EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the second part of a two-part story chronicling the career of Western Grove veterinarian Dr. Beverly. more

JASPER — Regardless of need and want, every school board member acknowledged that a millage increase would not pass either just in Kingston or for the entire district, which is what would be needed if the board accepted state funding for a new K-12 building in Kingston. more

JASPER — Regardless of need and want, every school board member acknowledged that a millage increase would not pass either just in Kingston or for the entire district, which is what would be needed if the board accepted state funding for a new K-12 building in Kingston. more

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the first of a two-part story chronicling the career of Western Grove veterinarian Dr. Beverly. more

EDITOR'S NOTE: This is the first of a two-part story chronicling the career of Western Grove veterinarian Dr. Beverly. more

John Orestus McFerrin was born in Boone County in 1871, but moved to Compton when he was a small boy. He studied medicine at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He returned home and married Nolia Hamilton in Harrison in 1899. The young couple moved to Jasper the next year, and Dr. McFerrin began a medical practice that would last until his death nearly a half a century later. In an article in the Newton County News in 1948, he described some of the more unusual ways he was paid for his services. He was paid in sorghum, potatoes, fruit, chickens, side meat, and honey. One farmer drove into Jasper from Swain with a wagon with ten bushels of potatoes and a sow to settle to pay his bill. Once in below zero weather Dr. McFerrin rode to a farm fourteen miles away to deliver a baby. On the way home, water splashed on him as he crossed streams and rivers, and froze his feet to his stirrups. His wife had to get a hatchet to chop him free so he could dismount. In 1926, he was saddling his horse on the Jasper square when an automobile ran into it. The horse fell on Dr. McFerrin, crushing his pelvis. He was hospitalized for nearly a year. Sadly, this was not the end of his bad luck. In 1931 their house in Jasper burned when an oil lamp exploded, and they lost everything. But they remained in Jasper and rebuilt. In April 1948, an event was held in Jasper honoring Dr. McFerrin, where many of the children he delivered were present. He was given a scrapbook of interesting anecdotes and facts was compiled and presented to him. He died 25 May 1948 in a hospital in Little Rock. His funeral was in the Jasper School auditorium, which was filled with his grateful former patients. more

John Orestus McFerrin was born in Boone County in 1871, but moved to Compton when he was a small boy. He studied medicine at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock. He returned home and married Nolia Hamilton in Harrison in 1899. The young couple moved to Jasper the next year, and Dr. McFerrin began a medical practice that would last until his death nearly a half a century later. In an article in the Newton County News in 1948, he described some of the more unusual ways he was paid for his services. He was paid in sorghum, potatoes, fruit, chickens, side meat, and honey. One farmer drove into Jasper from Swain with a wagon with ten bushels of potatoes and a sow to settle to pay his bill. Once in below zero weather Dr. McFerrin rode to a farm fourteen miles away to deliver a baby. On the way home, water splashed on him as he crossed streams and rivers, and froze his feet to his stirrups. His wife had to get a hatchet to chop him free so he could dismount. In 1926, he was saddling his horse on the Jasper square when an automobile ran into it. The horse fell on Dr. McFerrin, crushing his pelvis. He was hospitalized for nearly a year. Sadly, this was not the end of his bad luck. In 1931 their house in Jasper burned when an oil lamp exploded, and they lost everything. But they remained in Jasper and rebuilt. In April 1948, an event was held in Jasper honoring Dr. McFerrin, where many of the children he delivered were present. He was given a scrapbook of interesting anecdotes and facts was compiled and presented to him. He died 25 May 1948 in a hospital in Little Rock. His funeral was in the Jasper School auditorium, which was filled with his grateful former patients. more

With Veterans Day approaching, it is a worthwhile endeavor to highlight the Americans who fight in this country’s wars. They are scattered across the country, going about their daily activities and living quiet lives. The public is not often privy to the incredible sacrifices they’ve made. To shed light on one of these individuals’ stories, The Times sat down with Harrison resident Donald Dillwith, a 96-year-old Korean War veteran and Bronze Star recipient. more

With Veterans Day approaching, it is a worthwhile endeavor to highlight the Americans who fight in this country’s wars. They are scattered across the country, going about their daily activities and living quiet lives. The public is not often privy to the incredible sacrifices they’ve made. To shed light on one of these individuals’ stories, The Times sat down with Harrison resident Donald Dillwith, a 96-year-old Korean War veteran and Bronze Star recipient. more

A Springfield Missouri ministerial student fell from the "Beautiful View" south of Jasper. He was with friends and was taking photographs when he lost his footing. He fell about 150 down two sheer bluffs, his fall finally stopped by a tree. He brokea leg in two places and could not get out on his own. Dr. J O McFerrin was called, but he was too ill to come. He sent his son, Graden McFerrin, who had first aid experience. He and eleven other men made a stretcher of tent poles and blankets. They then dug a path up the sheer bluffs. Those twelve men carried the stretcher up the paths where Dr. Gladden waited to set the compound fracture and send the patient on his way to a hospital in his home town. more

A Springfield Missouri ministerial student fell from the "Beautiful View" south of Jasper. He was with friends and was taking photographs when he lost his footing. He fell about 150 down two sheer bluffs, his fall finally stopped by a tree. He brokea leg in two places and could not get out on his own. Dr. J O McFerrin was called, but he was too ill to come. He sent his son, Graden McFerrin, who had first aid experience. He and eleven other men made a stretcher of tent poles and blankets. They then dug a path up the sheer bluffs. Those twelve men carried the stretcher up the paths where Dr. Gladden waited to set the compound fracture and send the patient on his way to a hospital in his home town. more

Last week, I mentioned the sign at the Hilltop Bible Church looking so good. I always like to give credit where it is due. I have since learned that Steve Williams put in several hours getting the sign ready, painting, and helping do the lettering. It was a team effort on the part of both Steve and Sandy Williams. They did a great job, and the sign is beautiful. more

Last week, I mentioned the sign at the Hilltop Bible Church looking so good. I always like to give credit where it is due. I have since learned that Steve Williams put in several hours getting the sign ready, painting, and helping do the lettering. It was a team effort on the part of both Steve and Sandy Williams. They did a great job, and the sign is beautiful. more

Nickie Henderson, director of the Newton County Senior Activity and Wellness Center is celebrating her 10th year of employment with the center. more

Nickie Henderson, director of the Newton County Senior Activity and Wellness Center is celebrating her 10th year of employment with the center. more

Isaiah Dodson was born in Tennessee April 11, 1809. He married Elizabeth M. Dickey there 2 in November 1837. She was born in Giles County, Tennessee, daughter of James Ross and Mary (McCutcheon) … more

Chief Long Hair is a name given to the leader of a gang of bushwhackers who attacked, tortured and murdered settlers in the eastern and southern parts of Newton County around the time of the Civil … more

Diamond Cave, described in newspapers as "one of the greatest wonders of Arkansas," was discovered, many say, in the winter of 1835, when the hunting dogs of Sam and Andrew Hudson chased a bear into … more

One of the oldest buildings still standing in Jasper in the 1950s stood on the west end of the north side of the courthouse square, and was a wooden building with clapboard siding. It had been built … more

On Saturday, July 3, 1982, a Continental Trailways bus was loaded passengers in Little Rock, bound for the Ozarks. Among the passengers boarding were Keith and Kate Haigler. All was well until the … more