The midwinter bath

 Get down an’ come sit with me out back. Coffee’s hot an’ we’ll just sit an’ have a cup while we enjoy nature’s offering.  

You know, the beauty of February is that it always gives us a promise of spring. A lot of times the weather is warm enough to have us scared to death that the fruit trees will bloom early and be susceptible to a freeze. 

Because we all know that the weather, especially here in Texas, can be pretty unpredictable, though it’s usually not so bad that it keeps us cooped up for days in a row. 

I found in my studies of the history of our western heritage, several accounts of tough weather conditions that would tend to keep those old cowboys hunkered up close to the fireplace. And I imagine those close quarters began to get pretty gamey. 

Today, we take our modern amenities, especially clean water and hot water, running water inside the house, and showers and bathtubs for granted. But keeping a body clean in the 1800s, especially on the frontier, was a hard and time-consuming job. 

Most folks on the frontier bathed in rivers or ponds when they were available or took sponge baths from a metal or porcelain basin. Early homesteaders had to carry water from a stream, river or pond. Wells and iron hand pumps were not built on the frontier until relatively late in the 1870s, and even then, water had to be carried from the well or a nearby stream. 

Many homesteaders and ranchers bathed in the horse trough. That was their bathtub. The fact that their farm animals drank from the trough was just accepted. 

Later wooden bathing tubs could be purchased for the home. Saturday evening was often bath day and the entire family took a bath in the same water so they would be clean for the Sabbath and church or worship. Pa was first, then Ma, then the children. 

The wooden tubs were filled with water, usually cold. Hot water was a luxury. Heating water in the fireplace or over the iron stove was another tough and time-consuming task. 

Many an Old West cowboy would see this sign as he rode into town contemplating a bath - Baths: First water-50¢  Used water- 25¢   Soap & Towel 20¢   Bathing was not a common occurrence, unless there might be a special occasion fixing to occur. This is illustrated in a poem,  “The Midwinter Bath”  by Bruce Kiskaddon… a poem that reflects a cowboy’s thoughts in a lonely line camp.

The Midwinter Bath                                                                                                                               

 I’m home plenty early, I reckon--

It’s too soon to start cookin’ grub,

So before I begin with my bakin’

I’ll take me a bath in that tub.

I’ll build up a plenty big fire,

And git all the kittles well filled;

If there’s one thing that I don’t admire,

It’s gittin’ in water that’s chilled.

That wind is some cold and plum nosey--

It’s comin’ right in through the cracks--

But I’ll fix the place up warm and cozy,

And stuff that broke window with sacks.

Wow! Wow! But it sure makes you shiver--

A man wouldn’t really suppose

It would chill him plum into his liver,

The minute he takes off his clothes.

Now, there is old Billy McRady--

He’s eighty, and got his third wife.

She’s quite a respectable lady--

And old Bill never bathed in his life.

When did I bathe last -- I remember,

Although I ain’t put the date down--

I had one the first of November,

The last time I went into town.

It’s weak’nin’, a man can’t deny it,

But I’m takin’ a chance, anyway;                                                                                                                       It won’t hurt a feller to try it,

For this here is Volunteen day.

I’ll git that new bar of Fels Napthy

And doll myself sweet an’ clean,

And come out all purty an’ happy--

Like somebody’s sweet Volunteen.

Ouch!  Say, but my feet must be tender--

But then a man should understand,

When he feels of the water, remember,

That his feet ain’t as tough as his hand.                                                                                                 I don’t think it hurts your endurance,

Except when a feller just soaks,

For baths is a common occurrence

Among the society folks.

The men, kids and the women

Put on little short-legged skirts,

And goes in the ocean a swimmin’;

They don’t reckon as how that it hurts.

I’ve read about them in “The Tattler,”

Great goodness!  jest look at them heels;

I’m sheddin’ my hide like a rattler--

It’s turrible how a man peels,

I’ve got some clean under-clothes ready,

But them others is still warm for me;

I’ll get at this thing sort of steady--

Too much of it mightn’t agree.

Les’ see, now-November, December--

And this here is Volunteen Day;

I’ll mark down the date and remember

I’m good ‘till the first of next May.

It may cause a feller to weaken,

It may sort of shorten Life’s path;

But I’ll tell you right here, plainly speakin’,

I sure do enjoy a good bath!

Bruce Kiskaddon   public domain    

 Get your Saturday night bath and join us at First Baptist Marlin or a church of your choice.      God bless each of you and God Bless America!