Nov. 13, 1974

— COUNTY BUSINESS LAST YEAR NEAR $35 MILLION Business growth in Barry County over the past three years is reflected in the amount of sales tax collected by the Missouri Department of Revenue. The three percent tax on sales during 1973 amounted to $1,100,038, according to Patrick W. Lee, research assistant with the department in Jefferson City. Lee’s figures represent total sales of just over $35 million for the entire year. The sales figures include those collections paid by all businesses using a Barry County location as their 1 headquarters or main place of business. Indicating the growth factor in business during the past three years, Lee, responding to an inquiry from the Democrat, said 1971 figures of collections amounted to $783,003. A jump was recorded in 1972 to $913,005 provided for the state program through sales generated in this county. Retail sales through businesses in the county are all required to collect the three cent tax, which is used for general revenue in Missouri. Assorted professional services are exempt from the collection of the tax.

— CONCRETE COMPANY DOING BUSINESS Kay Concrete of Cassville has begun installation of new equipment for mixing readymix products at their 14th Street location. The company received a permit from Zoning and Planning Commission to expand to adjoining property several weeks ago. The new location has been greatly improved and will afford better traffic around the area.

—INTEREST ACCOUNTS EARN $6,898.40 FOR COUNTY During the past six months Barry County funds deposited in all eight banks in the county earned $6,898.40 interest, according to a fiscal report filed by Treasurer Vedes Davis. The funds earn five and one-half percent interest. Davis said the funds divided among the county’s banks on a percentage basis, ranged from $70,000 to $150,000. He said the fluctuation of funds means general revenue doesn’t remain and other deposits of accounts go up and down. Earnings in the accounts have been distributed as follows: general revenue $1,432.19, over-plus (tax land sold) $442.64, health unit $1,916.74, revenue sharing $3,106.83. The county treasurer said the county does not at this time have funds on interest bearing accounts. This time of the year means bill paying time and revenue sharing will be needed for new jail payments before a six months period is completed. Current deposits of funds in county accounts, as estimates, included the following: general revenue $14, 460, revenue sharing $65,084. 15, health unit $32,024.45 and road districts $25,090.57. Davis said the big tax collection months, this and next, would strengthen the general revenue account for the county. October tax collections received from Collector Warren Drake this week and credited to various accounts included: Schools $193,786.01, state $1,533.34, county general revenue $25,420.78, roads $30,071.26, South Barry County Hospital $4,428.37, Barry-Lawrence County Library $10,165.59, health $2,561.02 and South Barry County Ambulance District $4,059.49. The county treasurer said library and hospital funds are transferred immediately upon receipt to the respective agencies. His office does not compile warrants on these divisions of county government. Banks participating in the fund deposit are on the following basis: First National and Barry County 22% each; Gillioz Bank and Trust and First National, Monett, 12% each; and First State of Purdy, Bank of Exeter, Bank of Wheaton and Bank of Seligman, eight percent each. The October tax collection represents about onesixth of the total amount that will go through Drake’s office between now and the first of the year. Mrs. Misha House, deputy, said this week a total of $1,861,476.06 is charged as taxes due this year. Collector officials say the total amount will be minus those which become delinquent after December 31. By this standard, each division of the county which survives on tax funds, has received only about 17% of their total should a complete payment be made this year.

Nov. 14, 1984

— WATER TOWER, LINES, METERS PENDING PROBLEMS FOR CITY Three agenda items before Cassville city council Tuesday night involved points concerning the water system. Included were notices from the State of Missouri of a pending need for additional storage tower, extension of lines to provide more adequate fire protection and individual meters to several locations. Regarding the water tower, Mayor Bill LeCompte told council he had received an advisory from the Missouri Department of Natural Resources that the state agency con-red present towers with 300.000 storage capacity inadequate for Cassville needs. Under DNA guidelines, a full day storage is required for a municipal government. Cassville’s average daily use, not accounting for fire protection, is about one-half million gallons. Mayor LeCompte told council this means Cassville “is at least 200,000 gallons short in storage for the amount of service provided under DR standards.” Mayor LeCompte estimated the new facility might have to be provided within the next year at an estimated cost of $200,000. Council members, John Miller, Bill Ward, Bob Mizer and Allen Stubblefield, concurred with a plan to study the problem in next year’s budget. Study will also include possibility of an additional water source and location of the new facilities in another part of town away from the two present towers atop the old Grade School Hill. Extension of four inch lines in four priority areas were also studied from facts provided by water superintendent Tim Miller. At a total cost of $43,010.33 a four priority area would serve 81 residents and the Cassville schools campus. Included are Fair Street, Tenth to Twelfth; Mill Street, Thirteenth to Fourteenth; Wildwood Estates and Southern Hills. City cost estimates were provided for cost of materials only, no ditching, with work being done by city crews. Two areas, Fair Street and Mill Street were named top priority, with that line to serve the schools given first ranking. Hopefully these projects will be accomplished this winter. Council also will study economics of water system ordinances requiring individual meters for all customers. An ordinance passed two months ago resulted in a study by the department. Results have about 20 businesses, apartments, a few residences, five mobile home parks which are apparently in violation of the ordinance. The mobile home facilities, three outside the city limits, all have a total of 77 units on six meters. Impact on the economics of the water distribution system will be available for further study next month. In other action before the council: Water bills submitted for adjustment by Bob Garrison and Kathryn Councilman Mizer voted against this action on the latter case. In a similar appearance, Mr. and Mrs. Shamel Painter received permission to pay out a $500 water bill that resulted from a broken main. Payment scheduled monthly of current bill plus $75. Police equipment bids awarded as follows: vehicle, $9,729.34 to Gary Norris. Ford, police package three year warranty and trade-in; radar units, MPH of Chanute, Kansas $2,803.25; radios, Communications Associates of Springfield, $4,793.39. Mayor LeCompte reported there was some good news in the water department, where sufficient revenue is now being received to stop further transfers from the water and sewer department to general obligation bond past borrowing was made to relieve operating shortages. Council also reviewed current litigation in Circuit Court regarding water rates charged in a closed meeting with city attorney Don Cup- Two residents of Oak Hill area, Ralph Boggess and W.E. Killium, appeared before council to complain about uncut brush in their area, including property owned by Mayor LeCompte. Old city collector’s office billing equipment declared surplus for possible sale by council. James Beuford and Glen Hall, residents of Southern Hills, appeared before council to register concern about fire protection in that particular area. Council approved notices of lifting open burning ban in Cassville for the purpose of burning leaves. Such will be permitted between now and December 1, seven days a week, under conditions outlined in a notice published elsewhere this week. Approval of the seven day. program came on a split council vote, Ward and Miller voting yes, Mizer and Stubblefield voting no. Mayor LeCompte’s yes vote approved the extra day possibility.

30 years ago

Nov. 2, 1994

— PROJECT UNCOVERS HISTORY Dig around enough in the area of the public square and more likely than not you are going to discover a piece of Cassville or Barry County history. That’s exactly what a project to make the courthouse handicap accessible has done. In preparing for installation of an elevator from the first to second floor, considerable excavation has been accomplished in the basement area. Digging out some areas to provide access to service areas and the elevator operating equipment has uncovered a number of original foundation stones that were put in place when the first county courthouse was built in 1856. Charley Baker, custodian who is overseeing the project, said as few as possible of the stones have been removed to make room for the needed access to the elevator shaft. Locations of the stones provide indications that conform with early day pictures of the structure that put it much closer to Main Street than is the present structure. Thought to be dimensions indicate the first two-story courthouse that was around during the Civil War, was so constructed to be in easy access to hitching posts for mounts to be tied and relieving those riders from long walks to conduct their county business. Digging hasn’t unearthed any indications of the courthouse burning in 1911. The brick structure had rested well on the foundation rocks. Indications are that builders of the present structure, opened in 1913, were either practical or conservative in their construction processes. Heavy and wide concrete was used in the footings, some of which were placed atop the already in place foundation stones. Foundations for both buildings are on the basement level of the present courthouse and have been accessed through the men’s restroom. Breaking through the first-floor level to access the lower area was accomplished last Sunday in a complete, sealed-off, dust free environment, to protect computer operations in the court house. The elevator, which will be located in the southwest corner of the lobby, is being installed by a Neosho firm, Branham Co. The same company is involved in projects for the handicap requirements that will result in the county spending $147,000, plus engineering and other minor costs, Baker notes. Included will be an automatic door on the east side entrance and handicap access restrooms on the first floor. Currently there is only one rest room on the first floor, which is accessible only to the circuit court room and county officials. The rest room will be located adjacent to the east entry. Rounding out the handicap-accessible project will be installation of a new water fountain in the lobby. Work on the elevator will be lengthy, equipment not being available until about late December. In the meantime work will continue in the shaft area of the equipment and lobby areas will be enclosed for the safety of the general public.

— SAFE CRACKED AT COUNTY CLERK’S OFFICE Safe cracking was necessary to put the county clerk’s office back in operation this week, according to clerk Rex Stumpff. The clerk said tumblers in the door apparently fell into a locked position when the door was closed at the end of business Friday. A safe company in Springfield was called and drilled the door after combination dials on the door failed to function. Stumpff said officials were not certain what caused the tumblers to fall into a locked position on the 138-year-old door.