BHEREAS, experience has taught
us that on New Year's day and
May day from the firing of
guns, the planting of Maypoles,
and drunken drinkers, there
has resulted unnecessary waste
of powder and much intoxica
tion, with the bad practices and
bad accidents; therefore we
expressly forbid any firing of
guns and beating of drums. . .
This is the beginning of one of the many New
Year's proclamations of Peter Stuyvesant, director
general of New Netherlands —his farm, the
"Bouwerij," on Manhattan island gave the Bowery
its name —by which he hoped to "prevent more
sins, debaucheries and calamities" in New Am
sterdam during his 17 years of administration,
1647-64. For it was in old New York that the
American custom of New Year's calls had its be
ginning. And when the fun got too boisterous old
Peter would come stumping along on his silver
banded wooden leg and try to make an unwilling
rattle-watch enforce his proclamation.
New Year's day was the holiday par excellence
In old New York. It was a day peculiarly dedi
cated to family congratulations and the renewal
of friendships in expressions of sympathy and
good will, which, following so closely the sacred
festival of Christmas, inspired all with peculiar
significance. Washington Irving has said: "New
York was then a handy town. Anyone who did
not live over the way was to be found round the
corner." So the making of New Year's calls was
easy. Let us glance at the New Amsterdam of
that day on the first day of the new year.
The sober, older citizens, sturdy figures, richly
and warmly clothed, walk, slowly smoking, to the
fort to render New Year's wishes to the officers
of the garrison and then to the White Hall by the
Battery to do the governor the same honor. Ever
since daybreak a noisier element has reveled up
and down the narrow lanes and by the banks of
the canal (now Broad street), shouting greetings,
beating drums, firing muskets, blowing horns,
shaking "rumbling-pots" and drinking rivers of
beer. A group of young burghers, with some
clumsy firearm, a snaphance or a murtherer. have
gone from door to door of each corbel-roofed
house firing blank volleys, gathering recruits,
drinking more beer, till all repair to Beekman's
Swamp (known to this day in New York as the
Swamp) to fire at a target.
Noise and New Year's continued to be closely
connected in the days of the American colonies.
New Year's day was a favorite day for shooting
at a mark, for shooting for prizes, and "target
companies" of very respectable citizens rose early
in the morning for these contests. For it was
deemed most selfish and rather disreputable for
a man to spend the entire day in such shooting.
He could go with his "target company" in the
morning, but he must pay a round of calls to the
fair in the afternoon.
In the days of New Year's celebration in New
York, in the first half of the nineteenth century,
the town seemed a great family reunion, in which
each man vied with the other in boisterous delight.
Shops were lighted, windows garlanded, streets
crowded. Great vans—stages with four and six
horses—were crowded with groups of men, often a
group of kinsfolk, or old neighbors, or a hilarious
mob of men allied in politics —or some "target
company" or "band of old firemen." The ac
quaintances of each were called upon in turn.
It was about the beginning of the nineteenth
century that the change from a neighborly ob
servance to one of pure fashion began in all the
large cities. The younger women of such house
holds as had daughters were hostesses, and great
was their rivalry, one with another, in respect to
richly loaded refreshment tables and elegance of
toilet The dudes of those days —they called them
"beaux" and "dandies" and "gallants"—attired
themselves in their best and started out early in
the morning on their calls.
It was not until about the middle of the century
that the abuse which finally led to the custom's
decline began. For years the dandies of New
York and other large cities rivaled one another In
the length of their calling lists, and the calls soon
came to be nothing more than hasty'stops—mere
rapid gorgings of cake and gulpings of wine—in
stead of the old-time friendly calls of men upon
the families of their friends and acquaintances.
Then the ladies —the matrons as well as the
young women—began to vie with one another in
the number of their callers. This led to the
most extraordinary practices. Callers were re
cruited, indeed much as customers are drummed
up by dealers in soap. Cards announcing that
Miss This-or-That would be "at home" on January
1 were sent out almost indiscriminately.
Then the Sunday papers of the time began to
print lists of those who would receive and the
houses of those mentioned in the lists were sure
to be besieged by numbers of men whom the
ladies had never met or heard of and desired
never to meet again. Men would go oallLof in
couples and parties and even in droves of 30 or
more, remaining as short a time at each stopping
place as possible and announcing everywhere how
many calls they had already made and how many
they expected to make before they finished.
At every place they drank. The result was a
most appalling assortment of "jags" long before
sundown.
Late in the fifties the abuse came to be so great
that the newspapers and the ministers took It up,
and many were the editorials written and many the
sermons preached against it. This crusade speedi
ly brought results.
It was not many years before the smart set of
young men in most cities stopped calling. The
hospitable door that had been open from morning
to evening was adorned with a basket for cards.
Gentlemen were driven all over town deposting
their visiting cards in these baskets. In a year or
so servants were delivering these cards. Then
the baskets disappeared and the mail carrier de
livered the few cards sent out. Of course this
process was not at all uniform. It was fast in
some cities, slow in others.
A belle of the eighties, sitting in her easy chair,
thumbing over an old scrapbook filled with faded
cuttings from the newspapers of those days; her
husband, a beau of the same period, in slippers
and dressing gown, smoking and listening as she
spoke and read, now and then nodding his head
and smiling at some memory recalled; and the
daughters of the house, planning for the watch
party festivities of 1920, listening with curious in
terest and laughing and chatting about how odd it
all seemed now —such a scene was doubtless to be
witnessed in manj a city all over the country
with the closing days of 1919.
"We didn't go in so much for the watch parties
in those days," the matron said. "The whistles
blew and there was some noise, it is true, among
the downtown folk, but we girls, as a rule, retired
early—we had to save ourselves for the trying
ordeal of the next day, for New Year's day was
the great social event of the year. It was 'receiv
ing day' in all the homes of the town. We called
it 'keeping open house.'
"It was a day of lavish entertainment and the
doors were supposed to be open to everybody that
called, whether friend or stranger. We prepared
for it weeks in advance. It was a period of great
conviviality. Aside from the fact that the con
vlvialty was somewhat overdone, at times, that old
custom of the New Year's open house was quite an
old-fashioned, sincere expression of good fellow
ship to friend and neighbor and visiting strangers
—opening the portals of the New Year, as it
were, with a greeting and a home welcome. And
as a social function, it was most delightful—it
helped to bring people together.
"It was the fashion to give each of the callers a
souvenir to carry away with them and all sorts
of ingenious little devices were used. Some had
silk badges with the names of the girl painted on
them; some had dainty metal souvenirs specially
struck off, others ornate cards with mottoes, and
some went in for the oddities, like the clay pipes
that papa tells about. I remember the gentlemen
used to wear these souvenirs pinned or tied with
ribbons to their coats —as the knights of old wore
their ladies' favors —and late in the evening the
callers looked like foreign diplomats, with all their
decorations, or, perhaps, like South African chiefs
would be the better simile.
"Of course, only the gentlemen called —they
were never accompanied, by ladies. The ladies re
mained in their homes to receive thein. The gen
tlemen were supposed to be in full dress —the
younger set wore swallowtails and crush hats, and
the older gentlemen Prince Albert coats and light
gray, pin-striped trousers —that was the vogue.
The old timers, I remember, did not take very
kindly to the crush hats. And everybody, of
course, had to have a hack or a sleigh.
"The hostess of the house usually called to her
assistance a bevy of the young girls who made up
THE COURIER, FOREST CITY, M. 0.
the receiving line and helped to dispense the hos
pitality of the home. I remember one season
when we had more than 200 callers. The custom
was to stay a few moments only, chat, drink and
eat, and then go on to the next house. One of the
rooms, however, was cleared for dancing and in
the late hours the callers would select partners
and whirl through a waltz, a polka or a schottlshe,
or perhaps a set of the quadrille. Every house
had a band of musicians.
"The 'open house' function was a very elaborate
dress affair —the women vied with one another in
beautiful costuming and the month before New
Year's was a harvest for the dressmakers.
"From 2 o'clock until late in the night the par
lors were filled with guests. The lower portion of
the house had been previously beautifully deco
rated with flowers and exotics and all who called
were made to feel perfectly at home. In the din
ing room was a table with all sorts of eatables
and dainties, with rare wines and punches. At 2
o'clock, when the reception opened, the blinds
were drawn and the gas lighted. During the day
favored callers were invited to return at night for
a dance."
With the gradual abandoning of New Year's
calls came in the gradual growth of the eating,
drinking and revelry that before the war and pro
hibition marked New Year's eve in the cities.
Here is a glimpse of Philadelphia in 1894:
"After the reserves and the Third district police
men had taken their positions the enormous crowd
began to swell in size. In front of Independence
hall, filling the street, was a jostling mob that be
came noisier the nearer the hands of the clock
came to the midnight hour. Up Chestnut street
there were two black masses that moved victori
ously toward the statehouse.
"The gay and comic 'shooter' (mummer) did
not put in appearance to any considerable extent
until about 11 o'clock. Then he came from all di
rections.
"The thousands packed in the roadway sent up
an answering cry to the first stroke of the big
bell, and the rattle of pistol shots, despite the po
lice orders against using weapons, was like the
sound of musketry. The screams of whistles added
to the din and on every side through the miles that
the eyes could pierce fireworks went blazing up
ward."
And here is a glimpse of New York in 1006:
"All New York came out to celebrate the birth
of the new year. Nothing like it was ever seen
before for numbers or for enthusiasm. From the
hour after dinner until long after midnight the
celebration lasted. It consisted of noise, eating
and drinking, with noise by far the predominating
element. Men born in New York, who have lived
here all their lives, looked at the carnival in wide
eyed astonishment.
"At least 50.000 men and women packed Broad
way and the side streets near Trinity church from
half past eleven o'clock until long after midnight.
To hear the chimes? Oh, no. To blow horns and
whistles and spring rattles and yell and thus
drown out the very pretty chimes of old Trinity
that welcomed in the New Year. Every table ip
every big restaurant was taken weeks in advance."
In 1914 the police in most of the large cities or
dered "sane" New Year's celebrations. In conse
quence there was a marked diminution of the
revelry; in many cities midnight closing and com
munity celebrations marked the occasion.
Thus the celebration of New Year's day in noise,
drinking, esiting and calling— has grown to be s
climax and become "sane." What next?
STONE HEADS FMMERS UNION
Resolutions Ware Adopted Declaring
Revaluation Act Oppressive in
Its Present Poom.
Greensboro. —Electing R. W. H.
Stone, of Guilford county, president of
the North Carolina, Farmers' union,
and adopting a number of resolutions
pertaining to economic and political
affairs, the delegates to the annual
convention of that body concluded
their sessions at the O. Henry.
Resolutions were adopted denounc
ing the state revaluation act in its
present form and calling for very ma
terial changes in the law. The reso
lutions set forth the conviction that
the act bears oppresively upon the
farmers of the state.
The Co-Operator, former official or
ga.n of thej state union, and which has
recently been published by J. A.
Smith, of High Point and Greensboro,
was disowned by the state body.
It was proposed that the union
"stay out of the newspaper business"
for a year, at least, and that, instead,
educational programs be sent out to
the various locals from state head
quarters. The proposal was adopted,
it being agreed that the state union is
not responsible, financially or other
wise, for the Co-Operator or any other
newspaper. In other words, the union
has no paper.
Mr. Smith had indicated a willing
ness to publish the Co-Operator, using
it largely for the dissemination of
publicity in the interest of the statei
union. One of the delegates declared
tfeat that proposal should be accepted,
-with the proviso that the state union
would determine the reading matter to
be printed in the paper. That pro
viso, however, was objectionable to
Mr. Smith, and it was then announced
that the union would not agree to
have an official organ which it could
not control, but which would be con
trolled by one individual.
* Charlotte. —A total of $1,164.17, un
claimed witness fees, will be turned
over by the clerk of superior court to
be used as a school fund. Thl»
amount represents the fees that har«
not been called for at the clerk's of
fice for the years 1914 to 1916, inclu
•lve.
Greenville. —Mr. James Allen Sut
ton, a well known citizen of this coun
ty, was found burned to death in hit
home in Pitt county. He was alone,
and it is thought that he must hare
had a stroke of appoplexy and fallen
into the fire.
Hertford. Hertford disposed of
s*oo,ooo of public improvement bonds,
to Bruce Craven, of Trinity, and at the
same time, entered into a contract
with engineers and contractors for a
first class electric light system, and
two miles of concrete streets and
sidewalks.
Laurinburg.—At the recorders court
a new drink was in evidence. Put up
1n pint bottles with a small label
about the sise of a dime with S. A D.
manufacture printed on it, the con
coction had an unusual effect, accord
ing to defendants for being drunk. It
is called the "no name drink" and
sells for $2 per bottle
Rockingham. The daddy rabbit
•till of this section was captured by
federal officers and the blockaders
were also bagged.
Rutherfordton. Spindale is plan
ning for a new modern Baptist church.
The fund is being collected now and
work will begin soon. The town is
Just finishing a new $9,000 modern
school building.
Forest City is to have a new SIOO,-
000 modern hotel at an early date.
Work is going forward rapidly on it
now.
Asheville. —Unless the government
takes extensive steps at onee to curb
the advance of the cheetaut blight, a
disease that attacks tie chestnut tree
and kills it in a short time, there wiM
not be a chestnut tree in North Caro
lina by 1930.
The blight, one of the most dreaded
and feared diseases of the woods. Is
now on the Nerth Carolina-Virginia
line and is advancing southward.
WHEELER LAUDS DRY RECORD
Greensboro, —lt was not until
Wayne B. Wheeler, general counsel
for the Anti-Saloon League of Amer
ica and Advisory Counsel of the
world Prohibition and Law Enforce
ment Movement, at the State confer
ence here last week marshalled
North Carolina's prohibition assets,
did the 175 workers and delegates
present, realize the value of her es
tate. Commenting on the fact tliat
State Director Mebane and Organising
Director Holleman had succeeded In
getting 100 counties organized.
Bid for Hotel Accepted.
Shelby.—At a meeting of the Cleve
land Springs company, bids were ac
cepted for the plumbing and heating
of new 50-room hotel.
Bids were submitted for the con
struction of the building, but on ac
count of delay in receiving shipments
of brick, the contract has not been let
as yet for the building. Considerable
stock has be*n subscribed, but more
is being solicited in order to complete
the proposed building with all modern
improvements and beautify the
grounds.
N. C. MARKETS
PRICES PAID BY MERCHANTS FO*
FARM PRODUCTS IN
CAF. JLINA. &
W.
Ashsville. ?'•'
Corn. $2 bu; soy beans, $2.50 bur
Irish potatoes, s3kso cwt; sweet pot»
stoes, 51.20 bu. % 
, Charlotte.
Corn, $2 bu; wheat, $2.25 bu; oats,
$1 bu; peas, $2.50 bu; Irish potatoes,
£2.50 bu; sweet potatoes, $1.50 bu.
Fayet.eville.
Corn, SI.BO bu; wheat, $0.50 bu;
oats, $1 bu; soy beans, $3 bu; peaa,
$2.50 bu; Irish potatoes, $2.40 bu;
sweet potatoes, $1 bu,
Hamlet. , 
Corn. 1.90 bu; peas, 2.25 bu; sweet
potatoes, $1.25 bu . >.;j.
Raleigh.
Cora, $1.90 bu; wheat, $275 bu;
oats, 98c bu; soy beans, $2.50 bu; pea*
$2.50 bu; Irish potatoes, $4.75 ba«;
sweet potatoes, $1 bu.
Scotland Neck.
Corn, $1.90 bu; oats, $1 bu; sop
beans, $2.75 bu; peas, $3 bu; Irish
potatoes, $3 cwt; sweet (potatoes, sl-75
bu.
PRICES OF BUTTER, EGG&, POUL
TRY, HOGS, ETC. '
Asheville.
Country butter, 45c lb; "'creamery
butter, 60c lb; eggs, 75c doz; sprin®
chickens, 92c lb; hens, 20c lb; hog*.
$19.40 cwt; country hams, 50c lb; tur*
keys,, 35c lb; geese, 30c lb.
Charlotte.
Country butter, 60c lb; creamery
butter, 70c lb; eggs, 60c doz; spring
chickens, 35c lb; hens, 30c lb; tur
keys, 40c lb; geese, 35c lb; oountrx
hams, 40c lb.
Fayetteville.
Country butter, 60c lib;- creamery
butter, 65c lb; eggs, 65c doz; spring
chickens, 40c lb; hens, 35c 1/b; tur
keys, 40c lb; geese, 25c lb; country
hams, 50c lb; hogs, $25 cwt.
Hamlet.
Country butter, 50c lb; eggs, 61*
doz; spring chickens, 85c lb; hens, 30c
lb; turkeys, 35c lb; hogs, $lB cwt;
country haims, 40c lb.
Raleigh.
Country butter, 60c £b; creamery
butter, 71c lb; eggs, 65c do*; spring
chickens, 35c lb; hens, 25c lb; tur
keys, 40c lb; country hams, 50c lb-
Scotland Neck.
Country butter, 60c lb; creameiy
butter, 70c lb; eggs, 65c doz; spring
chickens, 35c lb; hens, 25c lb; tar
keys, 40c lb; geese, 30c lb; hogs, s2B>
cwt; country hams, 45c lb.
Hogs—Monday's quotations fro**
Northern markets indicate that price®
were lower again this week as com par
ed with prices a week earlier, how
ever, at Chicago Saturdays price®
were 25c higher than on Monday, Dee.
Bth, which should have a stimulating
affect on Northern markets.
PRICES OF COTTON, COTTON SEEfr
AND COTTON SEED MEAL.
The past week has seen large
tuations In the future market. The
last and final estimate of the U. S.
partment of Agriculture published OA
Thursday, wis 11,030,000 bales ant
was larger than expected, which earn
ed a sharp decline. Another disturb
ing feature was the inability for ship*
at Southern ports to obtain coal. Tbla
caused a decrease in exports for the
week. The settlemnt of the coal
strike and continued bad weather over
the belt, has affected the bearish feat
ures to a certain extent. Listed below
Is the price of middling cotton of a
few of the spot markets, as of Decem
ber 12th: New Orleans 39.50; Galve*
ton 40.50, Memphis 38.50, Little Rock
38.50.
Following are prices paid In North
Carolina markets:
Charlotte.
Middling cotton, 38c; cotton seed,
f1.20 bu; cotton seed meal, SBO ton.
Fayetteville.
Middling cotton, 3Rc; ootton seed,
|1.20 bu; cotton seed meal, SBO ton.
Hamlet.
Middling cotton, 37.50; eotto*
seed, $1.20 bu.
Raleigh.
Middling cotton, 37c; cotton seed,
f1.20 bu.
'Scotland Neck.
Cotton middling, 37.75; ootto*
seed, $1.15 bu.
Ceal Tied Up At Reidsville.
Reidsville.—For the past few day*
66 cars of coal have been standing
on the sidetracks in the Souther*
yards at Reidsvflle. This coal was
consigned to Reidsville manufacturing
plants—3o cars to tne Edna Cotton
Mills. 17 to the American Tobacco Co.
and the balance to R. P. Richardson &
Co., and other concerns. The ship
ments are held by the railroad admin
istration on orders from the U. S. re
iglonal committee.
Orders for release of this coal are
expected soon.
New Co-Operator Editor.
Greensboro. —Dr. H. Q. Alexander is
now president and editor-in-chief at
The Co-Operator and K. C. Faires if
secretary and treasurer of the paper,
and of The Farmers Union.
John A. Smith, who bought the par
per some time ago did so under an
agreement that the union officen
would try to get union dues raised M
as to make every member of the
union a subscriber. This plan failed.
It is said that the paper will be inde
pendent and non-polftical.