USA > Indiana > Wayne County > Poems and sketches: consisting of poems and local history; biography; notes of travel; a long list of Wayne County's pioneer dead, also many names of those who lost their lives in defense of their country during the late rebellion > Part 8
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The drug business was in the hands of Messrs. George Doxey, Irvin Reed and Dr. Joseph Howels, the former of whom died here during the prevalence of the cholera, in 1849 or 1850, and the latter, recently, in California ; while Mr. Irvin Reed, for many years subsequently, dealt in hardware, on the
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southwest corner of Seventh and Main. He, too, died some four years since. To him had been vouch- safed the most extended business career, in point of time, accorded any member of this community, cov- ering a period of sixty years, and crowned with ample success. These gentlemen were succeeded by Dr. James R. Mendenhall, John T. Plummer and Lewis H. McCul- lough, each of whom continued in the business some years.
Hon. David P. Holloway, for many years past a resident of Washington City -who also died some dozen years ago - was in the book trade at the time of iny advent to the village, and was located in an old frame building on the south side of West Main street, near the corner of Fourth. Dr. J. R. Mendenhall soon after became his successor ; and our former City Civil Engineer, Hon. Oliver Butler, was his business manager for years.
Your humble servant, the writer, first greeted the public here in the capacity of salesman for Strattan & Wright, whom he faithfully served for five long years, for the meager salary of $15 per month and board, saving therefrom, by the strictest economy, his first $500-a result utterly out of the question in these times of increased values and multiplied temptations, front no greater pay.
It was my good fortune to find a home in the family of " Uncle " James and " Grand-mother " Hunnicutt,
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who kept the only boarding house of the time, which was quite liberally patronized - as well it might be, when we remember that they charged but a dollar and a quarter per week for board. Their house was head- quarters for many old-time Friends, during Yearly Meeting. They were, most truly, a kindly old couple, called hence this many-a-year.
Thomas J. Bargis and Isaac L. Dickinson dealt in stoves and tinware. William Show and Isaac Paxson, senior, supplied the citizens with meats. Mark Lewis and William Mason, who soon after came to the rescue, furnished bread, cakes and crackers. John Suffrins, the hatter, then, and for many years after, took care of the cranial department of the multitude, and C. A. Dickinson and J. B. Hunnicutt supplied our wants, real or imaginative, with jewelry, watches, etc. Both have long since retired from the stage of action. J. W. Gilbert, Dan Sloan and K. Brookens catered to the public wants in the capacity of hosts. We had but one monied institution, known as the "Old Branch Bank," Elijah Coffin, cashier. The building adjoined the Rich- mond National Bank, on the east, and was removed, a few years since, to make room for other improve- ments. Our lawyers were Stephen B. Stauton, James Perry and William A. Bickle. The two former are deceased ; the latter, alone, continues in practice. The medical profession was ably represented by Doc- tors John T. Plummer and William B. Smith, both of
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whom have long since paid the debt of Nature. A. N. Newton was the only dentist of the time, and was, for several years, without a rival, until Doctor William R. Webster located in our midst. Doctor Newton has retired from the profession, and Doctor Webster has passed to that bourne, from which no traveler returns. They were both good men, and professionally equal to the requirements of the times. Milton Hollingsworth is deserving of special mention, as being one of Rich- mond's foremost teachers-earnest, capable and effi- cient. He was beloved and esteemed by his pupils, admired and respected by all. He, too, has gone to his reward. John K. Boswell was the first Daguerrean artist, of my recollection, here. His work was a credit to his profession, and specimens of his art, in the writer's possession, will bear comparison with that of the present day.
James Elder was postmaster here during 1847 and 1848, and it is my recollection that he also dealt in books - and paper. He recently informed me that during his administration single letter postage ranged from five to ten cents, according to distance transmitted. Speaking of postal matters reminds me that about this time letter envelopes first made their appearance, and their utility being so manifest, were not long in gaining public favor. Not so, however, with the equally useful steel pen ; for, although upon the market for years, they were just beginning to win their way to public
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favor and appreciation. N. S. Leeds was the first citi- zen of Richmond to learn the art of telegraphing, which he did at Dayton, Ohio, some time during 1848, for the purpose of serving a company who put up a line along the National Road, in that year. Their office was located on the north side of West Main street, between Fifth and Sixth, in the room afterwards owned and occupied by James J. Jordan, as a fancy grocery. L. H. Mccullough soon after learned to manipulate the in- strument, and became the former's successor. For lack of patronage, or some other cause unknown to the writer, the enterprise proved a failure, and the line went down. Mr. Leeds has responded to a message from the eternal world, while Mr. Mccullough, for some years later, still toyed with the subtle fluid, in its various moods.
It may be of interest, in this connection, to state that the latter gentleman was the first person to intro- duce coal oil into this city for the purpose of illumina- tion. This was in 1858, and the oil so used was dis- tilled from coal, by some enterprising individual of Covington, Kentucky.
It may be said of the amusements of those days, that they were neither varied nor numerous. Picnics in Summer, and balls and parties in Winter, constituted about all the diversions of that period. Lectures, con- certs and theatricals were not in vogue; the reigning influence seemed averse to anything of a happy or joy-
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ous nature. The piano, that much-tortured instrument, had but two representatives in the town ; and as for the sewing machine, alas! it was not-unless, indeed, we dared, without irreverence, apply the term to Eve's fair daughters, those blessed earthly ministers, who are ever ready to repair our garments or relieve our woes.
The press, that mighty engine, had its representatives in two weekly journals : the Palladium and Jeffersonian, republican and democratic, respectively, in politics. The former was, for many years, published by Messrs. Holloway & Davis, and since 1876 has been issued both daily and weekly. It is now under the manage- ment of Messsrs. Surface & Flickinger. The Jeffer- sonian was presided over by James Elder, Esq., but has long since ceased to greet the public.
In those "good old days " there were no women in the professions, none as teachers in the schools ; they were unknown to the editorial chair, nor had they a place at the desk, the case, or the counter. With rare exceptions, they were deemed incompetent for places of trust or responsibility. Man's estimate of woman was not creditable to his head and heart ; his bigotry and selfishness were a bar to her advancement. But, thanks to the dawn of a higher intelligence and the spread of more liberal views, the day of her deliverance has come; the shackles of prejudice and superstition are falling about her, and she is free to pursue whatever occupation she may choose. A universal culture has
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taken the place of a partial education ; a better system of schools, the press, and the facilities for travel and inter- course, added to a growing disposition to investigate all subjects-taking nothing for granted - have com- bined to elevate, and fits her for the active duties of life. She is freer, stronger, more self-reliant than her sisters of any age. May the bondage of hand or brain be hers no more, while the freedom of thought and the freedom of speech shall continue to be the just inheri- tance of a free and independent people.
Referring to pioneer times, it is recorded that the first settlers came here in 1805; that John Smith laid out the town in 1816 ; that it was incorporated in ISI8 ; that a brewery and post-office came into existence the same year ; that Robert Morrison was postmaster till 1829 ; that the first newspaper was issued in 1821 ; that the first roads were opened in the direction of New Paris and Eaton, Ohio, in 1806 and 1807; that the National Road was located in 1828; that the same became a pike, or gravel road, in 1848, about which time several others were constructed. The railroad first entered Richmond in 1853 ; the first grist-inill was built in 1807 ; the first brick house, by John Smith, in 18II ; the first tavern was opened in 1816, and the first banking house in 1835 ; the first doctor came in 1818, the first lawyer in 1826, and finally, the first census, in 1824, showed a population of 453 inhabitants.
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We might very properly supplement these hasty sketches, by briefly tracing the career of such early citizens as John S. Newman, David Hoover, Charles W. Starr, Robert Morrison, Albert C. Blanchard, Elijah Coffin, John Finley, and many others, whose lives have left their impress upon this community ; but such an undertaking would transcend the original purpose of these papers, as well as the needful information and ability of the writer. We trust, however, that the sub- ject inay yet receive the consideration it so justly deserves, at the hands of some one fully competent to the task.
At the period of iny coming, as before stated, we had no railroad, but one turn-pike, no telegraphs and no telephones. At the present day they radiate in all directions from us, and encircle us round about. Then, communication with the outer world was slow and diffi- cult ; now, we have almost unlimited facilities for trans- portation and travel, and almost instant communication with the uttermost parts of the earth.
Behold ! what a marvel has been wrought ! What wondrous change in the brief space of something more than two score years !
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PAPER NO. 2.
m ANY years before the writer's advent to this city, the National road was constructed, but, from the State line to Indianapolis, had never been graveled, so that travel in Winter and early Spring was almost out of the question. The older citizens will remember that during those seasons the mail was often carried on two wheels, surmounted by an open, queens- ware crate, which held the driver, the mail bags, and an occasional weary, mud-bespattered passenger -- all drawn by four equally weary, worn and inuddy horses- for the condition of the roads was simply fearful, requir- ing expert drivers and good teams to pull through. " The mud wagon," as it was aptly named, was used when the roads manifested signs of improvement, and consisted of a common, four-wheeled farm wagon, with board bed and canvas cover, stretched over wooden bows - having two or three plain boards placed across for seats, sans springs or cushions. This rude con- trivance was especially designed for the accommodation of the traveling public, and it may readily be imagined what a treat it was, and what a degree of comfort it
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afforded. It, also, was drawn by a quartet of weary equines, who slowly trudged through mud and mire, now over some rude causeway - here of rails, and there of logs-and anon into some "slough of despond," sometinies sticking fast and requiring the united efforts of all the passengers to pry it out - they, meanwhile, receiving such a baptism of mud and water as, in these days, it would be almost impossible to conceive. As Summer approached and the roads improved, stage coaches were brought into requisition, making travel, if not absolutely comfortable, at least quite tolerable. I remember making the trip from this city to Cincin- nati, one bright October day, about the year 1848, in a "coach and four," and I think I never enjoyed a day's journey so much in all my life. The time required was about twelve hours. In conversation with one of our older citizens, a short time since, he inforuled me that during the period in which our townsman, Joseph W. Gilbert, and a Mr. Voorhees, were each running passenger. coaches to Cincinnati and intermediate points, the former, for a brief period, reduced the fare to the nominal sum of fifty cents, each way, thus hoping to discourage his rival, and induce him to withdraw, that he might have a clear field to himself. This, my informant thought, was about the year 1840. Many doubtless still remember the great droves of far-western cattle, as well as hogs and sheep, and on one occasion, turkeys, driven to market over
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that great highway, the National Road, and so con- tinued until the introduction of steam and an iron out- let to the eastern world.
During these years there were also countless emi- grant wagons going west with their precious human freight, seeking homes in some visionary El Dorado of the New World. Hard, indeed, was the lot of many, whether in the midst of the forest, or out upon the bosom of some boundless prairie. Hardships, privation and sickness were sure to attend them ; friends and early associations were far away, while strange, rude neighbors, for companions, dwelt about them-few and far between. Achilles Williams, who was one of Nature's noblemen, and an early pioneer, related to the writer, some twenty years ago (now 1896), the story of his first visit, in the year 1820, to the site and sur- roundings now occupied by the capital of the State - whose wealth, magnitude and business aggregate are approached by few inland cities on the continent. In
the midst of an unbroken forest he found but two human beings to greet him-one of whom was an adventurous white man, the other his Indian wife, whose temporary hovel of bark was the only visible handiwork of man, to rear its unpretentious form amid the trees. Truly, seventy-five years (1896) have wrought a wondrous change. I recently spent some days at the city of Indianapolis, and on one occasion, when in the union depot, I beheld and counted, over
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and around the ticket office, fifteen clock-faced dials, each indicating the time of departure for as many trains on fifteen several roads, while a telegraph pole, standing in front of my hotel, supported, upon its out-stretched arms, one hundred and twenty wires. These things tell their own story of a progressive age. It is doubtful if any other agency on the continent of America has exerted so vast an influence in the develop- ment of the country and the education of its people, as the various systems of railroads, now ramifying and reaching out into the uttermost parts of this great republic. It is a marvel, even to ourselves, to contem- plate the astonishing progress made by this nation in the past forty years. The railroads, the telegraphs, the daily press, the telephone, the sewing machine, gas, coal oil, electric light and power -all recent innova- tions - besides countless improvements, inventions and discoveries in mechanics, agriculture and the arts, most of which may be justly attributed to a higher and more universal education, whose magic and mighty forces have been stimulated, fostered and encouraged by our public schools. All these things have combined to lessen our labor, increase our comforts, add to our enjoyments, develop our resources, extend our knowl- edge, duplicate our wealth, and in many ways tend to place us in the front rank of nations.
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Recently, in looking over some old-time letters and papers, I made the discovery of a card, or ticket* of invitation, which, for a matter so apparently trivial, possesses, nevertheless, more than ordinary interest as a relic of the past ; for it was nothing less than a bid to the "railroad ball," gotten up in commemoration of an event destined to be of the greatest possible moment to this city and vicinity. It ran as follows :
" The company of yourself and lady is respectfully solicited to attend a ball, to be given in honor of the commencement of the railroads of the Whitewater and Miami Valleys, at D. D. Sloan's National Hall, on Thursday evening, May 30, 1850. Managers for Richmond : D. P. Holloway, James Elder, S. E. Iredell, Irvin Reed, W. W. Lynde, and James King." Then follow many other names-thirty-five in all --- as representatives of New Paris, Centerville, Hagers- town, Winchester, Cambridge City, Connersville, Eaton, Hamilton, New Castle, Muncie, Liberty, and Dayton, concluding with the name of Reece Kendall as floor manager.
Three years subsequent to this occurrence, the Indiana Central Railway was completed to this city, and Jamies M. Brown appointed its first temporary · agent - which position he held for a few months only - transacting its business in his own private office,
*This ticket of invitation is now preserved in the Railroad Museum of the Pennsylvania Company, at Chicago, Illinois.
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near the depot. The writer became his successor, and opened the first permanent office, in the company's own building, buying the safe, copying-press and some of the books, and other needful appurtenances, of William T. Dennis-then in the hardware business, on the northeast corner of Franklin (now Seventh ) and Mail. It became my duty to act in the two-fold capacity of freight and ticket agent-a post involving both responsibility and labor, greatly in excess of, and out of proportion to, the meager compensation allowed. I also fitted up and furnished for the company its first ticket office in the old, original passenger depot, an insignificant, one-storied brick structure, which, I do not think, exceeded eighteen by seventy-five feet, in size, having a narrow wooden platform 'on either side, with a planked extension at each end, for the accom- modation of baggage and express matter. I continued to hold my position for about twelve months, when I resigned the office, to engage in more lucrative employ- ment. Mr. John Lynch became my successor, and S. F. Fletcher his. During my brief administration, I employed, among others, one William Zeek, to assist in the handling and transfer of freight, who has most faithfully performed the same duties, at the same place, for more than forty years. Hon. John S. New- inan. was president, and Samuel Hanna treasurer, of the Indiana Central Railway Company at that time, the former of whom I had frequent occasion to see and
.
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consult, on business relating to the road. At this period I was a boarder with Harmon B. Payne, who was just then preparing himself for the legal profession, and many a time have I seen him deeply engaged in his studies, long before day, by the feeble light of a tallow candle.
Asking your indulgence, to go back a few years, I will state that my object in coming here was that of accepting a position tendered me, as salesman in their dry goods store, by the Messrs. Strattan & Wright, who were then, as for several subsequent seasons, also engaged in buying hogs and packing pork. And well do I remember the numberless calls for the senior proprietor, who, it seemed to me, was more in demand than any other mortal I ever knew, and at that time clearly of more consequence than any man in the com- munity. "Strattan's corner," as it was called, was headquarters for the clamorous horde, seeking to dis- pose of their defunct, and often frozen, porcine carcasses. On two occasions, which I remember, hogs were brought in of very unusual size - two of which weighed, eaclı, eight hundred pounds, net. One of them, I think, was raised by a Jesse Evans.
The firm were doing a very fair business, having many regular customers, especially among the Friends, who came long distances to make their purchases at this popular house. But, unquestionably, too much was allowed to go out on long time. It was the pre-
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vailing custom then - and a very unfortunate one - to give to the farming community, and many others, a year's credit for what should have brought them cash, and, if unable to pay at the expiration of that time, take their notes, bearing six per cent. interest, for such additional time as might be agreed upon, not infre- quently running over into a second year. The pork- packing arrangement of which I have just spoken, was conducted, in great part, to facilitate collections. The debtor would bring in his hogs, and either receive or pay the difference between the value of his pork and store account, which, being cancelled, left him at liberty to begin anew, which he often did within the same hour of his settlement.
In those days merchants from this part of the country were in the habit of buying their stocks of dry goods mostly in Philadelphia -the community being composed largely of Friends, who preferred a class of merchandise known as "plain goods," not infrequently including a line of domestics or staples, such as prints, muslins and checks, of inferior make and color, sup- posed to have been produced exclusively by " free labor," and termed "free labor goods"- which, to make them such, often required the utmost stretch of fancy, and very great faith. All these were more readily obtained in the great City of Brotherly Love than elsewhere.
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The old house of Sharpless & Sons was a favorite with the Quaker trade, as they dealt almost exclusively in the class of goods used by these people. A few years since, in one of my visits to this grand old city, whose praises I had so often heard recounted, and desirous of seeing still more of its noted places than had previously fallen to my lot, curiosity led me into this celebrated establishment, and, to my unbounded gratification, I found it all my fancy pictured it -a real treat to a relic hunter, and quite sufficiently anti- quated to satisfy the most ardent searcher after old curiosity shops. Everything within and around told plainly of the past. The fashions of the day were dis- regarded ; the past was in its prime ; the years had gone unheeded with their change. This house, at least, was still the same ; its construction and arrange- inent, and its manner of display were those of years ago. This was even true of help-male and female clerks-many of whom were past their prime, and gray with age and care, having been, most likely, fix- tures in the house for - lo ! these many years. This is, in all respect, strictly in accord with the spirit of old-time Friends- a disposition to be non-progressive - a desire to let well enough alone.
This once sober city of Penn, in times past, was the Quaker's chosen Mecca - his ideal shrine of worship, and his chiefest mart of trade. But, alas, for the transi- tory nature of human affairs ! Both the shrine and the
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worshipper are changed ; it is no longer either saintly or sedate ; neither is it as of yore - a beacon to the feet of the faithful; for the youthful scion of the pious sire has departed from the faith, assumed the world- ling's garb, and, in pursuit of other gods, now goeth where he listeth.
In those days, and as late as 1850, it used to take a merchant, going East from here, from four to six weeks to accomplish the journey and purchase his goods, the trip being made by three several modes of convey- ance, namely : Stage-coach, steam-boat and railroad. One one occasion, about the year 1850 or 1851, Benja- min Strattan, having been East, had his goods shipped by the usual route of canal and railroad to Pittsburg, and from thence by river to Cincinnati. The water being low, the boat, in its passage, grounded, and per- haps sunk. At all events, his goods became badly damaged by immersion, after which they were trans- ferred to a "lighter," and brought on down the river to the Queen City. Now, although his stock had been insured against loss or damage in transit, it was made to appear that the transfer to another boat vitiated the " policy," and, if my memory serves me rightly, he was compelled to bear the entire loss sustained. When the goods finally arrived at their destination, and were opened, they presented a pitiful sight, indeed - being thoroughly wet, and apparently damaged beyond repair. Many of the finer dress fabrics were sent to the dyers
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to be recolored, and, if possible, restored. But in no instance did the result prove satisfactory ; they were returned in a condition resembling so many dish- rags - limp, lusterless, and without finish. Thus they remained long upon the shelves, and when sold, invari- ably neted a loss. The sequel proved more fortunate, however, than was anticipated. The stock was fully and freely advertised as wet goods, to be sold cheap, and it was marvelous to note how eagerly some people souglit to purchase many of these goods, at a small reduction from cost, in preference to the better, and really cheaper ones, at regular prices. I remember hearing Robert Morrison once relate the story of an old lady customer of his, who was a particularly close buyer - that on one occasion, when she appeared to be more persistent than usual in her demands for a reduc- tion, she finally exclaimed : " Robert, I do really believe that thee is asking me more for thy goods than they cost thee." The older Friends used to style those of us who were members of no denomination, "the world's people," which was generally understood to be the very opposite of a compliment - little thinking how very many of their own descendants would be 110 less worldly in the next generation.
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