CHAPTER XXI., Cont.

Miscellaneous Nostalgia

(2 pages total [54-55] - link for next page at bottom of each page)

       

          REMEMBER  WAY  BACK

When Brenton's pond rang to the shout of merry skaters;  where the barbed wire fence along the row of willows  was

          held apart by gallant swains while the girls crawled under?

When the new opera house was opened with "Under Two Flags", and later, "The Man in the Iron Mask" kept you

          awake nights?

When there were two huge stoves in the back of the Methodist Church;  and two black tablets with the Ten

          Commandments printed in letters of gold on the front wall?

When J. L. Loring made a Pin Organ by driving common pins into a pine board different depths to make the tones?  To 

          play it you simply draw a pin along the line, like a schoolboy does a "shinny: club along a picket fence.

When very special school programs were presented in the old Town Hall?  And on one occasion the leaves of a huge

          album were turned revealing living pictures of the graduating class?

When bicycle parties rode to Adel?

When there were more well-groomed horses with fancy harness and black buggies in town than cars?

When the best milk, cream and butter were obtained by walking to the creamery at the east end of Walnut Street?

When the Mandolin Club, coached by Hilda Repass, played for social affairs?

When school children picked violets in Daniel's pasture at recess?

When that pasture changed ownership and the violets gave way to a bicycle race track on Brenton's south farm, two

          blocks east of the schoolhouse?  That race track can still be seen from the air, we are told.

When Adel and Dallas Center competed in bicycle races and they were as exciting as football and basketball of a

          later day?

When there was a hitching rail along both sides of main street, in front of the churches and along the east side of

          Silkebaken's store?

When the Church of the Brethren had a buggy shed north of Travis' hardware store?

When wind and rain played havoc with the chautauqua tent in the park?

When the bandstand in the park was used for Memorial Day programs as well as for band concerts?

When 4th of July dances were held on main street?

When basketball games were played in the old opera house?

When someone threw ammonia in the high school ventilating fan making it necessary to dismiss school a couple

          of days?

When the bandstand on wheels was brought out on main street for Wednesday or Saturday night concerts?

When the popcorn wagon was uncovered and put into action for the band concert attendance and shoppers?

When the girls, popcorn in hand, walked 'round and 'round main street in hopes of attracting the opposite sex?

When the high school Mandolin Club started out to serenade some newlyweds but the cold snapped the string of

          their instruments and they returned home without having produced their usual discord?

When a picket fence was put around the first schoolyard to keep grazing cattle outside the playground?

 

 

In Conclusion;

May Dallas Center and its Citizens continue to be

"BLEST WITH THE BEST"

And Because Of

"A  PROUD HERITAGE"

Enjoy

"A  PROMISING FUTURE"


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