Rensselaer Republican, Volume 17, Number 43, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 July 1885 — Fifty Years Ago and Now. [ARTICLE]

Fifty Years Ago and Now.

The Danbury Neivt gives' some statistics by way of comparison, which are not only interesting but suggestive. It says: “Fifty years ago calico was 25 cents per yard, now 5 cents; broadcloth from $5 to $0 a yard; Kentucky jeans 75 cents, now 25, and about as cheap then as now. Then the women spun the yarn and wove the cloth; then it went to the carding machine, was pulled, colored, made ready to make into clothes, the tailor cut the garments and the seamstress made the clothes and had from 25 to 50 cents a day and worked from twelve to fourteen hours each day. The farmers did not to the stores and get ready-made clothing; they believed in home manufactures. “Fifty years ago one could have a decent burial for ss>, now SSO is very cheap; then a coffin would cost $5; few but paupers use coffins how; then * caskets were not in fashion; then people thought God was no respecter of persons, apparently they think He will respect the coffin now, especially if a costly monument mark the grave. These few items suggest the thought that some one rules. It is not cotton, neither is it corn; it is some one from over the sea, and its name is 'Fashion,’ and it rules with a rod Of iron.” - F -s A. Said an old 'woodchopper, '“Whenever I want'to find a chip of the old block I just ax the block.”