Every so often, people ask
me what materials I use in doing research on the Ozarks. There are some great
sources that can be found on the internet, local historical societies &
archives. Finding the right data base, newspaper, book, or map can sometimes
turn a project around. It is amazing when I become focused on a subject, the Father
in Heaven will bring the right source into my hands. It is also remarkable when
I figure out the right question continually, it will yield results.
This post will be on the
books I sometimes use. I have quickly scanned my book shelf and made of a list
of the books I use often. It is difficult to pick which is the most treasured
source. Therefore, I have placed the following list by author’s name. Some of
these sources are obscure and out of print.
Author: Elmo
Ingenthron
(One of my favorite authors.)
These three volumes are packed with excellent groundwork for
understanding the original people, migration, politics, culture, and the Civil
War in the Ozarks. These are essential books. Also, they're out of print.
Author: Silas
Claiborne Turnbo
(One of my favorite authors.)
The
Turnbo Manuscripts by Silas Claiborne Turnbo 1844-1925: The Turnbo Manuscripts
are made possible by the courtesy of the Springfield-Greene County Library
& the White River Valley Historical Quarterly. An online database of his
stories is here: Table of
Contents.
Author: Earl
Berry
(One of my favorite authors.)
This
book is an excellent source for the historical & genealogical information
for communities & families in Baxter, Boone & Marion Counties in
Arkansas.
This
book contains great historical & genealogical information for communities
& families in Marion County, Arkansas.
Authors: Duane
Huddleston, Sammie Rose, Pat Wood (One of my favorite books.)
This
book is a must have for getting a background on the White River that runs
through the Ozarks. Many black-and-white maps, photographs, and illustrations
are included in this book as it covers many events from the 1800s through the
1900s.
Author: Billy D.
Higgins (One
of my favorite books.)
Excellent
book for background information on the Arkansas Territory, Free Blacks in
Antebellum Arkansas, Fort Smith region , Marion County, Arkansas, and
Arkansas’1859 Expulsion Law. Additionally, this book chronicles the
extraordinary life of Peter Caulder, a free African American settler in the
Ozarks.
Author: H.
Schoolcraft
The
St. Louis Post-Dispatch called Schoolcraft the “Christopher Columbus of the
Ozarks.” Schoolcraft published this journal while making his Ozark exploration
in 1818-1819. This is a very important book on the Ozarks. Milton D. Rafferty,
Professor Emeritus of Geography, Geology, and Planning at Southwest Missouri
State University, did an excellent job in in the introduction and tracing
Schoolcraft on maps.
Author: Brooks
Blevins (One
of my favorite authors.)
These two books are is one of the best
introductions to the Ozarks’ frame of mind within the context of Arkansas/Arkansaw.
They are an excellent treatise of the Ozarks’ history, and gives the reader the
bases for understanding the Ozark stereotype and misconceptions. These books
are what I recommend to people passing through the region who want to know more
about the Ozarks & Arkansas.
Ghost of the Ozarks
Dr. Blevins has also written a true crime book
that is an absolute gem that takes place in 1929. It is an Ozarks’ Murder Mystery that would be
a great movie. By the way, have you ever seen a man testify at his own murder trial?
Author: William
Monks (One
of my favorite books.)
William
Monks ran a mail route in Ozark & Howell County, Missouri, and down into
Fulton County, Arkansas. Once the Civil War began, he was a stanch supporter of
the Union and one of its feared officers. His memoir was published in 1907, and
its title gives a great explanation of the book’s contents.
Author: John
Quincy Wolf (One
of my favorite books.)
This book contains John Quincy Wolf's childhood memoirs. He truly has the gift
of wit & flowing narrative. I still
remember the story about burying a lady that was still soft & perspiring.
Author: Robert
K. Gilmore
As
the title states, this book gives great sketches & background to Ozark baptizings,
hangings, and other diversions. Beside the information in the title, one can
also learn about "literaries," debates, mock trials, school programs,
suppers, picnics, brush-arbor revivals. Time scope: 1885 to 1910.
This
manuscript covers the Ozark Region of Arkansas & Missouri. Some biographies
are flamboyant because the subject had a hand in writing them. There is also a
database contains 668 Family Biographies in 12 Arkansas & 16 Missouri
Counties. This
database is here: Table of
Contents.
This
is a small book of stories of early life before, during, and after the Civil
War in Northern Arkansas. A special focus is on Yellville and Marion County,
Arkansas. Estes covers the customs of the area, hardships and deprivations,
also pleasant times, sport and enjoyment.
Author: William A. Yates
This book is out of print. Try looking at yard, garage, and estate sales. The Ozark County Historium also has a copy.
Author: Tom
Shiras
Walking
Editor of the Ozarks.
This book was out of print, but no longer! It is on sale at the Baxter County Heritage Center.
Author: Mary Ann Messick
Author: James A. Holmes
Editor: Bill
Wayne Blevins
This book is out of print. Try looking at yard, garage, and estate sales.
A great Source & guide to the Ozark region. The
author, Phyllis Rossiter, reconnoiters the major areas of the Ozarks including
the following regions: the Buffalo National River, The Lake of the Ozarks, Ozark
/ Boston Mountains, White River Hills, Big Spring, and the Springfield Plateau.
A detailed appendix is included.
Author: Lair,
Jim
Author: Vance Randolph (One of my favorite authors.)
Mr.
Randolph was, and still is, an Ozark treasure as he traveled around collecting
Ozark anecdotes, folksongs, jokes, poems, and folktales. Warning…some
collections are rather graphic and language can be offensive to some.
Ozark Folksongs: Vol. I: British Ballads
and Songs.
Ozark Folksongs: Vol. IV, Religious Songs
and Other Items.
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