davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-05-27
ECHOES OF LONG AGO.
A Section Whore the Old Mill
Songs Are Still Heard.
Tho Darkics' Quarters" on Desolsto
Plantatton-Tho Old Hand Mill Mt
WOrk-The Song and Poetry
of Slavery Days.
[coPYRIGHT, 1911

[COPYRIGHT, 1891.
Many are the curious relics of tho
"old regime" to be found in the 'black
districts" of South Carolina Wherever
the whites are in the majority, progress
has modernizcd the customs; new ideas
and new discoveries have been adopted,
and the good old fashions are memories
only. But on many of the old cotton
and rice plantations in tho 'blnck dis
tricts"-long since deserted by their
former owners. but still occupied by
gray-hcaded remnant of cX-slaves, their
children and their children's children
tho condition of affairs is very different.
Here there has been no progreSs-Quito
the opposite, indeed-and here many Of
the primitive usagcs of thirty y-ears ago
arc still in vogue.
But before speaking further of the
relics, word for the old plantations on
which they may be found. The old
plantations are interesting enough, be-
cause Of their former beauty and the
luxury OF their former appointments
because of their present dilapidation
and the wild picturesquencss that sur
rounds them. To begin fttingly, here
is the "big gate" at the entrance of the
long avenue, bordercd by moss-man-
tied century oaks-hcrc ,cas the gate
to-day it is gone like the fencing, for
only zig-zag ridge of rotten plank and
post winds through the riotous thicllct
and marks the line of the old fence.
The avenue is knee deep in dead leaves,
the oaks are fcttcrcd by grape vines,
dropping under tons OF moss, and from
long neglect look like company of
bushy-hcaded giants drawn up in battle
array against the gcnii of the weird sol
itudes about them. The once handsome
dwelling at the end of the avenue is
lettering to the fall; shorn of steps,
shutters, window-pancs; pillagcd of
every portable ornament rotting and
ruined. The smole-house, with it's
hundred diamond-shnped eyes, through
which clouds of snowy smoke were
wont to ooze, after enveloping the fresh
addressed hams hanging from the cell
ing inside, and thus helping to ''cure"
them; the kitchen, wherein three hun
dred and sixtyfve feasts per annum
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-05-27
BOAT SONG.

In singing the above song the negroes
adhere to their general rule of leading
part and chorus. Peter. for example,
sings: "Oh the ship is out"-and stops;
the others sing: "a sailing" etc In
the second part Peter sings: SISTER
Katrin"-and the others: Hole you
light, and all: Ion Canaan sho'."
have said that in this song there is
religion, poetry and pathos. When |
explain that the Sister Katrin," or the
"Bruddcr Thomas" who arc asked to
''hold their light on Canaan Shore" are
the relatives or friends who have re.
Gently departed, others will, perhaps,
agree with me.
And what of the tune? The magma
ton must assist those who would be
pleased with it. At regular intervals it
must be punctuated with the strokes of
the oars; and the manner of singing it,
the different parts-must be rcincm-
bercd! The pathos in the words, TOO,
and the rivcr-often the night and the
moonlight 1t is not an imaginary tune,
but one which have known from infan-
cy. 1t is as popular to-day as rcmcm Der
it quarter Of a century ago, and as
presented it is absolutely correct as to
time as well as music. The words are
also negro words. Who composed them
Heaven knows, but learned them
when ] learned the tune.
W. 3. SEABRooX.
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-05-27
Big Story of Small Things.

In curious old work entitled "Tho
Curiositics Of London" we find the fol-
lowing particulars concerning a minute
paddock: I'm the twentieth year of the
reign Of Queen Elizabeth, Mark Scarliot.
blacksmith, made n lock consisting of
eleven pieces of iron, steel and brass.
all OF which, together with the key.
weighed but half n grain. lie also made
chain of gold, consisting of forty-three
links, which after fastening it to the
lock and key above mentioned, he put
about the neck Of q common flea. the
whole being SO minute that the little
insect could draw them over silver
plate with perfect ease. All of these
together, lock and key, chain and nca,
weighed slight fraction less than one
grain and half."-Chicago Journal
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-05-27

Near the outer edge Of the upper
stone there is notch an inch deep and
an inch or more in diameter. Into this
notch fits the upright pole which is
graspcd by the hands of the grinders.
The top of this pole runs through a hole
i'll horizontal plank supported by two
uprights ut u distance of about four
feet above the stone. The hole through
the plank is much too large for the pole,
leaving plenty of room for the play"
which is required.
And now, when all is ready, let it be
remembered that the cone fits loosely
over the top of the iron rod, the upper
milestone fits loosely over the cone, and
the bar runs loosely through the lower
stone.
The rest is plain. The men as they
stand exert their strength-one pushing,
the other pulling; tho upper stone re-
wolves, slowly ut first, for it weighs
several hundsed pounds; then faster and
faster, until it rushes around with a
speed that would take it across the
country at twenty miles an hour, did it
suddenly jump from it's position and
strike terra firma at the proper angle.
No prentice hand" can feed the
mill" Only those who are adopts
ever venture to try it, for tho speed of
the rushing stone Is never slackened IN
the least while the mill is being fed. n
With the utmost ease and grace the ac-
customed hand drops the grain into the
''mouth"-the hole in the center of the
upper stone-without allowing the rap
idly revolving pole to strike his nrm-a
catastrophe to be dreaded as one would
dread the blow of sledge hammer.
And the feeder does his work with one
hand, be it remembered, while he helps
to turn the stone with the other.
The better to comprehend what be-
comes of the corn after being fed" to
the mill, let us imagine the upper mill
stone wheel. the mouth" then,
would be at the hub, and the tire,
around the rim of the stone. The corn
disappears ut the hub and flies out, in
the shape of grist, at the tire, from be-
tween the stones, being showcrcd
against the four sides of the mill-framc
as sand flies from rapidly moving
wheel.
But what of the mill songs?
From the long, long ago, there comes
to me even as l write, that rushing
sound which nothing can initiate, and
its energetic accompaniment. With the
eye of memory see again the old quar-
tiers and the old mill, and Minda, Nina,
Pompey and Peter grouped around it.
AS usual, they are singing; as usual
Minda leads, and this is what they sing:
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-05-27
THE ROANOKE DEVELOPMENT COM
PANY.
THE ROANOKE DEVELOPMENT COM
pANY.

Is prepared to negotiate with
responsible parties seeking the
Best Location in Virginia for
Manufacturing P u p os e S.
Fuel, Raw Material and Labor
can be obtained aud handled
at this point to the greatest
advantage.
The Fine Table Lands
along the Roanoke river are
exceptionally we'll adapted for
INDUSTRIAL BUILDING SITES.
Rapid Transit by Electric
Railway to the center of the
city has been assured.
Ample Railroad Facilities
for shipment to and from all
points North and South.
1t has already located four
large and valuable industries,
employing over 600 hands.
For particulars apply to
ARLINGTON GILPIN.
General Manager Roanoke
Development Company, Roa-
noke, Va.
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-05-27
l55;;StISS4a@ 5Ef i}1E Tle efT1Sf99
III stG"s esi K. Some 0a 5a1 '%'q bum
..Beat e.u2 es&t UNI bum n
aesdI iSrts eat ap bury d
MORTAR AND pEsTLE SONG.

take it for granted that few if any,
of our Northern friends have ever seen
the negroes shout. Come, do not mean
that a ''shout" such as Mr.. Webster de-
fines may be seen, nor do refer at all
to Mr.. Wcbstcr's shout. To shout, ac-
cording to the colorcd country folk, is
TO engage in Il religious dance, and to
this dance alone is reference made. The
act Of shouting is grotesquc enough.
On certain nights of the week and
often on Sundays during the day the in
habitants of the plantations in the
black districts gather themselves to-
gcthcrby prcalrangcmcnt-G generally at
ono of their cabins-for purposes pious.
When all is ready and the exercises are
about to begin, when the aged are scat
cd upon stools and benches against the
walls, and the children are snugly
packed away between their legs; a
'brcdder," or brother ii. c., church
mcmbcr), raises himself and his voice
in prayer beginning, continuing and
ending with slight variations) much in
this wise: ''Oh! dow good shoppord
(shcpherd) whom we wash up (wor-
ship all, hab MASSEY pun desc outda-
dacious (aud;cious) Sinnahs, which is
cat Of dc pnforbiddcn fruit when or
know say ain Cor fetch" SHOULD
not be touchcd.) PUN all desc ex-
monstrous, ondcstunt (indccent) sim
nah-ah," etc, etc After the prayer the
shouting begins Another BREEDER, n
or pcrchancc a sister, raises tune af-
flictcd with mclancholia; the juveniles
and the middlc-aged take their places
in the center of the room and march in
circle; Il back to each breast, like a
company of soldiers in single file, each
hip supporting the hands of the sinner
next behind it. In this circle male and
fepalc alternatc-a man, woman,
aV boy, gal" etc, aud tho
dancing is done in perfect time
with the music, which latter is
furnished by the voices and the hand
clapping of the wall-Howcrs. To de-
scribe the dance is beyond me, the con-
tortions of body, legs and arms being
simply indescribablc. can only fur
nish some specimens of the shouting
hymns, and here they are:
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-05-27
SALEM
THE ELECTION.
The Democrats Working for
Victory.
ROANOKE TIMES BUREAU,
HOTEL LUCERNE, SALEM, VA.

Tho election of county officers takes
place Thursday, and although tho cam
paign has been a singularly quiet one,
it is expected that there will be an in
terest:ng time Thursday, when comes
the slug of war;
The Democrats are making strong
fight to capture the county, which has
been Republican for years past. They
are we'll organized and the ticket they
have naminated in convention is as fol-
lows: VIM. McCauley, for clerk of the
court; George News, for county treas
urer; G. w. Zircle, for sheriff; w. w.
Ballard, for commemorative attorney;
John Garst, for commissioner of the
revenue for the First district, and David
Il. Kefauver, for commissioner of rev.
enue for the Second district These arc
the principal candidates.
The Republicans are not organized.
They have had no nominating conven-
ton, but all their candidates arc run
ming Independently. Mr.. McCauley,
for clerk, and Mr.. Iirkle, for sheriff,
have no opposition. In fact, THE TIMES
correspondent has information to the
effect that the names of McCauley and
LlrClc, DeiQOCrdClC CdluludteS, WILL p
pear on the Republican ballots on the
day of election, along with the names
of j. S. Baer, who is the Republican
candidate for commemorative attorney.
and VIM. NJ. Barnitz, the Republican
candidate for treasurer.
1t is expected that the contest be-
tween Major Ballard and Mr.. Bacr will
be close, although the Democrats are
confident of coming out victorious The
Republicans claim that they will elect
both Baer and Barnitz.
The Democrats base their hopes
largely upon the large number of voters
OF that party who have settled here
since "thc BOOM and also upon the
fact that a number of anti Malone Re-
publicans will vote the Democratic
ticket and lend their influence to
insure its success.
John Garst is opposed by G. b. Fitz-
gerald for commissioner of the revenue
in the first district and in the second
district d. Il. Kefauver has two Repub-
lican opponents for the same office
John NJ. Whitescll and Jas. e.. Richard
son, who will probably nullify each
others strength and render Kafauver's
election a certainty.
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-05-27
GFE]|@8HGHAE8
MiQda) Tim ur esI dsa.(0hers)-uu urq r0un.
sus ten 10 de- JoQ-Hul souns
Keep d tun nin. sU3 Ter hos
H. re bun eias "rean DE- PCT "a.
MILL. SONG.

Now and again Pompey or Peter gives
vent to resounding ''whooper," but
with this exception the doleful monot-
ony of the chant is never broken until
the corn sack is empty, OF until there is
pause to change the tune for another
equally as dismal and monotonous.
Another chant which comes to mind
is one that better suits the mortar and
pcstle for boating rice. TO this tune
l can not recall any fixed set of words,
but as all negro ballads sung to beguilc
the hours OF labor invariably contain
some reference to the work of the mo
mcnt, the following words will come
very closely to the mark. The tune,
however, is Ii bona fidc BLACK district
gem:
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-05-27
THE ROANOKE DEVELOPMENT COM
PANY.

One of the valua Die industries secured
by the Roanoke Development Company
is the Norwich Lock Manufacturing
Company, manufacturers of all Shelf
llardw Cor Builders purposes. Their
goods arc known throughout the entire
country TO be tirst-class. 1t is therefore
important that all industrial concerns
using this class of goods should know
that they con locate in Roanoke to great
advantage. This is particularly appli-
cable to Door, Sash and Blind Manu-
facturcrs, rs we'll as to many others
For particulars address
ARLINGTON GlLPIN,
General Manager Roanoke Develop
ment Company, Roanoke, Va.
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-05-27
ARTHlM GTON GsLPlN,
THE ROANOKE DEVELOPMENT COM.
PANY.

Among the industries located by the
Roanoke Development Company is the
Duvall Engine Company, manufacturers
Of steam engines and boilers. About
10000 already in use in the South. This
company is equipped to furnish castings
for machinery, and make repairs to all
classes of machinery, boilers, etc., etc.
1t will make great change through
this section of the South, shortening
the haul Oh all its manufactures hun
dreds Of miles over Northern COMPETE
tors, besides furnishing superior pro-
duction. For particulars address
ARLINGTON GILPlN,
General Manager Roanoke Develop
ment Company, Roanoke, Va.
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-05-27
RAILROADS.
N s & :: w HgffoIksWestern RI.

Ek2xQ0k-4k6xNk21
SCHEDULE IN EFFECT MAY 81, 1891,
wEsTBouND, LEAVE ROANOKE DAILY.
,:55 u. III. Arrives Radford 9:25 a. H., connect
ing ut Hadf0rd with New River branch
leaving daily ut 9:il Il. m. Bristol LIS d. M:
connects with L. Il. Va G. Il. X. for ali
points South
l0.lu a. M. Arrives Bristol 40 p. IN. Stops at
al stations. Has no connection with New
River train.
625 p. m, Arrives Bristol ll35 D. IN. Connects
ing tadford 500 p. III. daily for Blueiicid
nnd Pocahontas. Connects ut Bristol with
u. \. v; G. Il. X. for all points South
i:53 p. IN. daily for Radfurd and Intermediates
stltions. Has no connection beyond Rad
NORTH AND EAsTBOuND, LEAVE ROANOKE
DAILY.
o3o a.. m. for Lynchburg, Petersburg and
folk. noo''oii ior NUT
12.50 p. m. for Hagerstown, Harrisburg pb,1a-
oolpnia and New York. Has through Pull
man Shoppers. N'
l2:45 p; III. daily for Lynchburg Petersburg.
Richmond and Norfolk. ~
800 pm. daily. Arrives Lynchburp 73Op m
640 p IN. for Basic, Shenandoah and interma
dato stations. va o-
1l20 p. IN. for Lynchburg, Petersburg. Rich
mond and Norfolk Has slccper FOR Nor
folk and Richmond. IVA 'oi-
ll2O p. IN. for Hagerstown, HARRISBURG Phi,a-
dclphia and New York. Has through Pull
man slcepers to New York and to Wnshinv
r.. X. " ~ o
Office or to w H. f5EVIIT
General Passenger Agent. konnoko Va
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-05-27
County Court, Session.

FINcAsTLE, May 26.-lSpcclal The
circuit court of tho county commenced
here to-day, Judge Ii. L. Blair prcsid
ing There are very few cases of i'm
portance on tho docket, and tho term
will be short ono The principal case
is that of Charles Reed against tho
Norfolk and Western for $1,000 dam.
ages
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-05-27
DIR. Bakers Trial POSTPONED.

ABINGDON, Va, May 26.-ISpociall-
Trial of the Baker case has boon con-
tinued until tho next term Of the county
court owing to the absence of several
material witnesses for the common
wealth.
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-05-27
The Roanoke Development Com.
pany.

The Bridgewatcr Carriage Works, with
an enlarged plant and increased capital,
will go at once upon the property of the
Roanoke Development Company. No
section of the United States Of tho same
population is buying as many fine car
riages as Southwest Virginia. 1t is pre-
pared to furnish all kinds of vehicles.
Manufacturers of spokes, hubs and
wheels, springs, tires, aXlcs and other
parts of carriages ana wagons, will find
at Roanoke center for their industries
for which market of hundreds of miles
in extent is ready and active. Tho tim
Der supply is ineXhaustable and of the
best qualities. In the same line har.
ness and leather manufacturers will
find markets which need no drumming.
The Roanoke Development Company
desires to negotiate with such industries.
For further particulars address
ARLINGTON GiLPlN,
General Manager Roanoke Develop
ment Company, Roanoke, Va.
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-05-27

GREAT SACRIFIcE.-TWo SEC
~ ond-hand thoroughbred Columbus
buggies at remarkably low figures for
sale at SALEM CARRIAGE WORKS
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-05-27
ARLINGTON GILPIN,
THE ROANOKE DEVELOPMENT COM
PANY.


Another of the valuable industries Sc
cured by the Roanoke Development
Company is the Virginia Blanket Mills,
manufacturers of wooden blankets of all
grades, spinners of yarn, and scourers
and sorters of wool. These mills will
secure the pick of the fceccs of South
west Virginia, where the shcepraising
industry is developing more rapidly and
more probably than in any other part
of the United States. Manufacturers
of fine cloths should seize the opportu-
nifty to locate in the midst of a wool
raising country and close to their yarn
supplies For further information adj
dress,
ARLINGTON GsLPlN,
General Manager Roanoke Develop
mcnt Company, Roanoke, Va
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-05-27
Tho Ivy and tho Oak.

The more the girls pine for some
young men, the moro spruce they be.
come.-Epoch.
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-05-27
suns bio saek on me-

But OF all the old plantation songs
that haunt me like an echo of the past.
the following boat song is perhaps tho
most worthy of consideration. Whether
the lines rhyme or not, there is poetry
in them, and there is religion and
pathos in them. l quote several Of the
lines and give the Sune below:
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-05-27

The greatest offer ever made Tho
weekly edition OF The Times for one wear
and your choice Of either Dickens or
Waverly novels complete for So
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-05-27

DR.. Samuel G. Staples has removed
his Office TO los Henry street my7-1m.
The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-05-27

G A. s. o. X. II. co.
TINE TABLE TO TAKE EFFECT 1a.o1 A NJ
SUNDAY, MARCH Is, 1891
The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1891-07-09
THE OLDEST LIVING NAG.

A Kcntucky Animal That Carries Deep
Scar from the Mexican War. t
The Oldest horse on record is owned
by Maj. Robert Mas, Of Louisville, KY,
who possesses papers proving its age to
be something over forty-seven years,
says the Memphis Commercial Ivan
hoe, as he Is called, is a large bay.
with white spot on his forehead, and.
up to a few years ago, Of gentle, af-
fectionate disposition, but has grown
peevish and capricious with his increas-
ing age. This, however, is only shown
toward strangers, while he is devoted to
his master and his children, who play
about him with perfect fearlessness.
Ivanhoe was stolen several times dur
ing the civil war, but invariably made
his way back in safety to his pasture,
having contrived in some way to escape
from his captors.
He bears on the right flank the scar
Of gunshot wound received in the
Mexican war, at the battle Of Buena
Vista, while ridden by Maj. Mas
grandfather. It is over thirty years
since Ivanhoe has known bride or har-
ness. but spends his days stroling about
his pasture. into which he will allow
no other horses to be placed, but will
resent all intrusions with vigorous
use Of his teeth and heels. His facul-
ties all appear unimpaired. with the ex-
ception Of q total deafness, resulting
from . severe attack Of disease prev.
alent Q few years ago.
Far from being feeble, Ivanhoe moves
brislkly about, and win often permit two
or three Of the younger children to
mount and ride him about the pasture.
He has, however, lost nearly all OF his
teeth, and lives upon boiled corn and
other soft food He made his last ap-
pearsnce In public at the cattle fair held
In Lexington last fall, and came home
completely denuded Of his name and
tail. by people securing thus relics OF
the oldest horse known.
The News-Herald. [volume] (Hillsboro, Highland Co., Ohio) 1886-1973, 1891-07-09
RAINFALL AND TEMPERATURE.
Population In the United States Densest
with Moderate Rainfall. AZ

Population In the United States Densest
with Moderate Rainfall s
The census bureau has ascertained
that the main body of the population Of
the country inhabits the region in which
the annual rainfall is between 30 and 80
inches, three-fourths OF the Inhabitants
or thereabouts being found there. On
either side, as the rainfall increases or
diminishes, the population diminishes
rapidly.
The arid region Of the west, says the
Pittsburgh Chronicle Telegraph, where
the rainfall is less than 80 inches-a re-
gion which comprises two-fifths Of the
entire area Of the country-contains at
present less than per cent. Of the
population. The greatest density OF
population is in the area enjoying from
40 to 80 inches of annual RAINFALL the
average of this region being SO inhabit-
ants to the square mile.
The most favorable conditions Of hui
man life would seem to exist where it is
neither too wet nor too dry, and we
have had an illustration of this lately
in the large increase Of the death rate
from diseases induced or fostered by ex-
cessively wet weather.
The census bureau also investigated
the distribution of population with ref
erence to the mean annual tempera-
ture. Elaborate tables are given
which show that in 1870, 1880 and 1890.
more than half the population was iv-
ing under a temperature between 45
and 55 degrees, and that between As
or, -,
cent. Of the inhabitants. Only trile
over per cent were living where the
temperature was greater than 10 de-
grees, while in the region whose tenn
perature was above rs degrees the num-
Der Of inhabitants was trifing.
The number of inhabitants to the
square mile not only expresses the dem
sity Of population but also gives
comparative measure Of the absolute
number and the increase in absolute
number.
The greatest density is and has been,
since 1870, where the temperature
ranges from so to IS degrees. From
this as q maximum it diminishes rap
idly both with an increase and decrease
in temperature. The most rapid pro-
portional increase in population has
taken place at the two extremes, where
it has trebled during the twenty years
intervening between 1870 and 1890,
while in the same time it has increased
but so per cent. in the most densely set
tied group.
The average annual temperature of
the United States, excluding Alaska
from consideration, is SO degrees. The
average annual temperature under
which the people Of the country live.
taking into account the density Of set
Element, is practically the same.