Author Archives: Dilynn Boyd

Arkansas Author Dane Releases WWII Novel

 

Arkansas author Nancy Dane has released her first historical fiction novel from the WWII era.

The homefront story set in rural Arkansas, Jackson Loring, brings in the descendants of the Lorning and Matthers families of her earlier novels:

Life wasn’t easy for a poor country boy coming of age in World War II, especially with a father away at war. But life will get easier as soon as his father’s army pay starts rolling in. The allotment checks will fix everything — or so he thinks. His mother has other ideas. When Jackson rebels, he places himself and those he loves in mortal danger.

Nancy Dane, who lives in Russellville, is an author and lecturer with an expertise on the American Civil War in Arkansas. Her Tattered Glory Series won the 2011 Fiction Award presented by the Arkansas Library Association.

Although Ms. Dane’s novels are primarily written for adults, she also writes newspaper serials for children. The Arkansas Newspaper Association features installments of her work in the Newspapers in Education program that appear in numerous newspapers.

Country Doctors: “Looking Back”

Reprinted here by special permission of the author, Cindy Beckman, a retired Conway High School history teacher who writes local history.

Early settlers in Faulkner County did not “go to the doctor.” Doctors in Faulkner County, as in most early settlements, made house calls. If a doctor was needed, someone would go “fetch” him and he would ride on horseback to the sick person’s home.

In one medical bag, he carried three standard tools—a stethoscope, a clinical thermometer and Continue reading

Through the Cabin Window – November, 2016

100 YEARS AGO, November 4, 1916

♦  The first “home grown” celery ever marketed in Conway was brought here today by C. C. Sherrill, who lives six miles east of Clinton in Van Buren County. Mr. Sherrill has three quarters of an acre planted in celery, from which he said he expects to realize about $800. Mr. Sherrill brought a wagonload of celery to Conway and sold it for 5 cents a bunch. Continue reading

Early Hotels: “Looking Back”

Reprinted here by special permission of the author, Cindy Beckman, a retired Conway High School history teacher who writes local history.

While some Conway visitors found shelter in the wagon yards, others sought out hotels for their overnight stays. Although the Hotel Bachelor is one of the most talked about and well-remembered Conway hotels, there are a few other notable hotels that did a fine business downtown. Continue reading