Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1844-05-14
SIXTY YEARS AGO.

SIXTY YEARS AGO.
We had a conversation few days since.
with a respectable gentlemen of this coun-
ty, who is among the very few whose ear
ly pilgrimage extends beyond the limits of
four score years. OF all his companions
Of youthful labors and amusements, he can
now count up but four or five, who have
thus far escaped the devouring jaws of the
grave, and who stand like the few vene-
rable oaks which spread their decayng
branches amid the vigorous growth of a
youthful race that has sprung up around
them, on the spot where the woodman's
axe had levelled, one by one, their prede-
cessors. We turned the tide Of CONVERSE
ton back upon the times of his youth, and
inquired, not Of the great public events of
that period, but simply Of the ordinary bu-
siness transactions, the habits of the peo-
pie, their amusements, &C., and 1t may
not perhaps, be uninteresting to many Of
our readers to look back upon the domestic
condition Of their ancestors, and see how
'people got along in the good old times"
The farm on which our informant now
resides, and which is among the best in the
country, was purchased by his father about
70 years ago for eleven shilIings per acre,
including the expenses of the survey. The
country west of the Waikiki, was then for
the most part dense forest, with here and
there a clearing, in the centre of which
was a substantial log house. Deer, bears,
wolves, panthers, and other wild animals,
abounded in the forests. The price Of corn
and rye was about Is per bushel. Wheat
would bring is and I'D at New Windsor.
Ncwburg was not yet in existence, or at
least was not a market town, as no boat
sailed from thence.
The p:ice Of labor was $50 year for
good hand. Butter usually sold for Cd
per pound. A good cow was worth S12,
and first rate horse about $50. One
pound of Bohea tea, costing 5 shillings,
was considered sufficient for family, for
one year. This was used only on Sunday
morning, except on the occasion of Il Visit
from friends. Sage tea, and coffee made
from scorched flour, constituted the ordina-
ry beverage of the morning meal. Cali
Goes cost the ladies about six Shlllings q
yard. But woman calculated that one
such dress would last her lifetime and
then make a respectable bequest TO her ell
dest daughter The every day dress of
| females, consisted Of short gown and pet
tcoat, made of fabrics which their own
hands had wrought. And white short
gown and dark skirt formed dress good
enough for social visit or even to attend
church with.
Balls formed very common amusement
in those days, but they were conducted
with great simplicity, and with very little
cost They were held at private houses,
and no refreshments were furnished, en-
ccpt at one in the autumn whi:h was call
ed "a water melon party" when this juicy
fruit was devoured in quantity. To these
balls the young knights proceeded, each
carrying his lady on the crupper Of his
steed, that is, if the animal would allow
this kind of landing, if not, the lass mus,
be placed before the rider. Light, slim
girls were very much in demand in these
times. The heavy ones were too bulky
for this method Of transportation. They
danced in those days. 1t was none of our
light stepping, tripping and skipping, but
| duOWUtiSut iOuCSb HCdl anu lOC tud
made the log houses shake again. When
the ball was ended each one marched in
turn up 10 the operator on catgut, and
forked over his n!nepence, and this was
all the cost there was about the business
The outfit Of a newly married wife, was
extremely simple. Half dozen unpaint-
ed chairs, with high backs, the same num-
Der Of white earthern cups and saucers, q
tramel with hooks 10 match, pair Of stout
andirons, square oaken table, bed with
bedding, and n spinning wheel, were cou-
sidered by the husband pretty fair sort OF
an out set, for II plain woman. AS TO
knives and forks, we once heard our in
formant relate an anecdote which shows
how easily that accommodation was got
along with. A good wife once complain
ed to her husband, that there was a lack
Of knives for the table. Well, said he,
how many of us are therel Why six, was
the reply. "Well let US see how many
knives we have got. There is my knife
and Johns, shuckle-back, broken point, and
cob handle-fve. Now old woman, you
see we don't want but one more"
The friendly feelings which pervaded
society in these times of primitive simpli-
city were manifested in various ways. If
a man needed a dwelling, he had OILY to
give his neighbors notice, and they would
assemble on day appointed, and pu, him
up log house in a hurry. If field was
10 be cleared of its wood, the owner made
frolic, and the thing was done without
cost. IL ond man finished his harvest be-
fore another, he would Immediately pro-
coed to the field OF his neighbor, and there
labour without pay, until the crop was Sc
cured. Such was the sympathies OF form
or days. The progress of wealth and re-
hnement has wrought complete revolu-
ton, and are we better and happier race
than our fore-fathers were?-GoShen De
| u10crdt.
LovE.-Seme writer has remarked, that
the tender sentiment is peculiar To the teens.