The Southwestern Historical Quarterly, Volume 30, July 1926 - April, 1927 Page: 237

Notes and Fragments

NOTES AND FRAGMENTS
EXHIBITION OF RELICs.-On the 26th of November there was
held in Fairfield, Freestone County, Texas, a most interesting exhi-
bition of old relies and heirlooms. The articles brought out were of
a wide variety, and ranged in age from fifty to over two hundred
years. They were conveniently arranged in groups of what might
be termed dry goods, hardware, silverware, printed matter, etc.
On one side might be seen counterpanes, tapestry, clothes, and
the like of by-gone days. Baby dresses of men long since grown
old were there; and patiently wrought wedding gifts; and little
shoes that seemed to have been used only a short while. Quilts
of strange pattern hung on the wall, some faded, some their colors
surprisingly fresh. Money bags of coarse homespun lay in queer
contrast with dainty, silk handkerchiefs. Many other articles of
cotton, wool and linen were on display, some of them badly worn,
but the major portion in a perfect state of preservation. It is
hardly worth while to state that this side of the house attracted
most of the feminine visitors.
What interested the men mainly was the arms section. Here
were the living specimens, as it were, of past-day weapons. Long-
barrel shotguns were gathered with heavy, fine-sighted rifles.
Sabers and dress-swords of the Civil War were arranged beside
dirks and bowie-knives of still earlier days. One short, Roman-
shaped sword, with gaps in its edge, and a badly battered scab-
bard, were especially noticeable. A pair of dueling pistols, with
their musket-like hammers and little short ramrods, also attracted
much interest. There were blowing horns, shot gourds, bullet
moulds, and powder flasks; all showing the immense importance
of firearms and their accessories in the lives of the pioneers.
The more intellectual side of the display was also well repre-
sented. Diplomas from forgotten institutions seemed joined in
a sentimental way with great Confederate bills and Republic of
Texas currency. Bibles, yellow with age, dog-eared schoolbooks,
faded newspapers and letters, formed in themselves a worth-
while display. Some of these old prints were as quaint in con-
tents as in outside appearance. As an example, one Second
Reader had the verse: "The sun rises in the East and sets in

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