Book "To Kill a Mockingbird"

[A Anderson]

Question: In the book "To Kill a Mockingbird", Harper Lee mentions that hay was put on the sidewalk in front of the Radley house when Mr. Radley was dying. Can anyone tell me why? I've tried to research the answer since my class read the book, but can find nothing. Thanks.

[Someone Who Knows]

Where in the book does it say that? Being a former resident of Monroeville I never even paid attention to that in the book so let me know where and I will try to find out.

[A Anderson]

Toward the end of chapter 1 it reads "Mr. Radley was dying. He took his time about it. Wooden sawhorses blocked the road at each end of the Radley lot, straw was put down on the sidewalk, traffic was diverted......

[Someone Who Knows]

I will try and find out for you.

[A Anderson]

Thanks, I would really appreciated it. Since I teach this book in school, I want to be able to answer any questions the students might ask!

[Someone Who Knows]

Okay, back in the old days and still in the small towns, they would put up the saw horses to block the street (now some of the funeral homes put up signs so that you know someone in an area has lost someone) The stray was used to help make the streets quiet. This was done out of respect for the family. Back then they still used wagons and horses so it would help buffer the noise on the streets around the home. I got this info from a VERY RELIABLE SOURCE!!!!!!

[A Anderson]

Fantastic!! Thank you so very much. And thank the very "reliable source" too!!!

[Someone Who Knows]

You are very welcome. Harper Lee is a very good friend of my family.