February 26, 2025: TIMES PAST compiled by Sue Ann Jones
This photo, from the Ruby Robins collection, is thought to show the interior of the Ozark County Times office sometime in 1929, judging by the sale bill on the book table at right. Everyone in the photo is related to current Times correspondent Janet Ebrite Taber, who identifies, from left, editor Earle Ebrite, Helen Ebrite Blisard (standing in back), one of Earle’s sons, either Ray or Dewey Ebrite, and in the back, right, is Janet’s grandfather, Leonard Ebrite, who was very proud of the letter sweater he’s wearing in the picture.
Ozark County News
Feb. 28, 1889
Notice posted by the Ozark County Court (today’s County Commission): . . . It is to the best interest of the county to let the contract of keeping all the paupers of the county to the lowest and best bidder. It is therefore ordered by the court that the clerk of this court receive sealed bids until the May Term of this court for keeping all the paupers of the county for one year from that time. Said bids shall state the amount for which the bidder agrees to take care of, feed, and clothe each pauper, . . . it being understood that said bidders shall have the labor of all paupers who are able to work.
Ozark County Times
Feb. 24, 1905
Grabeel items – Uncle Frank Hesterlee tells us this is one of the worst winters he has seen for several years, and Uncle Frank has seen about as many as any of us.
Almartha items – Mr. O. P. Murphy says of the miserable, he is the most miserable. There were several horrible-looking valentines sent out from office, and every girl has accused Ora of sending theirs.
Feb. 27, 1925
Romance items – Herman Melton and wife and John Brown and wife went to Springfield last week to have a piece of steel removed from Mrs. Brown’s eye.
Eggs 25 cents here.
Fire got out from Roy Pare’s clearing Friday and burned up some fence for Logie Naugle and Jim Brown, and burned most all of Roy’s fence around his farm.
Feb. 24, 1955
The largest single land sale on record in Ozark County was made this week through the H. T. Harlin Insurance and Real Estate Agency by Mattie Parsons of the Ozarks Realty Company of Flippin, Arkansas. The sale consisted of approximately 10,000 acres belonging to the E. Y. Mitchell Estate and the purchase was made by James L. Anderson of Gainesville, Texas.
The Theodosia Cafe, near the Theodosia Boat Dock, is reopening for business today under the management of Mr. and Mrs. Boyd D. Hursh. Mr. and Mrs. Hursh recently leased the cafe from Don Speise of Isabella.
Feb. 27, 1975
Pontiac items (Theresa Sheurek, correspondent) – The Pontiac Ladies Club had a potluck Valentine supper and party afterwards for their members and family. . . . Everyone went home a few pounds heavier – and happier.
Danny Morgan went to the Mardi Gras in New Orleans and had a good time.
Charity items (Pearlie Poe, correspondent) – Cleo and I had received letters for two years to come to Briar Cliff. We were sent a check to pay for the gasoline. We went last week, and we were like the fox and the crane. We came home empty handed and paid the gas bill. I have always worked for what I got and expect to.
Feb. 22, 1995
A special Ozark County Times opinion poll, published in the Feb. 8 issue, shows approximately 91 percent of those participating in the poll favor children playing on the courthouse lawn. The issue, which has caused debate in and around Gainesville, stems from a recent announcement by the Ozark County Commissioners that “general playing” would no longer be allowed on the courthouse lawn. Commissioners cited broken tree limbs and recent damage to courthouse windows as some of the reasons behind the policy.
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