Jan. 29, 2025: TIMES PAST compiled by Sue Ann Jones
These photos, source unknown, show the Dora School after a devastating fire that occurred on the night of Jan. 21, 1998. A story recalling the fire and its aftermath, published in the Feb. 27, 2008, edition of the Times (and reprinted in the Jan. 24 and Jan. 31, 2018, editions) said the fire destroyed the school’s classrooms and newly remodeled gym, along with the student records, 50 years of composite photographs of graduating seniors and nearly all of the school’s equipment, furniture and books. Wanda Watkins, who had worked as district treasurer and office secretary, told the Times in 2008 that her records showed that donations poured in from 104 businesses or organizations, 182 individuals and 53 school districts around the country. But she added that there were probably more than that. “Sometimes they came so fast we couldn’t keep up,” she said. Classes resumed Feb. 2, 1998, in temporary buildings and with borrowed books. To indicate it was time to change classes, the school counselor got in her car and honked the horn.
Ozark County News
Jan. 30, 1890
(Ad.) – J. C. Bishop, physician and obstetrician, Thornfield, Mo. Will practice in the Western part of Ozark County.
Ozark County Times
Jan. 27, 1905
Last Thursday evening Guy T. Harrison received a telegram requesting him to come to the seat of Government at Jefferson City at once, and he departed for that place at 3 o’clock Friday morning. [In a story in the July 29, 1905, Times that reported his death after being shot by a neighbor during an argument, Harrison, the county’s former circuit clerk, was described as “a prominent attorney and a leading Republican of Southwest Missouri.”]
Johnny Harlin has bought some thoroughbred Berkshire hogs and will receive the shipment from West Plains this week. Better hogs is the crying need of this county, and Johnny intends to raise some fancy ones.
Walter Patillo, of Tecumseh, was in Monday on a real old-time sled, the first one we have seen for 15 years. The roads for a few days past have been in fine condition for sleighing, but Walter Patillo, Will Miller and Uncle Wesley Reese are the only farmers in the county who have taken advantage of the situation. These men have all improved sleds for use in any emergency, and they are using them “to a finish.”
Jan. 30, 1925
The patrons of Sand Ridge, Banner and Dawt districts met at Sand Ridge Saturday for the purpose of voting to consolidate the three districts for a high school. Co. Supt. S. A. Megee and Prof. Fred McKinley were present and made interesting talks in behalf of consolidation and the benefit of a high school. The proposition when put to a vote was defeated by 10 votes.
W. A. Schrel, of Chicago, is here this week looking after his land interests. He owns several thousand acres of land west of town. A large part of the land is wild land, adjoining which he has purchased a number of homesteads which he is stocking up with hogs in charge of tenants. On Monday he purchased the Hosea Coy farm near Willhoit.
Jan. 25, 1945
In the “Our boys in the service” column: Pvt. Don D. Smith of Rockbridge in Ozark County, who is with the 6th Army in France, is one of a group of battling engineers who have built a reputation for themselves as a “bunch of daredevils who can really fight.” These soldiers stayed in the line 12 days at Salerno and 45 days at Anzio.
Jan 30, 1975
Bryant Plastics, Inc., north of Gainesville, went into full operation last week on a 24-hour-a-day, seven-days-a-week schedule. The factory, established last October by James R. Beasley, is manufacturing sewer pipe in 1/2-inch and 4-inch sizes. . . . Presently employed at Bryant Plastics [besides Beasley] are Elvin Piland, Eldo Piland, Jim Whisnant, Rockne Rhodes, Cleo Robinson, Clyde Loftis and Ronnie Collins.
Jan. 28, 1998
In the aftermath of the devastating fire that destroyed the Dora school [on Jan. 21, 1998], school officials, students and parents are determined to get on with the business of teaching and learning as soon as possible. . . . Officials from the Missouri State Fire Marshal’s office announced . . . a leaky gas stove in the cafeteria kitchen was the cause of the fire, which caused the estimated $3.8 million in damages and destroyed the school’s main classroom building, gymnasium, music room and principal’s office.