Bygones – Edition 32
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50 YEARS AGO – Competing the State livestock Judging contest, along with Marion County, will be Shelby County, second place winner at the Sectional Livestock Judging Contest that was held August 2, at the Moore-Perry-Coon Farm in Bethel. The team consists of (left to right): Nancy Rutter, Roger Smith, Kenny Rutter and Gary Wilt. Sheep for the judging contest were provided by Wagner Hampshire Farms, Philadelphia.
100 Years Ago
August 3, 1921
Fire, thought to have been caused by burglars, caused damage to the extent of about $60,000 at Ewing Saturday morning. Two of the principal mercantile buildings in Ewing were completely destroyed in the flames. The buildings were the McNally Mercantile building, the largest in Lewis County, and the Farmers Bank building. Ewing is without fire fighting facilities or water supply. Buckets brigades were organized but proved ineffective against the spreading flames.
The bodies of Fred and Brooks Teachenor, sons of Mr. and Mrs. Monroe Teachenor, Shelbina, who lost their lives in the war, are expected to arrive in Shelbina the latter part of the week.
Robert Parsons of Emden will represent Shelby County at Boys State Fair School at the Missouri Centennial Exposition at the State Fair, August 8 to 20, in Sedalia.
L. E. Raper, St. Louis, was in Shelbyville last week in the interest of establishing the much talked of Democratic Morning newspaper in St. Louis. Stock selling work is now in progress and it is hoped to have 200,000 stockholders. The company will be incorporated for $3,000.000 at $1.00 a share, common stock, in blocks of five or more.
H. H. Clagget last week purchased the J. A. Clagget and C. S. Gatchel Garage in Shelbyville and possession has been given. The purchase included the building and all the equipment.
Four inches of rain has fallen here during the past week. It was badly needed after a hot, dry spell.
75 Years Ago
August 14, 1946
A fire the most destructive in the history of Leonard, of which the origin has not been determined, swept a block and a half, including seven business buildings in that city late Friday afternoon. The fire started at 5:15 o’clock at the rear of Manuel Bros. store and was first noticed, according to George Manuel, proprietor, by G. C. Fuller of north of Leonard as he left the store to go home.
Manuel Bros. general store, which consisted of groceries and dry goods, Elwyn Beckley’s filling station and garage, a barber shop building, a garage operated by Forest Copenhaver, and a store building owned by Chart McWilliams were destroyed. Smoke from the wreckage could be seen at the Shelbina Fair grounds twenty-two miles away.
One of the largest crowds in the history of the Shelby County Fair was in attendance last week at the Shelbina Fair grounds. Total receipts amounted to $11,000. Expenses totaled $9,000.
Three cases of polio (infantile paralysis) have been reported to date in Shelby county and surrounding territory. They are: Larry D., 5, and Saundra Ann, 3, children of Mr. and Mrs. Harold Miller of Plevna, who have been ill of the disease since last Wednesday. They are patients in Laughlin hospital, Kirksville, and are reported to be getting along very well. Another victim, Carolyn Clapper, 15-year-old daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Russell Clapper of Shelbina, was taken to a Hannibal hospital Sunday night for treatment.
Sam Simpson, S 1/c, son of Mrs. Bertha Simpson, of this city, who reenlisted in the navy and reported for duty May 23, is now located in Shanghai, China.
Mrs. J. Edward vonThun of this city received a cablegram Thursday from her husband in Tokyo saying he sailed for home August 7. Pfc. vonThun has been overseas 16 months. He has a son almost a year old whom he has never seen.
Pfc. Leon D. Latchford arrived here August 1 on a 30-day emergency furlough to visit his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joe Latchford, the latter having recently undergone a major operation. Pfc. Latchford has been in Korea the past 18 months and made the trip from there to Topeka, Kansas by plane. Following his furlough he will report to Ft. Sheridan, Ill.
50 Years Ago
August 4, 1971
Rev. and Mrs. James Ash of Emden wish to announce the engagement of their daughter, Brenda Lee to Lance Gregory Jennings, son of Mr. and Mrs. Morris Jennings of Shelbina.
C. Dwain Marquette, Bethel, was recently selected from a number of active Angus showmen and breeders for the final round of competition in the American Angus Auxiliary Scholarship Contest. He will now compete against 32 other entries from 24 states for college scholarship totaling $3,200.
Mr. and Mrs. Raymond Thrasher of Shelbyville announce the engagement of their daughter, Donna, to John E. Dennis, Jr. of Clarence, the son of Dorothy Dennis and the late John E. Dennis, Sr.
Several burgalries have been investigated by the Sheriff’s Department in Shelby County during the past week.
A battery was stolen from a Massey Ferguson tractor, owned by Ival Allred of Clarence as it was parked on the Karl Thurman farm, four miles east of Clarence. A 14 ft. log chain was stolen from the same tractor nearby. The theft took place sometime between 8 p.m. Saturday, July 31 and 9 a.m. Monday, August 2.
Stolen from Syndenstricker and Dye Equipment Company, located west of Shelbina on Highway 36, was a John Deere Riding mower valued at about $400.00. The mower theft, reported to the Sheriff’s office Thursday morning, was taken sometime late last Wednesday night or early Thursday morning, July 29. Both the above thefts were investigated by Deputy Sheriff Doug Smith.
25 Years Ago
July 31, 1996
A plaque from the Shelbina Chamber of Commerce was presented to Walt and Helen Lucas in recognition of the 50th anniversary of Lucas True Value Hardware Store as a member of the Shelbina business community.
Valerie Stelle of Shelbyville participated in the high jump events at the 1996 Show-Me games. She had qualified as a 13-14 year old at the Kirksville festival in June with a personal best of 4’ 10”. Her current best before was 4’ 8” a record she set for North Shelby Jr. High where she will be entering 8th grade this fall.