USA > Illinois > Johnson County > A history of Johnson County, Illinois > Part 7
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Salt, although needed in small quantities, is a very necessary article in household economy. The salt mines at Equality was the nearest point where that article could be obtained by the residents of Southern Illinois. Since there was no other means of transportation, settlers had to go on horse back, in wagons or cart, and many times one person would bring enough for himself and other neighbors to last a year. Before wagons and wagon roads had come into use the salt was often carried in bags on horse back.
Randolph Casey, whose father settled here in 1808, said when a young man he went as far as Equality to work by
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the day for fifty cents per day at the salt works, or at other times he would go to the river with other men and cut cord wood, which was used for fuel on boats at fifty cents a cord. They had to pay at that time, fifty cents per yard for calico and factory which is known now as domestic. He further says that when his father first settled here, they had to house their pigs, sheep and young calves to keep the wolves from killing them.
While the men were learning in the school of experience the women were not idle. Our first mothers manufactured their own light. The most primitive light was a lamp made by twisting soft cotton rags or thread into a wick, immers- ing it in a vessel filled with grease and leaving one end of this wick sticking up over the edge of the vessel, so that it would burn. Next the tallow candle was introduced as a much more convenient light. A candle mold was a part of the furnishings of every household. These molds were made of tin and large enough to hold six or a dozen candles. The wicks, like the grease lamps were of soft cotton, and were pulled through the molds and made tight at each end. Then, oh what a feat! If mother would let you pour in the melted tallow, fill them full, let them stand till cool, clip the knots and out slips some firm, smooth candles, by which the family could read, sew or study. The candle was fol- lowed by the oil lamp, but now the Delco has out-classed them all, and with a little engine, hidden around somewhere and puffing a short time each day, the house, barn, and outhouses are made almost as light as day.
For many years all cooking was done by the open fire, often only one fireplace to a home, to heat the room and cook the meals. The families who could afford it had the cranes or pieces of iron, both long and short, with a hook on either end, one to hook over, the long iron rod, extending across the fireplace from jam to jam; the other to hang the pot or kettle on. The bread was cooked on a rock by the fire, in a skillet or oven, if these utensils could be had. The skillets and ovens were made of iron and had short legs, which raised them high enough to put hot coals under them. A heavy iron lid fitted over them which was also covered with hot coals. Sometimes the handy father would build a Dutch oven where bread and pastry were baked in large quantities. The cook stove finally made its appearance even in Johnson County, though not in its present form. In the
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first ones the back part was higher than the front and was called a step stove, others had the oven on the back part, with a door on one end and looked very much like an old fashioned wood heating stove set on the back of the cook stove. Owen Peterson, father-in-law of F. B. Thacker, liv- ing then in the southwest section of the county, owned, if not the first, at least one of the first cook stoves in the county. It was a great curosity and people came for miles to see it work.
SOCIAL
The most early social gatherings were doubtless, Mus- ter days. An old lady born in North Carolina, 1809, and reared in Georgia has described these gatherings. She said Muster days were occasions of great gayety and good times, in the mother states. The people dressed in their best, turned out enmasse pleasure bent to the Militia drills. It was a holiday for the public almost as much as the "hang- ings" of that period. Instead of lemonade and peanut venders, ginger bread and cider were sold on the grounds. Since we had the Militia before we had county organization, this custom likely came with the settlers and they observed it in their usual manner. In 1827 the elections were ordered to be held, if no other place had been specified, at the places appointed for the Militia Musters. The first election held in the county was at the house of John Bradshaw in Elvira, October 8, 9 and 10, 1813, for the purpose of going into the second grade of territory. At a glance one would think three days was a long time to hold an election for so limited a population, but when one considers that the voters had to come from the Ohio River on the east, the Mississippi on the west, Cairo and Thebes on the south, the borders of Jackson, Williamson and Saline on the north, the time allotted was short enough. One would not consider ordi- narily an election in the light of a social gathering, but imagine if you can, men meeting here perhaps for the first time, how eager they would be to gather all the news from each other's little sphere, as each settlement was almost a world within itself, with no roads, mails, railroads, news- papers, telegraph, or radio.
Public sales were also a common place for the scattered population to meet. Household utensils and farming imple- ments were scarce in a new country and people came from
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far and near to buy anything that could be had of these conveniences. There was always plenty of free whisky furnished by the estate of the deceased, which may have had something to do with the number attending and the so- cialibility. Really it doesn't seem fair to make a man pay for the treats after he is dead, however, we only have to look at the bills of the adminstrator to realize that such was the case in early times. The larger the sale, the more liquor furnished.
When the farms of the county were being cleared and the new comers were establishing their homes in the forests it called forth many gatherings. The neighbors not only lent their help in this warfare, but participated in the pleasures and pastimes of the period as well. A farmer would spend his time during the winter months cutting down trees, where he wanted a field, making the smaller trees and large branches into firewood. . The boys of the family (and most of the people had boys in those days) would pile the small branches into heaps called brush piles to be burned. There would still be great giants .of the forest scattered thickly on the ground, which must be rolled into heaps, also to be burned. What a waste this seems to us at the present time, when the lack of timber is so keenly felt. The idea of conservation had not entered into the economic plan of the government at that time, not to mention those of the Johnson County farmer. The fol- lowing is a part of an article copied from the Johnson Coun- ty Journal of August 5, 1878: "The writer came to this county in 1843. He says, "the first log rolling I ever had there were twenty or thirty hands, they came with out special invitation. From ten to fifteen acres was the average size of farms. The range, the dog and gun furnished the living. There were a few good farmers who had all necessi- ties and some luxuries, but they were the exception and not the rule. Thirty-five years later the county is one continuous stretch of land under cultivation." He described a Sunday School Convention which he attended in earlier times, and estimated the crowd at two thousand. He also commented on the improvement in the conduct and morals of the citi- zens since those earlier times.
When planting time came near the neighbors all came in, the wives to help with the cooking and quilting, the men to roll the logs, and raise the new house or barn. Each
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man vied with the other to show his strength. It meant much in those days to be considered the strongest man of the neighborhood, as much so, as being on Walter Camp's All American football team does now. At meal time the table would groan with good things to eat, and after the work was done and the shades of evening began to gather, some one present, handy with the fiddle and the bow would 'tune up.' Turkey in the Straw, Arkansaw Traveler, or Money Musk would cause the feet to shuffle and partners for a quadrille would follow; circle all, grand trail back, everybody dance, right hand to partner, grand right and left. There was no bunny hug, Boston Dip, or shimmy; but clean wholesome dances marked that period.
Latter came the apple cuttings which was before the in- vention of the evaporator and apple peeler. The apples must be peeled, cut and dried by hand for market, and this must be done while the sun was hot, consequently all the young folks were asked in; the apples peeled and cut and the pies and cakes passed, then came the social hour, spent in playing snap, drop the handkerchief, blind mans buff, Rhoda Beck a Lina and other games. At present the apples are sold on the trees before they are well grown and we buy them back already dried.
In those olden days when a young man courted a girl he usually went horseback, when he took her to an apple cutting, quilting or to church she rode behind her suitor on his horse. Now a young man must have a Packard or a Rolls Royce, for the young ladies will not even deign to ride in a "tin Lizzie." The husking bee must not be for- gotten, the main feature of which was, that each young man who found a red ear of corn was entitled to kiss the prettiest girl present and strange to say, the same girl did not receive all the kisses. In the social gatherings of the olden times the entertainment took the form of some favor or help to the hostess. The young man took his girl be- hind him on his prancing steed and galloped away to the neighbors where all the belles and beaus were gathered, not just "our crowd" but all the respectable, rich and poor of the community. Some other games beside those men- tioned, were thimble, stagecoach, going to Jerusalem, and selling the forfeits, sometimes cider and gingerbread were served instead of the pie and cake, but the young people
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dispersed not knowing they had not had a perfectly splendid time. Now the hostess must furnish some form of enter- tainment, such as bridge, rook, rummy or Mah Jong, and she would not dare serve refreshments other than expensive cakes, creams, drinks and ices that cost a days hard work of preparation and a sum of money. Only our bunch is invited and the transportation is by auto. Such were some of the amusements of our ancestors and who shall say they were not just as interesting and refined as the present ones.
The infair was an old time custom now obsolete, a couple was usually married at home, a number of guests in- vited. A dinner was served and the couple spent the first night at the bride's home. The next day was called the in- fair; the bride and groom went to the home of the groom's parents where all the neighbors were invited to spend the day, sometimes this was even a more elaborate affair than the wedding. Neighbors and friends accompanied the couple on the second day journey, usually on horseback, and sometimes it was a long procession which followed the newlyweds. No doubt, the popularity of the "wedding party" had much to do with its length. The bride usually wore gray, no matter whether it was becoming or not. The charivari, a barbarous custom of that time as well as this, was indulged in by the young folks of the neighborhood. In early times it was usually conducted by those not bid to the celebration. They went with horns, tin pans, and all the instruments for making a noise, that they could gather and kept up the "hullabaloo" till the groom came out and "treated." Now the bride and groom go away immediately after the ceremony, that is if they have not slipped away and been married a year or six months before the announce- ment. Their friends follow them to the station, pelt them with rice, placard their baggage and play all kinds of jokes on them. The young folks still reserve the right to chari- vari them, even if they should stay away a month. "A runaway" match as it was called, often occurred. The story of one is told in these words, copied from an old letter, written years latter (in 1901) "I stole my wife from the wash place, in 1875, dressed in her everyday clothes, when we got to Mr. D. C. Chapman's, Brother Hiram went in and asked Mrs. Chapman to dress my wife in her clothes, which she did, we went on to Missouri and
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were married, and I am sending you this present in remem- brance of your kindness." Signed H. Wise.
The church and Sunday School did not become factors in the newly settled Johnson County as early as the still and the jail, but followed more slowly, and we trust with a more lasting influence. People would drive for miles to church and the families living near the church had the most company, if they were hospitably inclined. They in- vited those who lived at a distance until sometimes there were as many as fifty guests. The tables were laden with cold ham, baked or fried chicken, dressing, and huge slices of light bread baked the day before in the oven or near the fireplace, pies, cakes, jelly, preserves ; well you can't imagine unless you have sometime been invited just how much and how good everything was. Old Johnson County residents and former ones know, and no one else will believe, there- fore further description is unnecessary. Along this line are gatherings or homecomings observed at the close of so many of our rural schools, which, of course, have come about since the days of free schools. It is a delightful custom where all the former pupils are invited. The patrons fur- nish the dinner and the pupils the entertainment.
One great social with our people, perhaps not with the very first settlers, but a custom begun early and followed religiously until a few years ago, was the free barbecue. The cattle, sheep and hogs were furnished by the neighbors. These animals were dressed the day before. On the morn- ing of the day of the feast, men versed in the art, began their work long before the dawn of day. The animals were roasted whole or in halves over a hot fire which was built in a vat or hole dug out in the ground. The animals were turned and basted with a dressing until by noon they were a delicious viand fit for a king. One very famous barbecue was held at Simpson, 1892. There were said to have been 10,000 people present. Long tables had been spread, under the heavy leaved branches in the grove, with bread, salad, pickles, cakes, pies, coffee and all the necessities for a good dinner, including an abundance of barbecued meat.
The most wonderful part of the story is that, this was all free. After these dinners and sometimes before the crowd was entertained by a good speaker, a minster, a can- didate, or some friend of the candidate. Every body visited
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with every body else, meeting those who lived at a distance and making new friends. On the whole these were pleasant days. The last old time barbecue that was held in Vienna was during the Farmers Institute, 1903, when more than 1000 people were present.
At an old settlers reunion held in Vienna, 1905, more than two thousand were present. The oldest married couple was Mr. and Mrs. Robert Hood, who had been married fifty- six years. The oldest man was J. M. Benson, 82 years old. The oldest woman, Sarah Butler, 99 years, the oldest min- ister was A. W. Carlton, 72 years. The oldest citizen native of the county was George Elkins, born in 1825. The couple with the largest family was Mr. and Mrs. George Jennings who had twelve children.
The populace of this county were naturally a "social set," perhaps too much so to be a financial success. A picnic was at one time a favorite way of celebrating our nation's birthday. Large handbills, naming the place which was usually the county seat, advertising free ice water and good speakers, were sent out weeks before. On the morning of the Fourth, wagons, buggies, hacks and horse back riders would begin to gather from all parts of the county, at the place designated with well filled baskets and a disposition to enjoy themselves. They came to spend the day; visited and discussed the political situation as well as the current events. Many times games of different kinds, such as a sack race, a fat man's race, climbing a greasy pole, and other amusing sports were entered into, but there was always a good speaker and the declaration of independence was read The citizens felt it a duty they owed to the rising genera- tion to show their patriotism and appreciation of what the spirit of '76 had accomplished for us. At the present time if we attempt to celebrate our national holiday, which is seldom done, the address is in the afternon and a few peo- ple come in their cars, spend a short time and rush back home missing the spirit of the occasion.
Sometimes, it seems, the reverence that was formerly given patriotic and memorial days is waning, but let us hope this is imagination. We still have what is known as picnics but they are small parties of people who take their sandwiches, salads and thermos bottles to some shady nook in the evening, eat their meal and return. They do not stay
A HISTORY OF JOHNSON COUNTY
long enough to get a chigre bite, much less a good stock of wood ticks.
One occasion that meant so much to our people in former times was the political campaign, especially in a presidential year. In various parts of the county the people had "Rallies" for their candidates and every one interested in this man would come out on the appointed day. They would form long processions, some horse back, in wagons and others in buggies which were decorated in the national colors, carrying banners with appropriate slogans. The year that President Harrison was the nominee of the repub- lican party, George H. Huffman, who lived at Simpson ten miles away had a float in the procession consisting of a log cabin on an ox wagon with a real coon in the door way. At one demonstration the young men of the county who were to cast their first vote at the coming election dressed in blue trousers and red blouses and carried brooms. They formed one section of the parade and the idea was to make a "clean sweep" for their candidate. The glee club went from place to place wherever there was a political meeting of their party in a wagon built especially for them. During one campaign the ladies of the glee club wore blue dresses trim- med in gold braid, which added nothing to their music but much to their appearance. At night all the men and boys would march to band and song, carrying torchlights, having what was called a "torch-light procession." Then the other side would have a demonstration and thus the interest was kept up. A campaign of this sort would seem odd now and perhaps the quiet campaign is better but it is a question whether it is less expensive to the candidate, one could at least find out which side the voters were on, as they would rarely have the nerve to ride in both processions and could not bleed both candidates so easily.
The automobile makes it easy to compass distance and every body eats at home. In former times when there was an extra occasion in town all ones relation drove in to stay till after dinner. One, two, three and sometimes more wagons would arrive, some coming as late as eleven o'clock ; they did not telephone they were coming, either. You may have hurried around a little and did not serve the dinner in courses, but no one went away hungry and if the day had been a little strenuous for the housewife; it had been an outing and a pleasant day for the visitors.
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The farm bureau picnic has come to be an annual affair of recent origin, which is very enjoyable and tends to instruction as well. The singing conventions were begun in 1915, are very popular, and are held at different places in the county through the spring and summer months. The Vaughn Quartette of Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, are very beautiful singers, they never fail to attend and attract a crowd. There are several quartettes and singers of our own county, the Cypress Quartette, the Lauderdales' of New Burnside, the Underwoods of Ozark, the Lavender family, near Vienna, the Rushing Trio of Simpson, and the Bun- combe Quartette of Buncombe are all faithful to attend and help the community singing.
A social custom prevails in this county in recent years of celebrating birthdays, especially those of the older peo- ple, which is a very pleasant thing to do. All neighbors bring baskets of cooked foods, and come in to spend the day in honor of the birthday of some person of the community. This brings everyone together and makes an occasion for a social gathering.
Saturday July 28, 1923, was a day to be remembered by Mrs. John Harper of Bloomfield and many of her friends. This being the seventy-seventh anniversary of her birth her good husband, children and neighbors had planned a won- derful dinner in her honor. The table was set in the yard under a wide spreading mulberry tree planted by Mr. Har- per when they first settled there. There was food of all kinds and those fortunate enough to be guests can testify to its quality. Mr. and Mrs. Harper began house keeping at this place and have lived there all their married lives (fifty-three years) There were about seventy-five present. Mrs. Fanny Jackson, a cousin of Mrs. Harpers, Mrs. William Corbitt a granddaughter and Mr. and Mrs. P. T. Chapman, of Vienna. All her children and grand- children, except one daughter and son and their families, who live at Centralia, Illinois. The children present were: Mr. and Mrs. Frank Taylor, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Taylor, Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Taylor and Mr. and Mrs. Thomas Clay- ton. This was a happy occasion for all present and the good wishes of every guest for many pleasant birth days for Mrs. Harper were heartily expressed.
The following are some miscellaneous organizations
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and clubs : The Columbian Exposition held in Chicago called into being the Columbian Woman's Club, Miss Anna Dwyer was president and Mrs. Sarah Poor was secretary. The object was to collect the products of woman's labor of this county for display in the Woman's Building, at this exposition. The only things sent for exhibit from here, were jellies canned and preseved fruit. This wonderful celebration to honor our discovery and exhibit to the world the nation's progress was a Mecca for all the ends of the earth, and of course, Johnson County kept pace. Our first visitors were D. L. Chapman and W. B. Bain. There were all together from five to six hundred visitors from the little county of Johnson, some of them going several times.
The state of Illinois was admitted to the Union, 1818, 1918 being the anniversary of that event, each county of the state was supposed to celebrate it, sometime and in some way suitable to themselves. The citizens of this county prepared a program and set aside one day during the County Fair for one part of their celebration, also pre- miums were offered for displays of old pictures, relics, and exhibitions of occupations and customs of earlier times. Some very creditable displays were made in the Art hall. Miss Emma Rebman, county superintendent of schools at that time, appointed a committee of teachers to arrange a display from our county for the Centennial Exhibition at the state fair at Springfield.
The eighteenth federal amendment certainly has wrought a change in this county. The foundation was laid for it years ago. There was a Prohibition Club here in the seventies of which John Clymer, James Slack, M. A. Smith, Green Thacker and others were members. Mrs. Oglesby of Belknap organized Christian Temperance Union Societies in different parts of the county. She organized one in Vienna in 1890. The officers were Mrs. W. I. Dill president, Mrs. George Blanchfill, vice-president; Miss Nora Covington, secretary; Mrs. Betty Burnett, treasurer; Mrs. Emma Smith, corresponding secretary.
But one of the main things that helped to educate the people of this county along this line was the ardent support given the prohibition cause by M. A. Smith, editor of the Johnson County Journal for more than twenty years. The county was cleared of saloons in 1881. The last ones being
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at Simpson and Cypress, but their lives were short as we had as helpers at the time officers who were uncompro- mising in their enforcement of the law. Although we have had prohibition in the county for so many years, we have been continually menaced by the boot legger and the illicit salesman, but a drunken man on the streets is seldom seen in our community at the present time.
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