McCaghren recalls experiences in early 1900s

By Staff
Martha Jackson, Danville News Correspondent
In anticipation of his 93rd birthday on Nov. 28, Cecil (Pete) McCaghren shared some of the experiences he had as a boy growing up in the Punkin Center community in the early 1900s.
There was plenty of work to be done on the farm of his parents, Gordon and Lou McCaghren. He milked cows, fed livestock, chopped wood, hoed and picked cotton and took care of various other manual chores on a daily schedule.
Even going to school at Danville was a difficult task.
McCaghren was 12-years-old when he saw his first airplane.
Entertainment back then centered around the church and making visits to family members and neighbors.
McCaghren also recalled his first job away from the farm was working at a box factory in Decatur for 15 cents an hour. Later, he landed a job at a Decatur pipe-making plant where he was paid 45 cents an hour.
He also remembers the story behind the name of Punkin Center.
McCaghren said in spite of all the progress and modern conveniences he considers the era of the early 1900 as the good ole days. The work was really hard and the pay was small,” he said, “but back then you didn’t have to keep your doors locked and everyone knew everybody and when somebody in the community needed help everyone pitched in and helped just like one big family.”