Mornin' Mail

The Mornin' Mail is published every weekday except major holidays
Tuesday, January 12, 1998 Volume VII, Number 146

did ya know?
Did Ya Know?. . .Sign ups for the Carthage Public Library Winter Reading Club will continue through February 1. There is plenty of time to read for incentives and drawing prizes before the end of the program March 15 .

today's laugh

"Talking of ants," said the American storyteller, "we've got 'em as big as crabs out West. I've seen 'em fight with long horns, which they use as lances, charging each other like savages."

"They don't compare with the ants I saw in the Far East," said an inoffensive individual nearby. "The natives have trained them as beasts of burden. One of 'em could trail a ton load for miles with ease. They worked willingly, but occasionally they turned on their attendants and killed them."

But this was drawing the long bow a little too far.

"I say, old chap," said a shocked voice from the corner, "what sort of ants were they?"

"Eleph-ants," replied the inoffensive individual.

A native of Virginia was once asked if he had ever seen the famous Natural Bridge.

"See it?" he spat. "I should say so. My father helped to build it."

1899
INTERESTING MELANGE.
A Chronological Record of Events as they have Transpired in the City and County since our last Issue.

A MUCH MUTILATED MAN.

Willis Harbin Suffers the Loss of a Part of His Right Foot.

Last night as Willis Harbin, a well known man of Carthage, was attempting to board a moving freight train at the east end of Fifth street he slipped and his right foot was thrown under the wheels, mashing it so badly that the toes had to be amputated.

The case is an unusually distressing one from the fact that Harbin already has had almost all of his fingers gone, they having been ground off in a cane mill while he was a child. On one hand he has only the thumb and his first finger and on the other he has but the thumb, first and fourth finger.

The family seems to be pursued be ill fortune as, not only was Harbin cut on the arm by a knife in the hands of his brother-in-law, "Sportin' Willie" Reeves about three weeks ago, but his 16-year old step-son, Jessie Van Winkle, is still on crutches from an accident of last summer, when his foot was caught between the bumpers of a couple of freight cars and crushed. Both Harbin and his step-son will be confined to the house and will be unable to work for some time, and the winter is likely to be a bitter one for Mrs. Harbin, on whom the family will have to depend for support. The Harbin family reside on East Fifth street.

Bowling Alley Goes to Galena.

The bowling alley which has for some time past occupied the south room of the building on south Main street, is being moved to Galena today. G.B. Lauderback will continue in charge of it for the proprietor, N.B. Powers, who is now in Indiana.

Today's Feature

Developer Promotes Carthage.

The first reading of the ordinance authorizing the Mayor to execute a contract between the City and American Commercial Property for the purchase of the Myers Park property between Wal-Mart and Tapjac is scheduled for this evening. The Council voted to draw up the contract during a closed session following the December 23 regular meeting.

The Tulsa, Oklahoma based company plans to build a strip mall that will put over an acre and a half to two acres of the 9.3 acre site under roof. The project may be valued at over $4 million when completed. The Council has approved a selling price of $850,000. The Contract would allow up to 210 days for the project to be put together.

Gary Watson, President of Americom, was in town last week to gather additional market information that will be used to attract tenants. According to Watson, he was asked to look at Carthage by one of those potential tenants.

Watson currently is in the process of completing a similar, but larger project in Hot Springs, Arkansas, and another in Paris, Texas.

He is hopeful that the project would be completed by August of 1999.

"But," Watson told the Mornin' Mail, "what will most probably happen is that it will open in October, for the Christmas season. If it doesn't open then, then it goes to April (2000)."

Watson must now supply potential tenants with information that will convince them to bring a store to Carthage.

"The average tenant I deal with will receive fifteen submittals (for proposed new sites) each year," said Watson. "And if you don't have a thorough presentation that catches their attention, it probably won't happen. A couple of those I'm dealing with are looking at also going into Joplin, so that is why timing is critical. We want to show is that Carthage is growing and viable."

The tenants typically locating in one of Americom's developments cater to repeat customers in the local area. He says that his job now is to put together a presentation that contains all the "nuts and bolts" of why a particular tenant should have a store in Carthage.

The presence of the Wal-Mart Superstore is critical in the process. All of the Americom developments so far have been located near a Superstore.

Economic Development Director Max McKnight thinks the completion of this phase will attract more developers .

Council Meets Tonight.

The City Council is scheduled to meet this evening for its regular meeting at City Hall. The agenda includes the final reading of Council Bill 98-80 which will grant a special use permit to be issued so artCentral can use the property at 1110 E. Thirteenth as its headquarters. The second reading of C.B. 98-79 that rezones property at 827 E Chestnut to Local Business will also be heard.

The Council will also hear first reading of the following:

C.B. 98-75 detailing funding of the Carthage Public Library.

C.B. 99-01 authorizing the Mayor to execute a contract between the City and American Commercial Property for the purchase of property.

C.B. 99-02 authorizing a lease purchase agreement with Textron Financial Corp for a Rotary Mower.

C.B. 99-03 authorizing an agreement with Southard Construction for Elk Street improvements.

C.B. 99-04 amending Section 16.32 of Carthage Code by increasing the Library's Revolving Fund.

The Council meets on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m.

Persons with disabilities needing special assistance, contact City offices 417-237-7000 (voice) or 1-800-735-2466 (TDD via relay) at least 24 hours prior to meeting.

Master Gardener Program to Begin in February.

Jasper County University Outreach and Extension will be sponsoring a Missouri Master Gardener program, beginning in February. The program is designed to train volunteers in various aspects of horticulture. The Master Gardeners will assist University Outreach and Extension in providing unbiased educational information to the public.

A person who wishes to become a Master Gardener is required to attend 30 hours of training, and agree to return 30 hours of service during the following year. There is a $50 per person fee.

Topics to be covered in the ten basic sessions include an orientation to the Master Gardener program, soils and plant nutrition, home vegetable garden production, insects, selection and care of trees in the landscape, diagnosing plant problems, establishing and managing turf grasses, plant stresses, fruit production and low maintenance landscaping.

To apply for the program or to obtain further information, contact Ed Browning or Janet LaFon, Courthouse Basement, Carthage, MO 63836, 417-358-2158.

Just Jake Talkin'
Mornin',

They say ya never know till ya try. Then there is the old sayin', "he's trying, very trying."

For those of us who don't like ta spend time "shoppin'" but want to just go in and get what we need ta get out, the time it takes ta put together a deal ta sell a portion of Myers Park property seems unnecessary. But from talkin' with this Watson fella from Tulsa, the Carthage development may be movin' faster than most. He says similar deals have taken three or four years.

The idea that Carthage is a very attractive market for national chains is an indication of what's in store for the future.

If this one get off to a good start, there will most likely be more comin' in to take a look. Birds of a feather, so to speak. Time will tell.

This is some fact, but mostly,

Just Jake Talkin'.