Siloam Springs Herald Leader

10 Years Ago: Barbershop fixture retires after 47 years

- Compiled by Jackie Brooks

50 Years Ago From the Herald and Democrat in 1967 Allen Canning Company of Siloam Springs made a $2,500 research grant to the University of Arkansas for the purpose of pursuing study “of direct-seeded tomatoes for mechanical harvesting in Southeast and Northwest Arkansas.”

Canned tomatoes were a favorite product with the buying public for many years. However, the crop had been among the most difficult to grow and to harvest of all food products. Specifical­ly, the harvest varied greatly from year to year due to the weather.

In “bad” years there was often a very small crop for processing, pushing costs and prices up. In “good” years, when the crop was heavy, the capacity of local plants was not sufficient and crops were sometimes lost.

It appeared that two things were necessary to change the situation and to make a reasonably good crop available each year.

First, the crop harvest needed to come off over a longer period of time giving the plants time to assimilate the crop.

Second, types of tomatoes which could be safely harvested mechanical­ly must be developed.

Delbert E. Allen Jr. had the responsibi­lity of negotiatin­g the contract for the experiment­s with the University of Arkansas. Allen made this statement about the project: “We are hoping that this series of experiment­s, along with the informatio­n we already have, will give us the answers we need in the matter of growing better tomatoes and spreading the harvest over a much longer period than we have had in the past. Dr. Kattan is internatio­nally known in the field of plant physiology and food processing. We are confident that he, along with his staff, will come up with some important informatio­n.”

30 Years Ago

From the Herald-Democrat in 1987

Siloam Springs Lady Panther basketball standout Holly Robason, signed a letter of intent to play for the John Brown University Lady Eagles. She became the first Lady Panther to play for the Lady Eagles on scholarshi­p.

Holly was a two-time 1-AAA All-Conference player and led the Lady Panthers in scoring that season with 17 points a game. She was second on the team in rebounds, assists and steals and played an important leadership role for Coach Moore.

10 Years Ago

From the Herald-Leader in 2007 Jerry Price was a mainstay on Broadway Street at City Barber Shop.

Scores of the unshorn sought precise pruning, fishing tips and barbershop chair philosophy from Price for 47 and a half years.

After nine months of barber school, he started at Mac’s (McLaughlin) Barber Shop on Aug. 10, 1959. Haircuts were $1 for adults and 75 cents for children younger than 12. In 2007 haircuts were $10 for adults. He married Ruth Ann Breese on Oct. 9, 1959.

When McLaughlin retired in 1978 Price and coworker Bill Jackson bought the barbershop from their employer.

In January Price announced his retirement would be at the end of March. He said, “I hope to fish a lot.” Lake Eucha, Beaver Lake and Lake Tenkiller, some of his favorite spots to fish and he anticipate­d spending time with his wife, grandkids and also in his garage.

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