Old Time News
100 Years Ago
August 2, 1907
Born to Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Biggerstaff, on Sunday, July 28, a baby girl.
Herr & Company have sold their dray business to Charley Jarvies. Mr. Herr will locate in Texas.
George W. Newman and family have arrived in this place and will become citizens of Edina. Mr. Newman is the gentleman who purchased the electric light plant.
On Wednesday evening of last week there was an eclipse of the moon but we have heard of but few people who witnessed it which goes to show that our people retire at seasonable hours. The eclipse began at 8:30 and the shadow of the earth left fair Luna before the midnight hour. Three-fourths of the moon was in the shadow.
John Corcoran is moving into the residence of Mrs. Matilda Fox, he having sold his property to James Riley.
One of the boldest attempts to hold up a man and rob him was made on A.F. Bostick last Saturday night. He left the store at about 8:30 o’clock and started home and had gotten to the corner of his yard when a man jumped out in front of him pointing a gun at his head and commanded him to hold up his hands. Instead of doing as he was commanded Mr. Bostick raised his left hand and pushed the gun away from his face and while he still had hold of it the robber fired, the bullet plowing through the flesh on the inside of his hand. It was thought at first that the man ran to the depot and boarded the west bound train, but later it was found that he did not. A colored man by the name of Guy Thomas, was suspicioned and was arrested that night and taken to the office of Prosecuting Attorney Dorian where Mr. Bostick stated that he was satisfied they had the right man. He was placed in the county jail to await trial but he waived examination until the December term of the circuit court. At the time of the attempt to rob Mr. Bostick there were several persons sitting on their porches just across the street.
75 Years Ago
July 28, 1932
A number of Edina men under the direction of Ralph Kidwell, sheriff of Knox County, laid a trap east of town near the big bridge on State Highway No. 6 yesterday afternoon on information from Quincy a stolen car was coming this way. Sheriff Kidwell was notified to stop a Graham-Paige blue sedan, license Illinois 769-770 or Iowa 76-9770. The car did not arrive, the thief either having been captured east of Knox County or having turned off the highway.
A party of young people driving from Edina to Quincy Sunday evening were injured, none seriously, when the car in which they were riding went into a ditch at the intersection of State Highway No. 6 and U.S. Highway No. 61 south of Taylor. Miss Laurabel Edmonston of Edina, who sustained several lacerations, the most severe, one on her right shoulder, requiring seven stitches to close, was the worst injured. The members of the party were returned to Edina that night after treatment in a Quincy hospital. The car was driven by Bob Stift of Jefferson City, who was visiting here and who, being unfamiliar with the intersection of the highways, was bothered by dust and lights. His car was badly damaged.
Sheriff’s forces made raids Saturday and Sunday night, each resulting in a plea of guilty before C. E. Hunolt, justice of the peace, and a sentence. The home of Ed (Chuck) Songer was entered Saturday night on a search warrant and thirty quarts of home brew were found under the floor. The following night the home in Baring of Fred LaMont was entered and 24 quarts and 12 pints of brew were found, also under the floor. Songer, who was arraigned Saturday night following the raid at his place, and LaMont, who was arraigned Monday afternoon, each entered a plea of guilty and was given an alternative of a $100 fine and costs or 30 days in jail and costs. Each chose the jail sentence. However, LaMont was released in order to work for L.C. McBride, who is to turn over half his wages towards the fine. R.W. Dace is in the jail on a city charge of intoxication.
50 Years Ago
August 1, 1957
A 14-year-old girl was killed and three other young people were injured at 6 o’clock Sunday evening when a 1957 Mercury sedan in which they were riding overturned while traveling at a high rate of speed on Route 15, near Greensburg. The car broke off one tree, glanced off another and came to rest wrapped around the base of a third, at the end of the fatal ride. The girl killed was Reta Kay Smith, 14, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Lee Smith of near Memphis. Three other young people were injured. They were: Charles Lee Smith, 17, a brother of the dead girl and driver of the car; dislocated hip; condition good. Janet Kay Montgomery, 14, possible skull fracture and chest injuries; condition fair. James Max Montgomery, 15, facial lacerations and shock; condition satisfactory. The injured are patients in the Kirksville Osteopathic Hospital. According to the Missouri highway patrol, the car was traveling north on Route 15 about two-tenths of a mile from the junction with Route W. The car, apparently, going at a terrific speed, left the road on a slight curve and ran off the left shoulder for about 250 feet. Funeral services were at 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon, with burial in the Memphis cemetery.
The new 4-H building at the Knox County Recreation Park east of Edina was dedicated Friday evening during the livestock show. Leroy Primm, chairman of the show, explained the need for the building and said the tent rental for previous shows was $175. This amount can be applied each year toward the cost of the building. The Achievement Show committee felt the building could be constructed economically, and could be used for other purposes than the 4-H show. Tom B. Brown, Jr., dedicated the building to 4-H members on behalf of the citizens of Knox County. Mrs. Ernest Parrish, president of the County 4-H Council, accepted for the 4-H members.
Mr. and Mrs. Omer Harrison, proprietors of Hotel Gibbons here, were injured and two pick-up trucks damaged at 9 o’clock yesterday morning in a collision at a blind corner on a detour off Route 6 three miles south of Knox City. The collision occurred when a 1954 Dodge pick-up being driven east by Mrs. Eula Harrison, 54, collided with a 1953 pickup being driven north through the junction by James Worstell, 31, assistant Knox County farm agent, who was returning to Edina from the George Baker farm when the collision occurred. Worstell suffered from shock. Mrs. Harrison and her husband, Omer Harrison, 58, were taken to the Kirksville Osteopathic Hospital for treatment. Mrs. Harrison is in satisfactory condition and preliminary examinations did not disclose any serious injuries. Mr. Harrison, operator of the hotel, was treated for numerous lacerations and possible fractured ribs. He, too is in satisfactory condition. The front ends of both vehicles were damaged considerably. Worstell, who had a slight hip injury was not hospitalized.
25 Years Ago
August 4, 1982
Goat’s Custom Refinishing will hold its grand opening Friday, as Edina’s newest business. The body shop has been in operation about three weeks in the former Calahan building in eastern Edina. Richard and Tamy Maestas are owners of the shop. Mrs. Maestas is the former Tamy Lewis, Edina and the couple operated a similar shop in the Columbia area during the past three years. The shop will handle all types of body work as well as custom painting, air brushing and sand blasting of glass.
Judge Garry Lewis ruled in favor of the city of Edina on July 20, during a small claims case involving the city’s waterline policy. In last week’s edition of The Edina Sentinel, it was erroneously reported that David Burkhardt, who brought the city to court, was arguing that no clear ordinance which would hold the city to a given policy stand. Although Burkhardt and city officials did discuss the lack of a clear ordinance in the July council meeting, that argument was not used in the court case. Burkhardt, who was seeking city help in paying for a water break just off the city main, showed through the reading of city minutes that water policy has been handled on a case-by-case basis, according to Judge Lewis, Burkhardt said the city had voted to “extend water mains” and otherwise aid some individuals and businesses during the past several years. Lewis said the court ruling upheld the city’s right to follow a 1951 water ordinance.
Coffrin’s Shoe Store, in Edina, will hold its grand opening this week on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The shoe store, located on the west side of the square, opened for business several weeks ago. The new business is owned by Rex and Aloha Coffrin, Memphis and is managed by the couple’s son, Tom. The Coffrin’s also own a shoe store in Memphis. In addition to shoes, the store has a line of handbags, leather belts and socks. There are also items in Knox County R-1 High School’s colors of red and black. Special services at the business include the fitting of health shoes or prescription-type footwear. The inventory at Coffrin’s now includes a wide variety of shoes and boots for all ages. Shoe care products are also sold.
10 Years Ago
July 30, 1997
The City Council members of Edina voted unanimously to adopt two new ordinances, numbers 628 and 629. Both of these ordinances deal with the protection of water quality, and both are in response to State Department of Natural Resources (DNR) regulations.
Henry A. Lamb, 91, a life long resident of the Hurdland area, died Friday, July 25, 1997 at the Knox County Nursing Home in Edina, MO. Graveside services were held Tuesday, July 29, 1997 at the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Hurdland, MO with Pastor Robert Shobe officiating. Burial was in the I.O.O.F. Cemetery in Hurdland.
Ruby Frances McKenzie, 80, of Knox City, MO died Saturday, July 26, 1997, in the LaBelle Manor Care Center in LaBelle, MO. Funeral services were held on Monday, July 28, 1997 in the Hudson-Rimer Funeral Chapel in Edina, MO with the Reverend Hillis Prather and Reverend Maynard Blackwood officiating. Burial was in the Knox City Cemetery.