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VOL. 45, NO. 9
MARCH 2018
www.riverhillstraveler.com
Restoring services & sustainable visitor facilities is top priority of ONSR staff By JIMMY SEXTON
jimmy@riverhillstraveler.com _____________
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ork is proceeding at Ozark National Scenic Riverways (ONSR) to repair facilities that were damaged during the April 2017 flood. While some heavily damaged loca-
tions will remain partially or totally closed, or operate with reduced amenities, much progress has been made and additional areas will be open in 2018.! The National Park Service (NPS) is continuing to make repairs toward recovery at those areas, which requires coordination of a number of factors and prioritization of available
staff.!! “Concurrent with the short-term recovery efforts, the NPS has undertaken an Integrated Park Improvement planning process to help evaluate flood impacts parkwide and develop a strategy for the long-term restoration of facilities and services in a manner that is more sustainable Please see ONSR, 18
Repairs to the exterior of the restroom at Big Spring Campground.
Just a few words about trout streams
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By Bill Oder e need to consider the probably most puzzling and paradoxical reality that we shouldn’t be going fishing just to catch fish, which is a statement I am sure must seem to most of us like something bordering uncomfortably close to heresy and without any doubt a burning at the stake should be in order, or at least a harsh scolding of some sort. Our desire to catch fish has to be balanced with something else and if this balance is absent or lacking, then we lose the enrichment in our lives that fishing has to offer. So… just what is this something else of which I speak? It’s not something that you can find at your favorite tackle store. It has to be something that is extremely strong and powerful; after all, it has to counter-balance our strong and powerful desire and urge to catch fish. My theory is it might have something to do with the places where trout reside. If you are new to trout fishing, I hope that you have noticed that trout inhabit utterly enchanting places and if you haven’t noticed that, then maybe you should hold on to those gold clubs or tennis rackets a while longer because perhaps fishing is just not your cup of tea. I’m reminded of the words of fly fisherman and writer Robert Traver, “I fish mainly because I love the environs where trout are found: the woods; and
further because I happen to dislike the environs where crowds of men are found: large cities: but if, heaven forbid, there were no trout and men were everywhere few, I would still doubtless prowl the woods and streams because it is there and only there that I really feel at home.”
I know your goal is to catch fish. I, too, have the same goal. We arm ourselves with all this gear and don the waders and vest and hat and sunglasses, much like a knight of old donning a suit of armor preparing for battle, and amass hundreds of flies so
Please see TROUT, 14
Sappington House is a favorite attraction for those visiting the south St. Louis area
O Archaeologists dig in the Sappington House grounds looking for artifacts related to the homestead.
By Bill Wakefield ur great state of Missouri is rich in history. This was the 1804 starting point for the famous Lewis and Clark Expedition, and it is also the location where three of the greatest rivers in the United States meet. More than 1,000 Civil War battles took place in Missouri, making it the third-most fought-over state of the war, after Virginia and Tennessee.
It was the Gateway to the West with the Pony Express, and the California, Oregon and Santé Fe trails all originating in Missouri. At one time St. Louis was the fourth largest city in the United States. The history of agriculture, mining and timber all had an effect on Missouri and the people who lived here. Some of the better-known Missourians include Yogi Berra, Omar Bradley,
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George Washington Carver, Walter Cronkite, T.S. Eliot, Jean Harlow, Jesse James, James Cash Penny (founder of the JC Penney Company), Harry S. Truman, and Mark Twain, just to name a few. As you travel throughout the state there are hundreds of places that have had an impact on its history, and one such place is the Historic Sappington House. Please see HOUSE, 19
RiverHillsTraveler.com
Page 2 • March 2018
Finding peace & enjoyment outdoors in SW Illinois
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fter years of hearing tales from several co-workers about the beauty of southern Illinois, in 2012 I broke down and took a twonight solo camping trip to check it out. I have to admit that I went into the trip with a little hesitation. My impression of the state had been linked to that stretch of flat highway that connects St. Louis to Chicago. Thankfully, I decided to take a leap of faith and listen to my co-workers. My first visit was a success. To say I fell in love with southern Illinois was an understatement. In the past six years I have made several return trips. Each time I found more reasons to appreciate the sights, sounds, and people of southern Illinois. Based on the adventures I have had, I highly recommend the following destinations to help you see Illinois in a whole new light: • Pomona Natural Bridge in the Shawnee National Forest is located Michelle Turner near Carbondale, ———— Alto Pass, Murphysboro, and Anna. It is a great place to picnic, but the hiking trail is the real highlight. It’s a short and relatively easy trail, but don’t rush it. Go off trail and explore the areas below the 90-foot natural bridge, too. One can easily spend several hours at Pomona Natural Bridge, but don’t forget the region is also known for wine trails, sweeping vistas, and scenic drives. • The Alto Pass Overlook is simply breathtaking. It’s located on Skyline Drive near Alto Pass and well worth the stop. You can gaze out over southern Illinois and see for miles on most days. Catch it around sunrise or sunset for some stunning scenes. • South of Carbondale in Makanda is Giant City State Park. The natural beauty and various opportunities to enjoy the great outdoors make Giant City a “must-see” destination. Camping, fishing, a visitor center, hiking, horseback riding, a lodge, and more await you. My favorite part of the experience is hitting the Giant City Nature Trail, which features bluffs of sandstone formed over 12,000 years ago. Hands down, of all the trails I’ve hiked in our nation, it is one of my favorites.
Walking down between rocks at Garden of the Gods on the Observation Trail.
The Pomona Natural Bridge, located in Pomona, Ill., is a great quick hike for all ages.
have found great peace and enjoyment within the southern Illinois region. I could easily add more to the list, but in my humble opinion you have to start somewhere and these four spots serve as a great first taste of what this region has to offer. (Michelle Turner lives in Union, Mo.)
The sun above that crack in the wall of rock — that’s at Giant City on the Giant City Nature Trail.
• In my opinion, Garden of the Gods in Herod is the crowning jewel of the Shawnee National Forest. It’s heralded as one of the most photographed locations in the state of Illinois and I can see why. The .25-mile Observation Trail may be short in distance, but just like Pomona Natural Bridge, you can spend hours on this trail exploring and simply stopping to stare at a view that seems to stretch for eternity. The literature states this trail can take up to an hour to walk, but I recommend you take more time than that to appreciate this place that serves as a reminder to us all of why it’s important to enjoy (and protect) the spaces that makes America so special. I have yet to camp at Garden of the Gods, but I can safely say it is on my to-do list. Watching the sunrise or set (or both!) from this area is something I look forward to. Those are just four of the places I
RiverHillsTraveler.com
March 2018 • Page 3
Old cabin wasn’t much to look at, but it was home
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he cold spell had broken but there was still a chill in the air, so I donned a jacket as I headed out the door. Something inside me yearned to see that old cabin one last time. It was a longing I had fought back for awhile but today, I decided to make that journey. You see, that old cabin sat on a parcel of land that our family had leased for decades from a very nice gentleman who charged us barely anything for the use. The elders in the family had sawn every log from the surrounding woods, skidded them to the location atop a bluff and assembled it over time. The old cabin wasn’t much to look at — rough, crooked, not all the chinking held so there were still spots for the wind to find it’s way in, and the walls were lined with crude bunk beds to accommoRoger Smith date the members. ———— An old wood stove in the corner, a small table, a lantern hanging in the middle to provide light... but it was home for 11 days out of the year. The past season the landowner passed away and his son, who got the inheritance, stopped our lease as he was an anti-hunter, so that was the last season we would ever be together again. I made the drive, parked at the nowlocked gate and hiked my way in. There it sat. To anyone else just some old shack, but to me a sight for sore eyes. Even though I knew I wasn’t supposed to be there, I had to be. As I approached the old cabin I slipped open the old door which still creaked and peeked inside; it was dark and musty smelling. I propped the door open while I searched for the matches, hoping the old lantern had enough fuel left for one more lighting. I got it going, closed the door and lay down on one of the old bunks as I had did many a day. And that’s when that old cabin came back to life. I closed my eyes and the past started to reveal itself. The musty odor turned into the smell of gun oil, deer scent and coffee brewing. As I listened to the hissing of the old
lantern, I seemed to drift into another dimension. Was that the crack of Homer’s old 243 up on the North ridge? I found myself walking back to camp. I was always the last one out of the woods and as I grew closer I could smell the smoke from the old wood stove drifting up the ridge. A little closer and I could smell the skillet of potatoes and onions frying on the old stove as Jim stood there and tended to them as he had done for so many years. I could hear the laughter as the guys chided one another as they always did over the day’s hunt. I looked at the old meat pole to see what had been hung that day. I could hear the pans rustling as supper was prepared. As I entered through that old creaking door Frank accused me of being lost again and offered me his compass to use the following day. An owl hooting snapped me back to reality and as I peered through the old dusty door pane, I could tell night was drawing near. I knew I had to be going but I felt frozen into a time that I couldn’t bare part with. I took one last look around. There were still a few canned goods sitting on the counter, someone had left an old blanket and pillow, expecting to return again. I hesitantly turned off the old lantern. I wanted to take it with me but it seemed only fitting to let it remain where it had hung for so many years and lit our way. As I exited and shut that old creaking door one last time, a part of me seemed to die. I was overcome with a sadness beyond explanation. I started back down the road on my
journey back to the Jeep and something told me to turn and have one last look. As I did a majestic buck stepped out into the logging road and just looked at me. We locked eyes, he didn’t seem skittish or afraid... it was almost as if he was bidding one final farewell to me and to things that would be no more. You see, my Uncle George was one of the original founders of that old lodge and he had passed away that year also. It was as though that camp ran on
his timeline. Before rounding the corner where the cabin would be out of sight for the last time, I turned and that old Buck was still standing watching me depart. It was almost as if he was as sad as I was, for he somehow knew the days of my pursuing him and him getting to outsmart me again had come to a close. A lot of the family have passed on now but the memories remain. As I sit here tonight reflecting, I still wonder about that old buck. What his thoughts were when that old cabin and surrounding woods grew silent, and I wonder if he died of old age, or does he still wander those same haunts, maybe wishing to smell that old wood smoke again and longing for one more chance to pit his skills against mine. (Roger Smith lives in Bonne Terre, Mo., and can be reached at n0uss@yahoo.com)
AROUND the WORLD with the River Hills Traveler
Michael Reitz, 37, of St. Louis, outside Old Trafford Stadium (aka, "The Theatre of Dreams") in Manchester, England, home of the world-famous Manchester United soccer team on Halloween night, 2017. ———
If you're going on a trip or vacation, please take the River Hills Traveler with you and have someone photograph you and the magazine in front of a landmark or somewhere pretty neat. Then email the picture & info to us at jimmy@riverhillstraveler.com and we will publish it an upcoming issue. You can also text your photos & info to (417) 451-3798 or send them to us via our Facebook page.
Thank you very much and we look forward to seeing your family’s adventures!
RiverHillsTraveler.com
Page 4 • March 2018
Campground owners readying for 2018 season
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e know what campgrounds do during the summer, but what do they do in the winter? Some stay open and some close up shop, but what goes on when they are closed? A few campgrounds have explained what it is that goes on when their doors are closed. “We escape a lot in the winter,” said Gayle Helms, with Boiling Springs Campground in Dixon, Mo. “Most everyone does projects during the winter and we do that as well as promote our busiJimmy Sexton ness by doing trade ———— shows, gift shows, Journey On and things like that.” Helms and her husband, Larry, also attend conventions during the winter and into the spring to learn new things and keep their business caught up with the times. “One summer I realized that all the credit card readers were going to the chip reader, so in the winter I went out and got the chip reader, learned how to use it, and we have gotten several compliments on it,” said Helms. Helms is always looking for new and better products to offer her customers. In addition to owning a campground, they also own a convenience store that they work on during the winter. “We are just a small business and we do a lot of work all year-round to stay open in the summer,” said Helms. Bobbie Adamson, co-owner at Shady
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Beach in Noel, Mo., reported that in the winter they do all the repair work that needs to be done from the previous season. “We fix everything that needs fixing and then we figure out what we want to do different for the next year,” said Adams. According to Adamson, they are still working on repairs from the last two floods in 2015 and 2017. “Aside from the floods, there is the normal wear and tear of the campground,” said Adamson. “If we are lucky and don’t have a bad winter, we will be up and ready in April with a couple weeks off.” Linda Patrick, owner of Adventures Float Trips & Campground in Lebanon, Mo., usually works in the winter, but has decided this year to not do so. “I usually have to work in the winter and this is the first year I am not,” said Patrick. “I always tell people that my family doesn’t have me in the summer, so winter is my family time.” Patrick has decided not to spend money on any new campground projects this winter because she is constantly changing things around. “I feel like I am constantly organizing and re-arranging and busy all the time,” said Patrick. “It’s my life and I practically live here.” At Two Sons Floating, also in Noel, Mo., they spend all winter getting ready for next summer. “We collect firewood, fix rafts, we have to get rid of the leaves, and we take calls all winter long,” said Will Layton, employee. So remember the next time you're at a campground for the winter or the
weekend, it takes a lot of work yearround for these owners to provide a fun and safe experience for you and your family. And when you see them in the campground office or when they stop by your tent or trailer to see how things are going, please say "thank you." It will mean a lot to them. ——— Mark Twain National Forest (MTNF) has partnered with OnCell to launch a free mobile app for visitors to use. The app will guide visitors to recreation opportunities and other important sites within the forest using their personal mobile devices. The app also serves as a communication tool, allowing forest staff to share updates and for visitors to provide feedback about their forest experience. “We want everyone to enjoy outdoor recreation on the 1.5 million acres of public land within the Mark Twain National Forest. This app provides another great way for people to access the information they need to plan their adventures,” said Forest Supervisor Sherri Schwenke. A smartphone is a valuable part of a traveler’s toolkit, especially with the right app installed.!This app serves the end-user as a pocket guide for quick reference.! It can also be used in certain situations to provide visitors with real-time alerts through their personal devices, like during wildfires.!The app also features offline and GPS maps to help visitors discover points of interest and explore the forest. Visitors can download the app from the App Store or Google Play. Search for “Mark Twain National Forest” to
Ozark rhymes keep the culture alive
like little sayings and rhymes and, used to, people in the Ozarks took many of them seriously. Thanks to the late, great Vance Randolph we have a good depository of actual verses that folks used to recite in the long gone Ozarks of the early 20th century. There is no telling how far back some of these actually went. So let’s get started. By the way, you can read these in Mr. Randolph’s 1947 book “Ozark Superstitions,” later reprinted as “Ozark Wes Franklin Magic and Folk———— lore.” Native Ozarker Here goes: • If a woman’s eyes are gray, listen close to what she’s got to say; If a woman’s eyes are black, give her room an’ plenty of track; If a woman’s eyes are brown, never let your guard down; If a woman’s eyes are green, whip her with a switch that’s keen; If a woman’s eyes are blue, she will always be true to you. Sorry for the light reference to domestic abuse. Pretend it’s the 1940s and that you’re not offended. • Marry in white, you have chosen just right; Marry in blue, your man will be true; Marry in brown, live out of town; Marry in green, ashamed to be seen; Marry in red, wish yourself dead; Marry in black, better turn back; Marry
in yellow, got the wrong fellow; Marry in gray, you’ll be a widow some day. • Rain before seven, shine before eleven. • Comb your hair after dark, comb sorry into your old man’s heart. • Monday’s child is fair of face; Tuesday’s child is full of grace; Wednesday’s child has far to go; Thursday’s child is full of woe; Friday’s child is loving and giving; Saturday’s child must work for a living; A child that’s born on the Sabbath Day is blithe and bonnie and rich and gay. • When you see crows flying: “One’s unlucky; Two’s lucky; Three’s health; Four’s wealth; Five’s sickness; Six is death.” • Friday night’s dream on Saturday told, will always come true, no matter how old. • See a pin, pick it up, all day long good luck; See a pin, leave it lay, have bad luck all day. • Sneeze on Monday, sneeze for danger; Sneeze on Tuesday, kiss a stranger; Sneeze on Wednesday, sneeze for a letter; Sneeze on Thursday, sneeze for better; Sneeze on Friday, sneeze for sorrow; Sneeze on Saturday, a friend you seek; Sneeze on Sunday, the Devil will be with you all week. • Stump your toe, kiss your thumb, you’ll see your beau ‘fore bedtime comes. • If a cock crows when he goes to bed, he’ll get up with a wet head. • Marry when the year is new, your mate will be constant, kind, and true. • When the morning sun is red the
ewe and the lamb go wet to bed. • Onion skin mighty thin, early winter comin’ in. • When I my true love I want to see I put my shoes in the shape of a T. There are many more old rhymes of the Ozarks, but I don’t want to give them all away here. I encourage you to look up some of Mr. Randolph’s works and purchase them. Most have been reprinted. Do yourself a favor and look into it. It is up to us to keep the culture alive, at least in memory. (Wes Franklin!can be reached by email at cato.uticensis46@gmail.com, or by USPS mail at 12161 Norway Road, Neosho, MO 64850.)
On the Cover
An early morning angler enjoys the solitude and scenery at Lake of the Ozarks, Mo., one of the best bass fisheries in the nation. With over 54,000 acres with over 64 billion gallons of water supplied by five tributaries, Lake of the Ozarks is home to a variety of fish, including largemouth and spotted bass, white bass, black and white crappie, hybrid white bass/stripers, bluegill, walleye, catfish and paddlefish and more. (photo courtesy www.funlake.com)
find the app in either store. A web version of the app can also be accessed on demand at www.mtnf.oncell.com. Whether you decide to “Explore by District” to see what an area has to offer, or if you want to “Explore by Activity” to hit the ground running — this app can help you find the information you need.! Once downloaded, no cellular service is required to use most functions of this application, so it is a handy pocket guide to have in the field.! Visitors can also receive the latest news from the forest, such as an event or closure notifications. About the Forest Mark Twain National Forest has more than 750 miles of trails for hiking, horseback riding, mountain biking, and motorized use. Sections of the Ozark Trail also traverse the forest. More than 350 miles of perennial streams, suitable for floating, canoeing and kayaking, meander through its canopied expanses. Its campgrounds offer visitors a variety of forest experiences, including semi-primitive and wilderness camping for solitude. This app is meant to be an introduction to the Forest, and there are many hidden gems across the 1.5 million acre forest not yet highlighted in this app. (Jimmy Sexton is owner and publisher of the River Hills Traveler. He can be reached at (800) 874-8423, ext. 1, or jimmy@riverhillstraveler.com.)
River Hills Traveler 212 E. Main St., Neosho, MO 64850 Phone & Fax: 800-874-8423
www.riverhillstraveler.com Email: jimmy@riverhillstraveler. com Owner & Publisher Jimmy Sexton Managing Editor Madeleine Link Circulation Manager Amanda Harvel Staff Writers Wes Franklin • Mike Roux Bill Wakefield • Bill Oder Tom Boydston • Bill Cooper Michelle Turner • Dana Sturgeon Chuck Smick • Ryan Walker Richard Whiteside • Roger Smith Advertising All of us
River Hills Traveler, established in 1973, is published monthly by Sexton Media Group and Traveler Publishing Company at 212 E. Main St., Neosho, MO 64850. Postmaster: Send change of address notices to: River Hills Traveler, 212 E. Main St., Neosho, MO 64850. Subscription prices: $22 per year; 2 years, $40. Back issues available up to one year from publication, $5 plus sales tax & shipping. COPYRIGHT © 2018 No part of this publication may be reproduced without the express written permission of the publisher of the River Hills Traveler or his duly appointed agent. The publisher reserves the right to reject any advertising or editorial submission for any reason.
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March 2018 • Page 5
VINTAGE OZARKS: ‘Hillbilly-ness’ comes to the Ozarks
his image of rural indifference to modernity was a cliché before the hillbilly image blossomed in cartoons and mass media in the 1920s and ‘30s. George Hall costumed some Stone County residents being discovered by two well-dressed visitors (on the right). His real photo postcard, captioned “The Arkansas Traveler,” is circa 1915. The idea the Ozarks is inhabited by primitives has been perpetuated in books by educated travelers like Schoolcraft, in popular songs like the “Arkansas Traveler,” and in souvenir postcards, like this one by George Hall. The full-blown hillbilly became a fixture of early Ozark tourism. Most, but not all, locals found it amusing as well as it seemed to be a useful tool to promote tourism. (This feature is courtesy of Leland and Crystal Payton at Lens & Pen Press, publishers of all-color books on the Ozarks. Their new book, James Fork of the White: Transformation of an Ozark River, 354 all-color pages, is available at www.beautifulozarks.com ($35, postage paid) and on amazon.com. Their earlier river book, Damming the Osage, can be at seen www.dammingtheosage.com.)
From the March archives of the River Hills Traveler: 5 years ago • Bollinger County is not known for its righteous trout waters. Instead, we have farm ponds stocked with catfish and new rock-bottomed rivers that are ripe with sallies. Even after being out of high school for several years, I had never seen a trout, nor had I ever even eaten one. So when Brian, a friend from high school, contacted me about trying trout fishing for the first time, I felt a sense of adventure and a need to oblige him on this endeavor. (Shawn Seabaugh) • It was a Sunday morning and church had just let out. “Do you trout fish?” a friend asked. “I never have but I’d sure be willing to give it a try,” I answered Raymond May, who had just offered to introduce me to a species of fish I never had fished for, not sure had thought about over the years. Now, some 14 years later, I’ve spent countless days in search of rainbows and browns. (Doug Smith) 10 years ago • A new advocacy group, Voice of the Ozarks, held its first organizational meeting in Eminence on Jan. 19. Over 100 concerned citizens met to discuss how to go about protecting area citizens’ rights to access rivers and lands in the Ozarks that are owned and managed by state, federal and private agencies. Voice of the Ozarks President John Mark Brewer told the crowd that the problem associated with agencies controlling access to lands and waters of the area that locals have used for generations, has been discussed for a long time.
REMEMBER WHEN
“Now we have an organization that will give a voice to the people of the area,” Brewer said. (Bill Cooper) • The thunder of a wild turkey gobbler is reverberating in my head as I get the gun up and ready in ever slow motion, wincing as I imagine he can see me through the thick cover. We attribute amazing powers to these creatures as they emit their throaty gobbles. Nonetheless, I am almost certain this one is going to meet his end if he shows his patriotic red, white and blue head and neck. But the tale ends abruptly as a gun erupts somewhere up near the field that these woods border. (Don Rathert) 15 tears ago • If you would like to improve the odds of your youngster being successful during the youth turkey season, begin scouting now. Scouting early will increase your chances of locating turkeys, allow you to become familiar with the lay of the land you will be hunting, and will give your youngster opportunities to acclimate to the turkey hunting experience. Scouting is the most important element of turkey hunting. Unfortunately, it is often the most overlooked facet of the sport. Scouting before the season opener is especially important when youth are involved. (Bill Cooper) • February and my thoughts turn to trout fishing. When Bob Told called and asked how flexible my schedule was, and if I would like to float the trophy trout area of the Meramec River, I
was all for it. For the record we would be floating on a Thursday and would probably have the entire stretch of water to ourselves for the day. Our float started at the Woodson K. Woods access just above Meramec Springs Park and we would take out at the low water bridge at Scotts Ford a little less than ten miles downstream. (Howard Helgenberg) 20 years ago • There was not another human being in sight as Carl, my 13-year-old son, and I slid our loaded canoe into icycold waters of the Current River. Although it was January, temperatures were approaching the 40-degree mark. Our plan was to float, fish, and explore from Cedar Grove to Akers Ferry. We would camp overnight somewhere along the way. (Bill Copper) • This spring I plan to celebrate my birthday by participating in the turkey season opener. This will create consternation for my wife and daughter, who have difficulty perceiving the importance of commemorating a milestone in this manner. But the argument that a person ought to be able to celebrate a birthday the way he or she wants is strong poise. So I’ll probably get my way, as long as I’m home in time to go out to a restaurant to eat supper. (Charlie Slovensky) 30 years ago • A landscape of endless forest is NOT ideal turkey habitat. We don’t have endless forests from a human point of view, but from the point of view of wild turkeys, some of our forests are indeed endless. The Missouri Wild Turkey Federation is starting to do something about
that. Mike Fiechler announced, at a fundraising banquet in Cape Girardeau, that an agreement has been signed with the Conservation Department and U.S Forest Service to improve turkey habit. (Bob Todd) • Two issues back, we took a jab at the Missouri Department of Natural Resources with respect to the dam at Doe Run’s Fletcher mine waste pond. We asked what our state inspectors were doing besides drinking coffee at 10 each morning. It’s terrible that something like this could exist in our state. Well, apparently DNR doesn’t inspect lead mines in Missouri at all. And apparently, all the reclamation laws we thought were protecting us from another disaster such as that one Big River don’t have a thing to do with lead mining. (Bob Todd) 40 years ago • When the Osage left their villages in southern Kansas in 1870 for the buffalo hunt further west on the plains, they would not be returning. After perhaps 250 years of contact with the white man, they were giving up land once again. And once again, white men would write their epitaph, only to find them in his path again later in time. (Bob Todd) • Back in those yesteryears I was just one among many little girls living in the Ozarks who felt like a Queen when we were the owner of a new calico dress. The material cost about ten cents a yard. The material for our new calico dress was brought from the leftover egg money after the groceries were paid for. We were always told by our mother that we could choose the material we wanted for our new dress. (Rosie Alexander) (compiled by MyraGale Sexton)
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