Memories from the Homestead: Another weekly report from J.K. Ross

     It is so much fun going through reel after reel of vintage newspaper footage on microfilm! Recently I spent nearly a day in the basement of the Lyons Memorial Library here at the College of the Ozarks, taking another look at the early Branson newspaper published by Frank Forbes - "The Branson Echo."  

This paper only lasted about four years, 1905 through 1909.  Each week, J.K. Ross, the Garber correspondent, wrote the latest news of interest, writing from his little desk at their cabin home at low gap, the very same cabin that would be Old Matt's Cabin, where I've written most of these columns y'all have been reading for quite some time now. Oh, and the Ross desk is inside the screened dining room of the Cabin today! Anyway, let's see what Mr. Ross has to say in his “Garber Gleanings” column, 120 years ago, April 13, 1906.

Oscar Morrill was the son of Levi Morrill, better known as Uncle Ike in Harold Bell Wright's “The Shepherd of the Hills.” (Photo courtesy John Fullerton)

The farmers have all went to work plowing, planting, making garden, building fences and other necessary work, incidental to keeping up the farm.

Stock of all kinds are now busy hunting over the hills and glades for wild onions and other green herbs to appease their appetites with after so long a winter on dry feed.

Presiding Elder D.C. Warren of Golden City and Rev. Phend of Reeds Spring held services at the Notch School House Monday night to a small audience, but we're appreciated by those who heard them.

Oscar Morrill of Notch has moved to the Sid Fronaberger place on the creek and has taken up Batchlor Quarters with a dog and his mules as his only companions.

J.K. Ross and son have begun to shear their goats with prospects of a good clip.

George D. Hall has commenced his farming work and is making improvements in the way of new fencing etc. 

Capt. T.S. Powell is wearing a big smile over his narrow escape of a political spinning.

So here are some additional notes for y'all. My great-grandfather Calvin Jones also lived for a short time at Sid Fronaberger's place. It's the 80 acres south of Roark Creek, on the hill known as Garber Bald. This property is included in the new Shepherd of the Hills State Park.

The reference to Truman Powell was regarding his win in the election a week earlier. Powell ran for a State Representative position and would serve his two-year term in 1907-08. He would also be elected for another term in 1919. Powell's family opened the cave today known as Talking Rocks Cavern, back in 1921, calling it Fairy Cave. Powell had explored it in 1896.

Well, there's the news for this week! Come out to the Shepherd of the Hills Adventure Park property. I'm back for my sixth year of guided tours, so if you'd like to see the Cabin and other historic elements in greater detail, drop by and I'll show you everything! Tours are 95 minutes long, Tuesdays through Saturdays, 10 a.m., noon, and 2 p.m. See you there! Happy trails, everyone.