MEMORIES OF “THE WALNUTS”

Written by Rev. Otto Quaife

The ‘West Gate’ – the branch through the west pasture – the clump of Day Lilies that shone in splendor each year between the house and barn – the walls of corn in summer – crab apple tree near the granary – big pine tress south of the house – big grove on the north that we could see for miles – peaceful sounds at evening tide at the cow lot coming from the streams of mild hitting the sides and bottoms of the milk buckets as Grandfather and Grandmother sat on  stools by the sides of the cows  -- climbing the tall trees in the grove – old Mack and Trixie – the red album in the parlor – the organ that was mother’s pride and joy – pigeons at the barn – riding the lead horse on binder – the blowing up of the bladder at hog killing time (proud possession of Ba and Jack) – watching from the roof of the shed the endless vees of ducks and geese each fall and spring – apples drying on the kitchen roof – boot jacks in the kitchen – loading shotgun shells – pet wolf – Cousin Fannie’s pictures of Old England she took in 1907, and of Europe (Mt. Blanc; Coliseum at Rome;) Stockingford Canal alongside which Grandfather used to walk; Grandfathers’, mothers birthplace (Diana Moreton) on Whittleford road; Mrs. Davis of Stockingford, who knew Diana Moreton when she was a girl; garden of Diana Moreton’s parents – Grandmother telling us about the time during the Civil War when she made a train trip to the old Illinois home – the raiders on horseback who rode at breakneck speed to try to head off and capture the train and passengers.

GRANDFATHER STEPHEN QUAIFE’S CIVIL WAR REVOLVER

Grandfather brought back from the Civil War a wondrous revolver which he gave to his brothers, Charles and Albert, when he went to visit them after the end of the war. Dr. Milo Milton Quaife wrote my mother that the tale goes that later on Charles and Albert went down in the pasture to try out this revolver. They put up a mark and loaded the six chambers of the weapon. Then one of the brothers took aim and fired. Lo and behold!! Instead of one explosion as they expected, this strange gun just kept on firing one shot after another until all six shots were fired! Something to talk about in the family for years.