Memories from the Homestead: Garber Gleanings October 5, 1916, with J.K. Ross

Last week I discussed a 1916 postcard photo of the Ross home, the famous Old Matt's Cabin. The structure still stands today in its original spot, last year turning 130 years old.

Train 209 on its way to Garber, a George Hall photo postcard. Date unknown. (Photo courtesy of Rick Gunter)

So today I bring you another interesting gem from J.K. Ross (Old Matt) who wrote his weekly newspaper column for the Taney County Republican newspaper. This appeared in the Thursday October 5, 1916, issue.

Garber Gleanings by J.K. Ross

We are enjoying the most delightful weather just now, but with the few chilly days of last week that made us hunt the fire mornings and evenings, was a reminder that winter is surely coming and the wood heaters have been brought out of their hiding places and now is the most conspicuous article of house comforts. Although we had three frosts we, do not notice that anything has been killed, but on the ridges no frost has been reported yet.

Efton Fronaberger is taking a layoff this week from bridge work to look after some of his farm work.

Miss Inez Callison came out Sunday evening and visited with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. H.A. Wilson for a few days.

Mrs. H.A. Wilson and Miss Bertha Ray were Branson shoppers Saturday, returning home with all the necessaries of autumn.

About noon Sunday while the Postmaster was busy with his Postal account, he was interrupted by a couple of Branson's most prominent women, Mrs. A.J. Brazeal and Mrs. Hoenshell, who had been out to Marvel cave, and on returning the next morning failed to make connection with 209 at Roark siding, but were in time to see the train pass over the bridge, that was some compensation for their tardiness, but they had set out to go home, and as walking was not all taken up they started for Branson and after an hour's walk stopped at Garber to call up their hubbies and tell them they were on their way and would reach Branson sometime in the near future if their feet held out. We tried to persuade them to stay for dinner but no they had just had breakfast and with eight miles to hike did not have time for any more refreshments, and the last we saw of them they were hiking down the hill to the road on their way, we hope they reached their homes that night and could dream of the beauties of the scenery they passed through and the on rushing train that waits for no one. But missing the train has become quite popular and since the train men insist on running on time people will have to move fast to get up earlier and hustle.

J.F. Hill of the Rock Ridge Ranch and Harry Brown went to Springfield last week returning home Saturday. They had been attending to the road business and have it in fair shape now to soon begin work.

H.C. Cox has bought out Sid Fronaberger and will go down on the creek soon, while Sid will move his family to Oklahoma and will go to farming. 

W.W. Walden came up from Bergman, Arkansas, last week and spent a few days in this neighborhood and says he is well satisfied with the change he has made, but yet he comes back to his old stomping ground like a horse to the old range. Come on W.W.

The bridge men are unloading lots of timber for repairs to numerous trestles.

Deputy Sheriff St. Clair was out Monday serving election judges of their duty on November the 11th.