When the rope was pull down the clapper hit the side of the bell as the rope was released it hit the other side which made a clear metallic sound; the bell was rang a number of times to send a message. The Dinner Bell was usually located some where near the back porch or in the backyard.

The bell was rang to let the workers in the fields know it was time to come-and-get-it. Today, these bells are sold in many antique and flea markets for yard, garden or landscape decoration.

Like many other devices of the past, they mark a time when life was quite different than today. In those early days family life was much closer related than today, and one special time was the mealtime.

All members of the family would be there for that time of togetherness, each one had a place at the table, and nobody begin to eat until all were there in their place.

If a family member was absent, their plate was set but the plate was turned over as to remember them in their time of absence from the family.

Bells were used to send other messages as well. Many of the churches in the community had large bells in the steeple tower or attic of the churches. There would be a large rope through the ceiling in the entry of the church building for to ring the bell.

The caretakers would ring the bell at a given time as to remind the people of the church services or other special occasions.

Note: These bells are a friendly reminder of life when there was no electricity with which to do the work of the day.

_Carlis