Retracing Our Roots #24, Turnbo Tales of Panthers & Bears
This week we’ll conclude our discussion of one of the most prolific authors of the Ozarks—Silas C. Turnbo, who collected at least 816 Ozark stories and preserved a wealth of regional history.
First, we’ll dive into our mailbag to hear from our listeners. A listener from New Mexico recently reached out, asking about the location of the Baxter County Picnic and whether it was held near the old Tracy Ferry. The original picnic grounds in question stretches from near the Highway 5 and 62 junction, down toward AutoZone, Walgreens, and College Plaza, where Dollar General is located. As for the picnic at Tracy Ferry, we’re not certain it was the Baxter County Picnic—it may have been a local gathering instead. If we’ve got it wrong, please let us know! We always welcome your insights and corrections.
Next, we’ll explore some fascinating photographs sent to us by David Seward in Washington state. These images depict two companies selling stock to fund land purchases for the construction of the Ozark Railway Company, based out of Gassville, Arkansas and Springfield, Missouri. These photos tie back to our previous episode, Kleo Victor Loba and the Hand of Opportunity. Thank you, David, for sharing these historical gems!
Then, we’ll revisit a story from Retracing Our Roots #21—Ozark Caves: Echoes from the Dark. In 1956, near Calico Rock, Arkansas, two young boys, Samuel David Napier (age 12) and Philip Wayne “Shorty” Cantrell (age 13), vanished after setting out to explore Bergman Cave. They never returned home, and suspicions grew as the search intensified. On March 2, 1958, remnants of bones and clothing were discovered in Needles Cave, a smaller cave nearby. The Arkansas State Police confirmed the remains belonged to the missing boys. Ironically, the March 1958 issue of True Detective magazine featured an article about the boys’ disappearance, hoping to uncover new leads—just as the boys were identified and laid to rest.
In our second segment, we’ll wrap up our exploration of Silas Claiborne "Claib" Turnbo (1844–1925). By 1902, Turnbo and his wife had lost their farm due to financial struggles. Despite these hardships, Turnbo dreamed of becoming a published author. In 1904, he self-published his first volume of stories, Fireside Stories of the Early Days in the Ozarks. Three years later, he released Fireside Stories of the Early Days in the Ozarks, Part II. While Turnbo didn’t achieve widespread success during his lifetime, his manuscripts, histories, and stories have become invaluable resources for families and historians across the Ozarks.
In our third segment, we’ll hear a narrative from one of Turnbo’s visits with Asa “Ace” Yocum (pronounced AY-see). Ace recounts a thrilling adventure from his youth, when he walked beneath the canopy of a tree near the banks of Shoal Creek, which flows into the White River. His half-brother saved his life by shooting a panther that was lurking in the tree above him.
We’ll also share a story about Ace’s little sister, most likely Redissa “Dicy” Nave. One day, while searching for a cow along the banks of Bratton's Spring Creek in Ozark County, Missouri, Dicy came face-to-face with an old bruin—a bear. She spun around and sprinted back to her log cabin home, losing her bonnet along the way. That evening, Dicy and her mother returned to retrieve the bonnet, only to find it marked with the giant footprint of the bear.
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