Sinking Creek flows into the Current River from the northeast, just north of Round Spring in the Ozark National Scenic Riverways. Missouri Route 19 between Salem and Eminence crosses the creek. The best map to find it is in the DeLorme "Missouri Atlas and Gazetteer" on p. 55.
A good book on the troubles in the Ozarks that might be of help is "A History of Southern Missouri and Northern Arkansas" by William Monks. It has recently been reprinted by the University of Arkansas Press. The index does not have any Mead in it, but it does talk about Shannon County.
Hope that this helps.