The Gilmer Mirror from Gilmer, Texas • Page 33

THE G1LMER MIRROR. Gilmer. Texas Aug. 15, 1908- John M. Hill Faithfully Serves Mirror John Hill has been in the photographic business in Gilmer for the past twenty years and during that time many of his pictures have appeared in the Mirror.

John has not only supplied us with studio portraits of brides, and newsworthy citizens, but many action shots of wrecks, football games and anything we asked for. With his photocopy camera he has copied numerous old pictures and so they could be reproduced in this historical issue. Now the Editors have turned tables on him and have taken his picture to record in this Historical Special Edition. MEMBERS OF THE GILMER MIRROR staff at present arc front, left, Connie Blasingame, office aide; Mrs. Betty Jones, office and circulation manager; Mrs.

Jean Thompson, offset composition; standing, Marvin Tidwell, machine operator and press; J. D. Poole, make up anc! press; Robert.L. Mabcrry, machine operator and press; C. (Lcm) Lightfoot, advertising manager.

Fowlers Bridge Grounds Picnics Major Social Event in Older Days BY ARA SCJIKUM The old Fowler's Bridge Picnic grounds were located between Soules Chapel and Emm communities, about at the bridge over Cypress Creek on FM Road 556. The land was owned by Mrs. Martha Nicholas as early as 1949 and later by William Fowler, the grandfather of Mrs. Car! Larsson. The picnic grounds accordingly became known as Fowler's Bridge Picnic Ground.

During Ihe 1870s and possibly as far back as the 1869s several cabins were built there. I have heard they were built to accommodate' 'ChShced' to pass Ilia I way. We do know that later on during the Jesse James excitement that he camped there to exchange his tired horse for a fresh one. He swapped her off to Mr. Fowler, and soon after it had a colt, which the Fowler children as a pet for a number of years.

Old and young of all surrounding communities were interested in the upkeep of the picnic grounds, and before special holidays they met mid cleaned them. They built platforms for speakers and singers and the young men built what they called a dance hall. They fixed nice, cleared places to park their wagons and buggies and hitching blocks for those who had ridden horses there. Special tables were built for spreading lunches. There was much congeniality among the citizens.

The housewives were very busy for several days before holidays since everything was prepared at home. One could not go to stores and buy bread, cakes, boiled ham, ready-dressed chickens, pickles and salads, but instead, at least two days were spent over a hot wood- burning stove, regardless of the hot weather, there was very little worry over it. One does not worry over the absence of conveniences that had never been dreamed of. Food was always plentiful. Since there were those who lived too away to bring food, lousewives took special pains have food for all.

July the Fourth was an outstanding holiday, especially in election years. Candidates came from of the county and many who were running state 'ices came to make'speeches and meet the voters. Mothers with small children arranged games for hem, after snake dens had been cleared away. Nothing was neglected. Men, women WE The Gilmer Mirror which has contributed to the Progress of GiLMER and UPSHUR COUNTY Williams Furniture Home of FINE FURNITURE and KELVINATOR APPLIANCES and children enjoyed holidays at Fowler's Bridge.

The Fourth of July was a great day for young people. They delivered such speeches as, "The New South," by Henry W. Grady; "Gettysburg Oration," by Abraham Lincoln, and "The Lips That Touch Liquor Shall Never Touch Mine." A small boy at one time gave a reading with these lines: for the time is coming, When the ladies can vote like the men. Hurrah! won't the polls be blooming feathers: and furbelows Square very popular and young men met a few days before a planned picnic to see that everything was arranged for dancing. During those early days there were many very graceful dancers.

The only musical instrument was the fiddle for outdoor music. The fiddler charged 20c for a set. Someone always sold lemonade and red soda pop. Lemonade was, made In a large wash tub and sold for 5c a glass. Boys saved nickels to buy drinks for their girl friends.

On election years, candidates came with a pocketfull of nickels to treat the voters and their children. In'later years, the young boys spent the afternoon playing baseball. In 1908, of the "'outstanding occasions of this noted place was perhaps the first competitive 'basketball game played County. Twelve of the Rosewood school girls chose sides for the game. Their colors were pink and Among these were Ruth Carson Shipp, deceased, Kate Mc- Elneath Bullard, Onie Williams Childress, Joana Williams Logan, Ona Thomas Mings, Clysta Hurt Caffey, Eudft Hunt Case, Zona Hunt Gabbant, deceased, Beulah Schrum LaRue.

Olga Roberts Edwards, Ruth Lantrip, de- IOHN HILL ceased, Sadie McKnight, and Bessie Vickers. Sad to say, as much as we treasure our automobiles and television sets, they have changed the entire world and our nice picnic pleasures have to airplane trips to different parts of the world. But this modern generation must remember that there has always been an enjoyable way to be entertained. Too, patriotism should be instilled in our young people. Few young boys and girls (now what "The New South" by Grady, or Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address" are.

fummi PRESSING REPAIRING I I Know MY BUSINESS and want Your BUSINESS Old Clothes made new-New ones made, too. ALDREDGE, 1 FRENCH DRY CLEANING A SPECIALTY Immm After 63 Years' Experience We know our business even better than when the above advertise- ment was run. And in our modern plant we have the best equip- ment and Sanitone process to offer a complete textile maintenance service. CUANERS Woman's Forum History Told During post-World War II year, Gilmer had three federated women's clubs for a period that ended in Ihe early 1960's. The Woman's Forum became inactive then, leaving the Twentieth Century Club and the Bluebonnet Literary Club.

Mrs. M. P. Mell, Mrs. L.

G. Martin and Mrs. Alvin Spencer were leaders in the Woman's Forum during the years when it carried on a full program of meetings with programs on a variety of subjects. The club also contributed to fund-raising drives for local, state and national causes. Membership during, the Inlter years of the club's history included Mines.

Jack Hogg, E. E. Faircs, Hnrpcr, 0. Rountrco, Roy Harper, Jesse King, Raymond Clnrk, Francis Glpson, Fred Odom, E. Knowles, Olcn Loyd, Ellis Stcmbrldgc, R.

H. Barrett, Leonard Pickitt, J. B. Gnlvin, Peter Lynll, W. A.

Hnmm. LONGVIEW mm MOST FASHION ABU WOMfN OF tAST UXAS.