John Ashton Hester

News from Oconee Rural Communities 1888-1909 John Ashton Hester

This book--the fourteenth in a series of books containing news reports from the Keowee Courier over its 170-year history--consists of news from rural communities from throughout Oconee County during the years 1888-1909. It does not include any news from the three largest towns--Seneca, Walhalla (including West Union) and Westminster, because they have all been featured in previous books in the series. By the author's count, the Courier received reports, at one time or another, from 81 different rural communities during the 22-year period covered by this book. The reports were sporadic. For instance, a community might have a faithful correspondent for a while, who would submit a report nearly every week, but then he or she would quit, and there might not be another report for weeks, or months. There was one subject that nearly every report from every part of the county would include: the current status of the crops in that community. Reports also nearly always included information about church and school activities. . . This book will give the reader insight into what day-to-day life was like in rural Oconee County during the late 1800s and early 1900s.