50 years ago

Jan. 28, 1976

— Court House Plan Changed Due To Funds

A major change in plans of the renovation of the Circuit Court spaces has been ordered by the Barry County Court. The $48,000 project will not include a weight bearing floor above the courtroom. Presiding Judge Nolan McNeill announced this week the court had eliminated this phase of the program as too costly. The administrative court will instead remodel the spaces, lower the ceiling and at the same time institute a switching of office spaces to accommodate moving of the Barry County Extension offices to the court house. First of the moves will be to provide spaces in the present balcony area at the rear of the court for Prosecuting Attorney Dale Burke. Present spaces used by County School Superintendent Charles Vaughan and Assessor Glen Nicoll will be allotted to the extension office, now in the basement of the Cassville post office. Nicoll’s office will move to the current downstairs offices of Burke and the school’s section will go to the old magistrate-probate court offices. Both Surveyor Austin Brock and Recorder Artie Spain will retain the present second story offices. George Ulmer, Miller-Newell and Associates of Cassville, was instructed to provide plans for this remodeling and relocating. Rooftop air conditioning will be planned for the upstairs offices in the courthouse. Associate Judges Lige Frost and Dick Sanders concurred in the plan that will lower the ceiling and generally remodel the present chambers of Judge William Pinnell. Installing a weight bearing floor above the entire court room was determined to be out of reach by available funds when the ground under the structure was examined. 

— New Officers Named In Sheriff’s Posse

The Barry County Sheriff’s Posse met Monday night at the First National Bank Building. Aside from regular monthly business, new officers were elected for the year. Elected were president, Sheriff Vernon Still, vice-president Bob Norman, secretary-treasurer Artie Spain, drill captain Donald Stumpff, assistant drill captain, Johnny Saunders. Carl Fanning was elected a three year board member, Floyd Ash two years and Warren Drake, one year. The Posse discussed various activities for the coming season. In commemoration of the Bicentennial they plan to participate in the events at the American Legion Grounds February 21 with other organizations. The event sponsored by the Posse will be in the form of an old fashioned horse race. The details of this event are not complete at this time. Also discussed was the possibility of having a Pony Express mail run during Rodeo Week at Cassville. This event would consist of posse members making about a 25 or 30 mile mail route, carrying the mail by horse back. Horses and riders would be situated at each mile section. Mail will be carried in saddle bags and transferred from one rider to another each mile. Sheriff Still expressed high appreciation to the member the past year and would like to have other members join Membership applications are available. The application is to be signed by two members recommending applicant and approved by the board. Anyone wishing to join can get in touch with Sheriff Still or any member of the Posse.

40 years ago

Jan. 29, 1986

— Chamber Wants To Increase $17 Million Tourist Industry

Cassville Chamber of Commerce emphasis this year will be toward improving the $17 million dollar tourist income for Barry County. That’s what Dr. Chip Kammerlohr, incoming president told the 160 members and guests if the annual membership dinner Saturday night. And, to back up the project, the C of C hosted Eugene Dilbeck, director of marketing services, Oklahoma Tourism and Recreation Department, as keynote speaker. Dilbeck, a native of Purdy, started remarks with admitting he got started in the tourist industry as a high school student back in 1963 as an employee at Roaring River State Park. Using a 19-point presentation of possibilities for Cassville to consider, Dilbeck said Barry County ranked 28th in Missouri’s 114 counties in tourist income. He said a sidelight of the industry is a $3.2 million payroll from those who provide services to this area’s visitors. Encouraging the full usage of the area’s deep history, presentation of existing and new events and festivals, Dilbeck said “anything that pulls a traveler off the road to visit Cassville or the surrounding area, would be an increase.” The speaker said the area’s momentum of the 1960’s had probably been lost to other regional attractions.” “But,” Dilbeck said, “these aren’t Cassville and surrounding area’s major competitors. Actually, attitude of maintaining the status quo can be more of a problem than anything,” he said. There were over 160 persons attending the event, one of the largest in recent history. More than once extreme bad weather conditions have prevailed on the dinner evening. The speaker suggested local tourism interests get with others in the four-county area, or even branch out into a multi-state effort. He also spoke on regional efforts to keep the area clean. Another feature would be to make everyone that comes into contact with visitors make a good attitude presentation, be knowlegeable about area attractions and aware of the value of tourism dollars. Awards presented at the meeting included a special recognition to Mrs. Lucille Johnston, an area educator and business person for her support of the Chamber. Receiving a community service award was Mrs. Maxine Rowland, founder of Second Act, booster of Share Your Christmas, hospital auxiliarian and district public relations contributor. Outgoing president Landon Fletcher made the presentations and then received the past-president’s plaque from Kammerlohr. Entertainment was provided by Matt Cardin, CHS musician on the piano and electronic keyboard. Members of the board introduced included: Don Cupps, Gary Fields, Bob Mitchell, John Anglum, Dr. Carolyn Hunter, Chip Lawson, Jim LeCompte, Dick Moger and Joe Preddy. Not attending were Byron Tucker and Debbie Workman. Ella Frost, C of C secretary, was reorganized for her work during the year by Fletcher. Three Belles was credited with decoration ideas and arrangements. Mrs. Louise Brooks and school cafeteria staff received a gift from the Chamber. Committee chairpersons for the year will include: Mark Smith, ambassador; Ron Miller, agriculture; Landon Fletcher, advertising and public relations; John and Cecilia Miller, community betterment; Jim LeCompte, community develop-ment; Chip Lawson, finance; Bob Mitchell and John Anglum, industrial development; Dick Moger, industrial relations; Tom Cardin, legislative and city plann-ing; Debbie Workman, member-ship; Joy Chappell, merchants; Joe Preddy, roads and highways; Corky Stehlik, special events; and Jack Nickols, tourism. 

30 years ago

Jan. 24, 1996

— Chamber salutes citizens for community involvement

Cassville forward was the underlying theme voiced by 1996 Chamber President Kathy White at the Chamber of Commerce’s membership banquet Saturday. White’s address was part of the annual event that marks a new year for the chamber. Over 110 business leaders attended the banquet, which was held in the Cassville High School cafeteria. The featured speaker for the evening was Jason Allen, who is the northwest Arkansas representative for the Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Allen, who is a former Arkansas Razorback quarterback, gave a motivational speech about having a winning attitude based on Character. Outgoing Chamber President Mark Smith had the honor of presenting the chamber’s Lifetime Achievement and Community Service awards. Darrell Ledenham received the Community Service Award for his leadership in planning Cassville’s Sesquicentennial. Bob Mitchell was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award for his 43 years of serving the community in numerous leadership positions.

Bob Mitchell

Over the past 43 years, nothing happened in Cassville without Bob Mitchell’s familiar presence. Hat turned backwards on his head, camera around his neck and notepad in hand, Bob chronicled area events as editor of the Cassville Democrat. Mitchell’s attendance at events was never passive. He not only wrote about the city of Cassville but has been a driving force in its progress. Mitchell joined the Cassville Democrat staff in 1953 after four years in the U.S. Navy. During his stint as a Navy journalist, he had the distinct honor of meeting Missouri’s own president, Harry S. Truman. Mitchell remembers Truman singling him out of a crowd of servicemen and stating that he was Means Ray’s nephew from Cassville. Mitchell’s involvement and leadership in community organizations is extensive. He was president of the Chamber of Commerce in 1974 and 1976. He also served as president of the Cassville Rotary Club in 1970. In 1984, he received the Community Service Award from the Cassville Chamber. The 1947 graduate of Cassville High School has served on the city’s planning and zoning commission and was chairman of the March of Dimes for many years. Mitchell also was a member of the Boy Scouts board of review. His career achievements included being elected president of the Ozark Press Association in 1969. Mitchell has served twice as commander of the American Legion and has chaired the group’s reunion committee for many years. He was named an honorary colonel by Governors John Dalton and Warren Hearnes. If Mitchell was asked which accomplishments he is most proud of, he would probably list his involvement in Cassville’s Industrial Development Corpora-tion. He has been an IDC board member since the 1970s and currently serves as the corporation’s board chairman. The IDC is responsible for attracting industry to the area. Mitchell has also been known to champion causes which he believes are crucial to the future of this area. He worked hard to make sure that Shell Knob’s Central Crossing Bridge became a reality.

He and other area leaders lobbied local congressmen and got their attention. The end result was construction of the bridge, which now links Shell Knob to areas south of the lake. Mitchell’s wife, Sue, daughter, Shelley, son-in-law, Dennis, and grandson, Andy, were in attendance at the banquet to watch Mitchell receive the award.

Darrell Ledenham

For the first six months of 1995, Darrell Ledenham was the busiest man in Cassville. During that time, he chaired Cassville’s Sesquicentennial Committee and prepared for a spectacular 150th birthday celebration. Under Ledenham’s leadership, volunteer members of the committee worked eagerly to finalize arrangements for an unforgettable weekend. Ledenham said his goal for the event was to make it fun-filled and affordable for everyone. Instead of “begging” businesses and individuals for contributions, Ledenham and his committee were able to solicit the help of the city’s four financial institutions and seven industries to subsidize the cost of putting on the city’s birthday party. Ledenham’s favorite memories from the Sesquicentennial include the hot air balloon spectacular and Willard Scott’s display of Cassville’s afghan on national tele-vision. Another milestone was locating William B. and Louis Porter Cass to serve as parade mar-shals. The logistics of scheduling the many events and taking care of the details, took all of Ledenham’s personal time and attention for months. Darrell’s wife, Beverly, said that Darrell’s “life” stopped until it was all over.n The Washburn native and MSSC graduate is a social worker at the Missouri Division of Aging. He currently serves as treasurer of the Volunteer Advisory Board, which oversees Second Act and Share Your Christmas. He is fulfilling his second term on the Cassville City Council and is a member of the Barry County Genealogy and Historical Society. Darrell and Beverly have three daughters, Kristi Bryant and Kandace Koehler of Cassville and Kara Ledenham of Joplin. The Ledenhams live in one of Cassville’s architectural treasures, a 1906 Victorian house they have restored and filled with period antiques.

— Council places business license issue before voters

Cassville City Council members voted Monday to place two issues on the April 2 ballot. They are asking residents to approve fee increases for city business licenses and are requesting that the city collector’s position be changed from elected to appointed. The business license fee has been set at 50 cents for the past 30 years. City Administrator Greg Beavers said payment notices were sent to city merchants several months ago. In response, many business owners called and asked if their 50 cent bill was a typographical error, Beavers said. After reviewing license fees in other cities, the council is proposing a new, more detailed fee schedule. The proposed license fees for merchant, retail and food service businesses are: $10, for businesses with fewer than five employees; $15, for six to 15 employees; $25 for 15 to 25 employees; and $35 for businesses with more than 25 employed. Other proposed fee categories are: financial institutions, $35; professional services, $15; service establishments without retail sales, $10; daily peddler’s license: $5: weekly peddler’s license, $25; 30-day peddler’s license, $100 Beavers said the fees were set to cover city costs not to generate revenue. The council is also asking voters to change the city collector to an appointed position. If the issue is approved, the new designation will take effect after Collector Kathleen Speer’s term expires in 1997. Jeanette Crates was hired by the city as a full-time utility billing clerk to assist the collector who is currently on medical leave. Come  Beavers said the council’s reasons for wanting an appointed collector are three-fold. He said an elected collector’s only duty is to collect city revenue. If the position were appointed, the collector could undertake additional duties. He also said that an appointed position would provide more stability. An appointed collector would also be able to work full-time, allowing city residents to pay bills eight hours a day every day. City voters have rejected a similar issue twice in the past two decades. In other action, the council:

• Accepted a revised bid for phase one of the city’s greenway trail. Beavers said site clearing and trail preparation costs were deleted from the bids, as were 700 feet of board walk and a three-inch crushed stone trail surface. After bids were revised, Hutchens Construction was the low bidder at $64,193.52. Other revised bids were: $68,676.14, Seven Valleys Construction; and $72,952, Christian Construction. The council voted to accept the low bid. Beavers said public work crews would begin site work on Feb. 5.