Introduction

By Kristina Janét-Sherrill

I do, in most circumstances, avoid putting myself on the front page of my own newspaper. I have been very welcomed by Abernathy, but this newspaper is about Abernathy folks, and what’s going on in the town, not what is happening at my office. But, I think I’ve been officially christened by a few natives. On Tuesday, I was summoned to the First State Bank. I wasn’t quite sure of the occasion, but when I arrived, I was in awe. There was a time capsule which had been stowed away in the bank’s vault with my name on it. Well, it was addressed to the editor of the Abernathy newspaper, but that’s me. This package was carefully protected with many layers consisting of a thick plastic protector, wire, a sheet, paper, strings, tape, more paper, and more wire.

This was better than Christmas. In the package was a stack of newspapers dating from November 27, 1958 to July 30, 1959. They were a gift from Buford Davenport, the publisher at the time, and Richard Havens, the editor. A photo on the day they placed the package in the vault, pictured above, along with 2 phone books from the year. In 1959 year, Davenport had just finished covering the history of the town in celebration of Abernathy’s 50 year. They had packaged it in hopes that the new editor would be able to use the information for the 100th year celebration in 2009. I am sad to say I was too late for this, but I will happily be publishing 61 year old newspaper excerpts for the foreseeable future. I have been lost in the 61 year old news for two days now, and how honored I feel to have been the one to open it. I rather suspect that the giver of this most precious gift would be shocked to know that the future publisher would be 26-year old woman.

There will be many more articles in the future of this finding. There will be more on First State Bank, and its history in Abernathy, an article about Mayo Loper who was working at the bank at the time, and is still the longest standing employee. I hope to pick his brain as we look through the newspapers together. I can’t wait to publish copies of old ads and stories to share. Some of my favorite so far include the trips that were taken by locals from the Abernathy airport. The stories tell who went, and where they took their planes. The letters to Santa, will have to be published as well, and any other gems of the ‘50s.

I also plant to create my own package to place in the vault. It is quite a year to remember I’d say. For now, here is the original story that ran with the photo above that ran in the November 26, 1959 edition of what was then, The Abernathy Weekly Review.

Valuable “News” Package for Vault

Ercell Givens, left, president of Abernathy First State Bank, is receiving from Buford Davenport, Review publisher, a valuable package to be deposited in the bank vault. Outside label on the package bears these instructions: “To be opened by the editor of the Abernathy paper, January 2, 2009, A.D.”

The package contains copies of The Abernathy Weekly Review from November 27, 1958 , to July 30, 1959. It was during this period that so much of the Abernathy area history, and so many historical photographs appeared in The Abernathy Weekly Review, in observance of the town’s Golden Anniversary. The package also contains accounts and pictures of the Golden Anniversary Celebration which was held here July 10, 11, and 12, 1959.

Davenport also served as editor of the Review during most of the period covered by papers placed in the bank vault.

Centennial Edition Come January 2, 2009 A.D., some 50 years from now, the editor of the Abernathy paper will be making plans for a huge Centennial Edition in observation of Abernathy’s 100th Anniversary. Reflecting on the monumental task he will have in preparing such an edition, we have decided upon this method of preserving much of the early day history of the area for his use at that time.

Assuming that the bank vault is the strongest and safest place in town, and that it would be the last place destroyed in the event of a major catastrophe, we sought, and received, permission to place this historical package there.

Also included in this package are two editions of The Review earlier in 1958, March 20, giving an account of our girls winning the Texas State basketball championship, and June 5, giving the history of Abernathy First State Bank on the occasion of its opening in the new building. A copy of the March, 1959 telephone directory for Abernathy, County Line, and Hollandville, and the new directory dated December, 1959, for Abernathy, County Line, Hollandville, Petersburg, and Idalou, went into the package to be opened Jan. 2, 2009, A.D.