Ever since writing editorials or columns for the Cassville Democrat, a leaning post has been the steel spike that held bits and pieces of information that might be of interest farther down the line.

After two moves, the spike disappeared and a substitute had to be found to hold the information that that had accumulated. Some items were of a controversial nature, and others were just bits and pieces of nothing.

Now, that a clip normally used for potato chip packages has come into use, I will unload some of the gathered items that are currently in the storage department.

Gun Control While Congress fools

While Congress fools around with any form of gun control, the NRA must be having a fit to get their word into whatever legislation might be considered. To foster their ideas, some Senators have become quite rich with NRA dollars for their favor over the years.

Constitution or Cash?

The question that most people would like to have answered is how important is the Constitution that they all talk about or the millions of dollars that are available for their support or non-support of gun legislation.

The argument of the Second Amendment of the Constitution was written back in the days when militias were toting muzzle loaders in their quest for independence and the wording fit them well. Whether or not that certain item in the Constitution will always carry the question of what would be necessary in modern-day times to solve the obvious problem so far as guns of all types are concerned.

This stand on gun control will not find much favor among some, but recent examples of shootings that have found their way into locations from schools to shopping centers to industries, churches and other public places make it certain that action needs to be taken if we are to remain a civilized nation.

Neighbors to the North

Canada recently blocked the sale of certain weapons that are considered assault or terrorism rifles or pistols.

Congratulations to our neighbors to the North for taking this major step toward elimination of a problem that exists throughout the world.

Early history

In the early history of Barry County, notably during the Civil War, Dr. John Ray, who purchased the Cassville Democrat in 1871, was conscripted by Union forces that were holding Cassville at the time, to run their hospital in the old Barry Hotel.

In the history of Barry and Lawrence counties, Dr. Ray wasn’t very proud of one of his duties the Yankees required of him. A bushwhacker was caught by the occupying force and was sentenced to be shot. Dr. Ray was required to witness the execution and pronounce the defendant guilty at the scene.

In recorded history of the two counties, he wrote in the margin of the edition that he had in his possession that he was forced to act in this manner by the officers in charge.

Soils and Crops

Long a major project of the Cassville Chamber of Commerce has been the Barry County Soils and Crops Conference. Once a major event for the area, it was initially held in the American Legion Building and attracted a full house for the free meal and a host of speakers regarding several aspects of agriculture.

A highlight of the affair was when Brice Ratchford, head of the University of Missouri Extension Service honored the event by making a personal appearance. He even complimented the chili served at the noon meal, prepared by volunteers headed by Billy Edmondson.

Ratchford later became president of the University of Missouri in one of the most progressive moves made by the Board of Regents in those years. He brought common sense to the Extension Service and the University, as well.

Rodeo Continues

Last week’s production of the Rotary Rodeo might have had a difficult time in production since there were at one time those in the sponsoring group who would have discontinued the annual event.

Back in days gone by, there were those of us who cooked hamburgers for three nights or sold soda pop in the bottle out in the crowd to raise funds for club activities. This group wouldn’t walk across the street to attend a big rodeo but realized there needed to be activities in and around Cassville during the height of the tourist season.

Bob Mitchell is the former editor and publisher of the Cassville Democrat. He is a 2017 inductee to both the Missouri Press Association Hall of Fame and Missouri Southern State University’s Regional Media Hall of Fame.