Looking Back with Lora Stull
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One Hundred Years Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record News, Thursday, August 17, 1921.)
What is declared by Sheriff H.W. Terrell to be the largest equipment for the manufacture of liquor he has ever seen in operation was seized last Saturday morning by the sheriff and his assistants, Deputy Sheriff M.W. Snethen, N.D. Reynolds and Earl Faris, in a secluded spot in Union Township.
The outfit including furnace, distillery, barrels, vat and coil, was taken in charge by the officers and brought to Mount Ayr where it is on exhibition at the old creamery ice house one block N of the square.
The capture of the still, which is said to have a capacity for from 30-40 gallons daily, was a comparatively easy matter. The sheriff and his helpers went to the place in the early hours of the morning, hid themselves near the scene of the illegal manufactory and about 6 o’clock the working force, one lone man who had previously been under arrest and sentence for illicit manufacture and sale of liquor, appeared on the scene, lighted a fire in the furnace and sat down, complacently lighted his pipe and proceeded to watch the manufacturing process.
The officers waited until about 2 1/2 gallons of mash had been converted into marketable product and then made their presence known, placed Forest Miller under arrest and with the equipment brought him to Mount Ayr to answer for his operations.
A Ford car on which was fastened a chicken coop furnished the clue which led sheriff H.W. Terrell to take charge Saturday, three young men, aged respectively 19,20, & 21.
The sheriff consulted with County Attorney, F.K. Reynard and it was decided to hold the young men until inquiry could be made at various towns throughout the territory. The inquiry revealed the fact that the night previous chickens had been stolen at the Tom Bryant farm near Elk Grove in Decatur County and that the chickens had been sold at Kellerton that day. The young men said their homes were in Beatrice NE and the Ford car carried a South Dakota license number.
Marriages: August 9, Leila Hopkins and Harry Johnson.
Births: August 16, a daughter, to Mr. and Mrs. Willard Link.
Obituaries in this edition were: Mary Shane Duncan, Samuel Rhoades, Emma Jane McAlfee Hosack, Elvira Ristine Hogeland Stafford, Leonard Leroy Dady and William Smith.
Seventy-Five
Years Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record-News,Thursday, August 15, 1946.)
The money drawer in a desk at the Mount Ayr Produce Company was forced open sometime Sunday night and approximately $300 in cash was taken.
Earl Twombley noticed that the money drawer had been rifled when he reported for work at 6 o’clock Monday morning. He notified Matthew Bevington, assistant manager, who called Sheriff H.P. Todd. Billie Finch, proprietor, was in Rochester, MN at the time the thief or thieves were at work. Entrance was gained through a back door.
No cream subsidies will be paid after August 31, according to Roy Lepley, county AAA chairman. He advises all producers to get their milk and cream stubs to the office by that date.
Marriages: August 4, Roena Snethen and Calvin Adams…Monday Martha Rake & John Toman were united in marriage…August 8, Monefay Hanson and John Fonkert…August 1, Rose Wehling and Robert Gilbert…July 27, Harriett Smith and Richard. Emery.
Births: August 4, a daughter, Deloris, to Mr. and Mrs. Vaughn Allen.
Obituaries in this edition were: Hattie Linkey Brotherton and John Miller.
Fifty Years Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record News, Thursday, August 19, 1971.)
Ringgold County showed a total of 1,042 farms in the 1969 census of agriculture according to figures released by the US Department of Commerce’s bureau of the census. In the last previous census (1964), agriculture, the number of farms reported in the county was 1,130.
Dale Black, Marvin Lesan, and Milt Henderson were re-elected to president, vice-president, and secretary-treasurer respectively, of the Mount Ayr Bowling Association at the annual meeting held at Lucky Lanes in Mount Ayr Friday. Laurance Bishop was newly elected as member of the board of directors.
Eighteen Ringgold County farmers have been furnished free channel catfish to stock 21 ponds through the Ringgold County Soil and Conservation District by US Fish & Wildlife service.
Marriages: June 12, Diana Stoll and John Larson.
Births: August 15, a daughter, to Mr. and Mrs. Charles Fletchall…August 15, a daughter, to Mr. and Mrs. Ernest Garrett…August 16, a daughter, to Mr. and Mrs. Donald Rogers.
Obituaries in this edition were: Margaret Cathryn Tunney Duffield, Anna May Thompson Cummings, and Leona Edith Barrett Shaner.
Twenty-Five Years Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record News, Thursday, August 15, 1996.)
Jack Elliott of Mount Ayr, was Ringgold County’s candidate who was honored at this year’s Iowa Volunteer Hall of Fame Award ceremony held August 9 at the Iowa State Fair.
Several Ringgold County participants placed in the 1996 Iowa Games held recently. Gold medals went to Dale Kurth of Diagonal and Karrie Ford of Tingley. Kurth won the 30-39 year old master shot put division with a toss of 40 feet. Ford won the pee-wee girls yellow & white Tae Kwon Do competition to receive a gold medal.
A Ringgold County figure 8 racer has had another good week of action. Russell Stewart of Mount Ayr won the feature potluck at the Warren County Fair, Thursday, August 11.
Births: August 12, a son Tristen to Tadd Bainum and Melissa.
Obituaries in this edition were: Paulyne Elberta Poush Meadows.
TenYears Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record News, Thursday, August 11, 2011.)
Preston Hayse of Ringgold County will be inducted into the 2011 Iowa 4-H Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the 4-H exhibits building at the Iowa State Fair.
The third annual anniversary gala for the Princess Theater is scheduled for August 27 & 28. The program this year will feature Nashville’s, Korbie Rae—Mount Ayr’s own Korbie Rinehart.
For the second time the Ringgold County native brother duo of Chris and Daniel Leonard have “won” the Register’s Annual Great Bicycle Ride Across Iowa.
Births: August 7, a daughter, Paisley, to Mr. and Mrs. Joshua Smith…July 13, a son, Manson, to Mr. and Mrs. Justin Bacon.
Obituaries in this edition were: LBanks Wilson, Larry Lee Blunck, Harold Thomas “Tom” Golliday, Don Richard Keller and James Christian Overholtzer.