LELAND FOX

 

A Cane Hill Campout

by Leland Fox

 

 

EDITOR'S NOTE: Leland Fox, Historian of the Cedar County community of Cane Hill, describes an earlier day fishing trip on the Sac River--and provides a photograph of himself and his fellow anglers.

 

   Before autos furnished transportation to more distant places for a vacation, after the corn was "laid by" and the threshing done, a group of neighbors would go on a fishing trip.
   Loading the kids, a few staple groceries and some bedding on the wagons, we'd go down by the river and camp out for about a week.
   No one ever stayed home be cause they couldn't afford the trip. I never knew of a time when fish were in short supply. By fair means or foul the men would get the fish: trot lines, limb lines or just plain fishing. If these didn't produce, there would be nets and "noodlin' ".

*     *     *

   Some times the menu was varied with frog legs, soft shelled turtle or squirrel, and that diet is a pretty cheap way to fill the protein requirements. But who ever heard of such requirements in those days?

   Some of the folks considered the hazards of such a vacation and preferred the less arduous life al home. They didn't want to sleep with the snakes and the bugs. It seemed that everything that crawled or flew would either stick or sting or stink. There was no such thing as repellent like we have now. Oil of citronella might help some, but it was expensive. Along about sundown a lot of smoke was made by piling green, leafy boughs on the campfire. You might choke on the smoke, but it did thin out the mosquitoes. So those less venturesome souls who didn't go would "look after" things at home. There would be milking to do, cream to separate, hogs and chickens to feed and eggs to gather -- just a few chores that wouldn't take more than half a day.

   In the meantime, those lucky ladies down by the river had a fulltime job. In addition to the cooking, they herded the kids and supervised recreational activities. Then they'd pick off the ticks and give warm salt water baths if the chiggers were bad.

*     *     *

   The girls always wore dresses, and the hoys overalls, when they were in the water. There were no such things as bathing suits or trunks. They might take pictures of naked babies, but a kid big enough to swim had to be decent.
   All the youngsters, unless they were babes in arms, would sleep on pallets on the gravel bar. Above the threat of snakes, the women slept in the wagons. Reptiles were often found in the beds but I know of no case where anyone was bitten.
   The men were liable lo spend the night anywhere. They might even have a drink while running or baiting the lines. This might go on all night, but for diversion they might bedevil the ladies. Some would crawl under a wagon full of sleeping women. Then, lying on their backs, they'd lift the wagon with their feet and let it drop. Such action raised loud voices of disapproval, anger, or some down-right cussing
   One time the outing turned into somewhat of an adventure. As a result of a cloudburst up Sons Creek, the river rose rapidly, making an island of the campsite. We had to get out in a hurry. With the kids crying and screaming, and the wagon beds floating (at least, they seemed to be), and the shouts of the drivers urging on the horses, the scene could very well have depicted the fording of a rampant river on the trek west.
   But everyone made it all right. We got to Frank Johnson's and ate about a wagon load of watermelons.

*     *     *

   The accompanying photo was made near the present site of the Sycamore Bridge. Now the timber has been cleared and it will become part of the bed of Stockton Lake. Some of this group or their descendants still live nearby. This picture was taken in 1912, so if you were there or you know these people, one thing is certain - you are now a senior citizen.
   Among those in the group: Jim Ed. Byron, Boss and Ruth O'Bryant; Walter, Frona, Helen, Pauline and Mary Aline Johnson; Leonard, Dora, and Edna Montgomery; Omer, Edna, Johnnie, and Kyle Wasson: several Pyles, Clyde, "Fat", Madge, Emma, "Rip", Norma, Mary, Howard, and Luther; Gene and Oral Allder, Ella White, Zula White, Elmer, Minnie, Neva (Peggy) and Leland Fox; Dan Wallen, Jack Johnson, Ben Higgins, Ellen Devine, Macie Montgomery, Josephine Rountree, George and Sarah O'Bryant, Bessie Montgomery; Jess Cacy and wife, Harrison, Arthur and Mollie Higgins, and Dick Brickey. Two or three others are not identified. In the front row, with his hands across his knees, Is the author.

   This picture, and this place may be of interest to few. The purpose is to show how it used to be in this community while we're wondering how it'll be in the future, Considering the potential development as "vacationland", no one knows what the future holds. Might give you some ideas sometime, but not now.
   With apologies to Sam Foss who expressed some thoughts in verse some years ago, I close with some more mercenary sentiments in the same tune:
   Let me live in my house by the side of the lake,
   Where the tourist trade goes by

   There'll be men who would golf, and men who would fish.
   They like those . . . so do I.
   But I yearn not to sit in the speedboat's seat
   Or ride the skis that fly.
   Let me live in my house by the side of the lake.
   Where they'll pay as they go by.

 

Copy provided by  Beverly Gibson kgibson @strato.net

 

[Please contact the County Coordinator if you know the publication and date of this story]

 

A - B    C - D     E - G     H - L     M - N     O - R     S - T     U - Z

 

Please contact the County Coordinator if you have family information or photos that can be displayed on this page.