Ferguson Features

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We had a young lady stop by for a visit. She is new in town was looking for a place to rent and saw the Ferguson Home. She didn’t know who T. B. Ferguson was but seemed interested while I told her the history and she toured the home. She ask about the outside. I explained about Clay donating his time to scape and paint the home. She said she would love to help. I told her anytime she sees him working she is welcome to stop and help.

Mrs. Marks stopped by to give a donation to use at the cemetery lots of the Fergusons. Her grandmother Wheeler and Mrs. Ferguson were friends. She could remember playing underneath the stair case as a young child. Mrs. Marks enjoyed seeing the two new organs we recently were given and said her grandson plays for his church.

While cleaning the Edison Phonograph I saw a small decorative brass disc in front of the turntable. The disc is inscribed with "The Model 250 Diamond Disc Phonograph is the Official Laboratory Model, Thos. A. Edison". So I looked into this further. The phonograph would have cost initially $250; $254.50 from October 1917; $265.00 from January 1918; and $285 from September 1918. The Diamond Disc phonograph was the subject of one of the greatest campaigns in advertising history beginning in earnest around 1915. I found out the phonograph played the thick Diamond discs using a diamond stylus, no need to change needles. Edison's 10-inch discs played considerably longer than Victor's or Columbia's, up to nearly five minutes per side. The Edison Disc is also ¼-inch thick (supposedly to prevent warping), and was filled with wood flour, and later, china clay. Victor's system could not play Edison Discs as the needles used would cut through the recorded sound, and the Edison system could not play Victor. They were named Diamond Discs because the matching Edison Disc Phonograph was fitted with a permanent conical diamond stylus for playing them. There are two selves in the lower part filled with discs and would have cost $1.15 to $4.25 each when brand new.

Clay is diligently working on the outside when the weather permits. He has had to replace some boards that were damaged and hopes to get the second floor wall on east side ready to paint within the next few weeks.

The Ferguson Market begins June 5, 8:00 – 12:00. You can bring garden produce, flowers, crafts, tools, lawn mowers, and food items. There is a small fee and you can pay that day. Call the museum at 580-623-5069 for more information. Be sure and leave your name and call back number because we don’t have caller ID

Ẇe welcome any volunteers and anyone interested in joining the Friends of the Ferguson Home.