The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1919-11-28
FIFTY YEARS AGO.

One day last week, or the week
before, Mr.. J. A. Rikard of this
town sent word to us to know if we
recalled where we were fifty years
ago on Tuesday, November II. Of
course we replied, the idea of any
one asking that question, who would
for a moment think that our memory
went back that far. And yet. true
it is, we must confess that our
memory does reach back half cen
turv and when we began to rumlnate
of things and days that are gone we
had very distinct recollection of the
day and place, though we were but
a tot of a boy, but the scene was one
that impressed itself on the tablet of
memory.
In those days we lived at the old
home down in the jolly Street
neighborhood where the happiest and
most pleasant days of our life were
spent. And there lived not far away
Mr.. Henry Summer, and ne had a
bevy of as pretty and as fine girls as
were ever seen in any neighborhood,
and the young men of the community
were very attentive.
Mr.. Rikard won one Of them for
his bride, and there was an old time
country wedding at the home on this
day in November, fifty years ago.
We remember that the wedding took
place in the twilight of the evening
and there was spread in the yard a
long table, and on that table were
all sorts of good things to eat, just
such as the good women Of that day
and of that community knew just how
to prepare, and we were there and
had a part in that dinner.
AS we recall, the wedding was on
the piazza of the dwelling, the piazza
running the entire length Of the
house. But the thing that we remem-
ber the most distinctly is that long
table in the yard and the good things
that were on it. Mr.. Rikard says that
some of the Boys took position in trees
that stood in the yard so that they
might get good view Of the bride
and groom. It was a great time and
after the wedding and the dinner
there was an old time dance and
pleasure was unalloyed.
And we remember that it was only
a few months later that Mr.. j. Ben
Kempson won another of these hand
some girls, and there was another
old time wedding with the long table
and the good things to eat, and that
we were there at that one too. And
no so long afterwards there was an
onther when Mr.. B. B. Hitler took
away another of the daughters. And
if we are not mistaken it was along
about this time that there was an
''infair" at this home when Mr.. Jack
Summer brought his bride there
from the home of Mr.. John RISER
who lived over near Pomaria.
How would it do, Mr.. Rikard, to
have all four of these couples, all
of them are living, to have a great
family gathering and let as many OF
us who are still living who were pre-
sent at those happy events of fifty
years ago meet with them and have
another great old time wedding din
ner. And have Jack Summer to do
some of his dancing stunts for which
he was famous along about that time.
We have often thought that if we
could dance like Jack Summer and
cut as many pigeon wings" as he
GOULD in those days we would be
happy. 1 have often wondered if
Jack could still do all those stunts.
When he was over in Newberry some
time ago to visit his daughter, Mrs.
E. Hugh Summer / did not get to
see him.
There was another one Of those
Summer girls that I remember very
pleasantly, and who became the wife
of Mr.. B. o. Epting, but l think that
wedding took place after our family
moved to Edgefeld, but she has
passed to the great beyond. may
be permitted to say that in those
days remember that thought she
was the prettiest woman that I had
ever seen.
When I was over home the other
day I asked my mother if she re-
called those weddings at Mr.. Henry
Summers, and she said that she did
and that she always took me with her
TO them. so. I am satisfied that my