Moccasins and Hog on Hominy

The dress or clothing of the Midwest pioneer was a curious cross between the working white man and Indian grab.  The hunting shirt, made of linsey, course nettle bark, linen buffalo hair or dressed deerskin was universally worn by men.  Breeches, leggings, and moccasins completed the men's daily attire.  Women and children dressed in simple linsey garments.  Shoes were only worn in cold weather when moccasins served for the entire family.

There was seldom a lack of food on the frontier.  The soil was fertile, and the forests had plenty of game.   One of the popular dishes was "hog on hominy" which was pork served with Indian corn which was boiled in lye (yikes!) to remove the hulls, then soaked in clear water and cooked soft.  Breakfast and dinner included cornmeal mush and milk (if available).  Cattle were not numerous in the Midwest wilderness early on, so hominy was more common.  Mush was served with sweetened water, molasses, gravy from fried meat,  or bear fat.

Coffee and tea were unknown on the frontier and even thought to be "sissy" drinks, better suited to women and children.  Vegetable gardens next to the cabin, raised pumpkins, squashes, potatoes, beans, melons, and "roasting ears" (my family still called corn by that name in Indiana growing up).  The forest provided wild game like squirrel, rabbits, deer, bear and elk, and well as wild fruits, grapes.and honey used for sweetening.  The pioneers ate hardy and well!

Next time...Making a living
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Today in Pioneer History: "On April 15, 1865, President Lincoln is pronounced dead after being shot at Fords' Theater in Washington DC the night before by John Wilkes Booth.  Only six days before the Civil War had ended with General Robert E Lee surrendering."