Macoupin County, Illinois - Chapter 8: The Primitive, 1911

Chapter 8: The Primitive

So rapid has been the improvement in machinery, and the progress in the arts and their application to the needs of man, that a study of the manner in which people lived and worked only three-fourths of a century ago seems like the study of a remote age.

It is important to remember that while a majority of settlers were poor, that poverty carried with it no crushing sense of degradation like that felt by the very poor of our age. They lived in a cabin, it is true, but it was their own and had been reared by their hands. Their house, too, while inconvenient and far from water proof, was built in the prevailing style of architecture and would compare favorably with the homes of their neighbors.

They were destitute of many of the conveniences of life, and of some things that are now considered necessaries, but they patiently endured their lot and hopefully looked forward to better. They had plenty to wear as protection against the weather, and an abundance of wholesome food. They sat down to a rude table to eat from tin or pewter dishes, but the meat thereon - the flesh of the deer or bear, of the wild duck or turkey, of the quail or squirrel - was superior to that we eat, and had been won by the skill of the head of the house or of that of his vigorous sons. The bread they ate was made from corn or wheat of their own raising. They walked the green carpet of the grand prairie or forest that surrounded them, not with the air of a beggar, but with the elastic step of a selfrespected freeman.

The settler brought with him the keen ax, which was indispensable, and the equally necessary rifle - the first his weapon of offence against the forests that skirted the water courses, and near which he made his home ; the second that of defence from the attacks of his foe, the cunning child of the forest and prairie. His first labor was to fell trees and erect his unpretentious cabin, which was rudely made of logs, and in the raising of which he had the cheerful aid of his neighbors. It was usually from fourteen to sixteen feet square, and never larger than twenty feet, and was frequently built entirely without glass, nails, hinges or locks.

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The manner of building was as follows : First large logs were laid in position as sills; on these were placed strong sleepers, and on the sleepers were laid the rough hewed puncheons, which were to serve as floors. The logs were then built up till the proper height for the eaves was reached ; then on the ends of the building were placed poles, longer than the other end logs, which projected some eighteen or more inches over the sides, and were called "butting pole sleepers ;" on the projecting ends of these was placed the "butting pole," which served to give the line to the first row of clapboards. These were, as a matter of cpurse, split, and as the gables of the cabin were built up, were so laid on as to lap a third of their length. They were often kept in place by the weight of a heavy pole, which was laid' across the roof parallel to the ridge pole. The house was then chinked and daubed with a coarse mortar.

A huge fire place was built in at one end of the house, in which fire was kindled for cooking purposes, for the settlers generally were without stoves, and which furnished warmth in winter. The ceiling above was sometimes covered with the pelts of the raccoon, opossum, and of the wolf, to aid to the warmth of the dwelling. Sometimes the soft inner bark of the bass wood was used for the same purpose. The cabin was lighted by means of greased paper windows. A log would be left out along one side and sheets of strong paper, well greased with coon grease or bear oil, would be carefully tacked in.

The furniture comported admirably with the house itself, and hence, if not elegant, was in most perfect taste. The tables had four legs and were rudely made from a puncheon. Their seats were stools, having three or four legs. The bedstead was in keeping with the rest, and was often so contrived as to permit it to be drawn up and fastened to the wall during the day, thus affording more room to the family. The entire furniture was simple and was framed with no other tools than the ax and auger. Each was his own carpenter, and some displayed considerable ingenuity in the construction of implements of agriculture and utensils, and furniture for the house. Sometimes they had knives and forks and sometimes they had not. The common table knife was the pack knife or butcher knife. Horse collars were sometimes made of the plaited husk of the maize sewed together. They were easy on the neck of the horse, and if tug traces were used, would last a long time. Horses were not used much, however, and oxen were almost exclusively used. In some instances carts and wagons were constructed or repaired by the self-reliant settler, and the woeful creakings of the untarred axles could be heard at a great distance.

The women corresponded well with the description of the virtuous woman in the last chapter of Proverbs, for they "sought wool and flax, and worked willingly with their hands." They did not, it is true, make for themselves "coverings of tapestry," nor could it be' said of them that their "clothing was silk and purple;" but they "rose while it was yet night, and gave meat to their household," and they "girded their loins with strength and strengthened their arms." They "looked well to the ways of their household and ate not the bread of idleness." They laid "their hands to the spindle and to the distaff," and "strength and honor were in their clothing." Vol. i - :o

In these days of furbelows and flounces, it is refreshing to know that the ladies of that ancient time considered eight yards an extravagant amount to put in a dress. The dress was usually made plain with four widths in the skirt, the two front ones cut gored. The waist was made very short, and across the shoulders behind was a draw string. The sleeves were enormously large and tapered from shoulder to wrist, and the most fashionable - for fashion, like love, rules alike the "court and grove" - were padded so as to resemble a bolster at the upper part and were known as "mutton legs," or "sheep shank" sleeves. The sleeve was often kept in place by a heavily starched lining. Those who could afford it used feathers, which gave the sleeve the appearance of an inflated balloon from elbow up, and were known as "pillow" sleeves.

Many bows and some ribbons were worn, but scarcely any jewelry. The tow dress was superseded by the cotton gown. Around the neck, instead of a lace collar or elegant ribbon, there was disposed a copperas colored neckkerchief.

In going to church or other public gatherings in summer weather, they sometimes walked barefoot till near their destination, when they would put on their shoes or moccasins. They were contented and even happy without any of the elegant articles of apparel now used by the ladies and considered necessary articles of dress. Ruffles, fine laces, silk hats, kid gloves, false curls, rings, combs and jewels were almost unknown, nor did the lack of them vex their souls. Many of them were grown before they ever saw the interior of a well supplied drygoods store. They were reared in simplicity, lived in simplicity and were happy in simplicity.

It may be interesting to speak more specifically regarding cookery and diet. Wild meat was plentiful. The settlers generally brought some food with them to last till a crop could be raised. Small patches of Indian corn were raised, which, in the earliest days of the settlements, was beaten in a mortar. The meal was made into a coarse but wholesome bread, on which the teeth could not be very tightly shut on account of the grit it contained. Johnny cake and pones were served at dinner, while mush and milk was the favorite dish for supper. In the fireplace hung the crane, and the dutch oven was used in baking. The streams abounded in fish, which formed a healthful article of food. Many kinds of greens, such as dock and polk, were eaten. The "truck patch" furnished roasting ears, pumpkins, beans, squashes and potatoes, and these were used by all. For reaping bees, log rollings and house raisings, the standard dish was pot pie. Coffee and tea were used sparingly, as they were very dear, and the hardy pioneer thought them a drink fit only for women and children. They said it would not "stick to the ribs." Maple sugar was much used and honey was only five cents a pound. Butter was the same price, while eggs were three cents. The utmost good feeling prevailed. If one killed hogs, all shared. Chickens were to be seen around every doorway in great numbers and the gabble of the turkey and quack of the duck were heard in the land. Nature contributed of her fruits. Wild grapes and plums were to be found in their season, along the streams.

The women manufactured nearly all of the clothing worn by the family. In cool weather gowns made of "linsey woolsey" were worn by the ladies. The chain was of cotton and the filling of wool. The fabric was usually plaid or striped, and the differing colors were blended according to the taste and fancy of the fair maker. Colors were blue, copperas, turkey red, light blue, etc. Every house contained a card loom and spinning wheels, 'which were considered by the women as necessary for them as the rifle was for the men. Several different kinds of cloth were made. Cloth was woven from cotton. The rolls were bought and spun on little and big wheels, into kinds of thread; one the "chain" and the other the "filling." The more experienced only spun the chain; the younger the filling. Two kinds of loom were in use. The most primitive in construction was called the "side loom." The frame of it consisted of two pieces of scantling running obliquely from the floor to the wall. Later, the frame loom, which was a great improvement over the other, came into use.

Many times when the men gathered to a log rolling or barn raising, the women would assemble, bringing their spinning wheels with them. In this way sometimes as many as ten or twelve would gather in one room, and the pleasant voices of the fair spinners were mingled with the low hum of the spinning wheels.

Such articles of apparel as could not be manufactured were brought to them from the nearest store by the mail carrier. These were few, however. The men and boys, in many instances, wore pantaloons made of the dressed skin of the deer, which then swarmed the prairies in large herds. The young man who desired to look captivating to the eye of the maiden whom he loved, had his "bucks" fringed, which lent them a not unpleasing effect. Meal sacks were also made of buckskin. Caps were made of the skins of the wolf, fox, wild cat and muskrat, tanned with the fur on. The tail of the fox or wolf often hung down the top of the cap, lending the wearer a jaunty air. Both sexes wore moccasins, which in dry weather were an excellent substitute for shoes. There were no shoemakers and each family made its own shoes.

The settlers were separated from their neighbors often by miles. There were no churches or regular services of any kind to call them together, hence, no doubt, the cheerfulness with which they accepted invitations to a house raising or a log rolling or a corn shucking, or a bee of any kind. To attend these gatherings sometimes they would go ten miles or more.

Generally with the invitation to the men went one to the women to come to a quilting. The good woman of the house where the festivities were to take place would be busily engaged for a day or more in preparation for the coming guests. Great quantities of provisions were to be prepared, for dyspepsia was unknown to the pioneer and good appetites were the rule and not the exception.

The bread used at these frolics was generally baked on Johnny or Journey cake boards, and was the best corn bread ever made. The board was made smooth, about two feet long and -eight inches wide. The ends were generally rounded. The dough was spread out on this board and placed leaning before the fire. One side was baked and then the dough was changed on the board, so the other side was presented to the fire. This was Johnny cake and was good if the proper materials were put in the dough and it was properly baked.

At all log rollings and house raisings, it was customary to provide liquor. Excesses were not indulged in, however. The fiddler was never forgotten. After the day's work had been accomplished, out doors and in, by men and women, the floor was cleared and the merry dance began. The handsome, stalwart young men, whose fine forms were the result of their manly, outdoor life, clad in fringed buckskin breeches and gaudily colored hunting shirts, led forth the bright eyed, buxom damsels, attired in neatly fitting linsey woolsey garments, to the dance, their cheeks glowing with health and eyes speaking of enjoyment, and perhaps of a tenderer emotion.

In pioneer times the corn was never husked on the stalk, as is done at this day, but was hauled home in the husk and thrown in a heap, generally by the side of the crib, so that the ears, when husked, could be thrown direct into the crib. The whole neighborhood, male and female, were invited to the shucking, as it was called. The girls, and many of the married women, engaged in this amusing work.

In the first place two leading expert huskers were chosen as captains, and the heap of corn divided as nearly equal as possible. Rails were laid across the pile so as to designate the division ; and then each captain chose, alternately, his corps of huskers, male and female. The whole number of working hands present were selected, on one side or the other, and then each party commenced a contest to beat the other, which was in many cases truly exciting. One other rule was that whenever a male husked a red ear of corn, he was entitled to a kiss from the girls. This frequently excited much fuss and scuffling, which was intended by both parties to end in a kiss. It was a universal practice that tafna or Monongahela whisky was used at these husking frolics, which they drank out of a bottle, each one, male and female, taking the bottle and drinking out of it, and then handing it to his next neighbor, without using any glass or cup whatever. This custom was common and was not considered rude. Almost always these corn shuckings ended in a dance. To prepare for this amusement fiddles and fiddlers were in great demand, and it often required much fast riding to obtain them. One violin and a performer were all that was contemplated at these innocent rural games.

Toward dark and the supper half over, then it was that a bustle and confusion commenced. The confusion of tongues at Babel would have been ashamed at the corn shuckings, the young ones hurrying off the table, and the old ones contending for time and order. It was the case, in nine times out of ten, that but one dwelling house was on the premises, and that used for eating as well as dancing.

But when the fiddler commenced tuning his instrument the music always gained the victory for the young side. Then the dishes, victuals, table and all, disappeared in a few minutes, and the room was cleared, the dogs driven out, and the floor swept off ready for action. The floors of these houses were sometimes the natural earth, beat solid, sometimes the earth, with puncheons in the middle over the potato hole, and at times the whole floor was made of puncheons.

The music at these country dances made the young folks almost frantic, and sometimes much excitement was displayed to get on the floor first. Generally the fiddler on these occasions assumed an important bearing, and ordered in true professional style, so and so to be done, as that was the way in North Carolina, where he was raised. The decision ended the contest for the floor. In those days they danced jigs and four handed reels, as they were called. Sometimes three handed reels were also danced. In these dances there was no standing still ; all were moving at a rapid pace from the beginning to the end. In the jigs the bystanders cut one another out, as it was called, so that this dance would last for hours. Sometimes the parties in a jig tried to tire one another down in the dance, and then it would also last a long time before one or the other gave up. The cotillion or stand still dances were not then known. «

The bottle went round at these parties as it did at the shuckings, and male and female took a dram out of it as it passed around. No sitting was indulged in, and the folks either stood or danced all night, as generally daylight ended the frolic. The dress of these hardy pioneers was generally in plain homespun. The hunting shirt was much worn at that time, which was a convenient working or (lancing dress. Sometimes dressed deerskin pantaloons were used on these occasions, and moccasins, rarely shoes, and at times barefeet were indulged in. In the morning all went home on horseback or on foot. No carriages, wagons or other vehicles were used on these occasions, for the best of reasons - because they had none. Dancing was a favorite amusement and was indulged in by all.

The amusements of those days were more athletic and rude than those of today. Among settlers in a new country, from the nature of the case, a higher value was set upon physical than mental endowments. Skill in woodcraft, superiority of muscular development, accuracy in shooting with the rifle, activity, swiftness of foot, were qualifications that brought their possessors fame. Foot racing was often practiced, and often the boys and young men engaged in friendly contests with the Indians. Every man had a rifle, and always kept it in good order. His flints, bullet molds, screwdriver, awl, butcher knife and tomahawk were fastened to the shot pouch trap or to the belt around the waist. Target shooting was much practiced and shots were made by the hunters and settlers, with flint lock rifles, that cannot be excelled by their descendants with the improved breech loaders of the present day.

At all gatherings jumping and wrestling was indulged in, and those who excelled were thenceforward men of notoriety. Cards, dice and other gambling implements were unknown. Dancing was a favorite amusement. It was participated in by all.

At their shooting matches, which were usually for the prize of a turkey, or a gallon of whisky, good feeling generally prevailed. If disputes arose, they were often settled by a square stand-up fight, and no one thought of using other weapons than fists. They held no grudge after their fights, for this was considered unmanly. It was the rule, that if a fight occurred between two persons, the victor should pour water for the defeated as he washed away the traces of the fray, after which the latter was to perform the same service for the former.

Among the first of the pioneer mills were the "band mills." The plan was cheap. The horse power consisted of a large upright shaft, some ten or twelve feet in height, with some eight or ten long arms let into the main 'shaft and extending out from it fifteen feet. Auger holes were bored into the arms on the upper side at the end, into which wooden pins were driven. This was called the "big wheel" and was, as has been seen, about twenty feet in diameter. The raw hide belt or tug was made of skins taken off of beef cattle, which were cut into strips three inches in width ; these were twisted into a round cord or tug, which was long enough to encircle the circumference of the big wheel. There it was held in place by the wooden pins, then crossed and passed under a shed and run around a drum, or what is called a "trunnel head," which was attached to the grinding apparatus. The horses or oxen were hitched to the arms by means of raw hide tugs. Then walking in a circle the machinery would be set in motion. To grind twelve bushels of corn was considered a good day's work on a band mill.

The most rude and primitive method of manufacturing meal was by the use of a grater. A plate of tin was pierced with many holes, so that one side was very rough. The tin was made oval and then nailed to a board. An ear of corn was rubbed hard on this grater, whereby the meal was forced through the holes, and fell down into a vessel prepared to receive it. An improvement on this was the hand mill. The stones were smaller than those of the band mill and were propelled by man or woman power. A hole was made in the upper stone and a staff of wood was put in it, and the other end of the staff was put through a hole in a plank above, so that the whole was free to act. One or two persons took hold of this staff and turned the upper stone as rapidly as possible. An eye was made in the upper stone, through which the corn was put into the mill with the hand in small quantities to suit the mill, instead of a hopper. A mortar, wherein corn was beaten into meal, was made out of a large round log, three or four feet long. One end was cut or burned out so as to hold a peck of corn, more or less, according to circumstances. This mortar was set one end on the ground, and the other up, to hold the corn. A sweep was prepared over the mortar so that the spring of the pole raised the piston and the hands at it forced it down on the corn so hard that after much beating, meal was manufactured.