125 years ago, 1896 Fulton Gazette
A Gazette reporter took a little trip out to Ballenger Springs Sunday afternoon, to visit the Gilbert brothers, who run the old Ballenger farm and partake of some of those delicious melons of which this farm is famous. The melon crop has been very good this season, but the watermelons did not yield as well as usual. Corn is looking exceedingly well and the second crop of hay is good in some places. This farm contains 65 acres of well-cultivated land and is very productive, it being mostly bottom land. We received a very cordial welcome at the hands of Gilbert brothers, and enjoyed their kind hospitality very much.
Mr. John T. Brown, of this city, has lately purchased a fine French Coach Stallion. The horse may be seen at Col. Dick Smith's stable, on Asylum Street. The horse is a coal black, over 16 hands high and weighs about 1400 pounds. He has fine action with long neck and head high up with a majestic movement. The horse shows fine blood and is the up-to-date stock for the times. He will be kept here next season. Mr. Brown is of the opinion that this breed of horses are the most profitable for farmers to raise for clear profit as they always sell readily at fine prices
100 years ago, 1921 Missouri Telegraph
Three big loads of rock have been unloaded in the yard at the city calaboose and the men who are serving time in that "cooler" will be given the privilege of earning their daily bread though they are wards of the city. Breaking rock with a hammer is not the most pleasant occupation in the world but it is one of the old forms of punishment given prisoners in the city and county jails. It has been some years since the prisoners of this city have been calling upon to break rock but it is expected to make this one of the conditions of their being served at the regular meal times.
The boys who are with the American forces on the Rhine are not having much to do but enjoy themselves these days. A daily paper is issued by them for the forces in Germany and it is principally filled with reports of the games and amusements. A copy of the paper of August 5 gives a report of baseball game in which a Fulton boy, Otis Custard, was the star pitcher. Last year the team he was with won the pennant and it is going good again this season. In the report of the game the paper says: "Custard was going good. He allowed but two hits no runs and whiffed fifteen, equaling the season's strike out record."
75 years ago, 1946 Missouri Telegraph
Three Callaway men were among 112 new enlistees inducted into the army last week by Major General William F. Dean, Assistant Commandant of the Staff ad Command School, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, during ceremonies at the Missouri State Fair at Sedalia. They are James M. Bess, son of Mr. and Mrs. T.G. Bess of Portland; 18 months, unassigned; William J. Parris, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. H, Parris, Holts Summit, three years, unassigned; and John W. Reiter, son of Mr. and Mrs. C.C. Reiter, New Bloomfield, three years, unassigned.
Bus service between the downtown section and the Callaway Fair grounds will be operated during the three days of the fair. The bus, operated by Russell Jennings and Stanley Creed, started making its runs Wednesday morning and will continue to operate until the fair closes Friday night. The bus operates between the Palace Hotel and the fairgrounds, making a round trip every half hour.
50 years ago, 1971 Fulton Sun Gazette
Fulton Hornet Coach Bob Fisher said he will be "going with our best eleven" and no one can knock that." However, some of the second string layers are pushing at the first unit men and these lettermen are putting pressure on the first team players. Delbert Hampton, Cecil Brandt, Pat Ragan, David Remley, Craig Galbreath, Tim Briggs, Percy McBride and Mark Hiatte are sure to see plenty of action this season and will be keeping the starting line-up on their toes.
Bradley Friesz, the "County's agricultural professor in residence," died suddenly last week after recording years of service to Fulton as Kiwanian, and to Callaway County as the Area Agronomy Specialist. He was a sought after speaker at many service clubs and community gatherings, he wrote a weekly Yard'n Garden column for the newspaper and photographed activities and achievements in the farm community.
25 years ago, 1996 Sun Gazette
The South Callaway Bulldogs suffered their first loss of the season after being roughed up by Eugene 10-2 Tuesday. South Callaway started Philip Brewer was tagged for nine hits and five runs over four innings in taking the loss. He walked three and struck out one. Nick Stafford worked the last three innings, giving up two hits and five runs. He walked four and struck out one. Bryson Moss went 2 for 3 with a double, a single and a run scored as the Bulldogs (1-1) had six hits. South Callaway lost the junior varsity games 10-2.