Lady Panthers win Ft. Smith volleyball tourney

50 Years Ago

From the Herald and Democrat in 1967

Wes Hornback, zone manager for Ben Franklin Co., with headquarters in Kansas City, was in Siloam Springs to present Dale Robinson, of the local Ben Franklin store, a 25-year plaque in recognition of a quarter century of continuous Ben Franklin service.

In 1947, Dale was presented with a similar 25-year plaque in recognition of his father, the late J.W. Robinson, having been associated the greater part of that time in continuous Ben Franklin service.

In 1919, Mr. and Mrs. Robinson opened a variety store on No. St. Nicholas Ave., (the street name was later changed to Broadway), which was located in the building occupied by Mac's Barber Shop and Dixie News.

They purchased most of their merchandise from Butler Brothers, a St. Louis wholesale warehouse, then located in Kansas City, Mo., and known as Ben Franklin. Robinson's Variety was a charter member of the old Limited Price Variety store association. This developed into an association consisting of 2,400 independently owned Ben Franklin stores scattered across the U.S.A. and in some foreign countries.

Due to growth of business, the store was moved to the north half it its current location at 100 S. Broadway. At that time the south half was occupied by Harrison's Jewelry and Porter's Barber Shop.

When the Robinsons' son, Dale, joined them in business in 1933, they realized further expansion was necessary so they obtained the south half and removed the partitions for the much-needed space. In 1942 more new fixtures were added and the latest remodeling program was in 1964, when both the exterior and interior were remodeled. All new modern equipment and fixtures were installed. New plate glass windows and an aluminum plate-glass door were added. Show windows were modernized to allow for better display of merchandise.

It isn't so unusual for a son to follow his father's footsteps, but to have a third generation -- Joel, son of the Dale Robinsons, entered the business in 1963 and in 1965 Dale semi-retired, in order to devote more time to his first love, painting. A hobby in which he had also been very successful.

His successor had already, in a few short years, proved to be a very competent and efficient businessman and had gained an admirable place in the business world.

30 Years Ago

From the Herald-Democrat in 1987

The Siloam Springs Panthers scored on their first possessions, taking a 21-0 first quarter lead and went on to defeat the McDonald County Mustangs 28-6 in Anderson, Mo.

The winless Mustangs proved to be no match for the Panthers, who with the inside running of Frank Linam and the outside running of quarterback Brad Dalrymple and halfback Mike Harrington, moved the ball at will.

10 Years Ago

From the Herald-Leader in 2007

For the first time in school history and under the head coaching of Rose Cheek, the Siloam Springs Lady Panthers defeated Fort Smith Southside to win the 28th annual Fort Smith volleyball tournament.

Siloam Springs played well, according to Cheek, winning seven games and losing one. Following pool play, which saw the Lady Panthers gain the top seed in the tournament, Siloam Springs rolled past Mount St. Mary's, 25-19, 25-22, and then swept Van Buren, 25-18, 25-12, in the semifinals to set up a repeat of the previous year's final against Southside.

In the championship match, the Lady Panthers came out strong and dominated game one. With 14 kills in the first game and good passing, the game ended quickly, 25-12.

In game two, the momentum turned in favor of Southside as the Confederettes fought consistently and to knot the game 2-all. Southside prevailed with two consecutive kills to win, 25-21.

The Lady Panthers, however, were aggressive at the net with 12 kills in game three. Siloam Springs played well under pressure and kept the offense to the outside, right-side and middle. The Lady Panthers held off Southside, 17-15, for the championship victory.

Community on 10/04/2017