This “Memorabilia” book by Bess Lucas Koontz is a valuable resource that tells about her life and how times have changed. Bess (1896-1988) was a Latin and English teacher at the former Fincastle High School and grew up at the old Lucas homestead. Her mother’s ancestors were Huguenots who fled to the colonies for religious freedom in the early 1700s. In her book she writes a story about her pet lamb who was poisoned by strychnine used to kill the crows. There is the tale of a 4-year-old being saved by his 6-year-old caretaker who pulled him from the spring branch while playing on the farm. She tells about “stopping only to get the pails of milk from the spring house to carry home…where 16 or more people sat down to each meal.” Benton Bolton donated this book which is available at the Botetourt History Museum for research.
~ Botetourt Museum of History & Culture
