Bygones

By Editor | September 22, 2025

50 Years Ago – This delegation of farmers and their wives from the Shelby County area visited the facilities near New Orleans in which the Missouri Farmers Association has substantial ownership. They are, from the top, Bob Decker, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Wood, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Werr, Mr. and Mrs. J. A. Hall, Mr. and Mrs. Ivan Carroll, Mr. and Mrs. Kenneth Dolbeare. At the Farmers Export Elevator on the Mississippi River, they saw barges being unloaded and ocean going ships being loaded. They visited CF Industries nitrogen complex where fertilizer was being manufactured out of natural gas for shipment to Missouri by barge, pipeline, truck and rail. Making the trip were advisory board members of MFA Exchanges, managers and their wives.

100 Years Ago

September 30, 1925

With an empty pocketbook, a fountain pen and pencil, a map of Missouri, a wash rag and cake of soap in his pockets, Eldon Keith, 14 years old, arrived in Shelbyville from Kansas City looking spick and span and inquired where Tom Freeman lived. The boy is a nephew of Mrs. Freeman.

Joe Latchford, who lives on the Ben Gwynn Farm near Kirby, lost a valuable cow last week. The cow became sick about two weeks ago. After the animal’s death he made an examination of the vital organs and found a small piece of baling wire, about 4 inches long, had pierced the heart and was imbedded to a depth of three inches.

Fine rains have fallen during the past week and fall pastures are attaining a splendid growth. Farmers have been busy getting wheat ground in shape for planting and a big acreage will be sown this week.

75 Years Ago

September 27, 1950

The period of cold weather which came last week, following the unusually hot spell, was entitled to an appropriate name. Now we find that it was “Squaw Winter” and the warm spell that has followed this week is Indian Summer.

Shelby County’s apportionment of school money from the state is considerably less than a year ago. County Clerk Bethards received the amount of $12,183.45 which is $5.086.83 less than a year ago.

Rev. Merton A. West, the new pastor of the Methodist Church, arrived here last week with his family. The new minister possesses a pleasing personality and displays a great deal of energy and enthusiasm in his work.

“Cytherea” is appearing at the New Janus in Shelbina. It stars Lewis Stone, Alma Rubens, Norman Kerry, Irene Rich and Constance Bennett. Admission is 10 cents and 25 cents.

The Junior class of the local high school made a record magazine sale of $1,052 in their recent campaign for class funds. The first Junior class to sell magazines earned $300.

Bill Staggs was guest of honor at a farewell refreshment hour given by the Masonic Lodge here at the local hall Friday evening. Bill will leave on September 27 for duty in the armed services.

A schoolboy patrol war organized in Hunnewell under the Sponsorship of the Women’s Service Club. Member of the patrol are, Bobby Lewis, Keith Mayes, Charles Grubb, Ray McSorley, Larry Peterson and Don Fulick. They will assist grade schoolers in crossing US-36 to and from school.

Miss Billie Bentley, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Ellis Bentley was elected Queen of the Clarence Homecoming at their annual celebration last Thursday.

Carroll Claggett, Richard Taylor and Fred Burckhardt attended the R.E.A. meeting at Lewistown Saturday. They say that they now have plenty of power and that the folks may use all the electricity that they need.

Wheat sowing is in full swing in the Pleasant Prairie vicinity.

50 Years Ago

September 24, 1975

The sky above Shelbyville airport Sunday morning was one of whistling wings as 1,000 homing pigeons began a long flight back to Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After gaining their bearings, the birds took a slight northeasterly course towards their home lofts in Milwaukee. There birds are just over six months old. The pigeons were released by Ken Shea, Milwaukee. The distance between Shelbyville and Milwaukee is 300 air miles.

News from the North Shelby Raiders by Pat Powell: Magazine sales came to a halt Monday, September 12. The top ten salesmen were Dianne Parsons, Joyce Glover, Larry Smoot, Sara Werr, Jim Perry, Larry Shively, Kathy Bue, Robert R. Christine, Rodney Lair and Gene Adam.

Gene W. Wiseman, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Lawrence Wiseman or rural Shelbyville, has been elected president for Tau Kappa Epsilon Fraternity at the University of Missouri in Columbia. Wiseman is majoring in Animal Science and is a senior.

25 Years Ago

September 27, 2000

North Shelby Quarterback Scott Gaines scored from two yards out for the Raiders first touchdown of the night with 5:46 remaining in the first quarter. The Raiders went on to win the game 19-0 over Clark County. North Shelby improved to 2-2 overall and 2-1 in the conference.

Leonard – Jane Harder

Fall has already begun to slip up on us with cool, drizzly days, as the trees begin to take on the early colors of autumn.

Mail count will soon be over. Unfortunately, I will still continue to make mistakes until my job is turned over to automation. I have been searching for a monkey to ride along with me to stuff mailboxes to minimize the wear and tear on my shoulder and back, but as yet have been unsuccessful.

Tri-Square – Martine Behring

There were 42 at Prairie View Sunday School. . .

Next Sunday Prairie View will celebrate our 125th anniversary with an all day celebration and carry-in dinner at 12:30 p.m. Bob and Bill Atterberry will be with us, Bob bringing the message and Bill the music. Their grandfather, Rev. I. G. Atterberry, was our pastor from 1927 to 1934.

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