Pioneer River Navigation Maps

 

Pioneer River Navigation Maps 

          In the mid-1830s, J. Duff’s Traveller’s Guide were available for sale on western steamboats. The map indicated the general shape of the river channel, gave the location of towns and cities, listed distances between landings, and sometimes included a range of steamboat fares. As might be expected, they almost always focused on the portion of the river system that was actually navigable by steamers. If one were to depart from the main stem of the river to embark on an overland journey, a river map would have been useless because it usually did not give information about the broader region or network of transportation options.  

          Here is the entire 1838 map of the Ohio River and Mississippi River followed by a section that shows Owensboro and the Green River:

                 Here is a map made in 1851 showing the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers:

        

              And a section of the above map showing the Green River area:

            

              By 1866 the Ribbon Map of the Father of Waters was published that showed all 2,600 miles of the Mississippi River. The map is a continuous strip that measures nearly eleven feet long and a little over two inches wide. 

Actual 1866 Map - Unrolled

Actual 1866 Map - Unrolled in Strips

           When encountering it in person, the river only gradually comes into view over time, making the experience of using the ribbon map more like traveling on the river itself. The digital image serves as a solution to a representational problem: namely, how a map of such an unusual size and shape can be made to conform to a rectangular screen. This twenty-first century challenge seems remote from the context of the post-Civil War era to which this map dates, but it mirrors difficulties that nineteenth-century Americans faced in translating their ideas and experiences of the river into visual representations. Published in 1866 by St. Louis-based entrepreneurs Myron Coloney and Sidney B. Fairchild, the ribbon map’s singular focus on the river and its exaggerated dimensions assert the enduring relevance of the Mississippi River after the Civil War, both to the nation’s identity and to its commercial future.  

          These maps typically indicated the general shape of the river channel, gave the location of towns and cities, listed distances between landings, and sometimes included a range of steamboat fares. As might be expected, they almost always focused on the portion of the river system that was actually navigable by steamers. If one were to depart from the main stem of the river to embark on an overland journey, a river map would have been useless because it usually did not give information about the broader region or network of transportation options. By 1866, however, it was imperative to represent the host of railroad tracks increasingly extending from large and small cities alike. Bold black lines extend from various points along the Mississippi and testify to the centrality of the river’s location between western and eastern markets. 

Source: Nenette Luarca-Shoaf was the 2014-15 Sawyer Seminar Postdoctoral Fellow at the Institute for Advanced Study, University of Minnesota. 

Harrod/Herrod/Hereward Family - 1782 Adventure

 

          This book says Col. James Harrod traveled up the Green River in 1782 with John Isaacs, and up Rough Creek, on the South side, until he crossed a large stream he called Muddy Creek and came to a high bluff where he cut his initials on a tree.  This information came from a deposition of James Harrod in a lawsuit.

          The following is page 287 (325 on pdf version) from the Atkins book:

          The foregoing is the only mention of Ohio County in this book.  There is no evidence that Col. Harrod settled in what is now Ohio County, so we can assume that the trip described above was just an exploration.  The map was drawn by the author, Susan Atkins, not by Col. Harrod.

          Col. James Harrod was killed about ten years later, during 1792, in either Washington County, KY or Bracken County, KY.  This family founded the town of Harrodsburg, KY in 1774 (Mercer County), which is about 15 miles southwest of Lexington. The family surname has been spelled Harrod, Herrod, and Herrard. In later generations the Harrod family lived in various Kentucky counties, in Tennessee, and in Indiana. The first time the name Harrod shows up in the Ohio County census is 1900. If you are a Harrod researcher or descendant, you need to read this book. It can be found online for free.

          As for Col. Harrod's companion, John Isaacs, the 1790 and 1800 census show a John Isaacs living in Salisbury, Rowan County, North Carolina, but there is no family with the Isaacs surname found in Ohio County, Kentucky in the early years.

SHORT HISTORY OF OIL IN OHIO COUNTY

                        SHORT HISTORY OF OIL IN OHIO COUNTY

     The following is not intended to be a thorough review of all oil well production in Ohio County, but enough for you to have a basic understanding of the subject.

     In 1912 oil was discovered four miles east of Hartford, and since then Ohio County has consistently been one of western Kentucky’s leading oil-producing counties. 

1912:

Hartford, Ohio County, first commercial oil from western Kentucky. Oil price is about $0.60 per barrel (Smith, 1968). The well was located "about 5 miles northeast of Hartford in Ohio County, near Concord Church. The first well was commenced on the A. A. Carter farm in November, 1911 and completed in July, 1912 and was about 1,750 feet deep. The operator was Western Kentucky Oil and Gas Company, organized by Mr. W.M. Barnard. Production was a lime formation just below the Devonian Black Shake, known in Kentucky as the Corniferous Sand. [(Note that) Foerste (1910, p. 78) provides an account of an oil producing well drilled in 1889 (in Ohio County).]

Here is a mention in the Hartford Herald on April 24, 1912:

And another short article from November 6, 1912:

This is a view of the Howard No. 1 (Ohio County) well which was drilled to a total depth of 1,740 feet in 1913. Note the boiler in the left foreground. Photo by W. R. Jillson. Wooden "cable-tool" drilling rigs powered by steam engines were common in early drilling in Ohio County.

1926:

• Significant oil production in Taffy, Ohio County. (Taffy is located about 7 miles north of Hartford) .  The Ambrose-Weller pool is near Taffy in Ohio County. The discovery well was drilled by the Ohio Oil Company on the Ellis and Heflin farm in 1926. It was completed at 667 feet in the Jett, and initial production was 50 barrels. Production came from a small outlying body a few hundred feet north of the main sand body. The latter was discovered shortly afterwards by the drilling of the Weller No. 1 by J. C. Ellis. Structure has little to do with production, which is encountered where sand conditions are good. The sand varies from 12 to 70 feet in thickness. Water occurs on the western side in those wells drilled to 210 feet minus. In this vicinity wells have a slower decline. Most of the wells drilled in 1927 and 1928 had initials of more than 100 barrels. The field in 1933 averaged about two barrels to the well. 

1927: Article Courier-Journal:

1927:

The discovery of a buried channel was indicated with the drilling of the J. S. Bartlett No. 1 in 1927. The well missed the usual succession of Chester limestones that occur above the Jett formation. Production was encountered in the summer of 1929 by the No. 1 on the Barnett Creek Church lot. The well was completed at 600 feet with 15 feet of sand and a production of 300 barrels flush. It is one of the richest pools in western Kentucky. Several wells made between 300 and 500 barrels initial and one made 1750 barrels. The sand is highly permeable and does not require shooting.

      1935: 

Fordsville Pool (Ohio County).—Several small Jett formation pools, which were developed in 1935, are included in the Fordsville pool. Wells are shallow, producing at 300 to 400 feet with initials of around 150 barrels. The regional dip is modified only by minor structures, and the occurrence seems to have been determined by availability of the reservoir. 

CURRENT:

Typical rural oil well

          There are now about 20 properties in Ohio County with producing oil wells, and about 106 oil wells that are active.  These oil wells are operated by 36 different companies.  Ohio County is not currently one of the top oil producing counties in Kentucky.  About half of Kentucky’s counties produce oil and natural gas.

          Kentucky has a program for capping “orphaned” oil wells, which are wells abandoned by the original operators. These wells litter forests and fields and are environmental hazards.  Many are uncapped and bubble gas and leak oil. The Division of Oil and Gas plugs and abandons orphan wells identified by division inspection and prioritizes wells based on environmental and/or safety impact.  Funding for the plugging programs is generated by bond forfeitures.  Through this program, the division has plugged more than 3,750 wells throughout the State at no cost to the citizens of the Commonwealth.

          In 2020 the Commonwealth of Kentucky had two oil refineries with a combined processing capacity of about 283,000 barrels per calendar day.

          An Oil Men’s Banquet held at the old Hotel Owensboro on November 21, 1929 was the beginning of a short-lived group who called themselves “The Western Kentucky Oil Men’s Association.” Articles of Incorporation were filed on December 2, 1929 but in a few months the Eastern Kentucky group asked that the Western Kentucky group join with them, and the Western Kentucky Oil Men’s Association’s Articles of Incorporation were amended to become a state-wide organization on August 12, 1930. This became the present Kentucky Oil and Gas Association.  The KOGA was formed to represent the interests of Kentucky’s crude oil and natural gas industry, and more particularly, the independent crude oil and natural gas operators.

Thomas Sanders

Thomas Sanders (1838-1914) of Stoke-Upon-Trent,

Staffordshire, England

(Brother of Charles, George, and John Sanders)

 Photo received from Virginia Beth (Howard) Hudgins

Hartford, KY in 2010 

Notes on Life of Thomas Sanders

 

          Thomas Sanders was the fourth son of John Sanders, Sr. and his wife, Sarah (Smith), who raised a family of nine respectable children.  Tom was born at Penkhull, a village and township within  the district of Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, England. 

          John and Sarah Sanders were found in the 1841, 1851, and 1861 census records of Staffordshire.  In 1851 census, Thomas, age 12, was listed as a scholar.  In 1861, Thomas was listed in the census as age 22 and unmarried.  His occupation was "Tailor” (journeyman) "born Penkhull.”

          On November 12, 1863, he married Charlotte Beardmore in England.  The marriage  record was solemnized at Parish Church in the Parish of St. George, Newcastle-Under-Lyme, in the County of Stafford.  Page: 109, Entry No. 217:   Ref No. C21/3/217.  

"Thomas John Sanders.  Tailor."

"Charlotte Beardmore. 18. Spinster.  Residence at the time of Marriage: Castle Street.  Father, William Beardmore, Tailor.” 

          After Banns.  Wm. Callis, Curate.  Both signed their own names.  Witnesses: William Beardmore and Louisa Chell.  Both signed their own names."  Louisa Chell was the sister of Thomas; William Beardmore was the brother of Charlotte. 

~.~

          Tom first came to America in 1856.  He later returned to England where he married Charlotte Beardmore.  It was reported by family members that he brought his wife, Charlotte, and their first child, a daughter about three years old, back to America.  This was Tom’s second trip to America, according to family tradition.   Thomas left England from Liverpool to New York – 10 weeks by sail.

          In the 1870 census Vanderburgh County, Indiana,  Thomas Sanders was listed as age 30, a peddler, born England, with his wife wife, Charlotte, 22, born England, and a son, William 3, born England.  The immigration year was given as 1856 for Tom and Charlotte (Beardmore) Sanders on the 1910 census record.

          In 1880, Thomas Sanders, 41, was enumerated in the Ohio County, Kentucky census, and was listed as a farmer.  Charlotte was shown as 37, with children William T. age 12, Mary A. age 7 and Fedella, age 3.  By that time, his brother, Charles Sanders, was already living in Ohio County.  Another place that Thomas lived at one time was Friedaland, Ohio County, Kentucky.

          In the 1900 census, the Thomas Sanders family was living in Horse Branch, Ohio Co. Tom was age 62 and gave his birth date as July 1838; Charlotte was 63, and said they had been married 34 years.  Charlotte also said she was born in Ireland, as were both her parents.  She also reported that they got married in 1866 – which is wrong by three years since they got married in November 1863.  Living in the home were three daughters, Lula 27, Hattie 17, and Lura A. Sanders, 17.  Also, William Ford, a boarder, who did farm labor, probably worked for Tom who did general farming. 

~.~

From the Hartford Herald - issue of July 8, 1908, image 7 - FRIEDALAND:

"Uncle Tom Sanders was 70 years old last Saturday.  His children gave him a nice dinner.  All his children and all his grandchildren except one who lives in Oklahoma.

There was a large crowd of his neighbors and friends present and there was plenty of everything good to eat and lots left.   All had an enjoyable day."

~.~

          Ten years later in April 1910 when the census was taken, it appears the family moved from Horse Branch and were living in Olaton.  Tom’s age was given as 71; and Charlotte’s age as 68.  Lula was the only child left living at home – she was 29. 

~.~

          In 1914, January 28 – Thomas died.  His will is recorded in Book E, Page 41, dated March 2, 1909, recorded March 2, 1914.

~.~

          Obituary - quoted from the Hartford Herald, p. 5, column 4, Wed. 4 Feb 1914:

Esq. Thomas Sanders Dead

   "Mr. Thomas Sanders, aged 75, died last Wednesday at his residence near Olaton, this county, after a brief illness of pneumonia.  His remains were interred in the Cane Run church burying grounds Thursday.

 

   "Mr. Sanders was elected and served as Justice of the Peace of his district from January 1, 1914 to January 1, 1919.  He is survived by his widow, one son and four daughters."

          Another write-up in the Hartford Herald, issue of Feb. 11, 1914, pg. 4, column 4, said:                     

Was Born in England, Died in Ohio County

          "Mr. T. H. Sanders, deceased, was born in the town of Stoke, Staffordshire county, England, July 6, 1838.  He came to the United States when quite a young man and returned to England about two years later and married.  He then came to Friedaland, this county, where his wife and five children, who are all married, survive him.

 

He was born and raised a Catholic, but as there was no Catholic church near his home, he joined the Methodist church at Salem several years ago.

 

 "Uncle Tommy," as he was generally known, was an honest and upright man.  He realized from the beginning of his illness, which only lasted about four days, that his time on earth was short and he talked beautifully of his going away.  He said, "I have lived out my usefulness and am ready to meet my Master." 

 

He was laid to rest in Cane Run cemetery, January 28, 1914.

 

          “The pall-bearers were: W. P. Miller, C. C. Christian, C. D. Bean, W. T. Jamison, L. S. Hoover, Wesley Raley, all of whom were past seventy years of age." 

~.~

          A third obituary in The Hartford Republican , dated Friday, January 30, 1914, had a bit of additional information:  

"Esquire Thomas Sanders Dead." 

        "Thomas Sanders, for four years a member of the Ohio County Fiscal Court, died at his home near Cane Run church, 3 miles from Olaton, Wednesday evening at 7 o'clock.

        He had been ill only a few days with pneumonia when the end came.  He was buried yesterday at Cane Run burying ground in the presence of a large number of friends.

       Esquire Sander's term as a magistrate in Sulphur Springs district ended with the year 1913.  He was a good citizen and will be greatly missed in the community." 

~.~ 

Death Certificate

                                                                                                                                                 Charlotte Sanders:  Mention was made in the Hartford Herald newspaper, Wed. 1 April 1914, pg. 4, that: 

        "Mrs. Sanders of the late Esq. Thomas Sanders, has appendicitis and is expected to live but a short time."  

          However, Charlotte did live a little more than one-and one-half years after her husband's death.  She died June 2, 1915 and was laid to rest beside her husband at the Cane Run Baptist Church Cemetery, Friedaland, Ohio Co., KY. 

The known children of Thomas and Charlotte (Beardmore) Sanders were: 

          1. William Thomas Sanders: b 4-24-1867;  md. (1)  Alberta “Birdie” Hoover, Oct 9, 1891;  md. (2)  Ida Beulah Miller, Mar 18, 1900         

          2. Mary Agnes Sanders: b 7-19-1872;  md. Joseph Elmer Miller, Dec 31, 1890 

          3. Fidelia “Della” Sanders: b Abt 1875; md. Robert T. Miller, Jan 8, 1896 

          4. Louise Sanders: b 1880    Died young. 

          5. Hattie Sanders: b 3-8-1883; md. George Cooper,  Dec 24, 1904 

          6. Laura Sanders: b 6-4-1885; md. Nathaniel G. Boswell, Mar 7, 1903 

~.~ 

          By 1974 all of Tom’s children had died except Laura (Sanders) Boswell, who lived in Horse Branch, Ohio Co. Kentucky.   She celebrated her 101^st birthday and I have a newspaper clipping of this celebration.  Laura was the proud grandmother of eleven grandchildren and several great-grandchildren.  She was a post mistress for ten years at Horse Branch. She later died in a nursing home. 

Thanks to Janice Brown

Murrel Coburn Brite

             

             Murrel Coburn Brite, born March 21, 1923 in McDaniels, Breckinridge County, Kentucky and died  April 20, 1990 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.  The Brite family moved to Ohio County in 1930. Capt. Brite graduated from Hartford High School, class of 1941, and attended Western State College, Bowling Green.  He is son of Joseph Edward and Annie Mildred (Butler) Brite who are buried at Rosehill Elmwood Cemetery, Daviess County, Kentucky.  He entered the US Navy in July 1943 and obtained his commission as an officer in 1945. He served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam.

          Lore has it Murrel was invited to meet in Pakistan with Rita Hayworth while she was married to Aga ‘Aly’ Khan 1949-1953.

          His first naval duty was aboard the USS Topeka. In 1949 he served board the USS Power as Gunnery Officer. In November 1954 he reported to the USS Sproston as Operations Officer and in 1956 he assumed the duties of Executive Officer aboard the USS Whitehurst.  He later attended the Naval War College and became an instructor for several years.  He then served aboard the USS Oklahoma and became the Commander of the USS Sutherland in 1966.

          From October 6, 1964 to February 15, 1966 served on USS Sutherland DD-743/DDR-743 as Commander.  He went onboard after overhaul and addition of ASROC, antisubmarine rocket system.  Training was conducted until March 6, 1965.  The ship then returned to Vietnam and her third war in the Western Pacific.  Joined TF 77/Task Force 77 in South China Sea.  Screened carriers until shift in operation to “Market Time,” for trawler surveillance.  On September 11, 1965 the Sutherland returned to San Diego.

USS SUTHERLAND

From Findagrave:

          Murrel Coburn Brite, 67, of the 200 block of 74th St., a Navy captain who retired after 24 years, died April 20, 1990, in a hospital.

          Mr. Brite, a native of McDaniels, KY, was a veteran of World War II and the Korean and Vietnam wars.

          Survivors include a sister, Edda Powell, wife of William Powell, of Clinton, Mo.

          The funeral will be conducted at 3 p.m. Tuesday in H.D. Oliver Funeral Apartments, Laskin Road, by the Rev. Donald Jerge. Burial will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday in Arlington National Cemetery. Memorial donations may be made to a favorite charity. Friends may join the family from 7 to 8 p.m. Monday in the funeral home.

Source: Virginian-Pilot, The (Norfolk, VA) - Sunday, April 22, 1990

THE KENTUCKY LIMBERTWIG TREE

                           THE KENTUCKY LIMBERTWIG TREE

          There are many varieties of Limbertwig, most of which originated in the mountains of Tennessee, North Carolina and Kentucky.  Limbertwigs are noted for their “weeping” growth habit due to their thin and “limber” twigs, but are probably most prized for their distinct and unique flavor.  One bite of a Limbertwig will convince you that this is a very special apple. 

          The origins of this hardy apple variety are unknown, but the earliest account can be traced to a 1798 Virginia nursery advertisement that commends its fine taste. 

          It is a wonderful cider apple.   Great for apple butter, jelly and makes wonderful cider.  An excellent keeper.  Medium to large in size.

          The aptly named Limbertwig apple trees droop, willow-like, in the garden, producing aromatic, tasty fruit that keeps well in storage.  No one knows where Limbertwigs originated, but they may have been brought to America in the 1700s.  Considered an heirloom variety of apples, Limbertwigs may be difficult to find.  The tree’s disease-resistance, weeping habit and delicate flowers make it a fine specimen in the home garden.  Not all varieties of limbertwig droop, but all have a similar apple flavor.

          Kentucky Limbertwig apples are medium to large, greenish or light yellow with light red stripes.  The apples taste light and sweet and are ripe for harvesting in October.  This variety originated in the mountains of Kentucky in the 1800s and is good for cooking, mild cider and eating out of hand.

          Limbertwigs are the “quintessential” Southern Appalachian apple. With just a few exceptions, most Limbertwig apples originated within an area encompassing northwestern North Carolina, eastern Tennessee, southwestern Virginia and southeastern Kentucky.

          As southerners migrated to the north and west, they brought the Limbertwig apple variety to regions across the United States. There are more than 50 different strains of Limbertwig which have been described from this regional birthplace. Examples are the Fall and Brushy Mountain Limbertwig from North Carolina; Kentucky and Caney Fork Limbertwig from Kentucky; Myers’ Royal and Buladean Limbertwig from Tennessee; and Levering and Red Limbertwig from Virginia. There are 96 known varities of the Limbertwig. A notable trait of Limbertwig trees is the characteristic weeping growth habit, a physical feature created by the thin, “limber” twigs and branches which becomes more pronounced late in the season when the tree hangs heavy with ripening fruit.  The weeping habit of the tree is most attractive.

          The Smithsonian Magazine has an article about the Limbertwig dated November 2002.  The article can be found here: 

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/science-nature/apples-of-your-eye-71328777/

Thanks to Janice Brown

Fidella (Porter) Sanders

 

CHARLES SANDERS

September 11, 1829 - March 4, 1910

and wife, 

FIDELLA PORTER

February 20, 1837 – January 11, 1913

Fidella (Porter) Sanders

       At age 13, Fidella Porter was living with her father, Felix Walker porter and step-mother Mary, and 5 siblings in the 1850 census at Maxwell, Spencer Co. IN.

      Fidella Porter was the oldest daughter of Felix Walker Porter and his first wife, Nancy McKim.  She married Charles Sanders, an Englishman, born in Stoke on Trent, Staffordshire, England, the son of John and Sarah Ann Smith.

      The marriage license which Michael Cook, C.G. obtained for me was issued in Troy, Perry Co. Indiana - to Charles Sanders and Fidelia Porter on the 21st day of February 1857 - issued by Joseph M. Gest, Clerk.  They were married the next day by Nicholas Marks, Justice of the Peace. - Marriage Book 2, Perry Co. IN, pg. 292.They became parents of eight children:  Clarence, Sarah, Mary, Charles John; George E; Thomas; Fannie and Caroline.

      In the 1860 census, Charles was age 30; Fidella was age 24, and Clarance was age 2 and the little family was found living in Troy, Perry County, Indiana (pg. 117). 

      In the 1870 census, Charles and Fidella were living in Ward #2, City of Terre Haute,  a city in Indiana,near the state's western border with Illinois, on page 80, listed as:

Charles. age 40, peddler, born England

Fedella, age 32, keeping house, born IN

Clarance, age 12 - at School, born Kentucky

Sarah, age 9, at School, born Indiana

Mary, age 7, at School, born Indiana

Charles, age 5, born Indiana

George, age 2, born Indiana

(Thomas was born after the census was taken in Terre Haute in 1870.)

      By the time the 1880 census was enumerated, Charles had moved from Indiana to Ohio County, Kentucky, where he had lived once before in the 1860s, and where his brother Thomas Sanders lived near Horse Branch or Cane Run.  They were living in Cromwell, Ohio Co. KY.  Charles was listed as 51; Fidella was listed as 43.  Children in the home were:

Mary Sanders, age 17, b. Indiana

Charles J. Sanders, 15, born Indiana

George Sanders, 13, born Indiana

Thomas Sanders, 9, born Indiana

Fannie Sanders,7, born Ohio Co. KY

Caroline Sanders,4  (called "Caddie"), born Ohio Co. KY

      In the 1900 census, Charles 70, and Fidella, 64, were living on their farm located between Cromwell and Select, with their youngest daughter Caddie, age 24, still living at home.  They had been married 43 years.

      Charles Sanders moved from Indiana to Kentucky between 1871 and 1873, and was enumerated in the 1880 census.

      According to the census records, Charles did not move his family to Kentucky until sometime between 1871 and 1873.  His first five children were born in Indiana.  Fannie, the sixth child (and mother of Mary Fannie (Sanders) Rogers), was born in Kentucky in 1873.  Charles oldest daughter, Sarah Sanders (the mother of my grandmother, Eva Caroline (Smith) Cox), married James Thomas Smith of Ohio County, Kentucky on New Year’s Day, January 1, 1880.

      In the early 1870s, Charles Sanders and his wife lived on their farm near Cromwell, Kentucky, two miles from the small community called Select (pronounced See'-lect).  My grandmother said he loved to read the newspaper and walked two miles every morning to Select to purchase his paper.  Grandmother remembered her grandfather very well and Mary Fannie Rogers gave me a picture of Charles Sanders and one of his mother, Sarah Ann (Smith) Sanders, made in Stoke-on-Trent, in England.

      Grandmother also told me that her grandfather always called his wife, Fidella, by the English endearment, “duck.”  My grandmother said she never heard him call her by any other name.  Charles’ own father, John Sanders, may have called his wife, Sarah, using the same endearment as well.  In America, it is the equivalent of saying “dear.”

      “I remember about her good cooking better than anything.    One time I spent the night.  I stayed…and then I got to crying and I wanted to go home.  And I could hear them all hollering over there at home and having a good time, and it was dark.  I stayed one night and all day, and I was so lonesome…and homesick.  And there was a big snow that night…up to your knees.  And I said I wanted to go home, and grandma said, “No, you can’t go tonight…cause we have no phone, and you might fall.”  Well, I just set into squalling.  (Laughs.)  And it was after night, and she couldn’t do nothing with me.  But I remember enough that she got a pair of grandpa’s wool socks and pulled up over my shoes and fixed them where they wouldn’t fall down, and she let me go. 

      And I come in, and Mother was so surprised.  All of them.  They had the lights on… lamps… and they hadn’t eaten their supper…they always ate late.  And grandpa eat early…about 4:30 in the wintertime.  So I had already had my supper.  And I really wanted to go home, and I was so happy when I got there.  There wasn’t any wind blowing.”            

      One day when I interviewed my grandmother, she said that she could remember her grandparents very well.  They lived less than two miles from her house on the same road near Select.  She and her brothers and sisters used to stop by her house on the way home from school every day and she would give them homemade bread, spread with butter and jam.  Grandmother said she always kept a “stand” of jam or preserves setting on the kitchen table.  But they never told their mother that they stopped by for this “treat.”

      Grandmother’s sister, Mary Elizabeth Sandefur, whom we always called “Auntie” said that Grandma Sanders' house had a summer kitchen where they did the canning, preserving, summer cooking and even baking of bread on hot summer and fall days.  Summer kitchens were down, and if you used it in the summer, canning all day long, it would make the main house unbearably hot - very common a hundred years ago.  A wood stove took a long time to heat up and cool down.  The summer kitchen also had a large table used as a work surface in preparing fruit and garden vegetables, and where they set out freshly filled hot jars to cool down after canning, before storing them away for winter.

       Fidella (Porter) Sanders, lived three years after her husband’s death and died at age seventy-five, ten months and twenty-two days at her home.   No obituary found anywhere. 

~.~

Thanks to Janice Brown.