October 29, 2025: TIMES PAST compiled by Sue Ann Jones
This photo of the 1950 Dora High School driver’s training class is reprinted from the Dora Historian Facebook page curated by Mary Collins. Front row, from left: Harry Eagans, Charley Pendergrass, Lyman Smith, Andrew Jackson, Boyd Dodson, Lloyd Collins, Herman Johnson, Johnny Collins. Back: Zella Ballinger, Johnny Naugle, Twila Welton, June Skiles, Anna Collins, Lillian Russell, Bonnie Routh, David Nash, Martha Jane Cropper, Joan Roy. Martha Jane, known as Marty to friends and family, married Dale Uhlmann a month after she graduated from DHS in 1950. She remembers taking the class and recalls that it was taught by Bill Jackson, who had a second brake pedal on the front passenger side of the vehicle where he rode beside the student driver. Marty already knew how to drive when she took the class, but she had learned on the big truck her father, John Cropper, used to haul goods from West Plains to his store in Dora. So driving a car was new to her.
Ozark County News
Oct. 25, 1883
During circuit court, Sheriff Tate was called away to convey John Hensley to the penitentiary. It was arranged that during his absence, Julia McCool should stay with his family. It turned out, however, that the sheriff had not been on the road long before Miss McCool left town in company with J. B. Bandy, taking a considerable sum of money belonging to Mr. Tate. When the sheriff returned, he set out in pursuit, in company with prosecuting attorney McClendon. On Wednesday, Sheriff Tate returned with the woman, having captured her at Eureka Springs. The sheriff started again Thursday morning, accompanied by Wm. H. Smith, and the news comes now that they caught Bandy some thirteen miles from Eureka.
Ozark County Times
Oct. 27, 1905
A prospect mine is being opened half mile south of Tecumseh which promises to be one of much value and interest. The mine is being opened on the farm of R.F. Mason. . . . Mr. Mason has a certificate of assay from J.H. Moreland of Kansas City which shows traces of gold, and .40 oz. per ton, which places the value at 24cts. The sample that this assay was made from was taken from the surface, and it is thought the samples at the present depth will give a much better value, both in gold and silver.
Oct. 3, 1925
Work on the state highway northwest of town is now being rushed along. The steam shovel, recently put on, is doing good work. Another steam shovel, now being hauled over from West Plains and reassembled here, will soon be put on the work. The concrete bridge at the mouth of Hogar creek is now about completed.
Oct. 31, 1940
The draft numbers were drawn from the bowl in Washington on Wednesday. The first number drawn was 158. That number in Ozark county calls for Robert David Ross of Thornfield. All the boys whose numbers have been drawn will hear from the draft board here in a few days, so be on the lookout for such notice.
Oct. 26, 1950
The other morning, Times editor Elmer Dunnegan, who lives on his farm west of Gainesville, started to his barn to feed his stock. As he started through the gate, a large coachwhip snake suddenly attacked him. He kicked it about six feet, but it came back and he kicked it again, but the reptile ran up the gate post and coiled about Mr. Dunnegan's shoulder and neck. . . . The editor said he never was much afraid of snakes, but when the serpent kept coiling tighter around his neck and was about to cut off his air, he went to fighting for life. When Mrs. Dunnegan finally got him awake, he was still fighting the snake.
Oct. 30, 1975
Howard Construction Company moved heavy equipment to the site of the new Gainesville high school athletic field Monday to begin grading the area. . . . "An athletic field has been in the planning stage for five years," Benton Breeding, school superintendent, said. "We knew we would have the heavy earth-moving equipment available when the new highway was built and that this would help with the cost. Then when Dr. Hoerman and Judy willed 10 per cent of their estate to the school, we knew we had the financing. A part of the estate money will pay for construction of the field." . . . In his will, Dr. Hoerman also left 10 per cent of his estate to the city of Gainesville for establishment of a city park. The land for the park has been leased from the RV school district. Development plans for the park are now under consideration of the Gainesville City Park Board.