Blast from the past

Franklin Archer of Gallatin has provided evidence to confirm the presence of a bear in Daviess County for the first time since conservation records have been kept. Franklin discovered tracks in a remote area south of Gallatin Monday evening. Conservation Agent Alan Bradford and retired conservation agent Ron McNeely looked at the tracks early Tuesday morning and confirmed that they were those of a black bear.

The Missouri Department of Revenue recently announced that the newly-designed license plate will be seen on vehicles across the state as of June 16. The new plate was chosen by Missourians.

Bush Hog LLC, Selma, Ala., presented Terry Implement Company, Gallatin, the Bush Hog President’s Club Award for their outstanding sales and service for 2007. Only 100 out of 5,000 dealers receive this prestigious award.

June 17, 1998

The 12th District Democratic Senatorial Committee has nominated Beth M. Wheeler of Maryville for State Senate. Wheeler, a native of Jameson, is a former State Representative for Grundy, Sullivan, Putnam and Mercer counties.

A news story reports that Missouri spends five times more on convicts than K-12 school children. No wonder we have so many juvenile delinquents; the kids are looking for a better deal.

June 22, 1988

A ban on fireworks was passed by the Gallatin Board of Aldermen at Monday night’s meeting, due to the drought. The ban was recommended by both Fire Chief Roy Hillman and Police Chief Dale Cox. The Gallatin Ministerial Alliance has requested that all churches in the Gallatin area make this week through Sunday, June 26, a special season of prayer for rain.

Kristin Walker and Kaitlyn Stout were first place winners at the 1988 spring dance festival at Worlds of Fun. Kristen is the daughter of Gene and Kathy Walker of Pattonsburg. Kaitlyn is the daughter of Steve and Jan Stout of Jamesport.

A reception for Pattonsburg mail carrier Jim Hoover was held Thursday at the post office in Pattonsburg. Jim completed 41 years of service, working Rural Route 3 under postmasters Wade Moody, Earl Cameron and present postmaster Violet Merrigan.

June 21, 1978

James C. Olney, whose ambition is to be involved in law enforcement, was honored by the other 38 members of the Missouri Cadet Patrol Program in Jefferson City last week by being elected “Cadet Commander,” the highest post available to cadets. James is the son of Mr. and Mrs. LeRoy Olney of Gallatin.

Scott Watson of Gallatin was elected Secretary of State at the 39th annual session of American Legion Boys State of Missouri held at Central Missouri State University last week. This is the highest elective office ever attained by a Daviess County delegate to Boys State.

The final 2.5 miles of Interstate Route 35 in Northwest Missouri, in the Pattonsburg bottoms, will officially open to traffic in dedication ceremonies Friday. Opening of this section will provide motorists with a direct 113 mile route from Kansas City northerly to the Iowa state line

June 20, 1968

Open house at “Meadow View,” Jamesport’s senior citizen housing project, will be held Sunday. Meadow View is located across the railroad tracks at the east edge of Jamesport, south of Route F.

A contract has been awarded to Mr. and Mrs. L.G. Drummond of Coffey to lease new quarters to the Post Office Department on the south side of Main Street to improve postal operations in Coffey, Postmaster Marvin Watson has announced.

June 19, 1958

Daviess County was charged with its third traffic fatality of the year Saturday when the president of the Reorganized Church of Latter Day Saints, Israel A. Smith, suffered fatal injuries in a head-on collision two miles north of Altamont junction. Mr. Smith, 82, of Independence, was a grandson of Joseph Smith, Jr., founder of the Mormon faith.

Eleven big days at the Courter Theater: the Supreme Motion Picture of All Time, Cecil B. DeMille’s “Ten Commandments,” starring Charlton Heston, Yul Brenner, Anne Baxter, Edward G. Robinson, Yvonne DeCarlo, Debra Paget and John Derek.

June 24, 1948

So that Hamilton may have a new school building, J.C. Penney has offered 2,000 shares of common stock in the J.C. Penney Company to the Hamilton School District. The stock is to be sold and proceeds used for construction of the proposed building. The stock is valued at $100,000.

Bright sunshine today brought a halt to the heavy rains which had soaked all parts of the county daily since Sunday and temporarily eased fears of a recurrence of the disastrous flood of 1947. According to an unofficial measurement, nearly six inches of rain fell in Gallatin this week.