Back-to-School time

This photo of Gammon School was taken around 1909. The picture was submitted by our cousin Alberta Anderson (Betty's daughter) on the Dallas County MOGenWebpage.

The teacher is identified as Florence Quigley who afterward became Florence Ellis.

Top row left to right: Everett Highbarger, Delmar Miller, James Highbarager, Nelle Bowser, Ressie Vader, Sue Quigley, Bertha Vader, Orpha Scott, Lalia Montgomery.

Second row: Alonzo Highbarger, Caroll Quigley, Ray Scott, Charley Knowles, Florence Quigley, Bertha Vader, Flora Vader, Lova Montgomery.

Bottom row: John Montgomery, Clay Scott, Will Montgomery, Virgil Knowles, Chloe Scott, Lora Scott, Olega Knowles, unknown pupil, Beulah Montgomery.

The Highbargers would be Grandma Stanton's brothers. I have the Highbargers' birth order as being:

James - I knew him as Uncle Jim. He and Aunt Blanche were school teachers and lived at the top of the hill from Grandma and Grandpa Stanton. I have "blue pickles" also written next to his name. Does anyone remember what that refers to?

Everett - described as being "good looking". He later went to California, correct?

Alonzo Bryan - "smoked and loved to tease the kids" is a description I've heard.

Hazel - our Grandma

Roscoe - "good dancer, took a gun with him on Saturday nights". I also see Uncle Roscoe's name spelled Rosco. Which one is correct?

Please correct any information I have wrong and I'd love it if you'd add your memories
of these relatives.

More ideas for blackberries...

My friend, Joyce Cooper, just told me about blackberry dumplings! She writes:

"I just made them once. My mom would press the berries in a sieve to get the juice. Bring the juice and a lot of sugar to a boil in large pot. Thicken with cornstarch. Roll out biscuit dough. Cut into small pieces and drop into juice until cooked. Serve warm with vanilla ice cream. Yum!"

 

I could go for some blackberry dumplings right now (and later tonight, in the morning, etc.)..

 

 

 

After I sent the post I also thought about blackberry jam. When you open a jar of jam or some canned or frozen blackberries in the winter, doesn't it take you back to those days of summer?

Mmm... blackberries

 

Besides my husband, David, who doesn't love blackberries?!

 

 

Delicious berries dusted with sugar!

 



 

 

Blackberry cobbler warm from the oven with melting vanilla ice cream!

 

 

 

 

Yes, I am sitting in air-conditioned comfort. I know that blackberry pickin' comes with hot, hot weather, humidity, terrible allergy symptoms for some, stickers, thorns, chiggers, ticks, and the ever-present possibility of snakes. 

 

I was at a restaurant with my Dad, Herb, recently and one of the special desserts was blackberry pie. I was buying and asked him if he wouldn't love that delicious summer-time offering. He said no. No?!

 

He said he remembered his Mother, my Grandma Stanton, canning 40 gallons of blackberries each summer.  They were picked from multiple places around the home place and he said he remembers who did the pickin'. So, thanks to all of the blackberry pickers everywhere. I appreciate you.