LOUISA COUNTY, IOWA

Submitted by Lynn McCleary May 11, 2022
(transcribed as written)

Page 16

LOOKING BACKWARD
Mothers-Daughters' Banquet

    There have been many changes in the last 75 years, many wonderful discoveries and inventions. Who would have let their imagination carry them so far as to consider that we could live and travel in the bottom of the sea or fly in the air like a bird; yet both are now possible. Or talk over a wire or through the air thousands of miles, and that is now common. Or travel many miles in minutes by automobiles where early means of travel required hours? Who in our own town know that steamboats traveled on the Iowa River, making regular trips as far as Iowa City, and farther up in times of high water; and also flat boats and barges? And that there were three landings in this county – Toolsboro, Fredonia and Toddtown, I took a trip down the Iowa River on the “Hawkeye” as far as Burlington, then transferred to a larger vessel.

    Columbus Junction was “The Sandbank” in those days and Columbus City was the old town. We skated in winter on Muskrat pound, now the fair grounds. We often saw Indians, for the old trail was up the Iowa River and they made yearly pilgrimages to the graves of their people. They were the ancestors of the tribes now living in Tama County. We were never afraid of them; they only wanted to beg. We were much more afraid of the men who got too much corn-juice and wanted to perform some wild west stunts – and there were plenty of them then.

    There was much more home life in those days, but we had many public gatherings, political and religious debates, lectures, singing schools and spelling schools. Church services were irregular at first. The Methodist Episcopal church had an organized class and were served by the circuit rider, who traveled horseback and carried saddlebags. Others followed until we had service in some place often.

Page 17

    Our schools were held at first in any vacant room that could be rented. My first school was in a one room brick building. I sat on a puncheon board for seat, with a young man on each side studying from my book. They were too poor to own one and books were scare. It was a second reader – and it was their last school days.

    A few years later I was teaching on the same ground; the first primary school in the township, with blackboard and oral teaching, singing and motion songs. An average attendance of 60 pupils kept the teacher busy. I carried my own wood, built the fires, swept and scrubbed the floor often, for there were no walks and it was necessary; all for the sum of sixteen dollars for the same work and all thought I was getting rich.

    My first shopping trip was in Muscatine, I had one hundred dollars and I think the financiers of today do not feel the responsibility I did then, for some friends had entrusted me with money to spend for them and I must buy sparing and make good bargains. I kept strict account and when I came home Mother looked it over and said: “I bought candy to treat my friends.”

    The first years of my life were truly pioneer. In reading I find some of our Iowa authors giving true descriptions of scenes in my early life: Herbert Quick in “Vandemark’s Folly”, Margaret Wilson in “The Able McLaughlins”, and some of Ruth Suckow’s books. When we had time for reading we had some of the best reading: Dickens, Thackery, Shakespeare and the Bible. The few papers were much read and passed on.

    We had many duties demanding our time, I never saw canned fruit or vegetables until I was a young lady. We learned to make yeast, and bread and cakes of all kinds, and our cooking was as much relished as the domestic science products of today. We learned sewing, knitting spinning and weaving, all for the comforts of the home. I am glad to know they are learning those things as arts today and that young ladies of today have “hope chests’. Every young lady then was putting by something for a future home. We could not buy the pretty things now offered for sale, so our leisure hours were busy ones too. I know of some homes almost furnished with the young lady had made, with store boxes disguised with pretty chintz and white goods; and they were dainty rooms, and no debts to meet every month.

    We had extremists then, too – who would wear the smallest shoe or the largest hoop or the longest trail on her dress. The majority followed the middle road. My best and second best shoes were of the calf skin, made by the shoemaker, and I had no over-shoes until a young lady.

    Now for our enjoyments, we had many. There were large …

Page 18

… families and we had only to say, let’s go to the Williams’, Hall’s Linbocker’s or over to Garner’s or down to Todd’s and the crowd was soon ready, with big wagon or sleigh. And no need to fix for a party; all doors were open. The “eats” were cookies, doughnuts, apples, nuts, popcorn and sometimes a taffy-pull; whatever was at hand. Early hours were the rule. The old folks were as gay as the rest. But if anyone was getting serious, a hint, and they were left where two was company and three a crowd. No going out riding and coming home married. There was more thought about marriage and fewer divorces. It was “for better or for worse”, and if worse they were too proud to acknowledge it, and by hearing and forbearing it worked out best for all parties.

    It seems to me life was taken more seriously then. So many realized they must work for the future and must do it alone. There were few to boast for them, so they were ready to start at the bottom and work for the top, self-made.

    I could be personal and relate many incidents of my young days, but I think I have filled more than my share of the time so will thank you for having listened.