50 years ago

Dec. 19, 1973

— COMPLETES BASICS

Donald R. Shanafelt, son Mr. and Mrs. Donald Sack-route 1, Purdy has completed his basic training at Great Lakes Naval Base, Great Lakes, Illinois. After a 14 day leave he has returned to Great Lakes to go to radar school.

— LAST SECOND GOAL MAKES PURDY WINNER

Jim McNeill hit the winning bucket with two seconds left in the game as the Purdy Eagles edged the Crane Pirates 68-67 Friday night. Glen Terry led the Eagle attack with 20 points. Steve Dick Lasan Tated 2, 1d and 14 points, respectively, as the Eagles upped their record to 6-5. Willmon was the leading scorer for the Pirates with 22. Burcham and Hilton chipped in 12 and 1l points for Crane, now 7-5. Purdy held quarter leads of 18-5, 37-21 and 52-49. Individual scoring: Purdy-McNeill 8, Terry 20, Dodson 12, Latshaw 10, R. Latshaw 14, McDougle 4.

— TENNIS COURTS COMING TO PARK

In a special session Friday, the Cassville city council awarded a $14,690 contract to Hutchens Paving Co. of Cassville for construction of a double tennis court for the city park expansion. The complete bid includes courts, nets, fencing and marking, according to Huck Ulmer, who engineered the project. Mayor Bill LeCompte said federal revenue sharing funds would be used in the project.

— Barry County will receive $4,985 from intangible tax funds being distributed by the Missouri Department of Revenue. The funds come from interest accounts paid by banks on certain kinds of state deposits.

— Roaring River State Park is slated for addition of 30 camping units in an area up Pyburn Hollow in the park, according to Superintendent James Woods. The pro- gram has been approved by the state park board for this coming year, using federal matching funds. No cost estimate on the program is available at this time.

— YOUNG NAMED TO HONOR Paul Alan Young, Riverside, California son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Young of Cassville, has been listed in the 1973 Edition of Outstanding Young Men of America. The program recognizes and honors young men who have been judged on the basis of their service to others, professional excellence, civic recognition and community activities. He was born in Cassville and lived here until the family moved to California when he was six years old. He graduated from California Baptist College in 1968 and since that time has been teaching elementary grades in the West Riverside school district.

40 years ago

Dec. 21, 1983

— JUSTIN BOOT WILL EXPAND IN CASSVILLE

An unexpected Christmas present arrived here this week with an announcement, “To acquire warehouse space and provide space for possible new lines, Justin Boot Co. in Cassville will begin an expansion program shortly after the first of the year,” J. T. Dickinson, president, announced last week from Ft. Worth, Texas, the company was proceeding with the local plant expansion plans. Company plans are to add just over 19,000 square feet of floor space on the plant acquired two years ago from U.S. Shoe Corporation. Dickinson said the steel structure would be 150×127 with 20 foot ceilings. Dickinson made an unofficial announcementoftheplans earlier in Cassville, during a Christmas party for company officials. Review of the possible expansion here has been in the process since November. James Latshaw, plant manager, said the expansion would be attached to the north end of the firm’s plant on West 11th Street here. The existing facility contains 45,000 square feet of manufacturing and warehouse space. Both Latshaw and Dickinson said the expansion program for Justin in Cassville would provide more latitude for warehouse raw materials and fit into possible manufacturing expansion of the firm at a later date. Latshaw said the Cassville Justin plant, which is currently on holiday and inventory vacation, currently employs 315 persons. Justin, which manufactures a full line of men’s and women’s western boots, specialty lines and work boots in the Cassville facility, purchased the facility built by Vaisey-Bristol Shoe Company in the spring of 1981. Production began in mid-July. A leader in western boot making in the world, Justin also operates manufacturing facilities in Ft. Worth. A plant in El Paso, Texas, was closed shortly after the Cassville plant became functional. John Justin, who heads Justin Industries, Inc., has consistently been high in his praise for the Cassville operation and the quality level of production from the employees. Justin acquired the plant in 1981 after U.S. Shoe had closed the Jumping-Jacks Division here in October of 1980. Vaisey-Bristol Co. of Monett had constructed the plant here in 1965. The closing after 15 years of operation, was due to a distressed women’s shoe market and consolidating of interests by U.S. Shoe, an Ohio based corporation. Cassville plant expansion by Justin is expected to begin shortly after selection of contractor and suppliers is completed. Latshaw said he anticipated the startup would be just after the beginning of 1984.

— SESSIONS TO TALK NEW DAIRY BILL

The recent signing of the Dairy Compromise Bill makes it possible for area dairymen to receive compensation for reducing milk production. However, dairymen must first determine if it is economically feasible to participate in the program. There are many factors involved in making this decision and each dairyman must critically evaluate his/ her operation. To help in this decision-making process a series of meetings have been scheduled by the University of Missouri Extension Service, says Dr. Tony Richard, area dairy specialist. Farm Management Specialist will be working through a financial worksheet explaining all costs and income that can be expected in a dairy. At the same time he will be looking at the bottom line for participating in the program or not. Area dairymen will also have the opportunity to fill in their own values on their worksheet. Those in attendance are urged to bring: their milk base, costs of producing milk (both fixed and variable) and their ideas on what expenses they could cut by participating. In addition, the county ASCS executive director Brooks will discuss and payment schedule. The sign-up meetings will be held January 6, 7:00 p.m., Cassville Community Building.

— AIRMAN SCHMELTZ ASSIGNED SHEPPARD

Airman Rebecca A. Schmeltz, daughter of Dortha L. Schmeltz of Golden, has been assigned to Sheppard Air Force Base, Texas, after completing Air Force basic training. During the six weeks at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas, the airman studied the Air Force mission, organization and customs and received special training in human relations. In addition, airmen who complete basic training earn credits toward an associate degree in applied science through the Community college of the Air Force. The airman will now receive specialized instruction in the aircraft maintenance field.

30 years ago

Dec. 8, 1993

— OUT OF ASHES, CALVARY CHURCH IS REBUILDING

What existed for 96 years, was destroyed in September by an act of arson, is now coming out of the ashes, as Calvary Baptist Church north of Exeter is shooting for a first service in their new structure around Christmas. Pastor Richard Jones said this week, “The church might not be finished, but we’re hoping for a first service in the new building in observance of this special season.” Crews were busy Tuesday installing roof rafters on the 38×58 foot structure that this time around will have a full basement underneath. That will about double the size of the facility that was burned on a Saturday night, September 26 during a four-person drinking spree. Jones noted there would be five classrooms, a fellowship hall and kitchen in the basement. He noted with pride most of the work is being accomplished by volunteers. While the building process was moving along well at Calvary, one of the four charged with burglary and arson, both at Calvary and Mineral Springs, has gone to prison to serve seven-year concurrent sentences on the two burning charges. Ernest Allen Choate, 21, formerly of California, pled guilty 30 days ago and took his sentences. Jason Greenstreet, 18, of Prescott, Ariz, appeared in Stone County circuit court Friday and entered a guilty plea. Prosecuting attorney John Lewright, said sentencing on two charges of arson is scheduled January 7. Gregory W. Burch, 17, Cassville, is to appear in Barry County circuit court apparently on a guilty plea this Thursday. Mark Arnold, 16, of Cassville, who is scheduled to proceed through court as an adult, remains under associate circuit court authority. The four were involved in a drinking spree the night of the fire incidents. Their cases have been involved in plea bargaining that dropped burglary and stealing charges in exchange for admissions of guilt in setting the two fires. The Mineral Springs facility was only slightly damaged. Expected to cost $100,000, the Calvary congregation has reported having about twothirds of that amount raised, with the insurance settlement. Church officials report receiving help from a number of sources, including other congregations becoming a part of the help and building effort. Some 50 members of the congregation has been meeting at the Cemetery Association Building in Exeter since the fire destroyed their house of worship. Carl Nance Construction is in charge of volunteer crews working at the rural church. Crews are taking advantage of good weather in the area to get a roof over the structure. Once that’s achieved, they will set their sights on holding services inside the structure 17 days from now.

— AREA BASKETBALL ROUNDUP OF GAMES The lady Trojans of Southwest of Washburn went to 6-1 for the year in a 61-32 victory over Pierce City last week. In the non-conference game, Angie Sterling and Janelle Carpenter shared scoring honors with 13 points each. The lady Trojans of coach Darrel Tilford led 25-10 at halftime. Southwest also captured the junior varsity game 35-31. Southwest scorers, Fielding 8, Burns 6, Staib 11, Chad 5, Evans 8.

— EXETER FALLS TO PIERCE CITY Exeter’s Tigers dropped a 64-50 outing. Tuesday night to the Pierce City Eagles. Exeter’s effort was led by Cal Tolbert with 24 points. Other scorers, Burch 4, Pendergraft 1, Rod England, Antle 8, Rook England 2, Stephens 9, Porter.