Trails of Our Past: 2015

Trails of Our Past, 2015, is an excellent collaboration of local history written by Dusty Williams. The contents of this book contain articles from the column, Trails of Our Past which appeared in the Van Alstyne Leader throughout 2015. Williams, in his informative, well rounded writing style, documented many topics in regards to local history. The writings are not only filled with colorful events, but they are backed by documentation which leaves little room for doubt in regards to their content. Williams is a 9th generation Grayson County resident and has ties to almost every little community or establishment throughout Grayson County. He is known for bringing attention to the lesser known histories that have somehow slipped through the cracks with the passing of time. This compilation not only includes the histories that he wrote throughout 2015, but it also includes some follow-ups and additional information that has not been previously published. Stories include: My Grandparent’s Housea history of the Doc McKinney homestead, Van AlstyneFrom the Orphaned Boya history of the founding of Van AlstyneMy Walk to Schoola first person account walking through Van Alstyne in 1901Communitiesa history of Jameson, Oxford School and Starks Chapel Sister Grove Farma history of the J. P. Dumas estateAlong Came Cannona history of the community of CannonAlong Came Cannon, Part IIa history of the community of CannonSedaliaa history of the community of SedaliaThat old Christian Churcha history of the First Christian Church in HoweTake me to the Ballparka first person story of baseball and Monty StrattonWondering About Wardena history of Warden, Burke, Maple and LonestarHowe about Some Historya history of HoweLick Skilleta history of Pilot GroveThe Pilot Grove Difficultya history of the Lee-Peacock Feud#Keep it Upthe Confederate Monument in ShermanDeserteda history of DesertThe Myth of Two Sistersthe naming of Anna, Melissa and Van AlstyneTake Me to the Poor Farma history of the Grayson County Poor FarmThe Bushwhackera history of Bushwhacker Bill Wilson and his murder near MantuaThe Bushwhacker, Part IIa history of Bushwhacker Bill Wilson and his murder near MantuaTo the Gallowsa history of the first legal hanging in Grayson CountyTo the Gallows, Part IIa history of the first legal hanging in Grayson CountyA Tale of Remorsethe final words of William O. BlackmoreHalloween Townthe Halloween tradition in Van AlstyneThat Old Christian Church, follow-upA follow up on The Christian Church in HoweHappy 170thGrayson County’s 170th birthdayThe Lost State of Red Rivera history of the myth of a new state in ShermanFarewell to 2015A wrap up of the 2015 articles2016 Expedition: Grayson CountyPlans for future hands on research in Grayson County

Williams got his start with local history through the practice of Genealogy at the age of fourteen and this has led to his involvement in local history. In 2006 he founded the Lost and Found Cemetery Preservation, a volunteer group which locates, documents and preserves lost and abandoned cemeteries in the Texoma area. Williams is also the author and publisher of the Dixie Community newsletter which is located north of Whitesboro, member of both the Grayson County Historical Commission and the Grayson County Historical Society as well as several other historical related societies throughout Grayson County. He strives to bring attention to local history and through his articles and writings one is truly captivated by the events of years past.