Star C. A. STEPHENSON, Editor and Proprietor. Wednesday, March 3. 1909. THE D. A. R. PRIZE ESSAY. EDITOR'S XOTE: The essay Mine is presented not only be cause it in interesting in itself, but to girt the public an Uka of the good that is being accomplished in the lieynoldsoille High School by the 1). A. It. annual prize to encourage America historical research by the students. Essay shyhtlu abridged. COLONIAL BELIEFS AND CUSTOMS. BY ALDINE REED. The thirteen colonies of America were Inhabited by many nationalities. The English predominated although there was a large Dutch element in New York, as well as Scotch, Irish, Germans and Huguenots thickly scattered throughout the colonies. Each nation endeavored to maintain Its own beliefs and customs, which was easily accomplished, as com munication was very difficult. The classes ol society were clearly marked and matters of social position were much more important than now. The loweBt class included all the negroes, while the second was composed of the poor white laborer, or bond servant. The merchants, traders, farmers and in fact the majority of the colonists, were next to the highest class, which consisted of the nobility, wealthy plant ers and educated men. ' The wealthy settlers lived in large mansions built of Im ported brick or stone and furnished with the, elegance of the manor bouses of England, while the ordinary colonial borne was a rude log cabin or a frame building. ' The early cabins bad oiled paper In the windows insteadof glass, and tallow- candles or whale-oil lamps lighted the dwellings at night. The floors were often snr.ded and marked off In ornamental figures, while the carpets served as coverings for the table or cupboard. It was customary to have only a certain number "of the various articles in euuh room, such as chests, stools and perhaps the luxury of a chair. But no matter how un attractive the exterior or bo scantily furnished within, these bumble homes had a redeeming feature In the great fire-placs, around which the men gathered during the long winter evenings, reading books or telling stories, while the mothers and daughters Bat spinning outperforming some other domestic duty. Often these merry groups were Interrupted by a mes senger announcing the approach of Indians, or by the firing of three successive shots, another signal of danger. Then . V. (.mil. ... . . . . 1 . 1 nlltntl (..(tin. V .nAnaooni. iklnna IjUO l m u ' ' j nuuiu uicu.jr pguvue vun luuov ucucodm j uuiuaD and hurry along the dark paths to the block house, a place of refuge for the people miles around. At first the white man wore armor and defended himself with match-locks and spears, but later he used the flint-lock. During the winter the soldier of the north wore; snow-shoes in pursuing the savages. The cautious colonist learned many traits which baffled even the cunning Indian. The men went to church armed, the minister delivered his discourse with a musket by his side, while a sentinel kept watch at the door. In old New England they sowed grain over the graves lest the Indians would notice bow many h ad perished and take advantage of their weakness. New England was the first place to make any advance ments in the line of education, and the founding of a school at Boston was the beginning of the system of the public schools. Children were sent at an early age and while the boy were taught reading, writing and arithmetic the girls were carefully Instructed in domestic duties. The school master was usually paid In grain and the parents supplied half a cord of wood for the school bouse fire. If this wood waa not promptly furnished, the child suffered by not being allowed to go near the fire. - Then the school master did not believe In spoiling the pupils for he fiercely and frequently used the rod and ferule, while many other chastisements were inflicted, such as "sitting on a seat turned upside down with the thumb on a knot in the floor," or balancing on a one legged school. In later years many schools and colleges were founded for the children but the wealthy planters continued to employ tutors for their sons. An Interesting feature was their dress, which usually de termined their social standing, The nobility followed the fashions of England, the men wearing wigs, rich velvet coats and knee-breeches, and the women dressing In quaint and fancy gowns of silk, gauze and lace. The balr was pow dered and arranged In puffs or curls, one style consisting of thirteen curls at the neck In honor of the thirteen new col , onles. Later the "tower," a very elaborate head gear, and the face-patches were of much Importance. The Puritans, however, forbade the wearing of costly apparel and fought stoutly against the long hair. Their matrons were gowned n stiff, long-waisted bodices with crossed kerchief at- throat and becoming skirts, while their balr was often cut straight fceross the forehead, like our modern bangs. The workmen wore leather, deerskin or coarse canvas clothing, TV i a . a , i i . ... .. v uuriug mo urui century 01 colonial me, people cared little for any form of amusement but gradually their lives were cheered by the spinning bees, husking and quilting parties. In the southern colonies fox-hunting and horse-racing were the favorite sports, while the Dutch settlers In New York delighted in skating and coasting. Dancing, card-playing and even smoking were strongly opposed in New England, but were not entirely suppressed. Even the invitations to the balls and -dinners were written on the backs of playing cards. To be Invited to the governor's ball was considered an honor as it was the greatest event of the year. Much time was spent in preparation so that each one might make a pleasing appearance, as it furnished the subject of conversa tion lor many weeks after. Other fashionable diversions were tea-parties, picnics, lectures and the olden-time singing . school. In the old colony days no greater ill could befall an adult than to be unmarried. What could a woman do in the new settlements among the unbroken forests without a husband ? How could a man live without a housewife? Offers of home lota were made to the bachelors as an inducement for them to marry. They were watched constantly like some criminal and were held in disfavor by the entire neighborhood. So the colonists married young and often, while even the wid ows and widowers hastened into wedlock. Then again a young man was in danger of fine or the whipping post if he courted without the parents' permission, but if the engage Bent had been permitted, then it waa too late for a parent to interfere. Religious wo?blp pl'yed an Important part In the ll'e of , the colonies. Surelj e ought to find religious liberty In a new land, where people have fled for this desire, but It was not so, a each colony wanted freedom only for themselves. Rhode Island was the one colony which welcomed all sects and did not persecute people with beliefs unlike their own, Tbelr Sabbath began at six p. m. on Saturday and lasted until sundown on Sunday. It was so strictly observed that all amusements were prohibited and attend ance at divine services was compulsory. The beating of a drum summoned every one to the meeting-house, where tbey listened to long sermons and singing without any instrument al muslo They did not consider It a hardship to sit shiver ing for hours on the wooden benches, even though the tithing laun bad to awaken many a sleeper or punish the noisy boys. The men always sat on one side of the aisle and the women on the other, while the rear seats and gallery were occupied by children and negroes. The colonies punished many offences that are treated light ly to-day, such as lying, swearing, scolding and drinking. As much publicity as possible was made In order to restrain other evil-doers. The people could dally observe the idie fellows tied to the whipping post getting their just deeserts with a cat-of-nine-talls. Sometimes through the bars of a wooden cage woula be seen a human being; others stood with baiters about their necks, while still others had the first let ter of tbelr crime branded upon tbeir faces. A gossiping woman would be ducked Into tbe water, while the men would stand with head and bands fast In tbe pillories or sit ting in stocks. So It seems that tbe colonists had much the same exper iences the peoplo have to-day going to church, working, traveling, marrying and dying. Their lives are full of In terest to us, not only because tbey are our fore-fathers, but because we know their manner of living. Under attic eaves, out of old trunks and sea-chests we have found rare relics of these early dayB, while the pen has produced so beautifully their charming customs and quaint beliefs. Thus we are kept In close touch with America's founders through tbe authors, who could not have choBen a more worthy theme. Who could portray a more beautiful life than that of Prls cllla, and what could be more pleasing than Irving's delight ful sketches? What an Influence the manners of this period have had on America I What an Inspiration to us In main taining the purity of the Sjwftbath and the sanctity of tbe home I "Let us thank God (or having given us such an cestors, and Int. nach successive generation thank him not less fervently, for being one step further from them in the march of ages." FOUR-HORSE-TEAM ROADS. When it takes a four-bourse team to pull a load of macaroni from tbe factory to tbe town over a township road, and when a heavy draft horse has to stop Ave timeB on a down grade with a light load on a street within tbe borough all on au oount of Boft clay roads It is time for tbe local people and officials to get busy with plans for further road improvement during the coming summer. The importance of having the highways within and leading to the town permanently paved cannot be exaggerated. Pave every road radiating from Reynoldsville for a distance of ten miles and the town will have twenty times tbe amount of rural trade It has now. That's a bold statement but It will stand the searchlight. Tbe experience of cities where road paving Is farther ad vanced than in this Bection of tbe state proves It. State aid, of course, will greatly facilitate further paving, and for this reason tbe people of Reynoldsville will devoutly pray for the adoption of a joint resolution now before tbe Pennsylvania legislature. It provides for an amendment to the constitution so as to permit the state to Increase Its bor rowing capacity $50,000,000, tbe money to be use for good roads, At tbe same time a bill providing for a state highway board and making an appropriation for the next two years was presented in the senate. The amount of the aporoprla- tlon for present needs in road building was not specified, but may be made about $2,000,000 or $3,000,000 a year for tbe next two years. It Is said that tbe bill providing for the new board will have tbe effect of superseding the present bead of the state highway department. The passing of the present highway department officials will not be considered a calamity by Jefferson county people. Red tape and political connections do cot make for efficiency. FOR REYNOLDSVILLE MERCHANTS. Interesting figures compiled by M. W. Lawrence, manager of two farm journals circulating In Ohio and Michigan, shows that 7"i per cent of tbe farmers of those states do not take any of tbe popular national magazines. In other states Mr. Lawrence believes this percentage will be found to be even greater. V In many communities tbe local paper must be the only reading matter that enters the borne. In some cases it Is everything from cook book to bible. Such a paper must exert a tremendous influence on public opinion and upon the buying public The Reynoldsville merchant appaiently falls to see that be has right at hand the means of combating mail order houses. Ac advertisement in his local paper will carry more weight than all the catalogues and national advertising that a mall order house puts out. Think it over, merchants of Reynoldsville, and do your fair share in the fight against the mail order house by ad vertising in the paper that is fighting for your best interests. Does it pay to, be cheerful? Last week The Star's ac count of the dawning revival of prosperity in Reynoldsville was read by a business man of Youngstown, Ohio, and he straightway started for Reynoldsville to Invest In real estate. He investigated local conditions and prospects, found our reports substantially correct, and closed a deal. Before he left he stated that eventually he was coming back to Reyn oldsville to live, "Because," said be, "I never struck a town that I liked better." DuBols has placed a professional promoter in charge of her clay development. When DuBols has bad tbe .experience with promoters that Reynoldsville has gone through, It will learn that "professionals"' usually leave a "dark blue taste" In the mouth after the spree Is over. Tbe prospect of a strike in tbe anthracite district Is noted with Interest by the local dealers and miners. It would ma terially increase the demand for the bituminous product and stimulate many other lines of Business in the soft ooa) region. Think long before you repeat and help to circulate a report injurious to any local institution. Utterly unfounded and malicious rumors are frequently spread lnthls way, as was the case in one instance in Reynoldsville last week. ( t i nere i Am Again "this year to Weave Your Carpet on short notice. Work guaranteed, price the lowest. Best chain used. I am selling carpet also cheap. Teofeel Demay, Box 358. West Reynoldsville. I ' I ft Tbe man who is a "bear" on tbe future of Reynoldsville is going to go broke. Tbe only person pessimlstlo is the one who doesn't know. I Eggs For Hatching AND BABY CHICKS THOROUGH-BRED ?TOUK. S. C. Black Mlnorcas, eggs $1.00 per 15; chicks 12c each. S. C. Buff Rocks, eggs 75c per 15; chicks 12o each. . S. C. White Leghorns, eggs 50o per 15; chicks 10c each. S. C. Barred Rocks, eggs 50c per 15; chicks 10c each. All from extra Rood luylng strain. Bend orders curly. F E. Bussard, H. F.D.I. Kcynolilnville, Pa. Eue Specialist D. M. JACKSON, The well known eye special ist from Tamaqua, Pa., will visit our town again on his 33rd visit at the Imperial Hotel Monday, March 8th, 1909, for seven days; hours 9tol and 6 to 8 evening. You will be well paid to con sult him, as he is scientific and skillful in his profession, as is well known. Don't lose the opportunity and consult him, as he don't make any charges for consultation. No drops. No agents employed. J. R. HILLIS & co:s MONEY SAVING SALE Of Furniture AndCarpets Commencing March 1st We have more than 100 Rugs to choose from. $15.00 Go-Carts at $12.00. Call in and see our large assortment of Brass and Iron Beds. When Dreams Gome Tree. Have you dreamed of a home of your own, where" the long ings of a renter's life time should come true? Now is tbe time to make that dream a realization this spring. Buy a lot. See an architect. Talk with a building contractor. Make that little borne you have had in mind so long with the hardwood floors and man-size bath tub a reality. We have some fine lots for sale. If you want a borne al ready built let us show you the following: Two bouses on Jackson St., on paved end near Fifth St., both on one lot, 50 x 150 feet. Also good barn on same lot. Will sell together or separate ly. One G-room, one 7-room. House and lot on Jackson St., just above Coal Company office. Six rooms, with cellar, laundry and bath. House and lot and vacant lot on Brown street, West Reyn oldsville. Bargains. Brick veneered house of 0 rooms with bath and cellar, on Pike St., West Reynoldsville. Good lot, good garden and nice chicken coop. These are only a few of the bargains we have. See us for farms, city business property and business propositions. We have got what you want; if we have not we will find it for . you cheaper than you can. Remember we also have SEWER CLEAN that will keep your sinks, vats and closets disinfected and In a sanitary condition, and Sew er Clean Double XX that will remove all stoppage In your sewer and drain pipes. REYNOLDSVILLE CHEMICAL CO. Rout. Z. Parrish, Mgr. Big Sale at Horwitz s Store A STORE OF A THOUSAND BARGAINS Commences Saturday, March 6, and will last 15 daysonly-15 days of SLASHING PRICES. $10,000 worth of up-to-date merchandise must be closed out by March 20. Your dol lars buy the most at Horwitz's. Satisfaction guaranteed or money refunded. Prices Smashed to Splinters Every cents' worth of merchandise in our store will suffer the the reduction in price and it is up to you to take hold of these wonderful bargains. Our credi tors have now placed us in such a position that we must sacrifice our stock. OUR LOSS AND YOUR GAIN. Don't Forget that Every Day Is Bargain Day . Here and we will handle any of the goods unless we can absolutely, positively and without the shadow of doubt UNDERSELLJevery store in Jefferson Go. We have gathered for this sale an unsurpassable arrayjof goods wherein we ride rough-shod over the prices. NEW SPRING GOODS ARRIVING PAILY some ahead of time. Shall we hold them? "NO." What then? Give them such price inducements as will sell them in a jiffy. Odd lots of winter goods, broken lines, etc., have their prices cut to the quick. All in all making a March, bargain festival as will excite the whole city from center to ' center. Don't forget this great bargain sale commences March 6th and lasts 1 ONLY IFTEEN D AY S ! Come early and get first choice. Our stock consists of Men's and Boys' Cloth ing, Shoes and Furnishings, also Dry Goods of all kinds, Ladies' Tailor-Made Coats, Suits, Skirts and Shirt Waists. A complete line of Ladles' and Misses' Furnishings. Shoes and Rubbers for Boys, Ladles and Children. Cannot mention prices for lack of space. All goods will be marked In plain red letter prices. ' If you want to save money do not mis this great re duction sale, where your money will go the farthest for your spring and summer buying. Remember the date and place. I. HORWITZ Opera House Building. Reynoldsville, Pa.
Significant historical Pennsylvania newspapers