Bonnie Strassell - Owen County Historical Society

I never knew you. Your name has always eluded me. Mama and Papa never mentioned you, but perhaps they were too busy making a living on the farm in Owen county. I’m sure you knew how much work it was to put in a crop of tobacco. In March or April seed was sown in the burned plant beds. Transplanting was done in May or June and the whole family worked together as the kids carefully dropped plants in rows and the adults set them. Work continued as the fragile plants were carefully cultivated with plows, hoes, and by hand.

The pungent smell of oil-based ink wafted through the building, and its presence was ever evident on fingertips. Sounds in the background intermingled as the linotype machine operator tapped out words into sentences; and the cylinder press, picking up a bit of ink, rolled across the type form and performed its noteworthy job of printing the newspaper.
Welcome to the office of the News-Herald in the 1950s-1970s. Jane Yancey Ayres well remembers those days of frantically working to publish the weekly paper for Owen countians. 

“Pickin’ up pawpaws, puttin’ ‘em in your pocket,
Way down yonder in the pawpaw patch.”

The preservation of our history includes passing down family stories and songs, and recording important events. But another vital element of preserving our past is planting and cultivating heirloom flowers, crops, and trees. This piece of our history also keeps our traditions alive and serves to enrich our lives.

“The American flag is a symbol of freedom. But freedom isn’t free.”

The truth of these words was emphasized June 14 in a poignant historical society program presented by Pastor Jim Wood. Brother Wood not only shepherds the flock at New Liberty Christian Church, but is also the designated chaplain of an organization called Flags4Vets. Jim is a veteran of the United States Army and continues his service to our country by joining thousands of volunteers dedicated to placing flags on the graves of veterans every Memorial Day and Veterans Day.