Oct. 8, 2025: TIMES PAST compiled by Sue Ann Jones
Hodgson Mill store, likely 1930s-40s This photo of the Hodgson Mill store, from the collection of the late Donna Milstead, is thought to have been taken in the late 1930s or early '40s, based on Facebook commenters' dating of the two vehicles shown. In Facebook comments in 2010, Virginia Berry suggested that the girls at far left, walking along the unpaved road (now Highway 181), may have been her sisters "Wanda, Scharlotte and myself" as their home was nearby. In her posts, Virginia said Fred and Cecil Leach lived above the store, which was destroyed by fire in 1960.
Ozark County News
Oct. 10, 1895
A serious difficulty arose yesterday between William Holt and John Richardson, in which the latter shot at Holt with a shot gun which was loaded with buck shot. None of the shot took effect, but it is feared that the shooting affair will create more trouble than was anticipated. The trouble all grew out of a claim that Holt was living on land which Richardson homesteaded without any consideration.
A subscription paper is now in circulation for the purpose of raising money to purchase the 40-acre tract of land that the Gainesville cemetery is located on. This is government land. . . . When the land is purchased from the government, a sufficient amount of land will be inclosed with a neat fence and the grounds will be cleaned off and a beautiful cemetery will be made which will be a monument to the honorable, generous and enterprising citizens of Gainesville. Come around, boys, and lend a hand in this good work and let's get our burying ground out of the wilderness.
The Republican
Nov. 1, 1906
Mrs. E. E. Clayton and her son Earl Bibber of Prestonia, were in town Monday. Earl has quite an estate coming to him from his father's estate in Fairfield County, Ohio. He is collecting his money through our bank. Earl is an energetic young man, and as his stepfather, Mr. E. E. Clayton is doing a thriving mercantile business at Prestonia 8 miles south of here, we look for Earl to invest his money to an advantage in this county.
Ozark County Times
Oct. 9, 1925
Elder Joe Deatherage informed us that he is now at work securing right-of-way for a state road in Baxter county, Ark. from Mtn. Home and Cotter road to connect with Missouri State No. 5 at the state line near Three Brothers. He says work will be under way on this road at once. It is now up to Missouri to push the completion of No. 5 to the Arkansas line, thus giving to traffic and tourists a much needed and important outlet into Arkansas and the south.
Oct. 5, 1950
A few months ago the citizens of Gainesville voted bonds to put in a water system. A few days ago bids were received for drilling the deep well for the water works. The Shelton Drilling Co. of Ozark was awarded the contract for drilling the well, and will begin work on the 27th of October. The well will be drilled on the lot recently purchased from Mrs. Mary Bushong, across the street from the Amyx Auto Co., and is to be about one thousand feet deep.
Oct. 9, 1975
Danny Billings has been appointed by the Conservation Department to succeed Charlie Coatney as manager of Caney Mountain Wildlife Refuge.
On Wednesday, Oct. 15, Gainesville City Ordinance No. 44, limiting parking to two hours on certain streets, will go into effect by order of the city council. . . . The streets subject to the two-house parking limit are marked, and the penalty for violating the ordinance is $1. The parking limit is in effect from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. except Sundays and holidays.