50 years ago

June 11, 1975

— BLOODMOBILE VISIT BARELY REACHES QUOTA

It took 115 volunteer donors to barely meet the quota during the Red Cross Bloodmobile visit to the South Barry County Chapter. Mrs. Nell Campbell, procurement chairman, reported 96 pints were received at the First Baptist Church. She praised the community’s effort. Prospective donors included Helen Stringer, Joyce Vaughan, Jackie Salyer, Rowena Higgs, Lyndall O’Neill, Rita Stringer, Marcia and Rowena Hutchens, Billie Anne Stephens, Sue Brattin, Dr. Chip Kammerlohr, Cosetta Johnson, Margaret Hackett, Earl and Jo McKeever, Linda Jones, Randy Ennis, George Redden, Louise Stockton, Wanda Kissinger, Virginia and Crump Taylor, Sandy Daley, Robert Taylor, Evelyn Lacey, Tom Cardin, Frank Reed, Lonnie McCullough, Mike Hart, Dean Boyer, Roy Turner, Sue Jaques, H.N. Goodwin, Robert Sisney, Alberta Nance, Jani and Beth Prewitt, Jim Matthew, Josephine Huckabee, James Roles, Charles Clark, Vickie Kasner, George Roden, Jay Brock, Sharon Sater, Eunice Brooks, Dorothy Yocum, Elvin Kime, Charles Cross, WillaDon Rudd, Phillip Cole, Misha House, Richard Hackett, Ferman Prewitt, Vic Nelson, Irene Barger, Florene Knowles, James Banks, Shirley Ford, Mark Davis, Glenn Smith, Loretta Ellis, and Janice Ford. Additional donors included Wilmer Weston, Charlene Jeffries, Hope Morris, Johnnie Pittman, Sharon Keeling, Larry Prewitt, Ernie Creamer, Edna Painter, James Stephens, and Letha Weaver. Support personnel included Mesdames J.A. Blalack, Jack Verdayne Riddle, Thelma Edens, Gerald Preddy, Eldon Brock, Randall Woolaway, G.S. Prater, Morton Kammerlohr, and Teresa Riddle. American Legion sponsors and helpers were Carter Koon, Clyde King, John Gardiner, Buzz Snider, Mike Whisman, Ken Lechner, Freddie Daniel, Don Newman, Hollis Cox, Earl Yarnall, Raymond Timmons, Neal Ledgerwood, and Al Smithers. Medical assistance was provided by Dr. W.G. Barnes and nurses Joanna Smithson, Maude Daniels, Margaret Cochran, and nurse assistant Wilma Robbins. The canteen was supplied by United Methodist Church ladies: Florene Knowles, Gladys Wilks, Montez Horner, and Louise Littlejohn.

— BICENTENNIAL MEET MAPS LOCAL PLANNING

The Cassville Bicentennial Committee met Monday at the school library to plan events for next summer’s celebration. Final approval was given for several events, including Festival U.S.A., the Cassville Bicentennial Jamboree, the July 4 celebration, Gateway to the West contests, the 1876 Butterfield Stage Parade, a crafts festival, rodeo, Old Fashioned Reunion, and a Community Church Bazaar. The committee aims to host community entertainment from August 1975 through summer 1976. Plans are also underway for signs and banners declaring Cassville a Bicentennial community. Committee members include Marlee Edie, Glenn Nicoll, Clairece Hall, Harry Eaton, Reba Wolf, Berniece Carney, Bob Mitchell, George Simpkins, Roscoe Eden, Mrs. Mark Mitchell, Mrs. Frank Young, John Knight, Ken Morris, Larry Bottom, Francis Davis, Bill Hailey, Jo Ann Ellis, Vernon Still, Nancy England, Elenora Cook, Rev. Earl Knowles, Bill Wiley, Charles Vaughan, Larry Quinalty, James E. Ford, Charles Saunders, Mary Beck, Bill Ward, Forest Lowe, Clyde King, Eunice Thomas, Marie Crowe, Wayne Betts, Maxine Kammerlohr, Barton McCaslin, Bill LeCompte, Cherry Warren, Lige Frost, Kenneth Johnston, Sue Mitchell, Lillian Ennis, Irene Horner, and Joyce Vaughan. R.B. LeMon and Carl Borreson serve as co-chairmen.

40 years ago

June 12, 1985

— BANK ROBBERY VEHICLE FOUND IN REMOTE AREA

A four-wheel-drive vehicle used in the May 28 robbery of Commerce Bank of Barry County in Eagle Rock was discovered Friday in a remote area southeast of Roaring River State Park. Authorities found the vehicle between Sugar Camp Tower Road and a lane to the Muncey community. It had been covered with a parachute to hide it in a cedar glade. John Barnes, owner of 1,400 acres in the area, discovered the vehicle when sunlight reflected off a bumper after the wind uncovered part of the parachute. The vehicle was turned over to the FBI. The lone robber used a .45 caliber weapon and stole an undisclosed amount of cash. Present during the robbery were manager Gary Dunnam, Mary Sue Edwards, Tammy Brattin, and Denise Henderson. Authorities said some of the money, possibly stained with red dye from exploded security packs, has surfaced in various Missouri locations. The FBI is investigating.

— CRIME, DRUG ABUSE FILMS BY SHERIFF

The Barry County Sheriff’s Office has acquired seven educational films aimed at crime prevention, drug awareness, and child abuse. These award-winning films are available for free through the department’s Community Relations Office and can be shown to schools, churches, civic clubs, and parent groups. “Drugs of Abuse” details the five classes of abused drugs, their symptoms, and related paraphernalia. “Steering Straight” warns young drivers about the dangers of driving under the influence. “The Silent Epidemic” discusses types of child abuse, how to recognize it, and how to report it. “Every Eight Seconds” features a convicted burglar named Wayne offering burglary prevention tips. “America’s Heartache” addresses the crisis of missing children and outlines preventative measures. For more information or to schedule a showing, contact Sheriff Jim Hopkins.

30 years ago

June 7, 1995

— ROARING RIVER PARK HIT TWICE BY SEVERE STORMS

Roaring River was dealt a double dose of damage from Mother Nature this past week. A possible tornado swept through the park last Thursday afternoon, uprooting trees and knocking out power. Further damage occurred Friday night and Saturday when intense thunderstorms flooded the already damaged park area. The tornado took a northeasterly path through Barry County, striking Roaring River State Park around 4:15 p.m. Thursday. Some eyewitnesses were certain a tornado hit the park, while others believed it was severe winds. Two people were injured but did not require hospitalization— one woman was brushed by a falling tree, and another camper was struck in the neck by flying debris. Park campgrounds one, two, and three, as well as the picnic area across from Roaring River Restaurant, received the brunt of the storm. The lodge, cabins, restaurant, and hatchery were left untouched. Minutes after the storm passed, emergency crews from across the county converged on the park. Roads were cleared, and workers checked each campsite to ensure no one was hurt or trapped. Campsites, tents, and campers were engulfed by fallen trees and branches. Rescue workers armed with chainsaws worked in teams to remove debris. Park Superintendent Pete Landstad reported minimal structural damage, although a dollar estimate had not yet been set. Damaged items included broken boards, picnic tables, posts, and trees. Cassville Fire Chief Millard Andrews said volunteer fire departments from Cassville, Eagle Rock, Exeter, Seligman, and Wheaton responded, along with the sheriff’s department, reserve deputies, off-duty Cassville police, park employees, and volunteers. Barry Electric quickly arrived to restore power. “Everyone pitched in and made a hand,” Andrews said. “Everything went smoothly considering the circumstances.” Cassville Mayor Dennis Fischer assessed the damage and praised emergency workers for their swift and professional response. “I want to thank everyone for the quick response and the professional job they did,” Fischer said. “I’m glad there wasn’t anyone seriously hurt. It could have been a lot worse.” Deputies were stationed from Cassville to Seligman as weather spotters, and the Cassville tornado sirens sounded around 4:25 p.m. Park Ranger Jim Hopkins said park crews had been monitoring the tornado through the National Weather Service. “By the time we heard a tornado had touched down in Seligman, it was here,” Hopkins said. “We didn’t have time to warn everyone, but people used common sense, got to shelter, and stayed out of their vehicles. We’re really fortunate.” Patty Smith, 30, of Houston, Texas, was in a tent with her 11-month-old daughter, Kayla, and their dog when the storm hit. Her husband, Bo, was near their truck. “When I heard trees cracking, I yelled for my husband to come get the baby,” she said. “He got the baby into the truck, shut the door, and turned back to me. We were 10 feet apart, and a tree came down right between us. It brushed my ear as it fell. We tried to leave, but the roads were blocked, so we drove to a clearing and waited for help.” The falling tree crushed their camp box and two ice chests. Jimmy Hicks and his son, Justin, were inside a pop-up camper when they heard limbs crack. “We got out right before a limb fell onto our camper,” Hicks said.

— P & Z APPROVES THREE SITE PLANS

At the June 8 meeting of the Cassville Planning and Zoning Commission, members approved site plans for three local expansions. The Blessing Heights Worship Center at 101 Kathy Drive plans to add a 30-by-38-foot addition to its current building. GTE will add a 240-square-foot addition to its central office at Sixth and Townsend. South Barry County Hospital will add a two-level, 22,775-square-foot expansion that includes a partially finished basement. All proposals met zoning requirements and were approved unanimously. Commission members present were Chairwoman Lisa Schlichtman, Randy Stockton, Racheal Sheats, and Dennis Fischer. Joe Ellis and Carter Koon were absent. Other attendees included Don Cupps (South Barry County Hospital), Rick Boyer (GTE), and Jack Freeman (Blessing Heights). The meeting adjourned early due to severe weather.