How About That Box of Huyler's?

Huyler's was a chain of candy stores in the New York City area. May had probably discussed going to one of the Manhattan stores with Lizzie Graham for a trip that would include both sightseeing and sweets. The card was sent on this day 101 years ago.  If you'd like to look at more postcards to and from the Graham family, click here.

The message reads:

Hello Lizzie:

How about that box of Huyler's? Think I smell them but I would be wiling to get them if you will only fulfill your part of the bargain. Don't forget your camera for I want one or two snap shots.

May.

Henry's Property Taxes

Here are two tax statements - one for 1934 and one from ten years later. Nothing's typed; it's all handwritten. And although the property valuation stays the same, the taxes actually decrease between 1934 and 1944. The school taxes don't seem to be included anymore. The best part is that the tax collector agrees to receive tax payments at his home during specified hours.

The Boll Weevil Monument - Enterprise, Alabama

It has come to my attention that I have yet to post a single postcard from Alabama, and I seem to have quite a few, so there's really no explanation.  These views are from a postcard folder, circa 1950.

The postcard above shows the Boll Weevil Monument, but the one below has a close-up. Why would the folks in Enterprise build a monument to the pest that nearly wiped out their cotton crops? It's an interesting story.  Since they were losing their cotton crops to the vermin, a man named H.M. Sessions suggested that they plant peanuts instead. The peanut crop did well and they all prospered. They even grew cotton again, but they learned to diversify so their whole crop could not be wiped out by one insect. Instead of blaming that initial pest, the boll weevil, they credited it with providing the inspiration to innovate, and built a monument in its honor.

The original Boll Weevil Monument did not include a boll weevil at all; that was added to the top of the statue years later. Sadly, the statue (built in Italy) has been stolen and vandalized numerous times, so the original is now stored in the Enterprise Depot Museum. The one that stands in place of the original is a polymer-resin replica.