Looking Backward 3.1.2012
25 Years Ago
February 26, 1987
Fellow employees in the Douglas County Courthouse hosted a surprise dinner for Willard and Mildred Pueppke on Thursday, Feb. 19. Willard is retiring after a combined 30 years of faithful service to the community. He was elected circuit clerk and recorder of deeds in 1956 and held that position until 1962 when he was elected county collector. Mildred has served as deputy to the county clerk for the past 15 years.
Officers of the 1986-87 Ava High School Chapter of Future Farmers of America are Jeanie Shrable, president; Mary Jo Levelle, vice president; Lynn Lambert, secretary; Charlie Sievert, treasurer; Mickey Swofford, chaplain; John Roberson, parliamentarian; David Mackey, reporter; and David Overcast, sentinel.
Rick and Debbie (Coonce) Ritter, Rte. 1, Ava, announce the birth of a daughter, Alisha Ann on Feb. 22. She weighed 6 lbs., 12 oz. and was 20 inches long.
The law firm of Wiley, Rein & Feilding, Washington, D.C. announces that Robert L. Pettit has become a member of the firm.
Nora Turner celebrated her 86th birthday on Friday, Feb. 10.
Chester D. Riley, Drury, retired from the Missouri State Highway Department on Dec. 19. Mr. Riley had been employed by the State Highway Department for 40 years.
ROY –– A birthday supper was prepared Saturday night by Jeff Hymbyrd for his grandmother, Fay Humbyrd.
The Ava Art Group met in the home of Elda Callaway for the February meeting. The following members were present: Hazel Anderson, Una Ellison, Mary Alice Emerson, Freda Gray, Geraldine Hailey, Helen Hutchison, Lilly Linder, Charlene Kester, Gladys Norman, Wilma Sparkman, Marge Norman, and Elda Callaway.
50 Years Ago
February 22, 1962
Construction of a 13-classroom high school building and gymnasium on the Ava R-1 school grounds is expected to start within the next three months. After Tuesday’s victory for a bond issue of $350,000 by over a 2-to-1 popular margin, the R-1 school board is expected to lose no time in alleviating the crowded classroom conditions of the school system which have prevailed since reorganization in 1956.
Marvin Barnes, a young Ava businessman who learned the sport of bowling only one and a half years ago, was crowned as the singles champion of Springfield in the men’s handicap tournament which was completed at the Cherokee Lanes last Sunday.
When zero second was reached on the countdown, when flames gushed from the missile and Co. John Glenn was on his way to the historical tri-orbit of the earth, one felt breath-taking suspense and elation as the giant masterpiece of scientific ingenuity rose slowly into the air. The immediate concern, as eyes were glued to the TV screen, was that the nose would slowly turn over and plunge into the earth, and one could not refrain from offering a silent prayer. But the blastoff was successful, the manned flight was successful and almost five hours after the 8:46 a.m. takeoff, the spaceman was safely returned.
Mr. and Mrs. Billy Joe Evans of Ava announce the birth of a son at 6:37 Wednesday morning, Feb. 21, at the St. John’s Hospital in Springfield. The baby weighed 8 pounds and 15 ounces at the time of his birth. He has one sister, Pamela Jo, who is 4 years old.
Mrs. Ralph Glendenning was hostess to members of the Thursday Afternoon Bridge Club, last week, when she entertained with a meeting at her home on Maple Street.
MT. TABOR –– Brenda Gail Turner has the measles. She is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Turner.
SWEDEN –– Mr. and Mrs. Ed Dooms are building a new house in Ava on the water tower hill.
GENTRY –– We were saddened by the news that our nephew, little Randy Duckworth had been hospitalized by rheumatic fever. He is now being cared for in his home at Seymour.
Mr. and Mrs. Harold Goodnight (Twila Spangler) who were wed Dec. 30, last year, have been honored at three wedding showers.
Deadline is March 1 for purchase of City Auto Licenses and City Dog Tags. Penalty of $1.00 for purchase of auto stickers after March 1. Stickers must be displayed on vehicle or owner is subject to arrest.
If you’re planning a new home — or remodeling – it’s smart to have it pre-wired for telephone service. Saves you money – and remember, no home is really up-to-date unless its phones are within easy reach.
75 Years Ago
February 25, 1937
A tornado struck the eastern part of Douglas County, inflicting some property damage, Saturday evening about 6:30 o’clock, about the same time a twister hit Christian, Greene and Webster counties, doing more extensive damage. Five houses and five barns were hit and several head of stock were killed by the tornado in the east end. Several persons received minor injuries but no one was seriously hurt.
Dr. Ranney, a member of the national welfare board, was in Ava Monday morning and addressed Ava school students on the subject of prisons and crime. He displayed an electric chair which had been in actual use in a prison in New York. Other devices used in punishing prisoners also were exhibited. Dr. Ranney was for seven years a prison warden, and has conducted an investigation of prisons over the United States.
An authentic case in which quadruplets were born was reported in Stone County this week. The four babies were born about noon Tuesday and Wednesday morning it appeared that all would live. The quads are little lambs born on the farm of D.L. Pearch near Hurley. On discovering the event, Mr. Pearce took the two weakest away from their mother and removed them to the house for special care. By helping the mother with her family it is believed that all could be reared to normal adult lives in sheepdom.
DOGWOOD –– We had a terrific rain Saturday evening accompanied by small hail and heavy wind. No damage was done in this neighborhood.
Stanley Brooks Stores, specials where you can save. Bananas, golden ripe, 5 lbs., 25¢; lettuce, large crisp heads, 7¢; oranges, dozen, 20¢; apples, 5 lbs., 25¢; sugar jellies or gum drops, lb., 9¢; chocolate drops, with cream centers, lb., 9¢. Quality merchandise, honest weights, everything guaranteed.
MERRITT –– The little daughter who arrived in the home of Mr. and Mrs. Alva Brake has been named Jo Anne.
WOOD –– Jim White has moved his family into the Sis Bittick house, and he will farm for E.B. Hafner this year.
Misunderstanding and the failure of someone to do his duty are the cause of a great many of our troubles.
EAST DOGWOOD –– There is something wrong with a system that denies one man and his family bread, and gives it to another often less deserving, and throws in a pound or two of butter to go with it. Why not divide the portion so that each may have some?
WHITE OAK GROVE –– The tornado Saturday evening did much damage in this community. At the Tom Hicks home all buildings except the home were blown down. Mr. Hicks lost about two tons of hay, other feed, a purebred bull and all orchard and shade trees. About twenty neighbors gathered at the Tom Hicks home on Monday for an old-fashioned barn raising. Parts of the metal roof of the Hicks barn were found nearly a mile from home. The feather bed on which Mrs. Berry was sleeping was found a considerable distance from the house, lodged in the top of a tree.
100 Years Ago
February 29, 1912
The H.E. Bash Tie Co. is doing a big business the past few weeks, in the way of shipping and buying ties. They shipped out 22 cars of ties. The Chicago & North Western Ry., have just contracted for 100 cars, and they will be shipped out at the rate of 4 or 5 cars per day, or as fast as they can be loaded. This company alone has paid out $50,000.00 for ties and timbers since they commenced business about 18 months ago. This is one of the industries the railroad has brought to this country, and the people are getting the benefit.
Wesley Canifax, who has been away for the past few years attending law school, has returned home, and is visiting home folks down in Ozark County this week. We understand he will put out his shingle, and take up the practice of law in Douglas County. “There is always a room at the top”. Wesley is all right. We also observe that he has with him a very intelligent little woman who he introduces as his wife. The Herald wishes him God’s speed and the richest blessings.
A.P. Miller and E.E. Simmons have just completed their second story building, on the south side of the square where the central office is located. This makes a very nice roomy place for that office, and very convenient for the operators.
Laura Drew, 19, of Sterling, Ill., has brought suit against Fred Knox for assault and battery. She alleges Knox broke two of her ribs when he hugged her after asking her to marry him. We know nothing of the physical statue of the man, but we predict that it would take something out of the ordinary to smash a rib in one of our Ozark mountain girls.
Two or three columns of the Herald will be reserved each week for the discussion of important school questions, provided enough interesting material is furnished to fill that much space. Teachers and patrons are required to write on important school topics and send them to the Herald not later than Monday of each week. You are required to write on one side of your paper only and to punctuate correctly, so that your copy can go to the typesetter without having to be “worked over” by the editor.
New Millinery Store. We will open a full line of Millinery Goods in the Mercer Building. Everything new and up-to-date. Gold Medal Hats. Reichard & Hesterly.
Pros. Atty. Stewart has been out in Kansas the past week assisting in the Farris trial, which has been going on at Stockton, in Rooks County. A telegram from Mr. Stewart yesterday states that Farris had been acquitted.
