The following interesting article on early amusements was written by Mrs. E.A. Snyder, of Cedar Falls:
"As events in which young people of the early days in Cedar Falls may not have all been told I will give a few from memory’s store. Cedar Falls in the early times was not lacking in warm-hearted sociability, liberality and patriotism. There were picnics, horseback riding in summer, sleigh rides and oyster suppers in the winter, entertainments by the churches, literary societies, and a lyceum held in the schoolhouse, the site of which in later years was occupied by the old Baptist Church. Under the lead of this literary organization lectures by prominent speakers were given: Barnum, Tilton, Talmage, and others being engaged. At the Episcopal services, held each Sunday afternoon at 3 o’clock by Reverend Mr. Gifford, a bachelor minister, the young people were usually all present, union services by other denominations being held at the same place Sunday mornings. At the Episcopal Mite Society ‘blind man’s buff’ and ‘snap and catch ‘em’ were among the chief amusements. Banker William P. Case, an elderly bachelor, had the reputation of being an expert catcher. Spelling and singing schools and sleighing parties were greatly enjoyed, particularly the last named, four-horse rigs, plenty of sleigh bells and a sleigh crowded with young people, insuring a delightful, happy time. Skating and club dances were also leading amusements in winter and the fall months a large number resorted to the hills of evenings to witness prairie fires which swept over the ground now occupied by the Iowa State Teachers’ College and the farms surrounding.
"In one of these fires which so brilliantly lit up the sky, dangerous when winds were blowing, the wife of Rev. W. S. Dorwin lost her life on their farm west of Cedar Falls while attempting to save their home. In the absence of apples in those days a pumpkin-paring party was given by Mrs. George Clark. As this lady possessed the first piano shipped to Cedar Falls, good use was made of this instrument, the hostess singing and playing the first solo ever heard in town. She was also the proud owner of the first kerosene lamp that became the envy of tallow-dips, a somewhat heightened luxury with oil at $1.50 per gallon
"One of the jokes of the time was a ‘buffalo dinner’ given in honor of Doctor Arnold, who had a keen appreciation of good living. He wanted to have a piece of the buffalo first, so as to enjoy this rare treat fully. He greatly relished the meat and sat back in his chair, saying that he could readily taste the wild, gamey flavor. Later Mr. Barnes and daughters, Zubetta and Anna, and others laughed heartily over the joke, as the meat was a part of Mr. Barnes’ old ox, just brought over from the Little Sioux River. The doctor had so many reminders of the ‘wild, gamey flavor’ that he lost all enjoyment of the fun. Many in town who bought steaks cut from the old ox were victims of the joke.
"At a school exhibition held in Overman Hall, where there was a large crowd the young men, as was their custom at the close, were lined up at the exit to wait upon the ladies. Two of them, wishing to have some fun with the young men whom they knew were waiting for them, decided to leave the hall by a back entrance. Discovering that these ladies were apparently prevented by the crowd from going out the front way one of the young men, in his haste to follow, ran into a large mirror in the dressing room, breaking it into many pieces, the girls in the meantime disappearing in the darkness. After many reminders of the laughable event, he made free to emphatically remark, ‘I think that is getting a little threadbare.’
"Horseback riding was a popular recreation, as many as fifteen to twenty ladies and gentlemen often going out in the evening, sometimes making a display of their equestrianship by riding tandem and in twos and fours up and down Main Street. At the early county fairs prizes were given to the best lady riders.
"One of the most notable of early events was the free dinner on the Fourth of July, served by the ladies and the young men, tables being set in the Overman Mill which was then in process of building. Mrs. George W. Clark roasted a pig for the occasion. Provisions were abundant, tables nicely set and great care taken to feed the hungry multitude, many of whom came from a distance. After the first tables had been served and the ladies were endeavoring to prepare them a second time everything was snatched off and eaten as fast as it could be placed and all attempts to reset were fruitless and had to be abandoned. Nothing in the line of eatables was left. The committee in charge was compelled to go to the Carter House for dinner, the young men footing the bills. During the excitement attending the scramble for eatables, Miss Mary Maggert fell through an opening in the floor of the mill, but fortunately escaped serious injuries. It was unanimously declared that this would be the last free Fourth of July dinner for Cedar Falls. Street amusements of the day were too numerous to mention. The Clalathumpians were the great attraction.
"About this time a fine silk flag was given by the ladies to the brass band which had been organized. The presentation on the part of the ladies being very creditably made by Mrs. John R. Cameron, response by W. H. McClure. Another event was the crowning of the engine of the first train which came into Cedar Falls, Mrs. J.B. Powers and Mrs. Cameron being appointed to this honor. There was an immense crowd at the depot of the Dubuque & Sioux City, now the Illinois Central. The ladies were unable to do the crowning without assistance because of the interest and pressure from the vast assemblage of people, but the feat was accomplished through the assistance of gentlemen. The marriage of a couple from the country by Caleb May, who had but recently been elected justice of the peace, was very much enjoyed by Mr. May’s gentlemen boarders and some ladies. After the ceremony the groom reminded Mr. May that it was the custom for the justice to give his first fee to the bride. This was cheerfully done, after which there was a painful silence and suggestion to sing induced one of the ladies to start a hymn, in which all heartily joined.
‘This is the way I long have sought
And mourned because I found it not.’
The happy couple apparently thought the singing was a part of the exercise belonging to the ceremony and departed as well pleased as if their wedding had been a modern, swell affair.
"One of the events distinctly remembered by the participants was a party made up of George D. Perkins and Mary Barnard, Fred Beohmler and Libby Perkins, J.M. Benjamin and Mary Cameron. Having supplied themselves with oysters, etc., they drove to the home of Mr. Bernard, six miles west of Cedar Falls. A blinding snowstorm prevented the return that night and as accommodations were meager all were compelled to occupy the same bedroom with only a curtain partition, three in a bed. After retiring the gentlemen tried to make the ladies laugh by telling amusing stories. Mr. Perkins being the leader, but in this he was not as successful as he had been in the newspaper world, the ladies with great difficulty keeping quiet, assuming to be soundly sleeping. Mr. Perkins and his bedfellows did not apologize for this breach of etiquette or for reaching under curtains and stealing a part of the wardrobe of the ladies and then eating all the pancakes while the hostess was assisting in making her lady visitors presentable at the breakfast table. The return to town, which was not reached until noon, was made in snow drifts, the absence having caused alarm because Miss Perkins was a teacher in the public schools and her vacant place became generally known.
"Many early events which come to mind must be omitted, including some of later years when meetings were held in the evenings to scrape lint, make bandages and other necessaries to send to our soldier boys in the South. What I have given are indicative of some of the pleasures, freedom of life and sociability of the early times, a genuine heartiness of enjoyment which to a great extent has departed with the advance of more formal affairs and fashions."
