history

30 YEARS AGO: UP-UP BUT NOT AWAY — Operating from a tether line, Charles Venable, a native of Exeter, now in the glass business in Neosho, put on a show for Cassville elementary Monday. The balloon inflation and rides for some came a week late because of weather last week. Venable is shown here making adjustments to his flight equipment with help of Cassville R-4 staffers. The elementary student body is shown in the background. Below, Venable talks with Ron Cowan about the process of filling the balloon, with fan equipment which Cowan was watching as a crew helper.

40 YEARS AGO: NEW WILBUR LOOK — Pep club efforts during CHS Wildcat athletic contests will present this new Wilbur the Wildcat look. Inside the new costume is Laura Maloney, who will be the mascot this year.

40 YEARS AGO: AGING LAND TURTLE — In May, 1940, Pete Tucker of Cassville carved his initials and the date in a land turtle near Eagle Rock. Just recently, Buford Ball found the terrapin in his yard. Tucker said his RFT initials were barely visible on the shell. He estimated the terrapin was about one-quarter mile from where he released it 44 years ago.

40 YEARS AGO: NOT FLAGGED — A violation for delay of game Friday night drew no flag....instead an official escorted (better still carried) the offender off the field. It was one of the dogs that frequent the CHS campus. The whistle-toater (instrument in mouth) carried the friendly pooch off the field, necessitating a delay in the contest that was not chargeable as a violation to either team.

30 YEARS AGO: SHOWED WELL — Jim Hinson, 15, above, and Tyler Hinson II, below, showed well enough in the Missouri State Fair Santa Gertrudis FFA divisions to win recognition. The more senior of the pair received a grand champion award for his bull.

30 YEARS AGO: ONCE IT’S IN THEIR BLOOD — Natives of Cassville were included in the numbers at Roaring River State Park that helped push the popular attraction toward new records over the Labor Day weekend. In this photo, Jill and Brian Hunt and sons Nick and Caleb, get ready for an expected cool evening in the Dry Hollow area camp ground on Sunday evening.