From 1913:
Heat half cup molasses to the boiling point, add a third of a cup of butter, remove from the stove, and when the butter is melted, add gradually, stirring constantly, one cup flour, mixed and sifted with one-third cup sugar and three-fourths tablespoon of ginger.
Drop small portions from the spoon two inches apart on a well buttered inverted dripping pan. Bake in a slow oven, cool slightly, and roll over the handle of a wooden spoon.