Salome M. Dietz

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/57908502/salome-m_-dietz

from Musser.us

THIS I REMEMBER

Written in the 1980's

By Salome Dietz

We moved from East Donegal Township Lancaster Co. to East Manchester Town- ship near Manchester, York Co. In 1906 everything was moved by horses and wagons except the cattle. The cattle had to cross the then only bridge between Columbia and Wrightsville, the railroad bridge. When it was train time everyone had to wait until the trains had gone.

With help of neighbors my Dad. moved some loads of implements and household things before moving day as the people who were then living on the farm made room for them.

Christian N. Musser, my Grandfather, and my Dad had bought the farm of 102 acres the fall of 1905 and had plans of moving in March. They got to the farm safely on moving day--that is all but the cattle and the ones with them. My 10 year old brother was one of them--by the time they stopped to water cattle along the way at a watering trough by the barn snow flakes started coming down.

Plans had been made to stop for the night to rest men and cattle at the John Strickler farm, but due to the snow they were there for three nights. The Stricklers were kind and took care of people and cattle till they could go. Roads were not opened like in our day as those were the days of open sleighs and jingle bells.

I suppose there was not much a five year old could do at moving time so I was to stay with my grandfather Jacob Beshore and Aunt Lizzie for some days. I road all that way in a loaded wagon, my mother drove with my brother Aaron. I do not remember my first day on the new farm but guess with my parents and brothers there and our things in the house now, I knew it was home.

I remember walking with my parents to what was called afternoon prayer meetings and as most fields were fenced in, in those days some were walks through cattle pastures. They were started about 1 p.m. and lasted a few hours mostly testimonial and not much preaching. I think mostly for the ones who were not able or due to age could not attend the Sat. eve. meeting and Sunday morning.

These were at a greater distance. In those days there were many meetings in York Co. I have lived through many changes since then.

A family by the name of Brown had afternoon meetings. Their youngest child named Leah must have had something like rheumatic fever and was crippled. After her parents' death she lived in two rooms of a family's home in Manchester and did quilting for a living with help from others. She was paid a cent a yard for quilting. (What a price when I think of the price of quilts today!) She was the only person I saw after death to be on a cooling board as was done in those days before being put in casket. Funerals have changed since those days--they usually were in the morning in Manchester in the homes if it was large enough or else at Union Church. The bell was rung first to let everyone know someone died and then what was called tolling started-- one for each year of age of the person. The bell ringing was finished by the time the last team was there. Now the old Union Church is gone and with it many of the old ways.

So I could say many days have passed since then and many changes I have seen. But were they for the better?

To walk across the Susquehanna Bridge cost 3 cents but when no ice was on the river there were two boats crossed several times a day. When we took the boat it was 5 cents. There was room to sit while crossing but also a place to drive on with horse and carriage.

Our garden had beds and paths. As soon as my Dad had finished digging I was to put seeds in little holes made with my finger. First one was near path for a radish-seed, next a lettuce seed, and last a red beet seed. The radish could be pulled first, then the lettuce but the redbeet stayed in till later when it was ready to cook and eat or can. The grown ups planted the bed with other vegetables.

Our house was built in 1852 by Jacob Keller who later was Bishop. John Beshore who later lived in Lancaster Co. was one of his helpers I was told. The house was built of bricks and had 10 rooms with large cellar and attic;

a brick summer house with spring house; a well of water with a trough of water from spring to cool gallon crocks of eats and a deeper one to cool cans of milk, etc.

We had a driving horse named Doll and two mules named Pet and Curl; after we lived in York Co. my Dad bought two mules at a farm sale named Mike and Dave. There were no tractors in those days where we lived until 1918. Then with broad metal tires.

We went to school at Beshore School 1 1/4 miles to walk for 7 month. Those who lived on farms did not all start the first day until farm work was finished. As far as I remember I always started first day. We had morning and evening work to do and change from school dress to work dress. We did not change our school dress every day. We lived on the farm till 1920 when my brother Christian was married and took over farming.

I came across this poem and think it

a suitable closing. Author unknown.

Learn to wait--life's hardest lesson

Conned, perchance, through blinding tears;

While the heart throbs sadly echo

To the tread of passing years.

Learn to wait--hope's slow fruition;

Faint not, though the way seems long;

There is joy in each condition;

Hearts by suffering may grow strong.

Thus a soul untouched by sorrow

Aims not at a higher state;

Joy seeks not a brighter morrow;

Only sad hearts learn to wait.

Salome Dietz was born May 12, 1900 to Jacob and Catharine Musser. Salome's father, Jacob was born in the house, where Amos Conley now lives. (Salome is a cousin to Annamary Musser and Ada Conley.) Salome's mother was from York Co. She married David Dietz before either of them made a decision to serve the Lord. When their oldest daughter died of something like pneumonia they were then willing to seek for God's help and make a beginning. In 1929 they were baptized and in 1937 David , was voted as minister in the horse and buggy group. Together they raised four daughters ...Ruth, Mary, Joanna and Leada...all went through nursing school. David died in 1982.

Salome now lives in an apartment at Glen Rock in southern York Co. She always enjoys company. if you ask whether her days are lonely she quickly responds, "Oh no, I have Jesus here with me and I Keep busy with crocheting lap robes, my flowers and letter writing."