Bits 'O History: Dick and Jane-- Tractor-- Private Courthouse?

From American Profile "Did You Know: Tidbits."


1. DICK AND JANE-- Indiana-- the "mother" of the Dick and Jane books that helped children learn to read from the 1930s to 1960s, including myself in the '50s, was Zerna Sharp, born in 1889 in Clinton County. She conceived the books thinking that children would enjoy reading if they identified with the characters. She oversaw the series working for Scott Foresman Publishing. And the fact there was so much repetition really helped with the hard words. After awhile, you just know it.

2. TRACTOR-- Iowa-- the word tractor was popularized by Charles W. hart and Charles H. Parr to describe their gasoline traction engine. Hart-Parr tractors were made in Charles City.

3. PRIVATE COURTHOUSE-- Missouri-- The 1896 Gasconade County Courthouse in Hermann was financed with a $50,000 gift from the estate of Charles Eitzen and is believed to be the only privately-funded courthouse in the US.

Never Knew Why They Called Them Tractors. --Da Coot