Our modern day of living has changed many things. It is hard to explain the"gaddap" days because most ot the young people have never driven Old Mag into the county seat, or forded the rivers or climbed the hills. It will become equally hard to explain the old fashion railroad engines with their smoke and deafening whistle and ringing bells. Thus, the modern day is changing everything.

The bell once played a more important part in the lives of pioneer citizens than it does today. Many of the churches had bells with appealing tones. The farmer's wife rang the old rusty bell to announce to the farm hands working in the fields or hill tops that it was time to eat. Many of the bells are being replaced by whistles.

The school bell is still in use. Many old timers remember the Presbyterian Academy.

Could Be Heard Everywhere

"I can hear it yet", a veteran resident said the other day. "It's vibrating tones could be heard all over town. It hung in the cupola over the door. A long rope was fastened to the bell."

At recess teachers used a small "hand bell". As the students passed through the door, a bucket of water and a dipper was placed there for them to get a drink.

The bell at one time was moved into the back yard near a window. A scaffold made of timbers was erected for the bell-tower. It was convenient to raise the window and ring the bell.

The children begged to pull the bell rope. It was fun for them to pull and tug at the rope. The back yard which was used for a play ground had rope swings with long, flat boards in them to sit on.

The boys climbed the poles with cross sections to "skin the cat" and to do "tricks"

Enjoyed Boys' Work

Mrs. W. W. Choate, wife of the minister who also taught school on the Academy building, enjoyed nothing more than working with a group of boys. The Choate's lived across the street from the school where the eaton home is today on Clover Street.

Few people have had more interest in the well being of boys than Mrs. Choate. Her home was always open to them and she planned little extra things for them that they wouldn't have had otherwise.

Pictured with Mrs. Choate is Isaac Huff (at the right), of Kildav. Elmer Hall, a well-known coal operator is next to Huff. Second row shows FrankClem and Will Lankford.

In the front row is Pearl Clem, who resides in Ohio; John Forester, a native son who owns and operates Powers & Horton in Harlan and Elijah Huff, who is associated with the Kentucky State Police as radio operator.

The social life of young pioneers was simple but wholesome, but they are indebted to those teachers who took the situation in hand and created interests for them.

Sunday June 14, 1953

Volume 52 Number 137

Pages 1 & 8

Click Here to return to Main Harlan County Page