HISTORY OF HERE, And This, Too, Is History. By JAMES F. (Jim) BARRETT ©2001      The history of western Taney County and the history of Stone County have been inexorably intertwined since the beginning of the White Man’s exploration and settlement here. When steam boats docked at Forsyth, their freight scattered into eager hands across both Taney and Stone Counties. And they returned to the Mississippi laden with hides, furs, bee-tree honey and bear fat taken by the settlers of both counties. The Wilderness Road was built by Joe Philibert and W. W. Kimberling and a lot of returning home Civil War soldiers. It came up from Harrison, to Berryville, to Blue Eye, to Linchpin (Branson West), to Stutts (Reeds Spring Junction), to Dutch Store (Highlandville) and on to Springfield. The freight, peddlers, preachers and travelers on the Wilderness Road benefited all of both counties, as well as all of north western Arkansas. Then the Boston Road branch of the Wilderness Road was built from Harrison to Stutts, whereupon the benefits to both counties was compounded.      So you see, the history of this part of the Ozarks must not be separated, county to county, but looked upon as “The History of Here,” the history of the central region of our Ozarks. Of course, we want to specifically look at the exciting and colorful parts that lay in the history of Stone County, because that’s the Gazette’s important focus. But we must consider the relationship of all that lies around that area too. For instance, Table Rock Lake is not just the history of Stone County. Nor were the Bald Knobbers solely the property or the problem of Taney County, for they ranged and ravaged over Stone and Christian Counties as well. As did the Civil War, the Bush Whackers, the explorers and the early settlers. The explosion of “Live Music” in the Branson area affects Stone County heavily. As does the major events of Silver Dollar City and Shepherd of the Hills Farm.      One day, not too far in the future, historians will look back and try to sort out what really happened here in the central Ozarks, who did what to whom, and how it all took place. When that begins to happen I hope they don’t overlook the effect Stone County’s Swiss Villa had on the development of “The Live Music Capital of the World.” For the Villa’s theater was one of the first places where the “really big names” came to entertain the Ozarks and to look around at what we have to offer. Many of Branson’s entertainers came here because of the influence of Swiss Villa’s Amphitheater. Remember, the Oak Ridge Boys (The Oaks), the Beach Boys, Ray Charles, and a host of other entertainers appeared in Stone County, at the Swiss Villa Amphitheater, long before they appeared in Branson. So you see, the history of the area is indivisible, music or otherwise.      Speaking of “big names.” Somewhere it’s written down that if you know six people well, and each of them know six people well, and each of them (and so on)... Then you can reach the entire world with your message and influence, if you but try. Another thing I’ve learned is never to discount a “contact.” Heaven only knows whom they know, whom they have contact with, what interesting tales they have to tell, or how they can help you discover wonderful historical information! Or if you’re a genealogist, they might know who knows your family!      For instance, there’s a nice little lady who works at Wal-Mart, and her shift sometimes overlaps mine. We occasionally meet, pass one another and say hello. She’s an ordinary person (on the outside) whom you’d never suspect “knew” a lot of interesting people - but she sure as heck does! I had heard that Jimmy Rodgers was writing a book about the trauma which he suffered because of road rage and a violent man with an iron bar. The president of Premier Video had mentioned the incident to me some time back and told me what a wonderful, colorful person Jimmy was, and how he was filled with historical information about the people now entertaining in our central Ozarks.        Fran asked me to attend one of the last of Jimmy’s shows for the season, meet him in person and see if his story might interest you, my dear readers. So I went with her - and what a historically wonderful, interesting show! Because Mr. Rodgers was so terribly injured by the iron pipe, he can no longer sing as he did when he was earning gold records as a youth. Instead he plays those old songs over his theater’s PA system, sings (and talks) some of his new ones (in a vastly different but pleasing voice) and tells the history of many of the people we now treasure here in our Ozarks. It’s two hours of marvelously good fun, entertainment and musical history. Jimmy Rodgers knows more darned good stuff about interesting people than you can shake a stick at.       Then there’s his manager, a most humble, self-effacing person. But he’s as interesting, historically, as Jimmy Rodgers! He was a Secret Service agent for many years. He served four presidents of the United States, and was driving the limo when Reagan was shot. Man - he was right there! Talk about historically interesting. I’ll get his story for you one of these days. But you see, my point is this, these people are now a part of OUR HISTORY. Why they’re here, what they’re doing here and what they WILL do here is as important to our history as why Joe Philibert came to the area in 1820, why Schoolcraft came to the area in 1819, why the Indians were here and why they left. And just as interestingly, why YOU came to our Ozarks, what brought YOU here, and what will YOU do here. These are all valuable and interesting bits and pieces of The History of Here.       Incidentally, as regards knowing six people, who know six people, etc..... I got Fran to talking and telling me about other people she actually knows and has closely associated with. How about Jim Reeves, Marty Robins, Faron Young, Patsy Cline, Conway Twitty, Minnie Pearl, the Wilburn Brothers, Loretta Lynn, Kitty Wells, and on and on. An unassuming, quiet lady, whom you wouldn’t dream was a friend and confidant to many important “stars,” but she was - and is. Jimmy calls her “The lady with the biggest heart in the Ozarks!” And, yes, she too is a part of “The History of Here.”        Just up the street from me lives a most interesting person whom I met almost by accident - Billy Dees. Well, you ask, who’s Billy Dees? Billy Dees was Roy Orbison’s song writer for years, and he wrote (just for instance) Pretty Woman. How about them apples? One of our Door Greeters at Wal-Mart, who became a good friend of mine, is Embert Michler. So, how’s he important, you ask? Embert was a musician, writer and DJ in Colorado for many years. He met a young guy with his little family traveling to Nashville, hoping to found a career there. But the young man was broke, hungry and needed to feed his family. Embert gave the young musician his first, steady, paying job, working with his group on his radio station. The young man’s name? Willie Nelson! Wow, ain’t history fun? Aren’t “contacts” interesting and productive?        Through my friend Dave (Santa Claus) I met and became acquainted with Tony Orlando. In the not too distant past I became well acquainted with Janet Daily and her husband Bill. I worked with my crew all summer “doing” their movie, Foxfire Light. While there I met and became acquainted with Tippie Hedron, Leslie Neilson and other movie stars. I also met their Hollywood director who wants, someday, to collaborate with me on the movie production of my novel-in-the-works, “The Lake,” which is the TRUE story of The Coming of Table Rock Lake, but with all the stops pulled out.         So there you are, dear reader friends. Never discount the people around you as sources of marvelous historical and good fun information. Remember, they are one of the six people, who know six people, etc. Who knows where your influence will wander, or from where your historical, genealogical research needs might be assisted? Historical research can be great good fun, as well as a lot of nitty-gritty hard work. Thanks Fran, and Jimmie, and Mr. manager, for a great fun day, for leading me to a lot of historical avenues to follow, and for reminding me of the importance of good friends and wonderful acquaintances! I’ll be back to chat with you dear reader friends in the December issue.    Editor's Note: As many of you know Jim writes a bimonthly column for the Stone County Gazette, and this article is a reprint of one of those stories from past issues of the Gazette. We hope that you have enjoyed the above and will continue to read the Message Tree where we hope to feature more of these wonderful stories, about the Ozarks and told in such a manner that only a master story teller such as Jim Barrett can deliver.