Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-06-09

Pioneer Frolios, stews, WEDDINGS, Rte.
The Mansfield Herald some time since pub
lished interesting sketches ofthe early history
Of Richland County, From one of them We
clip what is said Of the frst settlers in the
wilderness, their
cUsroMs MANNERS, PARTIES &c.
We have already remarked that one Of the
distinguishing characteristics Of the early
settlers was iraternh affection. They were
emphatically a community of brethren
They felt as one family, and acted upon the
principle that common interest depended upon
the security Of the interests Of individuals,
and that the general welfare and security OF
the neighborhood consisted in individual pro-
lection, and TOR this purpose each settler made
Il part Of his business to aid his neighbor, on
every Necessary occasion. There was no dis
tinedon Of party, no religious bigoty, in
tolerance or religious feuds, because all were
considered on the same level, and were under
the same government which was social
democracy, in which was carried out the fun
damental, aud primal principles of self gov
eminent,
At their social parties, the occasions were
improved in the commonest style; the GER
emonies Weresbut few, aud fornsllties were
considered nnisances. On such occasions, a
puncheon table minus table cloth was spread
over with the most substantial refreshments.
Among these we mention POHs as dessert CAKE,
and leild turkey (which had been gobbling In
the woods the day before) was served up
upon a wooden or pewter dish. Metheglin
aud old rye whiskey the only articles not
indigenous, were the common beverages which
ashed il down; for the reader must bear in
mind, that in those days, sORs and daughters,
were far from being sons and daughters OF
temperance.
Such occasions generally wound up with a
dance, in which old and young participated,
and often for want Of violin music, some
good singers or whistlers were selected from
the party TO grind out music for the occasion,
In those DAYS cotillons were unknown but
iigs, four handed reels, double shufies and
break downs were ali the rage.
ONE OF THE NEw COUNTRY sTEws.
Again, at rolling or chopping frolics i,
was, in some places, customary to treat the
company with what was denominated stew,
which was prepared as follows;
In the first place large iron kettle was
placed upon three stones resting upon the
ground, and FIRE kindled underneath. Into
this kettle was then poured several gallons Of
water, sufficient maple sugar to sweeten il a
few ounces allspiee, one or two pounds Of but
ter, and finally as much whiskey as was
deemed necessary 10 give it the Zest. AL
these simples were boiled together for some
minutes, and then the kettle was taken from
the fire, and set upon the ground at another
place, and when the compound thus formed
was sufficiently cool TO be palatable, the
whole company surrounded it, and each one
helped himselfto as much Of the good thing, D
as he wanted.
As a natural consequence the company
would become quite merry over this treat
and each one would feel himself the Sampson
or hero Of the party, and would challenge hi:
neighbor to wrestle, run, hop jump, shoot a
mark. or even fight if nothing else would
answer. This last exercise, was, however,
very rare in the first settlement and only
became more frequent as the country became
more settled.
WEDDING PARTiES-RAclNG FOR THk b0IfLk
As already remarked the social amuse
ments Of the early settlers proceeded from
matters Of necessity; q log cabin raising, los
rolling OF chopping holic, was generally az
companied with a quilt ig, or something o
this sort which brought together the young
folks Of both sexes.
There were perhaps no occasions more truly
oonvivial than weddings, description Of one
ofthese is as follows:
The parties assemble on the wedding day
at the cabin of the bride, and after the nup-
tials are celebrated, they enter into tho full
enjoyment of all manner Of fun and trolie
most generally ending with " hoe doicn.
About ten O'Clock or midnight the bride
was allowed to retire, accompanied by hel
attendants and if the groom could give has at
tenddlts the slip, and retire without theil
knowledge, they this attendants) then becain'
/ the objects Of sport for all the rest of tht
i company, and were most effectually q1Hzzed
On the next day the parties met at The
house Of the groom TO enjoy the utdiT. Bu
before reaching the house, part Of the COM
/ pany, wonld ride, with full speed TO the
house for the bottle, always ready on sucf
occasions, and the return andtre the com
pany taking care 70 give the bride and groom
the first pull. The one who got the bottle
/ first became the hero Of the day, upon whom
were bestowed the approving smiles OF th'
fair ser.