The Courier News from Blytheville, Arkansas • Page 2

WEDNESDAY, MAY 8, 1953 BLYTHEVILLE (ARK.) COURIER NEWS PAGE THREE OSCEOLA NEWS St, arr Mrs. S. B. Terry Can. Remember Cannon Signaling Civil War's End There aren't mans'.

If. any, around here who can vividly remembei hearing the cannons fired that celebrated the close of the Civil War. Mrs. S. B.

Terry of Luxora was living in the historic town of Vicksburg, during the thickest of the fighting. The hill from where the glad news was sounded out, was in sight of their home. Watching the soldiers firing the big cannons made a lasting impression on a little girl four years and in her 91. years she has'lived to see five wars General Grant's name was as familiar to her as Roy Rogers' is to the children of this age. Mrs.

Terry heard so often tales of how Grant tried to attack Vicksburg, she said that it was as though she remembered when the siege tok place. She also remembers the tale of General Pemberton's unconditional surrender causing the Confederacy to be cut in two and of the scarcity of food that followed, and how the South's industry was destroyed owing to the federal blockade. "Since the fighting took place in the South, it was pretty much like the devastation that countries now- a-days suffer where fighting and burning down buildings and de' stroying railroads take place. The things the South took a century to build up were destroyed in a lew short years. My father died during the chlorea epidmic in Vicksburg and my mother died shortly after in childbirth," she said.

"A younger brother died before my parents passed away. Both my father and mother were born in England and none of their relatives ever came to America with the exception of one uncle, whom I only saw once. He settled in Utah. There were no such things in those clavs as orphan homes. There were ways friends and relatives to take in children who had the misfortune of losing both their parents.

"Some friends of my parents, Mr. and Mrs. W. M. Vickery, took me into their home and I never felt like they weren't my own dear parents.

I never remember having ever Mrs. S. B. Terry from camp meetings to was almost, home all day and the biggest part wanted for anything that" they didn't make an effort to give me. "THEY HAD no children at the time they took me.

Another thing," Mrs. Terry said, "nobody thought of taking out adoption papers. People weren't so technical in those days. "I was born," she went on, "in Jackson, but my parents moved to Vicksburg shortly afterwards. My father was a boilermaker and went out tlirough the ft country repairing vital materials needed to carry on the war.

"Everything was scarce and people back in those days weren't'pro gressive as they are now. but-I be lieve they were more resourcefu probably because they had so littl, to do with. He traveled throng the country in a covered wagon going from one job to another Mr. Vickery had worked under my father, so when I was left an or phan it was like I was a relative of theirs. "After I had gone to make home with the VIckerys, severa children were born to them We were all treated the same so I always felt like the Vickery chil dren were my own blood sisters and brothers.

We had moved back to Jackson where I attended my first school. There were no public schools In those days. Any youne lady who had a fair education became a school mnrm. "School books were as scarce an item as you could find," Mrs Terry said. "The pupils brought their own books from home No two were alike.

Mine was Little Bo Peep I read it so many times I knew It by heart. We weren't taught to read, 'how now brown We made a sing-song out The Children read aloud while studying. Nobody in those days ever heard of anyone beine nervous. If they were, they didn't admit it. We later moved to Wesson, where I grew up- The population of the town now is less than a thousand, so it didn't erow much.

"I WAS BROUGHT up in a church-going family," she said "All we had to look forward" to in the way of amusement if you want to, call it that," she added, "were the annual camp meetings. Back In those days, the men sat on one side of the church and the women and children sat together on the other. "They even had separate doors to go in. Those camp, meetings lasted week and sometimes longer, depending on how long it took to get members from the other denominations to come over to our church. "The young people went for the fun they found in It.

There would be people there who had come in covered wagons, for miles around. with them until hi grown, then later went to Water Valley and later to my home town, Wesson, where he took up photo- raphy. These were the days of the tin-types and I still have some he made many, many years ago," Mrs. Terry said. "We went together for five years and on June 13, 1882, we were married in a church ceremony, which was quite unusual in those days.

My wedding dress was white organdie with yards and yards of lace trimming and had a train. The leg-o-mutton sleeves were almost as big as I was and of course I wore a bustle under the dress. Lace mittens were fashionable in those days and no young lady went out in public without wearing them. "WE WORE THEM to picnics, to church, and to weddings. I was like the kittens who lost their mittens, I always left home wearing them, but lost them before back.

We dressed up, in those I got days in our very best when we went to picnics. The long sweeping skirts and high collars, big straw hats and fancy parasols are a far cry from shorts and pedal- pushers the girls wear now on outings," smiled Mrs. Terry. "I almost got churched once for going to a dance when I was a young girl. 'Skip to my Lu' was the dance craze following the Virginia reel and when the deacon found out I hafl gone to a party where we all danced the new dance, we were called up on the carpet.

We got a good tongue lash- Ing and a bigger was mad over it than if we had jittei bugged," smiled Mrs. Terry. "In my 92 years I have seen lot of changes in everything, frorr raising children to going church." Asked what she thought abou young girls wearing make-up Mrs. Terry told of the only tw times in her whole life she eve used rouge. "That came a long time before lip painting.

I went to a big bap one Sunday and in my girl hod days, baptizing was an even Seats were placed around a big pond of water for the spectators I had pulled a petal off of an ai ificial red rose, dampened it by nouth," Mrs. Terry smiled, "and it on my cheeks. In the niddle of the baptizing the lady sitting in front of me turned around and saw my rosy cheeks and: said to the lady sititng next her, 'Good, God, Laura, look at hat girl's It embarrassed me so I vowed I'd let nature take ts course from then on. The years oiled by considerably before 1 ventured to paint my cheeke gain. "I was visiting my daughter, drs.

C. B. Wood, before coming Luxora to make my home. Rouging had become a necessary vil by then," she smiled, "so I mistered up the courage to try it gain. I dressed myself up in my my Everybody brought their bedding and food and cooked up for days and days and loaded into an old top tin trunk, saved for that purpose.

Those camp meetings were held under'arbors with the hardest board seats you ever sat on, but It was more like a picnic than tnything else so we didn't mind. I met my husband at a camp meeting just as hundreds of other young people did back in those days. "He was an orphan, too, so we had a lot In common from our very first meting, He was reared by ft Dr. Ferguson and his wife near Hazclhurst, Miss, Ha lived unday best, touched up heeks with somebody's rouge I aw sitting on the dresser and rent out on the front porch. My on had never seen me wearing- rouge and when he looked up at me he said.

'Whew! Mamma, ymi like to have gotten a little too That's been about 35 years ago and I've never had any desire to try It again," she said. "MY. continued Mrs. Terry, "made an Ironclad rule when our children came along that as soon as they could read, they given their own Bibles and at breakfast, everybody at the table said a prayer in their own words and were given certain scriptures to read aloud. This practiced seven days a week.

Mr. Terry was away from of the time they were in bed when he got home at night. "He was very strict with the children and religion was stressed from the time they were old enough to understand about anything. Each morning a different member of the family said the blessing and it wasn't said nor breakfast served until every last one of the family was seated. This was practiced at our table year in and year out.

"I never shall forget one funny little incident," Mrs. Terry said. "Our daughter, Anna Bell (Mrs. Anna Bell Ballew) was attending college at the University of Mississippi, and when she came home on visits the phone did all but ring off the wall. One morning we all came into the dining room, sat in our usual places.

It was my morning to say the blessing, every time we all bowed our heads the phone rang and we all had to wait until Anna Bell finished her conversation. This Went on and on, as soon as she would hang up the receiver the phone would ring again. I had heard her say 'hello' so many times I was getting right mad. "Finally, everything was quiet and peaceful and we all bowed our heads for me to say the blessing. I began; 'Hello, I was embarassed to death because Anna Bell had brought her roommate home.

The children were almost bursting inside but they knew better than to laugh so I cleared my throat and started again and I said the same thing. I never got jieyond 'Hello, After my saying it the second time, my husband started helping the plates." MRS. TERUY's maid of honor is living in Dallas, and Is now 90 years old. Eight years ago, she visited Mrs. Terry and the highlight of her visit was when Mrs.

Woods arranged a party at the Peabody Hotel for the two life-long friends to hear Jan Garbor. Mrs. Terry is an ardent television fan, especially does she like, "Ask Washington," and all the quiz programs. She said, "you never get too old to learn." Television came along just as threading a needle was hard for her to do but there are enough beautiful hand made quilts and nine crocheted afghans distributed among the children and grandchildren and even to the great-grandchildren to always remind them of Big Mother, as she is affectionately called by all who know her. It's always interesting to get an older person's philosophy of life and in Mrs.

Terry's 92 years, she never nad a restless disposition. She loves people and pets but avoids crowds for thhe reason she is afraid she night hear something she might to reply to, and if she replied might be the wrong answer and it might cause good friends to sep- "You know what the Bible says' iontlnued Mrs. Terry, "where no wood Is, there the fire goeth out," so t's best to stay at home and tend strictly to your own business and when you've done that, you've done a good day's work. I don't worry about other people," she continued, not that I'm not sorry for them md love to help them in their hou bake better biscuits THE (Dainty COOKINC, FAT 9A tihndertul On tke Social Stan Honored Dale Evans and Roy Rogers were complimented Monday with an Informal morning coffee at the home of Mrs. J.

B. Strickling with Mrs W. V. Alexander as co-hostess. Class mates and old friends of Dale filled the Strickling home.

Vivid red roses In cut glass containers were used in profusion throughout the house. The refreshment table, overlaid by an imported white linen hand made cover, was centered with an arrangement of pink and white snapdragons and pink tulips. Attractive party foods were served and Mrs. Electra Perrin presided over the coffee service. Dale played several of her own compositions on the piano sang several numbers closely associated with the "Queen of the Cow-girls." Mr.

and Mrs. Rogers were guests during their visit to Osceola with her aunt, Mrs. L. D. Massey, Dr.

Massey and daughters. Young People Entertained Mrs. W. V. Alexander and Mrs.

Dlectra Perrin complimented their on and grandson, Buck Alexander, with an intermission party 'riday night when the Junior- Senior prom was given in the high chool auditorium. The party, where the 50 young ieople gathered, was given in the lome of Mrs. Perrin. A summer- ime atmosphere prevailed where olorful flowers, sandwiches and ced drinks were enjoyed on the )orch. Bridge Club Meets Mrs.

J. L. Ward entertained her 'riday bridge club and guests, tfrs. Lee Wesson, Mrs. C.

E. Dean nd Mrs. Kate Hale, with a lunch- on. Centering the dining toble was i arrangement of iris, mock range and carnations. The same owers were used throughout the ouse.

In the games of bridge that fol- owed, Mrs. Doan won high guest rize and Mrs. Jop Hale won sec- nd. Prom Held Hawaii was the theme for the unior-Senior Prom Friday night, 'ven at Osceola High School. Pre- eding the dance, the theme was carried out in the banquet menu and table appointments.

Fresh pineapples surrounded by leis of fragrant flowers were used at intervals on the banquet table. Ha- of need, because I'm always ready to help if it is in my power. After I've done that, that's all I can do and there's no need In my worrying over something I can't help. "Another thing," she said. "I never let criticism disturb me.

If my family lives peacefully among themselves, and I am proud to say they do, then I couldn't ask for a better reward for having a part In their lives." Mrs. Terry makes her home with her daughter, Mrs. C. B. Wood, Sr.

Mrs. Ballew, also a daughter, teaches in Luxora. Her son, W. D. Terry of Smackover, Is the retired manager of Arkansas Power and Light Co.

There are seven grandchildren and six great-grandchildren who are fortunate to having a Big Mother. waiian place cards marked th places. Miss Karan Young acted as mi tress of ceremonies. Following th banquet, the 150 students dance to the music of Jonesboro Sta College band. Personals Miss Carmen Poitras Reid who attends Brenau College Gainesville, was selected ft having the most poise of any gi in the school and was asted be guest speaker at the Gaine ville Rotary Club.

She is th daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bo Reidy. Gene Cox arrived Friday afte noon from Columbia Milltar Academy to spend week en with his parents, Mr. and Mr; Roy Cox.

Mrs. John Moore of Pine Blu is spending a Week with her si: ter, Mrs. Hugh Allen, and Allen. Mrs. Bob Gillespie, Mrs.

Searc Mears, Mrs. Elliott Sartain an Buck Alexander are at home a ter vacationing in Houston, Tex for 10 days. Johnny Strickling Was voted th president of the student body Fr day morning at Osceola Hig School. Johnny, who is the son Mr, and Mrs. J.

B. Strickling and the grandson of Mrs. Georg T. Florida, will serve whe school begins in September. Mr.

and Mrs. Bruce Ivy an Elizabeth Ann are entortainin Mrs. Ivy's brother, Major G. Brandy, who Is stationed in Puer to Rico. He arrived today and wi pay a short visit to the Ivys be fore reporting back to his base.

ONLY 1000 BOTTLE CAPS OR CARTON TABS FROM Homoginizeci Vitamin GOLDEN ROYAL MILK Not a contest! Just take your cap (or tabs) to Midwest Dairy, 10 AIV to 4 PM Saturday, June 13, and th prize is yours, GRAND PRIZE a famous Columbia Bicycle to th boy or girl submitting' the greates number of caps or from Golden Koya.1 Homogenized Vitamin I Midwest Dairy 205 Ward Avenue Caruthersville, Mo. her graduation portrai't- preth'ness bouffant shadoui-prinl organdy 1295 in Blue, Lime Green Pink. Sizes 7 to 15 Clara's Shop 419 West Main STARR GAZING The red carpet was rolled out this week for two celebrities, Roy Rogers and Dale, who payed little Ole Osceola a social visit. It Isn't very often they get to do that. They are about as busy as two people can be and to Just tike oft (or a nice friendly visit with home folks Is as big a treat to them as It would be for us to go to Hollywood.

We old timers remember Dale as Prances Smith and her pictures reaUy don't flatter her one bit. She's much prettier and still has that smile and twinkle in her eye and acl- she's forty and has two grand- 'chlldven. Roy was very much at home among Dale's friends, and it's no wonder, after seeing him in the flesh, that the kids adore most adorable and as friendly as a hound-dog. He sair he'd be back as soon as he could get away again. He was greatly impressed with Osceola and vice versa.

Mother's Day, which is being celebrated Sunday, was first suggested 1907 by Miss Anna Jarvis, of Philadelphia. Both houses of Congress passed a resolution on May 10, 1913, commending the observance of Mother's Day by Congress and the executive department of the government. The following year, Congress authorized the president to set aside, by annual proclamation, the second Sunday in May as Mother's Day. The American flag is displayed on all government buildings on this day. Strong winds have played havoc with the Iris this spring.

Even so, they have never been prettier. The thing that amazes me about iris is how on earth can so many colors come out of one flower? More' then than any other, unless Its roses. Penny post cards were first Issued on May 1, 1873. This te the first spring in all of my life that blue blue been seen in this part of the country. They are so small, at first I thought they were humming birds.

They're the real mccoy that poets and song writers tell us about. An amusing notice seen in a birth anouncement In a Memphis news' paper was that of a son born to a couple by the name Bragg. Their initials spelled "we" and to really set It of they live at 4139 Mink Circle. Who wouldn't braggl Wonder If school kids now-a-days have to memorize Longfellow's "A Psalm of Life," that went something like "Tell me not In mournful numbers, Life is but an empty dream! For the soul is dead that slumbers. And things are not what they seem." There were nine verses to it and If we didn't memorize everyone of them in the course of nine months, we didn't pass.

The desire to try every tiew med- icine that out on Is one o( the things that dkstlnf. wishes man Irom beast. When I see young boyi shooting birds for the sport they find in it, I can't help but think the birds don't die In sport but in earnest and what did the child gain? Sorrows remembered usually sweeten our Joys. Provided 3. person Isn't Insane, he can be cured now-a-dayt of about everything 'cept conceit.

Wonder if any schools In the country celebrated May Day by having a May Pole or Is that old tlmey? I can remember how we all looked forward to dancing around the May pole In our first summer dresses of the season. They had to be white and we wore pink or blue satin ribbon sashes that tied in a big bow In the back. If the weather was too cold at Easter time to shed long drawers, May Day was the next best bet. One hundred seventy years ago today, George Washington met Sir Guy Carlton to arrange for the liberation and exchange of prisoners while the treaty that ended the Revolutionary War and recognized the independence of the United States was being written. History repeats, but the British and Korean evacuation are two different t'-(n- 3.

Our boys coming home in May, 1933, and those in May, 1783, have a different story. Salt was as valuable as gold in ancient China, and salt cakes stamped with a ruler's head or crest were used as money. SALE-M-W REFRIGERATOR' WITH FULL-WIDTH FREEZER 7.1 Cu. Ft. Refrigerator Reduced from Reg.

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