50 years ago

Aug. 8, 1973

— The Tim Shaw family of Perryton, Texas has joined the staff of Crystal Springs Trout Farm here according to John Pottebaum, owner. Shaw and family are living at the local firm’s headquarters. He replaces Warren Skelton, who retired after 21 years with the local business.

— Patrol Notes Decrease In State Auto Wrecks Missouri experienced a slight reduction in the number of traffic fatalities during the first six months of 1973 as compared to the same period last year. The Missouri State Highway Patrol reported today that through June of this year, 650 persons were ‘killed on the State’s streets and highways as compared to 665 in 1972 – a decrease of 15. Rural traffic aimed accidents claimed 487 lives during the first six months of this year-7 less than last year, and 163 persons died in cities with more than 5,000 population – 8 less than in the corresponding period in 1972. The Highway Patrol’s Traffic Division, in a study of traffic fatalities in the State for the first half of this year, found that April had the most deaths, 131; second highest was June with 122; March accounted for 107; May, 106; January, 105; and February 79. Here are some other findings in the study made by the Highway Patrol; The Missouri six-month traffic toll included 365 drivers, 79 pedestrians 193 passengers, and 13 bicyclists; there were 65 multiple death traffic accidents that claimed 154 lives; 25 per. sons were killed while riding motorcycles; and 11 traffic fatalities were recorded at railroad crossings. The Patrol noted that late deaths resulting from injuries sustained in vehicular accidents during the first half of this year would be added to the six-month toll.

— Seaman Dennis W. Lee,18-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Willard T. Lee of Exeter, graduated on July 27 from recruit training at the Great Lakes, Illinois Naval Training Center. He is a 1973 graduate of Exeter High School. After a few days at home visiting with family and friends he will report to the Naval Training Center at San Diego, California for training as a storekeeper.

40 years ago

Aug. 3, 1983

— Barry County 4-H members from Wheaton Blazing Saddles, Black Oak, Leann Challengers and Exeter Trailblazers, hosted 4-H booth exhibits at the Ozark Empire Fair during Tuesday events. Mrs. Nancy England, youth educational advisor, accompanied the youngsters.

— Thirty-seven cases of beer were taken in a burglary at Cassville Package Store during the weekend. Owner Carl Cooper discovered the merchandise missing when he opened for business Monday. Entry to the business at Highways 112 and 248 in Cassville was gained through a rear door. Cooler doors inside were also forced open according to investigating officers.

— Missouri’s unemployment rate dropped to 9.2 percent in June, 0.2 of a percent lower than both May and a year ago. Rates for area counties included: Barry 8.7, McDonald 9.6, Newton 9.1, Lawrence 9.0 and Stone 7.7.

— Wesley Wade Is Post Office OIC Wesley P. Wade, postmaster at Alton, Mo., has been named officer-incharge of the Cassville post office on the retirement of Gene Ledgerwood On July 29. Wade, 36, assumed the duties through appointment of U.S. Postal Service officials July 30. Wade will serve as interim officerin- charge of the Cassville facility until postal officials make a selection of a permanent postmaster. Wade will not be eligible for the appointment. To date, there has been no official notification from postal officials that a vacancy exists in the local office. However, it is known bot’ local and regional department employees are making application for the post. The OIC expects to be in the Cassville community about three months during the postmaster selection process. His wife and daughter will join him until school opens. Ledgerwood’s career. included serving as city carrier and postmaster for a combination of 35 years.

— Stanley Michael Irsik of Cassville, enlisted in the Navy’s delayed entry program in Kansas City, on July 6. Irsik, a May 1981 graduate of Cassville high school, will depart for recruit training upon successful completion of which he will go to electronics’ technician “A’ school. His job will be to repair most electronic equipment on ships and at shore stations including radio and radar used in communications, navigation and recognition. Calibration, tuning and adjustment of equipment also form an integral part of this rate’s duties. Pulse and microwave techniques are included in the advance schooling. Irsiks recruiter is Chief Petty Officer Larry Johnson from Navy Recruiting Station, Joplin.

— Navy Seaman apprentice Martin L. Arndt, Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Larry Arndt of Route 1, Purdy, recently participated in two Naval exercises, “United Effort’ and NATO exercise “Ocean Safari.” He is a crewmember aboard the fast combat support ship USS Seattle. The joint training exercises, involved military forces of the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and several other NATO countries. The Seattle replenished 28 ships with over seven million gallons of fuel, 200 tons of stores and approximately 65 repair parts, A five-day port visit to Portsmouth, England, followed the exercises, hosted by HIMS Sulton, the Royal Navy’s Engineering Training School. The Seattle completed its 2500th at sea replenishment on the return voyage. The Seattle is 793 feet long and carries a crew of 680.

30 years ago

July 28, 1993

— An eight-store chain of businesses owned by the Sparks and Coger families of northwest Arkansas will open a business in Cassville around August 2. Jamie Sparks of Huntsville, said the Super Saver would be located in the old Ramey market building on south Main Street. Sparks said the businesses in Arkansas operate under the Surplus City name, obviously not suited for the Cassville store since a business under that name exists here. The business will occupy the 16,500 square foot building that shares the parking lot with the new Ramey facility. Renovations are in progress at this time in preparation for the first week in August targeted opening. Sparks said the business will include furniture, tools, housewares, gifts, finish molding materials and other items. The facility being used by Super Saver has been vacant since the grocery firm moved into its new facility two years ago.

— Investigation by federal and state agencies have resulted in a second arson charge being filed in the April blaze at Hilltop Restaurant south of Cassville. Arrested on Barry County warrants resulted from Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms Agency and the Missouri Fire Marshal’s office was 28-year-old Charles Patterson of Cassville. Pattersonwasalsocharged in the Thursday arrest on two counts of possession of a controlled substance. He was released on $50,000 bond with a court arraignment set for August 30. Arrested at the same time was his wife, Linda Patterson, 25, of Cassville, on charges of possession of a controlled substance. She was released on $10,500 bond with an arraignment date of August 12. Patterson, son-in-law of restaurant owners Mr. and Mrs. Charles Marrs, had earlier been involved in charges against Mark Wilson, 28, of Cassville, arrested initially on the fire setting charge. Wilson had allegedly attempted to tamper with a witness in the case, which happened to be Patterson. That warrant said Wilson urged Patterson to testify falsely as a witness. Under the two charges, Wilson’s initial $10,000 bond was revoked by associate judge Edward Sweeney. He later bonded in the amounts of $20,000 for arson charges, $5,000 for tampering and $2,000 for parole violation. Sheriff Ralph Hendrix said there would be no comment on the case until preliminary hearings are conducted. Wilson, originally set to appear in court June 24, later received a postponement due to not having contacted legal representation. Court records show he was represented in a reset date of July 22 with a preliminary now scheduled September 20. The blaze involved that brought the charges occurred April 19. During an early morning hour, warrants allege a back door of the building owned by Mr. and Mrs. Fred Arning was broken and gasoline poured into the kitchen area of the building and set afire. That area of the structure was virtually burned-out with only prompt response from the Cassville volunteer fire department saving the remainder of the business and adjoining sections of the building. The cafe has reopened for business. Wilson was first arrested in late May on the original charges of arson. The second charge of witness tampering was filed the first of July.

— Tammy Gantt, Southwest of Washburn graduate, has been awarded financial grant in aid for college by the Harness Horse Youth Foundation. The scholarship goes to persons who pursue a horse-related career. The daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Gantt of Washburn, she is working with the U. S. Trotting Association in Columbus, Oh. during a summer internship. She is an SMSU graduate, currently attending the University of Arizona racetrack management program.

— Former dairy farmers Mr. and Mrs. Mike Vining of Washburn have opened Circle V Feed at their farm location between Cassville and Washburn. They succeeded Seligman Feed formerly operated by Mr. and Mrs. Marty Hall. The Vinings will continue in the poultry business at their farm location.

— The old Carter School becoming a part of K-6 youth camp expansions in the Golden area went up in smoke about 513 am. Tuesday according to the Barry County sheriff’s department. The typical one room schoolhouse of eras long gone in the county, was completely destroyed in the blaze of unknown origin Officials at the camp and interested individuals such as area native Fred Cooper, said the building had been placed on blocks in preparation for a mover to transport the building just under two miles from its longstanding location to the camp area. That process was to have begun about 8:30 Tuesday morning. A fire, apparently set, about three hours earlier voided those plans Deputy sheriff Mick Epperly was assigned to the case and was in the process of making an investigation at press time. Our first thoughts were to completely rewrite this story but then we took the stance that the thought of those involved was well intended and would have served a purpose of restoring a piece of Barry County history Therefore, were the story stand, at the same time send our regrets to those well intended people involved in the preservation of the building If the fire was arson in nature, we hope a prompt solution to the case can be resolved with appropriate consequences forthcoming.