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FOUR THE SUN FRIDAY, JANUARY 7,1988 (EffP &m II Another Oldtimer FAMILY FOLKLORE of SOUTH CAROLINA (After The Rising Sun—1866-60) 1218 College Street Newberry, S. C. O. F. ARMFIELD Editor and Publisher Subscription Rates: One Year $1.00 Six Months 60 Published Every Friday Communications of Interest are in- all. J. Ebb Long of Prosperity came in Friday and asked to be put on the Sunlist. He is an oldtimer in the camp and of cours« we are pleased to hav him back. —And Another Likewise A. J. Holt of Whitmire responded immediately to a sample copy and is securely fixed for another Some Family Names in Sections of Newberry County and Adjacent Counties (Note: Words in black letters represent family names that were common in the early period.) By G. Leland Summer year. -And Another Application for second class permit pending. TH E Spectator — In the long ago I delighted in reading about Christmas in Addison’s Roger de Coverley papers and others. Christmas of old was a home-coming occasion with the feasting of joyous celebration. It colored my thoughts of the great day and I think of it still as a time of returning sons and daughters, of snow and lights, of great things laid away in the pantry and yet greater, perhaps in the oven and ice box. I went out to see some friends on a farm the day before Christmas and rejoiced with them in cocoanut cake, fruit cake, chocolate cake, banana cake, fruit, candy, nuts—and what- -. not. Mark you, I rejoiced. I didn’t ) eat. I participated in spirit, as it were, but not spirits. Our Englisg lan guage may trip you, if you don’t watch out. In all ages men have celebrated great occasions with a feast. Even those solemn, stem-faced Puritans or dained a feast to symbolize their i grateful acknowledgement of the 1 bounty of Jehovah. Christmas is for the children be- \cause a baby came to save mankind. lAs the visitors brought Him presents, land as He was himself the greatest Vjft to the world, so we bring gifts. Surely rejoicing need not be e x- " essed in maudlin drunkenness. One .. not worship God by benumbing .1 the great faculties He gave us. very little boy is entitled to eat un- | his tummy rebels, and the big boys ; old boys, too, may try that; but , swallow something which de nes reason is about the most fool ish fhing that can be done. And it is cfene in the name of the Christ; for .liat’s what Christmas is. So Vie days ago the president of the Westinghouse Manufacturing Com pany wrote to a Senator that the taxes of his company had been in creased siy- hundred per cent since 1934. fie gave the following figures. In 1934 the taxes were $2,500,000 in 1936 the taxes were $6,000,000 In 1936 the taxes were $9,00,000 In 1937 the taxes are $16,000,000 He made the point that the in crease in taxes from 1935 to 1937— $11,000,000—would pay wages to six thousand five hundred new workers, at the prevailing wage scale. We see how taxes climb. Many people have the idea that the cry about taxes is overdone, but it must be clear that six hundred per cent increase in three years is pretty steep. A resolution has been introduced in the House of Representatives, Washington, to require a vote by all the people before Congress shall be able to declare war. It brings up a nice point for debate. In ancient times a king led his troops in battle, so when a king declared war it meant that he was going to war himself and that he would be in the thick of the fray. It does not mean that now. A group of middle aged and old men declare war and send the young men to battle. That phase of it has aroused much of the opposition to war. Another objection is that it seems foolish to kill men, women, and children in order to settle a question at issue. Theoretically the nations of the world should compose their differences by peaceful means just as well as individuals are supposed to resort to the courts to try their dis putes and not to depend on a deci sion by guns and pistols. Now that is all very well; but what are you going to do when Italy, Germany, and Japan take it into their heads to do just exactly as they please because the other nations don’t want to fight. Japan, Italy and Germany will have to be curbed and they fear nothing but force. They are convinced that this country will not fight, that this {ountiV not only could not protect its citizens and rights but will have no force in the world as a power for peace against aggression. Another friend of long standing was in Saturday complaining that we had not sent him a sample and ex plaining that he had "heard about it” and wanted to get on. He was and is D. S. Halfacre. —And Another Wallace Moore, son of W. O. Moore, a real veteran, a partisan we might say, was in Saturday, following a sample copy or two and was kind e- nough to indicate he wanted more of it. And Others who swell the total of the rapidly growing Sunlist: I. Holland Wilson, City. J. W. Pitts, Newberry, route 3. Mrs. Hunter Browne, City. Mrs. N. S. Conover, Philadelphia. Chas. P. Speck, Saco, Main. Practically no sampling has been done in the country but the word is getting ’round and the response is gratifying. We are of course glad to have new subscribers but as the oldtimers come trooping back to the wigwam it makes us believe they like our style, poor tho is it! EXAMINATION ANNOUNCED FOR FINGERPRINT CLASSIFIER The United States Civil Service Commission has announced an open competitive examination for the posi- tion of Student fingerprint classifier in the Federal Bureau of Investigation- The entrance salary is $1,440 a year, less a retirement deduction of 3 and one half per cent. Applicants must have completed a 4-year high school course, or must be senior students now in attendance in their last year of senior high school. They must have reached their eight eenth but not have passed their twenty-fifth birthday. the legislators what we think. They frequently hear only one side and they hear that side so often and so loudly that it seems to them the whole State is in an uproar for what is being re quested . The Farmers and Taxpayers League has been the only organization that I know of that had no axe to grind but but which has year in and year out worked for the whole state. That organization is still vigorous. In addition to the Farmers and Tax payers League the South Carolina Federation of Commerce, Agriculture and Industry will be a potent in fluence in co-operation with the Gen- eral Assembly to do something for the State. Spectator joins those who call on the General Assembly to prepare an Appropriation bill which will show every dollar that may be spent by authority of the State. It is not that anything is being improperly spent, or that there is wrong-doing; but that no money can be legally spent except by direct appropriation and that appropriation should be made by each legislature in its own name and by the authority vested in it and be cause of the responsibilty resting on the members. Our legislature is about to meet. It is worth repeating and worth remem bering that the Legislature is com posed of men representing all the walks of life and trying to represent the people of the State, as they under stand what the people of the State want. There are some men in the Senate and some in the House who love their State and are as economical as any body could be—in their private busi ness. When they go to Columbia they are called upon by so many busi nesses, so many agencies, so many institutions for all sorts of things that these big appropriations are granted for services which they are led to believe are most urgent and de sirable. Most of us sit at home and cen sure the Legislature but fail to tell I used to think that Americans who go abroad to live and engage in busi ness should do so at their perjl, ac cepting at their own risk the hazards of living in other countries. In other words, it seemed to me that in going to a foreign country one must be him self under the laws and under pro tection of that country and should not ask of this country, his country, to protect him in his trouble abroad. That reasoning was based in part on the assumption that this country needs all its sons and all its money at home and that if a man goes abroad it is because he is asking some advan tage beyond what he thinks he would receive in this country, and that, therefore, the advantage to him and the harard to him must be accepted b.. him v.qually without calling on us at home to protect him. The reasoning I have given is true so far as concerns those wealthy men and women who live in other countries because of attractions which they find in those countries; but that reasoning should not apply, perhaps, to the men and women who live abroad because they represent American business and enterprises in other countries. To illustrate: We have a number of great corporations in the United States which do vast foreign busi ness. The Standard Oil company of New Jersey, The United States Steel Corporation, The National City Bank, Grace and company and many others. These concerns by their foreign connections and branches help us to handle that surplus part of the products which we must sell in order to keep our business going. For example, one of the most notable weaknesses in our country in recent years has been the decline of our ex ports. The American agency in foreign lands helps to find markets for our goods. If our foreign mar kets were to be closed entirely that would cause the prices of goods at home to fall and would cause a great recession of business. It follows, then, that a man engaged in further ing American exports is helping A- merican business. The folklore of this section of South Carolina may be fairly repre sentative of most parts of the State during the early period. It pertains to many old families, too, whose names were typically significant ones, who lived in Newberry County and a few in some adjacent counties Many early families that came from European countries in the colonial period in attempts to use the phone tic or English form of spelling often inadvertently spelled their names like some animal, or material object; while others that were primarily English in origin retained the ancient clan form, representing some occupation. A trip through any part of the county is refreshing—seeing and meeting people who are earnest in their daily activities, and who retain many wholesome traditions of their forbears, living in many cases on the lands which their forefathers settled. Perhaps the churches and the schools that were first planted among them, and have grown along with them, are the foundations for a cultivated spirit, and which enables them to observe that the sun and the trees are parts of God’s universe. From the first settlements through each generation there have been gradual changes in customs, schools, roads, enterprise, and even in the churches—much growth and develop ments. With it all there has been its humorous side. The first roads were small narrow drives or paths, rough, in whch fre quently the rains washed gulleys. Many Canes, plumb trees, an'! Berry bushes grew in large patches by the side of the roads, and often around the Foote of the Hills, and on the Shores of the Rivers and Lakes. Wagons that were made with large, heavy Bodies, shaped like a boat with a'Box attached to the rear, had large, heavy wheels with large hubs and spokes, and were driven to the village for supplies. The Farmers would bring some product from their farms to sell or excange for goods that they needed at home. On account of the roughness of the roads and the slow ness of travel somethimes they spent the Knight, sleeping in a canvass covered wagon on the lower public square. A good Wagoner had to be Goode, for he was kept busy. They lived independent lives, eco nomically, producing nearly every thing they needed to eat; making their own clothes, with the cards and spinning wheels, and the Ir m. In Colonial and Revolutionary War times clothes for both men and women were made in varied colors, the cloth soaked in home-made dyes that were made from tree barks, berries or other wild Plants. Walnut barks made a Brown dye. These tasks were performed by the women while the men worked the fields—fathers and Sons. Few fields were fenced in, the cattle being allowed to roam wherever they wished. Occasionally a rail fence came into use, which was built from Small, long Striplings (Striblings now), placed in a zig-zag manner in order to hold the ends that were placed one on another. When a girl would Wed-a-man the male attendants sometimes wore Beards, and had on short Redd pants, tied with Buckles, and Green shirts, or maybe a Gray shirt. When a later style caused the pants to be worn a Little longer, though not Long enough to reach the ankles, the men began to wear White shirts that had Ruff sleeves which were fastened with large Burtons. Their Coats were short, of a color to blend with the pants, making a New-man of him. One of the principal sports at that time was going on a Hunt. When the Younghusband became a Hunter he he would strap his Hipps with a leather band, and with nerves of Steele, get his dogs and Hitt the trail—and Howe he felt his Oats' Game was plentiful, including the deer, Fox, Hare, Koons, wild turkeys, Larks, and Byrds of AuII kinds) even the Martindale which often made its nests in gourds that were hung on tall sapling poles in the yards, while the Buzzard calmly floated in the breeze and the Wolfe moaned in it’s den or would Pace the Woods. But hunting was an all day job with them. In the early morning as the Cocks would Crow, so the Fellers would face the Drafts, trail their prey to a Glenn or Meadow, and like the Knights of Gold bring home the Bacon. They wasted no Shells and no Cannon was better than their aims. Another sport was fishing. Fish was plentiful in the Waters of the Rivers; and Hope was high in his Youngblood, as he made a Webb that would Hook his game. Summer days were always eventful, going Singley down some Lane—never Dunn, and he would never Welch in his purpose. Such a young farmer could in his sports, as well as his Work, Reid the signs Wright to the West or to the Eastland, and when the Raines were coming, like an Indian Worthy of his tribe, he would Neal and listen. Many families from Germany and France besides making good wines from their own grown Vines (French wines were especially in demand), had the art of making Crout; using a Hopper or large pork barrel. They had the Keys to many ways of eco nomical living. Produced Moore vegetables, Corn, or Mays, and Fowles of all kinds than their Neighbor*. The Irish families, too, had many of these early customs which they brought from the old country, that were acquired through their inter marriages with the German and French settlers. At the earliest time there were no Banks, and the people often hid their gold and silver in holes of the Walls of their Holmes, or buried it in the yard. A planter would Hoard his money, and like the Mann who was Wise he laid up for a Rainey Day; for the Gaines were mostly in Nickles and Pennys. Many a Farmer yet Counts his money in small change; and when the dreary, Black days come to keep his Head quite Leavell and Waits for a Fair day to come. Another custom was to build Mills on the creeks and rivers, in which to grind their own Wheat and make their own flour and cattle feed. If any Flowers grew Wilde around the place they were soon gone, for the Hoggs and other cattle were allowed eo eat in the Stubblefield, after the grain was gathered for the Mill. They were early Risers and always got to the Mill house in time for early Work, even though some were Walkers. Aull the Folks were not Mi*lers, how ever, often one operator serving others in his community. Like the English they had their other occupations. There were Bakers, Cooks, Shepherds, Smiths, Taylors, Stockmans, Mowers, or a Schaver or a Bishop in son.-e places; but like the ancient Spearman or Bow man they were ever alert, as a true Workman. Wells were not at first dug on the farms, but Springs, usually on the sides of Banks and walled with Stone or near Brooks and beneath the Bow ers of some weeping willow, furnished the wated for drinking. They knew nothing about Derricks then with which to draw water or lift heavy loads. The family washing was done on the streams, usually by servants; be fore the War between the States, by slave women. The women had a Farr distance to carry their loads, but it was near water. It there were no Bridges they would Ford the streams to get to a suitable Pool or Spring, which was perhaps under a Round- tree . The slaves worked almost Stark naked, and would ring the wet clothes by twisting, one at each end; and good Ringers were rare. Few farm implements were avail able, except those that were made in their own blacksmith shops. They Went about their tasks though, in good Grace, and would never Terry, in their work. In some Holmes were large, tall Merry-man clocks which had Dials as long as a Childs hand; and at night when the tick of the clock could be He d the family would sit by the wide open fireplace. As the old man smoked his pipe Mars or the Moon would cast it’s Beam through the win dow; then, perhaps, he would play his fiddle or Harp, for the amusement and pleasure or his family. It is doubtful if the Mayer of any Towne could boast of better citizens than were these j. ioneers. Some of the Holmes were kept in unique Stiles, too, with wide Halls and large rooms. They were built with Hart wood and the shingles were Hart, making Leaks a rare occurance. Gunns were hung over the doors of rooms, for quick action if attacked. This was not a superstition, but an en forced habit since the days of Indians and Tories. There was a supersition, though, in handling certain tools, as Brooms were stood up in corners the straw pointing the way it grew—oten Wheat straw. It was believed this Way would Ward off sickness. The Walls were painted or papered in colors of Garnett, and sometimes the Kitchens they would Garner. The tables and beds of the wealthy were made of mahogany or oak. In the Gar retts were sometimes old tranks or cedar chests, behind which would Crouch a yellow Catt with it’s head Low, reposed in which would be some relics of by-gone Days or maybe an old Cobb pipe. Oh, Tutt! it as just a plunder room; for on the Walls hung Green corn with a Clamp of Cord a- round them, Crisp, yellow ears. In the middle of the floor, perhaps, a wide white cloth was spread on which were Rice or pea-nuts to dry, or fruit. In the kitchen, too, or the dinning room could be seen pewter plates, in the Colonial period, and Bowles of pewter; china coming into style at a later period. Many people yet carry out old tra ditions about planting in certain sea sons, according to signs. Planting Irish potatoes and other root vege tables “in the dark of the Moon”, and those that mature above ground had to have a Ray of Sunshine—planted on a Bright day. Of course they would Farrow the soil, much as they do now. Major crops were gathered at anytime after maturity, but vege tables were gathered Early, as their Means would warrant. Enough to bacco was raised to supply workers on the plantations. There were many other supersti tions, too, that, no doubt, were brought over with some families from the eld country or were imparted by early Indian lore or by negro slaves. One was if a rabbit ran across your pathway at night or would Scurry ac ross the road, or a dog would bark while running around the Homse, meant that somebody in the family was going to die soon. Then, some believed in witches, like the early Puritans of New England, they thought that a horse-shoe had to be nailed over the front door to keep the witches out. This custom was carried out for several generations; giving way to the later sign over the door inside the house, with the words, “Good Luck”, or “In God We Trust." Many of these people retained this idea from the fact that when a horse became ill a horse-shoe was nailed over the stable door, or was kept there all the time to prevent “distem per” or other horse ailment. A rare fanatical case was when a man be lieved he was ridden by a witc'.i, he made a dummy woman who he thought was riding him, and standing it up in his yard he shot it “in effigy” thus getting rid of the witch. Some phases of humor are shown in instances where some old land con veyances disclose peculiar situations. When Lewis Hogg who lived on a large plantation near Enoree River and Broad river bought another tract little further West towards Duncans Creek, one Betsy Bugg sold her small farm and disappeared into fields where the Speers were plentiful. Down near Broad river lived Levi Fish, and old man who died there, con tent to live all his life near the big stream, even though the Bates thrived a few miles further South, just below the Peak of the county line. Over near Heller’s Creek one John Parrott lived and died, and some of his de- sendatits, “flew the coop”, as it were, going to other sections. These Hardy men worked their own Lands, never split Hairs with any one. If they committed a Senn they Quickly sought a pardon. When slavery was built on a large scale, the plantations got larger, few oppor- tunties came to small landlords. But they all had large gardens and had many things to eat for themselves and their slaves. Some slave families were allowed a Halfacre on which to plant anything they wished to plant; Hentz, they were kept busy. They cured their own Hamm for the Win ter’s use, and sold their surplus pro ducts . in the village markets — a Worthy people. Turning back the Pages of time we note that at the very earliest, and on up to recent years, methods of com munity co-operation prevailed. Log rollings, corn-shuckings, cotton pick ings, pender-pullings, and quikings were some common forms of co-opera tive enterprise among the peoples of the various communities. The Neigh bors would help one another, if one got behind in his work or wanted to gather grain quickly when rain ap proached. Each .neighbor would bring some slaves and all would work until the task was done. Then the host and hostess would serve some thing good to eat, which, while the work was in progress, was being cook ed bv the hostess and the wives of the neighbors who had come to help. Sometimes this supper included home-brewed wines or persimmon beer (called “Simon beer”). Some times straight whiskey was given. At quiltings, that were participated in by tha women, the quilts were made with large square blocks, patches of different colors in checker form, and in each corner square was embroid ered a design emblematic of the host ess or her initials. On that occasion too the hostess served good things to eat. The women darned and knitted socks and stockings, and made many laces. They were very adept at this feat. They yet Lovelace and to-day AUDITOR’S TAX NOTICE I, or an authorized agent, will be at the following places on the dates giv en below for the purpose of taking tax returns of all real estate and per sonal property. Persons owning prop erty in more than one district will make returns for each district. All able bodied male citizens between the ages of twenty-one and sixty are liable to $1.00 poll tax; all persons between the ages of twenty-one and fifty outside of incorporated towns and cities are liable to pay commu tation tax of $1.00. All dogs are to be assessed at $1.00 each. Whitmire—City Hall, Tuesday, Jan uary 4th, 1938. Whitmire—Aragon-Baldwin Mill, Wednesday, January 6th, 1938. Longshores—Thursday, January 6, 1938. from 9 until 12. Silver-street—Thursday, January 6th, 1938, from 2 until 6. Chappells—Friday, January 7th, 1938. Hollingsworth Store—Tuesday Jan uary 11th, from 9 Until 12. Kinards—McGill’s Store, Tuesday January 11th, 1938, from 2 until 6. Prosperity—Wednesday and Thurs day, January 12th and 13th, 1988. Little Mountain—Tuesday, January 18th, 1938. Glymph’s Store—Wednesday, Jan uary 19th, 1938, from 9 until 12. J. L. Crook’s Store—Wednesday, January 19th, 1938, from 2 until 5. Peak—Thursday, January 20th, 1938. Pomaria—Tuesday, January 26th, 1938. St. Lukes—Wednesday, January 26th, 1938, from 9 until 12. O’Neal—L. C. Fellers Store, Wed nesday, January 26th, 1938, from 2 until 6. Maybinton—F. B. Hardy’s home, Thursday January 27th, 1938, from 9 until 12. Reese Brothers Store—Thursday, January 27th, 1938, from 2 until 6. At Auditor’s office to March 1st, after which time a penalty of 10 per cent will be added. Pinckney N. Abrams, Auditor Newberry County embroider much. The less physically Able worked around the house, making Basketts, Wicker chairs with Wood bottoms, or Fish nets. Some were Shoemakers, who make shoes from hometanned raw Hyde leather which was tacked around the wood soles, and which had to be greased with home made tallow each morning before the shoes would slip on the feet. Games played by the children and grown ups were different from what they are at the present time. They knew nothing of Golf, tennis, foot ball, basket-ball or soft-ball, nor even Rook. They did have a kind of Ball game which they called “paddle- cat", having bases and using barrel staves as a bat. The balls were made at home with a heavy string wound a- round a small piece of cork or rubber. After the War between the States “roly-poly” came into style, which was played by rolling balls with staves on ground and endeavoring to roll it in to a hole. Then came croquet which was popular for several generations; nearly every front yard or backyard being seen with wire wickets Stuck in the ground, and played by striking wooden balls with wooden mallets to put them through the wickets. These may be called easy Going, as com pared with the present Day games. Slaves always looked up to. their Masters of a kind of King or Kyzer The master may have been a church leader or community leader, and like the Pope he governed affairs gener ally in his community. He may have been a Justice of the Peace, and rode a fine horse, with his Kitt by his side. His system was thorough, with his Cooper and foreman. At the first Beam of morning when the Jay began to sing, his yard Bell would ring or Bulls horn sound for the hands to go to Work. Each; had his duty to perform. His Smith or shop workers, Sawyer, Field workers, and maids were some of them; and they had Few of the Holidays that are now observed—perhaps Christmas day, but never Goode Fridays nor Easter, nor Valentine day. The Masters allowed no Crooks a- mong the slaves, if he could help it. If one was caught violating any rale he was promptly whipped. The Law never allowed killing them, and there was no Lynch law. The Powers of slave-owners were large outside of this realm. Sometimes stockades were made in which to fasten and punish them, or a Pitt was dug in which to imprison them. Slaves could never leave the plantation unless they had a “pass” (a written one) from their master. If they ran away with out their pass and were caught by the "patrollers” (this was a committee which rode around to catch runaways) they were whipped. Slaves called these patrollers “bush-whackers” be cause they often rode in woods or fields striking Bushes with heavy sticks to find runaways. Few Masters allowed their slaves to learn to Reid or Wright. They considered it demoralizing to them. If they were caught with a book or piece of paper writing they were promptly whipped. Many were sold “on the block,” much as horses are sold to day, to the highest bidder; and such Sales usually brought buyers from long distances. Brides and grooms after their wed ding ceremonies always stayed with ■ the party and indulged in the “frolic”; 1 and not like the present time, when | they immediately after the ceremony | disappear. On such occassions the { man with the largest Beard always “took the cake”; but the wedding cake was not so popular as the flask of wine which was offered the one who could ride the fastest or to the bride’s parents home the quickest. The Young men liked trapping,, until the shot gun and rifle came into vogue. Even yet many catch game in home-made traps, as the rabbit “gum,” a long, Bex like trap with opening at one end. Early trapping of Wilde Catts, Leopards, Koons, and Fox in what was known as a “dead Fall” is not used at this time. Wild turkeys, too, were trapped; but the Hunters’ “call,” in imitation of the turkey’s mate, was a common decoy to approach within distance. Gunn shot As for the churches and schools the first ones were made of logs, small one room huts, with chimneys made of rough hand hewn boards, plastered on the inside with mud. If the mud fell away and the boards caught fire it was instantly put out with a bucket of water which was kept handy. Many of the first homes, and later ones, made their chimneys that Way. These churches were called “Chappells.” After the War between Ahe States, the negroes, who had been forced to attend white people’s and sit on back seats or in tbi ies during slavery time, (many did this for several years after the war), built their own churches, which, for sometime, were what they called “brush arbors,” pine poles stuck in the ground and covered and ceiled with brushes. The wide fire-places in the homes, about fiv e feet wide, burned four- foot logs. This was the cooking place, skillets being hung suspended over the blaze, or covered pans placed on a bracket held by the wall of the fireplace. Some built rock or mud ovens in the yard, in which all food was cooked. They were shaped like a turtle’s back, with two doors at the front end, for the food and fuel. Many of the oldest people say that they have never eaten as good bread or pies since the time of tha old oven. During Revolutionary War times the tories in many sections were active against the whigs, and would even go (Continued on page five) The following penalties will ' be in effect after December 31st: January, 1 per cent February, 2 per cent March, 3 per cent . April, 7 per cent J. C. BROOKS, County Treasurer