Bygones 8-13-2025

By superadmin | August 13, 2025

50 Years Ago – Mrs. Mary Alice Bunney, Shelbyville, is pictured receiving a plaque from Northeast Missouri State University President Charles J. McClain in appreciation for Mrs. Bunney's service to the University in Kirksville. Mrs. Bunney served as a member of the NMSU Board of Regents for 12 years and as President since 1973 The plaque along with a framed resolution of appreciation was presented by President McClain on behalf of the Board of Regents. Mrs. Bunney's term on the Board expired January 1, 1975.

100 Years Ago

August 19, 1925

In a class of twenty entries, described by judges as the best collection of mules ever shown in Northeast Missouri, T. D. Blackwood, of near Shelbyville won the blue ribbon for the best pair of mules, any age, at the Monroe County Fair at Paris last week. Second premium went to Wilbur Minor.

Bloodhounds from Moberly were used Sunday in an effort to trace the persons who entered the watermelon patch of Claude Babb, south of Emden, and completely destroyed his crop.

Princeton Smith and Herbert Nicol, two small boys from Bethel, stepped out into the world of adventure Thursday, making the trip to Shelbyville and return on their bicycles. The boys burst into the Herald office and young Smith boldly approached the editor’s sanctum.

He doffed his sombrero and politely inquired if this was the place where folks got things put in the paper. Receiving an answer in the affirmative he related, “Herbert Nicol and me have just come to town from Bethel on our bikes, and I tell you we had a fine trip too. Gee, but you’ve got a fine town here and we’ve seen the courthouse and jail and everything.” Princeton is a son of Joe Smith and is a farmer. Herbert is a son of Roy Nicol, banker.

Mrs. Myrtle Threlkeld left yesterday for Knox City, where she will judge the exhibits in floral hall at the Knox City Fair. This is the third time Mrs. Threlkeld has served in this capacity.

The thirty-seventh Annual Old Settlers Reunion will be held in Shelbyville next Saturday, August 22. Preparations are being made to entertain visitors, old and young, from near and far on that occasion.

The big tent revival, conducted by Evangelist Glenn Renick and his sister, Miss Daisy, assisted by Miss Steffen and Raymond Brown, is increasing in interest and crowds. It was estimated the crowd Sunday night was from 1500 to 2000 people.

One of the prettiest social affairs of the present season was the bridge luncheon given Saturday afternoon at 1 o’clock at the home of Miss Opal Gwynn, Miss Gwynn and Miss Alys Moran being the hostesses.

Considerable damage has been reported from wind and lightning during the storm Monday night. A barn at the home of Union J. Davis in Emden was struck by lightning and the building and contents destroyed. Contents of the barn included a buggy, some clover seed, 100 bushels of oats and other articles.

A hen house on the farm of Joe Wilson of the Bethel vicinity was struck by lightning and destroyed together with 300 chickens. He places his loss at $800 with $350 insurance.

Three horses and a mule owned by G. C. Bower were killed by lightning. The animals were insured.

75 Years Ago

August 16, 1950

Mrs. Harry Jacobs, Salisbury, began work at the County Extension office Monday. She will replace Miss Virginia Norris as Home agent when the latter leaves for school the first of September.

Bob G. Woods, son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry D. Woods, Shelbyville, received a Doctor of Philosophy degree from the State University of Iowa at the August convocation.

Rev. Alfred Kalstorf, Henry Nothnagel, Miss Lourverne Claussen of near here attended the annual camp meeting and Missouri Conference of the Free Methodist church at Chillicothe last week. Miss Claussen served as pianist for the conference.

Thieves stole three bulls from the farm of Senator Frank P. Griggs, north of Macon Friday night. To anyone else the loss might be disastrous, but, after all, what is a little bull to Frank. Two men were taken into custody in Iowa and charged with the theft.

The Democratic Central committee met yesterday and elected Fred C. Bollow, chairman,

Miss Alice McCarty, vice-chairman, Mrs. Pearl Caldwell, secretary and Mrs. Dorothy Johnson, treasurer. The Republican Central Committee meets tonight.

Miss Ruby Gorby, Lentner, is home from Kirskville where she attended summer school.

Mrs. Allen Vanskike is papering rooms for Mrs. Harry Vanskike Tuesday.

The manufacturers of Kaiser and Frazer automobiles will have a costly and unique exhibit at the State Fair this year.

50 Years Ago

August 13, 1975

The Dean Henderson family, Emden, was selected as Shelby County’s State Fair Farm Family. They will attend the State Fair on August 18. The family includes Mr. and Mrs. Henderson (Dean and Virginia), Jennifer, 22 months, Kenneth 14. and Dee Ann, 12.

Mrs. Clara Echternacht, Macon retired Home Economics instructor and FHA leader from Region 3 was honored at the third general session Thursday, May 22, in Jesse Auditorium at the State Leadership Conference Missouri Association, Future Homemakers of America. Mrs. Echternacht was vocational Home Economics teacher in Shelby County for 20 years and active in her FFA Chapter.

Steffenville – Mrs Omer Rife, Correspondent: Sunday! Weather! Still very hot and humid and no rain, as yet, but still living in hopes. The last rain we had in this area was June 23, with just a few drops in July. It’s so dry the grass snaps under your feet when walking.

In Regard! People go on vacation to forget things, and when they open their bags, they find out they did so. Happiness is to be found along the way, and not just at the end of the road, for then the journey is over.

25 Years Ago

August 16, 2000

With a new school year at North Shelby comes new faces and new names added to the staff to replace those who have left. Sharri Kemp, who has taught K-12 art in the past takes over as the new elementary principal replacing Joni Wilson. With the resignation of Wendeline Brumbaugh, the board hired former North Shelby graduate Brandi Uhlmeyer to take her place as the FAACS teacher for the upcoming school year Jan Beach will be the new fifth grade teacher and Kim Blackford will be the new second grade teacher.

Leonard – Jane Harder

We have again survived the State Fair. This we call our vacation. . . . Anita, Jeff and Brianna Smith spent Saturday night with us at the fair. Loren and I sacrificed the double bed and slept in the bunk beds. Loren got the bottom bunk and since they are mostly enclosed, he had to drive in and back out, but the bed held him. I was left with the top bunk which is reached by climbing onto the seat of the dining table, then stepping back of the seat, putting your knee on the bed. quickly moving your other foot to the opposite wall and shoving off as you lunge for the bed. I would have had a pretty good night if I hadn’t drank so much soda before going to bed. Climbing down in the dark was a lot harder than climbing up and after stepping in Loren’s face a couple of times, it became apparent that if I made one more trip down that wall, it very well could be my last.

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