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100 Years Ago
“The Orpheum is giving first-class and most satisfactory entertainment. There is no place in the state where you can get a better and cleaner entertainment for the money. ... Now is the time to pick out your seed corn for next year. There will be more trouble in arranging for good seed corn in Audrain next spring than ever before. ... The Ledger welcomes Mr. W.B. Myers, who purchased J.C. King’s store, to Mexico, and wishes him much prosperity. We are glad to know that Mr. King will continue to remain in the best town in the best county in the best state on earth, and will likely go into business again. J.C. King is the kind of a man to help make Mexico a city. ... The perennial rumor that the Burlington route is to extend its short line into this city west, which was always conceded its ultimate purpose, has again appeared in railroad circles and with more than usual possibilities. The report states that as soon as the freeze departs from the ground in the spring work trains will arrive at Francis and begin the extension. ... The two principal causes given for this move are the desire of the Burlington for a shorter route to San Francisco by the opening of the Panama Exposition there in 1915 and the fact the present cut-off is but a heavy expense to the company under the present traffic arrangements. Monet, it is understood, has been appropriated by the Burlington to the extension and those in a position to know state every move is being made to see the work well under way this year. The report that work trains will arrive at Francis in the spring seems to be verified by the increase in the Burlington section gauge at that point from four to nine with orders to place the yards in first-class condition. The possibility of Mexico becoming a division point under the proposed plans seems very sanguine. The present rumor, as those in a position to know say, will lose its doubtful character at the stated time for the work to begin. ... Frazier Coontz, a prominent citizen of Vandalia, fell on the slippery walks as he was returning to his home from town Saturday night. He is about 70 years old and on account of his age the results are feared. His hip was broken and his spinal cord is thought to have been injured. Mr. Coontz is a member of the well-known shipping firm of Coontz and Kendrick.”
50 Years Ago
“Despite the heaviest snow of the season, area basketball still is an ‘iffy’ proposition. Mexico’s Bulldogs definitely (at least this morning) are going to Bowling Green tonight for their game. Robert Finley, operator of the commercial bus line which takes the Bulldogs on their road trips, said this morning he was sure the trip would be no problem. The bus company makes the final decision on whether or not the Bulldogs will make their trips. So far, Mexico has had one postponement this season – with Hannibal. ... A big storm headed for Ledgerland has slowed down, but snow is expected to lift Sunday. It will add to the eight inches already covering the area, except for whatever has been removed by street and highway workers and shivering households in zero cold. Weatherman Smoky Woods says the official weather gauge never rose above 15 degrees yesterday, dropped to eight degrees below last night, and stayed there at 7 a.m. today. Ten men on the city street crews are working split shifts almost around the clock to clear Mexico streets for traffic. Street Supt. John G. Cline said the snow removal equipment is in use all the time now except between 4 and 6 p.m. when traffic is heaviest. The street department will continue working through tonight, and Cline said he thought that by tomorrow the streets will be pretty well cleared – just in time for another snowfall the weatherman is predicting for Sunday. In the downtown business district, city trucks are carrying away an average of 12 truck loads of snow an hour. The snow is dry and not heavy as a wet snow, Cline said. Each load weighs probably two tons. ... When you play a team that beat you before, without your coach, two starters and a reserve, you could say the odds possibly are against you. Mexico’s Bulldogs did that last night and it was easy to see why the odds were the way they were. Mexico never was in the game and went down to its seventh defeat against seven wins, 68-48 at Bowling Green. Coach Gary Filbert suffered a sudden attack of appendicitis yesterday and was operated on last night. Assistant coach Ron Hampton stepped in to fill the gap. Coach Filbert’s condition was reported as satisfactory today at Audrain Hospital. ... The mail has brought a letter from Father Richard C. Hunkins, who spent 5 1/2 years here as assistant pastor of St. Brendan Church, who says his time here included some of his happiest years. Now a lieutenant, junior grade, in the U.S. Navy, Father Hunkins has been stationed for the past two months at the U.S. Naval Hospital at St. Albans, N.Y. ... Mrs.Nelson Flittner, who for a number of years has had dental plates, recently experienced a toothache, went to her dentist and discovered a new tooth had sprouted. The dental plate had pushed it sideways and the dentist removed it. Just one natural tooth doesn’t do one much good, anyway. ... A proposal for a new church building at an estimated cost of $365,000 on the present site will be placed before the congregation of the Mexico Methodist Church. The board of the church voted last night to place before the congregation the third phase of a long-range property improvement program. The long range program, beginning almost 15 years ago, called for a new parsonage, educational building and church. The parsonage and educational building have been built. ‘The decision to move ahead on the church came as the result of a year-long study of the present building by an architectural and engineering company,’’ says the announcement of the board action. “The church building was erected in 1902 and was remodeled in the late 1930s. It is now in need of extensive repairs and is not, in the opinion of the architects, worth another major overhaul. However, temporary repairs are now being made on the roof structure. The report of the long-range planning committee was presented to the church board by Judge George P. Adams. Orville Morris, chairman of the board, was authorized to appoint a committee to prepare for a congregational conference. The recommendation that will be placed before the congregation will call for a new church building to be located on the present site at the southwest corner of the intersection of Promenade and Coal streets and to have a seating capacity of 500 with an estimated cost of $365,000. Long known as ‘church corner,’ the Promenade-Coal intersection was for many years the site of three Mexico denominations. The First Baptist Church, on the northwest corner, moved east on Promenade and its old building was razed for a portion of the municipal parking block.”
25 Years Ago
‘The Missouri Department of Health has inspected the second floor of Stribling House and granted Audrain Medical Center certification of that united for the Skilled Nursing Facility. The services had been provided on third floor Stribling House since November 1985. Special provisions such as smoke detectors in each room and increased air circulation were necessary prior to receiving certification. All patients previously accommodated on third floor Stribling House have been moved to the newly certified facility on the second floor. ... Mexico Motto contest entries received by Around Town today include ‘Town That Looks to The Future with Pride and Confidence’ and “A Town of Distinction.’ ... Sneaky or smart, it’s hard to tell which it was for the cat that used the bird feed box. A local bird feeder purchased a simple plastic rectangular box from a pet department (sold as a litter box) in which she put sunflower seeds before placing it at the edge of the covered patio for birds and squirrels. A neighborhood cat soon found it – was it smart enough to know it was a litterbox or sneaky enough to pretend the sunflower seeds were litter? ... Cindy Dolan has joined the staff of The Mexico Ledger as general assignment reporter. Ms. Dolan attended Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, and Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, and has worked on the staffs of several weekly newspapers in northern and central Missouri. Since September 1986 she has filled the position of assistant editor at the Centralia Fireside Guard, where she had been employed as a staff writer since August 1985. Other members of The Ledger’s news staff include Scott Williams, managing editor; Kay Speckhart, city editor; Jim Stanley, sports editor; Sylvia Kesler, society editor; Beth Seymour, copy editor; Tim Hare, assistant sports editor and general assignment reporter, and Dean Patrick, photographer. ... Mexico go-kart racing enthusiast Mitch White will compete in the Jan. 24-25 Formula Ford Florida state championship series race at Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Fla. He will drive a Skip Barber prepared Formula Ford sponsored by B.F. Goodrich, Bosch, Escot and Koni (shock absorbers). The race is part of a six-race Formula Ford winter championship series. There are 93 cars (all Formula Fords) entered. It was through his karting connections that White was chosen as a competitor in the race.”
10 Years Ago
“Mexico High School Bulldogs entered conference play Saturday with a 78-68 win over the Hannibal Pirates. Mexico took the lead in the first quarter and never looked back. ‘Our effort was extremely good and we were unselfish with the ball,’ stated Mexico coach Scott Floyd ‘Out of our 29 baskets, we had 190 assists, which is very good. The Bulldogs also handled the lead better than in past games. The Bulldogs had five players in double figures with Sean Raboin leading with 19 points. Richard Mayson had 16, Thomas Simmons 14, Ryan Belcher 13 and Dedrick Harrington 10. Harrington also had 10 assists and two steals.”
The Yesterday In Mexico column is published daily in The Mexico Ledger. An expanded column is published on Fridays.
Call the circulation department (573) 581-1111 for subscription information.
100 Years Ago
“The Orpheum is giving first-class and most satisfactory entertainment. There is no place in the state where you can get a better and cleaner entertainment for the money. ... Now is the time to pick out your seed corn for next year. There will be more trouble in arranging for good seed corn in Audrain next spring than ever before. ... The Ledger welcomes Mr. W.B. Myers, who purchased J.C. King’s store, to Mexico, and wishes him much prosperity. We are glad to know that Mr. King will continue to remain in the best town in the best county in the best state on earth, and will likely go into business again. J.C. King is the kind of a man to help make Mexico a city. ... The perennial rumor that the Burlington route is to extend its short line into this city west, which was always conceded its ultimate purpose, has again appeared in railroad circles and with more than usual possibilities. The report states that as soon as the freeze departs from the ground in the spring work trains will arrive at Francis and begin the extension. ... The two principal causes given for this move are the desire of the Burlington for a shorter route to San Francisco by the opening of the Panama Exposition there in 1915 and the fact the present cut-off is but a heavy expense to the company under the present traffic arrangements. Monet, it is understood, has been appropriated by the Burlington to the extension and those in a position to know state every move is being made to see the work well under way this year. The report that work trains will arrive at Francis in the spring seems to be verified by the increase in the Burlington section gauge at that point from four to nine with orders to place the yards in first-class condition. The possibility of Mexico becoming a division point under the proposed plans seems very sanguine. The present rumor, as those in a position to know say, will lose its doubtful character at the stated time for the work to begin. ... Frazier Coontz, a prominent citizen of Vandalia, fell on the slippery walks as he was returning to his home from town Saturday night. He is about 70 years old and on account of his age the results are feared. His hip was broken and his spinal cord is thought to have been injured. Mr. Coontz is a member of the well-known shipping firm of Coontz and Kendrick.”
50 Years Ago
“Despite the heaviest snow of the season, area basketball still is an ‘iffy’ proposition. Mexico’s Bulldogs definitely (at least this morning) are going to Bowling Green tonight for their game. Robert Finley, operator of the commercial bus line which takes the Bulldogs on their road trips, said this morning he was sure the trip would be no problem. The bus company makes the final decision on whether or not the Bulldogs will make their trips. So far, Mexico has had one postponement this season – with Hannibal. ... A big storm headed for Ledgerland has slowed down, but snow is expected to lift Sunday. It will add to the eight inches already covering the area, except for whatever has been removed by street and highway workers and shivering households in zero cold. Weatherman Smoky Woods says the official weather gauge never rose above 15 degrees yesterday, dropped to eight degrees below last night, and stayed there at 7 a.m. today. Ten men on the city street crews are working split shifts almost around the clock to clear Mexico streets for traffic. Street Supt. John G. Cline said the snow removal equipment is in use all the time now except between 4 and 6 p.m. when traffic is heaviest. The street department will continue working through tonight, and Cline said he thought that by tomorrow the streets will be pretty well cleared – just in time for another snowfall the weatherman is predicting for Sunday. In the downtown business district, city trucks are carrying away an average of 12 truck loads of snow an hour. The snow is dry and not heavy as a wet snow, Cline said. Each load weighs probably two tons. ... When you play a team that beat you before, without your coach, two starters and a reserve, you could say the odds possibly are against you. Mexico’s Bulldogs did that last night and it was easy to see why the odds were the way they were. Mexico never was in the game and went down to its seventh defeat against seven wins, 68-48 at Bowling Green. Coach Gary Filbert suffered a sudden attack of appendicitis yesterday and was operated on last night. Assistant coach Ron Hampton stepped in to fill the gap. Coach Filbert’s condition was reported as satisfactory today at Audrain Hospital. ... The mail has brought a letter from Father Richard C. Hunkins, who spent 5 1/2 years here as assistant pastor of St. Brendan Church, who says his time here included some of his happiest years. Now a lieutenant, junior grade, in the U.S. Navy, Father Hunkins has been stationed for the past two months at the U.S. Naval Hospital at St. Albans, N.Y. ... Mrs.Nelson Flittner, who for a number of years has had dental plates, recently experienced a toothache, went to her dentist and discovered a new tooth had sprouted. The dental plate had pushed it sideways and the dentist removed it. Just one natural tooth doesn’t do one much good, anyway. ... A proposal for a new church building at an estimated cost of $365,000 on the present site will be placed before the congregation of the Mexico Methodist Church. The board of the church voted last night to place before the congregation the third phase of a long-range property improvement program. The long range program, beginning almost 15 years ago, called for a new parsonage, educational building and church. The parsonage and educational building have been built. ‘The decision to move ahead on the church came as the result of a year-long study of the present building by an architectural and engineering company,’’ says the announcement of the board action. “The church building was erected in 1902 and was remodeled in the late 1930s. It is now in need of extensive repairs and is not, in the opinion of the architects, worth another major overhaul. However, temporary repairs are now being made on the roof structure. The report of the long-range planning committee was presented to the church board by Judge George P. Adams. Orville Morris, chairman of the board, was authorized to appoint a committee to prepare for a congregational conference. The recommendation that will be placed before the congregation will call for a new church building to be located on the present site at the southwest corner of the intersection of Promenade and Coal streets and to have a seating capacity of 500 with an estimated cost of $365,000. Long known as ‘church corner,’ the Promenade-Coal intersection was for many years the site of three Mexico denominations. The First Baptist Church, on the northwest corner, moved east on Promenade and its old building was razed for a portion of the municipal parking block.”
25 Years Ago
‘The Missouri Department of Health has inspected the second floor of Stribling House and granted Audrain Medical Center certification of that united for the Skilled Nursing Facility. The services had been provided on third floor Stribling House since November 1985. Special provisions such as smoke detectors in each room and increased air circulation were necessary prior to receiving certification. All patients previously accommodated on third floor Stribling House have been moved to the newly certified facility on the second floor. ... Mexico Motto contest entries received by Around Town today include ‘Town That Looks to The Future with Pride and Confidence’ and “A Town of Distinction.’ ... Sneaky or smart, it’s hard to tell which it was for the cat that used the bird feed box. A local bird feeder purchased a simple plastic rectangular box from a pet department (sold as a litter box) in which she put sunflower seeds before placing it at the edge of the covered patio for birds and squirrels. A neighborhood cat soon found it – was it smart enough to know it was a litterbox or sneaky enough to pretend the sunflower seeds were litter? ... Cindy Dolan has joined the staff of The Mexico Ledger as general assignment reporter. Ms. Dolan attended Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, and Northwest Missouri State University, Maryville, and has worked on the staffs of several weekly newspapers in northern and central Missouri. Since September 1986 she has filled the position of assistant editor at the Centralia Fireside Guard, where she had been employed as a staff writer since August 1985. Other members of The Ledger’s news staff include Scott Williams, managing editor; Kay Speckhart, city editor; Jim Stanley, sports editor; Sylvia Kesler, society editor; Beth Seymour, copy editor; Tim Hare, assistant sports editor and general assignment reporter, and Dean Patrick, photographer. ... Mexico go-kart racing enthusiast Mitch White will compete in the Jan. 24-25 Formula Ford Florida state championship series race at Sebring International Raceway in Sebring, Fla. He will drive a Skip Barber prepared Formula Ford sponsored by B.F. Goodrich, Bosch, Escot and Koni (shock absorbers). The race is part of a six-race Formula Ford winter championship series. There are 93 cars (all Formula Fords) entered. It was through his karting connections that White was chosen as a competitor in the race.”
10 Years Ago
“Mexico High School Bulldogs entered conference play Saturday with a 78-68 win over the Hannibal Pirates. Mexico took the lead in the first quarter and never looked back. ‘Our effort was extremely good and we were unselfish with the ball,’ stated Mexico coach Scott Floyd ‘Out of our 29 baskets, we had 190 assists, which is very good. The Bulldogs also handled the lead better than in past games. The Bulldogs had five players in double figures with Sean Raboin leading with 19 points. Richard Mayson had 16, Thomas Simmons 14, Ryan Belcher 13 and Dedrick Harrington 10. Harrington also had 10 assists and two steals.”
The Yesterday In Mexico column is published daily in The Mexico Ledger. An expanded column is published on Fridays.
Call the circulation department (573) 581-1111 for subscription information.
