The way it was

100 Years Ago -- January 29, 1904

The Oil Reports -- Seat of activity seems now to be at Walker. It is understood the company will not drill for oil but will develop the asphalt beds in Drywood and Dover Township.

From a gentleman who came up from Sheldon it is learned that the Missouri Asphalt and Oil Company's big drill will be moved to Walker where the company has leased land and that the drill will be started at once.

It is also known that several citizens of Nevada have secured leases in the vicinity of Walker and that they have contracted with expert drillers to put down a well. It seems to be the general report from Sheldon that the companies that have been operating in that vicinity have given up hope of finding oil and are turning their attentions to the asphalt beds.

75 Years Ago -- January 29, 1929

P.G. Bryant's handsome new building on North Main Street, which is to be the home of the Nevada Flour & Feed Store, is almost completed and Mr. Bryant expects to move into it by February 1st. The new building has a frontage of forty-five feet on Main Street and is forty feet in length.

50 Years Ago -- January 29, 1954

CHURCH NEWS -- Continued efforts are being placed in all areas of our church life to promote regular attendance. Mrs. A.H. Barton, superintendent of the children's division, reports that good results in progress and growth are being seen in the children's work. Myron Drake, general church school superintendent, made the following statements: "I believe the best step to world peace is that of parents, establishing the habit of going to church and church school with their children each Sunday morning.

All man methods for world peace have failed. Is it not time to learn God's plan for His world?

Every Methodist should adopt the slogan, 'Give God a chance now' and be loyal to your church."

COUNTY AGENT NOTES -- James McCall, Vernon County Extension Agent explained to a local club the work of his office in the county. McCall showed a series of colored slides on farm subjects.

The total area of Vernon County is 536,320 acres with 88.9 percent of the total area being in farms.The population in the county has decreased from 31,619 in 1900 to 22,685 in 1950, and the farm population has decreased 13 percent between 1940 and 1950.