The Vinita weekly chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1905, 1904-07-14
LEAF FROM LAST CENTURY.
When n New Straw Hat Was a Novel
and Treasured Possession
in the Country.

In the early part Of the last century
there were fewer factories In this coun-
try than now, and many things were
made by hand which to-day are the
work OF machinery This was especially
true OF the braid for straw hats. Rye
straw was commonly used. although
wheat was also In demand But the rye
straw had longer stems and was more
easily handled. writes Adele H. Bald
win. in 81 Nicholas
In driving along country roads. In
Massachusetts, particularly, late in the
summer one would see great bundles OF
the straw hanging on the fences 20 dry.
When the sun and wind had done their
share Of the work, II was placed In casks
where sulphur was burning until IL was
bleached to pale yellow. Then Il was
split into narrow widths suitable for
braIding.
The daughters Of farmers did not have
many pennies Of their own IN those days.
and all were eager to earn money by
braiding straw Every little while men
would pass through the villages. calling
from house 70 house and buying the
straw braid. They paid two cents q
yard for Il.
District school" was In session only
SIX months az the year--the rest Of the
time the children helped their mothers
with the housework when that was
done they took ap their braid for amuse-
men. and occupation SO much a day
every girl expected 10 80 as her daily
4ftint" She would carry Il down b. the
brook or up IL the apple tree when the
summer days wefe long: or during the
stormy hours II winter she would 60
wlth u 60 the old attic " here the swing
hung from tie eobwebbed rafters But
al the time her aneers must work bus
ily. lest the men should cali far the
braids and find them unfinished
The factories where the straw was
sewed we're in the large towns The
simplest hats were Of the hrhids alone.
More elaborate ones had a fancy cord.
also Of plated straw. sewed on tie edge
Of the braid This cord was made by
The old ladies'. Gfandmothers and great
aunts whose eyes were too dim 70 sew
would take their balls Of straw with
them on neighborhaod calls. While they
chatted together their hands would be-
weaving the yellow strands IN and out,
fashloning the dainty cord
The price paid for the cord vas only
half cent yard. bat this was hattsr
than nothing to those danes og q by
gone generation
4 poor country eirl would begin to
think Of her hat from the time Of seed
growing. All summer she woaid watch
the biilowy grain when Il Was gathered
and only the empty stalks we're Jeff. she
would tie them into bundles and hang
them In some sheltered nook 10 dry
Bleaching. splitting and braidine-t
she did herself
When the braids were finished and
sent to the factory. how impatlently she
waltedl Perhaps grandma contributed
some of the cord she had made lass win
ter that the nev hat might Be more beau
/ tlful AZ last the bat came home. aEc
then what trylngs en- there we're before
the old gilt-framed mirror in the parlor,
/ How lovingly lts owner handled i a.
/ she placed It this way or thai On her
curly head. on. 3 new straw hat waa
/ indeed a thins vel worth hasisg u
those days Of The iong age.