USA > Mississippi > Newton County > History of Newton County, Mississippi from 1834 to 1894 > Part 29
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could be had, of about 1,000 yards long. The tracks were laid off in a straight line, running parallel with each other about twenty feet apart and about four feet wide. They were cleared of all timber and roots, and made smooth and packed hard to form a good and safe place for running.
These tracks were free to all who would keep them in good repair, and when a race was made between differ- ent parties the horses were kept and trained for several weeks before the race. During that time the news of the approaching race would be known all over the county and large crowds would assemble to witness the sport. There was no law then - as now - against betting on a horse-race, and much of it was done.
The day appointed came, and the parties to the race came to time and the race was run or forfeit paid by the man backing down. The stakes, that was the money bet on the race, were deposited in the hands of disinterested parties, and two judges on each side were chosen to determine the result of the race on a fair basis. Spectators would go, and large crowds would assemble and station themselves at different parts of the track to get a good view of the racing. Some would go to the head of the track, where the horses were started; some would take their places along the line of the track, but the largest part of the crowd would be at the place where the horses came out of the track. The riders would usually be men of light weight, or youths who were experienced and fearless riders. Each side had a good hickory switch, and if occasion re- quired - which it usually did - used it vigorously on his horse. Two judges were stationed at each end of the track ; the ones at the starting point were to deter- mine which horse had the start of the other; the one getting the start had the distance subtracted from the
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distance he would be from his opponent at the end of the track. If a horse got twenty feet the start of his opponent and came out thirty feet ahead, he was de- clared the winner; if he came out only twenty feet ahead he was declared beaten. Everything was sup- posed to be done fairly, and yet there often occurred difficulties and the money was not given up.
There was great excitement just before the race ; all eyes were on the horses; when the word would be given, "clear the track, the riders are up," every- body looked in one direction ; the horses would be turned by their trainers once or twice, and the last time they would be led down the track and turned loose and told to "go," which they understood ; they were then off at their best speed. These places were noted for excitement and many who did not own the horses would bet, and in this way large amounts of money would change hands. After the first trace other races by other parties, on their ponies and saddle-horses, would take place. The distance would be shortened to about three hundred yards for smaller stock, and much amusement and much small betting was in- dulged in.
These were places of great demoralization and many harmful things came from them. The young men were taught all the wicked practices of gambling and im- moral transactions, and the older men would do things surrounded by these occurrences that they would not otherwise indulge in. It might be safely said that three-fourths of the men who attended horse-races and shooting matches, would bet on them if they had the money. After the race would follow the usual dissipation consequent upon such occasions. Great harm, and no good to society or the country, was the result of these races. The people of the present day
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in this county may congratulate themselves that they are not cursed with horse-racing as in the days of our fathers.
FOURTH OF JULY BARBECUE.
We all know the import of the 4th day of July. On that day, in the year 1876, our independence was declared, and the great struggle that went on for the consummation of that much desired object was accom- plished. After the revolutionary war was over, this 4th of July was considered by all the States a national holiday, to commemorate in the minds of all the gen- erations that followed that period of great peril, and a just appreciation of what was accomplished. In no way was this done more strikingly than when the memorable 4th came on, to have a grand barbecue and invite all the people in the surrounding country. The citizens living in a certain neighborhood would agree among themselves to furnish. the provisions for the oc- casion. A subscription was taken up and each man who felt inclined would furnish his share. This enter- tainment usually consisted of fresh barbecued meats and bread, and sometimes some vegetables. These subscriptions would call for from forty to seventy five carcasses of small animals, such as mutton, pork, kid, and some beef, and a sufficient amount of cooked bread to go with the fresh meat.
In order to prepare this meat nicely, a long pit, from 40 to 100 feet, according to the necessity, was dug about four feet wide and two feet deep. Several hours before the cooking commenced a fire of green wood was put in the pit and reduced to coals, and two sharpened green oak sticks that would reach across the pit, were run through the carcass of each small animal or each quar- ter of beef and laid over the pit to cook. A seasoning
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of salt, pepper and vinegar was made and applied as it cooked, with a mop ; in this way, as the meat cooked, it was well seasoned. Possibly no way of cooking meat is preferable to the barbecue. This meat, on the long green sticks, would be turned alternately from side to side until it was done.
After the dinner was cooked it was placed upon a common table constructed of plank, without cloths, and a general invitation to come to the table. The ladies, who were always present in force, were served first by gallant young men, who usually brought the choice parts to them.
While dinner was being prepared a general enter- tainment was going on at a rude platform or rostrum in an adjoining grove. A suitable man had been selected to read the Declaration of Independence, also a good speaker had been invited to orate upon this occasion and this topic, and the oration on this day was considered a regular "spread eagle," as it spoke of "revolutionary valor." If after the first speech dinner was not ready, some other gentleman, who could speak well extemporaneously, would be called upon to en- tertain the crowd until the meats were done.
A great number of men who came to the public bar- becue were ill-bred, and after getting on the ground became partially drunk, were impatiently waiting for the word, "gentlemen, help yourselves." When the word was given, with knife in hand to carve the mut- ton, pork and beef, often would be heard in the mad rush to dinner a cry of some one imitating the bleat of a sheep or noise of a cow, and many things said and done that disgusted well-fed and well-bred people There were always a few in a large crowd that would behave badly, and show strongly their animal traits of character which predominated. Yet all was free, and
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the badly behaved man who had no self-respect or patriotic pride, who came for a free dinner, filled them- selves and returned to the "grocery" to further imbibe if anybody would "treat them."
There was no aristocracy at one of these patriotic celebrations, but alike the best and wealthiest and worst and poorest, attended them. Ladies were always protected from insults, and, taking them altogether, they were very amusing and interesting events. Every- body that wished heard a good, well prepared and well delivered speech on the liberty of our free republic, got a good meal without cost and had the liberty of getting drunk after dinner.
The wildest scenes sometimes prevailed in the after- . noon of the 4th. Free fights were the order of the day. A barbecue at a town without whisky, would be like "Hamlet without the Prince." Many has been the man that dates the day of a bit nose, a gouged eye, a bruised face and otherwise mutilated body, from the 4th of July, 18-, when he and his neighbor indulged too freely and then fell out and had all this unneces- sary fighting.
Many persons in the South have lost interest in the 4th day of July. This should not be. Southern valor, Southern blood and treasure were as conspicu- ously employed and as lavishly used, and more than in the Northern section in achieving this independence. Therefore it belongs to the Southern people by con- quest and inheritance as well as any other section. Let not the failure of the "Lost Cause" to the South, abate our zeal for the welfare and remembrance of our original Magna Charter, which granted our rights and our liberties.
Not only did our people have grand barbecues on Fourth of July occasions, but at times, when great
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political contests were at stake, such as gubernatorial and presidential elections, the Democrats would have a barbecue and the Whigs would assist. The Whigs would have one and the Democrats would assist. Each political party would attend the other's feast, partake of his bounty and be soundly abused politically ; all was taken in the best of spirits. If the Whig candi- date came first the Democrats would say, just wait until our man comes ; and both parties would come to hear, and sometimes it was a joint discussion, and then both parties would join in the dinner, equally interested and enjoy the severe raspings given the re- spective speakers, and each other's politics. In this way did Prentiss and McNutt, Brown and Matthews, Quitman, Foote, McRae, Davis, Guion, Freeman, Mc- Willie, Singleton, and McClung, and the Yergers, and all the prominent men in politics of those days, in this State, make some of the happiest efforts of their lives. Everything is very much changed now. When the present generation meets it is with much good order.
Many are the entertainments and picnics attended : with the best of order, well-cooked provisions, and in . great abundance, placed on a common table. A va- riety of entertainments for the young as well as the old ; the school children are now always made promi- nent, and do not come as an unknown quantity.
The present manner in which we get up our public entertainments lacks something of the convivial spirit, the strong and often dramatic style of the olden time ; yet the present is more orderly, more conducive to good society, and more in accordance with the age. Let us not forget the old-time barbecue, and the old Fourth of July.
SHOOTING MATCH.
This was another kind of sport much in practice by
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the early settlers of the county. It was not so much indulged in and not so numerously attended, and not with the demoralizing results as the horse-races. These matches were usually attended by the best rifle-shots of the county. Shot-guns were also used in these matches in competition with the rifle; most usually- the stake put up to be shot for was a beef. Some man in the neighborhood would furnish the animal and a price would be set upon it, and parties wishing to shoot would pay a stated amount for a chance to shoot. These "chances" would be priced at a given amount and each chance allowed a shot. One quarter of the beef would be put up and the chances taken and paid for and the shooting commenced. The nearest shot to the cross would take the choice piece. The next nearest would get second choice, and in that way the first quarter would be disposed of. Then a second quarter would be put up, and then a third and fourth, and after the meat was all taken the hide would be "shot off."
If a man shot with rifle he had choice to have rest or to shoot off-hand. If he had a rest the distance would be increased ; if he shot off-hand he would get nearer the target. If a man shot with shot-gun or musket he would select the smallest shot he could find, and would be placed a certain distance with an off-hand shot. Each man had his target, and after the shooting judges would decide as to which were the best shots and nearest the centre of the cross on the target. This kind of sport developed some remarkable marksman- ship, and the Southern men were the best shots, and were more familiar with fire-arms than any soldiers in the late war, and much of their proficiency was from the custom of shooting-matches, and the free use of the gun at home and in a game country. Yet these things had a very demoralizing tendency ; much intemper-
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ance and idleness followed those shooting-matches and led many men to bet money on their ability to " drive the cross" with target rifle either off-hand or with rest.
The days of such amusements are gone from our country, and as many other vices have found lodgment in the great cities, where congenial devotees indulge this sport with many of the other sinful amusements so much practiced.
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CHAPTER XLII.
WEATHER NOTES - THE YELLOW FEVER EPIDEMIC OF 1878-GRAPHIO DESCRIPTION OF THE SCOURGE AT LAKE.
The great freshet in 1833 was considered the largest ever known before or since that time. The coldest weather supposed to have been in the county, was in the winter of 1833 or 1834, notably the " cold Satur- day;" that was a familiar word with all the old cit- izens of the county many years ago. There was also, in February, 1852, a severe cold spell, probably equal to the first one alluded to ; it lasted all the month ; creeks were frozen over, and on small ponds of water the ice was so thick as to bear up horse and rider. In the early part of the year 1885 the thermometer fell to zero in this county. The warmest weather ever re- called in this county was in the year 1854; also 1860 and 1861 were very warm and dry. The year 1855, taking winter and summer, was probably the dryest ever known in this county. It was the first year that the magnetic telegraph had gone through the State, and certain credulous persons ascribed the drouth to the presence of the wires conducting this subtle fluid . called electricity.
The year 1839 was famous for being a good cotton year; so were the years of 1855, 1860 and 1861. Corn was very scarce in 1861, there being but little made the previous year, 1860. The year 1852 had a very
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cold spring and very dry summer, and the cane in the swamps went to seed and then died. Never have the swamps had as good cane since. In the year 1857, the 13th of April, there was a snow that covered the ground one inch deep. This was a fine corn year. One of the most severe killing frosts that destroyed most of the growing crops of corn and cotton was on the 16th of April, 1848. In the year 1870, November 12th, was a severe snow, considered very early for this climate. The leaves on the trees were not killed, which caused the snow to adhere to the leaves, and much timber was broken down. In the year 1868 was probably as heavy snow as ever fell in this county, measuring eight to ten inches.
In the years 1882 and 1883 were the great cyclones in this State. They 'came from the southwest, and passed with great fury, doing much damage, through this county. The year 1882 was when the court-house at Monticello, in Lawrence county, was blown away, and papers from the clerk's office were scattered all over the country, some having been found from that office more than a hundred miles away. The severest storm ever known in our State was supposed to have been in 1883, when the town of Beauregard was de- stroyed. The great falling of meteors, called the "fall- ing of the stars," occurred in 1833. So filled was the whole of the atmosphere with electricity, that it is said the manes and tails of the horses were so charged with it that they felt as if they were frozen.
In the year 1866, the 28th day of May, occurred a wind and rain storm of great severity. The storm was at least one hundred miles wide; did not blow with the severity of a cyclone, but continued a long time, with heavy rain. The result was that more timber was blown down than ever was known. Two years after-
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wards there was more sickness than had ever been ex- perienced in the county.
YELLOW FEVER PANIC OF 1878.
This dreadful scourge, which visited the Southern States, at least the Gulf States and some others, was one of great severity, and caused much suffering and loss of life. The sea-coast cities had so long been ac- customed to visitations of yellow fever that they had become familiar with it, and could not bear the idea- of a strict quarantine, so as to prevent its introduction from ports which are more or less infected with it the year round. Some supposed that the city of New Or- leans was never free from it, and some claimed that it was indigenous. to our coast country. After the rail- roads penetrated the interior, it was found that the fever could be brought by various means into the coun- try, and when it got a start it became epidemic in healthy parts of the State. After the great scourge of 1878 very vigorous measures were passed to prevent the introduction of fever in our midst; nor have we had a general epidemic since. The fever has only pre- vailed in isolated portions of the country, where it was accidentally admitted, no doubt, by carelessness of quarantine officials.
Jacksonville, Florida, has, since 1878, been visited with the scourge with great loss of life. In the year 1893, by the carelessness of quarantine officials, the fever was admitted into Brunswick, Ga., and continued for several months, destroying a large number of lives and generally prostrating commerce.
In the year 1878, the fever appeared very early in New Orleans, probably as early as June or July, and as the fall season approached, came more and more to the interior. Vicksburg became terribly infested with
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it and there was no stoppage of the railroads. Fifty cases per day were reported at Vicksburg with no prospect of its stoppage. About the 1st of September it reached Lake ; on the 11th day of that month the citizens left the town of Newton. Several days before this a number of cases had occurred at Lawrence and vicinity. About this time a general quarantine was declared, stopping all trains, all mails and all travel in the county which would cause the spread of disease.
All communication was cut off except by telegraph. -The people on the railroad towns were panic-stricken. Never had there been such consternation and fear of approaching disease. The sufferings of the towns in the State. were terrible to read of and contemplate. Thousands of persons in this State died, and many more thousands had the disease and recovered. Im- mediately after the epidemic, Col. J. L. Power, Grand Secretary of Masons, and Grand Treasurer of Odd Fellows, published a pamphlet report, giving many graphic and pathetic details of the great affliction. Our neighboring town of Lake is put down as having a population of 350; total cases of yellow fever, 330 ; total number of deaths, 80. Several citizens of Lake had removed to Newton county. Dr. F. E. Daniel, who had been assigned to duty at Lake by the Howard Association, at Jackson, made the following report :
"One physician and four nurses arrived from Vicks- burg ; more needed. We want mattresses and blank . ets, also a druggist, and a cook. for the soup house. Every household is broken up; not a family has es- caped the fever.
"After the storm many new graves sunk and emitted extremely offensive odors, which attracted the buz- zards. Of course it was remedied, but seems to have . strongly impressed the prevailing fever, which hereto- 29
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fore, although malignant in many cases, was amenable to treatment. It is now unmanageable, and treatment heretofore successful beyond the average results, ap- pears to make no impression whatever. Many cases have black vomit in the first stage (during the fever) and sometimes in a few houses after being attacked.
"The wind was from the north after the storm, and the grave yard is north and near the town ; an excel- lent family, seven in number, living nearest the grave- yard, were all attacked at once, and most violently. They are, Mrs. Hugh McFarland, whose husband died recently, her three children (two now dying), her sister, Miss Fannie Sanders, her mother and father, Mr. and Mrs. P. Sanders. Dr. Gresham, of Forest, is in the same house, now convalescent. Among the recent cases, in addition to those above mentioned, are Capt. W. M. Thornton, President of the Citizens' Aid Asso- ciation ; he is doing well. His wife is convalescent ; also Col. D. S. Holmes and wife; their son is very sick. The last deaths are Miss Lula Lowery, Col. Yar- borough, Mayor of Lake, and his wife. Several of the Lowery children are now down. You can form no idea of the suffering and distress here ; the houses are gen- erally small, and several patients in the same room frequently. Many die who could be cured under more favorable circumstances. Frequently the shock of seeing a child or husband, or brother die, and be car ried out, instantly prostrates the patient previously doing well. This fever was extinguished here at one time, but the people, deceived by the appearance of safety, opened up the infected houses and aired the bedding. and the next day we had some twenty new cases. Meridian has been and is still supplying us with everything.
"The facts with regard the gasses arising from the
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graves and the airing of the infected bedding, are sig- nificant and important, and emphasize the necessity of the utmost caution and most stringent measures to prevent the spread of the deadly plague."
"The county continued in a state of quarantine until about the first of November-after a white frost and all danger of the fever was over. No county can be too particular in preventing the spread of an infectious disease; strict quarantine against infected districts will do the work, though it may stop all business for a time. After the return of the people to their homes on the railroad, business was resumed, and by the first of the year 1879, there was no appearance of the dis- tress save in those stricken towns that the fever vis- ited.
ROBBING TREASURER PORTIS.
One of the most important officers in the county is its treasurer; who is expected to be a man of great honesty and to have good business qualities.
In the long succession of years Newton county has never lost anything by her elected treasurers. If any deficit occurred it has been made up by the bondsmen. The robbing of Capt. J. C. Portis, treasurer of New- ton county, has always been a mystery, and the peo- ple of the county naturally feel some anxiety to know how it occurred. The circumstances as stated by the ex-treasurer himself are given, and thus it will be fair- ly placed before the people. Capt. Portis is a Con- gregational-Methodist minister, was an active soldier in the late war; belonging to Company B., 8th Mis- sissippi Infantry. The company to which he belonged had many hard conflicts ; was with Gen'l Bragg in his famous Kentucky and Tennessee campaign ; was in the battles of Mumfordsville and Perryville, and
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Stone River; on the 20th of September, 1863, was at the battle of Chickamauga, which is considered one of the most desperate battles of the late war; where a greater per cent. were killed than in any engagement between the States ; he was at Missionary Ridge, Look- out Mountain-styled the "battle above the clouds"; and Capt. Portis says the "most sublime conflict recorded in the history of modern warfare." He was in the opening of the Georgia campaign in 1864, and on the 14th of May of that year, in a charge on the enemy's battery, was wounded in the right arm, which necessi- tated amputation at the shoulder-joint. In this con- dition he returned home, and in 1871 was elected county assessor, and served one term; was then elec- ted county treasurer in 1875, and served four terms.
Capt. Portis says, on the evening of November, 1882, while on his return from Decatur, where he had been on business connected with his office, and when within one and one-half miles of his home at Union, that he was attacked by two masked highwaymen, taken from his horse and robbed of $1380. No definite clue was ever obtained as to who committed the dastardly act. Capt. Portis and his bondsmen, who compose some of the best men in the county (twenty-six in number), promptly paid the full amount of the deficit to the county treasury. While some censured Capt. Portis, he still continued to hold the office for fourteen months, and until the close of the term. Capt. Portis, at the solicitation of friends, ran for the office again, but was defeated by Capt. F. B. Loper. The amount paid by ; Capt. Portis' bondsmen was secured to them by him, which required nearly all his real and personal prop- erty. This deficiency to the bondsmen has nearly all been paid-only about $200 behind. Capt. Portis ex- presses great gratitude to his friends, who so cheer-
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