150 years ago (1873)
The deepest snow that has visited this latitude for many years began to fall last Saturday afternoon and
by Sunday morning, full knee deep lay the winter's snow. As far as it has progressed, this is the severest
winter in Missouri since 1853-4. If indeed, it doesn't pass that in the intensity of the cold. The mercury in
the thermometer has floated around zero for 6-7 weeks, sometimes dropping far below.
125 years ago (1898)
W.W. Arnold of this city, has been appointed postmaster for Fulton Post Office, to take the place of
William V. Berry. Mr. Arnold is a man of excellent qualifications and will make a popular man in the
place.
Mr. J.W. McIntire, the ice man, informs us that there will be plenty of ice for the local demand next
summer. He has put up fully 1000 tons besides the amount produced by the plant, which has a capacity
of 6 tons per day.
100 years ago (1923)
Work has begun on a new balcony in the W.E. Blattner and Son dry goods store, which will be used for
the women's ready-to-wear department when completed. Orders are being placed for a new front for
the building occupied by the store and it will be put in during the spring. A month will be required to
prepare the material for the front in the factory in which it will be made. Redecorating the whole
interior will also be done.
Callaway has 2,416 licensed motor vehicles, including pleasure cars and trucks, according to the annual
report of the Supervisor of the State Motor Vehicle Department. Missouri has 393,670 licensed motor
cars, according to the report.
75 years ago (1948)
Hard Luck Story. Walter Maddox ran off a culvert Wednesday night. When he lit a match to see the
damage he had done to his car, the gas tank blew up and demolished the car. The only things he saved
were the radiator and one door.
The Fulton and Columbia checker clubs are sponsoring a state-wide amateur checker tournament to be
held at the Callaway County courthouse on Feb. 22 and 23. Several hundred invitations were mailed by
Osa N. Tennyson and Finis W. Leonard. The last time Missouri has seen such a tournament was before
the war. The committee believes, "It is high time we met and organized and renewed acquaintances."
The last tournament was held the year 1940 in Columbia and was won by J.E. Calvert of Columbia. The
clubs own a handsome trophy, permanent possession of which is gained after winning three consecutive
tournaments. Thus far, four men have won it. Among the outstanding Missourians invited is Judge J. B.
Marr of Kansas City, who at one time competed in European checker tournaments. Various rooms in the
courthouse will be used. Those invited have been requested to bring their own checkers and boards.
50 years ago (1973)
Unbeaten. Hornet wrestler, Delbert Hampton continued his winning streak when he won his 45th match
in a row. Last year, Hampton was first place in his weight class at the State Class M Wrestling
Tournament. Hampton has never lost a match in his high school career. The Fulton wrestlers mounted
an impressive attack against the Jefferson City Jays and defeated them with a team score of 30-22. Chris
Ferrugia, Steve Cooke and John Williamson were among the individual Hornets who won their match.
First Callaway baby of 1973. Brian Joseph Painter who will be called B.J., according to his grandmother,
arrived at Callaway Memorial Hospital, ending an eight-day wait for the first Callaway baby of 1973. His
parents are Mr. and Mrs. Bill Painter. Mrs. Painter is the former Jo Ann Kallmeyer. Mrs. Murlene
Kallmeyer, maternal grandmother, said he was 7 lbs. 1 oz. and 20 ½ inches long. Paternal grandparents
are Bob Painter and Mrs. Murline Painter.
25 years ago (1998)
Women took top honors at the year's Chamber of Commerce Banquet. Held every year to recognize
community service efforts by county residents, businesses and organizations, the banquet dew more
than 130 people to the William Woods University campus. The Chamber Leadership Award goes to
Martha Morgan, director of the Women's Leadership Program at William Woods University, for forming
the Callaway Women's Network in 1997. "I'm very honored to receive the award, especially for
something I like to do," Morgan said. The Loyal Subject Award goes to Shirley Evans, general manager at
KFAL-KKCA Radio Station. She recently became a member of the Fulton Family Resource Board and has
served on the Community Relations Committee at Fulton State Hospital, volunteered for the Fulton
Colleges Fund Drive, been on the American Heart Association Board, aided with Score Against Hunger
and worked with Habitat for Humanity, among other activities. "It's nice to be recognized for the things
you do... I believe you can't be a part of a community without giving something back...I'm a Callawegian
at heart if not by birth." The J.H. Atkinson Award, named after community leader Jack H. Atkinson, goes
to Shirley Payne who currently serves as president of Chapter KE of PEO, a women's organization that
helps women with educational expenses and delivers meals to the homebound. She taught in the
Primary Department of the Missouri School for the Deaf, even teaching classes after retiring. She
assisted with the essay contest for the Daughters of the American Revolution, helped with the Red Cross
Swimming Program, served on the board of the Friends of the Library, the Park Board and is an active
member of the First Presbyterian Church. In Girl Scouts, she has been a troop leader, served on the
Heart of Missouri Girl Scout Council, aided with the International Round-up in Idaho and a national
round-up in Florida. She also helped establish the local Dogwood Patch Camp. Payne did not know she
won until her name was announced. "I was floored. I grew up in Fulton and that was something that
went to dignified old men," she said.