Times Past, 7/24/24
Photo above: It's thought that the eight Harlin brothers, sons of John W. and Mary Conkin Harlin, posed for this photograph in 1930 during the Bank of Gainesville's dedication of its second building, which was built in late 1929. From left: Jarrett, Charles, Frank, Johnny, Tan, Dewey, Jim and Joe Harlin. Jim Harlin was one of seven stockholders who started the bank in 1894, and Tan was the bank's first cashier. Johnny served as bank president from 1908 until his death in 1955. Below: The photo below, thought to have been taken in 1929, shows the old Gainesville post office building where Clara Harlin, standing, right, was postmaster from 1929 to 1933. (The name of the Harlin relative standing next to her is unknown.) The building served as the original home of the Bank of Gainesville from 1894 until 1929, when the bank moved into a new, nearby building next to what is now The Hair Shop on the west side of the Gainesville square. After the bank vacated this building, it was moved a few feet north, to a vacant lot next to the Central Hotel, and was used as the post office until 1945.
Ozark County News
July 26, 1894
The Bank of Gainesville opened for business Tuesday morning at 9 o'clock, and during the day received, as deposits, something over $6,000.
Last Friday morning, Charley Blood, the well-known traveling man, had quite a startling experience. While crossing a stream called Falling Ash near McBee's Landing on White River, the bridge parted in the center, precipitating Charley, team and buggy into the murkey waters twenty feet below, while the bridge came tumbling after. The water was about ten feet deep. Charley and his horses reached the shore with only a few slight bruises. The buggy was badly demolished.
July 28, 1904
Lath Ingram, son of Mack Ingram of Theodosia, had the misfortune to lose one of his hands Saturday morning. He was fishing in the Little North Fork with dynamite, and while lighting the fuse which was attached to a half stick, the dynamite exploded in his hand, blowing the right hand away at the wrist. . . . The young man was only 17 years old, and his condition is considered very critical.
Most of the farmers in this locality have finished stacking their wheat and are waiting on the new Steam Thresher which is working this way as fast it can.
Joe Harlin was in town last week selling shoes to our merchants.
Ozark County Times
July 31, 1925
Isabella items – Sunday afternoon, Jess Miller and little sons were down on the creek, and he started one of the little boys home after an ax, and the little fellow got lost and went to Austin Herd's about 3 or 4 miles from home. Tom Herd took him near his home and found his father, who with others had been searching for him.
Lee Riggs passed here last week with a drove of cows and calves. He got some of them too hot, and one died, and some others had to be left on the road.
July 20, 1944
Cpl. Guy Johnston, 26, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jess Johnston of Elijah, was killed in action on June 22. He had been in the army three years, been overseas nearly a year. It is believed he was killed on Saipan Island. Besides his wife and young son, Guy Edward Jr., whom he had not seen, he is survived by his parents, four brothers and two sisters.
July 31, 1969
Mrs. Joan Kirkland, who has purchased Luna Cafe, has taken over the business and after remodeling this weekend will open as Joan's Cafe on Tuesday. To mark opening day, Mrs. Kirkland will serve free coffee and doughnuts.
Mr. and Mrs. Jim McConnaughy have purchased the Speise Cafe and Recreation Center on Highway 160 west and will take over on Saturday. Mrs. Don Speise, who with her late husband had operated the cafe, center and housekeeping cabins, will continue to operate the cabins.
July 20, 1994
On Wednesday, July 13, during a special meeting of the Bakersfield City Council, the council voted 4-1 to remove the old water pump to make way for a new state highway which would connect Arkansas Hwy. 87 to Hwys. 142 and 101 in Bakersfield.