Memories from the Homestead: The Walden family at Garber [Part 2]

     Last week I discussed the arrival of the William Walden family here on Roark and their son, Tommy, who would remain a lifetime resident. 

     After the establishment of the railroad there were some changes of ownership of property in the valley. With the passing of George Atwood, who had operated a sawmill and planted an orchard, Tommy purchased this land along the county line, married and started a family.

     Tommy married Gretna native Geneva Hawkins in April 1911. Tommy would continue working in timber during the railroad tie boom period for several years. A home out of sawed lumber was built just inside the Stone County line north of the railroad. Tommy and Geneva would have a daughter together, Velma, born September 29, 1913.

     Geneva died after a short illness on May 29, 1917 at the age of 27. She was laid to rest at the Gretna Cemetery. Tommy continued in farming and raising their daughter. He purchased the James Vining farm, 160 acres of land on the Taney County side and would raise goats and Hereford cattle.  

     In March 1925, Tommy would meet Hayesville, North Carolina, resident Margie McClure. She dropped in to visit and spend time with her aunt and uncle, Mr. and Mrs. Homer Herbert.

     There's a rather amusing story about Margie's arrival, March 21, 1925. When Margie got off the train at Garber, it was Tommy Walden who greeted her. Unloading her things they realized her trunk was still onboard when the train had left for Branson. With the next stop a few miles away at Gretna, her trunk was dropped off there and station agent Mathias Shearer placed it in his store room, with no identification on it.

     Mathias was an interesting individual with many believing he was the inspiration for the Jim Lane character in Harold Bell Wright's "The Shepherd of the Hills."

    Margie headed down to Gretna to claim her trunk and upon arriving she clearly identified it, but Mathias would not release it until she described the contents inside. Margie couldn't believe this. She's in a strange place, and her word was in doubt. As Mathias stood out of sight in his store room removing each item, Margie proceeded to name the contents out loud one at a time. Mathias didn't release it to her until the last item had been named!

     Mathias would pass away twelve days later on April 1, 1925, at the age of 77. Margie, her aunt and uncle, and their neighbors Newt and Millie Cox would dress him out, place him in a pine box, and lay him to rest in an unmarked grave at the Gretna Cemetery. 

Margie and Tommy Walden at their Garber home in 1985, at ages 82 and 99. (Photo courtesy of Jerry Madsen and Bud Lynn)

     Tommy and Margie would fall in love and marry in 1926. They would have two sons, Norman, born in 1928. and Mac born in 1930.

Continuing the farm, it would grow in size as Tommy would make more land purchases over the years totaling well over 400 acres.

     In late 1944, Margie accepted the Garber Post Office position becoming their Postmistress; she would hold this position until the official closing of the office in 1956. A number of circumstances had caused a significant decline to the point that Garber couldn't survive.  The railroad had discontinued the depot operation in 1933. The Cantwell store closed after that, and the school was discontinued by 1940.

     By 1956, the number of Garber families had dwindled down to six. Along with the Waldens and my mom's Jones’ family, the others were Jim and Velma Bass, Bob Cantwell, Newt and Millie Cox, and the Quicks.  That was all that had remained. 

     My Grandfather Willard Jones recalled in a 2002 interview with me, "The lack of post office business here caused Margie to see a drop in pay, the government paid her $20 a month to run the post office. With the few families, there was no reason for it to remain open, we signed petitions, the office was closed, and Branson took over." That was on June 1, 1956.  

     In the mid-1960s, Tommy and Margie both appeared at Silver Dollar City, often demonstrating their talents as Tommy did log splitting and oak shingles. Margie showed guests the many sewing techniques, spinning wool and weaving. They would continue at Silver Dollar City through the 1970 season when they retired. Tommy was 84 and Margie was 68.

     They would continue to live on their place near the west fork of Roark, to the west of Garber the rest of their lives. I still recall the big celebration of Tommy's 100th birthday in January 1986. It was quite a party with a large gathering of family, friends and neighbors in attendance. He would pass away several months later on October 10, 1986.

     Margie lived to age 85, passing on February 24, 1988. They are laid to rest at the Eisenhour Cemetery at Spokane, Missouri. Their descendants still remain in the area today, and a few of their family members are still involved in timber.

     Happy trails, everyone!