150 years ago (1873)
R. D. Pasley, of this county, raised and cured 7,474 pounds tobacco, from seven acres of land, which he
sold for $1,432.45. He now has a crop of over 12,000 pounds. He invites his neighbors and anyone who
desires to purchase tobacco to examine this crop which is nice yellow tobacco, and is said to be superior
to any crop ever raised in the county.
125 years ago (1898)
Mokane Times. Married near Cote Sans Dessein at the residence of the bride's parents were Miss Lockie
Leonard and Mr. Lee Jones. Rev. Whitehead officiated. Miss Nettie Jones and Mr. Charles Hornbuckle
were married near Wainwright at the home of the bride's parents. Rev. J. S. Bowles officiated. There are
now two ferries across the (Missouri) river near Mokane. W. R. Hadley has taken out a license to run a
horse boat near the mouth of the Middle river. W. M. Brock has put a gasoline engine on his boat and it
is now propelled by steam instead of horse power. Mr. A. F. Klein is adding a story to his store. Work will
soon commence on the transformation of the one story crowded store to a large and spacious two story
brick.
100 years ago (1923)
Miss Dale Christensen was the recipient of a live alligator from a friend in a southern clime. Measuring
ten inches, the animal was in the infant stage. So far as climate is concerned, it should thrive, for
weather conditions in Missouri this winter are as pleasant as any winter resort.
A Columbian Wyandotte hen, belonging to William Backer, laid an egg this week measuring seven inches
in length and three-quarter inches around, and weighed four ounces. Mr. Backer wants to know if
anyone can beat that record.
B.M. Yates, of Auxvasse, has been notified that he won the gold medal offered for the person passing
the best examination in corn and grain judging during farmers' week at Columbia. Mr. Yates is one of the
most experienced grain growers in Callaway and has taken a number prizes at shows.
Traded Farms. E. C. Brooks traded his Ham's Prairie farm to Sam Musgrove for a farm belonging to Mr.
Musgrove on the State Highway, seven miles west of Fulton.
75 years ago (1948)
The Methodist Youth Fellowship of the Court Street Methodist Church has adopted a seven year old
orphan boy and is undertaking to raise funds for his support. The youngster is a central Missouri boy
who is now living in a rural home in St. Louis County. The group will provide funds for the purchase of his
clothing and send him gifts for his birthday and for Christmas.
Approximately 725 persons attended the annual members meeting of the Callaway Electric Cooperative
at the Fulton High School. Approximately 40% of the REA Co-op's 1500 members were among those
present. Re-elected to the Co-op's board of directors were F. M. Hafner, Tebbetts, D. N. Lynes, Guthrie
and Owen McCammon, Hatton. Riley Davis of Readsville is president of the organization, which has lines
extending throughout Callaway and into Montgomery County. Among the speakers were County Agent
Harold Slusher, who discussed the uses of electricity on the farm, and Gregory Stockard, attorney for the
REA, who spoke on the legal phases of the program. James McClanahan, superintendent of the Callaway
REA, reported on new lines under construction. He said REA hopes to have electricity available to every
farm home in the county by 1950. According to the treasurer's report, the organization is in good
financial condition.
50 years ago (1973)
Mrs. Claude Niedergerke retires after 22 years with Mattingly's. She said she was honored by the
employees of the store with a party. She is looking forward to spending time with her grandchildren.
George Morrison, manager at Mattingly's, said she will be missed. "She is so good with color or
arranging flowers... and our customers depended on her for advice."
Five Fulton High students, Rhonda Underwood, Jerri Ann Harrison, Jon Wickell, Lisa Rice and Steve
Bryant have been selected as winners in the 1973 Eastern Missouri Regional Scholarship Awards
competition. The winning entries will be on display in the ninth floor Exhibition Hall of Famous-Barr
downtown in St. Louis. Miss Underwood's woven tapestry was a gold key blue ribbon finalist and will be
sent to the National exhibit later this year. Miss Harrison will receive a gold key for her two color block
prints.
25 years ago (1998)
Horse Loose. A horse with either a halter or a bridle on it has been running loose in the Millersburg area,
according to the Callaway County Sheriff's Department. The horse was last seen Monday a.m. and has
not yet been caught. Anyone who is missing a horse should call the sheriff's office for more information.
Mr. and Mrs. Charlie James of Fulton celebrated their 40th wedding anniversary at the Court Street
United Methodist Church with a party hosted by their children. Jo Denty and Charlie James were
married February 1, 1958 at the First Methodist Church in Webster Groves. The Rev. Trotter performed
the ceremony at 8 p.m. in 14 inches of snow. Due to the inclement weather, some members of the
wedding party were unable to attend. However, Mr. James was attended by his teammate, Henry
Kuhlmann and Mrs. James was attended by her sister, Sue Lippincott. Immediately after the ceremony,
the couple left for St. Petersburg so Mr. James could attend spring training for the Cardinals baseball
team. He played for the Cardinals from 1958-1964 and for the Cincinnati Reds in 1965. He then worked
for Bussman Fuse Manufacturing in St. Louis as an electrical engineer. In 1972, he and his wife moved to
Fulton and he became the President of the Central Electrical Company. After 25 years of service, he
retired on Dec. 31, 1997. They have two children, Shari Means (David), and Sam James (Tina). They also
have five grandchildren: Megan, Mallory, Mack, Brian and Kristen.