Milford chronicle., 1932-03-25
GLENDALE
Scenes OF Long AgO-NO. 10
Pnhlin Snmare. GeOrgetOMn. No.

Public Square, Georgetown, NO. =
The county seat has witnessed
some stirring times, and the old pub
lie square was the center of many
of the scenes enacted before and
during the Civil War.
We neglected to state in our last
communication, the mode of travel
used by the people coming to Return
Days or to other gatherings OF any
kind, social or political. The wealthy
in those days used the jig with its
circular springs. 1t had only two
wheels, but was mark of prosper
ity for those who possessed one. 1t
was said that the jOlting which one
received in riding in one of these We
licles precluded any case of dyspcp"
sia whatever, and the owners We're
generally healthy and immune from
indigestion, a disease which has
large hold on the American people
of today.
The other class of people living in
those days used all manner OF We
hicles, from twO-horse wagon, down
to a cart drawn by one steer and II
oxen was scarce they used their
cows to make up team.
The writer when a boy remembers
very we'll an old man living several
miles west of Georgetown, who was
called Figuring Billy Jones, who us
ed to haul wood into town, and his
team always consisted of one steer
and one COW, both of which was very
wild. 1t used to be the pleasure OF
the boys of those days to scare the
Jones team and see them run, and
run they did, and never stopped un-
til they reached home. If the load of
wood had not been sold, it was scat
tered along the road which the team
went. and MIR. Jones was compelled
to go home after his team and on
his way back pick up the scattered
wood.
Il was also said that Jones would
work his COW all day to the wagon
or plow and then milk her at night |
and drink the milk, as he was too |
stingy to buy coffee or tea. Some old |
timers living in and around George
town may remember this episode.
This was one of the tricks Of the !
boys living over seventy years ago
and we will tell you more of their !
escapaGes later on.
The public square and It's bed Of
sand was the parking place Of many
of these old vehicles, and as there
were no trees Or posts they simply
used the wheels OF the nearest cart
to hitch their teams.
Horse back riding was much in |
vogue in the early Gays. Young men
ha'i to use this mode of travel &c
visit the lady of their c'ri e and If
she wanted to go to church or gath
ering of any kind the gentleman
simply placed his lady love on the
'rOnt of the saddle ana in this way
would reach their place Of destina-
ion. We might also say only few
young men possessed any saddles,
iuS used blankets Instead, and mary
lid not possess anJ horses o" sad
lies and were compelled to walk,
md with their girls as companions
hought it nothing TO walk a dis
ance of four or five miles to reach I
home where quilting, apple cut
ing or any Other social gathering, {
vas being held.
As we have already said TIE prin-
ipal mode of travel was iigs, OK
arts and other vehicles, hut one day
Il Innovation took place when some {
ne went to Wilmington and pur- {
hased two of the new four wheel [
uggies and brought them to
and displayed them on ;
he public square. Their polished Z
odies and their make up generally
-as far superior to anything in the
ehicle line yet seen and of course {
ne excitement created was intense, |
nd people came from far and near '
, see the new carriages, as the {
rice was prohibitive only to the !
ich, only a few of them were sold.
nd it took several years to bring '
,em into general use. 6
Some one at that time said that '
ringing the buggics to Georgetown v
nd displaying them i'm the public c
mare, created more stir among the G
sople than when an old time circus v
,ow with its calliope and brass t
md came into town.
rho public square was used for all b
,rposes and being free it was Of C
n Uttered up with trash. 1t did not t
Ok like it does today. b