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— Early Days in Springfield —


Dallas Bartley was born in 1916 in the town of Cave Springs, Missouri, located near Springfield. Few images survive from Bartley's early life.

In 1935, Bartley graduated from Lincoln School, Springfield's only school for African-Americans. During his senior year, he and some classmates formed a group called the Lincolnites. Bartley, not yet able to buy a bass, played the ukulele. The pianist's mother made their uniforms. The Lincolnites toured clubs in the Springfield area, including the Riverside Inn.

LincolnitesAt right are the Lincolnites in their senior year of high school. Shown are (left to right): Jack Redd, William Troutt, Dallas Bartley (in front), Herbert Mitchell, Bill Massey, John T. "Bebop" Brown, David Bedell.

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This online exhibit is from the
Special Collections and Archives Department,
Missouri State University
Springfield, Missouri.
Visit the department's website.

No part of this site may be reproduced
without written permission from the Archives.

This exhibit was last updated on May 18, 2006 .