50 years ago

Nov. 3, 1976

— County Breaks Tradition In Ballot Majority To Carter For President

Casting just over 10,000 votes Tuesday, Barry Countians broke tradition for the first time in 44 years and handed a majority to a Democrat candidate for president. Although Jimmy Carter carried the county by only 93 votes over Gerald Ford in unofficial returns, the majority was the first evidenced for a Democrat since the election of Franklin Roosevelt. With considerable ballot splitting obvious in Tuesday’s general election, voters in the county also gave Democrats Secretary of State James Kirkpatrick and Treasurer James I. Spainhower majorities in their re-election bids. A third Democrat, incumbent Southern Judge Lige Frost, won re-election by a 322-vote plurality. Returning to majority party balances, Barry Countians handed a healthy majority to John Danforth over Warren Hearnes for the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Stuart Symington. Governor Kit Bond, although carrying Barry County, lost in his bid for re-election to Joseph Teasdale. Lt. Governor Bill Phelps, who carried this county, was leading Democrat Richard Rabbitt in the state. John Ashcroft, after the attorney general office, carried his Barry County lead into the state over James Baker. Congressman Gene Taylor, seeking his third term in the Seventh District, won handily over Dolan Hawkins. Emory Melton, Cassville attorney, was not opposed in his bid for a second term in the Missouri Senate, representing the 29th District. Rufus Miller of Cassville, running for state representative, carried his home county but lost to County Clerk Eddie Williams of McDonald County in lopsided voting from the neighboring area. Keith Stotts of Pierce City, whose district includes the eastern part of Barry County, was unopposed for his return to the Missouri House. Dick Sanders of Monett was re-elected northern judge of the county court over William Buchanan, also of Monett. Vernon Still, incumbent sheriff, weathered a challenge from Robert Johnson of Golden in obtaining another term. Unopposed officials named Tuesday included Democrat Dale Burke, re-named prosecuting attorney; Republicans unopposed included Circuit Judge William Pinnell; Glen D. Nicoll for assessor, re-elected; Doyle Williamson returned as coroner; and Jack Byrd, renamed public administrator. Votes cast in Barry County, with winning majorities noted, include: For President — Gerald Ford 5,053 and Jimmy Carter 5,146, majority 93. For U.S. Senator — John Danforth 6,247 and Warren Hearnes 3,772, majority 2,475. For Governor — Christopher Bond 5,713 and Joseph Teasdale 4,416, majority 1,297. For Lt. Governor — William Phelps 5,864 and Richard Rabbitt 4,104, majority 1,760. For Secretary of State — Mildred P. Huffman 4,007 and James Kirkpatrick 5,878, majority 1,871. For Treasurer — Al Kemp Jr. 4,371 and James Spainhower 5,489, majority 1,118. For Attorney General — John Ashcroft 6,108 and James Baker 3,851, majority 2,257. For Congressman — Gene Taylor 6,396 and Dolan Hawkins 3,685, majority 2,711. For State Senator — Emory Melton 6,396, unopposed. For State Representative — Eddie Williams 3,713 and Rufus Miller 4,366, majority 653. For State Representative — Keith Stotts, 1,240, unopposed. For Circuit Judge — William Pinnell 6,574, unopposed. For Northern Judge — Dick Sanders 2,529 and William Buchanan 1,908, majority 621. For Southern Judge — Lowell Painter 2,529 and Lige Frost 2,884, majority 322. For Prosecuting Attorney — Dale Burke, 5,732, unopposed. For Sheriff — Vernon Still 5,483 and Robert Johnson 4,523, majority 960. For Assessor — Glen Nicoll, 6,462, unopposed. For Coroner — Doyle Williamson 6,570, unopposed. For Public Administrator — Jack Byrd 6,393, unopposed. Barry County’s vote, numbering 10,081 in the congressional race, was 77% of the total 13,026 registered voters eligible to cast ballots. Counting and recording facilities in the office of County Clerk Howard Bounous did not close until 1 a.m. Wednesday with the arrival of the last precinct from Monett. In Barry County, a total of 860 absentee ballots were cast in the voting. Of this number, 722 were counted, with 138 refused, mostly due to notary certifications on the back of envelopes. Judges said the same cross-voting of ballots was evidenced in absentees as was obvious throughout Tuesday’s election.

40 years ago

Nov. 5, 1986

— Justin Fetes 233 Employees In Annual Dinner Session

Justin Boot Company of Cassville, employer of 365 persons, feted 233 of them for service recognitions in a dinner session recently. One hundred-thirty of the group had been with the company since they acquired the Cassville manufacturing plant in 1981. Another 103 employees who have achieved a two-year service level were honored in the luncheon at the American Legion Building. Employees in the two- and five-year category received their awards from J. T. Dickenson, company president. Also on hand was John Justin, chief executive officer and chairman of the board for Justin Industries. In Cassville from the Fort Worth, Texas, corporate headquarters were Ernest Blank, president and chief operating officer; Frank Scivetti, vice president of sales and marketing; and Bill Ledbetter, personnel manager. James Latshaw, Missouri division manager for plants in Cassville and Sarcoxie, was master of ceremonies. Employees receiving five-year pins were: Dewey Swearingen, Joe Carlisle, Glenda Rose, Danny Looney, Nancy May, Alice Senters, Lanny Aldridge, Genevieve Black, Rochell Lebow, Linda Bruton, Geraldine Fields, Greg Brattin, Pat Williams, Gerald Houston, Neva Stephens, Dub Antle, Marlene Matthew, Stephens, Connie Bishop, Pat Linebarger, Irene Snyder, Janice Henson, Hazel Hargus, Mary Roe, Mary Jane Byrd, Loretta Ellis, Phyllis Atkinson, Lorene Aldridge, Carolyn Bowling, Leota Roden, Helen Munday, Etta Nesbitt, Pat Savage, Rita Stringer, Vada Swearingen, Janice Holloway, Maxine Stockton, Francis Prewitt, Patty Day, Mary Williams, Vicky Myers, Nancy Bishop, Johnna Brooks, Barbie Howe, Vicky Porter, Doris Baxley, J. D. Singley, Edna Brown, Nina Harrell, Letha Weaver, Roeanne Doty, Linda Mattingly, Janette Akins, Mary Boyd, Rose Newman, Dottie Brock, Shirley Williams, Gloria Ross, Mary Tiner, Kathleen Phillips, Rosalie Mead, Margaret Aldridge, Bessie McCullough and Jo Ann Williams. Also receiving five-year pins were Steve Maloney, Kenny Moore, Kenny Freeman, Juanita Brattin, Art Koehler, Jimmy Asburry, Tim Swearingen, Norma Wiseley, Susie Reed, Terry Pyles, David Shoemaker, Sharon Garland, Toney Cope, Sharon VanZandt, Robert Bowling, Pat Asburry, Debbie Lee, Ray Smith, David White, James Aldridge, Pat Aldridge, Cathy Davis, Kelly Maloney, Bernice Bennett, Erick Stephens, Debbie Chappell, Jackie Craig, Johnny Bishop, Joe Luney, Donita Yockey, Wendell Hopkins, Judy Davis, Jim Bennett, Peggy Edie, Ann Griffis, Shirley Bowling, Glenda Harvey, Bonnie Crider, Rayburn Haddock, Betty McCracken, Linda Byrd, Beverly Shockley, Sue Martin, Fern Lowe, Patricia Miller, Violet Cagle, Barbara Swearingen, Phyllis Young, Marjorie McQueen, James Latshaw, Leo Souder, Jeannie Scott, Raymond Fischer, Carolyn Charles, Kon Stewart, Jim Convirs, Hal Smith, Chuck Reynolds, Russ Bennett and Rita Litchfield. Those employees receiving two-year pins were: Jeff Scott, Kelly Hudgins, Gail Byrd, Doyletta Still, Tami Loveland, Terri Henderson, Tony Hodge, Evan Craig, Kelly Craig, Vicky Boley, Ruth Latshaw, Elaine Wallace, Charla Bruton, Diane Cope, Anna Hency, Carol Orndorff, Carolyn Short, Karla Coatney, Bonnie Thomas, Nancy Chadd, Linda Jaques, Karen Atnip, Debbie Henderson, Sheila Crider, Donna Edie, Debbie Huse, Darla Campbell, LaDonna Drake, Vicky Brattin, Barbara Hobbs, Teresa O’Neill, Shelley Canady, Rayma Craig, Shirley Weston, Kim Munday, Audrey Kennedy, Carolyn Gage, Sheila Asher, Phyllis Long, Cindy Dowdy, Danny Heupel, Paula Carroll, Lori White, Connie Bradford, Karen Hendrix, Kit Martin, Carla Watson, Bridgette Houston, Raymond Branstetter, Darla Packwood and David Har-; Larry Bolton, Jo Simpson, Stan Mankin, Rhonda Craig, Robert Foster, Rick Bowling, Kirk Walters, Jerry Reed, Jerry Byrd, Sue Mattingly, Bud Walters, Jo Lynn Fields, Belinda Petree, Juanita Dotson, Alan Cleek, Jim Scritchfield, Kenneth Byrd, Lana Cantwell, Mike Harrison, Leesa Tate, Ron Reed, Doyle Edie, Gary Swearingen, Terry Bouzek, Tim Sapp, Mike Beck, Sherry Reynolds, Chris Burbridge, Jeanette Bowling, Randy Lebow, Rick Davidson, Tammy Hatfield, Don Hart, Laverne Fraizer, Scott Smith, Thomas Dailey, Judy Harris, Phyllis Craig, Glenda Hollis, Billie Sapp, Rick Henry, Susan Williamson, Jeff Johnson, Jana Anderson, Rhonda Savage, Jack Snook, Jeston Scott, Marsha Blankenship, Dorsey Carroll, Jina Brown, Dan Halterman and David Atnip.

— Veteran’s Day Is Tuesday

Veteran’s Day, 1986, is next Tuesday, with the purpose of the observance to remember 26.8 million men and 1.2 million women who served in America’s Armed Forces. In recognition of the event, Irwin-Easley American Legion Post of Cassville will hold its traditional breakfast on that date, with service from about 5 a.m. to about 11 a.m. Bob Johnston, post commander, said the observance was open to all area veterans and business people. He said, “This is our way of saying thanks for the support of veterans and our American Legion Post through the past year.” Bob Daniels will be in charge of the cooking crew, which serves the breakfast in the American Legion Home basement. Cassville schools will have a full student assembly at the campus mall, weather permitting, says Jerry Marple, high school principal. Time is 10 a.m. Speaker will be Sherman, district American Legion commander of Joplin. Colors will be presented by Boy Scout Troop 76. Prelude will be provided by the CHS band. Travis James, vice president of student council, will lead the pledge to the flag. Invocation by Don Beeson, retired Army chaplain. Patriotic song by Chastane Ward, CHS freshman, and Judy Starchman, music instructor. Patriotic remarks by Jared Park. The program will close with the band trumpet section playing taps.

30 years ago

Oct. 30, 1996

— Mayorsvz will meet to share big ideas for smaller cities

Barry County has small-town appeal. Its hometown flavor comes from the fact that six cities with fewer than 3,000 residents exist within the county’s borders. Five of the six cities have populations less than 1,200. A discussion about the differences between large and small cities in southwest Missouri was raised when Pierce City Mayor Carol Hirsch and City Clerk Julie Johnson sent letters to mayors in nearby towns, asking them if they were interested in meeting to share ideas, training and possibly resources. Hirsch said she has been “overwhelmed” by the interest. So much so that she has set a date for an organizational meeting among mayors. The meeting is scheduled for Nov. 7 at 7 p.m. in Pierce City City Hall. “We don’t have all the answers, it was just an idea that we’ve thrown out there,” Hirsch said. “We all have unique problems. What we have to learn to do is develop what resources we have.” Hirsch said she intends to keep the meeting positive and not let it turn into a gripe session. Several city officials from Barry County plan to attend the first meeting of small-town mayors. Representatives from Wheaton, Seligman and Exeter will be in attendance. Washburn does not plan to attend, and Purdy’s involvement is unclear at this time. Pam Pogue, the city clerk at Wheaton, said she is looking forward to the meeting. “We want to attend the meeting to see if they (other cities) have the same problems we do,” Pogue said. “It will give us a chance to pass information back and forth that our size towns can use.” Washburn City Clerk Mary Roller said she doesn’t want to go to something where people are “airing their dirty laundry.” “I don’t want to listen to their complaints,” said Roller. “We don’t do scandal.” Roller and Seligman City Clerk Ramona Fletcher both said their cities were pleased with the support they have received from the Missouri Municipal League (MML), an organization of cities within the state. “MML has been very helpful,” Fletcher said. “They’ve always given us good advice. We have definitely received support.” Area mayors and aldermen who were polled by the Cassville Democrat revealed that one of the greatest challenges facing small city governments is operating a city on a smaller budget. Larger cities, such as Cassville and Monett, have a greater source of revenue and can afford to hire more personnel to operate the city. Smaller towns have more limited resources and must get by with only a handful of employees. A chart, listing each city’s population, budget and employee numbers, accompanies this article. Cassville and Monett were included to give readers an idea of varying resources available to cities within the Barry County area. Fletcher said, in Seligman, the lack of resources to provide adequate police protection was a big issue with the city. A meeting to discuss the city’s law enforcement has been set for Nov. 25. Other issues that some of the smaller cities deal with include no set office hours. City clerks said they wear “many hats” and are often out of the office handling city business. Another issue is no separation of duties. Fletcher said almost every small city she talks to said their audits point to the need to separate the duties of collector and treasurer. Most city clerks are responsible for collecting the city’s water and sewer bills as well as reconciling.

— Clerk expects voter turnout of 55 percent

On Tuesday, Barry County Clerk Gary Youngblood is expecting 55 percent of the county’s 18,720 registered voters to make a trip to the polls to cast their vote in the general election. Voter turnout is always higher in a presidential election year, Youngblood said. “We have people that vote in the general election that never have voted before,” Youngblood said. “It’s like going to church on Easter and Christmas.” In the 1992 general election, newspapers reported the largest voter turnout in the county’s history. There were over 12,000 residents who voted. In the 1988 election, 11,451 of the county’s 19,355 registered voters went to the polls. Absentee voting has also increased for the general election. As of Tuesday morning, 800 citizens had voted absentee. Statewide, there are approximately 3.34 million registered voters, which is an all-time record. Based on projections from local elections officials around the state, Secretary of State Bekki Cook is predicting that about 2 million voters will go to the polls. Polls open at 6 a.m. Nov. 5 and close at 7 p.m. Anyone who will not be able to make it to the polling place on election day has until Monday, Nov. 4, at 5 p.m. to vote absentee in person at the county clerk’s office.