The War Between the States was over. Union troops had gone home. It was time for the New Bern politicos to once again assume control and they did so in July, 1865 by issuing 22 ordinances designed to bring peace and tranquility to this town of two rivers. The New Berne Daily Times reprinted the rules in November and we find that high up among the concerns of the authorities was rock throwing.
Ordinance Number 2 proclaimed “that the throwing of stones, sticks and other missiles of any kind is prohibited.” Such missiles must have been a big problem. Further, there would be no more firing guns or setting off fireworks in town “except upon days of public celebration.” Then you could bang away, we assume.
The sidewalks were a biggie. No refreshments stands were allowed there. No boxes, barrels or packages could be left street-side for more than six hours. No wagons, buggies or horses could be ridden or driven upon a sidewalk. (But shouldn’t that go without saying?) No wheelbarrows, or ice cream, bread or cake carts either. Fines from one to five dollars were put in effect.
On matters of health, there would be no more riverfront bathing along the Neuse or the Trent, and Lawson Creek as well. No throwing “filth or slop” in the street, and no sewage and rubbish in the river “immediately surrounding the town.” With an eye toward slop reduction, no horses, mules or other animals could be hitched to a fence or tree, and hogs could root around in New Bern only in winter. There was a speed limit, too. Keep your conveyance under six miles an hour, or else. (Wonder how they measured that.) And the golden days when you could just dry an animal hide on the side of your house were over. Immediately.
Then things got right dang puritanical. “Bawdy houses” were outlawed! Plus, “drunkenness, riotous, or disorderly behavior” would now net a fine or imprisonment. And no selling booze to soldiers and sailors, active “or recently discharged.” Bars, saloons, billiard and bowling establishments had to close by midnight, but “suspicious persons” would be arrested on the street after ten o’clock. Go figure. As for gambling: “Any game of chance played for money” could result in a $500 dollar fine (!), imprisonment, or hard labor on a road gang. And no being poor. “Vagrants” – meaning those with “no visible means of support” – would be arrested and “disposed of by the court.” Sounds ominous.
So, beginning in the summer of 1865, New Bern’s courts and constabulary endeavored to enforce the publics’ strict adherence to the new laws Monday through Saturday. And Sundays? Well, everything was prohibited on Sunday.
(Details gleaned from the Carteret News-Times, March 31, 1950)
by Edward Ellis, Special Correspondent
Eddie Ellis is the author of New Bern History 101 and other works about Craven County’s rich heritage. He can be reached at flexspace2@aol.com.
More at edwardellis.com