July 2, 2025: TIMES PAST compiled by Sue Ann Jones
Loggers work in the timber in this photo near the community of Biggs, which was located just southwest of where Indian Creek meets the North Fork of the White River north of Twin Bridges, just over the Ozark County line in Douglas County. The undated photo is from the collection of the late Noble “Skeez” Barker and was shared by his grandson, David Barker, with the Dora Historian Facebook page curated by Mary Collins. Noble’s note on the back of the photo indicates the machine pulling the double load of logs is a 20 hp Case steam tractor, circa 1912. The men in the photo are George Tooley, Alvis Pierce, Henry Slate, Charley Briggs and Amos Virgil Barker. The Biggs post office was named for lumber mill operator Monroe Biggs and was open from 1894 to 1920.
Ozark County News
July 4, 1889
The Fourth of July should be appropriately celebrated in order to promulgate and keep alive the patriotism and love of Liberty which prompted our forefathers to make out and sign the Declaration of Independence, and then sacrifice their lives and fortunes in defense of the principles therein Declared. This is one matter (and about the only one) on which the people all agree.
July 4, 1895
As we go to press we learn of some serious trouble at Theodosia between Marion Haskins and a man named Asberry, in which Marion was dangerously stabbed. Marion was commanding the peace among several who were drinking when Asberry interfered. We did not learn the particulars in the case, but hope it is not so bad as reported.
Ozark County Times
July 3, 1925
Maurice Wood, of this city, and Mr. Aldrige of West Plains, who is here building Mr. Wood’s cobblestone filling station, started to West Plains Monday evening to attend to something concerning the filling station. Mr. Wood was driving the car, a Ford runabout belonging to J. W. Pratt, when, about one fourth of the way up the big hill northeast of town something got out of order with the steering gear, and the car plunged over the high embankment, turning completely over three times before landing in the creek bed against a tree. Mr. Aldridge jumped from the car as it was turning over the first time, receiving a heavy blow in the back by the running board as the car went over. Mr. Wood remained in the car until it landed. His injuries consisted of a small cut over the eye and a scratch on one leg. . . . The car was so badly damaged that Mr. Wood has ordered a new car for Mr. Pratt.
July 5, 1945
Mae Hesterlee was hostess to the H.O.A. Club on June 14th; 14 members and 5 visitors were present. . . . Roll call was answered by “What I do to eradicate moles and gophers.”
July 8, 1965
Ozark county officers aided both days in the youth riots that rocked Rockaway Beach in Taney county over the weekend. Several thousand of the “beat generation” descended on the Taneycomo resort area. . . . Sheriff Herman Pierce of Ozark county was called to help about 1 a.m. Sunday and he took with him deputies Bob Sullivan, Jerel Anderson, Rich Robbins of Gainesville and Bob Cook of Ava.
July 3, 1985
(Caption accompanying a photo of an armadillo) Visitor From Afar – This armadillo, normally a dweller of the hot, dry southwest, was hit near Gainesville by an auto and killed last Friday. Mary Wages of Gainesville brought this unusual animal to the Times’ attention. Armadillos are very rarely seen in this area.
July 6, 2005
Brixey-Rockbridge items – Kathleen Young laughed, recalling her gardening experience when she and her husband, Dwight, were stationed in Fairbanks, Alaska. They had lived and gardened all over the country, she said, but their Alaska garden was their best one. The only problem was keeping out the moose. I guess there is actually a garden pest worse than armadillos.