Looking Back with Lora Stull
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One Hundred Years Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record News, Thursday, May 26, 1920.)
Mrs. H.C. Boyles fatally injured…jumps from buggy when team of horses become frightened and sustains injuries from which death results. Mrs. Boyles, of Rice Township, accompanied by two of her daughters and Miss Fay Davis, was driving a team from the Boyles home to Mount Ayr. They had reached the hill near the ice house just south of the city when the neckyoke gave way permitting the buggy pole to fall to the ground. The team became frightened and started to run and the daughters and Miss Davis jumped from the buggy and attempted to reach the horses’ heads in the hope of stopping them, but were unable to do so.
A county tuberculosis and children’s clinic will be held at Mount Ayr on June 1, under the auspices of Ringgold County Medical Society. The clinic is being organized by the state department on tuberculosis assisted by the Iowa State Association. It is admitted by all experienced physicians that tuberculosis is most baffling in its early stages. The plan of the clinic is to have the physicians of the county bring any patient who may have, or be suspected of having, tuberculosis, for a free examination, to be made by an expert on chest diseases.(Tuberculosis (TB) was the leading cause of death in the United States, and one of the most feared diseases in the world. Formerly called “consumption,” tuberculosis is characterized externally by fatigue, night sweats, and a general “wasting away” of the victim. There was no reliable treatment for tuberculosis. Most often, doctors simply advised their patients to rest, eat well, and exercise outdoors. Very few recovered. Those who survived their first bout with the disease were haunted by severe recurrences that destroyed any hope for an active life.)
Births: May 24, a son, to Mr. and Mrs. Mace German.
Obituary in this edition was, Hattie Sheumaker Boyles.
Seventy-Five
Years Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record News, Thursday, May 31, 1945.)
Ration News: As we are confronted with a steadily increasing volume of business, we issue an appeal to the board’s patrons to attempt, whenever possible, to “Ration by Mail,” eliminating the necessity of a personal visit to the board.
Coupled with the reduction of the size of the army, the services request for younger men has resulted in the easing of the draft on men in the 30-37 years of age group, with those engaged in essential activities virtually deferred indefinitely. With draft calls scheduled to be cut 30,000 a month to 90,000 after July 1, 45 percent of those to be inducted will be 18 years old-33 percent 19-25 years old and 22 percent over 26 years.
Ringgold County native was liberated from prison camp: Pfc. Charles Foster writes to his parents a letter dated May 15, from somewhere in France: “Dear Folks, believe it or not, I am on my way home. We were liberated last month by the Russians before the war was over.” Pfc. Foster was listed MIA, February 17, 1943.
Tuition pupils will pay more next year for the privilege of education in the Mount Ayr schools. The increase was recently authorized by the Board of Education. The new rate schedule is $10 in all grades and $15 in high school. Changes previously made were $5 from kindergarten-6th grades; $7 for 7th-8th grades and $12 for high school.
Marriages: May 24, Ione Jennings and Ward Wight…May 26, Alice Greenman and Dudley Watts…May 23, Mary Foster and John Michael…May 5, Madelyn Vaughn and Clifford Smith.
Births: May 11, a girl, to Pfc. and Mrs. Lloyd Leonard… A daughter, Carol Ann, to Mr. and Mrs. Everett England.
Obituary in this edition was, Cloyd T. McNeil.
Fifty Years Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record News, Thursday, May 14, 1970.)
Mount Ayr Jaycees, in conjunction with the State Health Department, is sponsoring a rubella clinic May 14. Rubella, known as the German measles, is a mild infectious disease usually occurring in childhood. Research has shown that women who contact German measles during the first month of pregnancy face 50-90 percent chance of giving birth to an abnormal child.
Vickie Butler, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Merle Butler of Benton, was elected Worthy Advisor of Mount Ayr Assembly, Order of the Rainbow Girls, during the regular meeting of the assembly held Monday night. Other officers elected are: Lesa Perry, Worthy Associate Advisor; Lana Sickels, Charity; Stephanie Willey, Hope; Taresa Brooks, Faith.
Kenneth Defenbaugh, 20, who was born and reared in Mount Ayr, was killed May 2 in Viet Nam. Defenbaugh was the son of Mrs. Clyde Goodman of Cabot, AR, formerly of Woodward and the late Glen Defenbaugh.
Ed Defenbaugh won four events in leading Mount Ayr Raiders to their eighth Tall Corn Conference track meet in 9 years Tuesday at Villisca. The speedy senior won the 100 yd dash, the 220 yd dash, the 440 yd dash, and the long jump, the only four events he entered.
Births: May 11, a son, to Mr. and Mrs. Gary Hensley…May 12, a son, to Mr. and Mrs. James Freeman.
Obituaries in this edition were: Elmer Schlapia, Bonnie Lorine Hyatt DeVries and Leona Gertrude Saltzman Been.
Twenty Five Years Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record News, Thursday, May 11, 1995.)
Five Mount Ayr men came home from the 46th American Legion bowling tournament with a first place in team competition. This is thought to be one of the highest placings by area residents in their many years of participation in the Legion event. Team members are: Bob Keller, Jim Johnson, Lee Brand, Ronnie Brand, and Bob Schafer. They were the top team out of 88 participants.
A ribbon cutting ceremony was held during the grand opening at Country Meadows Greenhouse and Landscaping, 3 3/4 miles SW of Mount Ayr. Owners are Kurt and Bonnie Randles.
Births: May 5, a daughter, Sara Ann, to Tyson and Christie (Sickels) Sederburg.
Obituaries in this edition were: Cyril Laverne Novak, Marjorie Irene Simpson Reece, Milton Milligan, and Mary Claire Pettis Noyes.
Ten Years Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record News, Thursday, May 6, 2010.)
A decision not to increase the water rate charges to make up for increased costs to the city, a sidewalk rebate program request, a change in the sanitary sewer hookup ordinance and setting a budget amendment hearing were all part of the regular meeting of the Mount Ayr city council Monday night.
RAGBRAIer’s take a week to bicycle across Iowa but an Albia man passed through Ringgold County Monday in an attempt to cross the state on Hwy 2 in seven days running. Stephen Bunch, a recent masters degree recipent from Kansas State University in Manhattan, KS, was attempting the feat as a benefit for Habitat for Humanity.
Students from Diagonal Community School will be taking part in the National School Archery shoot in Kentucky again this year. This is the second year in a row that the students have qualified to attend the national tournament.
Obituaries in this edition were: V. Faith Creveling Buell, Doyle E. Stamper and Harold Zenas Grout.