April 18, 1947
• Chris Simon, who recently purchased the fountain fixtures of the Squire Ice Cream Co. and will open a fountain service in the Underwood building on South Main Street April 26, announces his opening in a large advertisement in this issue. There will be opening day favors and special offers. Bob Underwood has moved his pool tables to the adjoining building, which he owns along with the building which Simon occupies.
• The board of education has purchased a new 42-passenger school bus. Delbert Stites drove the bus from the factory in Indiana.
• Bliss Bailey last week purchased from Clarence Barnhart the residence lots on North Main Street which the latter has owned for some time.
• Usually Happens: Professor – “What happens when a body is immersed in water?” Student – “The telephone rings.”
April 13, 1972
• The Hippo Melvin Oil Co. is celebrating 35 years of business in Rock Port this Friday and Saturday in grand style with a fish fry, barbecue, gifts, bargains, and goodies. Operation of the retail and wholesale oil, gas, and tire business began April 13, 1937, when Melvin Brothers was franchised as a dealer for Texaco products. From a very meager beginning of one very, very small station handling a little gas, oil, tires, and tubes with an ice house on the side, the Melvins (Hippo and brother Otis) parlayed their holdings into a business that owns or sells direct to 12 service stations.
• Rock Port Volunteer Firemen had the busiest weekend in a long while, answering five fire alarms from 4:30 p.m. Saturday until early Monday morning. Along with the five legitimate fire alarms, five false alarms were turned in Saturday and Sunday nights, keeping 10 families awake most of those two nights.
• Peter C. Maniraguha and Joseph G. Wagunyanya of Uganda were in Rock Port Wednesday where they inspected the facilities of the Atchison County Cooperative Association as part of their field training program studying the farm credit and cooperative operations of this country. They are also studying the Farmers Home Administrating organization and operation and farm marketing and supply cooperatives.
April 10, 1997
• An open house will be held on Sunday, April 13, at the St. John’s Lutheran Church, rural Westboro, Missouri, to celebrate Ralph Klute’s 75th birthday. Ralph’s children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren will host this special event.
• Leslie Spurlock was very surprised and honored when Postmaster Steve Wieneke presented her with the “I Satisfy Customers” Award at the Post Office Monday, April 7. Leslie goes out of her way in looking after postal patrons and well deserves this recognition!
• Raines Abstract and Loan Company, Inc. is under new ownership, Day Miller and Mike Poland. Both gentlemen have ties to Atchison County. Day is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Mack Miller of Tarkio and Mike is the president of Farmers and Valley Bank, Tarkio. Raines Abstract and Loan Company Inc. was established around 1900 by John Raines, with a partner, John D. Dopf. The business was incorporated in 1927.
• Gov. Mel Carnahan announced that Kent Fisher of Fairfax has been named Atchison County South District Commissioner. Kent succeeds his father, Jimmie O. Fisher, who recently passed away.
