March 5, 2025: TIMES PAST compiled by Sue Ann Jones
This photo of Ozark County’s second jail, built in the 1870s, is from the collection of Judy Ford Lyons. A similar photo appears in the “The History of Ozark County, 1841-1991,” which says the two-story jail, about 12’ x 18’, was attached to the sheriff’s dwelling. A small window was located on each level, and removable steps led to a second-story doorway. The lower jail level could be entered from the long porch fronting the sheriff’s dwelling. The rough-hewn log jail and dwelling were “located in the field across Lick Creek, northeasterly from the town square, where the Highway 160 bridge crosses the creek,” according to the book. Times Past items below from 1890 through 1907 describe conditions in the jail, and the 1908 item shows that the new jail had been completed. It still stands on Harlin Drive near Third Street.
Ozark County News
March 6, 1890
Quoting a report published in the Kansas City Journal: “The only county property that is known is the court house, a small one-story building in the center of the “square,” and a jail. Gainesville has about 100 inhabitants, and they are all proud of that jail. It is a sample of pioneer architecture that is shown with pride to all who visit the town. It is a two-story log building, 8x10 feet and 20 feet high. When first seen, it gives the impression that a factory has been burned down and the chimney left standing.”
The News responded, saying the writer “desires to pose before the public as a critic of architecture, and the result is he cannot tell the difference between a county jail and a smoke stack. Such a fellow! He would be as likely to put on a pair of wash tubs as a pair of boots, if the two were placed before him.”
Ozark County Times
March 3, 1905
(Editorial) – The Times has long been of the opinion that this county owns the tallest jail in southern Missouri, and we have grave suspicions that a lot surrounds it which belongs to the people of Ozark county; but it is only a suspicion for it is penned up, hogs and cattle are corralled in the Jail yard and no one, unless they have the taste of a tumble-bug, could endure such unwholesome surroundings. The grand jury should investigate the county jail and its surroundings and ascertain who is responsible for its dirty, filthy, disease-producing surroundings.
Jan. 11, 1907
The County Court at its last session appointed Geo. W. Boone, W. T. Harlin and Marion Haskins as a committee to select a sight [sic] and erect thereon a good substantial stone jail for Ozark County. . . . Our old long jail is immediately below a livery stable and the drainage from the stable would naturally make the jail a very unsanitary place to confine persons.
Feb. 28, 1908
Ozark County now has one of the best jails in South Missouri and has a good concrete vault for the protection of the county records.
Bakersfield News
March 6, 1941
A movie picture entitled “Plow Planes and Peace” will be shown through the auspices of the Ozark County ACA at Bakersfield High School, Gainesville Theater and the Thornfield High School on March 11. . . . Everyone interested in Soil Conservation and the ACA 1941 program is invited to attend. The picture vividly portrays the role which agriculture is playing in the national defense program.
Ozark County Times
March 4, 1965
Plans are going ahead for the construction of a Masonic hall for the Robert Burns Masonic Lodge in Gainesville. . . . According to plans under discussion now, the building would cost between $15,000 and $20,000 and would be built on a lot on Second street next to the First Baptist church and south of the office of Dr. Hoerman. Dr. M. J. and Judy Hoerman have offered to donate the land for the hall.
March 6, 1985
Dawt items (Jaretty Nesbit correspondent) – The Old Dawt Mill recently withstood another high rise of the North Fork River that was up all of 29 feet as was reported by Ms. Tay Smith. . . .