Looking Back with Lora Stull
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One Hundred Years Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record News,Thursday, April 19, 1922.)
The Maupin Style Shop was moved Monday from the west side of the square to the Slentz store room on the east side.
Airplane passenger service with fares lower than taxi cab rates and with fifteen planes in operation will be available in Des Moines beginning April 15.
Wireless equipped planes will operate on “hurry up” trips to any point in the United States.
Swaney field, northwest of the city, will be the terminal of the local commercial flying machines.
Air passenger service between Des Moines and Chicago will be inaugurated on May 22, with one ship operating each way everyday. According to the schedule a person may leave Des Moines at 7:30 a.m., spend three hours in Chicago and return to Des Moines at 5 o’clock in the afternoon of the same day.
A rate of 15 cents per aerial mile will be charged by the commercial planes.
About April 25-30 will be the proper time to apply the first cluster bud spray. This spray should be put on the apple trees when the blossoms are showing their pink and just before they break into bloom.
Marriage: April 13, Fern Benton and Clarence Walters…Last Thursday Margaret George and Charles Corll.
Obittuaries in this edition were: Minnie E. Jones Price, 3 month old Betty Nell Reynolds.
Seventy-Five
Years Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record News,Thursday, April 17, 1947.)
Last week Mr. and Mrs. Jess McDowell, of Beaconsfield, received a letter concerning their son, the late Robert L. McDowell, who was killed March 11, 1946, on Iwo Jima.
The letter from A.A. Vandergreft, General U.S. Marine Corps, reads as follows: “I wish to assure you of my deep appreciation of the heroic service of your son, the late Corporal Robert L. McDowell, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, during action against Japanese forces at Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from February 24 to March 11, 1945, for which he was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star Medal with Combat (V) (Combat “V” is an award of the United States Military which is a bronze attachment to certain medals to indicate that it was received for valor) and citation by the President of the United States.
I tender again my sympathy and condolence in your bereavement. The Marine Corps shares your pride in the gallant action of your son.”
The citation included with the letter reads: “The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Bronze Star Medal with Combat (V) posthumously to Corporal Robert L. McDowell, U.S. Marine Corps Reserve, for services as set forth in the following citation: ‘For heroic service as squad leader and subsequently as a platoon leader, serving with Company A, First Battalion, Ninth Marines, 3rd Marine Division during action against enemy Japanese forces at Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, from February 24 – March 11, 1945, assuming command of this platoon when the leader and sergeant became causalities during a furious action on March 3.
Corporal McDowell skillfully deplored his depleted unit to continue the advance against a deeply entrenched fiercely resisting enemy and launching his brilliantly executed attacks against each emplacement in turn, contributed to the success of the platoon in destroying many heavily fortified strong points to support the sustained advance of the company.
By his daring initiative, forceful leadership and dauntless perseverance in the face of grave danger, Corporal McDowell served as a constant inspiration to his men and his tireless efforts and zealous devotion to duty throughout reflected the highest credit upon himself and the U.S. Naval Service.
For the President. Signed James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy.”
Marriages: Easter Sunday, Donella Sherman and Kenneth Coons…April 19, Lola Warner and Richard Webb…April 12, Sadie Garity and Paul Rice.
Births: April 8, a daughter, Joyce, to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Schlapia…April 13, a son, Ronald, to Mr. and Mrs. Cletus Cunningham…April 13, a daughter, to Mr. and Mrs. Leroy Blessman…April15, a daughter, Nancy, to Mr. and Mrs. Bernard Peters…April 11, a daughter, Janet, to Mr. and Mrs. S.W. Holland.
Obituaries in this edition were: John Parker Denhart and Ralph Waldo Thomas.
Fifty Years Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record News,Thursday, April 20, 1972.)
The Diagonal Reporter will have a new owner starting May 1.
Announcement of the sale the official Ringgold County newspaper was made this week by Mr. and Mrs. Harold Turnbull, who have owned and operated the business for a number of years.
New owner of the Reporter will be Helen C. Terry, wife of Mount Ayr Record News publisher, Jack Terry.
Nancy Sefrit has been chosen by the Mount Ayr American Legion Auxiliary #172 as its delegate to Girls State at Cedar Falls in June.
Marriage: April 1, Colleen Wilson and Paul Kendle.
Births: April 10, a daughter, to Mr. and Mrs. John Campbell…April 6, a daughter, Kimberly, to Mr. and Mrs. Eldon Griffey.
Obituaries in this edition were: Amy Esther Miller Sheumaker and Ruth Miller Adams.
Twenty Five Years Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record News,Thursday, April 10, 1997.)
Receiving the first annual Outstanding Agriculture Awards offered by the Mount Ayr Chamber of Commerce last week were; Ralph Brammer, outstanding farmer; Roger Schnoor, outstanding public service person; and Dick Elliott, outstanding agribusiness person.
Deb Larson of Mount Ayr is the newest addition to the staff of Southern Hills Farm Bureau Insurance Agency, according to Jon Roen of Indianola, agency manager.
Ringgold County sheriff deputy, Doug Sheffield, was one of 38 Iowa law enforcement officers from departments across the state to graduate in the 156th basic training class from the Iowa Enforcement Academy in Johnston Friday.
Births: April 3, a son, Devin, to Mr. and Mrs. Tim Harris…March 28, twin boys, Nathan and Blake, to Mr. and Mrs. Marc Roberts.
Obituary in this edition was: Alma Elizabeth Boles Jones.
Ten Years Ago
(From the Mount Ayr Record News, Thursday, April 12 , 2012.)
A story about the origin of the Prairie Chicken dance, one of the dances of the Dakota nation, was shared by Chief Blue Star Eagle, Sherwyn Zephier and wife Estellene, along with a host of other information as part of the Prairie Chicken Festival held April 6-7 in Ringgold County.
Braydee Poore tied Mount Ayr Community high jump record by leaping 6’6” at the Eagle Relays in Afton on April 3. He tied the record held by Casey Smith who set the mark in 1997.
Births: March 30, Koven LaCoy, to BayLee and Lisa Stull…April 8, a son, Tyler, to Mr. and Mrs. Cody Jay.
Obituaries in this edition were: Donald Edward Beardsley, Eric Mark Johnson, Eloise Hall Schmidt, Delores Geraldine Clovin Stephenson and Merlin James Wilkins.