Little Schitt Crossing goings on …..
Notices, happenings & other matters somebody thought worth writing down
Notices, announcements, correspondence & everyday matters preserved from Little Schitt’s Crossing
Archive introduction
Not every surviving record from Little Schitt’s Crossing concerns a flood, disputed property line, questionable marriage, missing relative, or historically significant goat.
Most people spent most days doing considerably more ordinary things.
They bought flour. Shoes needed repair. Children went to school when circumstances and children permitted. Church suppers were announced. Livestock wandered. Travelers required rooms. Somebody occasionally misplaced something and expected everybody else to help find it.
The fragments preserved here offer a less formal view of daily life around the Crossing.
Some were posted publicly. Others appeared in newspapers, store windows, church records, personal correspondence, or among papers whose original purpose is no longer entirely clear.
Taken individually, most are of little historical importance.
Taken together, they have a tendency to explain things.
From the Quackenbush Mercantile Notice Board
c. 1878
FLOUR expected Thursday.
Lamp oil expected Thursday or Friday.
Coffee expected when the wagon gets here.Accounts more than thirty days outstanding should be settled before additional credit is requested.
Pencil notation beneath: thinkin it says:
Coffee came Saturday.
Different hand scralled this:
Still counts.
FOUND NEAR THE FORD
Date uncertain
One leather work glove, left hand.
Owner may claim same at the Mercantile by accurately describing the right one.
Archive note:
No record indicates whether the glove was claimed.
Little Schitt’s School Notice
c. 1881
Parents are reminded that lessons begin promptly at eight in the morning.
Children arriving after eight should bring an explanation.
Children bringing explanations written by other children should bring a better explanation.
Good penmanship, but still VERY obvious, explanations from parents are required to attend class.
Road Condition Notice
Spring, year uncertain
Travel beyond Mud Creek remains difficult following recent rain.
The north road is passable by wagon.
The southeast road is described as passable by travelers arriving from that direction.
Someone later added a comment:
“They would.”
Stark Inn — Supper Notice
Saturday supper will be served beginning at six.
Travelers requiring rooms should inquire before sundown.
Persons expecting additional company from outside the Crossing are asked to advise Mrs. Stark beforehand.
Below, in another hand:
Especially if they’re coming from southeast.
….. Ya can see the note written and ya can also see someone else Crossed it out to make a point …….
Scheister Gazette — Community Notice
Fragment, approximately one-quarter page
Committee Memorandum
Preparations for the Autumn Gathering
Tables — church yard
Music — Stark porch if weather permits
Produce judging — south field
Horses — east enclosure
Goats — north side of roadAdditional supper provisions should be obtained if visitors from Shelby County confirm attendance.
Under Goats — north side of road, somebody has underlined north twice. makes ya wonder
Personal Correspondence — Fragment
Dear Martha,
We expect a pleasant gathering Saturday if the weather holds. The Starks have agreed to supper and Mr. Quackenbush says there will be enough coffee this time.
Word is several families from Shelby intend to come.
I expect that will be all right.
Your affectionate—
Rest missing.
A Note Concerning the Southeastern References
Several surviving Little Schitt records contain references to families, businesses, travelers, and events originating southeast of Mud Creek, particularly in neighboring Shelby County, Tennessee.
The references vary considerably in tone.
The Archives has preserved records originating on that side of the county line as a separate collection.
Examine the surviving records from the other side of the county line →
Sometimes ya find small things that can mean alot: Like an invitation …..
“Visitors from neighboring communities were cordially invited.”
Shelby preserves an actual invitation addressed to Raymond Brewer: – we don’t have that!
Mr. and Mrs. Brewer and family are particularly encouraged to attend.
Little Schitt committee meeting minutes were found to state:
It remains unclear who sent the additional invitations.
Crock’s notation:
“Seems clear enough to me.”Deep’s note:
It isn’t.