Did Ya Know... Preschool Autumn Storytimes for the public will continue through December 17. Call or come by the YPL desk to sign up.

Did Ya Know... A Numeracy Workshop will be held for tutors on Saturday, November 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 12:00 at the Family Neighborhood Center. Call 358-5926 for more information.

Did Ya Know... Powers Museum has Slide Programs and Videos available for loan to teachers. For information, call 358-2667.

Did Ya Know... The Christmas Committee of the Carthage Chamber of Commerce is having a Christmas Lighting and Decorating Contest. For information or to enter, call 358-2373.

Car Salesman To Customer: Madam, it’s a buy. You’ll never get another opportunity like this in your entire life. Woman: How much is it? Salesman: The price? Why, it’s priced just over the car, which is priced a few dollars above the car, which costs no more than some models of the lowest price cars.

Customer: Do you serve crabs here? Waiter: Certainly, we serve anyone. Sit down.

The salary we used to dream of is the one we can’t live on today.

Remarkable Accident.

E. R. Wheeler’s Team Killed by a Train

Joe Clayton’s narrow Escape.

Mr. Wheeler and Joe Clayton were engaged yesterday in putting in two new poles on the Missouri Pacific right of way. The team was standing in the road about a hundred feet from the track.

Mr. Wheeler was on the opposite side of the railroad and Clayton was repairing a broken strap on the harness with a bit of wire when a northbound gravel train appeared in the distance. The horses began to act nervous and the lineman grasped their bits. As the team reached the crossing the engine’s whistle let out a screech and the horses bolted.

They dashed frantically forward directly toward the moving train with Clayton swinging to their bits. He held on pluckily until within ten feet of the train when something struck him on the head, he does not know what it was, but he was hurled headlong and quite severely bruised. He landed not more than six feet from the track. The team continued its frantic flight and dashed straight into the train, which was moving at a rapid rate.

The head of one of the animals was sliced off as neatly as a knife could have done it and the neck of the other horse was broken. Both, of course, died instantly. The engineer stopped the train as quickly as possible and backed up to the scene of the accident. The trainmen were very much agitated as they thought that Clayton had certainly gone under the wheels with the team. His escape was a most fortunate one and he did not realize its narrowness until afterward.

His efforts to turn the team were so occupying his attention that had he not been knocked loose he would have probably been killed as the horses were.

The team was a fine one of match sorrels which Mr. Wheeler valued especially because he had raised them from colts and they were not for sale at any price. The harness was ruined and the tongue broken out of the wagon.

Home Improvements.

Carthage’s Affordable Housing Task Force showed off some of its work recently. Mayor Don Riley and members of the Task Force met at the home of John Wheat on River Street to inspect renovations which were funded by the Task Force.

The work of the Task Force is being accomplished through a grant from Missouri Housing Development. The $75,000 grant was sought by the Economic Security Commission.

The Task Force has a budget of $15,000 per house to make necessary repairs and improvements, allowing five houses to be renovated. Each house in the program must be owner-occupied, and owners must meet guidelines developed by Missouri Housing and the Task Force, including income criteria.

The Task Force seeks bids from local contractors for the planned renovations.

Work on one house has been finished, and the house toured is nearing completion.

Codes Inspector Bud Rogers, who oversees the program, credited Mayor Riley with the idea for the Task Force. Members are appointed by the Mayor, and Bob Faulk is the Chairman.

"Anything we can do will improve the whole community," Mayor Riley said of their efforts.

Both exterior and interior improvements were made to the house on River. The exterior was painted, siding was repaired, the second story roof and front porch were replaced and a new sidewalk was poured. Interior work included repairing and finishing the walls and ceilings on the second floor and installing a hand rail on the stairs to the second floor.

Rogers said the house on River is under budget at $10,400, but the Task Force has one house which may require more than the $15,000 allotted. The Task Force must receive permission from Missouri Housing to exceed the agreed upon budget. If funds remain after completing all five budgeted houses, additional homes will be accepted for repairs.

The Task Force plans to continue the program, but all grant money must be spent before they may receive additional funds. According to Rogers, paperwork for the next grant is already in progress.

Homeowners Beware.

"Within the past months our Department has received several complaints from homeowners who have been cheated by persons representing themselves as licensed and reputable contractors," Joe Butler, head of the Engineering Department, said this morning. Mr. Butler offers this advice to those who are contemplating building or remodeling their homes:

• Do not pay up front for services. Legitimate contractors do not expect to be paid until they have completed their job. They may, however, wish to work out a payment schedule with you in which you agree to pay a partial payment as a like percentage of work is completed, or as materials are delivered. If such an agreement is reached, it should be in writing and the homeowner should never put him or herself in the position of having paid for more than he or she has received.

• Ask if your contractor is licensed in the City of Carthage. You may do work on your own home, or you may hire day laborers to work on an hourly basis for you. All others you hire must be licensed to do work in the City. The Engineering Department maintains a list of currently licensed contractors. We urge you to call our office at 358-9336 prior to signing a contract with anyone, and certainly, before beginning work.

• Ask if your contractor is insured to cover damage and liability on your property. Contractors must show proof of insurance when obtaining a City License, but it is still good practice to ask to see the certificate yourself, or even to demand a copy directly from the agent who issued it.

• Ask if your contractor intends to obtain a permit covering the project. Most projects, including re-roofing and re-siding, will require a permit and inspections. Again, please call our office to verify that a permit has been issued. This small step will help to assure that your job is completed properly.

Artist Moves On Trans-Mississippi Line

Maze Creek Studio of Carthage, Missouri has announced the execution of an extraordinary painting documenting the Civil War Battle in Westport. The painting will be done by Andy Thomas, a historical artist from Missouri. It will be the fourth Civil War Battle painting and print in the Trans-Mississippi Series by Andy Thomas. The painting is expected to be complete by November 1.

The painting portrays General Joe Shelby’s frantic retreat from the Union Army in Westport, Missouri on October 23, 1864. This is presently known as the Plaza area in Kansas City, Missouri.

Research for the painting has been coordinated by Andy Thomas. Andy has been able to speak with many historians about the details surrounding the battle. Among them are Gil Bergman a member of the Civil War Roundtable of Kansas City, Steve Cottrell and Steve Weldon of Carthage, Missouri.

After extensive research a preliminary sketch was completed and then the painting was begun by Thomas. The painting will be an overall size of 40 X 60" oil on canvas. A limited edition print will be available of this great Civil War battle by Maze Creek Studio. It will be signed and numbered by the artist and be an edition of 400. The prints will be $50 each.

In addition to this painting of The Battle of Westport, Thomas has completed the "Battle of Carthage" which shows the battle on the afternoon of July 6, 1861 in Carthage, Missouri. He has also completed "Don’t yield an Inch" which is a scene of the Battle of Wilson’s Creek outside of Springfield, Missouri. His most recent accomplishment of Civil War painting and prints was "On The Battery" an intense scene which shows the struggle for the area around Elkhorn Tavern in Pea Ridge, Arkansas.

Thomas is a full-time professional artist who paints oils that represent all parts of life. In addition to the outstanding historical paintings, he works on the spirit of life. You can always look at any painting he completes and find a memory or a warm thought within. Inquiries can be directed to Business Manager, Maze Creek Studio at 14 95 E. 13th Street, Carthage, Missouri 64836.

For further information, please call Dina Thomas at 417-359-8787.

I think I have finally got this spring forward, fall back thing down. That is as far as settin’ the clock. I still have to do a little figurin’ to understand why my body doesn’t adjust as easily to the time change.

I have in my head that one of the time changes doesn’t take as long to get adjusted to. The idea of springin’ forward looks like it would take the hardest toll. The act of movin’ ahead would seem ta consume more energy than fallin’ back. I suppose it really boils down to whether a person is a night person or a mornin’ type.

Some have the impression that individuals actually have both types residin’ in their body. The two are constantly in conflict without regard for the other’s well bein’.

Stayin’ up an extra hour doesn’t bother night person ‘cause it will be mornin’ person’s problem to get up with the alarm.

At least in the fall, mornin’ person gets the opportunity to sleep in another hour.

This is some fact, but mostly, Just Jake Talkin’.

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Health Notes.

There are four types of over-the-counter pain relievers: aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium. They all work, but not all of them may be what you need. Here’s a brief description of each:

Aspirin (acetylsalicylic acid). It works by suppressing hormone-like substances that regulate body temperature, induce uterine contractions, clot blood, and regulate blood vessel constriction. That’s why it’s usually helpful for fever, menstrual cramps, headache pain, muscle pills and minor arthritis. Aspirin is not recommended for people with gastrointestinal problems, ulcers, uncontrolled hypertension, liver or kidney disease or bleeding disorders.

Acetaminophen. Also relieves moderate pain and fever, probably by acting on nerve endings to suppress pain. It’s an alternative for those who cannot tolerate aspirin.

Ibuprofen and naproxen sodium both work like aspirin, but are stronger. Anyone with the same problems that can be affected by aspirin, should avoid those two drugs as well.

Although these pain killers are sold over the counter, it’s a good idea to keep intake to 10 days or less. If symptoms persist, see your doctor.