The Somerset press. [volume] (Somerset, Ohio) 1873-1977, 1876-07-07
THE OLDES TINES.
Early RecOlleetiOns- Continued.
Number 10.

Number 10.
From 1904, when few settlers we're
veniuring into the nnbroken forests, till
about the year 1880, while the land-
were being cleared mp. the system Of ag-
aregated labor was, from necessity,
largely adopted d-that IL, throwing the
labor Of a neighborhood together for
the purpose of assisting in raising the
humble cabin or stable. or helping TO !
roll the logs in heaps in the clearings, /.
ready for burning. This was one reason
why the cornty was 20 long in clearing
up. aud besides, the timber was heavy
all over the county. and the underbru-h
required labor and patience to grub up.
A pioneer entering into the woods bad
10 give much Of his time in assisting his
neighbors for four or FIVE miles around,
and he could ssfely count upon their
aid In return.
The old pioneers were all healthy.
stout men. There was something in the
fresh back woods atmosphere that seemed
TO conduce to long life. Take for in
stance, David Pugh, Isaac Reynolds,
Robert Phcrson, Judge Nelson, Thomas
King, Thomas Forsythe, Samuel Ream,
William Spencer, Robert Skinner, John
Yost, John Hammond, Jehu Jones,
George Richard, and, indeed, ] might
name all Of the early settlers, as exam
pies. They all lived to be old men,
never complained of dyspepiic siom-
ache, nor we're they troubled with the
gout. They were the prime instruments
who bewed the country out of the
rough, and gave it the cast Of civiliza
tion.
In those days, too, there was more OF
the whole-sonled, accom- modating, prac-
tical action and love exhibited among
the pioneers than we. their children, ex-
hibit; though but few e them made any
loud projections Of religion. They felt
il duty to help one another. They did
not invoke the Almighty to rain bread
upon those whom they fonnd in want,
or pray that they might be fed in some
mysterious way, but if they had il they
carried il to him, or invited him to
come and get it. The spirit of selfish
meas was really unknown, In this ac-
commodaiing way the pioneers and 9th
ers opened the beautiful fields which we
love to look upon, and which have fur
nishcd focd for the raising Of several
generations since. God bless the pio-
neers, il sny Of them are still living;
and 40 full is my heart Of gratitude that
I am ready to exclaim, "God bless their
children"
There was no wearing out of the hu.
man body in those days. 1t used tc
poss of nnder the weight Of years and
decrepitude. '...
While the men would be rolling logs
or raising the chain, the women-oul
ever o.he.remem bered dear mothers
(they had no ladies in those days
did not know what they were)-woulC
be quilting,or cutting or making clotheI
for the family. II there was no room
in the cabin, the world outside wa
large and the atmosphere pure. The,
would take their abode under some wilt
grape arbor. or under some tree will
thickly overhanging branches. The,
too had their epjoyments. There wer
no conventionalities Of society to ham
per their full intercourse with each 9th
er. Working hard all day, the men AM
women, married and unmarried, unles
too far advanced in life for social sports
expected just as much as they expecte,
the approach Of night, TO put in iron
two to hve hours in dancing. This wa
the almost invariable rule, and peopl
thought no harm OF il, and said thei
prayers after they returned to thei
homes Whether they we're all so igno
rant that they did not know they wer
doing wrong, or whether the presen
dance condemning generation has ad
vanced to a better quality Of heart an
brains, I shall not assume to assume blu
il Is very true, and my remarks will b
borne out by living witnesses, that Tin
social life Of that day was quite as fruit
ful OF good results as that of to-day i
Men and women would go farther to d
their neighbor good than the great ma
jority of people are willing to do nov
The advancement Of country in wealt
and what is called refinement, brins
also with il much Of the spirit of se
fishness, which is neither the child ,
sympathy nor Of religion; nor can
commend itself TO the best judgment ,
man. ttl
While the dance was going on, II
"6ddler," land there was no neighbo
hood 80 poor that they could not affor
one,) sat in one corner of the cabin, su
rounded by lot Of admiring little IL
chins, who always 'swore by the fiddle,
as much as Mike Mains, Thad Dav
and Coddy oyermyer used to swear b
Yankee Robinson
"Scat Brown" Perry county's ol
Surveyor, and John Tolbert, furnisbs
good deal OF the neighborhood mus
on these occasions. Once in n while
happened that the fiddler, by some vi
foreseen circumstance, dropped out, b.
that never stopped the dance. I'll
thing to be done then was to pick o.
the best whistler, and put him in pos
tion. II at any time laughable eve
occurred that caused the whistler
stop, the dance Of course stopped; b
ms soon as he could straighten his mou
all would proceed again.
IL IL hardly necessary to 90 into Il
details OF pioneer cabin, for many
them were perpetuated to the recolle
tion Of the present generation, especia
ly the hiddle-aged people. The fl
ones were mostly square, or very lit
ahlang roum;at;o0 ~ oro ronr, f~o,..