50 years ago

Nov. 17, 1976

— DC Buys Land; Annual Meeting November 22

In preparation for their annual stockholders’ meeting November 22, the Cassville Industrial Development Corporation this week announced signing of contracts for an additional 18-20 acres for industrial sites here. Bill Wiley, president, said the IDC had completed contracts with Mrs. A.G. Sutton for purchase of land southeast of Cassville. Exact acreage will not be determined until surveys are complete. The land is located across the Sale Barn Road from FASCO Industries of Cassville. At the same time, IDC officials said they were negotiating with an industry that would use a portion of the land. Wiley said this week the 168 stockholders in IDC would be eligible to take part in the coming meeting. To be named is one director, with Kenneth Johnston holding the expiring term. In addition, members of the board include Glen Hall, Doyle Thomas and Jack Byrd. The shareholders, who own 1,790 shares, will also hear a financial statement and further reports on the industrial site acquisition. Financial status of the IDC includes about $11,000 on hand from the sale of Garrett Manufacturing Co. facilities a year ago. Purchase price of the land was in the neighborhood of $1,000 per acre. The site, located adjacent to FASCO, makes utilities easily available. Prior to acquiring the new site, the IDC was out of business for industrial land. The present park in the northwest part of town, purchased in 1962, is full. The 15 acres was bought from Barry County. Industries in the full park include Garrett, Wells Aluminum, Ace Welding and a plot sold to Forest Products for future use. Acquiring the additional land paves the way for IDC and Chamber of Commerce negotiations with an industrial prospect with which both civic organizations have been dealing for some time.

— Employees At FASCO Say No To Union Affiliation

In an election supervised by the National Labor Relations Board, plant employees of FASCO Industries, Cassville, Friday turned thumbs down on a labor union affiliation by a four-to-one majority. The vote was 88 in favor of union involvement, 342 against. The total of 430 votes were cast between a 1 p.m. to 5 p.m. voting period established by the NLRB. Voting requested by the United Steelworkers of America, AFL-CIO of Pittsburgh, Pa., was the first such action by a Cassville industry. Morris Castleberry, plant manager, said following the ballot count, “FASCO management sincerely appreciates this vote of confidence by our employees. This even more greatly affirms our definite responsibility for a continued policy of good wage and benefit programs. We also pledge high-type and fair relations with our employees in years to come.” Voting during the four-hour period was basically by departments, permitting members of two shifts to cast their ballots. Ballots were cast in the plant cafeteria under the guidance of three company- and three union-oriented employees. A two-member team of the NLRB, headed by Eric Wagner, conducted the election. Steelworker organizers also witnessed the ballot counting by Wagner, as did a large number of management personnel from Cassville’s largest industry. Wagner separated the ballots in yes and no stacks and counted each before the coordinating teams of employees. Ballots were placed in stacks of 50, each verified by the company-union observers. The organization attempt began in the late summer, just shortly after FASCO had completed their first year of operation here. Initial meetings were held in Memorial Park with interested employees attending upon completion of their shifts. Campaign efforts throughout the plant, including buttons, found a majority similar to the outcome of the voting against affiliation with the union group. The electric motor manufacturing firm, with Missouri plants in Ozark and Eldon and two in North Carolina, are complete open shops, that is, none are associated with organized labor. Nearing their 15-month anniversary in Cassville, FASCO Industries will soon put to use a 50,000-square-foot expansion of their original 150,000-square-foot plant. Employment levels, which have touched all Barry County communities and extended into adjoining areas, reached above the 500 mark during the first year of operation. Voting was permitted by those employees who had one year tenure as of October of this year.

40 years ago

Nov. 19, 1986

— Indian Artifacts At Park Probably Long Ago Disturbed

More than likely, any solid evidence of Indian residence on the bank of Flat Creek in Cassville was probably disturbed long ago. That’s the initial finding of Jack H. Ray, research associate for the Center of Archaeological Research at SMSU in Springfield. Ray and an associate, Linda Keely, began excavations Tuesday in the park. The SMSU department associate was contracted by city government to satisfy earlier findings by the Missouri Department of Natural Resources. All the concern relates to a state grant for Cassville to acquire more park land and make improvements. An examination of the site in late September by DNR people discovered evidence that Indian culture probably existed in the park area of Flat Creek in a pre-European era. Ray’s initial shovel dig at the park shows signs of probable artifacts. But he said the area had been disturbed. Evidence in the overburden top layer of soil shows signs of a former residence, probably the Turner family. Whether final efforts that will continue through about noon Thursday will find intact deposits or undisturbed artifacts, Ray wouldn’t say at the first part of his assignment. City Clerk Charli Jo Ledgerwood and Police Chief Ray Burnette were his first visitors Tuesday morning. As Ray and Keely worked in the initial area, he said, “At this point it doesn’t appear there will be sufficient findings to involve the grant. However, one solid deposit or undisturbed site can change all this.” Outdoor Recreation Grants of funds, administered by DNR, cannot be used to disturb any solid artifact findings. The SMSU crew is under contract with the city for a maximum of $2,500 to complete the survey in advance of that which could be scheduled by the state agency. Mayor Rolland Meador explained earlier that city haste in the project was to get the park expansion underway as early as possible. City plans are to make additional fund requests for the park expansion area. If successful, these funds would be used for development of the expansion area. Finding of further evidence of artifacts at the scene would not jeopardize the project, only cause a delay, officials said. Should strong evidence or an actual find be discovered, Ray explained, it would probably result in a specific area being placed on a national list of finds. Both Ray and Keely strongly [original text incomplete] that Indian cultures had been in the park area of Flat Creek long before the white man even knew this country existed. But the fact that the area had been disturbed so heavily by man or nature led the exploration pair to believe little concentrations of artifacts would be found. While he was in the process of making the survey of the area, probably requiring three diggings, Ray agreed to host some Cassville school classes during the project. Ledgerwood said she would contact school officials when the SMSU pair decided their progress wouldn’t be hampered by a visitation. The Cultural Resources Survey results will be reported to the DNR by Ray within the next few weeks. He said that unless further evidence is discovered, the report should permit work to continue on the park project in the near future.

— Eagle Rock Tops Field In State Community Betterment

All those efforts in the Table Rock Lake community of Eagle Rock, that have made the area a better place to live and created activity, won first place in the Missouri Department of Economic Development Community Betterment program this year. A three-member delegation from Eagle Rock was at Lake Ozark Monday to accept the award. With a plaque and $500 first prize in hand, Imogene Dunklin, executive director of the C-B group; Jewell Farwell, project director; and Dorothy Green, representing the Eagle Rock extension club, returned home Tuesday evening. “It was an enjoyable experience as we accepted the first prize in Category One from Governor John Ashcroft,” said Mrs. Farwell. In all, seven categories were recognized as first-place winners. Eagle Rock’s recognition was before about 700 persons, representing more than 80 communities of the state. Efforts during the past year that have fostered improvement in the lake community, recreation activities for a growing resident number, bolstered craft fair activities, continued to improve facilities, add to library facilities and increase health activities brought the recognition. Projects have been guided by Eagle Rock Community Association, a newly formed Chamber of Commerce and the Extension Club. “It’s the hard work of the community that brought us this recognition,” said Mrs. Farwell. Earlier this year, the community’s efforts for improvements attracted a $10,000 grant from Commerce Bank of Barry County, also boosted by a state program that encourages funds of this type to growing communities. Eagle Rock, at the western end of Table Rock, is the avenue of travel between Roaring River State Park and attractions in Arkansas. A reservoir crossing on Highway 86 opens a wide access for tourism. The Barry County community is also experiencing commercial growth with location of a shopping center on Highway 86 between Eagle Rock and Golden. A high percentage of population growth in a number of lake subdivisions in the area consists of retirement families. In recent years, two areas, Chain-O-Lakes and Emerald Beach in that immediate area, have attained village status for governmental purposes. Eagle Rock’s participation in the C-B program is a first in several years. Cassville took a second- and third-place finish in their category in the middle 1970s. Cassville is also a Five-Star Community Betterment participant in the state program.

30 years ago

Nov. 13, 1996

— SW water district receives funding after three-year wait

The Southwest Rural Water District, located in southern Barry County, will receive $4.7 million in funding from USDA Rural Development (formerly FmHA). The announcement was made public on Monday. The funding will allow the district to proceed with construction of the project that will provide water service to residents in eight Barry County townships. The project has been under development for more than four years. One half of the funds received by the district will come in the form of a $2,350,900 grant. The other half will be provided as a 35-year loan. Voters approved a $4.5 million bond issue to support the project in November 1993. The loan money will be used to purchase the bonds, and user fees will provide the payback. Don Cupps, attorney for the district, said the project, which encompasses a 119-square-mile area, is currently the largest rural water project in the state. It extends from Bates Corner, south of Cassville, to the rural areas of Washburn and Seligman. A portion of the service area extends into McDonald County. When asked why the funds were a long time in coming, Cupps attributed the delay to the size of the project and funds “being tight.” Before construction contracts can be let on the project, Cupps said the district must obtain approximately 800 easements to allow for construction and maintenance of the water system. The district already has secured 125 easements. To coordinate the acquisition of easements, the district will open an office in Cassville beginning Nov. 20. The office will be located at 203 W. Seventh St., immediately north of the First Baptist Church. The office location was chosen for its proximity to records located in the Barry County Courthouse. The office will be open Monday through Friday from 2 to 6 p.m. Charli Jo Ledgerwood was selected by the district to coordinate easement acquisition. Cupps said a secretary will also be hired to handle phone calls and general follow-up. Ellis and Cupps, the district’s attorneys, and Archer Engineers, the project engineering firm, will be available by appointment to answer questions. The district office’s telephone number will be 847-4437. Cupps said once the easements are acquired, the district hopes to advertise for bids in the spring. If all goes according to schedule, construction could begin by late spring or early summer, Cupps said. Of the total project cost, $3,671,480 is earmarked for construction, which includes drilling two wells and installing approximately 450 miles of water lines. The remaining $1,013,100 covers engineering, legal and contingency fees. Barry County townships that will be served by the district are Liberty, Exeter, Ash, Flat Creek, Sugar Creek, Roaring River, Mineral and Washburn. The townships cover approximately one-sixth of the county. Water district directors are Danny Wall, Steve Knight, Marty Hall, Carol Hutchens and Marvin Henningson. Knight serves as district president. Dennie Fletcher is treasurer of the district, and Raeleen McCurdy serves as district secretary. Discussion about formation of a water district in southwest Barry County began in 1991 after as many as 40 percent of the water samples taken from private wells in the area were testing “unsatisfactory for human consumption.” The district was legally organized in August 1992 by a vote of district residents. Initially, almost 450 people have signed water use agreements. Both residential and commercial customers will be served by the district.

— Close to 400 students will compete in CHS-hosted speech tournament

Cassville High School will host its annual novice invitational speech tournament on Friday, Dec. 6 and Saturday, Dec. 7. According to tournament coordinator Glenda Ward, CHS plans to welcome approximately 400 speech competitors from 25 schools. Each year, school personnel and community members serve as judges for the tournament. Judges from previous years are being contacted, but speech coach Steve Mann said other volunteers are needed. It takes nearly 200 individuals to judge preliminary, semi-final and final rounds. Competitive events will include dramatic interpretation, humorous interpretation, prose and poetry reading, duet acting, original oratory, extemporaneous speaking, team debate and Lincoln-Douglas debate. Cassville speech students cannot participate in their home tournament, but they will be scheduling competitive rounds, assigning judges and timekeepers, tabulating results and serving in the hospitality room and student snack bar. The student chairman of the tournament is Jonea Rima. The judges committee consists of Roxie Mitchell, Krista Smith and Sunni Stumpff. Timekeeping chairmen are Amanda Sisney and Julie Assing. The hospitality room for the volunteer judges and guest speech coaches is organized by K Cardin, who is assisted by students Brandy Lancaster and Toni Hendricks. Several area businesses and restaurants are being contacted to help provide the food necessary to serve dinner, breakfast, lunch and snacks to the guests. The snack bar for visiting students will be operated under the direction of Margie Selig and Linda Quinalty.