The record., 1912-04-25

sCepter over Llberty's domain,
what he said was law and gospel; he
would read his rules every Monday
morning, commencing first, second,
and on to the eight or tenth rule.
He backed up his rules with keen
switches; he kept two, a large and
small one, which he placed in a
rack over the door: the pupils all
understood their meaning. The
greatest attraction of the school was
recess and playtime; at IL O'Clock
Messic would say, uPut by books
for dinner" Then a general hus-
tling commenced and continued un-
ill books were called. After dinner
was over play commenced: the
games were bullpen and prisoners
base, cat ball, over Anthony, and
marble games, the plays would
last an hour. James +. Shelton
now in his 18th. year was the
fox of the school. number
of pupils would act as hounds
and many time they would chase
Shelton around through the woods.
Massic had d sweethaat, who lived
about half mile from Liberty, and
sometimes after dinner he would
make a call, and then play time
would be extended: we were ali all
glad to see Messic step off down the
road, for we felt that we could do as
we pleased and have a good time.
We remember that on one occasion,
a man by the name of Loving came
to Messic's school, | remember
him as we'll as if it had been yester-
day, he was middle aged man
with light hair and blue eyes, his
face was considerably marked with
smallpox.
Messic called the school to order
and Loving took out his watch and
commenced with the least pupils
for examination, He would ask
them, uIf you had this watch and
should break it, to who would you
take 1t to get it fxed?" The most
OF them would say urhey did not
know" Some would say that they
would take it to the blacksmith,
to the gunsmith and to the carpenter
Finally he came to boy who had
been earnestly listening and watch
Ing the procedure. Loving said to
the boy, uSon, if you had this
wa ch ane should break it where
wo Id you take it to get it tixed?"
The boy looked wise and smacked
MS mouth and said, uWrli, sir, |
would take 1t to God.r uOh no,
said Loving, ufou could not do
that" lhis lad became citizcn
of Arizona in 1904, died at PITTS
burg, Pa. i'll 1887, aui WAS burned at
Old Liberty. 1he next one be ask
ed told him that she would take 1t
To the silyersmi,h. "Ihat will do, -
said Loving ulhe silversmiih is the
place to take the watch" The old
we'll that stood west of The house
and near the road nicely curbed
up with stone, a pole and a sweep
used.to draw up water from its depth,
with an old oaken bucket, an iron
bound bucket, that hung in the
we'll. There we would often re-
sort to drink of the fresh water
from the old bucket, but now not a
vestIge or sign of this old we'll can
be seen.
Those school children with whom
| was associated at Liberty during
Messlc's school, can remember
their names, their features, the
color of their hair and eyes: most
of them have passed away, many OF
them scattered in other states and
only very few are now living in
the county, and they have reached
their three score years and ten.
Soon after Liberty was built grave
yard was started nearby, which has
gradually Increased until a number
of the people of the neighborhood
now sleep within its confines.
Some months ago, Otto A. Rothert
of Louisville and myself visited the
site of Liberty church. Mr.. Roth
ert is writing history of Mullen
berg county, and is interested in
visiting the old landmarks and
noted places of the county's early
history.
No doubt that the panoramic
scene of old I.iberty's church site
presented to Mr.. Rothert simply
an antique wasting rudcness. Thefe