May 14, 2025: TIMES PAST compiled by Sue Ann Jones
Barefoot school, 1901 (located between Longrun and Theodosia) This 1901 photo of the original Barefoot School, located between Longrun and Theodosia, was shared with the Ozark County Historium by Wilfred E. Wooldridge, M.D., for the Historium’s 2010 book Lard Buckets and Paper Pokes, which featured stories about Ozark County’s early one-room schools. Writing about the memories of her grandmother, former Barefoot School student Edith Peacock Edmond, Sally Lyons McAlear said the school got its name, not from its barefoot students (although in this photo, all visible feet except the teacher’s are bare), but from the fact that the log school had a dirt floor. The district, which closed in 1959, had two subsequent buildings with clapboard exterior and oak floor. It was officially renamed Oak Grove, but that name never stuck. In the photo: Back row, from left: teacher Ulysses Grant Tanneyhill, Arthur Peacock, Joe Willhoit, Vernon Duncan, Kelly Peacock, Kitty Blankenship, Clara Bruer, Bill Miller, Della Hicks, Clemmie Wilhoit, Stella Bruer and Della Welch. Second row (seated): Charlie Havens, George Worthington, Fred Miller, Earl Duncan, Roy Peacock, Bunt Havens, Harry Havens, Evert Hicks, Jasper Hicks, Pearlie Hicks, Bennie Welch, Vienna Havens, Nettie Miller, Edith Peacock (Edmonds), Ollie Welch, Dollie Worthington, Vic Bruer.
Ozark County News
May 15, 1890
The sad news reached here Tuesday that John Miller of Lick Creek was dead, having accidentally stuck a knife into his left breast on Monday evening. Mr. Miller was at his farm tending to some young cattle and had a small knife in his right hand when a calf kicked his arm, causing the knife to strike him in the left breast, making a small wound but deep enough to let the blood flow inwardly, thus causing his death about 6 o’clock Tuesday morning. …
He was buried on Wednesday and leaves a wife and many relatives to cherish his memory.
May 20, 1897
Mrs. Bessie Norton and Miss Minnie Whitener went to Lockwood Summit five miles southwest of town last Sunday and spent the afternoon with E. E. Lockwood and wife. During the evening strawberries were served, and a good time is reported.
Ozark County Times
May 14, 1915
New York, May 7 – The Cunard liner Lusitania, one of the largest ships afloat, was torpedoed and sunk this afternoon off the coast of Ireland. … She had aboard 1,253 passengers. The liner sailed from New York May 1.
Rockbridge – The West Plains and Mtn. Grove grocery men were here last time in their automobiles. Hold tight to your horses, boys.
There has been quite a change in the mail carriers for the next four years. Mr. Ed Brown has the contract from Caney to Buckhart; Mr. Thompson has from Buckhart to Mtn. Grove, and Walter Endicott has from Gainesville to West Plains.
May 17, 1934
Zanoni – We were sorry to hear of the death of Aunt Feaby Luna, who passed away May 12th.
Faye Shanks, one of the forestry boys, spent the weekend with relatives here.
Bakersfield News
May 15, 1941
The Bakersfield Home Economic club met Wednesday, May 7th, with Mrs. Jewel McConnell with the following present: Oma Farrell, Anna Wiles, Myrtle Hughes, Anna James, Artie Harris, Laura Arnett, Ola Corkham, Roxie Farrel, Mary Young, Beulah Nichols, Opal Nichols, Lenore Howery, Bessie Farrel, Dorothy McThompson, Georgie Triggs, Ola Swain, Gertie Roberts, Raye Farrel, Martha Corkham. After a luncheon, the members discussed "clothing for the red cross," and a number of women volunteered to go on certain days and sew at the schoolhouse.
Ozark County Times
May 13, 1954
Believing that one of the most critical needs of the city of Gainesville is an adequately equipped volunteer fire department and realizing that the financial condition of the city does not permit the purchase of the necessary equipment, the Gainesville Lions Club voted unanimously to give the entire net proceeds of their forthcoming play, “Flying High,” which is to be given in the high school auditorium May 27 and 28, to the City Council to be placed in a fund to be used eventually to purchase a fire truck, hose and other necessary equipment.
Donald B. King, radioman seaman, USN, son of Mr. and Mrs. Clyde B. King of Tecumseh, while serving aboard the destroyer USS Hamner, took part in April in joint Navy-Marine maneuvers in the Hawaiian Islands.
May 14, 1959
Joe Taylor, 81-year-old West Plains resident, whose father once operated the Hodgson Mill, was a recent visitor at the Aid-Hodgson Mill. Mr. Taylor is the son of Zebbie “Bud” Taylor, who leased the mill from Mr. Hodgson for a year around 1888 or 1889 when only the original mill was standing.
May 22, 1985
The Ozark County Times was sold Friday to Russell and Donna Walker of Walker and Walker Abstractors, Gainesville. They took ownership the same day from Ruby Robins. Mrs. Robins and her husband, the late Fred Robins, had purchased the paper in January 1959, and began publication in February. After the death of her husband in June 1967, Mrs. Robins succeeded him as editor and publisher.
May 3, 1990
Pastor Joe Gaddy, pastor of Lilly Ridge General Baptist Church in Gainesville, will conduct services at Gainesville Health Care Center May 6 at 4 p.m. Members of the Ozark County Ministerial Alliance officiate at weekly services for residents of GHCC on a rotating basis.
L. B. Cook of Theodosia, founder of Theodosia Marina, will be the speaker at the Ozark County Genealogy and Historical Society meeting Thursday, May 8, at 5 p.m. at the Senior Citizens Center in Gainesville.