Looking Back with Lora Stull
PROTECTED CONTENT
If you’re a current subscriber, log in below. If you would like to subscribe, please click the subscribe tab above.
Username and Password Help
Please enter your email and we will send you a password reset link.
One Hundred Years Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record News, Thursday, February 2, 1921.)
The state oil inspectors have instituted a vigorous campaign against the careless custom of putting gasoline in other than red receptacles. Some serious accidents have resulted because of the failure to observe the provision of the law. Notices have been sent to every dealer in the state notifying them that gasoline must not be handled in any but tanks or cans which are painted vermilion red and plainly stenciled GASOLINE.
The Grimes Clothing Co. of Leon has decided to open a clothing store in Mount Ayr. The Horne building on the west side of the square, owned by H.H. Wilson, has been rented temporarily and announcement is made that negotiations are pending for a better store building.
Births: Mr. and Mrs. Roy Vanderflught are parents of a baby boy…January 24, a son, Lynn, to Mr. and Mrs. J.O. Gleason.
Obituaries in this edition are: Martha Marie Thomas Willey, Amanda E. Hartley Maple, Ruby King (6yr), Marjorie Marie Ives (child).
Seventy-Five
Years Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record News,Thursday, February 7, 1946.)
Grant L. Hayes, county attorney of Ringgold County, announces this week his candidacy for the republican nomination and election to the office to succeed himself.
The residents of Mount Ayr know that better streets are needed. Business men know it. The Co-operative Club knows it and has recommended a better streets program. The mayor and councilmen know it, visitors know it too and do not hesitate to express their opinions. It seems to be only a question of the type of streets desired and the amount of money to be spent. After February 20, when preliminary assessment schedule will be posted, property owners will have an opportunity to examine same and express their views. Estimates were made as follows: Paving 6 inches deep, 25 feet wide from curb to curb, curbs and gutters-$438 per 66 feet lot; six inch compact stone with one inch wearing surface (known as blacktop), 25 feet wide, curbs and gutters-$285.50 per 66 foot lot; or application of crushed rock at $63.25 per 66 foot lot.
Marriages: Jan. 28, Nina Reed and Earl Baker…Jan. 12, Edgar Steward and Mary Jean Davis…Jan. 27, Lorraine Thomas and Paul Schad…Jan. 29, Marjorie Crouch and Glen Ford.
Births: Jan. 28, a son David Albert, to Mr. and Mrs. David Jennings…Jan. 29, a daughter, Patricia, to Mr. and Mrs. Gene Sickels…Jan. 14, a son, to Mr.and Mrs. Vernon Day.
Obituary in this edition was: Homer LaRue Main.
Fifty Years Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record-News,Thursday, February 11, 1971.)
Sixteen cars of a Northwestern freight train were derailed early Saturday morning about four miles NE of Diagonal. Sheriff Elbert Strange, who was called to investigate the accident, said about eight of the derailed cars went over an embankment along the tracks. Some of the cars were loaded with a powdered fertilizer and others were empty. A broken rail was believed to have caused the derailment.
The board of education of Mount Ayr Community school district has named a new superintendent for the 1971-72 school year. He is Donald Gilkerson, who is currently serving as superintendent for the Adair-Casey Community school.
News of Men in Armed Services: John Larson, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gene Larson of Mount Ayr, reported for induction on January 26 and was sent to Fort Leonard Wood, MO for basic training…Jon Thompson, who was recently separated from the Army Friday at Fort Dix, NJ with the rating of Specialist Fifth Class, returned to Mount Ayr Saturday, where he joined Mrs. Thompson, who arrived from Germany January 27.
Births: Feb. 3, a daughter, Mr. and Mrs. Fred Shields…Feb. 4, a son, to Mr. and Mrs. Larry Boothe…Feb. 6, a daughter, to Mr. and Mrs. Jack Hawk…Feb. 8, a daughter, to Mr. and Mrs. Max Mekus and Feb. 9, a daughter, to Mr. and Mrs. Danny Pawling.
Twenty-Five Years Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record-News,Thursday, February 8, 1996.)
A Mount Ayr business was completely destroyed and two business in the same building suffered major smoke damage in a fire Monday morning. Athena’s House, a local gift shop, was completely destroyed in the blaze. Those receiving smoke damage were; Michelle’s Family Hair Salon and Brenda’s Barber Shop.
Becky Parrish, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. John Parrish, a sophmore at MACHS was installed Worthy Advisor of the Mount Ayr Assembly of the International Rainbow for Girls, January 28.
Bus driver, Marilyn Wilkey, was honored January 31, for her 25 years of driving a bus for the Grand Valley Community and Mount Ayr Community school districts.
Births: Jan. 30, a son, Lincoln, to Mr. and Mrs. Lee Martin…Jan. 30, a son, Jacob, to Mr. and Mrs. Darwin Sobotka.
Obituaries in this edition were: Helen Maxine Wheelen Worthington, James Edward Brown, Stanley Clayton Overholser, Cuma Hazel Brown Combs, Robert D. Blunck and Everett Raymond Saylor.
Ten Years Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record-News,Thursday, February 3, 2011.)
Blizzard conditions began Tuesday afternoon and lasted into Wednesday around Ringgold County as a big snow storm with strong winds swept across Ringgold County. Some 8 inches of snow fell during the storm and the strong winds blew the powdery snow into drifts. School was canceled Tuesday and Wednesday and the courthouse shut down at 1:30 p.m. Tuesday. Road crews were expected to be busy for several days getting the snow cleared from roads and streets.
Dr. Bruce Ricker, 1983 graduate of Des Moines University, is the newly elected president of the Iowa Chapter of the American College of Osteopathic Family Physicians at the recent annual conference and scientific seminar held in Des Moines.
Births: January 30, a daughter, Kenleigh, to Brian and Amber Fooken.
Obituaries in this edition were: Harold Lee Bowers and Dorothy Verlene Morrison Denney.