New Year Greetings

How about some Happy New Year Greetings from yesteryear

The postmark on the card says Ottawa, Ill, Dec. 30, 1919.

Addressed to Charlie L. Lindsey, Sheridan, Ky.

Postmark reads Marion, Ky. Dec. 31, 1910

Addressed to Miss Stella Brasher, R.F.D.2, Fredonia, Ky.

Resolutions of Respect for J. H . Hampton

Crittenden Press, June 25, 1908 - Zion Hill Lodge, No. 371 F. & A.M.

June 10, 1908.  Whereas it has pleased the Great Archetect of the universe in his wisdom to remove from our midst, our beloved Brother. J. H. Hampton, therefore be it:

RESOLVED: That in the death of Bro. J. H. Hampton, Zion Hill Lodge, looses a worthy and true member, the community, an honest, upright citizen, and his bereaved family a kind and generous husband.

Resolved that a page of the records of our Lodge be set apart to his memory, and a copy of these resolutions be spread thereon, a copy be sent to his bereaved family. 

Resolved that the Brethern wear the usual badge of mouring for 30 days.

J. H. Hampton is buried in the Dunn Springs Cemetery, located on S. R. 387 a short distance off of HWY 91 North.  He has a Civil War Military Stone,  So. K, 6th Ill. Cav.

His obituary reads: June 11, 1908 - J. H. Hampton died Tuesday at his home at Fords Ferry, age 74.  He was buried at Dunn Springs with Masonic honors.

Ole' Time Christmas Cards

 Time once again to share some beautiful old Christmas Cards.  I never get tired of looking at these.

These two were actually Post Cards.  The post mark date on the back was 1914.

This is a small card.  The verse inside reads
"Wishing You The Season's Greatest Joys and All Kind Thoughts For The New Year."

These was no envelope to get the date, but I wonder if maybe during WWII since it looks like a patriotic style card.

Winter time 1952

Although the  picture looks more vintage, the date on it says Jan. 3, 1952.  It was made on West Bellville Street looking toward downtown Marion.

Behind the ice covered tree limbs and branches, on the left, you can see the beautiful old Steamboat style home of Mr. and Mrs. John Flanary.  At this time the Flanary's owned the home and is was in beautiful condition.  

This one of a kind house was razed several years ago due to it being un-lived in and taken care of and it was in a very deteriorated state.  A new brick home now sets on the location of the old home.

The man on the right looking toward the street is Mr. David H. Postlethweight.

Christmas Parade 1954

Remembering the Christmas Parades of years past.  One of Marion's largest crowds ever attended the parade of 1954. 

The old Crittenden Press stated that the crowd was estimated at over 5,000 that swarmed into Marion to watch the hour-long gala Christmas Parade.

Before the parade, hundreds of cars were parked for blocks along side streets, requiring extra efforts by the Police Department and Boy Scouts to handle the traffic. 

There were 18 festive floats entered in the parade, plus many other entries.  

 Many merchants worked until the wee hours of the morning before the parade completing their floats or displays. The following gives a complete description in order of their appearance of every entry in the parade.

First in the parade was the carrying of the colors, then the Marion Fire Dept. truck, followed by the City Police car. A marching group, the Rosiclare Band, then appeared, followed by the first float, the Litchfield Kindergarten, which colorfully portrayed a kindergarten in which youngsters were busily at work.

The Crittenden County Public Library display then appeared with a Chrysler car following sponsored by Fritts' Motors. The 2^nd float brightly decorated and containing a telephone operator at a switchboard, was sponsored by the Southern Bell Telephone Company.

An ancient 1850 snow sleigh appeared next, with its two occupants appropriately dressed in the attire of that era. It was sponsored by Crittenden Grocery.

The Rose Cleaners float appeared next, on which a group of dancing youngsters appeared, dressed appropriately in suit bags to reflect the dry cleaning theme.

The Cumberland Presbyterian float next expressed a true religious scene depicting a kneeling choir at the base of a cross on which were inscribed the words "May Peace Be Unto You."

The Surrey with the Fringe on Top was the next colorful entry to appear, sponsored by the Merrymaker's Club. The REA float following portrayed a youngster climbing a little telephone pole symbolic of REA service.

An automobile, entered by Cruce-Jones Motor Co. appeared next, followed by the Marion Woman' Club float, three white robbed attractive girls standing besides the stars and stripes presenting "Peace, Liberty, and the Marion Woman's Club."

The Morganfield Band appeared next, followed by the Girl Scout marching group.

Next colorful float was an entry by Franklin-Biggs, which was the third-prize winner. This portrayed a cozy setting of a family group sitting before a cheery fireplace anticipating the arrival of St. Nick.

The Night Before Christmas was the theme of the next float, sponsored by the People's Bank with children nestled snug in their bed and mama sitting in a rocking chair. This was the second-prize winning float.

Following was the Bette Taylor kindergarten display portraying children at work and play.

A miniature memorial cemetery with rows of crosses, and flanked by an honor guard, was the interesting float presented by the American Legion Memorial.

Miss Crittenden County with her maids in waiting was the attractive display sponsored by the American Legion Auxiliary.

A huge boot presumably overflowing with toys came next with Santa's helpers throwing candy to the children.

Moore and Pickens sponsored the next entry which was an old horse drawn buggy with two occupants dressed in old-fashioned attire.

Crittenden Motors displayed an old Model "T" Ford, followed by the new Ford. The Rotary wheel was next to appear on a colorful float on which four young ball players appeared.

The Hunt Dept. Store float came next, with big overflowing bag of toys reflecting the Christmas spirit. Favors were thrown out to the crowd.

"Peace On Earth" inscribed on a cross expressed the theme of the first-prize winning Methodist Church float. A realistic stuffed lion stood behind a boy with his lamb, reflecting the verse from Isaiah 11:6. The lion and the young lamb shall lie down together, and a small child shall lead them"

William's Dept. Store sponsored a Santa's Sleigh float with Santa tossing candy to the crowd.

The Marion PTA entered a float mounting large gold painted oak leaves, symbolic of the P.T.A.

Famous '40 and 8' train appeared next, then a float by Chipps Implement Company containing toy tractors and other miniatures of actual produced sold by this company.

More color was added to the festive parade by the Marching and playing Marion High School Band.

Last float was the TB Association entry, whose theme "Buy Christmas Seals" was vividly portrayed in a colorful reproduction of the Christmas Seal picture.

Santa Claus appeared last, to wind up this long parade, with his sleigh and prancing reindeer bringing a fitting close to the procession.

***

My thoughts: How fortunate I consider myself to have been able to attend this wonderful parade, to view the beautifully decorated display windows along main street, and to remember Marion in this wonderful hustle and bustle Christmas period of her past.

The picture above was taken on West Bellville Street.  The cars in the street were from some of the dealerships that Marion had during that time.

Forgotten Passage Volume III Book

Forgotten Passage Volume III has now been published.  It is a collection of articles and photos about History and Genealogy of Marion and Crittenden County that I have used in my column in our local paper The Crittenden Press.  

The articles in the book are similiar to the ones I use on my Blog, but in more detail.  The articles cover businesses, schools, churches, communities, people, plus historic happenings that took place in our past history and many more items of interest to folks that love Crittenden County.

In case you would like one, it is $40.00 plus $4.00 shipping/handling. 
Brenda Underdown, 139 Oak Hill Drive, Marion, KY 42064
270-965-2082 or email: bunderdown@apex.net

Volume I and Volume II are also available at $35.00 + $4.00 for shipping/handling.

Historic Home

A little history from the year 1904.  Several new impressive homes were being built in Marion.  A new addition to Marion was being laid out and getting ready for lots to be sold.   It was located North of town.  

Al Pickens, a local business man, had purchased a lot and was building himself a handsome brick residence. The time was July 1904.  

The two story brick home was to have a splendid cellar, which was a luxury, a large reception hall, double parlors, with folding doors between with family and kitchen and dining room on first floor,  Several sleeping apartments will be on the second floor. 

The house was the home of the Slyche Frazer family for many years.  After they sold the home, two different couples have purchased the home and started renovation work on it, and both times something has happened and they had not finished the work on it.  As you can see it is still a grand site to see.

The home sits empty today, and looks as it does in the photo.  Hopefully it can be lived in once again and the work finished.  It would be such a shame to lose this impressive old home as so many has been lost in Marion.