The daily independent., 1936-10-14
4 Fleet of Lighters Made
Trip Down Canal To
Join Festivities

CilGUSCS HOW PUN VAA~AA
and perform in places CT the size
Of South Mills and COmjock' is
testified to by the varicolored Ilth-
opraphs that plaster fences and
store windows in those places ms
week.
Il looks as il the circus has
completed It's cycle and has come
back to its humble beginnings
thinks w. !. HaiStead Of South
Mills. who recalls that once, many
years ago, the great John Robin
son circus showed in his home
town.
1t has not been so very long
ago that the circus deserted the
highway III favor of its special
trains. making only the larger
towns: but now, with so many
cheap anuScmcntS in the town
such Of them rs are left seem glad
TO return to the highways. SubStl-
tutc motor trucks for trains and
garner a few dollars IN the vii
lagos again.
Not the iacrCQuent circus. but
= Fourth of July celebration OF
its very own was the big annual
event in South Mills when he was
q bOv. some 45 to so years ago,
saws MI. Halstead. Christmas was
important but somewhat diverse,
as a considerable portion Of the
people insisted upon observing
Cd Christmas in early January,
instead Of December 25. Easter
and Thanksgiving were familiar
words. but left little impression
and gained little observance. But
everybody. white and black, look
ed forward to The FO'th.'
He does not remember that
there was any set observance, or
particular program, and doubts
that there we're many who real
iz2d the significance Ct the day.
The Fo'th'' was Just the occasion
for everyone to gather at the vii
lace and for the many Of the male
population to observe, according
to the sacred American custom Of
the day. by getting gloriously
drunk.
Most interested in the big ev-
ent was the Negro population and
most COiOrful scene of the day was
the arrival OF the colOred mill
workers Of the John L. Roper
Lumber CO.. from It's mills and
logging camps strung along the
entire length CT the Dismal swamp
canal from Gilmerton and Deep
Greek To South Mills.
Every fourth Of July morning
anywhere from three TO six of the
CompanyS lighters would leave
Csi.mCrtOn. site of the Conpany'S
big manufacturing plant. Each
barge was t0wed by two mules,
WHO trudged along the UoW path
the canal had not been widen
cd and the banks piled with earth
in those days.
At d walking pace the mules
required upwards Of q half day
10 make thc Journey, including
stops at every landing along the
way to take on additional recruits.
The CXcuSi0niStS were in happy
mood, many were provided with
mouth haIpS, board floors for
dancing had been laid on some of
the barCCS. DWeilerS along the
canal bank always came out to
watch the barge procession pass,
the stay-Gt-hOmoS exchanging re-
p&rtee with the more fortunate,
while all in South Mills lined the
bank. every eye strained to catch
the first glimpse of the flotiila as
it came into view in the distance.
Once arrived and tied up TO the
bank. the eXCurSiOniStS SWarmed
ashore to fratCrnizc with their
COmpatriotS. to buy eatables and
drinkablCs. cakes and lemonade
and i5-ccnt gin. The celebration
continued al day and all night.
the stores remaining open the en-
tire time; there was much hilarity
some fighting, occasional cutting
and even shooting affrayS. but Mr..
HalSte2d does not recall that any
capital crime ever arose from
such an occasion.
After the lighters had showed
off on the return journey at about
4 o'clock mex, morning. there were
always some . or 30 stragglers
left behind. sleeping it off or too
busy celebrating to keep track cf
time. These would make their way
back to their mill or logging camp
within the next day or two, some
hltch-hiking aboard passing ca
nal boats or on huckSter wagons
bound for the Portsmouth market,
some often walking the 25-odd
miles back to the Gilmcrton mill
along the tow path.