Aug. 13, 2025: TIMES PAST compiled by Sue Ann Jones
This 1958 picture postcard, from the Ozark County Historium’s collection, shows the east side of the Gainesville square. The door of the Ford pickup parked in front of Lister Rexall Drugs bears the name of Joe’s Standard Service, an automobile service station owned by Joe L. Ebrite at Highways 160 and 5 north. In the background, on the southeast corner of the square, is the Ozark County Times building built in 1908 by longtime editor and owner Earle W. Ebrite (1866-1958). A later owner, E. K. Dunnegan, added the false two-story front and metal roof. The building burned on Feb. 14, 1963, when the business was owned by Fred and Ruby Robins. While they built a new structure to house the Times on the same site, the building that now houses the Times, they published the newspaper in the A. D. McDonald building (now the Historium) on the west side of the square.
Ozark County News
Aug. 16, 1883
A petition for a daily mail from West Plains to this place was circulated and numerously signed here this week.
Parties from this county, who attended the Springfield reunion, have all returned, and report the affair a grand success. Probably 15,000 visitors were in attendance, embracing several hundreds of the participants in the battle of Wilson’s Creek.
Bakersfield Boomerang
Aug. 17, 1901
A number of nice Pearls have been found on North Fork, near the Pumphrey Ford.
The Democrat
Aug. 23, 1905
Ed Lance, who has been employed by a Wholesale Grocery firm in the [Indian] Territory, is back on a visit with relatives in the west part of the county.
Ozark County Times
Aug. 14, 1925
Pontiac items – If you want to save your hogs from cholera, get Dr. Fatty Barner, the hog cholera specialist, to vaccinate them for you.
Hawk Walker, who is making his home with his daughter the Lyman Stevens family near Mammoth, suffered a paralytic stroke Saturday morning. The left side of his body is paralyzed. He is in a helpless condition but is jovial considering the seriousness of his affliction.
NOTICE: Locust, Mo., Aug. 10, ‘25: It has been reported that I said my father, J. L. McGinnis, had been swearing. The one or ones who told it told a falsehood. I never did at any time hear him use profane language. – Lonnie E. McGinnis
NOTICE: The speed limit on the streets of Gainesville for cars, by authority, is limited to 10 miles per hour, and to avoid paying fines, drivers are hereby warned that I intend arresting any person or persons violating this ordinance. Respectfully, G. D. Ebrite, City Marshal
Aug. 8, 1935
When J. J. Witschner, vice president and general manager of the Katz Drug Company decided to get married, he wasted no time. At 9 a.m. in Des Moines, he telephoned Miss Ruth Rothschild in Joplin, Mo., and asked her to marry him. “But I can’t; my hair isn’t fixed, and, besides, I haven’t a way to get there,” gasped Miss Rothschild. “I’ll charter you a plane,” said Witschner. “The ceremony will be today.” He did. Miss Rothschild flew to the Iowa City and they were married at the home there of Mr. and Mrs. Forrest Geneva.
Aug. 7, 1941
North Fork at Pontiac tells its own story. Why not spend your vacation here?
Sorry to hear of the death of S. W. McDonald of Isabella. The bereaved ones have our sympathy.
News reached here Thursday that James R. Barner of Protem, had died at the Veteran’s hospital at Fayetteville, Ark. He was laid to rest Sunday, Aug. 3, in the Protem Cemetery.
Aug. 16, 1945
A victory and prayer service was held at the Christian Church Wednesday evening in celebration of the close of the war and in honor of the boys who have helped to bring victory.
Pontiac items – Clyde Jackson has about 6 feet of water in his dug well.
Aug. 13, 1959
The sale of the vacant lot and the Ebrite home property on the south side of the square was closed Wednesday afternoon. They were bought by Don Eslinger.
Aug. 14, 1975
A new littering ordinance has been enacted by the Gainesville city council to prevent the gutters and sidewalks and other city property from being a dumping ground. If you pitch your trash on the street, you are now subject to a fine.
Aug. 16, 1995
Pistols and revolvers of .38 caliber or larger will be legal deer-hunting weapons in Missouri this fall under the first deer regulation to specifically permit the use of handguns.
The Conservation Commission approved the rule at its regular July meeting here. Another provision of the 1963 regulation permits archers, hunting under archery permits, to take deer of either sex statewide.
Deer hunting with handguns will be legal this season under the firearms regulation. Using a gun permit, hunters may now use shotguns of 20 to 10 gauge loaded with slugs; center-fire rifles shooting 60-grain or larger bullets; longbows or crossbows; and pistols, revolvers and muzzle-loading rifles not smaller than .38 caliber.
Aug. 16, 1995
This past Saturday, the VFW Post 5366 at Isabella presented certificates to veterans of World War II in honor of VJ Day. The Post has 92 members who are WWII vets.
The city council first brought up the issue of buying the five or six acres where the Gainesville Saddle Club arena is located during the special meeting Friday. During their regular meeting on Monday afternoon, the council voted to make an offer on the land, which is owned by Ralph Amyx, according to mayor Frank McClendon. After some discussion on the matter, the council decided to make an offer of $18,500 for property. . . . The council noted if the city did purchase the property, they would continue to lease the arena area to the Gainesville Saddle Club.
Aug. 10, 2005
The Gainesville City Council and members of the Gainesville Fire Department broke ground Monday evening for a new fire station.
The ground-breaking was held by the rock wall below the Ozark County Christian Thrift Store. The new firehouse will be built in the field behind the rock wall.