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Stationmaster's House
Welcome |
THE BOY’S ROOM If you were a boy growing up at the Stationmaster’s House, what would your life be like? Frank Zacharias, born in 1861, was about school age when the family moved into the two story house. Undoubtedly Frank was fascinated by the railroad activity surrounding his new home. He could look out of his window to the tracks below and see the trains arrive and depart, and he may have accompanied his father during routine duties, making Frank feel he was part of the ranks of accomplished males. Frank helped with chores, as did most children in Mechanicsburg, and very likely he carried water, for the family needed water for cooking and washing. In addition, he may have gathered bits of coal that had fallen along the tracks, for the family was thrifty and used coal in their stove. When he was older, he probably went to Main Street and picked up items from food shops for his mother. While doing chores and errands, he undoubtedly enjoyed the activity surrounding the lively station.
What did Frank wear? He wore long pants. When boys were babies and toddlers, they wore dresses; in fact, all children in diapers wore similar clothing regardless of gender. His pants, or britches, were made of sturdy fabrics woven of wool, homespun, linsey-woolsey, linen, or cotton. Pants were styled much like adult men's pants, with no back pockets, front slash pockets, button fly and buttons for braces. There were no belt loops, and the pants featured an opening in the back waistband which was adjusted for fit by use of a lace. Pants were rather baggy in the seat and loose in the leg. Braces, now called suspenders, were used to hold up a young man's pants. They buttoned to the waistband and were made of leather, canvas or fabric and usually featured a buckle on the front for height adjustment. Shirts were made much like today's shirts. They were made of cotton, wool, linen or homespun fabric in white, or somber colors, or calico - usually a windowpane plaid or check. Shirts had long, rather full sleeves and wide shoulder seams, small cuffs, narrow or band collars, and lacked pockets.
Would he wear the same clothes for play as for school? Although a boy might play in his shirt sleeves, typically he wore a vest or jacket if he was going out in public. Shirt sleeves would be worn buttoned at the cuff; they were only rolled up if working. Vests of the period did not have "points" on the front hem like modern vests - the hem was straight. Vest necklines featured shawl collars or a shallow V without a collar; some vests had a high neckline with a short stand-up collar. Jackets were usually styled as sack coats, for the type was the simplest to make, and the loose fit allowed for growth. Boots that laced up the front were commonly worn by boys. Hats were considered an essential item of wear, and boys were expected to wear a hat when going outside. Surely Frank dressed appropriately since he and his family were constantly in public view. Frank probably took style cues from his father, who not only worked for the railroad but was an assistant burgess, what we call assistant mayor. His uncle, Mr. Levi Riegel ran a shop that sold hats, boots, and gloves, and Frank must have been well attired. What did he do in the evening? While many of us think people in the past spent a lot of time reading that wasn’t actually the case. Few people had books for leisure reading. Also, they didn’t have electricity for lighting. Oil lamps were used. After the family lived at the Stationhouse for a few years, the town, in 1871, erected streets lamps leading to the station, and they were lit at 7:00 pm. Frank probably got light in his room from the street lamps. However, that wouldn’t have been enough light for reading. Most likely Frank read the Cumberland Valley Journal, the weekly newspaper since his father would receive it at the station. The newspaper often recommended books, much like our book and movie reviews today. Frank may have read The Youth's Companion, a very popular children’s magazine. It began publication in 1827, so his parents probably read it, too. The newspaper endorsed the publication, for its stories encouraged virtuous behavior, warned against ways of transgression, and promoted patriotism. The nonfiction varied widely from articles on how things were made, to information on natural history, and descriptions of technology and its effects--intended and otherwise. Interestingly, from 1892 onward, the magazine promoted the Pledge of Allegiance, which had been written by staff member Francis Bellamy. It was published for over one hundred years until it finally merged with American Boy in 1929. When the Perry Mason Company took over publication, Erle Stanley Gardner, born in 1889, was a frequent reader. After he embarked on his own writing career, Gardner borrowed the name "Perry Mason" for his famous fictional attorney-detective.
Did he play outside the Stationmaster’s House? When he was little, his mother undoubtedly kept a close watch, for she knew how danger lurked near the railroad tracks. Even though trains were required to move slowly through town, and fines were levied if they failed to adhere to speed limits, the tracks posed a danger. The newspaper reported incidents of boys falling into the paths of trains. Sadly, in 1872, when Frank was about 11, one of his uncles, Robert Zacharias, died in a railroad accident. The area outside the station lacked the extensive brick and paving it has today, so that meant Frank played on packed dirt or muddy ground. Wooden sidewalks provided access to the station, but it is unlikely that children were allowed to play on them since they were designated for passengers. Some shop areas in town had the benefit of brick or cement paving. The Union Church added cement paving during this time period. What kinds of games did he play? Children did not have computers and TV to provide their entertainments, so they used imagination for games and play. Circle games, singing games, parlor games, and group activities were enjoyed by all ages. Even today, children play some of the same games, such as Duck, Duck Goose, or Drop the Hanky. However, unlike today, children of different ages played together. He probably played with cousins, as well as other children from town. The older children were expected to watch out for the young ones, and to include them in their play. How were popular games played? A lively game, Graces, could be played by two children or a group. The game was played with ribbon decorated hoops & sticks. Each player held a pair of sticks and used them to propel the hoop to another player, who caught the hoop with their sticks and propelled it back or to another player. Another favorite, Running Hoops, was an exhausting individual game. A hoop (larger than the graces hoop) is rolled along by propelling it with a short stick. The player must run alongside the hoop to keep it moving. Relay races were sometimes formed to keep the hoop in motion over distances. Did girls play, too? Girls often joined in all the rough play and fierce competitions as boys did. Only when they reached maturity were they expected to develop into reserved ladies, as boys were expected to become gentlemen. We can assume that Frank modeled the gentlemanly behavior of his father and uncles. In fact, being called a gentleman was a term of distinction and honor. The local histories and county biographies from that time period reserved the designation of gentleman for select individuals. Thus, Frank must have been very proud of his extended family. What kind of toys would he use? His toys probably reflected the recent Civil War. Toy soldiers were made of wood, tin, and fabric, and they represented both North and South. Undoubtedly he also fashioned toy weapon and trains. Balls, made of vulcanized rubber or rags, were used in many games of catch. Jacks & marbles were played, and as a young boy, he might have galloped on a Wooden Hobby Horse. As he grew older, for he lived at the Stationmaster’s House for a dozen years, he likely played Board Games such as Backgammon, Checkers, or Chess. Did he play sports? Organized sports were not the passion they have become today, but competitions were popular and frequent. Races of all sorts were the most popular competition. Foot races for varied distances were common, and children invented creative versions. They had three-Legged races, balance races similar to egg on a spoon race, and jumping contests. Baseball was a popular new sport. After the Civil War, when people had more leisure time, both spectators and players enjoyed baseball. In fact, the newspaper carried stories about the rising interest in the sport.
Did Frank graduate? Frank was educated in Mechanicsburg, and while there is no mention of graduation, that was typical for the time. He was obviously very smart and ambitious. When he was seventeen, he relocated to Kansas with his father. In the late 1870’s, many people from Cumberland County rode west on the train to Kansas. His father tried to start a farm in Harper County; however, their endeavor did not work out. Drought and bug infestation plagued many farmers as indicated by newspaper reports. Plus, they were accustomed to town life and undoubtedly ill-suited to the rigors of farming. Yet it is a testament to his father’s prominence that he became register of deeds, and Frank worked under his father as deputy register of deeds. Why did Frank stay in Kansas? When his father, Mr. George Zacharias, decided to return to Mechanicsburg, Frank, then a young adult, remained in Kansas, for he was establishing himself in banking and became one of the leading businessmen of Southern Kansas. As an accomplished accountant, he held various positions of responsibility, rising from an assistant cashier to the president of National Bank of Harper in 1907. He expanded his banking operations from Harper to other areas of the state, as well as Enid, Oklahoma. How proud his family in Mechanicsburg must have felt when the Kansas Encyclopedia noted: “He possesses the natural attributes of a successful financier, keen foresight and good judgment, and is considered one of the best posted men on the intricate problems of finance in the State, and by his straight forward methods, has won the confidence of the business world.” Did Frank marry? He married Freda E. Wahlquist in Hastings, Nebraska, on December 10, 1890. They had two children, George Wahlquist, born January 22, 1894 and Dorothy, born December 10, 1897. George Wahlquist Zacharias graduated with honors from St. John's Military School, Salina, Kansas, in the class of 1913 and then he enrolled in the Leland Stanford Jr. University, Palo Alto, Calif. The MMA has acquired a photo of him at the university. However, he left after a year. At that time, many men enrolled in the service for WWI, but no specific records exist. Dorothy was a student at Kemper Hall, Kenosha, Wisconsin. Did Frank return to Mechanicsburg? While the railroad facilitated fairly easy travel, records do not exist of specific visits to Mechanicsburg. However, after Frank died in 1950, his body was buried with parents and sister at the Chestnut Hill Cemetery. |
Where did Frank sleep? Most likely Frank slept in the upstairs bedroom.
While the restored room displays one bed, most children living in town
during the 1860’s shared a bedroom; thus, Frank may have shared a room
with his sister or his uncle during the time Charles R. Zacharias lived
with the family. When Charles was a teenager, he lived with them for a
while and worked in the office as a telegrapher.
Where did he keep his clothes? He kept stockings, or socks and
underclothes in a chest, much like the room’s cherry Empire Chest, built
in 1860 by an undertaker and furniture maker from New Kingston as a
wedding gift for his daughter. Boys usually wore undergarments of cotton
or soft wool. Undershirts and drawers helped to keep the clothing clean
and prevent chafing from rough wool britches. Socks were called
stockings, and were crafted of cotton or wool in a plain weave. Ties
were sometimes worn for fancy occasions. While few houses had closets,
this room in the Stationmaster’s House was built with a closet. Frank
would hang shirts, jackets, pants, and hats on pegs in his closet.
Hangers were not used at this time. As a middle class boy, he had about
three sets of sturdily constructed clothing, so he could play hard and
also do chores.
Would Frank have school books? You will see old science and math books,
as well as a Bible in the room. Frank must have worked hard in school,
studying at home, especially arithmetic, for he became a very successful
accountant and banker. His uncles, Samuel Zacharias and John Riegel were
on the boards of local banks, and so Frank undoubtedly heard discussions
about finance, as well as the importance of academics.
How would he clean up for bedtime? After a day of school, play, and
chores, he needed to get clean. Since he did not have a bathroom, he
used his wash stand which served the purpose of a sink. He used the
pitcher to fill the basin, wash away the day’s grime, and then poured
the dirty water in a slop jar found on the bottom shelf of the wash
stand. Then he put the basin and pitcher on top. For sleeping, he wore a
nightshirt. If he needed to go to the bathroom during the night, he used
his slop jar.|
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