Written by David Holsted, published in the Harrison Daily Times on August 20, 2020

Almost everything about George Earle was a mystery, including his name. Most people supposed it to have been an assumed name.

About 1887, Earle came to the Arkansas Ozarks. He built what is described as a “little hermitage” on Sherman Mountain in Newton County and began a 42-year solitary existence.

Fred W. Allsopp, in his 1931 book “Folklore of Romantic Arkansas,” tells the story of Earle.

It was thought that Earle had come from Virginia, but the reason for his immigration to Arkansas was never clearly established. Some said that he had suffered a disappointment in love. Others were sure that he was an escaped convict or embezzler. Still others thought that he had retired from society to carry out religious principles, believing that he could not mingle with the world and maintain his purity, although the few that knew him considered him anything but pious.

Earle seemed to be well educated, and was a man of good personal appearance, although he was extremely eccentric in his habits.

During the decades that Earle lived in Newton County, he gave no information about where he was born, his relatives or his past life. He had no friends, received no mail and wrote no letters. Few people ever entered his little shack.

Earle appeared to support himself by cultivating a small garden and raising a few chickens and pigs.

There was much curiosity in the surrounding community about Earle, and many weird and astonishing stories sprung up about him.

One story had it that he hoarded an immense treasure under his shack, which caused it to be ransacked by thieves on several occasions.

On Aug. 28, 1929, Earle’s half-burned body was found near his shack by neighbors after it was discovered to be in flames. Although by that time infirm, the 83-year-old did his own cooking. It was believed that he had attempted to build a fire to cook, and he accidentally ignited his clothing.

All of the mysteries and secrets surrounding the life of George Earle went with him to the grave.

Written by David Holsted, published in the Harrison Daily Times on August 13, 2020

Jerry Liddell decided that if he couldn’t have Europe, the next best thing would be the Ozarks.

Liddell was a field producer for “Good Morning America,” an ABC morning news television show. In the spring of 1986, Liddell and other members of the show’s crew and staff planned to tour Europe. With many Americans gearing up to go abroad, Liddell thought a European vacation would be a ratings plus.

Current events then intervened.

Just days before, the United States had launched air strikes against Libya in retaliation for Libyan sponsorship of terrorism against American troops and citizens.

Liddell and other ABC producers, thinking that it might not be safe for Americans to go to other countries, decided to stay home. Instead of touring France and other European countries, ABC cameras would go to some domestic locations, including the Ozarks.

“We want to show people ‘Here is what you can do by just getting in your car and driving,'” Liddell was quoted in the Boone County Headlight of May 1, 1986.

While some ABC film crews went to San Francisco, Seattle, Key West and other parts of the country, Liddell, accompanied by a camera man, a sound man and on-air personality Steve Fox, went to the Ozarks.

While in the area, Liddell and his crew visited Wilson’s Creek Battlefield near Springfield, Mo.; Branson, Mo.; Table Rock Lake; Silver Dollar City; the Ozark Mountain Folk Center in Mountain View; and Blanchard Springs Cavern.

The stay culminated in a float trip on the Buffalo National River, arranged by the National Park Headquarters in Harrison. Two canoes were supplied by River Ridge Canoe Service of Yellville.

According to the newspaper account, on his float trip, Liddell wore a red Silver Dollar City tee shirt with penguins printed on it, giving him the look of a true tourist.

Liddell, in the newspaper story, said the television spot would provide viewers with information on how to get there, facilities and expenses.

Work had begun on the segment earlier when production staff members researched the area and checked on logistics. According to Liddell, the producers learned that the Ozark region had a lot to offer, and it was possible to visit many of the sites in a limited amount of time.

“But just like on real vacations,” Liddell added, “there is never enough time to see it all.”