Just a few years after Mississippi’s Star appeared in the constellation of States on the blue field of Old Glory, the territory that is now the Denton Consolidated School District witnessed the advent of white settlers. The Aborigines had just departed for their reservations provided by the “White Fathers” for them in the West. The pioneers found practically a wilderness with only small clearings that were the maize patches of the Indians. Their nearest market was Greenwood, with sometimes a flat-boat on Yalobusha River. The schools were taught only by privately paid instructors. They brought with them the code of ethics that was received in another wilderness upon which they based their social and religious conduct and faith. They built a church with others which was the shrine of what is now several communities. In the south-East corner lived Sterling Doolittle, Sr., then across the southern border was Miller Ligon, Joseph Fox, David Denton, Rev. George Bradford, who lived along Sabougla Creek. Thomas May settled on May Creek, Easley and Pendergrast on Prairie Branch. The sons of these men have died at an old age. Some left the homestead to seek a livelihood in other places, but they were others who moved in, developed the resources of the community. It would take considerable space to recount the activities of the community and those connected with it. We will mention only the second line of defense as the soldiers would say.
These were, S. M. Doolittle, T. J. Ligon, Jas. [?} Denton Sr., Samuel Denton, R. A. Mallory, Thomas B Radford, T. L. Stoddard, C. K. Holland, [land] A. U. Starnes, C. H. Flowers, J. W. Woods and John Pendergrast. [Line of names badly faded, could be wrong initials.] When this State established a free school system. [sic] The splendid communities and Denton and Sabougla were put together, but within a few years two districts were created out of the territory composing both of them. [sic] Since then we had a one-teacher school until a tax was levied for school purposes, then it required an assistant. This year, Denton and Bradford consolidated and will require three teachers. A few weeks ago we organized a Community club with B. F. Starnes chairman; Mrs. Susie Denton, vice-chairman and Miss Jesse West secretary. We have enlarged our school building; have a splendid facility and are looking for word of a profitable session.
Denton Community will participate in the Fair this year, being one of the new communities to take part in the community exhibits work.
We have a happy, prosperous and co-operative community with good homes, good farms and a fine set of people. We are blessed by nature with fine level valley lands and gently rolling hills.
Denton community is on the road of progress. We are growing.
We want to keep growing. – Publicity Committee
Agricultural Committee – F. A. Dye. Chairman; C. E. Spratlin, A. L.
Anglin, H. A Bailey, G. L. Vanlandingham, F. A. Anglin and E. A. Spratlin.
[Line located in light section of paper, E’s and F’s hard to differentiate.]
Home Making Committee – Mrs. J. H. ?; Chm,: Mr. C. E. Spratlin, Mrs. T. B. Murff, Mrs. W. B. Hill, Mrs. A. L. Anglin, Mrs. G. L. Vanlandingham, Miss Cordie Brown and Miss Lydia Ellard.
School Committee – Mr. J. E. Roane, Chm.: E. A. Dye, C. H. Ellard, Howard Green, Misses Vernon Anglin, Surena Bailey and Rubye [sic] Lou Vanlandingham.
This community organized last year, but on account of the drouth [sic]
that struck this section of the county it was unable to have an exhibit
[for] the Fair then. But it is making plans to have both community and
school exhibits this year. The crops are fine in this community, so everyone
may look out for a leading exhibit from this section of the county.