The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1894-03-09
Southern Pines. N. C..


A full week of genes and field
sports was held at this place from the
Ist to 9Th of February. 1t was a rare
chance to see many phases of South
ern life that could not be seen other
wise without considerable travel and
consequent expense.
The occasion was called "Old Time
Southern Sports" and everybody,
without regard to race or color, native
citizen or visitor from the North, took
hold with will, and everything moved
off as though on wheels and the wheels
had beer creased for the occasion.
1t would not be of interest to the
reader to enter into particulars as to
all OF the games. There was hunting
for quail, opossuin, raccoon, squirrel,
wild turkey and deer, and chase after
rabbits and fox. There were a mum
Der Of fox hunters, with their horses,
hounds and horns, and that they made
things lively for everybody nobody will
dispute who knows anything about the
socalled noble sport that halls from
the hills Of "Merry Old England"
The colored people played prison.
er's base, had stilt, bag, potato, wheel
barrow, and sack hurdle races. They
chased creased pig tried to climb
creased pole danced jigs walked
timber pole; jumped; vaulted and
had exciting times with trials of strength
at the famous tug of war.
At night the town presented novel
and weird sight. Little platforms
were erected on posts about four feet
high. These platforms were covered
with sand and on the sand Cracking"
from the turpentine distilleries was set
on fire and kept hercely blazing.
In the open parts of the town were
parked at night the old-fashioned, boat
shaped, canvass covered wagons of the
South. At the rear of each of these
wagons would be hitched a span of
mules or sorry-looking horses, patiently
munching away at TIE corn fodder.
Seated about the blazing campfres
are native Southerners cooking supper.
There you see the genuine "cracker,"
who has driven into town from his
home thirty or forty miles away. He
has not reached the dignity of "boil-
ed Shirt" and starched collar but
his eyes have soft, kindly light, and
his speech is as mellow and courteous
as one could desire. He has eggs,
poultry or choice venison for sale,
and his prices are reasonable. He
knows many things, and can tell you
where the wild turkey makes his home,
and he can tell you how to trap him.
He knows something about almost
every subject peculiar to the South,
and can guide you through the pine
woods with skill that seems marvel
lous. He can shoot rifle with steady
aim and takes peculiar delight in
shooting at mark for turkeys or
other prizes.
There the negro character, too,
could be seen at its best. AS one
watched them at their sports and
heard them talking among themselves,
they seemed like lot of Children at
play.
A special train loaded with well
dressed men, (the majority of them in
uniform) from New York State passed
through town one day. There were
about two hundred on board, and
they had one of those peculiarly
excellent bands for which the large
cities of the North are noted. The
train stopped and all hands went into
large tent where they enjoyed a
dinner prepared expressly for them.
There was speech making, and much
good fellowship.
The delight of the darkies knew no
bounds. The music of the band broke
them all. up. The gay uniforms and
general look of independence and
luxury seemed more like dream than
reality to colored people.
One black woman unable to con-
troll her feelings, exclaimed IN our
hearing; "Good Lawd! How ri.ii chi
How ri i-i.chl They don't pear much
like er wife folks down dis way"
Poor, innocent old colored woman!
A special train, a fine band, good
clothes, and gilt cord don't give happi-
ness. Little does she comprehend the
fact that all were not happy in the
travelling party. Beyond many a
smiling face was hidden troubled
heart. And there is no doubt that not
few of the "rich" members of the
party, after the journey and the jollih-
cations are over, will wonder where
the money is to come from to pay nee
essary bills. 1t is ever thus, and one
can never judge wisely from observa
tions.
One of the features of the week OF
sport was a genuine barbecue after
the most approved Southern fashion.
Never been at barecue?
Well, this is how it is done. A
r..