Times Past, 06-05-2024
This photo, originally tagged “Spring at Sycamore,” is from the collection of the late John L. Harlin. It is one of several photos in an album of photos taken in 1913 by Henry Stark, official photographer of the Frisco and Union Pacific Railroad, when he accompanied E. Y. Mitchell here to create incentives for people who he hoped would “colonize” about 45,000 acres of Ozark County land. The album, believed to have been compiled by or for the late Johnny Harlin, John L. Harlin’s grandfather, was discovered several years ago in an old, unused vault at what is now Century Bank of the Ozarks, which was founded in 1894 by the Harlin family as the Bank of Gainesville.
A few years ago, Logan Smith shared this undated photo of Hodgson Mill, which was powered by the "Spring at Sycamore," that came from his grandfather Herbert Smith's collection. In comments shared when the photo was posted on the Ozark County Historium's Facebook page, Smith noted that the photo shows a sawmill attached to the mill. That may explain the random pieces of lumber in the spring photo. It's thought the picture was taken in the late 1890s or early 1900s. Herbert Smith (1923-1999), a World War II veteran and former superintendent of Dora School, was the great-nephew of Alva Hodgson, who built the current mill in 1894. In his old age, Smith ran the Hodgson Mill store and campground. He and his wife, Margaret, are buried in the Ball Cemetery; a picture of Hodgson Mill is on their headstone.
compiled by Sue Ann Jones
Ozark County News
May 30, 1889
The grave yard below town was cleared off and the trees trimmed up this week by citizens of town. It is to be fenced during the summer for which a subscription has been taken up.
Boone & Mishler's marble shop at this place has just finished a new fine monument for F. E. Norton, deceased, to be put on his grave near St. Ledger. It is said to be the finest monument in the county. The inscriptions were cut by J. A. Miller.
A great crime was committed in the burning of Wood & Reed's store at Isabella, on Tuesday night at 11 o'clock, by some incendiary. . . . Nothing was saved of the stock of goods, as the house was well in flames before Mr. Herd, who had charge of the business, or any other person in the town was aroused from sleep. A woman named Smith is under arrest, charged with the offense.
Bakersfield Boomerang
June 7, 1902
Tol Woods, a well-known stockman who lived near Springfield, was drowned in White River, near Protem, last Tuesday. With some other man he was seining and probably was taken with Cramps as he threw up his hands and sank and was drowned before his companion could reach him.
A meeting of the citizens of Bakersfield was held last Thursday night to arrange for a Fourth of July Picnic. Committees were appointed to select grounds, arrange for music and speakers, and to attend to the finances. All who were present favored making this the most notable celebration of the national day of the Republic that Bakersfield has ever witnessed.
Ozark County Times
June 7, 1929
J. F. Johnson and Mr. Byvank, publisher of the Bakersfield News, of Bakersfield, accompanied by Mr. Henry Spurgeon and son, D. M. Spurgeon of Frankford, Ind., made the Times office a pleasant visit Tuesday afternoon. The Spurgeons were looking about with a view of locating somewhere in this region.
Dora items – Everybody is busy picking and canning strawberries.
May 25, 1944
John C. Harlin of Gainesville has been reappointed Ozark County Chairman for the statewide Fifth War Loan Drive.
The four boys leaving for the Army Monday were Lanza Pittcock and James Shaw of Gainesville, Clendon Endicott of Tecumseh and a boy named King from Bakersfield.
We understand another bunch of boys go out for examination next Monday, May 29
June 4, 1964
A tentative route for the proposed Missouri Saddle Trail to cross Ozark County was laid out at a meeting in Gainesville Monday night. . . . It is necessary for the trail to utilize public land as much as possible as the forest service has agreed to build and mark the parts of the trail crossing national forests. . . . Where the trail crosses private land the local saddle clubs would be expected to secure easements and bear the cost of laying out the trail.
June 1, 1994
Some 344 persons in and around Ozark County have banded together and signed a petition to ask for improvements to the telephone service in the area. The petition, circulated by Pam Harris of Drury, bears 344 signatures, most of whom are residents in the 261 and 284 telephone exchanges. . . . Haris said she was overwhelmed at the response in the area, especially in the Dora community. . . . Harris said her personal dissatisfaction came from being forced to accept a four-person party line when she had requested a private line.