Bygones 8-20-2025

By superadmin | August 20, 2025

50 Years Ago – North Shelby placed second in the Clarence Baseball Tournament held last week. From left to right are, Lindall Perry, Kevin Prange, Jeff Jones, Brad Willey, Tim Jones, Rodney Willey, and Terry Raymer, manager. Back row: Dave Werr, manager, Dennis Willey, David Shouse, Gary Prange, Dennis Glascock, and Cephus Payne. Mike Perry was absent when the picture was taken.

100 Years Ago

August 26, 1925

Samples of Shelby County’s big corn crop were on display during the Old Settlers Reunion and first prize for the tallest stalk of corn went to Henry Claussen. The stalk was 16 feet tall, with two suckers each 14½ feet high. Each sucker bore an ear of corn and there were two ears on the main stalk making four in all.

In the old fiddlers contest, 60 years and over, William Stalcup of Clarence won first prize, George Vanskike of Newark, second, and John Culler of Epworth, third.

Lee White of Shelbyville, won the fatmen’s race with C. H. Stevenson of Bethel a close second. In the foot race for boys, Raymond Gander was first and Robert Easdale second.

The ballgame between Shelbyville and Lewistown resulted in a victory for Shelbyville by a score of 8 to 6.

Martha Jane Gilstrap, 11 months old, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. T. L. Gilstrap of Shelbina, was first place winner in the baby contest. Carol Hope, 10 months old, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bert Sowers, Shelbyville, won second prize.

Eighty-eight old settlers registered Saturday, just twice the number registering last year. John L. Oliver of Shelbina was here again and as usual was awarded the prize for the oldest person on the grounds. Mr. Oliver is in his 106th year.

A deal was made here last Saturday whereby the North Missouri Lumber Company acquired the lumberyard of the Cotton Lumber Company at this place. The sale includes the stock and buildings.

A delegation of businessmen from Kirksville on a good will tour of this section of the state is expected here about 5 o’clock this afternoon. The delegation will be accompanied by Lt.

Webber in an airplane distributing copies of the Kirksville Express. A stop will be made here for supper.

T. D. Blackwood, who carried away the honors at the Monroe County Fair with his mules was also in the money at the state fair. His mules claimed second place in three categories.

Friends gathered here for the Old Settlers Saturday from all parts of the country, with John Neuschafer, wife and daughter probably making the longest trip. They arrived here from Anaheim, Calif., where they have lived for the past four years.

Sheriff S. R. Orr of this city, Harry J. Libby, William Miles and C. Adams, of Shelbina, left Monday on an automobile trip to Versailles, Kentucky. The party will be away about 10 days.

75 Years Ago

August 23, 1950

Mrs. V. R. Vandiver, of west of Leonard, sailed from New York today aboard the S. S. Washington to attend an Associated Country Women of the World meeting in Copenhagen, Denmark. From 150 to 200 delegates from the United States are expected to attend the meeting.

Dan Bower of Bethel was elected chairman of the Republican Central committee at its meeting last week. Other officers are; Mrs. Lee Foreman, Clarence, vice-chairman; Mrs. Goldi Howe, Hunnewell, secretary and George H. Bunney, Shelbyville, treasurer.

Winners in the dress revue held at the 4-H club day recently were; Sue Tungate, Doris June Danner, Phyllis Miller, Anna Louise Turner, Claudette and Clunette Wood, and Marilyn Elwood.

County Clerk Virgil Todd reports that he saw two deer, a doe and a fawn, south of the Ray Ragsdal farm, as he was driving home to Shelbina Monday evening. They came out of a field onto the highway but as his car approached, the doe ran to the west side and the fawn bolted back to the east.

Mr. and Mrs. Bragg Pickett returned home Thursday from a week’s visit with his uncle, C. S. Bragg, Amarillo, Tex., and Mr. and Mrs. Ingram Pickett of Santa Fe, N.M. Mrs. J. J. Pickett, who has been visiting her brother for the past month accompanied them home.

The Highway Patrol will inspect buses used for the transportation of school children in Shelbyville on September 7 according to County Superintendent G.H. Jordan.

Mr. and Mrs. Harold Shofstall and Leroy of Jefferson City spent the weekend with their daughter and sister, Mrs. J. E. vonThun and family west of town.

William Fink and grandson, Billie Fink, Waconda, Ill., visited several days this week in the Bethel area. They returned home this morning accompanied by Mr. Fink’s sister, Mrs. Charles Brothers.

Twin girls were born last night to Mr. and Mrs. Bob Dixon of Shelbina. This makes four girls and one boy for the Dixon family. Mrs. Dixon is the former Sylvia Tood of Shelbina.

50 Years Ago

August 20, 1975

The North Shelby baseball team for 14-15 year old brought home second place honors from the Clarence baseball tournament, The North Shelby team won three games to claim the spot, defeating Monroe City 7-0, Clarence 10-9, and slugging past Macon 12-8.

Their overall record was seven wins against four losses. Leading hitters were Jim Jones with a .520 average, Lindell Perry 375, Gary Prange 333 and Dennis Willey .333.

Mr. and Mrs. Glen (Pete) Greening were surprised Saturday night with a party honoring their 25th wedding anniversary, which is actually today, August 20. Their two daughters, Mrs. Ralph (Glenna) Eagan and Kim Greening, both of Shelbyville, and son-in-law Ralph Eagan made arrangements for the celebration by inviting several friends and relatives to be at the Greening home when they returned from a wedding.

Emden-Mrs. Donald White, correspondent: Mr. and Mrs. LeRoy Calvert and family returned to their home Saturday after spending two weeks touring the northern and western states.

Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Douglas and Keith have returned home from a two-week vacation trip through the western states.

25 Years Ago

August 23, 2000

The Shelby County C-1 School Board held its final meeting before the beginning of school Wednesday, August 16 at North Shelby High School. The enrollments for 2000-01 are as follows: seniors – 34, juniors – 31, sophomores – 30, freshman – 24, eighth graders – 24, seventh graders – 33.

Shelbyville’s 112th Old Settlers Reunion begins Thursday, August 24. Members of the Davidson Amusement Devices pulled into town early Monday morning and were setting up equipment throughout the week. The carnival will open Thursday evening with arm band night which runs from 6 p.m. until 10 p.m. The cost is $10.

Ethan Decker, Shelbina, was 1st place winner in the 7-year-old boys division at the International Pedal Pull at Grand-view, Manitoba, Canada (pho-to).

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