Memories from the Homestead: A look back at the Garber notes from J.K. Ross, September 1908

     In recent "Homestead" columns I've given some tidbits of some of Garber's early school teachers. Today's feature is a lead-in for next week, where I'll do a biographical look at Miss Gertie Oliver, who taught at Garber's Fronaberger School from September through December 1908, and returned to teach a full school year from October 1909 through March 1910. Here is what was going on in our Roark neighborhood in September 1908, thanks to the weekly columns by J.K. Ross, which appeared in the Branson Echo newspaper. 

(September 8, 1908)

With cooler weather now, everybody is finding something to do. Most of our farmers are busy taking care of their fodder and in fact, all are so busy it is hard work to find anyone.

Miss Gertie Oliver came up from Hollister Sunday evening and began teaching school at the Fronaberger School house Monday morning with a quite a good attendance of scholars for the first day.

Henry Meyers of Clayton, Missouri, came in Sunday noon and took a look at his fruit farm just north of Garber, and seemed well pleased with the growth that his trees are making. Mr. Meyers intends to be back by the middle of November and clear up some more land and put more trees.

R.L. Cantwell and wife have been spending a week visiting friends in Arkansas and are expected home tomorrow. 

Miss Flora Walden returned from Branson Sunday evening and resumed carpet weaving Monday morning. 

(September 24, 1908)

We are enjoying the finest of weather just now, though it is a little dry, and a good rain would be appreciated. Most of the fodder has been taken care of except some that was planted very late, and that is maturing very fast. Notwithstanding the unfavorable spring, our farmers are going to harvest a very good corn crop.

Calvin Jones left Sunday evening to look for a good farm in the vicinity of Cassville, and if successful in his search will move to it between now and spring.

Calvin Jones (Photo courtesy of Mark Jones)

Newt Bunch and his wife returned to Melva Monday morning to resume work at the sawmill, after laying off a week waiting for logs.

Miss Gertie Oliver is getting along well, with a good attendance at the school.

   As I started reading these columns by Ross over twenty years ago, I was always excited when he would mention my great grandfather Calvin Jones. He indeed relocated from Garber to Barry County with his wife Clarrise, sons Lonnie and Leonard, and infant son Elmer. They moved in November 1908 to Scholten, Missouri, around fifteen miles north of Cassville in northeast Barry County. Calvin's brothers-in-law, Jim and Ed Seigal had farms there.  

     The move was only temporary.  In March 1909, Calvin purchased 80 acres from Bill Fronaberger about a mile east of Garber up on a hill that overlooked Roark on the west and south side, and the Garber/Fronaberger School was on this property as well. Calvin and the family moved back to the community and their new property by January 1910, moving into a home that Fronaberger had built. This property today is a part of the new Shepherd of the Hills State Park; more about all of that later.

    Stay tuned, and next week I'll give you all the details on Garber's sixth school teacher, Miss Gertie Oliver.