50 years ago

Dec. 31, 1975

— 175 families benefit from Holiday Share

More than 175 families enjoyed improved Christmas holidays through the Share Your Christmas program coordinated by the Cassville Chamber of Commerce with assistance from several community organizations. Clothing, food and toys were distributed throughout Barry County, with excess items later provided to regional relief organizations. Officials praised the community response.

— Fire volunteers share $1,426 year-end pay

Fifteen members of the Cassville and Barry County rural fire departments shared $1,426 in payments for calls answered during the year. Payments covered 33 total calls, which officials said was above average.

— Year’s rainfall stands at 42.09 inches here

Rainfall in the Cassville area totaled 42.09 inches in 1975, near the long-term average of just over 40 inches, according to U.S. Forest Service records. Monthly totals ranged from 1.94 inches in October to 5.34 inches in March, with previous yearly totals showing significant variation.

40 years ago

Jan. 1, 1985

— 58.14 inches rainfall record in Cassville

If 1985 did nothing else, it produced a record total rainfall for the Cassville area. Measurements at the Cassville Ranger Station of Mark Twain National Forest stood at 58.14 inches as of Monday, according to Darlene Murphy, support services specialist at the office. With normal rainfall ranging from 42 to 44 inches, the total was about 16 inches above average, including 2.31 inches recorded in December. Heavy rainfall months included 7.33 inches in August and 8.26 inches in November. The excessive moisture caused Table Rock Lake to fluctuate dramatically throughout the year, standing well above the 915-foot top-of-power-pool elevation and reaching 923 feet several times.

— Nickols successful bidder at state park

Beginning March 1, the Roaring River State Park restaurant concession will be operated by Jack Nickols of Cassville, according to State Park Director Wayne Gross. Nickols, concessionaire at the lodge and store for two years, successfully bid the food service concession after it became available following the resignation of Carolyn Marrs. The new contract runs four years with an option to renew for an additional four years. Five other bidders were interviewed. All facilities except ice operations will be under Nickols’ management when the concession opens.

— First state lottery licenses issued to county businesses

Twelve licenses have been issued in Barry County to sell Missouri lottery tickets, according to Jackie McIntyre of the Missouri Lottery Commission. A total of 32 applications were submitted locally. Licensed Cassville businesses include 4-Way Mini-Mart and Deli, Rameys Markets, Uncle Wheezies Package and Ozarks Sport Spot. Licenses were also issued in Seligman, Monett and Purdy. Remaining applications were still in processing or awaiting bond completion. Missouri’s lottery was approved by voters in November 1984, with the first instant games scheduled to begin no later than Jan. 31, 1986.

— New charges in 1982 death near Shell Knob

Capital murder charges were refiled Monday against Leslie Menchetti Talley, 29, in connection with the 1982 shooting death of Jeffery Claxton near Shell Knob. Charges had previously been dropped due to missing evidence, which was later recovered. Talley was also charged with armed criminal action. Claxton’s body was found near Campbell Point at Table Rock Lake after being shot multiple times with a shotgun. Authorities were uncertain of Talley’s current residence.

30 years ago

Dec. 27, 1995

— Cassville’s oldest industry celebrates 50th anniversary

Cassville’s oldest industry celebrated its golden anniversary last Friday with a gathering of family, friends and employees. Gerry and Clyde Hoover, owners of Forest Products, Inc., presided over the celebration, which marked the company’s 50th birthday. In the years since Forest Products’ creation in 1945, the company has experienced many changes but one thing has remained constant: the continued production of high quality hardwood. The company was formed in November 1945 by Fielding Sizer, Ruth Rogers and Hoover, who entered the business after 11 years with the U.S. Forest Service. He served for several years as Cassville’s district ranger. The land where Forest Products now sits was not always the industrial complex it is today. The industry was the first to build in the West Eleventh Street area. Its neighbors now include Justin Boot, Arning Industries and R & W Manufacturing. Hoover said when they began building, the area surrounding them was farm land. The company’s buildings arose among red clover and corn fields. The site was chosen for its proximity to the C and E railway, giving the company access to boxcar transportation. The railroad tracks are now overgrown, and the C and E railroad no longer exists. Trucks have taken over as the company’s main means of hauling products to market. Forest Products’ manufacturing line has also changed. The company originally produced oak hardwood flooring during a time when virtually all homes were built with wood floors.

— Bids come in high for Cassville’s greenway project along Flat Creek

Bids received for Cassville’s greenway project came in at double the original estimated building cost of $74,000. The city received three bids on the project, which were opened Friday by City Administrator Greg Beavers. Christian Construction appeared to be the low bidder with a total project cost of $145,073, followed by Hutchens Construction Co. at $146,628.90 and Seven Valleys Construction at $195,479.75. Because the bids were so high, Beavers said he would contact the state to ask if additional funds could be allocated for the project. If not, Beavers and landscape architect Richard Yates of the Howard-Moore Group in Springfield will review the plans to look for cost reductions. Bids were submitted with item-by-item breakdowns so portions of the project could be deducted if needed. Beavers said the first cut would be a 700-foot stretch of boardwalk, with 275 feet remaining intact, while the rest of the trail would consist of crushed stone walking paths. He added the city could further reduce costs if public works crews handled some site clearing and base preparation. Yates said reductions could alter the apparent low bidder. “We’ll deduct and then recompare the bids,” Yates said. “We have to get it down to where we can do the project.” Both Beavers and Yates expressed confidence the project could still move forward. Because the project is funded through a state grant, all bids must be submitted to the Highway Department, which is administering the grant, and the award must be approved by both the department and the city council. Beavers has been working on the project with the city’s park development committee, which includes Rick Linebarger, Judy Schlichtman, Les Chapman and Dan Philbrick. Construction was originally scheduled to begin in August, but delays occurred when the state retained the plans for 90 days during review. The committee hopes construction will begin in February.