July 9, 2025: TIMES PAST compiled by Sue Ann Jones
Until it was demolished in the 1980s, this three-story house, built in 1906 by Tesley Luna, stood at the top of what is now Harlin Drive near the first Gainesville water tower. Luna and his wife, Anna Arnold Luna, sold the house to Tesley’s brother, Everett Luna, who later sold it to their sister, Agnes, and her husband, Dr. Herbert “Doc” Pace, grandparents of former Ozark County Sheriff Raymond Pace. In later years, it was known as the Wolverton house. It’s believed those standing on the lower-level porch are, from left, Hazel Luna (Blair) with her mother Sarah Patrick Luna, an unknown child she’s holding on the railing, and Anna Luna and her daughter Virginia. The person standing on the second-floor porch is unknown. The photo is from an album owned and shared by family descendants Fedra Williams Baker and Beverly Williams Schweppe.
Ozark County News
July 7, 1883
Matt Lamberson is gathering up a drove of cattle. He is lotting them at Mr. Meffords and will drive them north when he has sufficient number.
Ad. – LOOK OUT! Three wagons loaded down to the “guards” with fresh goods are on their way from Springfield and will arrive at the Red Store in a day or two. Don’t fail to call there next week and see the fine display of goods.
July 7, 1898
Samuel Burks had a letter from his brother who is at Tampa, Fla., with Roosevelt’s Rough Riders, who are ready to embark for Santiago.
June 28, 1900
Fate Hays and Miss Nellie Stevens of Lick Creek south of town were married Sunday at the residence of the bride’s parents. Justice E. E. Clayton officiating.
Mrs. Addie Harley, wife of Daniel Harley, living near Romance, died at her home Tuesday after a brief illness of malaria fever. The remains were buried yesterday at the Loftis Cemetery. She leaves a husband and five children.
Almartha items – Born to E. L. Riley and wife, two fine boys weighing 10 and 8 pounds respectively.
J. M. Fry, a leading merchant of this place, was arrested last Tuesday by Deputy Marshall Huffman for speculating in leaf tobacco. He was taken to Springfield.
Ozark County Times
July 5, 1912
In a poorly played game of ball, the Pine Creek aggregation managed to secure their first victory in their fifth effort, to drag the Gainesville boys from their top position.
… Pitcher Red Hill twirled a winning ball and deserved a victory, but he had practically no support. …
The twirlers for Caney were Willie and Joe Bushong. … The feature of the game was the sensational one-hand stab of “Ebe” McClendon’s liner in the eighth inning and then doubling of Hill at third.
Locust – Enoch Wiggins has robbed several of his bee stands and reports they are rich with honey. If you want honey for breakfast, give him a call.
C. B. Breeding made a trip to Theodosia to mill a few days ago. He got such a good turnout, he could hardly bring it back without buying an extra sack.
Zanoni – They are going to build another schoolhouse at Smith Chapel.
June 30, 1932
The Gainesville Light and Power Company is again in running order after a week or more of darkness.
To make sure of a plentiful water supply at the cheese factory here, now owned by S. F. Amyx, a 250-foot well is now being drilled.
L. F. Ebrite and wife of this city left here Sunday night on a touring trip to Riverside and other points in California. They expect to spend three weeks or more on the trip. Orr Hill accompanied them as far as Kansas City where he has employment.
Romance – A large crowd attended the musical entertainment at Logie Naugle’s Saturday night. Some excellent music was rendered by J. R. Willhoit, Dewey Moody, Elmer Blair and Roy Wilson. It was greatly appreciated by all.
The Almartha ball team crossed bats with the Fry team Sunday on the Arp diamond. The score was 2 to 4 in favor of Fry.
Arthur Watson is holding a few days meeting at Barren Fork.
June 30, 1949
Something to boast of: Aunt Martha Herd, who lives on A.D. McDonald’s farm on Hogard Creek, is 70 years old and can still outrun a gray fox. One day last week a fox caught one of Aunt Martha’s chickens. She took after Mr. Fox and was about to catch him when he dropped the chicken. Mrs. Herd had chicken for dinner.
A group of relatives and friends gathered at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Loran Grisham on Saturday night and gave them a farewell party consisting of a covered dish dinner and linen shower. . . They departed for Bakersfield, Calif., Sunday afternoon where Loran has employment with the Carnation Milk Co.
July 6, 1961
A1c John Harlin, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. T. Harlin of Gainesville, was one of the 173 contestants in the World Wide Talent contest held by the U.S. Air Force at Andrews AFB in Maryland.
Harlin, who competed in the novelty (comic) category, won the right to compete in the final event by taking first places in both the Second Air Force contest at Clinton-Sherman Air Base and the Strategic Air command contest held at McCoy Air Base at Orlando, Fla.
July 3, 1985
Missouri Public Service Commissioner has dismissed the request of Dora and Caulfield telephone customers who want to call the Wasola and Theodosia exchanges toll-free...
Currently, callers in Dora and Caulfield must pay a toll to call Theodosia and Wasola, and vice-versa...
A study of telephone calls made from Dora and Caulfield exchanges reveals that the volume of calls between the exchanges do not warrant toll-free service. The PSC requites that 67 percent of the customers make at least two calls per month to the other exchanges involved and that there be an average of six calls per main station per month, in order to consider the request.