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Centennial History Book
Good times and relaxation were provided by ENTERTAINMENT
Entertainment during pioneer times was provided in many different ways in the Farnam area, depending upon the age and the likes of the people involved. Taffy pulls, box suppers, and visiting were some. Quilting bees, spelling bees and husking bees were others. Dances bands and literary meetings provided some of their entertainment. Some were sports minded; they enjoyed watching or participating in baseball games, horse racing, or playing horseshoe. In the winter there were bob sledding, ice skating, snowball fights and fox and geese. Then in the summer and nice weather there was a circus to look forward to or the chataqua. One circus that was coming to Farnam used a road past the Hicks’ homestead south of Farnam.
The chataquas were held in a tent generally on a vacant lot. Several locations that have been brought to mind today that the chataquas used are the lots that today are the sites of the Farnam Repair and Welding Shop and the lot east of the Hyatt Lumberyard. The chataqua would have a show that the children would be interested in such as magicians, animals, or the like and another show for the older citizens. This was singing, performing, debates, or a speech by an important person, maybe a politician seeking office.
Children when Farnam was young, enjoyed playing just as the children do today. They played make believe and made things to play with, whereas, today many toys are bought. One advantage with toys that the children had made was that they could let the old one lay and make a new one the next day unless it was an extra special one that they had made. Some of the toys that the children had were made by the parents. Some were bought or those that were brought with the family when they came. However, toys weren’t as plentiful as they are today.
Children learned to do many things by watching their parents as they made necessary articles for the home, such as candles, quilts, rugs, clothing and soap. Herding cattle was an important and popular job for the younger generation. Children weren’t worked beyond their capacity but they had chores to do and in the evenings they were tired enough to go to bed early as the whole family did. This conserved on their fuel supply, as well as the candles, kerosene, or whatever they used for lighting the home.
The following are articles and pictures that have been taken from newspapers and family photograph albums that gives an insight into the entertainment of the pioneers of Farnam.
October 18, 1895, Clipper Citizen
Farnam Coronet Band returned home Sunday from the County Fair with second prize in the Band Contest. The Band would have taken first had it not been for one of the lead horns in playing its first piece. The boys say they received good treatment even if they didn’t get first prize.
December 29, 1899 Clipper Citizen
Union Christmas services were held in the A.O.U.W. Hall Monday evening. The large hall was crowded with people who assembled to enjoy the entertainment. The hall was nicely decorated. A large rainbow attracted much attention. A Christmas tree bearing fancy Christmas novelties for all the children looked very pretty. After the program Santa Claus appeared and was heartily greeted by all the children. Shortly after Santa Claus arrived popcorn balls and candy were distributed.
A Union Christmas program by the church Sunday Schools was being planned.
January 5th 1900 Clipper Citizen
Quite a crowd attended a drama entitled "After Ten Years" which was given at the Workman Hall Thursday night.
While out sleigh-riding last Wednesday evening, Misses Anna Herndon and Mable Garven and Mr. W. G. Gano were upset with no serious results. On resuming the ride the sleigh ran into a bank and one side of the tongue was broken loose, this startled the horses, causing them to jump forward and breaking the tongue on the other side. They then engaged in a lively runaway. The occupants of the sleigh escaped unhurt. One of the horses was quite badly cut coming in contact with a barb wire fence.
On May, 1900 there was a parade to the cemetery.
On June 13, 1900 Cullins Brothers had their circus in town.
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