USA > Illinois > DuPage County > History of Du Page County, Illinois (Historical, Biographical) > Part 31
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The Joe Naper Engine Company No. 1 was organized September 17, 1874. Number of men allowed, 80; number of men in com- pany (average), 35.
Foreman-Daniel Garst; J. Egermann, two terms; M. Weismantel, two terms ; Xavier Kreyder, two terms: Jacob Heim, two terms.
Assistant Foremen-Nicholas Yack, five terms; Alois Schwartz: Joseph Yender, two terms.
Second Assistant Foremen-R. W. Shel- don, Sebastian Baun, seven terms.
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Secretaries-W. Scott, Jr .; M. Weisman- tel, two terms; B. Beidelman, two terms; C. Bast, three terms.
Treasurers-Reuss, six terms; X. Krey- den, two terms.
Naperville Hose Company No. 1 was organ- ized September 17, 1874. Number of men allowed, 20; average number of men in com- pany, 18. Officers of said company were as follows:
Foremen -- A. McS. S. Riddler, four terms; Peter Babst, Hol Seiber; Martin Becker, two terms; Henry Seiber, Albert Yost.
Assistant Foremen-Peter Nicholas, Peter Babst, Hol Seiber, Samuel Ney, Martin Becker, S. S. Strouse, Charles Naper, George Ehrhardt, B. J. Slick.
Secretaries-O. J. Wright, C. D. Kendig, S. S. Strouse, A. McS. S. Riddler.
Treasurers-George Potter, Albert Yost, Hol Seiber.
Rescue Hook and Ladder Company No. 1 was organized on the 29th day of September, 1875. Number of men allowed, 20; average number of men in company, 17. Officered as follows:
Foremen-William Naper, two terms; V. A. Dieter, T. W. Saylor, Charles Boettger, Edward Stover, three terms.
Assistant Foreman-V. A. Dieter, two terms; T. W. Saylor, Charles Boettger, Ed- ward Stover. William P. Wright. three terms.
Secretaries-J. H. Alexander, two terms; J. H. Chew, M. D., three terms; T. W. Say- lor, Eli H. Ditzler, W. W. Wickel.
Treasurer-MI. B. Hastler, eight terms.
A new company called the Joe Naper Engine Company was organized in May or June, 1881, and discharged in May, 1882. John Ehrhardt, Foreman; John F. Strohecker, Assistant Foreman .- A. McS. S. RIDDLER.
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NAPERVILLE TOWNSHIP.
THE NAPERVILLE GUARDS.
A company of State militia was organized at Naperville August 15, 1877, under the general military law of the State. Samuel W. Smith and William J. Laird, by direction of H. H. Hilliard, Adjutant General of the State, took the initiatory steps to form the company out of the abundant material at hand-the stalwart young men of Naper- ville.
Mr. Smith was its Captain; Willard Scott, Jr., First Lieutenant, and William J. Laird, Second Lieutenant. Subsequently, Messrs. Smith and Scott having resigned, a new elec- tion was held, June 26, 1878, when William J. Laird was elected Captain; E. Ingals, First Lieutenant, and William P. Combs, Second Lieutenant. Mr. Ingals next having resigned, Mr. Combs was promoted to the office of First Lieutenant, and Charles F. Higgins from Sergeant to Second Lieutenant early in 1880. The succeeding July he died, much regretted by the members of the com- pany to which he belonged, and mourned by his many personal friends and relatives. Sergt. George Ehrhardt was then promoted to fill his place, but was discharged, June 22, 1882. The company now numbers sixty- nine men, all muscular and young, well armed with breech-loaders. peaceable as citizens, but formidable as foes whenever the State demands their service. They drill four times a year, preserving good order and good dis- cipline, as reported by the Adjutant Inspector of the State.
SOCIETIES.
Guttenbury Lodge, No. 331, I. O. O, F .- Was organized at Naperville October 9. 1866. Charter members : Charles Schultz. Martin Straube, Daniel Garst, Joseph Eggerman, Charles Boetiger, Jacob Hein, Xavier Kreyter, Simeon Schupp. The lodge had forty mem- bers at the end of its first year, since which
time its meetings have been held once a week. Its present officers are: Fred Fochs, O. M .; Adam Armbruster, U. M .; Otto Siber, Schm; John Oestereich, Schr.
Naperville Lodge, No. 81, I. O. O. F .- Was organized October 17, 1851. The names of the charter members were James D. Wright, A. S. Sabin, William C. McIntosh, Sol W. Sonendecker, S. O. Vaughn. It has been in successful operation ever since to the present time, meeting once a week, except for abont three years during the war, at which time the greater portion of the members were in the field. Since peace was restored, the lodge resumed its meetings, which are now regularly held. Present officers: John Frost, N. G .; Charles Hunt, V. G .; A. McKillips, R. S .; D. Strubler, Treasurer; W. Marvin, P. S.
Euclid Chapter of Royal Arch Masons, No. 13, was chartered October 3, 1851. The names of the charter members were Aylmer Keith, H. P .: John Eddy, K .; Harry T. Wilson, Scribe. Present H. P .: J. J. Hunt.
Euclid Lodge, No. 65, A., F. & A. M., was organized October 2, A. D. 1849, under the dispensation of the Most Worshipful Master William Lavely, Grand Master of the Most Honorable Society of Free and Accepted Masons in the State of Illinois. Charter members: Lewis Ellsworth, John Kimball, Nathan Loring, C. C. Barns. Officers: Ayl- mer Keith, W. M .; Joseph Naper, Senior Warden: Nathan Allen, Junior Warden. Attested: William Mitchell, Grand Secre- tary; W. Lavely, Grand Master; T. C. Ket- cham, S. G. W .; W. C. Tobbe, J. G. W. Present officers: J. B. Frost, W. M .; S. A. Ballou, Senior Warden; W. W. Wickel, Jun- jor Warden; J. J. Hunt, Senior Deacon; J. Soltisberg, Junior Deacon; J. Horn, Treas- urer; C. P. Dorn, Secretary; S. Balliman, Tiler.
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HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY.
BANKING.
Willard Scott, Sr., and his son Thaddeus opened a banking and exchange office, in con- nection with their general store, in 1854, and continued in said business until 1866. Thaddeus died in 1866, and W. Scott, Sr .. retired for a short time. Willard Scott Jr., carried on the business with C. M. Castle from 1866 to 1870. Then Willard Scott, Sr., again assumed the banking and exchange office (which was removed to another building and entirely disconnected from the store) with C. M. Castle until October 1, 1872. Then A. McS. S. Riddler was associated with him as Cashier until October 1, 1873, when Mr. Jonathan Royce entered the firm, and retired October 1, 1875, since which time Mr. Scott has continued in the business until the present time, with A. McS. S. Riddler as Cashier. During all these years they have had the confidence of the people, and not an obligation has been presented that was not paid promptly, nor have they ever had a check or draft protested.
TILE AND BRICK MANUFACTURING.
The Naperville Drain-Tile and Brick Fac- tory was established in 1871 by George Mar- tin. It started with two hand machines, there being but little demand for tile at that time. Its utility has since been sufficiently demonstrated and the demand for it has war- ranted the introduction of machinery pro- pelled by steam power to supply the increas- ing orders which come in for it from the country all around. Two steam tile and brick machines are now kept running, with a capacity of producing from eight to ten thousand linear feet of tile per day, varying in diameter from eight to fifteen inches. The style of the firm is now Martin & Vanoven.
A quarry of magnesian limestone crops out to the surface on the southwestern bank
of the river. It was first worked by George Martin, but is now worked by Joseph Sals- bury. The stone has been tested as to ex- posure to frost and atmospheric changes, and found to be equal in durability, if not super- . ior, to any in the country. It is soft when quarried and hardens by exposure. The an- nual production of the quarry is from five to six hundred cords per annum.
BUSINESS AND PROFESSIONAL REGISTER.
Agricultural implement dealers-W. H. Hillegas & Co., J. J. Hunt, Andrew Ory, D. B. Hartronft.
Attorneys-Hiram H. Cody, John H. Bat- ton, Jr., M. C. Dudley, H. H. Goodrich, John Haight,
Bankers-Willard Scott & Co.
Bakers-Joseph Bapst, C. A. Nadelhafer. Barbers - William McCauly. George Knoch, Wert Bros., Andrew Kreyder.
Blacksmiths-Bauer Bros., Charles Hunt, Abraham Hartronft, Heim & Stoner, Norman Lent, Richard Swartz. Strausz & Getsch, Daniel Strubler, J. F. Stroheker, David Vance.
Brewers-John Stenger.
Butchers-William Hartronft. L. Halber- stadt, Becker & McCain.
Boot and shoe dealers-Collins & Durran, W. R. Steward.
Butter and cheese-Naperville has two butter and cheese factories. The oldest one is run by Mr. George H. Hunt. He came to Naperville in 1877, and made butter and cheese in Mr. John Stenger's building, from 1877 to 1880; then he bought the grounds and put up the factory he is now occupying. In 1881, he paid to his patrons about $50,000 for milk, averaging $1.18 per 100 pounds. The other butter and cheese factory is carried on in Mr. John Stenger's building, by Messi's. Eggerman & Bauer. They started October
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NAPERVILLE TOWNSHIP.
1. 1881, and receive about 6,000 pounds of milk now per day.
City Officers-President. Peter Thompson; Trustees. Valentine A. Dieter, Michael Schwartz. H. J. Durran, Louis Reiche; Treasurer. Oliver Stutenroth: Clerk, S. M. Skinner; City Marshal, William J. Laird: Police Magistrate, David B. Givler: City Weigher, Philip Beckman.
Carriage-makers-F. A. Saylor, Joseph Hildenbrandt, William Shimp.
Carpenters- Alfred Shafer, Mathias Stev- ens. Levi S. Shafer (proprietor of planing- mill).
Carpet weavers- Nicholans Fons. Jacob Stroheker. John Fuss.
Cigar makers and dealers-Hiram Ebright, Henry Obermeyer. John Schloessler. Kline & Bard. Charles Schulz.
County Judge-Robert N. Murray.
Dentists-C. P. Dorn, L. Eberhardt.
Druggists-H. C. Daniels, M. B. Powell. Strayer, Wickel & Co.
Furniture dealers-Chas. Bapst, F. Long. General stores-Martin Brown, Ditzler & Hosler, H. H. Peasly, Willard Scott & Co.
Gents' furnishing goods-Fred Kaylor.
Grocers-Joseph Bapst, Valentine Dieter, Saul Drissler. John Drissler, John Marlin, David Frost, Wm. Latshaw, Mrs. Linderman.
Grain and coal dealers-B. B. Boecker, Elias Musselman.
Hardware dealers-J. J. Hunt, W. H. Hillegas & Co., John Pfister, Sherer & Yost.
Harness-makers-John Herbert, R. H. Wagner, Philip Beckman (dealer in hides and leather).
Hotels -- American House, B. F. Russell, proprietor; Pre-emption House, Jefferson Bush, proprietor; Washington House, Jacob Keller, proprietor.
Jewelers-M. Weismantel, Collins & Dur- ran.
Justices of the Peace-David B. Givler, W. R. Steward, J. Haight, E. Musselman.
Livery stable keepers - B. F. Russell, George Strubler.
Lumber dealers-E. F. Hartronft, Michael Schwartz.
Marble works-Charles H. Kayler.
Merchant tailors - Theodore German, George Reuss.
Milliners-Mrs. Butler, Mrs. Strebel, Mrs. Scott, Mrs. Blake.
Newspaper-Naperville Clarion, David B. Givler, proprietor.
Notaries public-John H. Batten, Jr., M. C. Dudley, Jasper L. Dille, Arthur Cody, H. H. Goodrich, J. J. Hunt, J. M. Vallette.
Nursery proprietors - Lewis Ellsworth, Ernst Von Oven.
Painters-Walter Good, Fred Miller, Mar- tin Straube.
Photographers-A. C. Kendig, L. Luplau.
Physicians -Bell & Nauman, H. C. Dan- iels, M. R. Cullison, A. L. Freund, T. J. Sprague, S. S. Stayer.
Postmaster-Philip Strubler.
Real estate agent-A. McS. S. Riddler.
Restaurants-Ed Clemens, T. W. Saylor.
Saloon keepers-Adam Conrad, Thomas Costello, J. Eggerman, Fred Fuchs, Jacob Keller, Samuel Kreyder, John Ruchty, Xavier Swein, O. A. Siebert, John Krieger.
Shoemakers - John Congrave, Xavier Compte, George Ehrhardt & Bro., John Ehrhardt & Co., George Friess, Martin, Fest, Martin Scherff, Jacob Zimmerman.
Stone Quarries - Jacob Solfisberg, Mel- chior Braun, Harry Norbury.
Tile and brick works-Martin & Von Oven.
Toys and notions-Mrs. Lindeman.
Undertakers-Charles Bapst, Fred Long, Philip Oreutt.
Wagon-makers-A. Armbruster, Ferdinand Mueller.
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HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY.
.
CHAPTER X1.
LISLE TOWNSHIP-THE FIRST SETTLER-HIS HARDIHOOD-THANKSGIVING-A FEMALE POW-WOW -THE OLD GRIST-MILL-THE CHRONIC PIONEER-HHIS GENEROSITY.
A S early as 1834, as the autumn hunter crept along the fringe of the groves that grew in patches on the east side of the East Branch of the Du Page River, just above the fork, if of a contemplative mind, he could hardly help forgetting his search for game to gaze on and admire the scene. An even surface, graduating upward from the stream, unbroken except in a few places by a spring of living water or the channel of a rivulet, dry, alluvial and fertile. Here were patches of oak, hickory, black walnut and other trees unscarred by the woodman's axe, and here was a wealth in the soil waiting the touch of the plow to yield "thirty, sixty or an hundred fold."
All this had been abandoned by a people who knew not how to utilize it, and here it lay spread out before the first one who chose to take it for a consideration so small that it night be counted as nothing. He passes on- the squirrels are busy at their nut harvest, the wild ducks probe the bottom of the river with their flat bills, the prairie chickens whirl past him through the air, the sand-hill cranes are seen in flocks at a long distance, and the deer startle from the thickets of hazel brush before his approach. Far beyond all these he sees a new sight as he pursues his trackless way. There is a log cabin, men and women, children hop-skipping around as if a section of New England had been cut out and planted here as an experiment to see if it would grow. He approaches nearer and he hears the convivial shouts of the youngsters as they chase each other around. Surfeited with-with-with-
Thanksgiving turkey ? Yes, why not ! It's Deacon Pomeroy Goodrich's, and hadn't he a right among other Yankee notions he brought from New Hampshire to bring the institution of Thanksgiving with him ? And who could do it with more dignity than a deacon? Besides, it was a kind of a relief to throw off the deacon at least once in a while, and have a good jovial time, and anybody who knew Deacon Goodrich knew that he could put it on again at a minute's notice if it was necessary to apply the brakes to those within his moral at- mosphere at least by example. He kept up this anniversary as the years rolled along, and kin- dred neighbors partook in his hospitalities. He planted the institutions of New England here first, and in his labor he was soon reinforced by detachment after detachment from the parent stem, among whom was Henry Good- rich, his brother. But before we proceed farther in this direction, let us first return to the actual settler who drove the first stake into the soil of what is now Lisle, whose name was Bailey Hobson.
This intrepid pioneer, in May, 1830, left his home in Orange County, Ind., on horseback, bound for the prairie country in Illinois, of which he had heard reports. He wended his way through the forest path in an almost west- erly course, till Fort Clark was reached, the original French name of which was Opa. It is now Peoria. At the time of Mr. Hobson's arrival at the place, it was a county seat, where courts were held. From thence he bent his course northeastwardly to Halderman's Grove, where a small settlement had been begun. Next,
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LISLE TOWNSIIIP.
after taking a look at the Fox River country, he turned away from it, and made a claim a few miles from the village of the Pottawato- mies, which would be south of the present site of Aurora. He then returned to his home by the way he had come, reaching his destination early in July. He had passed many nights in his blanket on the ground, his faithful horse hobbled and turned out to browse; but this was mere pastime to the trials in store for him. On the 1st of September following, everything was in readiness, and he started with his family for the prairie home that he had laid claim to. His means of travel was an ox team hitched to a lumber wagon, which by day was a vehicle of locomotion, and at night a domicile for his family, consisting of three young children, one of whom was a baby. Besides these was a hired man-Mr. L. Stewart. After twenty-one days of toiling through the wilderness path, they reached Halderman's Grove, near where Mr. Hobson had made a claim a few weeks be- fore. Next a cabin was to be built for shelter during the ensuing winter. Hay was to be cut for his cattle, of which Mr. Hobson had thir- teen head, besides a horse, the same on whose back Mrs. Hobson had crossed several rivers on the way, with her babe in her arms. Mr. Hobson, with the aid of Mr. Stewart, after ac- complishing all this, broke a few acres of prai- rie and sowed winter wheat in it, to provide food for the ensuing year. But his supplies for the winter were getting low, and something must be done immediately to replenish them. There were sparse settlements to the east, and Mr. Hobson started for them, and after many wanderings found some pork for sale. This he engaged, and returned to his family to get his ox-team to transport it. He accordingly again started on this mission, but after a few days' absence the snow fell to such a depth that it was impossible to travel, and after many vain attempts to reach home with his team, he finally, after nineteen days' absence, made the tour on
foot, but not without a strain of muscle that would have overtaxed the powers even of the average pioneer, with all his hardihood. At home again, but not to rest, for there was noth- ing there to winter on but some dry corn, and a scanty supply of that. In this emergency, he again started, through the deep snows, for the pork he had bought, taking Mr. Stewart with him. Before leaving, a good supply of fuel was provided and brought into the house. This done, the two men took their departure. Two days after they had left, another snow- storm came, more terrific than the first. The cattle dared not venture from the grove, except one cow, who naturally sought protection from her friendly mistress, Mrs. Hobson, and coming to her door pressed to come in. This could not be allowed, and the poor brute laid down in the snow, and died in a short time on the spot. Mrs. Hobson covered her deep with snow, lest she should bait the wolves to the place. The spring was a few rods from the house, but to this all egress was cut off. and Mrs. Hobson melted snow for water, boiled her corn, and ate the untempting food, with her little ones, in solitude, day after day, till the return of her husband. After the lapse of fourteen days, he came with relief. He had passed through dan- gers and trials that had well nigh reached the limits of human endurance, in his desperate but vain attempts to coutend against the forces of nature, for the protection of his family.
We have now followed the adventures of this heroie pioneer to where they were begun in a previous chapter, which tells of his coming to Du Page County, and here we will leave him to note the progress of events.
The arrival of Deacon Goodrich at the place was November 6, 1832. Bailey Hobson was his nearest neighbor, but across the pres- ent line of Will County was the Scott Settle- ment. the nearest resident of which was Harry Boardman, at whose home Mr. Goodrich and family boarded the ensuing winter after their
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HISTORY OF DU PAGE COUNTY.
arrival. Theron Parsons had just come to the place and made claims to land where Mr. Goodrich now lives, which he relinqished gratis to him, as he had seen other lands that suited him better, to which he immediately laid claim after having relinquished his first one.
In June, 1833, Luther and James C. Hatch came to the present site of Liste Station and made claims. James C. is still living on the same at the present time, where he is enjoying a green old age. They were from Cheshire County. N. H. Sherman King had preceded them a few months, and was then living on his claim near by. Benjamin Tupper and Mr. Madison came the same year. Mr. Stout, from Tennessee, was also here with his family. He belonged to that race of chronic pioneers who live and thrive best on the broad face of nature " untarnished " to them by progressive society with its infinitude of wants and refinements. The limit of the Stouts' ambition was a log cabin to live in, corn bread to eat and home- spun clothes to wear. Of his worldly goods, he was generous, and his heart was full of love for mankind, and everybody respected him for his sterling integrity as well as his generosity ; but as the means of a better style of living in- creased among the settlers, and wants kept pace with these accumulating means, Mr. Stout saw himself a kind of speckled bird of the flock, and took his leave pleasantly and uncom- plainingly for a newer country, where conditions were on his plane. Allusion has already been made to him in a chapter of pioneer history, with a feeling more kind even than charity, for the writer does not forget the hospitalities of just such people extended to himself while in his teens on the frontier.
In 1834, A. D. Chatfield and Thomas Gates came to the place. The former still lives at Lisle Station where he first settled.
The Indians frequently visited these early settlers in a friendly spirit, but sometimes made themselves offensive through their total
ignorance of the proprieties of civilized life. In the spring of 1834, when the wet ground, as well as the damp winds, made camping uncom- fortable, a squad of squaws came to Mr. Good- rich's door just at night. They did not ask permission to stay, but planted themselves on the floor of his house before the comfortable fire and seemed quite contented. Mr. Good- rich could not turn the wretches out in the cold, and he and his wife went to bed, but not to sleep, for, says Mr. Goodrich. " they kept up such a pow-wowing all night as to set sleep at defiance."
In 1834, a log schoolhouse was built, by subscription, near where Lisle Station now is. It, like many others of its kind, was also used for a church, and Rev. N. Catlin Clark, a Con- gregationalist minister, preached in it. Rev. Jeremiah Porter, that venerable old pioneer preacher who is still living, also preached occa- sionally at the place. Soon afterward, a church was built one and one-half miles east of the present station, in which services were held by Rev. Orange Lyman. But subsequently this church was sold to the Lutherans, about the time the railroad was laid out, who moved it hall' a mile south of where it first stood. Serv- iees were then held in a new schoolhouse, built in 1837, till the Congregationalists built the large church that now stands at the Station.
On March 14, 1835, Daniel M. Green and Venelia, his wife, came to Section 26, with their own team. from Ogden, Monroe Co., N. Y. They arrived at the house of Mr. Strong, a resident of the place, at midnight. The wolves had followed them along the lonesome prairie for the last three hours of their ride, and kept up a yelping on either side, as if they were hungry for their blood.
Besides those already mentioned, Mr. Green reports the following residents at the place on the arrival of himself and family : Jeduthan Hatch, John Thompson, from New Hampshire ; | John Graves, who kept tavern, and now lives
Frederick Grave
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LISLE TOWNSHIP.
in Lisle; Martin and Stephen Pierce ; Thomas Gates, from Ohio ; George and Charles Parmely, from Vermont ; John Dudley, from Ogden, N. Y .; Russell Webster; Isaac Clark; Huchins Crocker-a pretty old man, sociable when he had plenty of tobacco, but in the slough of despond without it ; Harmon and James Carman, from New York. and Amasa Moore, whose wife was sister to Miss Daphine P. Ball, the first schoolmistress at the place. She taught in a small log cabin built by Deacon Goodrich near his own house, and was paid by subscription from the neigh- bors who patronized it, which meant everybody near by. She subsequently taught in Naper. ville, and to her are many men and women, now in their maturity, indebted for their first lessons, not only in scholastic science, but in those courtesies which grace the social circle. She is now the wife of Mr. Skinner, of Naper- ville.
In 1836, a Sunday school was established at the house of Mr. Green-Deacon Goodrich, Superintendent.
Among others who came to the place that year was Thomas Jellies, from England. The next year, he built a schoolhouse at what is now the village of Lisle, the best one in the country at that time, and the same already alluded to as a place of worship, as well as for a school.
The very first preaching in what is now Lisle was by Rev. Isaac Scarritt, who had settled in the Scott settlement. It was of the Methodist itinerant kind; but Rev. C. Clark, already al- luded to, a Congregationalist, soon after began to preach at his own house, on the West Fork of the Du Page, about a mile below Hobson's Mill.
This old mill was far-famed, and thither came people to it like pilgrims to Mecea, except that they did not bow down before it on bended
knees. There was no mill north of it, not even at Galena, which was then a good-sized town, but obtained their meal and flour from St. Louis, and Chicago received such supplies from Detroit ; but the whole intervening inte- rior had to pound their corn in mortars, grind it in a coffee mill or bring it to Hobson's Mill. Mr. Daniel Green ran the mill on shares dur- ing the years 1836 and 1837, and the cash receipts for meal sold were over $4,000 per annum. Mr. Hobson could neither read nor figure, but was good at mental reckoning. No accounts were kept, not even a scratch to prove the terms of their contract. There were the receipts in cash, which would show for them- selves, and it was as easy to divide them as to divide a pint of peas. Mr. Hobson took three parts, Mr. Green one. No expense for clerk hire, paper, pens or ink. Subsequently, when Mr. Green became County Sheriff, Mr. Hobson, his quondam friend, was the first to volunteer to sign his bail bond, and it surprised the court to see how prettily he wrote his name.
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