MORE SILVER BARS FOR ARMY

In 1995 and again in 1996, someone dropped a one-ounce silver bar into a Salvation Army collection kettle at Christmastime.

This week, three more of the same kind of silver bars were found in another Salvation Army kettle.

The bars were accompanied by a note that read: "Now that I know you got those bars here's the last of them. Given in memory of O.W. ... and thereby hangs a tale!' " Below the note was a large letter M. The word "dome" was written vertically beside the M.

The note was written on a copy of a Southeast Missourian story about surprises in Salvation Army kettles.

Maj. Robert Gauthier of the Salvation Army is seeking any information anyone might have about the note.

"It would be interesting to know who O.W. was and what the tale was," Gauthier said.

The bars are each troy ounces, which are less than the ounces used in the American system of weights.

Each bars is thought to worth between $7 and $9.

Gauthier said the Salvation Army has the original two bars but plans to sell them.