Pittman Takes Movies of Morris Antiques

PITTMAN, MORRIS

Posted By: Volunteer: Sherri
Date: 1/22/2014 at 16:24:36

Pittman Takes Movies of Morris Antiques

Mr. and Mrs. E.F. Pittman of Des Moines were recent guests at the Sherman Morris home northeast of Stockport. Both are well and favorabley known as former residents of this county. By many people here E.F. is better known as Ed as he served eight years in the clerk's office of this county.

At present Mr. Pittman is superintendent of the newspaper division in the state department of History and Archives at Des Moines. His hobby is taking moving pictures, and has been for several years.

The state department of History and Archives recently purchased a movie camera, in order that moving pictures may be made of historical events, scenes and sights in the state.

Several hundred feet of film have already been made of the operation of farm tools and other implements of the late 19th century. The first of this work was done of the Henry and Jane Morris Memorial Park and Cabins. The camera man and field director was none other than Mr. Pittman, and can he shoot?

This scene at the park was that of the old J.I. Case horsepower threshing machine in full operation, including the setting of the horse-power, hand cutting and feeding, measuring the grain with wooden half bushels, measuring through the tally box, and placing the grains in sacks.

At the ringing of the dinner bell the horses were unhitched and taken care of, the threshmen and hands washing their faces and drying them on the old-fashioned roller, towel, after which they all sat down to a sumptuous dinner prepared by the ladies. Also many other intersting things were filmed.

Previous to his coming down, Mr. Pittman had made arrangements with the Morris families and their friends to prepare for an old-time winter scene of a charivari, and they sure had the winter scene, snow.

The word being mooted about among the boys and men that the bride and groom would be at home a certain evening. A place was selected to meet and elect a captain and plan the mode of procedure, and a spy was appointed to peep in the cabin windows and be sure the bride and groom were there.

A signal was given and pandemonium began with all the complements of the old-time charivari such as the mill saw, bells of all kind, guns and the old row horn that was used to call hounds to the trail.

As the fury of the serenace began to wane, Bernie Morris, the bride, and Bob Morris, the groom, appeared in the doorway of the cabin, then the noise ceased and congratulations were estended to the bride and groom and treats were passed to the serenaders.

The horse and buggy were ready and the newlyweds were soon on their way amidst a shower of rice and old shoes.

Another chapter of this serial will be filmed next summer at the Morris park.

These pictures will be shown at the Stockport gymnasium when the series is finished, and possibly others.

"Scrapbook of Unknown Origin"