and CEO of the company, which was founded 67 years ago at Biehle, Mo. "With some changes made -- new store at Jackson and unplanned closing of the Biehle location -- we feel we're in good position for 2001 and the future."

Buchheit expressed his feelings about the company to the Southeast Missourian more than three weeks ago, when rumors started spreading that Buchheit was "up for sale." On the first anniversary of the opening of the Jackson, Mo., store (February 21) Buchheit issued a letter concerning the company's future.

"We want to thank everyone who has shopped the Jackson location during its first year in operation," said Tim Buchheit in his letter. "We look forward to another 67 years of business, serving the cities we are currently located in and any future cities that we may expand to."

Buchheit facilities are located in Perryville, Mo., Herculaneum, Mo., and Jackson, and at Sparta and Jacksonville in Illinois. Corporate headquarters is still in Biehle, Mo.

The Jackson store is open seven days a week, from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sunday.

Buchheit's was founded in 1934 by Ruddy Buchheit as a farm and general merchandise store at Biehle. Buchheit's now sells more than 65,000 items, including lawn and garden supplies, yard shelters, swings, goldfish ponds and tack. The general merchandise division includes everything from automotive supplies to hardware, clothing and toys.