Looking Backward 8.9.2012
25 Years Ago
August 6, 1987
Some area farmers are experiencing fish kills in their farm ponds, Conservation Agent Bob Cook reported Wednesday. Cook said this is due, primarily, to a loss of oxygen in the ponds.
The Ava High School class of 1947 recently purchased two books to be added to the genealogy section at the Douglas County Public Library. Class members Theta Porter and Lorene Heinlein presented the books to librarian Anita Dodd on Tuesday. The books, Tennessee Genealogical Records and Virginia Settlers in Missouri, were purchased with funds left over after the class held a reunion last spring.
As temperatures exceeded the 100-degree mark during the past week, hundreds of area folk found relief in the Ava Municipal Pool. On Tuesday, temperatures returned to the lower 90s, but so far no showers have been received in this area.
John Deakins, a teacher at Ava High School, has achieved a long awaited goal this summer. He will have poetry published in at least five anthologies.
Tom Kellogg and sons, Chris and Todd of Old Greenwich, Conn., were in Ava Thursday to Sunday of last week to visit his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Charles Kellogg.
Marine Cpl. Jeffery D. Spurlin, son of James H. and Joann Spurlin of Ava, has re-enlisted for six years while serving with 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Henley will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary Sunday, Aug. 16.
SQUIRES –– There is a lot to be said for a small church. You really have a feeling of being a family.
GENTRY –– Our temperature has been around the 100-degree mark the past several days and still no rain.
50 Years Ago
August 2, 1962
Described by many persons as the nicest roadside park in the state of Missouri, the Ava roadside park was opened this spring on the west side of Highway 5, six miles north of Ava near Bryant Creek.
The Dogwood fire lookout tower west of Ava, erected in January by the Missouri Conservation Commission to spot forest fires, is proving to be of interest to sightseeing groups. A registration book at the tower had 122 entries during the month of July, indicating visits by some 200 persons.
Mrs. Howard Daugherty (Juanita Dobbs) became the owner of the Beauty Nook in Ava this week when she purchased the business from Mrs. Lela Nash. The Beauty Nook is located on Jefferson Street just off the southeast corner of Ava’s public square.
An all day singing will be conducted Sunday, Aug. 5, at the headquarters of Zions Order of the Sons of Levi, located north of Ava on Route K.
A new business firm, Ava Dry Goods, will be opened tomorrow in the Meeker Building on the northeast corner of the square by Russell Schweke, of Route 3, Springfield. The new firm will carry a line of clothing and piece goods and will have a “self-service” shoe department.
Mr. and Mrs. Bernie Goodnight were honored with a twist party July 17, given by Mr. and Mrs. Carl Curry at their home. Those present were Sharon Goodnight, Marion Gay, Carlene Curry, Gary Curry, Mr. and Mrs. Robert Watkins and children, Mike, Terry and Donna.
J.W. Jones, president and board chairman of Modern Security Life Insurance Company, has just announced the promotion of Ted Sallee of Ava to the position of district manager in Arkansas.
A group of friends and neighbors gathered at the farmhouse of Mr. and Mrs. Ezra Henson and helped Mr. Henson celebrate his 50th birthday anniversary.
Four ladies who were members of the Ava High School graduating class of 1914 met in Ava Sunday July 22, at the home of Mrs. Vestil Taylor, Gordon Avenue, for a short period of visiting. The four ladies, Mrs. J. F. Chamberlain (Vivian Grasham), Mrs. V.A. Dobyns, Mrs. Lena McClendon, Miss Hester Miller, and the hostess, were joined by Miss Ola Sell in the afternoon.
Billy D. Mahan, machinist’s mate third class, USN, son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Mahan of Pontiac, is serving aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Valley Forge, operating as a unit of our Seventh Fleet in the Western Pacific area.
WASOLA –– Mr. and Mrs. Lee Leschinsky and boys attended the Wallace reunion at Lebanon Sunday.
ROMANCE –– Four neighbor-hood families meet quite often for a picnic supper and a friendly visit. They are Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Loftis, James and Janie; Mr. and Mrs. Nuel Thomas, Darrell, Anita and Treva; Mr. and Mrs. George Brown and Mrs. Neva Heriford and Rebecca.
75 Years Ago
August 5, 1937
County Collector Harry Martin received his new tax books for 1937 Monday and Mrs. Arizona Dobbs of Drury received the first tax receipt. As the taxes now payable are the first to include a levy on the courthouse bond fund, Mrs. Dobbs is the first person to pay taxes on the new Douglas County Courthouse.
The first season of league play in the Ava Softball Association Tuesday evening ended with the Courthouse and herald building teams stepping out in front with victories and a game between the Lumber-Granites and Merchants being called because of darkness.
T.W. Jones and his son, Clyde, Monday took over the Roy Hunt grocery, located on the south side of the square, which was recently purchased by them. The new firm will be known as Jones and Son.
Herman Coble of Vanzant attended county court in Ava Monday and made application to the court for bounty for a wolf he killed April 6 at his father’s farm. Coble said he shot the wolf with a load of number four shot from a sixteen-gauge shotgun after dogs brought the animal to bay. Herman had to be careful in shooting not to hit the dogs, which were closing in on the wolf. His first shot missed but at the second shot the wolf crumpled. He measured sixty-three inches long and weighed thirty-six pounds.
During the past several months the Quaker Oats Company has given away through the Herald, more than 500 Aunt Jemima and Uncle Mose dolls. These are given free in exchange for Quaker Oats trademarks cut from the oats boxes. We have a very limited number of these dolls, and a few Dick Daring Trick books left in the office. But remember, there are only a few left!
Baked snake is eaten by the Japanese, and it is feared there may be a shortage of reptiles as they are being consumed at the rate of one thousand a day. They are very welcome to entire supply – we’d even give them to the Chinese.
BLACK OAK –– Mrs. Ira Davis was a luncheon guest of Mrs. Ray Dilsaver Saturday.
Give it to the whole family! Perrigo’s Worm Syrup. It does the work!
For Sale – used cars – ’29 Buick coupe, ’28 Erskine Sedan, ’28 Chevrolet coach, ’27 Chevrolet sedan, ’28 Pontiac coupe. All ready to go and priced to move. Red Crown Tire & Salvage Co., old depot bldg., Ava.
Mr. and Mrs. J.C. Garrison entertained at dinner Tuesday noon. Covers were laid for Mr. and Mrs. C.V. Clinkingbeard and two sons and Mr. and Mrs. R.B. Stanton and two daughters and the host and hostess.
MT. TABOR –– School will start next Monday, August 9.
Mrs. R. B. Stanton entertained a number of children Wednesday afternoon honoring her older daughter, Betty Lou, who was celebrating her eighth birthday anniversary. Those who enjoyed the party were Iris Ann Lachmund, Mary Ann Exline, Bonny Jean Evans, Catherine Reynolds, Louanna Mae Grabeel, Lyle Clinkingbeard, John Francis Atteberry, Leonard Shipman, Bobby Crain and Bobby Lee Castle.
100 Years Ago
August 8, 1912
The primary election passed off very quiet in this and adjoining townships. We can remember when whiskey and fights went with elections, but they are a thing of the past. There was not disturbance of any kind at this place.
The Roosevelt Party National Convention is being held at Chicago this week. Colonel Roosevelt is present and delivered his speech, “My confession of Faith”. Gov. Hiram Johnson, of California, is slated for vice-president.
There is no reason why the voters of the City of Ava should not be given an opportunity to vote on the electric light proposition, proposed for our town.
The coolest weather for the first days of August known in this section of the country was recorded here last Saturday, and Saturday night. A fire felt good on our north sides, and we were comfortable under two blankets while sleeping.
The cold weather had no serious effect on the ripening of peaches in northern Arkansas and southwest Missouri, reports to the Frisco office here yesterday indicated. These reports showed a daily shipment of fifty cars of Albertas and a total of 460 cars handled to date.
ANN NEWS –– School will open at the Holt schoolhouse next Mon. morning with Barney Gott as teacher. This is Barney’s third term and we hope him success.
COLDSPRINGS ITEMS – Effie McCall and Dessa Lord took dinner with the Bangus family last Sunday.
The ice cream social in the courthouse yard last Thursday night was a successful occasion, both in a social and financial way. The proceeds amounted to $32.00, which goes toward paying for the cement work at the M.E. Church.
Not withstanding the cool weather very unfavorable to swimming – the Davis Natatorium was well filled last Sunday afternoon and the lookers-on were many. During the rest of the season there will be plenty of swimming water in the pool, and as “cleanliness is next to Godliness,” it is probable that bathing will be almost a daily occurrence, as long as warm weather will permit.
A Cedar Gap correspondent says: After a lingering illness of eight months, supposed to have been caused from gas administered for the purpose of extracting some teeth, Mrs. Dr. Beer coughed up a large tooth Sunday morning from the left center side of the right lung. This afforded instant relief.
There’s no use to try to get good roads until we are willing to pay for them. We cannot expect to get something for nothing.
Vaudeville at the Opera House, Saturday, Aug. 4th. Carl and Dora Carter will two acts. The Silly Season, a comedy novelty and “Katie Lauder” with Dora Carter as The Dancing Dutch Girl. Three reels of pictures. Admission 10 and 15 cts.
125 Years Ago
July 29, 1887
The State Department of Agriculture reports the corn area to be about the same as last year in the northern part of the state, and slightly larger in the central and southern. The condition of corn in central Illinois is not so good as the first of June, but with favorable conditions the yield per acre will be almost an average. The drought has retarded the growth of the plant, but the stand is good and the field unusually free from weeds.
For governor in 1888, give us Farmer Wade of Greene County. Col. Wade is the man to win with. The Springfield Democrat politely recommends the name of R.W. Fyan as a candidate for governor. Fyan would poll a larger vote in South Missouri than any other man the Democratic party could bring out. Judge Fyan is spoken of as a possible candidate for Congress from the 13th. But it will never become a reality, as Fyan under no consideration would accept the nomination.
J.A. Graham’s store in Ozark was entered by burglars last night and the contents of the cash drawer, amounting to about $15, taken. A safe in the store containing a larger amount of money and several hundred dollars’ worth of notes was also opened, the outside door having no combination lock. The money was in an iron drawer and this the burglars tried to open with a chisel breaking the bit in the attempt. Baffled in the effort to get the money in the safe, the amateur burglars abandoned the work and left the store without taking any of the goods so far as Mr. Graham has been able to ascertain. About 1 o’clock last night, Dr. J.H. Tulbright while passing from his residence to his drug store saw a man standing in front of Graham’s grocery and heard a pecking noise in that direction. No arrests have been made yet.
CHICAGO –– The carpenters have decided to make a stand for the restoration of a working day of eight hours. As the best means of carrying out the project it was decided to hold a series of mass meetings, at which the question should be discussed by all.
Seven horses afflicted with glanders have been killed at Clinton, Ill.
The Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe railroad is making efforts to secure right of way into Chicago.
Cholera is increasing in Sicily. There have already been 200 cases at Catania of which 140 proved fatal.
The condition of oats has not improved since June 1, and the prospects are not encouraging for much over three-fourths of an average yield per acre.
Queen Victory appeared to be quite feeble and much depressed in spirits while at Lord Salisbury’s garden party at Hatfield Wednesday.
