The following article entitled "Sixty-Three Years Ago" was written by Joe Anna Ulmer and published in the Pocahontas Star Herald, 4 April 1924.

Sixty-Three Years ago

As some of the old timers have been writing of old times, I thought I would send in a few lines. I remember Pocahontas as it appeared when I was a child. We crossed the river in a ferry. We had no railroads then but steamboats were used to bring in the frieght. I remember the old court house. My father was there when they covered it. A man fell from the roof and was killed.
The people in those days did card spinning to make cloth. The men hunted wild game which was plentiful in those days. I remember when there were only two brick buildings there. One was Eli Heavener’s dwelling, the other the jail. They did not need a good jail to put them in when they got too much booze so they could kick out when they became sober. I remember the Civil War. My brother was a lieutenant. I saw both sides, the blue and the gray. I saw them, march, heard roll call, saw them mark time and saw many cannons and balls. I lived with my father, mother, two brothers and seven sisters and there are only two of us left, my younger sister and myself.
We didn’t have any radios then, no autos and few wagons and buggies. But the people lived happily. They helped one another and would walk miles to visit with the sick and see if they needed any help. Now they call up on the phone, hoping the sick are better for they are afraid they may have to help dig a grave tomorrow.
I remember that when a man held an office one term he was ready to step down and out and give some other man a chance but now a man will run you down to ask for your vote and when he is elected he doesn’t know you any more. He is like a hog with an ear of corn and will hold on to the office as long as he can.
We didn’t have any poor farm then for we didn’t need it. Anyone who needed help was sure to find someone who would open his doors to him. If anyone had a poor relative they took the very best care of them and did not send them to the poor farm and then ride around in their cars after the poor one was gone.
My maiden name was McNeese.
signed, Joe Anna Ulmer