October 22, 2025: TIMES PAST compiled by Sue Ann Jones
The original Tecumseh post office was established in this log building in the summer of 1898, with Julia E. Isom as the first postmaster, according to a story by the late Ruby Robins in the April 13, 1967, edition of the Times. When it opened, the post office stood alongside "a wagon trail from West Plains to Gainesville [that] was served by a ferry across the North Fork River not far from the present steel bridge [now the Highway 160 bridge]. The place is said to be named for the famed warrior chief of the Shawnee tribes." In 1965, during Nova Pleasant's 33 years as Tecumseh postmaster (1944-1977), the post office moved to its present location a few miles east on Highway 160 next to the Tecumseh Volunteer Fire Department. Robins speculated that the current building is probably the fifth to house the Tecumseh post office. This photo is shared courtesy of the Dora Historian Facebook page, curated by Mary Collins.
Ozark County News
Oct. 18, 1883
More homestead applications have been made in Ozark county this year than in any previous year in the history of the county. This fact shows wisdom on the part of the people.
The Republican
Oct. 18, 1906
Homer Hamilton was in Gainesville Sunday, having a tooth pulled.
Albert Latham is running his sorghum mill at full blast. Take in your cane.
Ozark County Times
Oct. 23, 1925
Pontiac items – We were without mail two days last week on account of high water. How many are in favor of having our mail route changed from Hammond to Gainesville via Pontiac and Oakland. Then we could get mail every day. Let's get busy.
Geo. Shaw intends to move to Oil Trough, Ark. if he can sell out.
You should not delay in getting Dr. Fatty Barner, the cholera specialist, to vaccinate your hogs. Act before cholera strike your hogs. Remember it kills.
Oct. 18, 1945
Ozark County people turned out in large numbers to enjoy themselves as well as to obtain some new ideas at the Ozark County Fair on the 12th and 13th of Oct. On Saturday, many estimated the crowd had reached 2,000.
Oct. 19, 1950
Sandra Marle, newborn daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Trellis Turner of Thornfield, was the one hundredth baby to be born in the Maternity Dept. of Dr. M. J. Hoerman's office. The score is now 52 to 48 in favor of the girls.
Oct. 20, 1960
Magistrate court report – In one of the game regulation cases, giving away minnows brought a fine of $10 and costs totaling $24 for Bill Goff of Theodosia, who was charged with furnishing minnows without a permit.
Oct. 22, 1970
Continental Telephone announces Direct Distance Dialing will be installed in Gainesville.
Oct. 23, 1975
One hundred years of family history in Ozark county were celebrated here during Hootin an Hollarin by the descendants of John A. and Minerva Miller Hogard. There were tours to old homesites, visits to burial plots, a family luncheon and talk of how the 200th observance should be held over the same plan in 2075.
The John A. Hogards and their sons and families came to the Sallee community in the fall of 1875 in three covered wagons from Weakley County Tennessee. There were eight Hogards in all.
Oct. 23, 1985
Dr. Norman Klayman and Gary Arthaud were the happy new owners of a splendid seventeen-foot bass boat complete with powerful motor, full electronics and oodles and oodles of other loot in the big Tournament of Champions held on Lake Bull Shoals last weekend. They hauled in 33.73 pounds of black bass, 19 fish in all, to take the second place trophies and the boat. Pontiac Boat Dock was host for the big event.
Oct. 25, 2000
Mel Carnahan's name will remain on Missouri's Nov. 7 general election ballot as the Democratic nominee for the U. S. Senate because the time period established by state law for replacing a candidate's name has passed. . . .
Carnahan, a Democrat, was in a tight race for the Senate when he, his son Randy and campaign adviser Chris Sifford were killed in a plane crash last week.