Page:Brunswick 100 Years of Memories.pdf/219
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CHAPTER 16
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Potpourri of Yesterday HUCKSTERS Prior to World War II, Brunswick had many hucksters bringing their wares to town and selling them door to door. They could legally sell anything that they had an order for. For example, anyone could order ahead for cleaned fowl to be delivered. Among the hucksters, the names may ring a bell of recognition: Mr. Beachley, Mr. Ahalt, and Mr. Ziegler came from the Middletown area with dairy and other farm products. Every week, Mr. Harrison from the Virginia end of the bridge, brought meat, as well as ponhaus, pudding, and sausage. He always stopped at the corner and the housewives came out. Bob Potterfield and Howard Harrington, both from the Lovettsville area, also took orders for meat. Also from Virginia came Charlie Everhart with sweet corn. One observer remembers the dressed groundhogs he used to bring. Jim Harrison, a black huckster from the mountain area near Burkittsville, came two times a week with fresh produce from his own garden in the mountain. He drove a horse and buggy in the back of which he carried his wares. Another black huckster was Rich Harris from Wevcrton. Jim Wolf brought butter and produce from the Bell's Mill area. Mr. and Mrs. Myers brought in all types of home-grown fruits and vegetables from their place near Trego. Mr. Jennings and Mr. Wastler were from Brownsville. Boats from Norfolk, laden with fruit and other produce, supplied wholesalers who met the boats at the Baltimore wharves. They transported fresh food like oysters, crabs, and watermelon, later carried in all directions throughout the state. Locals remember entire truckloads of cabbage. Shep Sheppard, Tony Cincotta, and a Mr. Sulcer were all wholesalers, helped by John Hardy, Brother Jackson, and Alvey Stouts. With the appearance of supermarkets, a greater variety to select from and the convenience of one-
stop shopping (and higher prices?), brought an end to the more personal buying process of former days. S - Numerous W - MMM
HOME BUTCHERINGS Much of the first century of Brunswick included uncertain times, when jobs were not secure and family coffers were not overflowing. People in general had to really "dig in," sometimes literally, to feed their families. Gardening was a way of life, not just a hobby or healthful pastime. Many families had chickens, a pig or two, rabbits, and pigeons. Some even had a horse or two. The small-animal food could be processed for the table without drawing much attention, but a butchering attracted an audience. During the Great Depression of the thirties, people HAD to do something to put enough food on the table. For many in the days before supermarkets, this was a way of life. Mr. Herbert Cooper butchered a number of hogs in his large back yard along the branch at Second A venue and "B" Street. The Charlie Woods family also comes to mind. Some senior citizens remember the many "pig pens" in the alley behind the 100 block of Ninth A venue and behind homes on Wenner's Hill. Some raised as many as five hogs. The butcherings took place in November, December, and January - in cold weather - when the meat could chill as it hung from a heavy crossbar on posts. If the weather turned warm unexpectedly, the cut meat was in danger of sweating, so it would. be placed on com cobs, to provide an air space; the meat would then be turned every hour to prevent spoilage. Life was especially interesting for a family on Walnut Street, because they kept their hogs over on the Tow Path. Daily they would gather "slop" from the neighbors and carry it across the railroad tracks
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