Pearl: Lost Girl of White Oak Mountain

by Bill Yates

In the Fall of 1923, three-year-old Pearl Turner disappeared from her home in the mountains of West-Central Arkansas. The search for little Pearl consumed the next several weeks, and the story became front page news all over the United States. Hundreds of residents from the nearby towns of Waldron and Booneville Arkansas helped in the search, and a mysterious mountain hermit seemed to hold the secret to Pearl's disappearance. The incredible events that followed contributed to a mountain legend that still exists today.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Biography

138 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 10, 2020

Reviews

[Becks! · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book tended to jump around somewhat. Which made it a bit difficult to follow the general facts of the story. But overall it was very interesting, yet so very sad and heartbreaking for the family dealing with their loss.

[Susan Carnahan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book! My Mother in law was about 12 when this happened and she was born outside of Boonville and had family in Magazine. She has passed away but I wish I could have asked her what she remembered about Pearl. The book is so interesting and having visited the area many times I could imagine Pearl walking toward the road…or not! I will Follow Bill Yates and see what other interesting stories he has.

[karen mcvay · Rating 5 out of 5]

As I was reading, I hoped there would be an answer to what happened. I liked the way the author answered questions at the end. It really made me think about what really happened. I think she was either kidnapped by a local and then killed, or perhaps the father and Rosie had some sort of an accident (?) with her and kept it secret. But I don't think the mother was involved as she spent so much time looking for her.
I enjoyed reading it and wanted to get to the end to find out what happened.

[Robi A · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and Intriguing

This story from the yesterday's of American rural life gives us a taste of the difficulties and differences in reporting techniques of then and now. Such a tragic tale of loss and mystery. You'll like this book!

[Jeanne Offerdahl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sad story. Great depiction of the times and the isolation of the farming and mountain communities. Try to life human reactions

My heart hurt for the family and the community. It showed how opportunistic sad hopeless folks can be. Truly evokes emotion

[susan kruger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting story

An interesting story. I was pleasantly surprised how many people turned out to search. And I agree I don't think she was kidnapped either.

[Carrie L. Allen]

Interesting

I enjoyed this mystery.
I found this story to be quite perplexing.
The mountain community sure pull together when needed!

[Karen Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Interesting and sad.

I had never heard of this sad story and can only hope that somewhere the little girl lived a good life.

[Malinda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting, but sad...

[Darby Knox · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was written by my elementary school principal! And takes place in my home county. This true crime tale was fascinating and I enjoyed learning about this time in Arkansas history.

[Ann Grosser · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lost Girl Never Foun

This book could have been ripped from the headline of last week. Even last week we all held our breaths waiting for Gabbie Piento (that is mispelled) be found at Gabbie was found. The book was well written and fast paced my only problem was there was no conclusion n and that is my problem not the books.

[Roma · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captivating

I could not put this story down. I read it in one sitting. I definitely recommend this as a good true story to read.

[Jerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lost Girl.

Very good read, easy read also. Held my interest through the whole book. Yes I would recommend this book to anyone that likes non fiction.

[Thomas Welches · Rating 5 out of 5]

Pearl: Lost Girl of White Oak Mountain

Very interesting account of a missing young child and with all the efforts of many, she was never found. The culture and time period that this happened, was also very interesting.

[Georgia Wells · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing

So many possibilities that could have caused the disappearance of Pearl. Easy and fast read. Heartbreaking at the extent the mother went to find her child.

[Arlene Gutierrez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

This book was about tragedy. It centered upon an abduction and the exploitation therein. Like in most cases surrounding abduction, there was, unfortunately, no happy ending.

[Maggee Foster · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing story!

[Rita · Rating 4 out of 5]

Little Girl Lost

I'm from Little Rock, ARK. Never heard of this story, however, it is evident that from all the hoopla and misguided people ; including the Constable and the newspapers of the time, it doesn't take a Genius. to figure out why this case was never solved. Sad.

[Paula Singleton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story that takes one back in time

I wanted to read this book as my grandparents were from Waldron and that is where my mom and her siblings were raised. This is a true story of a 3 year olds disappearance, and the surrounding towns efforts to find her. I really hoped that the ending was different, yet one can't change history or the facts of what happened. My heart goes out to Pearl's parents, family and the townspeople that loved Pearl and all that had an interest in finding her.

[roxanne mills · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a peaceful book to read

I never read a book like this
It was very sad and uplifting to see how people would help other people who needed the help. This is a true story and it was so heart felt

[Tami h Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

So much hope and sorrow.

The book takes you from the time of Pearls disappearance to the events of finding her. One moment she will be there to another when Pearl is not there. So sad for the mother. I don't how she made it through life without her baby. Excellently written!

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

An Interesting Tale

This is probably one of the saddest stories I've ever read. The disappearance of Pearl is sad and puzzling. This book manages to capture the despair felt by the child's parents while portraying the hard life of the mountain people.

[Mary S. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable and Well Researched Local History

It is always enjoyable to read books that include names of real places you have been included in a curious or mysterious story from years ago. This is One of Those Stories. I will not spoil the ending, but the story is a demonstration of great storytelling, the history of places, people, and events, wrapped up in a history of real people in real places - many of which I have visited. Read it.

[Rose · Rating 5 out of 5]

Really sad story of a very young girl lost in the mountains. What made it interesting is there were sightings; this was way before our modern conveniences and people had to send telegrams, write letters, and travel to check out leads.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Those who kept giving the family false hope should've been strung up .

[Susan Molloy · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a find this was! This book tells the story of a three-year-old girl, Pearl Turner, who disappeared in 1923. For days, the family and surrounding neighbors looked for her far and wide, to no avail. Slowly, the search stopped, except for red herrings here and there. But— Pearl was never found. Or was she?

I liked this book because not only am I intrigued by true mystery stories, but the writing was also easy, simple, and just plain casual, as if the writer was sitting down at the table and relating this shocking true event. There are a few black and white photographs to supplement the story, and a chapter devoted to the author’s thoughts on the case and what happened to the sheriff, parents, and so on.

💥 Recommended.
🟣

[Sandra K. Rodriguez · Rating 5 out of 5]

The loss of Pearl

Pearl disappears from her home, and thousands of people search for her. Her mother is devastated, going on searches of her own, She also visits with clairvoyants where she is provided with clues, but no solution to the location of Pearl. Interesting book, but sad.

[Deborah E · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Very interesting, true story!
A mystery which keeps you reading and even inspires you to research names and dates and locations.

[Lisa Lehmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

So interesting!

[Brenda Shelton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Good Mystery of its Time

I love old stories of the mountains. This was a compelling read and you wished for good news at every turn.