Old and New Delta - Two Sections of Taylor Township that are Most Interesting
The following article appeared in the August 25, 1906 issue of The Nevada
News. See Map I for the location of Delta and Davidson. A vacant church
still stands at the Watts Cemetery, but for the most part, these places have
disappeared.
When one attempts to write up the different sections of Nevada County, and
thinks he has just about reached the most interesting place, he finds that just
ahead of him is one with superior attractions to any that has yet been passed.
It's like going through an art gallery, where each picture seems the best.
Old Delta, or Davidson, as it is now called, is located in the extreme
southeast corner of Taylor Township, and is one of the older communities
in the county. Situated midway between Glenville and Falcon, it has always
received the benefits of the splendid society of the two places.
Davidson was formerly the home of the Watts, who years ago wielded
a powerful influence over the affairs in Southern Nevada. Their large,
elegant home, erected years ago, at a cost of thousands of dollars, still
stands as a testimonial to the civic pride of these enterprising citizens.
Close by stands the large store buildings in which were sold thousands of
dollars worth of goods every year, and to which the citizens for miles around
brought their produce for barter. The Watts have all left our county-Monroe
and Tom are merchants in Camden and John C. is living in Texarkana-but
they love the beautiful old homestead; they love the beautiful grove across
the road, where as children they romped beneath its trees, and played hide
and seek in the golden meadow; they love the big plantation, where at
eventide the echo of the sonorous voice of the darkies came up the branch
from the spring and told that another day was done; and with a sad, sweet
sorrow they love the little graveyard just over the way, and wherein are
buried the remains of all their loved ones. They still use this little cemetery,
and when the neighbors see the steady tread of a slowly moving procession
coming up the road, they know that another member of this fine old family
is crossing the Delta of the River of Death toward the Gulf of Eternity.
The Watts home, however, has passed into good hands. Geo. W.
Hambrice, postmaster at Davidson, owns the property now. He has a
house full of good looking girls and handsome boys,( another newspaper
article states a different story, see) and a most excellent
wife, and the Hambrice home is often the scene of a merry gathering of
young people who sweetly pass the evenings in innocent enjoyments.
The people around Davidson are thrifty and prosperous. They own good
land, and they cultivate it well. Their crops are unusually fine this year,
and such men as J. A. Wray and S. W. Hay are smiling.
New Delta is about three miles north of Davidson. Will Mitchell is the
accommodating postmaster, and also carries a full stock of general
merchandise.Jeff Mitchell is probably one of the most influential citizens
in this section. Besides having the best crops, the finest stock, and the
sweetest fruit, he is probably the best blacksmith and woodworksman
in Arkansas, and makes buggies and wagons,shoes horses, if fact,
does everything in this line, and does it well. And his home is always
welcome to the weary traveler, anxious candidate, or timid newspaper
man. His excellent wife never tires of fixing up good things to eat
for friends, as well as strangers. Geo. S. Alder, the gentlemanly justice
of the peace and progressive farmer, lives near. He has a good farm,
a pretty little house, fine stock, and if he had a wife, we just know
she'd be the finest little woman in the world. George likes to fish and
seine, and he'll bet that when he starts up the creek on a seining
expedition, he can stay longer than anybody in the county.
Another gentleman, noted for his hospitality throughout the entire
county is R. W. Johnson.his neat little home is perched on a hill
to the south of Delta, and the genuine, old-time welcome one receives
when he enters the home fully repays him for any trouble he might
have had in finding it. Mr. Johnson has a son named Sam. Now,
Sam is a splendid gentleman, and a hustler. His crops are always
well worked and clean. His stock are always well fed and fat. And
his premises are always well kept and neat. There is but one trouble
with Sam Johnson--he won't talk. Sam is stocked with information,
all right, but getting him to tell it is sometimes a trouble-that
is, if he happens to be real sick. Dick Lollar lives over close to Sam
Johnson. The two are frequently seen together, and no pleasure
party is thought to be complete without them. But when they start
together for home, and Sam meets a friend and starts to talking--well,
Dick had as well make up his mind to take it easy, or go it alone.
Joe Ed Walldrop is a big-hearted farmer that justly thinks that Taylor
Township is the finest place in the world, and when one notes the
kindness with which the fates have handled him, he has reason for
this civic pride. R. C. McKinley is another progressing farmer, who
believes in scientific agriculture. He believes that farming is
progressive--that no one knows all about it, or ever will know all
about it That there is something important to learn every day, and
never misses an opportunity to add to his stock of information.
He also has some pronounced ideas on other matters which he
never hesitates to express.The big, joyful Webb Hay is a man in
every sense of the word, in size as well as in character, and he
has a heart in him that is just as big as his body. When crops are
laid by, D. W. Hay may be seen leading the procession,
whether it be to a religious gathering or to a fish fry.
W. C. Dean is a young man of more that average intelligence
and ability, and is a most enterprising and energetic farmer. W. P.
Bolin is a new citizen in this community who has already made a
host of friends by reason of his industry and integrity. The
Malone's are influential citizens of Delta--J. B.and C. C. Malone
being especially active in all matters of public nature,
and are men who keep posted on the topics of the day. But
our space is getting short. We must reserve something for politics.
The election is at hand.The Democrats must win. We would like
to mention H. J. Butcher, E. J.Allder, the Wreyford's, the Powell's,
the Owen's, and many, many others,but can't. There has recently
been established a new voting precinct at Pleasant Hill, in Taylor
Township,for the accommodation of the Delta people, and to add
to their convenience in voting the democratic ticket on Sept. 3rd.
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