Old News

From the 3rd floor
of the Webb City Public Library

Sale of ’39 fire truck helped purchase rescue vehicle for WCFD in 1968

Webb City Area Genealogical Society
March 15, 2023

Webb City Fire Chief Jess Gordon and his assistant, Goss Blanchard, called the Joplin Globe in 1968 to show off the department’s new van.

The van was purchased by the city for use as both an emergency rescue unit and a code enforcement truck. It was purchased and equipped with money obtained from the sale of a 1939 fire truck, which had not been used for some time.

The new vehicle was equipped with an oxygen unit and other emergency equipment.

Bishir photo

This is the 1939 fire truck that was seldom-used when it was sold to purchase the new van.

Sentinel bound volumes are now in the Genealogy Room

The WCAGS has accepted ownership of the complete collection of bound volumes of the Webb City Sentinel, from 1983 (after the fire) until the final issue on Dec. 30, 2020.

Those issues can also be viewed on microfilm, along with much older issues.

Webb City Area Genealogical Society

WCAGS members staff the Genealogy Room on the third floor of the Webb City Public Library. Current hours are noon to 4 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturdays. Meetings are held at 6 p.m. on the first Tuesday of each month in the Genealogy Room.

Everything you want to know about Jasper County Missouri Schools is available at a site compiled by Webb City Area Genealogical Society member Kathy Sidenstricker.

Joplin Globe

Webb City Fire Chief Jess Gordon and his assistant, Goss Blanchard, stand with pride by their department’s new rescue van in 1968.