"Over The River & Through The Woods"
In Memory
Of
Margaret Myrtilla Holstein
1883 - 1969
It was only the natural thing for us to do. Each Christmas we were rushed out of bed
early and hustled to open our gifts. After we finished opening our special treasurers it
was off to Grandmother's house we go.
I don't recall there ever being a discussion about it - it was the thing we did. Indeed, we
very much looked forward to it. The trip from Kent [Jacksonville] and Parkwood was a
wonderful example of the song by which I named this peace. Grandmother [Margaret
Myrtilla Holstein] was always glad to see us and would welcome us like we were the
only ones there. This could never be the case at Christmas though. There were
increasing numbers as the years wore on and the noise level rose to punctuate its
being part of who we were. We were Craigs! Craigs had fun and were sometimes noisy
as we gathered. Thinking about what was a annual occasion brings up a rather spotted
memory of all that we did and how we entertained ourselves. One thing we knew early
on was that there would be a gift for each of us under the tree that always stood in the
corner of the back room -- the room where the old roll-top-desk stood. That desk
always fascinated me.
We were shooed out of the house when the weather permitted and on the occasions when it didn't, we were confined to the house. One of the magic things about the old homestead at Parkwood was the spiral stairwell that went up stairs. It wasn't anything but magic to all of us. Louise, Gerald, myself and all the others would find ways to entertain each one of the many grandchildren. Things just don't work today like they did back then. Children today demand front and center in all gatherings and adults are unable to communicate as they once did. Back then children were to be seen and not heard. Simple as that. No questions, just seen and not heard.
Louise, with her natural motherly instincts, would generally take the lead and get us to
play house. Granddad, having raised 11 children in such a small house, didn't raise
any slackers. So I reckon that we took the example from our mothers and fathers and
acted accordingly. As the years wore on [1940 - 1950s], there were more and more
grand children. We would be allowed to play on the spiral stair case and the one large
upstairs room.
The outhouse was the only place to take care of business so one can well imagine the
long waits there. It seems to me, as I write this, there were times when the weather
was nice enough we would be allowed to play outside. If there was snow some would
bring sleds but their use was discouraged for some reason or another. Seems like we
were told that there were some bad people down over the hill.
Getting back on that item concerning where everyone slept at the Craig house in
Parkwood . . . where exactly did the eight boys and 3 girls sleep at night. As well as I
can take my mind's eye and with my head in my hands picture nearly anything they had
in the house. I can tell you rather closely exactly where things were. As one walked in
the side door and if one looked to the door post to the right there hung a rather
menacing raiser strap. Its usage was explained and demonstrated to us - and were
quite content with Grandfathers expiation. No one put another question to the subject.
We believed what he said and in most cases we spent the day with that one item in the
back of our mind. The house stood two stories high with a cellar door [too many
splinters to slide on - although some tried]. Just inside the side door was a sort of sun
room with a couch that would generally hold three men. It was the room you stayed
close to if you wanted to listen ["LISTEN"]. Those were the days when children learned
a great deal by simply listening to what was going on - and wouldn't have dared but in
or even whisper. Some of the stories told in that one room would be so valuable today.
If there was anything important enough so as to make persistence gainful the child with
the question would go to his parent and whisper - better yet, go to mom and get her to
pose the question.
Concerning where all the Craigs Slept: I am wondering if the farm back over the hill
from near where Tom & Ruth Redinger raised their children had a larger house and
might have been used early on. I have never heard the Old Farm discussed except
briefly when we went hunting there and another time in the 1950's when granddad took
us back to see the tree farm he was tending there. Question: When did all the MB
Craigs move to the Parkwood Homestead. Although it is established that the family was
raised in Parkwood, there must have been a time and reason they abandoned the Old
[and larger?] Farm.
Getting back to the house. But first, the "the out-house" was located down the sidewalk
about 25 yards from the house. I don't recall when it was that running water and other
utilities were added to the house. The homestead also had a small [maybe 6' X 6'] out
building just outside the side door. It had a roof and the sides were built of lattice work.
I am assuming that this may have been a pump house. Inside there was that wonderful
old "party-line" telephone that rung on the wall and was it ever used! On straight in was
the largest room of the house. The large table there usually kept the great dishes of
food Uncles and Aunts brung for the feast that was to come.
At some time Grandmother would go to the Organ that was in the room facing the road
and proceed to play some Christmas music. This was such a memorable and lasting
experience for each one of us. She did right well as best as I can remember. Her
playing the Pump Organ most likely was the influence I needed to get started with the
Saxophone. But, we would stand around that organ and sing Christmas Carols for long
lengths of time.
After the singing we children were relocated to the up-stairs in bad weather or outside
when the sun was shining. The adults would eat and when they finished we would rush
back in like Napoleon's army. The food was always good, and more than enough for
everyone. If the children had been able to eat with the adults I cannot even imagine the
noise and confusion. This arrangement continued as long as I can remember. Often the
men would then settle out in the basement room under the barn to continue on with
stories I found so intriguing, yet too young to understand - and was sometimes told that
my presence wasn't desired there. The year the barn burnt down we had no place to go
to play or for the men to talk. Grandad revealed some ideas he was kicking around and
they stepped off some measurements. As best as I recall, it wouldn't be a barn, but a
garage with plenty of space for all his tools.
So many wonderful memories came into being there in Parkwood. O, how much I would
love to go back in time and record the wonderful stories they shared there. Back in
those days, only being a child, I had no idea what Genealogy is, or what a tree is, much
less understand what they were talking about. I dare say heavy eyelids would force my
mind into inactivity and those things are gone forever.
Time moved along and soon it was quite clear that the massive numbers of
grandchildren became more of a burden for grandmother and grandad, so we began to
draw names. I loved this. We didn't get together much during the year but one could
play the game, "Who Got My Name?" all year long. And, it went well. I don't know that I
ever found out who had my name. It was so much fun. Grandmother still tried to have
some special little things for as many as she could.
--Robert Blair Craig