25 Years Ago
September 26, 1985
“Buckle up” has always been good advice, but starting Saturday, it’s the law.
Billy Hale recently retired from the Ava Volunteer Fire Department after almost 30 years of service as a fireman. Hale, who joined the fire department as a volunteer in 1958, owns and operates Hale and Son Hardware in Ava.
Danny Letsinger, who lives in California and is the son of Etta Caudill of Ava, recently visited Alaska on vacation and was amazed at the produce he saw there. He reports cabbages weighing 58 pounds, tomatoes at 2 pounds each, zucchini squash weighing 12 pounds and turnips weighing 24 pounds apiece.
Mr. and Mrs. Leonard Koop are proud to announce the birth of a son, Shane Tyrell, born Saturday, Sept. 21 at 2:15 p.m. at Mercy Hospital, Mansfield.
The children and grandchildren of Mr. and Mrs. Tom Cunningham will host an open house Sunday, at the Ava Community Center in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary.
Christina Eller and Monica Bruffett, both of Thornfield, received the Presidential Achievement Award.
MT. TABOR –– Mr. and Mrs. Jack Elms had Sunday dinner with Mr. and Mrs. Lester Jenkins. Jack and Lester were both celebrating birthdays.
WAGNER –– Jay and Sherri Inman brought the new baby, Jaylene to see great-grandparents, Alverta and Philip Hargis Thursday.
Cash for your black walnuts! Starting price $8.00 per 100 lbs. Hulling runs through Nov. 16.
COUNTY LINE –– Today is Mrs. Irene Strong’s birthday.
50 Years Ago
September 29, 1960
This year nose guards on helmets was made mandatory for football players, but the rule maker forgot to include the coaches. Tuesday evening during practice AHS assistant Coach Allen Welker was instructing halfback David Pitts on a certain play, when young Pitts’ elbow accidentally struck Coach Welker’s nose. Result: a broken nose for the coach.
Clinton Maloney, an 18-year employee of the Carnation Company milk plant in Ava, has been promoted to manager of the plant, effective Monday, according to an announcement made by officials of the firm.
Selective Service registrants of Douglas County are increasing their liability for induction into the armed forces, Earnie Privett said today. The chairman of the selective service board explained the increased liability is caused by the failure of registrants to report status changes, which in many instances, would permit them to be withheld from induction processing under present regulations.
Rebecca Williams, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles Williams of Smallett, who was selected as a Missouri delegate in the International Farm Youth Exchange Program, left for her trip to Argentina on Monday, Sept. 26.
The women’s department of the R.L.D.S. Church gave a baby shower Sunday at the church for the new daughter of Dr. and Mrs. A.C. Pennington, Rebecca Markette, born Aug. 28.
1961 Fords and Falcons go on display in Ava today.
Charlie Ray Herrell, son of Mr. and Mrs. C.V. Herrell, of Route 3, Ava, celebrated his 12th birthday, on Thursday, Sept. 15, when he was honored at an afternoon party given in the home of his parents. Attending were Pamela Duckworth and her mother, Mrs. Bill Duckworth, Donna Fae Cox, Randy, Ronnie and Dale Duckworth, Jean Kilburn, Debbie Sherrill and Claire Mae Herrell.
Mr. and Mrs. Burrel Loftin and their two youngest children, Burrely and Lynda, have returned to their country home east of Ava after concluding a 4300 mile vacation tour in California, Texas and Oklahoma, where they made visits with many of their relatives.
The Ava R-1 Parent-Teachers Association met for its first regular meeting of the new school year Monday night, at the elementary school building. Charles Fish was elected president; Glen Harnden, first vice president; Edwin Hailey, second vice president; Mrs. Katrina Dye, secretary; Mrs. Jack Paull, treasurer.
Walnuts wanted! We will buy walnuts beginning October 3. We will pay $4.00 per 100 lbs. and will hull them free. All you have to do is pick‘em up and bring’em in. We have a newer, faster walnut huller to use this season. Heath & Son Feed & Supply, block west of square.
75 Years Ago
October 3, 1935
Douglas County’s proposed new courthouse was one step nearer realization Saturday, with official announcement from Washington of the approval of a federal grant of $33,545. By an overwhelming vote of 3056 to 466, citizens of Douglas County approved a $40,000 bond issue for a new courthouse at a special election on September 9. To this will be added the amount of the above grant making a total of $73,545 for the purchase of site, construction and equipment of the new building.
Douglas County has been allotted a quota of 20 students who may receive aid in attending the Ava High School. Young people between the ages of 16 and 25, all of whom are from relief families and who otherwise would be unable to attend school this year, will be given work and in turn will draw $6 a month each in “lunch and carfare” money.
Next Monday will be circus day in Ava, and in order to accommodate the citizens of this trade territory who desire to attend one of Barney Bros. performances, the merchants and businessmen of Ava whose names appear on pages three and four of this issue, have arranged to give their customers free guest tickets.
Girls in the Home Economics classes entertained their mothers with a tea on Wednesday, Oct. 2. Flossie Finger and Wanda Burdett presided at the tea table.
The following students enrolled in our school this week: Bert Stevensen, Amos Stevensen, Buentin Hodges, Verna Bell, Ruth Johnson, Genieve Hightower and Austin Osborn.
When the ruler of Ethiopia wants to stir his men up to a fighting pitch he feeds them red raw meat. When man of other nationalities want to get their blood up to fighting temperature they drink red liquor.
WHITES CREEK –– Joe Huffman is making molasses for Bruce Shrum this week.
ROCKBRIDGE –– F.B. Morris has taken charge of the Rockbridge mill, has had it overhauled and repaired with new silk throughout and is now prepared to do grinding at any time.
Mr. and Mrs. Earl Eslick arrived in Ava Sunday evening and will make their home here. Mr. and Mrs. Eslick have leased the Ava Laundry from Glen Hooper and will manage the business.
MANSFIELD THEATRE –– He solved every crime before the Police or D.A. –– that’ why they called him the Murder Man! “The Murder Man” with Spencer Tracy, Virginia Bruce. It’s a guess-proof mystery! It’s romantic! It’s thrilling! Also comedy. Mat. 2:45; Nite 7:30-9:15. 10¢ – 16¢.
Mrs. Hazel Daugherty gave a birthday supper last Wednesday evening honoring the birthday anniversary of her grandfather, Bill Matney, who was celebrating his 79th birthday. The following guests were present: Mr. and Mrs. Dave Joiner, Mr. and Mrs. Dick Walker, Mr. and Mrs. Roy Hunt and son James, Mr. and Mrs. Wash Privett and Mrs. Laura Aden.
100 Years Ago
October 13, 1910
Report on Temperance. It is with pleasure we report the widespread awaking on Temperance lines. We notice that in the different states the war against the use of intoxicating drinking is being carried on with unrelenting energy and if the present warfare is kept up it will be but a few years, until we have conquered the greatest of human foes. We pledge ourselves to continue the fight against strong drink, until it shall be completely banished from our land and country; we pledge ourselves to use our influence and ballots against this evil at the coming election in Mo. Resolved further, that members of the church indulging in the use of intoxicants as a “beverage or encouraging its use as such shall be deemed guilty of disorderly conduct and subject to expulsion from the church if they will not reform. Signed: R.F. Haskins, R.S. Lethco, S.N. Hargis.
Concrete crossings are being put in this week around the square in Ava. Geo. Sanders is doing the work and Bid Reynolds is bossing the job for the city. Ava is putting on a great deal of style, and her citizens are taking a great deal of pride in the appearance of her streets. Let the good work go on.
Ira Sullivan has bought Clinkingbeard Bros. stock of general merchandise on the north side, and will continue the business at the same stand.
George Clarke has bought the stock of goods recently owned by Clinkingbeard Bros. from Ira Sullivan and will continue the business at the same stand.
Oscar Kester has accepted a position in the Ava post office. Irlee Curry is in charge of the Circuit Clerks office, and Ivy Kester has entered the Douglas County Normal.
We had the first frost of the season last Thursday night Oct. 6.
$500 REWARD. We will pay $500 for any information leading to the arrest and conviction of the party or parties who set fire to Lumber on Oct. 9, 1910, owned by us in Douglas County, Missouri. D.J. Landers Lumber Co., Mtn. Grove.
DOGWOOD DOINGS –– We have had two quite heavy frosts and corn is brown. Sorghum making is the order of the day and quality is excellent.
Charivari bells, guns, yells, and in fact, everything on that line, were heard last Friday night to the extent that our curiosity was aroused as to the cause, when we learned Byron Johnson and Miss Martha Roberts of Brown Branch, had quietly married. We did not learn particulars but knowing the merits of the groom we predict and wish them a happy future.
Electricity, telephones, airships and all the wonderful inventions of this scientific age seemed impossible a few years ago, but it seems there is nothing impossible but some scientist will discover the means of accomplishment. Pro. Emerson has now discovered a preparation which will really grow hair. Iowa people are amazed and astounded by Emerson’s new discovery for the hair. Emerson said that one bottle of his new discovery would grow a full head of hair and store gray or faded hair to its natural color. Just send a $1 bill to the Emerson Chemical Co., Scottbluff, Neb., and secure a bottle of the New Discovery and grow a full head of hair with only one bottle of this new discovery.
