Memories from the Homestead: Community news columns kept everyone up to date

     Much of our area history and events over the years have been preserved thanks to efforts from the State Historical Society of Missouri.  In the 1950s, efforts began in the preservation of one of the early newspapers from Forsyth, the "Taney County Republican."

    Dating back to 1895 the SHSMO placed this particular newspaper on microfilm, with updates over the years.  And, parts of the collection are now available through the SHSMO website today.  Their organization also did the same to four of Branson's newspapers, the "White River Leader" (1913), as well as the "Branson Echo" (1906), and the short lived "Branson Sentinel" (1913).

     Each community in Taney County had a weekly correspondent who would give their area news and happenings, and here in Garber, J.K. Ross (of Old Matt fame) wrote weekly for 22 years, seldom missing an opportunity.  It's incredible that Garber's popularity was up there enough that all four area papers I've named would feature a weekly column.

     Today I'd like to share a Garber news column from the rare and forgotten "Branson Sentinel.” Making its debut in December 1913, with editor Frank Hoskins in charge, the format was very similar to Branson's "White River Leader," and Forsyth's "Taney County Republican."  The paper simply didn't do very well in subscriptions, due to the competition from the other two papers.  Publication would wrap in October 1914 after eleven months. This paper is not available on the SHSMO website but is preserved on microfilm at the Lyons Memorial Library at the College of the Ozarks campus.

     So let's go back to the "Branson Sentinel." I've picked out the issue of Friday, June 12, 1914. Here is the Garber column by J.K. Ross.

Frank Goforth, Efton Fronaberger and Willie Hale on horseback at Garber in 1914.  A huge collection of railroad ties are stacked and ready to ship out. (Photo courtesy of Mark Jones/John Fullerton)

The continued hot weather is beginning to tell on the gardens, and some corn is suffering for want of rain.

Mrs. T.E. Banks and two daughters who have been visiting the family of W.W. Walden returned to their home in Kansas last Saturday afternoon. Mr. Banks thinks he will spend the winter here so he will miss the cold winds of the prairie.

 Miss Ethel Walden returned to Springfield after a few days visit with her parents, Mr. And Mrs. W.W. Walden at Garber. Miss Josie Walden attended the teachers' examinations at Forsyth and returned home Sunday evening. 

Frank Goforth and Efton Fronaberger started Monday for Nash, Okla., where they will work in the harvest fields and will be away for some time. 

Gussie Vining and Ed Frost started out last Saturday with a team and their wives followed by train and joined them at Aurora and then to the wheat fields.

 Mrs. M.A. Craig left Saturday for Kansas City to spend a couple of weeks with her son who lives there. A.A. Coult, Poultry Editor of the St. Louis Republic, came in Monday and went to Marble Cave to write up the country.

 Miss Dulcia and Myrtle Gooding of Crane, spent a day in Garber last week, looking after the school.

 C.O. Bass and wife visited Mr. and Mrs. J.K. Ross Sunday evening.

 Miss Mabel Hicks of Forsyth, came home with Miss Mable Fronaberger last week and after several days, went home Sunday morning. Lyman Felkins and some more boys from Forsyth passed through Garber Monday on their way to Marble Cave.

Our farmers have been busy harvesting their alfalfa hay crop the last week.

     It's very evident that Mr. Ross truly cared about the community and gave readers a true perspective, where other writers kept it short and sweet and would only submit a few paragraphs. 

     What a treasure that has been saved! I discovered these Garber columns a little over twenty years ago, and it was so wonderful to see my Mom's family often mentioned.  Many of these will be featured in my Garber book project that is nearly complete.

     Happy trails, everyone!