Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1885-02-26
Old Time

Ed. Register-In my last / spoke of
bread. Now wish to tell w and girl
readers how the people in eys had to
do in order to make bread. must first
be something to make it of. five wears
ago there were no railroads v the sur
plus grain to market; only ahe rivers
was there any but a home t, so the
people did not raise large fielwheat as
now; corn was the main crop.ff of life.
AS there was little wheat to Ct did not
pay to build large Touring M remem-
Der of but four or five that NE called
Touring mills in this part of tltry zone
on Big river, above Farmingtt on Lit
tie st. Francois river, near hktown,
one on Flat creek, five mileswest of
Caledonia, and one on Black r
Steam mills had not come IL in this
country then. The first steambuilt in
this region was in 1S47, by ReyBerry-
man, near Judge Holloman's.e were
quite a number of little "corn IS" sit
uated throughout the country.
1 must tell you story Of one, mills,
as told to me: A man had bull on a
small stream, to grind corn. I time,
he would fill the hopper, which wo or
three bushels, with corn, set i'll to
grinding and then go to the fiework
AT noon he would ca II at the mi, how
the thing was doing. One day rot to
shut the door, when he left, ain he
came again, he found an old sownade
her way to the mill, and, after reyine
instinct walked, in on the look Dune
thing to eat; she got into the box the
meal went, and soon had it all eai She
discovered that every little white
meal would drop into the box; s9uld
lick that up, and then look up ant for
more. Now did not see this milave
seen several almost as good. Sasee,
dear boys and girls, why bread W al
ways to be had.
There were no threshers andrs:
most of the wheat was tramped ours
es, on floor made for that purpo on
the ground, and cleaned with lales
shaken in the wind. 1t was Il slowe-
some way to get bread, but do n, if
lost any of its sweetness for all tim
have read: "Thou shalt eat brea,e
sweat Of thy brow all the days Of to
Do we not enjoy our bread more We
have toiled for it?
When 1 look back to those early I'd
see all the improvements, helps and
fences that have been brought into u,
hardly realize that have lived in :
age than the present. Do hear som
boys and girls say, "If you had none,
convcniences what did you do to enje
selves?" A great many things; had
rode horseback-you talk about bug
ing! It's no comparison. In ole
when girl put off her short dress
donned her first long one, if her faith
able, she was presented with fine
horse, new saddle, bride and marti
This was her entry into society. 1t
makes my heart warm to think of
horseback rides. AS you ride up
home Of the young lady, a servant
your horse; as he takes the reins you
pieces of silver into his hand; all your
are cared for, and, your horse receiv
pecial attention. When the young Il
ready to ride, the horses are brough
you take the reins of the young lady's
in your left hand resting on the horse:
just before the saddle, STOPPING slight.
your right hand down; she puts her t
your hand, and, with slight spring, S
in the saddle. You hand her the reins
to the other side, and mount your own
which the servant has had in charge
with bow, you are both away. L
there is no position in which young Il
gentleman can appear to so good adv;
as on a good horse.
Then there were the camp-meetings
quarterly meetings, which were great
like GASES In the desert. The old fasl
weddings, where everybody and his
family were expected, and such good
I have not room to tell about. Log 70
house-raising, rail-maulings, corn-hus
&C., in which business and pleasure
combined. There were the poor to ca
for, "For the poor always We have with
l well remember one very cold
neighbor who lived about twelve miles
coming to our house, saw smoke ri>
the woods where no house was; so he
out of his way to see what it meant
found family camped, nearly all sic
no shelter except few poles put up OF
forked sticks and wagon-sheet over
and log fire to keep them from fire
They had nothing but a yoke OF oxen,
little old wagon, which held all their W
possessions, and nothing to eat. Wor
sent to the neighbors to be ready
morning to go and build them cabin,
to take some provisions for them.
O'Clock found about dozen gathered
place, some with oxen, others with saw
axes, and each brought sack of CO
meal, or side Of bacon. We all we
work-some cutting down trees for the
others splittings boards for the roof,
man working with a will. Before mig
had good cabin covered in and chin
fireplace made, and good fire In it.
You think we all felt good, and the poo