The Way It Was

100 years ago:

Rain damages Missouri strawberries

JOPLIN, Mo. -- Continued rains are doing thousands of dollars worth of damage to the strawberry crop in Southwest Missouri and in Northern Arkansas. Pickers cannot enter the patches on account of the soft ground and the rain rots the berries so that they are unfit for market.

75 years ago:

Petitions filed for a vote on new jail

Petitions were filed with the county court Wednesday asking a proposition be submitted to the qualified voters of the county to increase the rate of taxation for the purpose of erecting a county jail. The petitions were signed by qualified voters from many of the townships throughout the county.

50 years ago:

Centennial plans moving at fast clip

With the opening of Vernon County Centennial headquarters in the Youth Club and the arrival of Larry Knowles, director of the celebration, plans for the event began, as Knowles said, "cracking" today.

Meetings of the various committees have been held at the headquarters. More meetings will be crammed into the next few days as Mr. Knowles works with each group in crystallizing the elaborate plans for the celebration which will be held in Nevada July 3 through 9.

The historical spectacle "Saga of Faith," with its cast of 500 persons, will go into production next week. At that time a call for talent will go out from the Pageant Committee.

Rehearsal schedules will be set up for the high school gymnasium.