Guide to Lexington, Kentucky : with notices historical and descriptive of places and objects of interest, and a summary of the advantages and resources of the city and vicinity, Part 2

Author: Ranck, G. W. (George Washington), 1841-1900
Publication date: 1883
Publisher: Lexington, Ky. : Transylvania Printing and Publishing Company
Number of Pages: 190


USA > Kentucky > Fayette County > Lexington > Guide to Lexington, Kentucky : with notices historical and descriptive of places and objects of interest, and a summary of the advantages and resources of the city and vicinity > Part 2


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GUIDE TO LEXINGTON.


of Iso;, took place the examining trial of the accomplished. but unfortunate. Blannerhassett. who had just been arrested in Lexington for complicity in the celebrated Burr conspiracy, and within its walls Clay and Barry. Wick- life and Menifice, Tom. Marshall, Gen. Breckenridge, und a host of other distinguished orators made some of their most eloquent efforts. Amos Kendall. the right hand mar of "Old Hickory," qualified as an attorney ir this building. On it- bench sat Judge Bledsoe, one of the most remarkable men of his day. and there. for the last time. pleaded the great lawyer, Joe Daviess, just before ne tell so gallantly in the battle of Tippecanoe. Vol. unteers for the war of ISTE marched around it when they started for the bloody field of Rusin, "John Morgin's men" camped about it fifty years afterwards; its old bell rung a real of triumph over the victory of Buena Vista. and often sounded the tocsin of alarm during the li+ terrible struggle between the States. The old house was once saved from destruction by fire by Confederate soldiers, when the city was held by General E. Kirby Smith The new Court House Ade indicates the new era of progress upon which the old city has entered. The weather-beaten monument standing near the Court House was erected nearly half a century ago to a distinguished citizen of Lexington and Democratic leader, William T. Barn, who was succes- sively United States Senator, Postmaster General, and Minister to Spain.


LEXINGTON'S PROGRESS


At no time in fifty years ha, this city increased so rapidly in population as at present, and at no equal period have there been so many buildings erected. The demand for business houses and residences is large and un- abating, the mechanics are all bu y, a strong feeling in favor of the establish . ment and fostering of manufactories exists, new,and substantial enterprises have been successfully inaugurated, and the once sleepy city is waking up and rapidly imbibing the spirit and push of i three-year old Western town.


RESIDENCES AND MERCHANDISE.


There are two features of Lexington that continually attract the atten- tion of strangers-one is the size and elegance of the private residences and the tasteful profusion of flowers and shrubbery about them, and the other is the superior quality of the goods on salt in the stores. There is probably no place of its size in this country whose trade requires a finar line of mer- chandise than Lexington. An immense amount of ti ones elegant and expensive kinds of dry goods, furniture, carpets, jewelry, manos, clothing, table ware. Ne, is disposed of annually. Both features named indicate the culture and the wealth of the community.


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GUIDE TO LEXINGTON.


THE BIRTHPLACE OF WESTERN MASONRY.


The Masonic Hall, on the corner of Short and Walnut streets, is an on- ject of interest to strangers of the "mystic tie" from the fact that it occupies the spot upon which was established the first lodge of Freemisons organizza in the now mighty empire of the West. This lodge, originally called "No. 25," but afterward named No. 1.' was chartered by the Grand Lodge of Virginia on the 17th of November, IT'S, while Lexington was only a little frontier post of the Old Diminion and Cincinnati nothing but a howling wil-


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derness. Its original charter, yellow with age. is still to be seen in this chy- Colonel Joe Daviess, one of the ablest lawyers of his time, and the prose. cutor of Aaron Burr, was a member of this lodge, and was the Grand Mas. ter of Kentucky when he fell in the battle of Tippecanoe, November 7th, 18ti, and an imposing funeral ceremonial was performed in his honor by the Grand Lodge at its meeting in Lexington thefollowing summer. . The pres- ent hall was used as a military hospital during the late war between the States. See list of Masonic lodges ;


RUSSELL'S CAVE,


Situated aboy- Fix miles north of Lexington, on the Russell road, is an ch- irstof worthy of attention, as is also the region about a. In this picture- osque locality the tourist can not only observe the singular spectacle of a Cave from which is-des a subterranean stream of satiden you're to turn a mill. but he can inspeur the remains of a circular fort attributed to the Mound Builders, the mysterious race which preceded the Indians ages ago in the unknown past of America.


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ELMENDORF STUD FARM. "Late " Preakness" Stud;


This well-Agent tham, the property of Mr. D Swigert is situated on the waters of North Elkhorn. six miles from Lexington on the Maysville pike and comprises 544 acres in grass. It's fine barns. paddocks and lots give accommodatie is to a stud of eighty-five thoroughbred mures and tour thoroughbred wallons, including Prince Charlie, the famous English race- horse just bought and imported, and the winner of twenty Sve races; Vir. g', Fire of Hindoc, one of the best racers America has ever known; Imp Glenelig, sire of the noted mare. Ferida, and Lever, the sin of Mahistic Apollo. &c. There are more Lexington and Australian mares in this st . than in any other establishment in the world. This stud breeds and sel . annually by auction all produce as vearlings. At the last sale forty-four thoroughbred yearlings realized $47.930. At the next annual sale, which occurs in May, ISS4. forty seven yearlings will be sold to the highest bidder and Elmendorf will be the point of attraction for buyers from many parts of the country. Mr. Swigert's post-office is Muir, Fayette Co., Ky.


NEWSPAPER OFFICES.


Press Daily and Weekly ), by H. T. Duncan, Cheapside.


Transcript . Daily and Weekly,, by D. E. Caldwell, corner Upper an ! Church.


Evening News (Daily and Weekly), by T. A. Flannelly, in Odd Fel- lows' Temple, East Main street.


Kentucky Advertiser ( Daily and Weekly), by I. C. Montfort, East Main. nearly opposite Phonix Hotel.


Kentucky Gazette ( Semi- Weekly and Weekly), by H. H. Gratz. Cheap- side.


Live Stock Record ( Weekly), by B. G. Bruce, Jordan's Row.


Observer (Sunday,, by J O. Hodges. Jr. Main, berween Upper and Limestone.


Apostolic Times ( Religious Weekly), by B. H. Cozine, Market, between Short and Church.


Hamilton College Monthly, college building, Broadway.


Kentucky Republican ( Weekly ), by H. Scroggins (colored) East Vine.


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GUIDE TO LEXINGTON


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HUT."


MILL&N


SCOTT'S BLOCK. 'Site of the first capital of Kentucky.


Stands on the east side of Main street, between Mill and Broadway, and oc- cupies the site of a two-story log house of the regular old pioneer type, in which, on the fourth of June, Inga, commenced the first session of the Ken- ruchy Legislature and the organization of the State Government On the sixth of June both houses assembled in the Senate chamber of the State House, and antwerve o'clock Governor shelby entered and delivered his mes. sage in person preceded and followed by courtly courtedes, with www. taking contrast wirkt the simple surroundings of the back woods settlement. The next year the State Capitol was removed to Frankfurt. nach to the Fi- Hunter Its contents expected by name that the central italiano La ington, her extensive railroad communications, line hotel luetities, and other important advantages, will cause her to become aguin the capitalof the Stato.


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GUIDE TO LEXINGTON.


A CHANCE FOR MECHANICS.


Competent and reliable mechanics are offered many and strong induce- ments to settle in Lexington. The city is growing rapidly having progressed more in the past two years than in any previous ten in hair a century, There is plenty of work to do and wages are good. Here industrious work - men are not compelled to crowd their faralies into the meeting upper stories of health destroying bire- with newher privacy for domnesne Mberts, to : :- sort with disease and vice in a stilling atmosphere of foul courts and narrow streets. The miserable eastern tenement house system is practically un- known and unnecessary. Here. where there is plenty of room for all. the mechanic can haven - family in a one story cottage, with yard and reasonaric convenientes af as theup a rate. everything considered, as the rent asked for the infer or tene nept homes abounding in crowded cities. Building lots in the suburbs can be bought cheap, and building lumber can be obtained at nearly half the price asked in eastern markets. Good com's low priced here the whole year round ; the necessaries of life are aburiant and sell at reasonable rates; the city schools which are finely conducted offer all their advantages free of charge: benevolent orders are numerous and in good condition; the mild chmate admits of open air labor throughout the year: the health diness of the city is one of its special characteristics; churches and Sunday-schools abound, and a cordial invitation to corne and settle among us is extended to all worthy and thrifty mechanics, no matter what their nationality, religious creed, or political opinions.


SUBURBAN ATTRACTIONS.


No stranger can do justice to Lexington and vicinity without inspecting her suburban attractions. These are quickly reached by superb turnpikes which extend from the Blue Grass Capitol in every direction, affording the visitor exhilarating drives past noted old places, and woodlands and blue grass pastures; by farms famous for their yields of corn, and wheat, and hemp, and tobacco, and through scenes of pastoral beauty and fertility that would lend a grach eren to the noted landscapes of Old Engrond. Stables. and paddocks, and training tracks, and flocks, and herds, meet the eye on every hand, reminding the tourist that he is in the midst of a region, which. for stock raising is unsurpassed upon the face of the earth-a superior derived from the limestone formation underlying the soil, which is at once the greatest gift, and the most striking peculiarity of the blue grass country.


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GUIDE TO LEXINGTON.


ASHLAND,


The home of Henry C Ar, And one of our national shrines. is on the Rich- mond road, Feat hered the city limits With it the tourist is never Biegu. pointed. for not only are Its natural charme equal to its historic association. but the general appearance of the old homestead is substantially the war as during the Theme of the Great Commencer. The locust avenue : : invoice walk of Mr. Clav ; the catalogs which he planted, and which ho una over him when he was borne to his last resting place: the fairy wed by


Mrs. Clay for half a certury; the old negro cabins, and the pigeon houses are still as they were when the great orator swayed multitudes with his wonderful eloquence. The beautiful woodwork of the family residence ws made from the ash trees which grew upon ; e firmy and have the prince of sery appropriate name. Mr. Clas orde vill of this Blue Grass home. I occupy as good a farm as Moses would have found had ne reached, the Promised Land, and Ashland has been acquired not be hereditary der ... are my own labor." Here the a' erwurde When pushed Ando Renault started in lite as the tutor of the children of the eminent statesman, who hai himself been at one time 'only "the mill-boy of the s'whes." Here were


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entertained with simple but ab Indan hoop aty. Daniel Webster the Ear of Derby, General Bertrand, Harriet Martinet. Van Buren, and a host 5. others equally noted. Here in the summer of rer, the word and disan- point dia der was hapthe de cordin, no the erande the Episcopal Church. and here, on the 10th of July, 25:2 amid the tables of woe. the tolling of being sorroving friends. His weary poly rusted for the det time before it was en- tombed. During the late war a part of 1. I was the scene of one John Morgan's sudden dashed In which he -mp Vara captured a Federal command. In 1356 the place was so io Kentucky University, which recently disposed of it to Mat. H. C. McDowell whose wife is a grand- daugliter of Mr. Clay. The farm of Jo.in M. (las Exi., the only survives; child of " Harry of the West 'a dimas Ashiand, of which it was a part in ha father's lifetime.


A LOCATION FOR TOBACCO FACTORIES.


It would be hard to exaggerate the claims of Lexington as a place for the location of tobacco motories. In the first place, she is in the very heart of the greatest tobacco growing state in the Union In ISdo out of a tota of 473 107.373 lbs. of tolero, Kentucky produced 171.121.134 lbs . and the plant is being co extensi cir cultivated around this city that the averages icr ISS3 will be at least double that of any preceding year, giving the Bile Grass Region the largest yall per acre of any part of the United States. and showing that it is destined to be the leading tobacco district of the world. The White Burley, which is so successfully and profitably raised here is especially adapted to plug and cutting manufacture, and thus strongly com- mends itself to enterprising men with an eye to business. The prospects of a future market are flattering. The crop of the whole country for this year being IS.ooo hh.is. less than crops of the three years prece ling, the crude tobacco will be valuable next season and the scarcity of goods will increase the profits of the manufacturing interests There is no ob racle of any kind


whatever to the successful establishment and profitable conduct of tobago factories at this place, for we have the crude material, water cheap tu !. cheap labor, and all the mitroat facilitis, necessary for transportation. an! they would be welcomed, as affording opportunities for the employment 5 unoccupied boys, whose time found that be mouse valuable. is hand ball the thing mo- needed al with formes. A care energy of the part of capitalists would make Lexington celebrated for her chewing and smoking tobacco, and give employment to several thousand men and boys.


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PE JTO.


THE FIRST BAPTIST CHURCH.


This commodious edifice is located on Short street, west of Spring It occupies a memorable spot for it stands in the midst of the first burying- round of the early settlers of Lexington, where rest the ashes of pioneers sizin by the Indians when this city was a mere stockade in the savage wil- Jerness There was an infant congregation of Baptists in Lexington as early as ryan, and i enjoyed the manustrations of the noted E'der Lewis Craig, who organizada Baptist Church & Shy elkhorn near the ore, which was the first worshipping assembly of any kind estate fund in Kentucky.


Stands on the corner of Upper and Church streets. T. is tasteful building wis dedica'ec in 1:77


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GUIDE TO LEXINGTON.


FIRST BAPTIST colored). Rev. S. P. Young. Pastor, corner Dewees and Short streets.


EVERGREEN BAPTIST colore! . Rev. John Morgan, Pastor, Market street, between Seventh ami corporation line.


INDEPENDENT BAPTIST ( colored), Rer. Evans. Pastor, corner Main and Merino.


PLEASANT GREEN BAPTIST colored . Rev. Morris Bell, Pastor. cor- ner Maxwell and Lower.


ENGINE HOUSE, BAPTIST. colored). Rev. James Parrish, Pastor, Lime- stone. between High and Water.


THE COLORED PEOPLE AND NEGRO JAILS.


The negroes of Lexington, light hearted, careless and rumerous, and with their peculiar characteristics of speech and minner, are always a no: - eity to strangers unused to the race. Such visitors could no: witness a much more striking sight than a parade bi a colored secret society of this city but if he would more closely observe these remarkable people he should at- tend services in one of their handsome churches (see ists elsewhere), and visit their crowded chools and unique sertlements. The colored agricultu- ral association here is a success and a credit to the race. In ante-bellum days there were several negro trailing establishments in Lexington which were provided with jails and auction room where slaves were kept for sale and hire. Three of these houses were in the neighborhood of the present Post-Office. One was on the site of Lelt's Hall, and was used during the war as a Federal Provost Marshall's office, and another on Broadway, now occupied by physicians, became a Confederate hospital.


HIGH BRIDGE.


A ride of thirty minutes over the Cincinnati Southern Railway brings the traveler to the Kentucky River, and to the highest pier bridge in the world, the rails being two hundred and seventy-six feet above the bed of the stream. This marvel of engineering skill is well placed for it stands in the midst of some of the grandest and most pictures ne sueneer on this conti- nent. The towerly chis, the battlemented crags, the hoary rocks, and splendid fohage, and the awinl canon. through which deep down the beautiful river runs, make up a vene so nul of natural charms as to require no art !! cial attractions, such as embellish the Hudson, to ewrite the unbounded admiration of the beholder.


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THE GRAND STAND LEXINGTON FAIR GROUNDS.


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GUIDE TO LEXINGTON.


THE FAIR GROUNDS.


The splendid grounds of the Kentucky Agricultural and Mechanica! Association. with meir noble forest trees, wietrodde holdings and fine drives and views, are just within the suburban Emits of South Broadway, and are readily reiched by the street cars. The spacious "Crescent." or Grand Stand, will hold ten thousand people. the troumy track is not surpassed by any on this can inert, and the food hall, reception rooms, and stapling facil- ities are first class. The Fair always commences about the last of August and is one of the most important and successful in this country. Its im- mense crowis, magnificent live stock, and superb aggregation of all the important products and attractions of the Blue Grass Region afford the tourist his best chance to not only see for himself whether the mach-vaunted resources of this fertile district are overestimated. but to observe old Ken- . tucky life and manners in one of iss most charming and animated phases. The Fair is located in the center of the finest stock-taiviny region on the globe, and it is no idle boast to say that its displays of thoroughbred race horses, fast trotters, pare-bred Short-horn and Alderney cuttle, Southdown and Cotswold sheep. - agedtar hogs and other live stock, are me grandest to be seen in this country. The first importation of improved stock to this re- gion was made as early as 1755, and horse and cable shows were held at Lexington before the commencement of the present century. The Presi- dent of the Association is W. H. Gentry ; Secretary. H P. Kinkead.


RAILROAD DEPOTS.


Big Sandy ( Chesapeake and Ohio), rear of Phoenix Hotel


Kentucky Central, rear of Phoenix Hotel.


Louisville, Cincinnati and Lexington Louisville and Nashville, corner Mill and Water streets.


Cincinnati Southern (C., N. O. and T P.), South Broadway.


The road now known as the "Louisville, Cincinnati and Lexington" w s chartered as the "Lexington end Ohio," and enjoys the distinction of b.i .g the first railroad built in the West, and one of the first built in America. It was incorporated January 27/0, 1530. The strap iron rails were soldered to stone sills, which were laid lengthwise. It is believed but the first locomo- tive made in the United States ran over this road. It was invented by Thomas Barlow, of Lexington, as early as [$2;, and was also built in Lex - ington .?


GUIDE TO LEXINGTON.


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VIEW BY


THE NORTHERN BANK OF KENTUCKY,


This venerable and solid-looking building, with a capital of $1.81 3.904. is located on the corner of Short and Market, fronting Cheapside. It was erected and first occupied by the Lexington branch of the United States Bank. and was just completed, in IS;2, when President Jackson visited the Tradition sars that the irreverant old hero caught a glimpse of the building as he was on his way to church the Sunday after his arrival. and muttering " By the Eternal ." brought bis cane down upon the pavement with a Mandering rap. Shortly after this the institu ion, so emphatically doomed. conved in exist, and the Northern Bank. established in 1935, wound up the The "old Northern," which has for so many years been nered throughout the U'mon for its able management, prosperity and high charac . ter has been for a quarter of a century under Die presidency of the disco hi sagacity as director. The name of this profound Jurist and financer Deparable connected with the Northern Bank. It is his monument


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PUBLIC BUILDINGS AND PROMINENT PLACES.


COUNTY OFFICES,-A new Court House being in process of erection. the county office- are temporarily stationed as follows. viz : Office of County Judge over Second National Bank, cor. Short and Cheapside: County Clerk, on Short street, between Cheapside and Upper ; Circuit Court room and Circuit Clerk, in Masonic Han. corner of Walnut and Short; sheriff's office, in Court House yard, fronting Upper street.


POSTOFFICE .- Corner of Broadway and Short-H. K. Milward. P. M. TELEGRAPH OFFICE Western Union -In Phoenix Hotel. MARKET HOUSE .-- Water street, between Upper and Vine. COUNTY JAIL -- Corner Short and Limestone


TELEPHONE EXCHANGE .- Corner of Min and Cheapside.


WATCH HorsE .- Water, between Mill and Upper. ORPHAN ASYLUM .- West Third street. ST. JOSEPH'S HOSPITAL. - Second street, near Jefferson. ARMORY OF LEXINGTON GUARDS .- In Jackson Hall, corner Limestone and Water.


GAS WORKS -West Main. near Spring ADAMS EXPRESS COMPANY-Corner Main and Broadway.


ELECTRIC LIGHT COMPANY-NO. 19 West Vine.


HOME OF THE FRIENDLESS-No. So West Short.


WORK HOUSE-Corner Upper and Bolivar.


FIRE DEPARTMENT-East Short street


CITY DISPENSARY-Water street. between Mill and Upper.


ST. CATHERINE'S ACADEMY-North Limestone.


CHRIST CHURCH SEMINARY-Maxwell, near Limestone.


INDUSTRIAL SCHOOL-In No 3 City School Building, corner Mill and Maxwell.


CHURCH HOME, EPISCOPAL-Corner Walnut and Winchester.


CATHOLIC CEMETERY-South side of West Main, at Corporation line.


PRESBYTERIAN CEMETERY-Sixth, between Limestone and Upper. EPISCOPAL CEMETERY-North side of Third Street. West of Dewees. HOTELS. PHOENIX-Corner Mam and Limestone ASHLAND HOUSE -- Short, between Mill and Broadway. St. NICHOLAS -- East Main, near Linestone. FLORENTINE-East Man. netr latestone ALEXANDER HOUSE-East Short, near Limestone. FAYETTE HOUSE -- East Short, near Limestone.


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GUIDE TO LEXINGTON.


THE CLAY MONUMENT.


The most prominent olvect in the Lexington Cemetery is the monu- ment erected in honor of Honre Cir It is one hundred and twente tiet in height: is builtof the beautiful limestone of this State, popularly known as "Kentucky marble," and consists of an elegant Corinthian column rising from a massive sub-base of the Egyptian style, and surmounted by a statue of the great orator. A marble sarcophagus in the vaulted chamber of the


monument contains the fast mortal remains of "Harry of the West" and is mainly visible through the fretted door. Upon the side of the coffin is chia- Fed the solemn and memorable declaration of Mr. Clay made in his addre: : on retiring from the United States Sente in IEM: "I can with uns when. wenn lence appetito the Divine Aring for the truth of the declaration that I have been influenced by no iname purpose, no personal motive, have sought no personal aggan tement but in all my mobile acts I Have had L' and sing e de and a warm, devoted heart, directed and dedicated to what in my best judgment I believed to be the true interests of my country." Another marble sarcophagus rests near that of the departed statesman and


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contains the remains of the wire. Mrs. Lucretia Clay, who sur ived her has- band twelve years, dying in iso4 aged Pizhty-three. Mr. Clay's mother and other members of ki. fimdy are bumed in another part of the cemetery. The corner stone it . monument was hed with imposing ceremonies on the 4th of July, 1057. Mr. Clay died on the 29th day of June. [$52, in the seventy -sixth year of his age.


SKILLED LABOR.


The thinking people of Lexington are warmly disposed in favor of skilled lahor ind are inclined to welcome with especial pleisure the estab. lishment ofany and all manufactories employing such labo :. They realize the fact that a large accession vi skiled work ren would be one of the great- est blessing that could befall this city, not simply because they are necessary to the full development of our manufacturing interests, But because they make intelligent, law abiding, valuable citizens, ard are capable of instruct- ing our boys and girls in the mankold branches of the most important mechanic arts. Such manufacturies would not only "pas" in a pecuniary sense, but they would "pay" most abundantly as training schools for the idle and unemployed who would thus be made weddl and productive mem- bers of the community. These are the only educational stah ishments that Lexington lacks; the kind site reeds most of all ; the kind chat self-preser- vation demands she must have, and the ones that the thoughtful and intelli- gent are most disposed to foster and encourage The best people of this city would gladly welcome an inpouring of skilled workmen regardless o: their politics of nativity. The old. silly and sen-eless prejudice against mechanical pursuits is exploded, and linger, only in the shallow pates of effemi" nate "dudes" and witless fops, ten thousand of whom, in the estimation of sensible people, are not worth one competent and thrifty workman. We need establishments where the children of the city, male and female, may learn to be self supporting by being trained to occupations which develop skill. taste and talent, such as the manufacture of the various parts of watch- es, of optical, dental and surgical instruments, hardware, silverware, fine machinery, artistic pottery, fire-arms, jewelry, artificial flowers. gold leaf and dental toil, chemicals, paints, musical instruments, perfumery. stationery. brushes, fancy goods, decorative work on glass, pottery, and textile fabrics. and in the prosecution of such pursuits as silver-plating wood carving bronze work, engraving, lithographing, ar. The rapidly det Hoping South wants all these things and Lexington riktat hier portals, is the very plane for their manufacture, and the point from which they could the most easily be distributed.




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