February 3, 2023

...a news item about how knowledge was made available to students in 1935

If you recognize the books shown in the above photo, you probably predate the personal computer that delivers info today.

Acquiring a new set of Compton's Encyclopedia, in 1935, was a big deal ... big enough to make the newspaper!

Here's some background info on Compton's Encyclopedia.

Click the link at the right to see a news clipping from the 1935 Hamilton Journal about a recent addition to the Darrtown High School library.

The link below opens a view of the ENTIRE PAGE which highlights the amount of space given to the Darrtown news.

These links show the sections of the 1932 article.

Curiosity prompted me to count the number of different people named in the article and I found 75 names.

So, I finish this message where I started; impressed with the amount of news gathered and reported ... by writers who got the job done, without the ease and quickness of today's social media.

In today's world, the exchange of information is super easy and super quick - thanks to the availability of social media platforms like Facebook, YouTube, Twitter, etc.

Before the electronic age, newspapers were the primary means of keeping people informed. Accounts of Darrtown news have been found in various newspapers, dating back to the 1850s.

Recently, I found a 1932 newspaper that stands out from the others that I've reviewed, since I created the Darrtown website in 2007. This particular edition caught my attention, because of the larger than usual amount of space devoted to Darrtown news. I invite you to see for yourself, by clicking the following links.

Personal admission

No doubt, my interest in sharing a comparison between social media "now and then," stems from the fact that I am old enough to recall a time - back in the 1950s, 60s, and 70s - when two people reported Darrtown news in area newspapers. I'm referring to sisters Miss Maria Davis and Miss Nell Davis. In addition to writing about Darrtown-area people and events, both ladies were very active in the community. I submit that the "Davis girls" are remembered with fondness, by those who knew them. More info about Maria and Nell is available at the Davis Family page of this website.

PS -

Best regards, Fred

REMINDER: When the "tangerine" link opens, be sure to click the "Extra Info" links that appear next to the news clipping.

...a 1929 newspaper story about the arrival of tangerines in Darrtown.

SEE A copy of the news clipping at: Texas tangerines

Even if you have no knowledge of the individuals named in these activities, you may learn some Darrtown history by playing.

WHO AM I?

For some hints to my identity, hover your cursor over the following icons.

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Who am I?

My name is...

My name is Walter Alston. I grew up in Darrtown, graduated from and played sports for Darrtown High School. I lived in Darrtown all my life - even though my work took me to big cities like New York and Los Angeles. You may read more about my life in my biography, which is listed in the Directory of this website.

To nominate someone for a future "Who Am I?" game, contact the webmaster.

THE KELLY FAMILY dating back to 1901

THE SCHUCK FAMILY dating back to the 1860s

For over a decade, this website has carried the story of Owen Kelly, Darrtown constable.

Recent research has produced info about the Kelly family, including the year, when the Kellys likely arrived in Darrtown.

See: The Kelly Family page.

For over a decade, this website has carried the story of Schuck's Corner operating at the Hitching Post site.

Recent research has produced info about the Schuck family, including the year, when the Schucks likely arrived in Darrtown.

See: The Schuck Family page.

Do you know how many lots there are in Darrtown?

Have you ever wanted to know the number of a particular lot in Darrtown?

If you live in Darrtown, do you know your lot number?

A new map has been posted to the website that shows the numbers that are assigned to the lots in Darrtown. See: Lots numbered

The answer appears in a recently added 1971 newspaper story about Davis Corner officially named.

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Beasley, Jean Ann (Kelly) (1933-2020): See: People/Individuals/A-C

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...a 1902 "Darrtown" news item that referred to a (previously unknown) Dr. Cowen.

Here is a link to the "Darrtown doctors" page.

Click the following link to see the:

Information about Dr. Cowen is being researched and will appear in next month's  newsletter.

This is one in a series of activities designed to keep alive the memory of Darrtown people.