The Way It Was

100 years ago

Disastrous fire at Metz

METZ, Mo. -- A disastrous fire occurred in this place last evening. The B.H. Compton general merchandise store was destroyed, also the Odd Fellows' lodge rooms, which occupied the second floor. The origin of the fire is unknown.

The loss is estimated at $8,600 which insurance of $4,500.

Had not the citizens worked as heroically as they did in saving the Kleen Livery barn, the whole of South Main Street probably would have been destroyed.

50 years ago

Sheldon youth found guilty in Lamar court

Lawrence Ryun, 17, Sheldon, was found guilty and fined $10 and costs in Magistrate Court at Lamar yesterday.

He was arrested by Trooper Wayne Oberhelman and charged with operating a motor vehicle in a careless and reckless manner following a collision on Highway 10 north of Kenoma corner near Lamar on Monday.

Driving south, Mr. Ryun attempted to pass the car in front of him and in doing so collided head-on with a car coming from the opposite direction, driven by Charles Hamm, 19, of Lamar. Mr. Ryun was not injured, but a passenger, Bill Snow of Lamar lost one tooth and sustained arm and leg lacerations. Mr. Hamm and a passenger suffered injuries in the accident.