50 years ago

Aug. 14, 1974

— FACTORY OUTLET SHOES HERE CHANGES HANDS

Ownership of Factory Outlet Shoes in Cassville changed hands Tuesday morning as Mr. and Mrs. Don Dollar of Monett announced a sale to Mr. and Mrs. Craig Carney and Mr. and Mrs. Rollie Terry. The business, located on the public square, will be operated by Mrs. Fredalene Terry and Mrs. Rose Carney. Dollar said pressing business elsewhere in Missouri and Kansas necessitated sale of the business. He said he was extremely grateful for the reception the entire community had made to his store here over the past years. Mrs. Carney has been managing the store for the Dollars for the past 18 months. Both the families will be active in running the business. Both men will continue at their present occupations. Factory Outlet is located on the east side of the square in the Masonic Building. The new owners said there would be no change in lines carried and existing store policies would remain in effect.

— GARRETTS WATCHED PRESIDENT TRANSITION

(Editor’s Note: The following is an account of the presidential transition in Washington, D. C. last week as witnessed by the Glen Garrett family of Purdy. Mr. and Mrs. Garrett and family and guests were in the nation’s capital on vacation during the resignation and change-over.)

We were in Washington, D. C. today (August 8) and watched history being made. Richard M. Nixon resigned as 37th President of the U. S. This resignation did not come as a surprise but rather as an inevitable climax to a mushrooming series of events that began with words such as “Watergate” and “plumbers.” All day yesterday Washington, D. C. seemed to be filled with anticipation as the people, both native and tourist, waited for some communication from the White House. As we visited the Capital, most offices had radios or television sets turned on and all work would come to an abrupt halt when a news bulletin was released. Newspapers were bought by the many tourists and tour guides were given the opportunity to give their predictions of what was going to happen, (as tourists asked questions) as well as to describe the many places of interest. Everyone seemed to become an authority on what President Nixon should do. We were no exception — we discussed the probable course of events with Rep. Gene Taylor who felt resignation was imminent. As he handed us tickets for the White House tour he quipped “I’m really not sure who your host will be by tomorrow.” But then he became solemn as he discussed with us the many repercussions that the whole Watergate scandal has caused. No citizen has been untouched by the months of accusations and denials of wrong doing in our government. As we toured the White House this morning we were filled with a deep feeling of sympathy for this family. They were surely struggling with a decision that would remove Mr. Nixon from an office that had brought them much admiration from the public, and a great sense of satisfaction for themselves, as many world problems had been solved through Pres. Nixon’s leadership – the POW’s release, betterment of relations with Russia, Red China and the Near East. This was the last morning of tours of the White House with Nixon as President and even though all of his past acts cannot be condoned, it is not pleasant to see any family immersed in difficulties. Later we visited the galleries of the Senate and House of Representatives and heard a Senator enter a resolution, (to be voted on later in the day,) that proposed if Nixon resigned, no criminal proceedings should be brought against him. Our last tour guide of the day advised that an announcement would be made at 9 p.m. on television from the White House. We watched with the rest of the nation as President Nixon resigned his office. As we leave Washington tomorrow, a new President – Mr. Ford – will take office. From our study of history and in looking at the many historical events recorded here in Washington, D. C., one would have to conclude that the United States has weathered many political storms and pray to God that the outcome of this most recent chaos will be a strong nation working together rather than a nation pulled apart by the confusion of the past months.

40 years ago

Aug. 15, 1984

— BUTTERFIELD MARINE HAS FINISHED BASIC

Marine Pvt. Ronald A. Clark, son of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Clark of Butterfield, has completed recruit training at the Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. During the 11-week training cycle, he learned the basics of battlefield survival. He was introduced to the typical daily routine that he will experience during his enlistment and studied the personal and professional standards traditionally exhibited by Marines. He participated in an active physical conditioning program and gained proficiency in a variety of military skills, including first aid, rifle marksmanship and close order drill. Teamwork and self-discipline were emphasized throughout the training cycle.

— PROJECTS AND WELL STATUS IN CITY REPORTS

A major project for Cassville and review of problems connected with one city well were reviewed by the board of aldermen in session Tuesday night. Well number four has been out of service about one week. Tim Miller, water superintendent, told the council the process of pulling pipe in the well reached the 300 foot level Tuesday and would probably be completed to the full depth of over 500 feet by noon Wednesday. “At this time we will learn the problem, because the pump has apparently been damaged,” he said. Work is being accomplished by Layne-Western Co. of Kansas City. The six year old well has been a source of problems twice before. One incident included pulling and replacing casing. George Ulmer, consulting engineer, reported the city had received initial permission from Housing and Urban Development UDAG to proceed with a paving project on Sales Barn Road to Highway 37. Ulmer said the $73,000 project would be completed under existing city paving contracts with Hutchens Construction. The UDAG funds which will pave the industrial route with hot-mix applications 22 feet wide, were negotiated by Mayor Bill LeCompte in connection with the Alvey Inc. industrial project. Included were $88,000 in funds for a new bridge over Flat Creek. Ulmer also advised council air and pressure water problems at Wells Aluminum, Alvey and FASCO Industries, would be determined when well work was completed. The engineer also recommended solutions for a driveway at Red Rose Inn, new 90-bed nursing care facility here. The city has objected to the drive attachment to Old Exeter Road. Objections came when the project was completed, not during construction. Recommendations will be forwarded to Griffin Construction Co. of Fort Smith, Arkansas.

30 years ago

August 3, 1994

— FIRST BAPTIST PLANS NEW AUDITORIUM

The 986-member First Baptist Church of Cassville will employ a Springfield architectural firm to present at least two ways the congregation might achieve a new auditorium. Hood-Rich Architects will draw plans to increase the size of the present auditorium and a separate plan for adding a new sanctuary. Church officials will use the plans to conduct a feasibility study for the future. First Baptist, at Seventh and West Streets, two years ago completed an extensive building and remodeling program that provided a new educational wing, classrooms and fellowship hall-recreation area. Project cost was listed at $610,000. Pastored by John Duncan, the congregation includes 637 resident and 349 non-resident members. Planning committee efforts are headed by Craig Coberley, chair-man, Kenney House, Jerry Andrews, Carl Sanders, Gene Schlichtman, Don Bowen, Kevin Black, Louise Cannady, Jill Crawford, Sammy Flores, and James Weaver.

— COURT INTERPLEADING TO PLACE JENKINS $$$

Legal action brought by county treasurer Ben Loudermilk seeks a decision on disbursement of former Jenkins school district funds. Loudermilk acknowledged this week he had filed a petition for interpleader in Barry County circuit court to make a decision on funds in excess of $100,000. Prosecuting attorney John Lewright filed the case for the county official who seeks a legal determination of how two funds should be disbursed. The treasurer is holding funds just over $17,000 as those which remained after the district folded just after Thanksgiving last year. Additionally, he is holding $91,000-Plus in district taxes collected last year. The $17,000 is from a checking account which was supposed to clear regular monthly bills which were outstanding. Loudermilk said he is not certain all suppliers have been paid by the former district. Both the funds are on interest bearing accounts. Loudermilk has been pressed by area school officials and a financial institution concerning the funds. In his action he lists Missouri Department of Elementary and Secondary Education; Cassville R-4 school district, Aurora R-8 school district, Purdy R-2 school district and Commerce Bank of Kansas City as defendants. When the state divided the closed district, Cassville got about 81 percent of the district, Aurora 17 percent and Purdy .01 plus. Division ratios, set by Missouri education officials, included the district’s territory and apparently assets of the funds. Complications of the issue resulted in early July communications from Commerce Bank in Kansas City, acting as trustee for holders of certificates of participation issued when the Jenkins district was involved in a $140,000 gymnasium building project. The project was not handled in a bond issue, the board of education acted as their own contractor, audits revealed embezzlement of funds and other complications apparently led to the board of education acting to close the district. The building issue apparently has a $100,000 figure of indebtedness not paid. The debt is with Missouri School Boards Association lease participation program.

—GOLFERS PLACED AT JOPLIN’S TWIN HILLS

Three golfers playing out of Cassville Golf Club, placed in Joplin’s Twin Hills Invitational over the past weekend. Kevin Roller, a past champion, was fourth in championship flight with a 219. Fourth in the presidents’ flight went to Steve Chasteen at 228 and Fred Wood was seventh in first flight with 241. Others from here or joining a local contingent in the competition were: John Urban, Dennis Swofford, Tom Moore, Scott Spencer and Ed Spencer. Also formerly of this area were Dean Orem and Lanny Hopkins.