Looking Back with Lora Stull
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One Hundred Years Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record News, Thursday, April 20, 1921.)
Prohibition officials and workers all over the country were amazed at the Palmer ruling which would permit the manufacture and sale of beer.
It made an ugly leak in the prohibition law and the clear intent of the 18th amendment may be thwarted by regulations issued to conform with the opinion. (The Palmer Ruling was one of seven legal cases that challenged the constitutionality of National Prohibition).
Is John Barleycorn dead? The Baltimore American says: “John Barleycorn is a hard guy. Every month or two he kicks the lid off his coffin and grins in the face of his executioners. He is a hard guy alive and he is a hard guy dead. Congress convicted him; three-fourths of the states sentenced him; executioner Volstead hanged him. and the supreme court released the drop, but John refuses to remain dead.
Fortunately the laws of 39 states prohibit what the former Attorney General would legalize, Massachusetts, New York, Connecticut, Vermont, California, Rhode Island, Maryland and Pennsylvania, which do not have laws prohibiting the manufacture and sale of beer, will see the need of immediate legislative action. The friends of law enforcement in these states are redoubling their efforts to secure a state code prohibiting the manufacture and sell of beer. (The 18th amendment was designed to end poverty and lower the crime rate. The Volstead Act was the National Prohibition Act of 1919. The 18th amendment and the Volstead Act were related by , the 18th amendment prohibited all use of alcohol and the Volstead Act supported the 18th amendment. It was named after Rep. Andrew Volstead, chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, who had championed the bill. And John Barleycorn is beer.)
Obituaries in this edition were: John H. Michael and Robert Maxwell.
Seventy-Five
Years Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record News, Thursday, April 18, 1946.)
O.C. Varner, dean of educators in Ringgold County, was elected basketball coach and instructor in Mount Ayr schools at a recent meeting of the board of education. His application received unanimous approval of board members.
Seven cows and a yearling heifer offered at the P.H. Jarvis sale last Friday, sold for $1,125. A cow and calf brought $186…J.W. Triggs & Sons sold a beautiful registered Belgian filly, eleven months old for $137.50 to E. A. Walker of Stanberry, MO.
The Timby Motor Company last week purchased the Teale garage buildings in Mount Ayr. The buildings have been occupied by the Carr Chevrolet Company for about 18 years,
Service Selections: Mr. and Mrs. Oliver Bechtel have received word that their son, Marlin Bechtel, S 2-C, who is stationed at Pearl Harbor, Oahu, T.M., was safe after the tidal wave struck there. He said Pearl Harbor was hardly aware of the great wave until news of its destruction was announced in the newspaper.
Marriages: Sunday, Dorine Pidcock and Raymond Jones were united in marriage…March 30, Josephine Kater and Joe Robinson…April 14, Velma Sheldon and Harris Hill…April 5, Pauline Stepens and Donald Musson.
Births: April 8, a son, to Mr. and Mrs. Gerald Maharry…April 13, a son, David, to Mr. and Mrs. Bob Lynch.
Obituaries in this edition were: Evangeline Hunt Grindstaff, Lela Myrtle Voss Lunt, and Janet Ruth Fosdick Bollinger.
Fifty Years Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record-News,Thursday, April 22, 1971.)
MACH school students initiated into the National Honor Society Thursday afternoon were: Margaret Knapp, Nancy McNeill, Kathy Hunt, Elaine McAlexander, Mary Lay, Kim Beck, Nancy Morgan, Becky Knapp, Kendra Haver, Lesa Perry, Pam Duffield, Kathy England and Debbie McAlexander.
News of Men in the Armed Services: Danny R. Webb, son of Richard Webb of Mount Ayr, was recently promoted to Army Specialist Four while serving with the 3rd Infantry Division in Germany. Specialist Webb is a postal clerk with the Administration Company of the division near Wurzburg.
Five former MACH trackman are among the all-time leaders in track performances in southwest Iowa. This was revealed this past week when the Omaha World Herald released its all-time SW Iowa honor roll for track and field performances.
The :49.7 quarter mile by Ed Defenbaugh in the 1970 state meet ranks in a tie for the fastest quarter mile ever run by a southwest Iowa performer. Eugene Ricker and Rick Defenbaugh are both listed in 2 events. Ricker’s :09.9 hundred ranks him in a tie for 5th place and his :50.6 in the 440 ranks him 8th. Rick Defenbaugh’s :19.3 in the 180 low hurdles is only .1 of a second off the all-time best recorded. His :14.9 in the 120 yard high hurdles put him in a tie for 6th. Dan Roe ranks in a tie for second in the 120 high hurdles with his performance of :14.8. Duane Miller is 6th in the long jump with a leap of 22’7 1/4”.
Marriages: March 14, Cathy Riggs and Leonard Mason.
Births: April 13, a son, to Mr. and Mrs. Bryan Sweat.
Obituaries in this edition were: Wayne Ivan Dolecheck and Russell J. Washburn.
Twenty Five Years Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record News, Thursday, April 18, 1996.)
First official steps in what could lead to the dissolution of the Grand Valley Community school district into surrounding districts were approved by the Grand Valley school board at its regular meeting Wednesday, April 10.
First baby in Ringgold County Hospital in almost 3 years was born unexpectedly here early Monday morning. Noah Eugene Larson was born to John and Debbie Larson, teachers at MACH school.
A former Ringgold County resident, Jerry Waugh, has been named Iowa Secondary Principal of the year by School Administrators of Iowa organization. Waugh presently serves as Jefferson-Scranton high school principal…David Lawhead of Mount Ayr is part of the Des Moines Area Community College culinary arts program team that will be competing against teams from other community college programs in the state.
Births: April 12, a son, Riley, to Neil and Jill Weehler…April 15, a son, Daniel, to Kevin and Marcy Miller Maak…April 13, daughter, Aurora, to Paul and Amy (French) Dunn.
Obituaries in this edition: Robert Harry (Bob) Murphy, Dolores (Dee) Fitzpatrick Murphy, Madge Ramelle Crittenden Brand, Carl Dean Brand, Robert Milton Sobotka, Joseph L. French II and Wanda Humbert.
TenYears Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record News, Thursday, April 14, 2011.)
Murphy, Ringgold County’s K-9 dog, has been inducted into Iowa Veterinary Medical Association Hall of Fame. Murphy and his handler, Shannon Arends, received the honor Saturday at an awards ceremony during the Raise Your Paw Auction in Des Moines. According to the citation, Murphy, a German shepherd, is well qualified in all areas of apprehension, search, tracking and drug detection. During his 18 month tenure, he has been very active and made some major accomplishments.
A total of ten Ringgold County Supportive Service Special Olympic track and field participants at the regional meet at Graceland University in Lamoni Saturday received 1st place medals and advance to the state Special Olympics track and field championships at Iowa State University in Ames May 27. Receiving 1st place and advancing were: Joan Bickel, softball throw; Don Clark, softball throw; Josh Egly, shot put; Beth Elswick, 100 meter dash; Ricky Grace, 100 meter dash; Ralph Hampton, shot put; Linda Jackson, standing long jump and softball throw; Cindy Nulph, softball throw and Danny Reynolds softball throw.
Births: April 6, a daughter, Reagan, to Brad and Nicole Wilson.
Obituaries in this edition were: Connie Jo Hull Hubbard, Jubal Ralph Hunt, Melba Willey Jackson and Don Ellis Johnston.