Old and New Delta - Two Sections of Taylor Township that are Most Interesting

The following article appeared in the August 25, 1906 issue of The Nevada News. See Map I for
the location of Delta and Davidson.  A vacant church still stands at the Watts Cemetery, but for
the most part, these places have disappeared.

When one attempts to write up the different sections of Nevada County, and thinks he has just
about reached the most interesting place, he finds that just ahead of him is one with superior
attractions to any that has yet been passed.  It's like going through an art gallery, where each
picture seems the best. 

Old Delta, or Davidson, as it is now called, is located in the extreme southeast corner of Taylor
Township, and is one of the older communities in the county.  Situated midway between Glenville
and Falcon, it has always received the benefits of the splendid society of the two places.

Davidson was formerly the home of the Watts, who years ago wielded a powerful influence over
the affairs in Southern Nevada.  Their large, elegant home, erected years ago, at a cost of
thousands of dollars, still stands as a testimonial to the civic pride of these enterprising citizens. 
Close by stands the large store buildings in which were sold thousands of dollars worth of goods
every year, and to which the citizens for miles around brought their produce for barter.  The
Watts have all left our county-Monroe and Tom are merchants in Camden and John C. is living in
Texarkana-but they love the beautiful old homestead; they love the beautiful grove across the
road, where as children they romped beneath its trees, and played hide and seek in the golden
meadow; they love the big plantation, where at eventide the echo of the sonorous voice of the
darkies came up the branch from the spring and told that another day was done; and with a sad,
sweet sorrow they love the little graveyard just over the way, and wherin are buried the remains
of all their loved ones.  They still use this little cemetery, and when the neighbors see the steady
tread of a slowly moving procession coming up the road, they know that another member of this
fine old family is crossing the Delta of the River of Death toward the Gulf of Eternity.  

The Watts home, however, has passed into good hands.  Geo. W. Hambrice, postmaster at
Davidson, owns the property now.  He has a house full of good looking girls and handsome boys,
and a most excellent wife, and the Hambrice home is often the scene of a merry gathering of
young people who sweetly pass the evenings in innocent enjoyments.  

The people around Davidson are thrifty and prosperous.  They own good land, and they cultivate
it well.  Their crops are unusually fine this year, and such men as J. A. Wray and S. W. Hay are
smiling.

New Delta is about three miles north of Davidson.  Will Mitchell is the accomodating postmaster,
and also carries a full stock of general merchandise.

Jeff Mitchell is probably one of the most influential citizens in this section.  Besides having the
best crops, the finest stock, and the sweetest fruit, he is probably the best blacksmith and
woodworksman in Arkansas, and makes buggies and wagons, shoes horses, if fact, does
everything in this line, and does it well.  And his home is always welcome to the weary traveler,
anxious candidate, or timid newspaper man.  His excellent wife never tires of fixing up good
things to eat for friends, as well as strangers. 

Geo. S. Alder, the gentlemanly justice of the peace and progressive farmer, lives near.  He has a
good farm, a pretty little house, fine stock, and if he had a wife, we just know she'd be the finest
little woman in the world.  George likes to fish and seine, and he'll bet that when he starts up the
creek on a seining expedition, he can stay longer than anybody in the county. 

Another gentleman, noted for his hospitality throughout the entire county is R. W. Johnson.  His
neat little home is perched on a hill to the south of Delta, and the genuine, old-time welcome one
receives when he enters the home fully repays him for any trouble he might have had in finding it. 
Mr. Johnson has a son named Sam.  Now, Sam is a splendid gentleman, and a hustler.  His crops
are always well worked and clean.  His stock are always well fed and fat.  And his premises are
always well kept and neat.  There is but one trouble with Sam Johnson--he won't talk.  Sam is
stocked with information, all right, but getting him to tell it is sometimes a trouble-that is, if he
happens to be real sick.

Dick Lollar lives over close to Sam Johnson.  The two are frequently seen together, and no
pleasure party is thought to be complete without them.  But when they start together for home,
and Sam meets a friend and starts to talking--well, Dick had as well make up his mind to take it
easy, or go it alone. 

Joe Ed Walldrop is a big-hearted farmer that justly thinks that Taylor Township is the finest place
in the world, and when one notes the kindness with which the fates have handled him, he has
reason for this civic pride. 

R. C. McKinley is another progressing farmer, who believes in scientific agriculture.  He believes
that farming is progressive--that no one knows all about it, or ever will know all about it.  That
there is something important to learn every day, and never misses an opportunity to add to his
stock of information.  He also has some pronounced ideas on other matters which he never
hesitates to express. 

The big, joyful Webb Hay is a man in every sense of the word, in size as well as in character, and
he has a heart in him that is just as big as his body.  When crops are laid by, D. W. Hay may be
seen leading the procession, whether it be to a religious gathering or to a fish fry.  

W. C. Dean is a young man of more that average intelligence and ability, and is a most
enterprising and energetic farmer. 

W. P. Bolin is a new citizen in this community who has already made a host of friends by reason
of his industry and integrity.  

The Malones are influential citizens of Delta--J. B. and C. C. Malone being especially active in all
matters of public nature, and are men who keep posted on the topics of the day. 

But our space is getting short.  We must reserve something for politics.  The election is at hand. 
The Democrats must win.  We would like to mention H. J. Butcher, E. J. Allder, the Wreyford's,
the Powell's, the Owen's, and many, many others, but can't. 

There has recently been established a new voting precinct at Pleasant Hill, in Taylor Township,
for the accomodation of the Delta people, and to add to their convenience in voting the
democratic ticket on Sept. 3rd. 

Pictures included in the article: 

1. Will Mitchell's store at Delta
2. The home of Geo. W. Hambrice (the Watts place)