Obituaries, Stoddard County, Missouri Genealogy Trails

Stoddard County, Missouri Genealogy Trails

Newspaper Articles

Dexter, Stoddard County MO Dexter Messenger July 29, 1954

SHORT STORY OF WEALTH AT COUNTY HOME
A little old woman of 85 years was "left out" in front of Murrell Kirby's home north of Bloomfield on July 19, 1954, very weak, hungry and weary, after traveling from Southern Arkansas by train, bus and by walking to be near her dead son, buried at the Walker cemetery, Murrell Kirby didn't know just what to do with her, but wanted her taken care of, so he talked it over with Conley Hawk and they called Otto Richmond who advised them to take her to the the county home near Bloomfield.
So the little old woman with a very old battered suitcase was taken to the county home to "rest up" and get some nourishing food as she hadn't eaten in two days. There is a rule at the home that woever brings the person there should look in their purse and check on just what they have as far as finances go so if they leave, they leave iwth the same amount. Mr. Kirby looked into her old fashioned purse, to find $20.00 and Mrs. Ward, county superintendent's wife led the little old lady to her room, where she was cleaned up and fed. The old lady gave her name as Mrs. Annie Beaugard Berry and told of coming from Monticello Ark., to be near the Walker church and cemetery where her son ws buried.
On Tuesday, when Dale Ward and his wife went in to see Mrs. Berry, the old battered suitcase was at the head of the bed where it had been placed the day before, but beside it was a fruit jar containing money, it was found on closer examination. Superintendent Ward called Sheriff Davis and Deputy John Winchester to investigate. They all counted the money and found a total sum of $1,880 in the jar of money in the suitcase it contained an old dress and a pair ofshoes her only possessions. The Sheriff took the money to the bank in Bloomfield where it would be safe and then called County Sheriff Jack Taller of Drew County Ark., where the lady was originally from.

Sheriff Taller arrived in Bloomfield last Wednesday, July 21, 1954 to escort Mrs. Berry back to Monticello where he hoped to place her in a rest home and let the money pay for her comfort in the last of her days. She stated that she liked it in the county near her son, saying she was very comfortable while there. The money was made into a cashier's check and taken back with Mrs. Berry. Sheriff Taller called the money a "deathtrap" to be carried with her in the fashion she had for all these years
contributed by Christine Walters - 2008

Dexter, Stoddard County MO Dexter Messenger July 29, 1954

A fire of unknown origin swept the D & L Factory of Dexter yesterday gutting the inside and caused much frenzy over the possibility of an acetclyne gas tank explosion. The local fire department was called about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday to the factory below the hill to find the fire rolling and immediate attention was given to the acytelene welding tank, which was in danger of exploding but burned completely as did ether new equipment which was recently installed. The owner, Mr. LaVene Keathley informs us that he does not know the extent of the damage in dollars but estimates the damage will run between four and five thousand dollars. contributed by Chris Walters - 2008

Dexter, Stoddard County MO Dexter Messenger July 29, 1954
contributed by Chris Walters - 2008

LOCALS --

Arriving last Friday from Corpus Christi Tex., were Mr. and Mrs. Bennie Prater, former residents of Dexter, to attend the 1942 class reunion. They will visit the Lindell Littles, a brother of Mrs. Prater and other relatives for two weeks.

Einar Carlsen was in St. Louis on business last Tuesday.

Frank Allie of Michigan City, Ind., arrived over the weekend to visit his mother in law, Mrs. Pearl Smith until Thursday when he, his wife and son, Jimmy, will return to their home.

Mrs. Herbert Lee Anderson, who was staying in Dexter when her husband was transferred to Landsburg, Germany, recently left to join him there, where they will make their home. Sgt. Anderson has been in the Air Force nine years.

Guests of the Louis Rankin home are Misses Jeannie and Judy Broemmelsick of St. Louis

Miss Connie McConnell left Wednesday of this week for a weeks visit in Jacksonville FL

Miss Fay Etta Garner is visiting in Sparta IL this week.

Visiting their son, Jerry and Bob Robins in Memphis Tenn., this week and were Mr.a nd Mrs. Joe Hart.

Miss Barbara Robins is spending a week in St. Louis visiting Miss Shirley McDaniel

Touring points in the west for 2 weeks are Mr. and Mrs. Max Swinger and son, Floyd, and Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Deem and son, Johnny.

Visiting relatives and friends this week from San Gabriel CA are Mr. and Mrs. Theron Aslin and Sue.

Mr. and Mrs. Carl Nichols and daughter Carolyn and Mrs. R.D. Poyer attended E.t. Dials funeral Tuesday in Salem IL.