The way it was 8/5

100 Years Ago -- August 5, 1903

The 15th Annual Reunion of the Old Settlers of Vernon County was held at Lake Park today. The number of our old and respected citizens who were in attendance was not so large as last year but those present had a most delightful time renewing their acquaintances and were well entertained by the excellent program arranged for the occasion. Moses Summers of Metz Township is still the oldest member in the county, he having come here during the year 1839. These good citizens are of the old type, pure and rugged and who follow the golden rule to the letter. Their heads have been whitened by the passing of many winters and their kindly faces show the effects of life's battles but underneath the shaggy gray eyebrows are eyes that sparkle with kindness.

75 Years Ago -- August 5, 1928

AD -- A.H. Madding, present incumbent, lived in Vernon County forty-four years, always with railway and labor people in every movement for betterment. State Auditor's report shows Madding's records second to none. His physical condition is such that he cannot follow other than office or clerical work.

50 Years Ago -- August 5, 1953 A tentative layout of roads to be added to Missouri's supplementary (farm-to-market) system of highways during the state's ten- year highway modernization and expansion program now has been mapped for all counties, according to the Missouri's State Highway Commission. Approximately 12,000 miles of roads are affected. The new plan puts most farms within two miles of good roads. Those roads would be added by taking over some 8,500 miles of existing local roads and bringing them up to supplementary road standards and by adding approximately 3,500 miles by new construction. CLUB NEWS -- The Youth Club Fair, its purposes and methods, were explained to the Lions Club at their regular weekly luncheon at Hotel Mitchell Tuesday noon by County Extension Agent James McCall and representatives from the 4-H Clubs, Future Homemakers of America and Girl Scouts. McCall told the Lions that a youngster on the farm might presume that he has the best steer in the world and satisfied with it until he sees better ones at such events as the Fair. "It is through competition," he said, "that farm youngsters acquire a greater vision of what they can do.