Looking Back April 18
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One Hundred
Years Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record-News, Thursday, April 30, 1919.)
With the soldiers at Camp Dodge: April 28, 1919. The principal interest in military and patriotic circles, centers in paying tribute to the fighting 168th regiment of the famous “Rainbow Division” which is expected to reach Camp Dodge early in May. The men sailed last week on the Leviathan and there will be around 1,500 of them. They reached New York last Friday.
Suggestion comes from former resident-in a letter received last week by Randolph S. Beall, secretary of the Mount Ayr Commercial Club, G.M. Kirby of Buffalo, who for many years was one of the leading business men of Ringgold County, offers the suggestion that Mount Ayr plan for a homecoming week some time during the summer. That such an affair could be made a tremendous success is the opinion of Mr. Beall and it is suggested that a week’s program could be arranged. All the former residents of the community invited to return to the old home town. In view of the fact that Mount Ayr will not have a Chautauqua this summer.
April 27, Cloe Bellamy and Catherine Mahan were united in marriage at the home of the groom’s sister in Indianola.
Obituary in this edition was Hattie Kelley Barrett.
Seventy-Five
Years Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record-News, Thursday, May 4, 1944.)
Second Lieut. Martin George O’Connell Jr., son of Mr. and Mrs. Martin O’Connell of Beaconsfield, was killed April 21 in England in an airplane crash. He was a member of the Army Airforce…Mr. and Mrs. R.S. Livesay, of Redding, have received from the Navy Department of the U.S. the Purple Heart and certificate which was awarded posthumously to their son, Earnest Sherman Livesay, apprentice seaman of the United States Naval Reserve. Livesay was officially presumed to have lost his life June 15, 1943, which was the day following the expiration of an absence of 12 months.
High priority rating given for construction of REA lines. The granting of a high priority rating by the War Production Board to Rideta Electric Co-operative gives hope that the farmers of Ringgold County and adjoining territory will soon enjoy the advantage of electric lighted homes and electric powered machinery.
Sixteen seniors will graduate from Diagonal High school next week. They are Dorothy Beaman, June Bunker, Janice Motsinger, Elda Hale, Rosalie Olson, Donna Marie Tindle, Betty O’Bryan, Gladys Keller, Elbert Beal, Doyle Stamper, Perry Johnson, Russell Davenport, David Young, Billie Mathis, Raleigh Adams and Robert Bentley.
Velva Yashack, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Yashack of Diagonal and Ernest A. Campbell, son of Mr. and Mrs. George Campbell of Bethany, MO. were united in marriage April 22…Lillian Bass and Pfc. Avon Lorimor were united in marriage April 22.
Births: April 29, a daughter to Mr. and Mrs. Earl Reynolds of Poe Township…April 24, a son to Mr. and Mrs. John Dady.
Obituaries in this edition were: Walter H. Beall, Lola M. Scott Dickson and David Andrew O’Dell.
Fifty Years Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record-News, Thursday, May 1, 1969.)
A new manager has been named for the Mount Ayr Manufacturing Co. plant here and plans are underway to bring the local factory up to full production. Managing the operation here is Joseph Stroh, a native of Des Moines, who assumed duties here two weeks ago.
1,033 farms in the county signed in farm program. With high levels of producer participation indicated nationally for the 1969 wheat and feed grain programs, latest figures for Ringgold County show more farms have been enrolled in the programs this year according to Marshall Barker, chairman of the Agricultural Stabilization & Conservation Committee. Barker said that it’s important that growers follow through with their indicated intentions to divert crop land from production to realize improvement in farm prices for the commodities.
Army Specialist Four, James Brand, whose parents are Mr. and Mrs. Clyde Brand of Mount Ayr, was assigned to the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam, March 27. A parachute rigger assigned with Company C of the brigade near Bien Hoa. Specialist Brand entered the Army March of 1968.
Wanda Adams of Mount Ayr became the third woman bowler of the Mount Ayr Assoc. to roll a “600” series in sanctioned competition.
Obituary in this edition was, Cornelius Otho Stiving.
Twenty Five Years Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record-News, Thursday, May 5, 1994.)
Dr. Keith Miller of Mount Ayr found some interesting metal artifacts in his sheep lot in Mount Ayr Sunday. Miller found a token good for $1 in merchandise from the S.F. & E.P. Spurrier grocery store in Mount Ayr. The business was a going concern in 1915. Miller also found a Dick Tracy secret service patrol membership pen.
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the Dari Sweet in Mount Ayr to welcome new owners, Jerry and Peggy Overholser, of the restaurant located on Hwy 169 & Hwy 2 in Mount Ayr…Extreme Pizza is celebrating their third anniversary May 3rd through the 9th.
Heather Nicole Johnson became the bride of Lee Howard Martin February 26 at First Christian Church in Mount Ayr.
Obituaries in this edition were: Francis Petersohn and Ralph Hamilton.
Ten Years Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record-News, Thursday, April 16, 2009.)
While Iowa’s population ticked up since 2000, Ringgold County’s population has slipped, according to the latest estimates by the United States Census Bureau. Meanwhile Ringgold County population is estimated to have declined from the census number of 5,469 in 2000 to 5,156 in July 1, 2008, a drop of 313 or 5-7 percent.
The Iowa State Fair is searching for five farm families to recognize with the Way We Live Award at the 2009 fair August 13-23. These families must exemplify farm values derived from hard work and a love for the occupation of farming.
Hollywood Thrill & Midnight Chills will be the theme for the Mount Ayr Community junior-senior prom set for Saturday, April 18. Following the prom, an after prom evening will be held at the school as well.
Mount Ayr golf teams opened the season with wins over SE Warren and Martensdale-St. Marys on Thursday.
Obituaries in this edition were: Tadd Bainum, Theodore Hightshoe Jr., Betty and Gene Culver.