The Daily Ardmoreite. [volume] (Ardmore, Okla.) 1893-current, 1921-03-27

work north of the Mason and Dixon
line. We also knew that those influ
ences were having the desired effect
on the abolition element, hence. we in
the plantation home would naturally
become anxious about the impending
crisis. | will leave many happenings
OF that eventful year 1860 untold. Often
since growing old | have been carried
back by memory and lived over again
those happy days of wifehood and
motherhood in the old plantation home,
before the civil war between the states.
The farmers in slavery times were
the most prosperous, happy and cul-
tured people in the southland.
Spring time again, 1861, Our gravest
! fears were being realized. The war cloud
which had been gathering and threatens
ing hung heavily over our beautiful
southland, and search as we might, not
streak of silver lining was TO be seen.
The last ray Of hope seemed to have
disappeared. Days and weeks of terrible
suspense had to be borne before we
could realize the perilous situation. One
crucial event followed another. until the
awful climax was reached.
On July (. 1861. mass meeting was
held in our town, (Webster, Jackson
county, North Carolina) TO take action
ON the defense of states rights. and the
defense of South Carolina. A call was
! made for men to volunteer. l attended
that meeting and it seemed that every
man, young and old, wanted to be en-
rolled in those first companies. | shed
more tears on that day than / ever
shed in one day before or since. The
drive home late that afternoon will
never be forgotten.
The plantation home had lost all its
charm, yet it was home and | had
to become reconciled and brayely endure
what ! could not help. Now the whole
burden of the home and farm was
thrust upon the weaker sex, and many
happy plantation homes Of yesterday
became homes of sorrow and unrest to-
day. Gradually every avenue of supply
for the home was being cut off. We
soon had TO denS ourselves of many
things useful and ornamental. Luxuries
We're fast disappearing. OF course we of
the plantation home still had some
things to enjoy. We could raise plenty
TO eat and a surplus for others. We
could still enjoy harvest gathering and
hog-kilHng times, and consequently
the inmates of a plantation home fared
better than those Of the towns and cit,
les. However, each day presented a new
problem to be solved. Clothing had
become threadbare, shoes could not be
bought at any price. Coffee, sugar salt
soda and spices We're fast disappearing
needles, pins, buttons and other use
full articles were getting very scarce
Soda was made by dripping lye through
wood ashes. which we boiled down, then
baked until it would pulverize. This
process made a good substitute for soda.
Salt was made by dripping water
through soil taken from the smoke
house, a slow process but better than
doing without. Knitting needles were
made in blacksmith shop. Buttons
and combs We're made from the horns
of slaughtered beef cattle Our shoe.
We're made by cobblers from the homs
tanned, uniressed hides of cattle. hat
one pair made from the skin of a wild
deer. While We were enduring all these
privations we found time TO knit soS
for our loved ones in the army. W.
were also asked to send blankets to the
soldiers. | sent blankets TO the needy