You're kidding, right?

Well it is time to renew my driver's license.  Oregon has changed their requirements.  I have to prove that I am a US citizen.  The old hospital certificate of birth no longer proves anything.  Plus - I have to prove my name change from my birth, such as my wedding certificate.  Both items must be certified by the state.  Interesting, when I got my original license way back in the 70's  don't remember what I used.  Probably the nice certificate that has my little infant footprints on it with the seal from the hospital.

So.......guess what I get to do?  I get to order my own birth certificate from Iowa of all things! And - I get to order my own Marriage Certificate from Oregon as I only have a copy.  When we got married - also in the 70's - my husband and I lived on 10 acres in a little cabin/shack sort of place.  We had a burn pile.  I went to town and burned everything I could think of.  Wrapping papers & ribbons from the wedding - this and that - and of all things my original Marriage Certificate.  Not meaning to of course.  Back then I ordered a copy, so a copy is what I got.  Not certified.  Not good enough!

I suppose it will be nice to have a certified copy of each.  Don't worry - I live in the city and do not have burn piles anymore. It's a good thing.

Golden Wedding Anniversary - 1913

MARRIED FIFTY YEARS 

      _____________________

MR. AND MRS. W. J. BRICKLEY CELEBRATED THEIR GOLDEN WEDDING

LAST FRIDAY.

__________________________

ABOUT SEVENTY-FIVE GUESTS WERE PRESENT

__________________________

    Friday, July 11, 1913, seventy-five relatives and friends assisted Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Brickley, of this place celebrate their Fiftieth Wedding Anniversary.  About 11 o'clock, a.m. the relatives and few invited guests assembled at the Brickley home where they were graciously received by the bride and groom of fifty years.

    A lively social time followed consisting of funny witticisms and numerous comments upon the youthfulness of the bride, who was dressed in white for the occasion, and the unusual nervousness of the groom elect.

    At high noon the announcement was made that the feast was spread, and it was in readiness at the M. T. church basement, where previous plans had been well carried out to serve all comfortably.  The officiating minister, the Rev. J.J. Kidder, and wife led the procession.  Immediately following them were the bride and groom, the children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and lastly the guests.  As the procession arrived at the church doors the strains of a brilliant wedding march played by a granddaughter, Lela Purcell, fell upon the listening ears.  After all were comfortably seated in the church parlor, Rev. Kidder proceeded to read the beautiful impressive ceremony as follows: "Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the presence of these friends and dear ones to celebrate the Golden Wedding of John W. and May Melissa House Brickley.  To Almighty God, our creator, and preserver, we render devout and sincere thanks, given for his benignant providences that has generously blessed and kept this husband and this wife, in the holy astute of matrimony for half a century.  For the benediction of this manly and these womanly daughters and their families, the children give to cheer and comfort our hearts, we thank our heavenly Father."

  "For as much as you did, fifty years ago, consent together in hold wedlock, and did witness the same before God and a goodly company, and did there pledge your faith either to other, and did declare the same by joining hands, do you, John W. and Mary Melissa, now renew these solemn vows and covenants before God, and in the presence of these witnesses, and in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost?"

    The response of such was "I do." after which the little granddaughter, Virginia Purcell, brought forth the wedding ring to grandpa, which the bridegroom of fifty years placed on the bride's finger with the words: "And with this ring we renew our plighted faith."

    The invocation was then pronounced.  Congratulations were then showered upon the couple.  To brighten up the seriousness of the occasion, Dr. J. A. White was called upon to make a new remark which he did ably and sufficiently to bring forth smiles from old and young.

     Dr. Port congratulated himself that he was counted a guest on this occasion, and Dr. Guernecy counted silence truly golden in keeping for this time.

    Chansey Houstman responded with an appropriate reading dedicated to "My Aunt Mary's in the country."

    The following verses were composed and recited by the bride:

    We've traveled down life's pathway.  Through its joys and through its pains, we have learned to trust in Jesus, hoping you all may do the same.

When your life's work is ended and time on earth with us shall be no more, we hope to greet you one and all with the loved ones gone before.

    Then the groom added words of good cheer to his relatives living testimony of a life filled blessings that he might grow and live in the service of the Lord.

    Mrs. C.J. Price directed the company to their places in the dining room which was tastefully decorated in white and yellow, the latter color being in honor of the Golden Wedding.

    The bride's table in the center of the room was profuse with yellow on the white linen.  In the center of the table was a huge bride's cake baked by Mrs. T.D. Crain, an old neighbor of the bride.  At this table set the bride and groom and their children.  All the tables were laden with cut flowers and all the good and dainty things known to the culinary art.  The dinner had been prepared by the children and was served in courses by Mrs. W.J. Miller and Mrs. Packer, who were ably assisted by the Misses Esther and Faith Kidder, Inz and Ethel Cruise, Ruth Cole and Blanche Walstin.

    John W. Brickley and Mary Melissa House were married at the home of the bride's father, Jeremiah house in July 1863, by Tomothy Stivers, Justice of the Peace.  There are living to-day three of the witnesses to this ceremony - Mr. and Mrs. James Carter and Mrs. J.M. Price.  On account of their feeble condition, Mrs. and Mrs. James Carter were not able to be present, but Mrs. J.M. Price, a sister of the groom was present at this time.

    To this union has been born ten children.  The one still living are Mrs. Fannie Lyon, J.H. Brickley, Lulu Purcell, Frances Taylor and Jennie Purcell, all of who live near Olin and all were present except the daughter who lives at Cass Center.

    There are 24 grandchildren, 22 of whom were present; 7 great-grandchildren, of whom 5 were present.  The out of town friends present were Mr. and Mrs. Martin Hayes, of Anamosa, friends of long standing; Mrs. Mary Turbox, of Clayton, Illinois, a sister to Mr. Brickley.

    Regrets were received from absent close friends, and many beautiful tokens were left by the children and friends in the form of gold coin, jewelry, useful articles for the table and house.  These so filled the hearts of the hospitable couple with appreciation that it is needless to say they really acted surprised with joy.

    Everyone in this vicinity knows Mr. and Mrs. Brickley, and can attest to the high esteem in which they are held.  Always having lived on their farm near Olin until seventeen years ago, when they moved to Olin, they have seen the country pass through many changes.

     Converted at an early age they have always been consistent members of the Methodist church, active in all its services, so that they are rightly classed among the most spiritual pillars of the church.

    O.A. Dayton was invited to take a picture of the company, after which friends began to say goodbye.

    Thus the golden links of friendship were strengthened, and lives made happier by the celebration of this Golden Wedding.

Transcribed by Mary Lyon Hellman 10/18/2011

90th Birthday Celebration - 1931

I was so excited to come across this poem about my gr gr grandfather, John W. Brickley.  It was written in honor of his 90th birthday celebration by his niece.  It also tells about his father as well.  Just had to share this with you all.

Poem Tells Life Story of J.W. Brickley, Former Olin Resident

_____________

The following poem is a life story of J.W. Brickley, formerly of Olin.  It was read at his ninetieth birthday celebration at Anamosa at the home of Mr. and Mrs. George Purcell.  It was received last week, but too late for publication.  Mrs. Elizabeth Austin, a niece of Mr. Brickley wrote it.

_____________

My grandfather and grandmother lived long ago

In Guernsey county in Ohio.

Grandfather, he was a cooper by trade,

His wife was mother, cook and nursemaid.

Now the work that they had wasn't easy to do,

For their children in number were more than a few,

They came one by one as gifts from Heaven

"Till there in all were just eleven.”

James came first and was number one,

Johekim was second, also a son.

The next was a daughter, Katherine by name,

Then another girl came and they called her Jane.

Mary was the next one to arrive;

Another sister, her number was five.

Then came Amelia, a sweet little dear

And she was the very first girl to appear.

On the thirteenth of March in forty-one

Behold here comes another young son.

Now this one they thought was the best they had

So they named him John after his Dad.

Then when Thompson came next, a dear little boy

Every one there was thrilled with joy.

And when he grew up and wanted a home

He met my mother and made her his own.

Martin was the next, so darling and sweet.

Then Henry and last Andrew made the

Brickley family complete.

When the older boys to men had grown,

They started West to find a new home. 

They found the land they loved the best,

The fairest land in all the West.

So here these boys decided to stay

Twas the beautiful state of I-O-way.

Now grand-father got the fever too

To go out West where the land was new.

So one of the boys said he would go back

And get the folks ready and help them pack.

With their plans complete they all worked good

To get ready to leave as soon as they could.

In forty-six was the year they say

When they left here and went to stay.

As the mother and one little son were frail

Grand-father with them made the trip by rail.

The rest of the children were strong and well

So the way they went I now will tell.

With two covered wagons packed just so.

One buggy and five horses away they go.

Now it wasn't long 'till safe from all harm

All were nicely settled on an Iowa farm.

To-day one of these boys attracts our attention

And he is the one that I will mention.

Of this large family he is left here alone.

Every one of the rest have all gone home.

When a boy seventeen, he learned one day,

To serve his God was the safest way.

In the Methodist church he found a home

And then decided never-more to roam.

But made a pledge that he'd always be true

And live for God his whole life through.

A few years later when he was grown

He thought he wanted a home of his own.

A little girl Mary, had come into his life.

He loved her dearly so made her his wife.

"Twas July thirteen in sixty-three

And they were happy as they could be.

Now the first little on to call him "Dar"

Was William Thompson, a fine little lad.

It wasn't long till Fanny Lucinda came a flying

And to-day they call her Mrs. Lyon.

Edwin Thomas was the next we see

A nice little fellow whose number was three.

Jeremiah House was the next little boy

Who came to them and brought them joy.

The next was a little sister who came

And this one was called Gertrude by name.

Mary Luella was the next one I'd say

And she is Mrs. Purcell to-day.

Loretta Francis was the next little trailer

When she grew up she married Fred Taylor.

Lizzie Elnora was the next I believe

Into their home they did gladly receive.

Then Jennie Viola was next to appear

Like all the rest she was a dear.

She liked her sister's name so well

Decided she too would be a Purcell.

The tenth in number was John Theodore

And after he came there were no more.

Five of these children and their mother too,

Have all gone on where they live anew.

The other five, with their father, today

Help him to enjoy another birthday.

Now the pledge he took he surly kept good

For he tried to serve as best he could

Every church service was dear to his heart

He was always there to take his part

A prayer meeting night could not pass.

For sixty-five years he led the class.

Sunday school to him was very dear

He taught a class for forty-five year.

This is a record I’m sure you know

Not many have any where you may go.

Now he has reached four-score and ten

Another record of very few men.

Now Uncle John we're proud of you.

And want you to know we love you too.

Now we heartily do congratulate

As you your birthday celebrate

And our birthday wish for you one more

Is "God bless you with many more.

Bless you health and love and cheer

That each day may get brighter

Throughout the year."

     M. Elizabeth Austin.

Transcribed 10/18/2011 by Mary Lyon Hellman

J. W. Brickley born March 13, 1841 and died August 1, 1933

He lived 2 more years after this celebration until his death.

What a Special Lady - Grace Greenwood Quivey

I just could not resist writing about this special young lady.  As you can see below, she died at the age of 50 while on a walk with her father.  Check out this elaborate dress!

Here is her biography.  I'm looking forward to doing some more research on Grace Greenwood Quivey.


Born 28 March 1872 Clermont, Fayette, Iowa
Died 12 January 1922 Scotts Bluff, Scotts Bluff, Nebraska

Biography

Grace graduated from the Nebraska State Normal School at Peru to begin a teaching career that lasted about 27 years, mainly at Pierce, Nebraska. She was a member of the Order of the Eastern Star (women's auxiliary of the Masonic Order) and went through the administrative chairs of the Pierce chapter.
She married Cory F. Montross on June 21, 1894, but the marriage ended in a separation. In 1905 she moved from Battle Creek back to Pierce and lived with her parents while she taught school. In 1919 she moved to Scotts Bluff, Nebraska to be with her sister, Zoe and her parents, who had moved into the vicinity seven years before.
In 1922, while she and her father, William W. Quivey, were crossing a street in Scotts Bluff, a car struck them both, bruising the latter, but proving fatal to Grace.
Grace and Cory had three children. William Mark died after one month of life. Mildred was born January 24, 1898, and at the age of 4 burned herself between waist and neck by walking into a bonfire. Mildred taught school several quarters and then attended Kearney State Normal and died at age 22 of Ptomaine poisoning. Lynn John entered journalism and worked briefly for a Chicago newspaper and later became an author for the Department of Defense writing such books as WAR THROUGH THE AGES.
Received from Michael Wilson of Salt Lake City, Utah on 12 March 1997

Follow Friday - 53 year old love letter!

This just caught my eye today from Rueters   This is a must read.  Perhaps some of us friendly genealogists can find the recipient of a 53 year old lover letter written by a love struck young woman.

Read the story at the link above.  It's pretty cool.




     
                                                                                       image by graphicsfairy.blogspot.com

Happy 4th of July

This clip art is courtesy of The Graphics Fairy.

This is the Face of Genealogy

Mary B Nelson

B August 31, 1888, Genarp, Malmohus, Sweden

D December 17, 1971, Spencer, Iowa

Buried - Crown Hill Cemetery, Ruthven, IOwa

This is a picture of my Great Aunt Mary.  She was the only one of her siblings that was born in Sweden.  Notice her forefinger is shortened.  The family story is she got it stuck in a ringer washing machine and it took the tip of it off.  Ouch!

Look at these Love Birds!

These birds were pecking at my window.  They were so cute.  I think they saw themselves because it is reflected glass from the outside.  They were playing there for about 5 minutes.  I was able to get pretty close to them and take a picture from the inside.  Just could not help myself!  Does anyone know what kind of bird these are?  They have that fan type thing at the top of their head.  I figure they are male and female.  I have seen them before about a week ago or so, walking around the grounds.

Super Sister Sunday - Ever Play Dress Up?

Susan, Nancy, Sandy and Mary '68 or '69

Did you ever play dress up with your Grandma or mom's clothes?  Our Grandma Lyon saved every article of clothing.  She had several closets literally full of clothes, plus the accessories! She seemed to have been quite the fashion bug.

I remember her wearing a matching dress, shoes,  gloves, purse and belt.  Many of them color themed, such as pink and blue.  At one point I swear her hair was even blue!

When us girls came home on furlough during the years we lived overseas we had a lot of time to play around at each of our Grandparent's home. 

Grandma never seemed to mind us digging around in her closets either and that was a good thing.  It kept us occupied for hours!  I'm sure we never put anything back the way we found it.  Her closets were probably a total mess from four of us scrounging around in them.

Thank you Grandma for the memories.

So......Did You Play Dress Up?

Follow Friday - Check out these video's!

For Follow Friday I must say the nostalgic video's at Cagle Genealogy are a treat.  It was neat to see how families in the late 1800's lived, their farm life, the family unit and how things have changed through time.  Thanks Cable Genealogy!

Check out the video's!  You will be glad you did.



Happy Hunting.

Interlibrary Loan - I am shocked!

Well shame on me for not trying this before!  I really wanted a book that was recommended to me by a new cousin I found.  It had to do with our family history.  So I went online to see if my library had it and of course the did not.  While on their website I noticed inter-library loan.  So I clicked on that and it took me to a page where I had to create a separate log-in in order to use it so I signed  up.

Then I searched for the book and it took me to Wildcat, a huge on-line library.  You can find any book on it and what libraries have it.  They even tell you how many miles away it is!  So I found the book I wanted. It was clear off in Texas and I live in Oregon.  They guided me through the steps and I completed my request.

I really must say - it worked!  Two weeks later, my local library e-mailed me telling me the book was there and ready for pick up.  Sure enough it was!  Plus - there was no charge!  Yipee!!

This book is fat.  It is amazing and I was able to find my ancestor's easily.  Just what my new cousin said.  There are no extensions for borrowing the book, so I'll need to return it to my library in about three weeks.

This is an amazing service.  If you have not done this before you should try it.  I'm sure a lot of you are laughing because you have used it many times.  I want to encourage those who are just like me to try it out.  You will be amazed.

Happy Hunting.

Happy Mother's Day - 1939 Style

My grandma and one of her sisters used to love to make up cards for people.  Here are a few pages out of a scrapbook they did for their mother Minnie (Hanson) Fahl in 1939.

They would color.  With precision they would cut pictures out of magazines and carefully paste them. They would also draw pictures too.

In all the records they always called her "Mother".  Or "Dear Mother."  Never Mom.

There are more pages with poems from various authors, and song lyrics too.

Also a poem written by one of their brothers.  I'm sure Minnie loved her Mother's Day scrapbook.

I am really excited I actually have the scrapbook!

Here is a picture of Minnie, my Great Grandmother.  Love the hat.
She was born on August 22, 1876 in Stockholm, Sweden and died November 12, 1950 in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.



Happy Mother's Day Dear Mother's!

Visiting

Remember when people used to just drop by for a visit?  "So and so stopped by for a visit." and we visited for quite awhile they would say.  Do you remember people just dropping by?  Do you remember when your parents and all your siblings would pile into the car, go for a drive and the next thing you new we were "visiting" a family?

Do you have people just drop by?  Just recently my mother-in-law was upset because she found out someone came out for a "visit" and they were not home.  She was so upset she missed the visit.  I heard it many times recently.  Most of these people that talk about "visiting" are the older generation.  Have we all missed something?  They would say indeed!

It seems especially important to the ladies.  Ladies love to talk! Of course men like to show each other their latest tool or go into their man caves for awhile.

Today, if people all of a sudden showed up at our doorstep without calling first, we would most likely be offended!  Maybe that is just us though.

By the way.......thanks for stopping by for a visit!  We had a great visit, don't you think? 

Happy hunting.

A Total Blog - Before I even had a Blog! Wow!

Today, I came across this on my computer.  I was shocked.  Obviously I was compelled to write this down.  It is a total blog - before blogging!  After reading it just now - this is what genealogy is all about, right?  Enjoy.

- The Photo-Album -

Just two years ago – I did not care!  I’m telling you - I did not care really, who my great grandparents were, where they came from, where the lived, who their families were.  Didn’t care who the cousins I have never met were all about, or that one cousin is a disabled vet, living in Arkansas whom I had not seen since childhood.

When my mother passed away just two years ago last month, a photo album was passed on to me, because my sister’s were not interested either.  Since I lived the closest to where my mom had lived in Gresham, “just give it to Mary” was a familiar sound.  That way – no one had to ship the items.  It was easier that way.  In fact I ended up with a lot of things from my mom that way.  Today I treasure them all.

One day about a month after the death of my mother, I opened the photo-album and it instantly grabbed me.  In it, were people that my mother cared about.  Deeply.  I had remembered Mom telling me about two years earlier, “you might think that is weird, Mary, but one day you will appreciate it”.  Well she sure was right!       Unfolding before my eyes, were obituaries of her parents and grandparents, aunts and uncles, a couple of brothers along with a whole slew of relatives including one of my own cousins from her home town in Ruthven, Iowa.

I remember Ruthven, Iowa.  It was where my family would group for our three month furlough from being over sea’s.  The cousins would come over.  We would see grandma and grandpa.  Grandpa would sneak us $20 bills every now and then.  Grandma would cook up a storm preparing food for any of her own grown children (six kids) and other grandchildren who would stop by.  The kids would hop from car top to car top in Grandpa’s junk yard.  We would make forts in the barn with hay, and sleep there on hot summer nights.  We would sit on the fence with our cousins and sing to the cows.  My Dad even fixed up one of the cars from the junk yard so it would run, and then give us driving lessons there.  Grandpa built me some stilts. 

Nothing in Ruthven, Iowa had a bad memory for me.  As I pondered over this photo-album I just knew I had to start a tree.  I just felt I had to make some sense out of it all.  Had to figure out how these people were related to me.   So I started a tree.  It has over 600 people in it now.  All are ancestors that mean a lot to me.  Every time I find an obituary of a Great Great or Great Great Great Grandparent it absolutely thrills me!  I have read some great stuff and admired the traits of many of my ancestors.

This photo album has given me such incredible gifts and blessings.  If my mom only knew!  The cousin Greg in Arkansas had photos of our great grandpa who was in the army in 1898.  Never thought I’d see a photo of him.  He had a photo of our great great Grandpa and his new wife.  Never thought I’d see a photo of them.  Also he has a coin that our Great great Grandpa wore in his shoe for good luck in the 1860’s during the war and sent me a photo of it.   I have been able to share with Cousin Greg all about my life and the love of God and he is an excellent listener.

That photo album eventually put me in touch with a fourth cousin who lives in Virginia whom I am in regular contact with.  She had photos of our shared family, including the old family farm in the 1800’s.  She had a couple of wills of uncles that have long since passed along with the obituaries of her own two parents who have passed on.  I have been able to share with her where I go to church and have encouraged her to start attending church after so many years.  She has and loves it.  We are now in touch with another 4^th cousin from the same family lines.  Our ancestors were all brothers.

That photo album has taken away the pain of my mom’s passing.  I have been able to share regularly with her living cousins in Ruthven, Iowa and them with me.  They miss her too. 

The photo album will continue to bless as more of my family’s story spills out.  I thank God for all the gifts He has given me and the many more surely to come.  Today I can honestly say “I care a lot!”

By Mary (Lyon) Hellman, 2009

The Coin that survived the Civil War

In honor of the 150th Anniversary of the beginning of the Civil War  I've chosen the following which I think you will enjoy.


Take a good look at this coin.  Look at the year.  Wow!

1858 50 cent piece

My Great Great Grandfather,

Andrew S Davis, put this coin in his boot and wore it all through the Civil War.  Family members say this was his "lucky" coin.  It served him well because he survived the war, married and began a new generation.  My cousin has this coin today and plans to give it to his son who he named Andrew Davis.  That is so cool!

Here is a note that his grandson, Stuart Davis (my grandfather) wrote regarding this coin.  I have transcribed it in case it is difficult for you to read.

"This 50 (cent) piece was carried by Grandfather Davis in Shermans March to the sea.  Also up the coast to Washington to be mustered out at the close of the war."

Andrew S. Davis enlisted in Company E, Iowa 4h Infantry Regement on August 8, 1861 at the age of 40.  He was wounded at one time and in a hospital for about 4 months.  He was promoted to Full Corporal on January 1, 1864.  He mustered out on July 24, 1865 at Louisville, KY.  He also was a flagholder at the Grand Army of the Republic in Washington at the close of the war.

I am so proud of my gr gr grandfather!

Here is the only picture the family has of Andrew S Davis.  We believe this was his wedding on November 6, 1866 to Anna Schafer. 

See more below:

Andrew Davis' unit 4th Iowa Infantry Company E fought in the battle of Pea Ridge. The Pea Ridge National Military Park is at that location today. He was in Sherman's "March to the Sea", which took place thru Georgie after Atlanta was "accidently" burned down. He also went up the ocast. After the war he was mustered out in Washington D.C. after they had the "Grand Review" (parade) of the Army. He fought for the Union.||This was in the book " History of Polk County" regarding the military.||550 HISTORY OF POLK COUNTY.||Castellin, Thomas (Costello], captured at Gaines' Landing, Miss.; December 24, 1862.|Danforth, Andrew J.|*Davis, Andrew S., veteranized as corporal January 1, 1864.|Dixon, John, discharged November 24, 1862.|



In case any one is reading this.  Andrew is my brick wall.  I have no idea what he did from the time he was born in West Virginia in 1821 until he joined the war in Iowa.  Course, Davis is a difficult name to research.  :)

Happy Post Birthday Mom



Happy Post Birthday Mom.....

 
My Mother would have turned 79 today. 
So I am thinking of her today and how much my sisters and I miss her. 

Marjorie Pauline Davis Lyon was born on April 5, 1932 in Ruthven, Iowa.  She died on April 14, 2007 in Gresham, Oregon. She is buried in Crown Hill Cemetery, Ruthven, Iowa where many of her family members are laid to rest.

Mom was an Iowa farmers daughter.  She had five brothers and no sisters!  One year she had a prize cow that won a blue ribbon at the county fair!

Mom would have been thrilled if she found out her girls, Nancy, Mary, Susan and Sandy got together last month in California.

Susan, Nancy, Mary and Sandy - March 2011

We Love and Miss You Mom  

"I don't want to play in your yard........"

Do you remember this song? Earlier this month my sisters and me got together in California for a few days. What a blast we had. Anyway - during one of our car trips my sister Sandy starting singing this song and asked if we remembered it. Yes we did and came up with most of the lyrics to it as well all chiming in together singing the song. That peaked my curiosity. When I came home to Oregon, I went on line to get the lyrics. Here they are.

CHORUS
"I don't want to play in your yard
I don't like you any more,
You'll be sorry when you see me,
Sliding down our cellar door;
You can't holler down our rain barrel,
You can't climb our apple tree,
I don't want to play in your yard
If you won't be good to me."

We thought it was so mean. If we were the little girls, we would have really been hurt by our best friend saying these things to us! This was just the chorus. Supposedly there are some more words here:

Once there lived side by side, two little maids,
Used to dress just alike, hair down in braids;
Blue ging'am pinafores, stockings of red,
Little sun bonnets tied on each pretty head.
When school was over, secrets they'd tell,
Whispering arm in arm, down by the well.
One day a quarrel came, hot tears were shed:
"You can't play in our yard,"
But the other said:


Next day two little maids each other miss;
Quarrels are soon made up, sealed with a kiss.
Then hand in hand again, happy they go,
Friends all thro' life to be, they love each other so.
Soon school days pass away, sorrows and bliss,
But love remembers yet, quarrels and kiss;
In sweet dreams of childhood, we hear the cry:
"You can't play in our yard,"
And the old reply: CHORUS

It was good to see the girls made up and were friends again.

Another amazing thing is "I Don't want to Play in Your Yard was published in 1894, words by Philip Wingate and music by H.W. Petrie.

Wow! For you enjoyment you can listen to the song here.

Note: Picture comes from The Graphics Fairy