Looking back with Lora Stull
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One Hundred Years Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record-News, Thursday, December 24, 1919.)
Tingley Bank robbed last night. Entrance to the bank had been effected through the rear door, the door to the vault had been opened by the use of an acetylene torch, safety deposit boxes had been rifled and several thousand dollars of Liberty Bonds were stolen. The robbers were evidently frightened away before their work was completed as forty safety deposit boxes were unopened and their acetylene outfit, together with a bag containing nitro glycerine and other equipment was left near the door of the vault.
Eight hundred and fifty-four licenses issued by county treasurer in two weeks. Since the publication in the Record News two weeks ago of the statement of County Treasurer, Earle Allyn, giving directions as to the manner in which automobile tax is to be paid, the treasurer’s office has been about the busiest place in the community. Up to last evening, 854 licenses had been issued and over $12,000 had been collected in automobile taxes. There are yet something like 2,000 cars to be registered in this county and if the penalty which attaches after the first of January is to be avoided, there will be some hurrying on the part of automobile owners during the remaining days of December.
Marriage: December 22, Bertha Waldron became the bride of Frank Thompson.
Births: December 16, a son, to Mr. and Mrs. Walter Stephens.
Obituaries in this edition were: Sarah Elizabeth Castetter Main and Mrs. J. K. Norris.
Seventy-Five
Years Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record-News,Thursday, December 28, 1944.)
Ration News: On September 28, 1944, the Agricultural Adjustment Administration discontinued (with the exception of corn pickers) the rationing of farm machinery. It appears that in many instances dealers and auctioneers are of the opinion that the price control on farm machinery was discontinued. Everyone please be advised that price and enforcement thereunder is still strictly observed by the Office of Price Administration.
Five Ringgold County boys listed as KIA. The message, “the secretary of war desires me (navy) to express his deepest regret that your son (husband) was killed in action… “the full meaning of which is known only by those who have given a loved one in service, was received during the week by parents and a wife of five Ringgold County men who had served their country in France, on Leyte Island, and in the Pacific Ocean. Those killed were: Pfc. Robert A. Spence, T.Sgt. Albert Kelley, Pfc. William R. Cox, and Glee Smith, Staff Sgt. William F. Sweeney,
Prentis moves hatchery equipment to new building. Announcement is made that the hatchery equipment of the Prentis Hatchery has been moved to the new building across the street north of the school.
Births: December 22, a daughter, Norma Jean, to Mr. and Mrs. Chester Wallace…December 13, a son, Royce, to Pfc. and Mrs. Frank Dredge…December 8, a daughter, to Mr. and Mrs. John Busby…December 18, a daughter, Opal, to Mr. and Mrs. Howard Weeda…Decemeber 13, a son, Frances Rex, to Mr. and Mrs. Rex Eighme. Marriages: October 29, Betty Patterson and A.D. Whitetaker…December 16, Bette Ottersen and Pvt. Roger Kelley…December 22, Lucille Merritt and Marvin Main…November 28, Majel Stephens and Ensign Richard H. Lence…December 20, Frances Smith and Ensign Paul J. Smith.
Obituaries in this edition were Albert Lyle Kelley, William Raymond Cox, Glee Smith and Mary Frances Marker Triggs, Anna Pearl Cole Clark, John William Horne.
Fifty Years Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record-News,Thursday, December 11, 1969.)
Burglars took $9 in cash from a cash register, nine or ten cartons of cigarettes, eight six-packs of beer and change from a pinball machine during a break in at Diagonal Tavern Tuesday night of last week.
Ringgold County Local Board of Selective Service System ordered the following to report on December 3 for physical examinations: Freddie G. Weeter, Jimmy D. Beede, James Johnson, Samuel L. Wallace, Charlie E. Jeanes, Michael G. Walkup and Ronald L. Mobley.
Ringgold County voters gave a strong vote of approval Tuesday for the proposed addition to the county hospital. In a rather light turnout, the proposed $425,000 bond issue was approved by a 3-1 margin. Homecoming at Grand Valley Annual homecoming of Grand Valley Community School will be held Friday, December 12. Coronation of the queen and king will follow the girls and boys basketball game against Martensdale – St. Mary. Queen candidates are, June Jackson, Gloria Palmer, Sandi Smith and Kathy Weigel. King candidates asre Greg Johnson, Mike Shields, Melvis Jimmerson and Chris Overholtzer.
Marriages: November 28, Connie McGahuey became the bride of Rick Stoltzfus.
Births: Sgt. and Mrs. Larry Crawford are the proud parents of a daughter, Kimberly, born December 5.
Twenty Five Years Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record-News,Thursday, December 8, 1994.)
Authorization of moving forward with the municipal parking lot project was given when the Mount Ayr City council met here Monday night. In addition the council passed a nuisance ordinance it had been working on for several months, looked at pay scales for the new budget year and approved a Blue Cross-Blue Shield plan for the coming year.
The contract finishing program of Swine Graphics, Enterprised, helps farmers around the state maintain a more consistent income without having to leave the farm, a Swine Graphics spokesman said. Mark Weaver of the Webster City firm says that contract finishing provides an excellent rate of return on a farmer’s investment. Through the program a farmer builds the confinement buildings and Swine Graphics provides the pigs that will be housed there. “This is one of the best opportunities in agriculture right now,” Weaver said. “We pay per space whether there are pigs in the building or not.” “If the pigs don’t do well we feel that it is more our fault than the farmers.
Births: Clint and Pam Poore are the proud parents of a son, Brayden Evan, born December 5.
Obituaries in this edition were, Elmo Lesley Roe and William Lloyd Angus.
Ten Years Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record-News,Thursday, November 26, 2009.)
Ringgold County area homes and businesses served by Iowa Telecommunications Services, Inc. may soon have a new company providing telephone, high speed internet and digital TV services. Iowa Telecom announced this week that its board of directors had approved an agreement for Windstream Corp., based in Little Rock, AR, to acquire the Newton based telecommunications company.
A rash of destruction of road signs in Ringgold County has sheriff Mike Sobotka asking for community help in getting the vandalism stopped. In the first six months of the year, 146 signs on Ringgold County roads have been knocked down or vandalized, according to Sobotka. This does not include signs on state highways or in Ringgold County communities, where more damage has been reported. “I don’t think people recognize the cost of the damage to signs,” Sobotka said. “It costs about $250 to replace each sign that is destroyed, which means that the damage has already cost $36,500, this fiscal year just for county signs.” At the current rate, the Ringgold County Seconday Roads department will be spending some $73,000 on replacing and repairing signs, money that could be spent much better on maintaining county roads.
Births: Jeremy and Sarah Newton are the proud parents of a daughter, Kate Marie, born November 17…Jeff and Lacy Doolittle of Kellerton are the parents of a daughter, Jaylynn Marie, born November 6.
Obituaries in this edition were: Nora Ann Moore Lilienthal, Keith Clarence Lininger, and Margaret Bertha Poortinga Pirtle.