50 years ago

May 2, 1973

— Core drilling testing two proposed sites for structures that could be the key to flood control in Cassville is under-way. Initially proposed three years ago, the $1 million project is designed to control water run-off in the western part and through the center of town. Being developed by the Soil Conservation Service through a Resources, Conservation and Development area funding, the present phase is another step closer to the actual construction of two holding reservoirs, according to Dwight Samuel, SCS conservationist for Barry County. Conducting the work here are Pete Edmonds, SCS geologist, Joe Green, project engineer and a three-man rig crew. They will be on location at two structures for at least six weeks, to complete topsoil and rock structure samplings. Edmonds said some drillings would reach a 40-foot depth. Being completed primarily to verify costs of the program, the information gained from drillings will also assist in final design plans of structures that are proposed on the Ed Ray and Allie Barber proper – ties. The initial survey on the project was completed shortly after the first of the year according to Samuels. This work clearly defined areas to be affected by the construction and storage of floodwater to the west and northwest of town. Sites for drilling were designated at this time as were preliminary locations of structures. Present crews will study the borings to determine the type of foundation material existing on which possible dams may be constructed. The present project will also seek suitable borrow areas to obtain material for construction of the holding dams. Throughout preliminary study, water tables have been monitored to check the depth and fluctuation. Requested in 1969 by the Cassville city council, the SCS study was commenced to determine what could be done to alleviate the frequent flooding problem from the town branch that flows from west to east through the city. After extensive preliminary engineering survey and economics study by SCS personnel a report was tendered to the council in 1972. At the same time, a list of land owners, including the dam Mattingly, Orville Kring, Vanderpool, Raymond Bill Hailey and J. L. Jackson, were informed of the project. The report concluded that two flood control structures, one located on the Ed Ray property, and the other on property principally owned by Allie Barber were needed. These structures would store a large amount of the floodwater and release it at a relatively slow rate. In addition to the structures, about 4,000 feet of concrete channel which will follow the main drainageway through town is necessary to give complete protection for the most severe flood that could be expected in a 100-year period.

— Sophomore hurdler for the CHS Wildcats, Larry Lauderdale, has qualified for the state track meet in Columbia this Saturday according to Coach Charles Pitts. Lauderdale advanced to state competition by taking second in the district meet in Springfield with a time of 21.4 seconds for the lows. He ranked in the same position for the Big 10 conference meet last week on an extremely wet track.

“Larry hasn’t really run his potential this spring, due to weather conditions, etc., but should be in top form for the big one this Saturday,” according to Pitts. Lauderdale, son of Mr. and Mrs. Bob Lauderdale of Cassville, has crossed the finish line in his favorite event in 21 seconds flat. This time was on the Monett oval about three weeks ago.

— Chuck Nickle, a junior at CHS and secretary of the Cassville FFA chapter, has been named Sub-district 15 FFA president, after inter-views. Nickle, who received the state farmer degree April 27, was interviewed by the retiring sub-district officers. He was asked questions concerning the FFA organization and its operations. A son of Mr. and Mrs. Ray Nickle, his project program consists of 8 registered Jersey dairy cows. Besides being secretary of the FFA, he is a member of C-Club and a three year football letterman.

— A Cassville insurance man, James Wood, has received a plaque honoring him for 25 years service with the MA Insurance companies. Mr. and Mrs. Woods were honored in a regional meeting in Kansas City. During those 25 years his agency has received various company service and performance awards.

— Dr. James E. Rudd of Cassville has been named a trustee of the Missouri Optometric Association. Dr. Rudd’s selection to the board was during the organization’s 72nd annual convention on Lake of the Ozarks over the weekend, Dr. Rudd has been practicing here 19 years. He also has offices in Neosho.

40 years ago

May 4, 1983

— A principal business in the Eagle Rock area of Table Rock changed ownership Monday. Mr. and Mrs. Charles Thompson, owners of Lakeview Trading Post, announced sale of the firm to Mr. and Mrs. Norman Shaw of West Plains. The Shaw family, including two sons, Jeff and Lewis, assumed active operation of the business this week. Shaw has been previously associated with feed mill operations in the eastern part of Missouri. Lakeview Trading Post is located on Highway 86 on the south shore of Table Rock just across the Farwell Bridge. The Thompsons have returned to their home in Cassville. Mrs. Thomson is a member of the Cassville schools faculty.

— Cassville will receive a $741,840 grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development as federal assistance for a new industry coming to town. Mayor Bill LeCompte said the development grant would be used to provide city services, make improvements and assist Alvey Inc. of St. Louis in their location of a manufacturing facility here. Making the announcement here were Congressman Gene Taylor and Senator John Danforth. Mayor LeCompte and George Ulmer, city engineer, were Washington, D. C. two weeks ago in connection with the grant details. The congressional offices said the UDAG funds will be matched with $2,430,545 of private investment. Funds will be used to construct a 73,000 square foot conveyor manufacturing facility. Projections are the effort will create 100 permanent jobs here and 30 construction jobs. Mayor LeCompte said the city had been working closely with the Chamber of Commerce and Industrial Development Corporation for about 18 months in securing a commitment from Alvey for their location here. The grant requests were part of the city’s effort. Through the IDC, Alvey has secured 17 acres on Sale Barn Road for its plant site. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held March 8, shortly after Steve Lob, president of Alvey announced the company’s decision to locate in Cassville. Breakdown of the grant departments, according to Mayor LeCompte, included the following: $500,000 loan to Alvey Inc. for capital equipment, $46,375 offsite sewer, $22,500 offsite water lines, $25,000 road improvements, $100,000 culvert installations, $23,265 engineering costs, $9,700 contingency fund and $15,000 administration.

— The Barry County Sheriff’s Department has implemented a program to improve the effectiveness of apprehension and detection of cattle thieves and to aid in the prevention of theft of domestic livestock. Barry County Sheriff Jim Hopkins states that all motor vehicles transporting domestic livestock after dark will be stopped and the information obtained will be compiled at the Barry County Sheriff’s Department along with information regarding cattle thefts in the region. This information will be available to any law enforcement agency upon request. Sheriff Hopkins introduced. this proposal to members of the District One Sheriff’s Strike Force, consisting of eight counties in Southwest Missouri and the proposal was accepted; so all information received will be compiled from Barry, Lawrence, Stone, Dade, Barton, Jasper, Newton and McDonald counties. Sheriff Hopkins stresses the importance of stockmen in the county to mark their livestock, firebrand, freezebrand, tattoo or some readily identifiable marking. Sheriff Hopkins states that he is making available to residents of Barry County a portable squeeze chute, a set of number branding irons, and a set of ear tattoos with letters and numbers. These are available upon request to Barry County Sheriff Hopkins.

— When the submarine rescue ship USS Petrel cruises the Atlantic and Caribbean coastal sea lanes, the crew often depends on the “driving’ skills of Phillip E. Denny of Jenkins. The 21-year-old son of Mr. and Mrs. Everett Denny of Jenkins is a Navy boatswain’s mate serving on the Petrel, homeported in Charleston, S.C. One of Denny’s responsibilities is to steer the ship as helmsman. “My job is hardest when we’re at sea,” he said. “I work eight hours as helmsman and then another eight doing my job as a boatswain’s mate.” Boatswain’s mates keep the outside surfaces of the ship in good repair, maintain and operate deck equipment, load cargo, operate the ship’s small boats and teach seamanship. 61 normally supervise a crew of five maintaining deck equipment or chipping and painting the ship”, Denny said. This ship is 37 years old, so a lot of our work is done by hand.”

30 years ago

April 28, 1993

— Tom L. Koehler, a native of Iowa, has been assigned an investment representative with Edward D. Jones and Company in Cassville. Mr. and Mrs. Koehler are making their home in the Chapman duplexes off First Street in the west part of Cassville. Koehler. The Jones representative will operate from the residence until such time as offices are available.

— David A. Cole of Cassville is among the 277 persons passing the Missouri Bar Examination as announced by the Missouri Supreme Court. Taking the test were 333 lawyer hopefuls. Cole is associated with the Cassville law firm of Ellis, Ellis and Cupps. He is a native of the Exeter community, graduating from the Wheaton schools. He is also a graduate of the University of Missouri-Columbia law school.

— On February 5, 1963, First National Bank of Cassville moved off the square and into a new building at Sixth and Main, Thirty years later, February 8 1993, the successor financial institution, Boatmen’s National Bank of Cassville moved into its new building at the same location Saturday events here will culminate a series of grand opening activities for Boatmen’s, according to Stan Kelley, president. In this historical picture, the late Arthur P. Smith was owner-president of the First National when decisions were made to move from the northeast corner of the public square. He acquired the old Irwin Hotel site for his new bank. Smith passed away before the bank was finished. The bank later became part of the Charter Bank organization and subsequently Boatmen’s. Special hours this Saturday, 11 am. to 2 p.m. will have a barbecue, special events and ribbon cutting activities for the just completed structure.

— River State Park between Friday and Saturday got a chance to pick up some shelled com for whatever use they might have. A truck load of the grain overturned at the bottom of the Highway 112 hill at the intersection with Route F Friday. An Arkansas company made an effort to retrieve most of the corn, but that which was left was sacked, boxed or whatever by people in the park or passing through.

— Cassville lady Wildcat runners posted a pair of first place medal wins at the Monett relays last week. Brandi Hayes captured the top spot in shot put competition and the 400-meter relay team also cut the tap in first place time. The relay team is ranked among the top in district times. Baton passers on the team are Hayley Cowan, Dayna Wolf, Sarah Philbrick and Lydia Burch. Second place in the 800-meter relay went to the lady Cats, Cowan, Wolf, Burch and Destiny Fare. Fourth places went to Cowan in the long jump and Burch in the 100-meter dash. Fifth places toward collecting 42 team points went to these events: 3200-meter relay, Kari Holtzman, Jill Higgs, Melissa Nofire, Kim Crosby; Burch in the long jump and Cowan in the triple jump. Cassville teams will make their only home appearance next Monday, May 3 in the Wildcat relays.

— Exeter’s Tigers won a 11-10 slugfest over the Diamond Wildcats Friday, running their record to 3-6 for the season. The Tigers are 1-4 in Ozark Six conference action. Bateman was the Tiger starter with relief from Taylor in the fourth. Antle was behind the plate. England two homeruns for the Tigers, one a solo blast in the eighth to tie the contest. Garner followed with another blast over the fence as the winner. More power came off the bats of Bateman and Rose.

— Fescue Drug Study Earns Researcher Study of a drug that would help cattle deal with a toxin in tall fescue pastures has earned a University of Missouri-Columbia researcher the best research paper award from the Midwest Section of the American Society Animal Sciences. Brian Larson, a graduate student in animal sciences, won the award for his study of Prazosin, a drug he says looks promising for cooling animals suffering from fescue toxicosis. “The drug worked in laboratory studies with rats,” Larson said. “It enabled them to dissipate the heat, which builds up in animals suffering from toxicosis. “After the rats cooled, they were able to resume eating normally. “Next we’ll test the drug on calves.”