Mexico weekly ledger., 1914-07-16

I OAg H0AHN| WIZ KARNnAN 80 RRAUAA
bia chiefly in OK carts, and this IN
convenience n~ecessitated for tho most
part. the use OF Lindsey cloth. AL
most everyone did their own spinning
and as sewing machines were very
expensive, the first ones costing $3.50,
the dresses were simply made. The
neIghbors all borrowed each others
patterns aud the result was that
each neighborhood hnd its particular
style OF dress.
After the war, the people still de-
pended on each other a great deal.
House raisings. and quilting bees
were held TO some extent, and when
ever there was work OF any kind to
be done, the nelghbors could be de-
pended upon to help. These neigh
borly gatherings we're generally all
day affairs. the mothers bringing The
children. The means for getting
! from one house to another were very
poor. The walks we're generally two
narrow planks about three feet apart,
with a ditch beneath, making walk
ing. even in town, difficult.
From 1866 to the present date, So
ciety has gone through such a quiet
evolution that 1t is impossible to set
dates for the change in our social
affairs. 1t might be said. however.
that as early as 1870, society had
overcome the effects Of the war. The
young people enjoyed evening parties
some OF which were formal. Mas
querades were very popular, the
young men Of the day finding It es-
pecially interesting to masquerade
when calling together on the same
numbers Of young ladies. Dancing.
skating, and riding parties were
adopted by the young people as a
means for working off surplus ener-
gy. The refreshments were generally
elaborate. consisting chiefly OF meats
and other substantial foods. There
was also a singing society composed
Of a few couples, who found a great
deal OF pleasure in giving concerts In
the nelghbofiHg towns.
IL a girl had n pretty party
dress, II was not considered neces-
sary for her to have another until
that one wore out. These dresses
were generally made OF silk or some
light fabric, with yards OF rufling.
The millinery, which up until the war
had consisted Of untrimmed straw
flats, was greatly improved BY the
establishment OF tho millinery store
Of Mrs. shootman. She at first con
Quoted business on a small scale.
which consisted mainly OF trimming
the straw hats bought at the dry
goods store. Flowers and ribbons oh.
tanned from Columbia we're used for
this.
The first organizations after the
war, although not primarily social
ones, were branches Of the Masonic
lodge. A few years after the war. on
account Of certain circumstances IN
the Mexico Lodge No. 20 IT seemed
best to establish another lodge. This
was accordingly done October 10
1870, it wa chartered as the Hebron
Lodge, No. 354, with about fifteen
members, and s, NJ. Edwards as the
FIRST master, The meetings OF both
lodges were held In the old Abbot
building, a three story white frame
structure where Emmon's store now
stands. The Mexico Lodge held its
sessions in the afternoon. for The
benefit of farmers wishing to attend
until the surrender of a charter
which took place shortly after the or
ganization Of the Hebron Lodge. Az
ter a few years. however. the mem
beers of the first Mexico Lodge reor-
ganized, and that new lodge was
known as Mexico Lodge No, 544. On
April 8. 1873, the Crusade Command
airy, Knights Templar No. 2S) was
chartered, with James Carol az
their first E~mminent Commander.
This lodge has at present, one hun
dred and one members.
In 1870, the Murphy society was
organized. This was a temperance
organization which had for it's aim
q higher moral standard for the city
OF Mexico The meetings were held
n the old Kabrich Opera House
Judge Forrist was the speaker. md
me influence of this movement was
very great. Its organization shows
nat there was the right spirit shown
things which did not tend
'owards the best interests Of the
own, and II is probably to such
movements that we owe the present !
Ugh ideals Of the people Of our CITY.
n 1875, a band OF young men and !
aaies organized themselves into
mat was called the PhIlomonic go {
letX This society lasted for about !
year, meeting every Friday evening B
the opera house. q
In 1883. society might be said TO =
ave "%blossomed forth" when MIRA. b
b. MacFarlane gave "a three 8
our hundred of her friends the Z
rst reception ever held In Mrs Mac r.
ariane's home on East Love street Z
owned by Or. ]. G. Moore. and 9
very similar TO our receptions to e
Y. The hours were from three nm h
'e, and it is said that n lady. ar NJ
wing at the house, about three or to
RED her carriage to return for her fh
I'VE supposing the entertainment al
DC IKE all others OF the day. At I'll
being ushered from one room to en-
she was taken out TO the pa
porch, where she was served te
IN punch. Her carriage was not )r
2 ior an hour and a halt, and since
were only two things for her lis
ao-either to make the rounds Gu.
nm, or to wait on the porch she ha
'se the latter. pls
lost the first street fair was as
q n Mexican event which was moi
quite awhile afterwards held al pei
st annually. the
re iast ten years Of the history COZ
has been especially marked sal
lhe organization Of women's clubs We
secret societies for men. AL ,es
. = HI