USA > North Carolina > Buncombe County > Asheville > Asheville city directory [serial] 1896-1897 > Part 1
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WILLIAMSON & CO.,
WHOLESALE AND RETAIL
NITURE, CARPETS, RUGS, ETC. & 16 Patton Ave., ASHEVILLE, N. C.
ake a specialty of furnishing BOARDING and HOTELS. ply Curtains,
AIN AND UPHOLSTERY GOODS
And Bedding of all kinds. (See page 153.)
1 Telephone 4 FOR GENUINE BIRD-EYE, CANNEL, ANTHRACITE AND COKE.
eville Ice Coal Co
LESALE AND RETAIL DEALERS IN ALL KINDS OF AND SOFT COA AND COKE, and 34 PATTON AVENUE.
ERSITA
AR
LVX
10
LIBERTAS
DIS
TENT
Library of The University of North Carolina
GROOME MEMORIAL IN MEMORY OF MARY GROOME McNINCH Class of 1902 AND PINCKNEY BROADFIELD GROOME Class of 1902 GIVEN BY THEIR PARENTS DR. P. L. AND CORA BROADFIELD GROOME
OND T
Il
st Stock in the St
ds ..
net Ry ld Mon phia Club, Kentucky ibson, W. H. McBrayer, Vernon, Fine Old Bitt- ectar, Guckenheimer & Four "A" Rye, Four {" Rye, Old Windsor, Ontario Club, Canadian Paul Jones, Old Mo-
FOR- ughran's White Rye.
ACME Wine & Liquor House, JAMES H. LOUGHRAN, Prop.,
ASHEVILLE, N. C.
N. B .-- My motto is : "Keep the Best and Charge I defy competition in quality. Goods delivered to Boxing and packing free.
Bartholomay Rochester Beer every day at 75c. per
P. O. Box 372.
ASHEVILLE CITY DIRECTORY. Fly A
Guarantee Shoe Store TRUNKS AND VALISES.
For Solid Comfort and Lowest Price on All
FOOTWEAR
00030756138
This book must not e taken from the Library building.
oprietor, ISHEVILLE, N. C. NE.
we 26,1450
J. B. CAIN, Sec'y and Treas.
ick Co.,
, N. C.)
ng
ling Brick.
VILLE, N. C., AIL. IS, N. C.
Fly B ASHEVILLE CITY DIRECTORY.
W. A. BOYCE,
Plumbing Steam, Hot Water and Hot Air Heating. Stoves, Tinware and Housefurnishing Goods.
No. Il Patton Ave., ASHEVILLE, N. C.
PRINTING
UP TO DATE AND
To the Customer's Liking.
The Citizen Company,
Printers and Publishers
COMMERCIAL,
BOOK
AND NEWS WORK.
Estimates Quickly on Application.
Democratic. All the News,
A Letter Addressed to the
Leading
Paper
Of Asheville, N. C., always reaches
THE DAILY CITIZEN OFFICE.
One of the few North Carolina papers the circu- lation of which the American Newspaper Directory guarantees by a $100 forfeit.
Daily, every afternoon except Sunday, $6.00 the year ; semi-weekly, $1.00 the year (in advance).
THE CITIZEN COMPANY, 6 North Court Square, Asheville, N. C.
2
ASHEVILLE CITY DIRECTORY.
THE Asheville
Daily
Gazette
The only Morning Newspaper in Western North Carolina. Eight pages daily. Circulation in all the mountain towns, hamlets and resorts.
3
ASHEVILLE CITY DIRECTORY.
EVERY LADY
IN ASHEVILLE READS
THE SKYLAND NEWS
It is, therefore, an unquestioned advertising medium. It is worth the money. It will bring customers every time. We have arranged so as to give the merchants of the city a chance to advertise their
SPECIALTIES
in the most forceful manner. Our
FIRST PAGE SPACE
is the best there is. It can be engaged for a short time only, as we prefer to give each of our customers the opportunity to get the most benefit possible from our advertising spaces. THE NEWS goes
INTO EVERY HOME
in Asheville, and many surrounding towns. It is read by the best class of people-the people that have the money and buy. The people that buy the best there is. It goes to the
Leading Hotels and Clubs of America
making it beneficial to Asheville and the hotels and boarding houses.
Two dollars per year in advance.
A. V. D. TAYLOR, Editor and Proprietor.
4
ASHEVILLE CITY DIRECTORY.
This Is No Joke
V
As our competitors would have you be- lieve, but a subject for your serious con- sideration.
WE REFER TO THE FACT THAT WE ARE
Leaders In All Kinds of Printing,
Both as to Quality and Price. Others try to keep up, but get just near enough to hang on behind. We don't kick on that - if there's any consolation in it they're welcome to it.
PERIODICAL TICKETS Taken on all kinds of Job Printing.
Asheville Printing Co.,
CEORCE L. HACKNEY, Manager, TELEPHONE 181. 3 EAST COURT SQUARE.
5
ASHEVILLE CITY DIRECTORY.
First-class. Rates moderate. Sample rooms. Centrally located.
Hotel Berkeley,
Patton Avenue,
ASHEVILLE, N. C.
P. H. BRANCH, Manager. FRANK LOUGHRAN, Proprietor.
For Books, Stationery, Fancy Goods, Souvenirs, Pictures, Frames, etc., etc., go to
ROGERS' BOOK STORE,
Where you will find the largest and best se- lected stock in the above lines, and at prices with which you will find no fault.
ROGERS' ASHEVILLE is the View Book for the TOURIST.
6
ASHEVILLE CITY DIRECTORY.
ASHEVILLE, N. C.
OK
" The Saratoga of the South," and "The Land of the Sky," reached comfortably and quickly, from all points, by the
SOUTHERN RAILWAY,
The Greatest Southern System.
Operating more than 5,000 miles of track, and penetrating eight States.
PULLMAN DRAWING ROOM SLEEPING CARS
Between ASHEVILLE and WASHINGTON, PHILADELPHIA and NEW YORK; between ASHEVILLE, COLUMBIA, SAVANNAH, JACKSONVILLE, KNOXVILLE and CINCINNATI, and between ASHEVILLE, RALEIGH and CHATTANOOGA.
7
ASHEVILLE CITY DIRECTORY.
DOUBLE DAILY TRAIN SERVICE to ALL POINTS
Stone Ballasted and Steel Rails, Vestibuled Coaches. Greensboro, Raleigh and Norfolk; Columbia, Savannah and Jacksonville; Knoxville, Chattanooga and Cincinnati.
-
Call on any Agent or Representative for full informa- tion, or address the General Pas- senger Agent.
F. R. DARBY, S. J. GALBRAITH, B. I. NICHOLSON, City Pass. & T. Agt, Depot Ticket Agent, 34 Patton Ave., Asheville, N. C. Asheville, N. C.
Ticket Agent, Hot Springs, N. C.
W. H. GREEN, J. M. CULP, Gen'l Supt. Traffic Manager. W. A. TURK, Gen. Pass. Agent. General Offices: 1300 Pennsylvania Avenue, Washington, D. C.
8
ASHEVILLE CITY DIRECTORY.
BOARDING.
MRS. T. W. BRANCH, 14 STARNES AVENUE.
Near two car lines. Large yard, new house, large portico, magnificent views. All Modern im- provements. Hot and cold water on both floors.
TERMS MODERATE.
THE PLACE FOR QUIETUDE AND PURE AIR AND WATER -- OO
KAMOTH HOME,
Mrs. A. C. RAY, Proprietress.
One and one-half miles from Asheville, on Woolsey Avenue, North, on Hill top. Short distance from Lookout Mt. Street Car Line. Terms moderate. Elegant location. Splendid Water. For further particulars address
Mrs. A. C. RAY,
Post-office Box 664.
ASHEVILLE, N. C.
9
ASHEVILLE CITY DIRECTORY.
Palais Royal. FINE DRESS GOODS,
Fancy and Staple . . . 0 Dry Goods and Notions,
COMPLETE LINE OF NEEDLE AND ART EMBROIDERIES.
M. MEYERS, Proprietor,
28 South Main St., ASHEVILLE, N. C.
Private Boarding,
26 FLINT STREET,
Short distance from Battery Park Hotel.
Near Post-office and Street Car.
Plenty of shade, and no buildings near enough to obstruct either view or breeze.
MRS. J. A. LEE.
IO
ASHEVILLE CITY DIRECTORY.
Mrs. L. A. Johnson DEALER IN FURNITURE,
CARPETS, STOVES, TRUNKS, CLOCKS, etc. On the Installment Plan. Telephone 166. No. 32 S. Main St., ASHEVILLE, N. C.
"The Reynolds. PRIVATE BOARDING.
Situation convenient and healthful. Rooms large and airy. Terms reasonable. For further particulars address
MRS. L. I. DRAKE,
48 Spruce.
MRS. L. E. FREEMAN'S
Boarding House,
No. 6412 S. Main Street,
ASHEVILLE, N. C.
Convenient to the business houses. First-class accommodations.
Commercial men will find it particularly adapted to their taste. Terms, $1 per day. Special rates by week and month.
II
ASHEVILLE CITY DIRECTORY.
weepblaK
LEADING DEALERS -IN-
Best Meats,
GAME AND POULTRY.
W.M. HILL & CO.
CITY MARKET, Court Square Entrance. WE HAVE
WESTERN DRESSED MEATS
AS A SPECIALTY, And the line includes only the very best Fine Hams, Breakfast Bacon, Smoked Tongues and Lard.
TELEPHONE 66.
PHONE 118. ESTABLISHED 1889.
P. O. BOX 105.
W. E. ALLEN,
WHOLESALE Fruit, Confectioneries,
FINE CIGARS, TOBACCO, PIPES, STATIONERY, ETC.
We have the largest and best assorted stock to be had in the city, and ask that you examine our stock before buying elsewhere. We can save you money at
54 Patton Avenue, Opposite Post-office, ASHEVILLE, N. C.
I2
ASHEVILLE CITY DIRECTORY.
ILLUSTRATE · 0 YOUR ADS.
Look Over the Ads In High-Priced Periodicals ....
Over 95 percent. areIllustrated
A Good Cut saves its own cost in economy of space, besides doubling the value of the ad. Cuts for advertising made to order at reason- able rates.
ALTA M. COLE, ENGRAVER,
ASHEVILLE, N. C. 51 Patton Ave., 3d Floor.
Taxidermist>
N. W. FAIN.
Tourists who wish Souvenirs of Western Carolina, such as Stuffed Birds, Animals, Rugs, etc., would do well to call on
N. W. FAIN, Taxidermist,
73 MONTFORD.
0-
-Tanning of Skins for Rugs a Specialty.
Growers of Plants and Cut Flowers. Roses and Carnations Our Specialties.
Idlewild Floral Company
ASHEVILLE, N. C.
Greenhouses: 324 Charlotte Street-Telephone No. 99. Store : 44 Patton Avenue-Telephone No. 132.
13
ASHEVILLE CITY DIRECTORY.
BON=AIR = =
SELECT BOARDING. Open Throughout the Year.
All modern conveniences. Heated by furnace, also grates in all the rooms. On Sulphur Springs and Biltmore car line, near post-office.
G. L. McDONALD, Proprietor, Asheville, North Carolina.
74 Bailey Street. Telephone No. 247.
BOARDING,
Elegant Location . . .. .. . and Good Table.
Splendid service; on car lines. Write for terms.
MRS. S. TERRY,
161 North Main Street, ASHEVILLE, N. C.
MR. and MRS. F. B. CAMP,
Trained Nurses and masseurs.
Highest Credentials from Northern Physicians.
ASHEVILLE, N. C.
I4
ASHEVILLE CITY DIRECTORY.
Stationery, Blank Books, Office Supplies, Novels, Daily Papers, Magazines, Brown's, Crane's and Hurd's Fine Papers, Stamping, Designing, Art Needle-work And Embroidery Materials,
Rubber Stamps and Souvenirs.
A. V. JONES & CO.,
OPPOSITE POST-OFFICE.
T. W. FITZPATRICK, PracticalPainter AND Decorator
-DEALER IN-
Wall Paper, Paints, Oils, Varnishes, French Glass, Etc. 33 NORTH MAIN STREET.
NEW BARBER SHOP,
36 PATTON AVENUE.OR New building, new outfit. Everything in the latest style. All White Barbers. Hot and Cold Baths.
HOUSE JUST BUILT. GEORGE BENDER, Prop'r.
FRANK JACKSON,
RESTAURANT, BILLIARD AND POOL PARLOR The Only Colored Billiard and Pool Parlor in the City. Meals at All Hours. Eagle Street, Near South Main.
·
15
ASHEVILLE CITY DIRECTORY.
IF YOUR PRESCRIPTIONS ARE PREPARED AT
Raysor's Drug Store,
You can rely absolutely on three things : First, that none but the best chemicals will be used. Second, that only competent registered druggists will fill them, and Third, that you will not be overcharged.
31 PATTON AVENUE.
PHONE 5.
When in need of Dental Work, please remember
Wexler Smathers,
Office over Sumner & Co.'s, 40 and 42 Patton Ave.
DENTIST, Asheville, N. C. Up-to-date work at reasonable prices. Terms cash.
Contractor and Builder.
J. M. WESTALL,
(Contractor Paragon Building,) ESTIMATES FURNISHED ON APPLICATION.
201 Merrimon Avenue, ASHEVILLE, N. C. Phone 196 .-
The VanGilder, ASHEVILLE, N. C.
Only two blocks from square.
.
Electric cars pass the door.
Modern improvements. Large lawn. Address for particulars
Mrs. T. I. VanGilder.
16
ASHEVILLE CITY DIRECTORY.
"INGLESIDE"+
LAND OF THE SKY. " Asheville, N.C.
INGLESIDE,
30 FRENCH BROAD AVENUE.
Delightful situation. Location central. Terms reasonable. New house, with modern appointments complete. Near Patton Avenue and Bingham Heights Car lines. Phone 153.
For further particulars write.
Mrs. ". Henry,
Organist, Choir Leader, and Director, Teacher of Piano and Singing.
Highest references from New York, Rochester, etc. Music furnished for receptions, entertainments, etc. For terms and particulars call or address
30 FRENCH BROAD AVENUE.
ASHEVILLE
.. City irectory ..
FOR-
1896-1897
Containing an Alphabetical List of Business Firms and Private Citizens. A Directory of the City and County Officers, Churches, Public and Private Schools, Benevolent, Secret and other Societies and Associations.
- ALSO,-
AN EXHAUSTIVE HISTORY OF THE CITY, J
A COMPLETE CLASSIFIED BUSINESS DIRECTORY,
And a Thorough Street Guide of the City.
VOLUME I.
J. S. MCILWAINE, PUBLISHER.
ATLANTA, GA .: THE FRANKLIN PRINTING AND PUBLISHING CO. GEO. W. HARRISON, STATE PRINTER, Manager. 1896.
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1896, by J. S. Mellwaine, at Washington, D. C., in the office of the Librarian of Congress.
INTRODUCTION.
The publisher of this Directory has used great care in its compilation, keeping in view the value of thoroughness and accuracy, and every effort has been made to issue a reliable Directory. The difficulty of such work in Asheville will be appreciated when it is remembered that, practically speaking, "new ground" had to be worked.
A street directory, even under favorable circumstances, is necessarily imperfect, but in the case of Asheville's many crooked streets, some of which are laid off with an irregu- larity that surpasses the biblical street sarcastically called "straight," it is impossible to claim absolute accuracy. Nor should it be forgotten that very many of the houses are either incorrectly numbered or not numbered at all. The names of the residents include all over 16 years old except matrons, and precaution has been taken to rigidly exclude those who are not strictly bona fide residents within the city limits. Separate alphabetical lists of names are given of Biltmore, Victoria, West Asheville, Montford, and Woolsey.
The census given is as accurate as conscientious care could make it. Had temporary residents who are here for six and twelve months at a time, been counted, the total pop- ulation would be much larger. The floating population of Asheville is very large. The census shows that Asheville has a population of 12,832. Including the suburbs the figures stand at 14,933, and including the floating popula- tion, which is usually counted in such a census, the figure would be about 2,000 more.
The History of Asheville and Vicinity, the miscellaneous information concerning the State and city government, societies, etc., and the general statistics were compiled by Prof. J. D. Eggleston, of thiscity. In this work, also, there was practically a new field to be worked, and the author believes that in future directories of Asheville the rough outline given may prove of value chiefly as a nucleus for superior work along this line.
Finally, the publisher tenders his sincere thanks to the citizens of Asheville who have, by advice and substantial interest, made this work possible ; to The Citizen, Gazette and other papers for their constant encouragement and aid ; and to J. E. Rankin, cashier of Battery Park Bank, whose in- terest in all that makes for the good of the city is unfailing. The generosity of the city is also duly appreciated for sub- scribing to six directories.
J. S. MCILWAINE, Publisher.
September 15, 1896.
GENERAL INDEX.
page
Alphabetical List.
I57
Assessed Wealth
70
Banks
77
Biltmore
395
Blocks and Buildings
78
Business Directory
363
Cemetery
IO
Charitable Institutions Churches .
79
City Government
69
Clubs.
83
Coal Companies
82
Corporate Limits and Ward Boundaries
71
County Officers
68
Court Calendar
68
Fire Department .
76
History and Vicinity
23
Index to Advertisers
19
Indebtedness
71
Infirmaries and Hospitals
79
Judiciary
56
Library.
82
Local Charities.
43
Military.
48
Miscellaneous and Statistical.
56
Montford
396
Newspapers
82
Notaries Public
83
Points of Interest. 86
Police Department
74
Post-Office Department .
74
Post-Offices of North Carolina
57
Private Schools
75
Public Schools.
75
Railroads .
51
Rates and Distances
88
Secret Societies
83
Street Directory
IOI
Street Lighting.
77
Superior Courts
69
Supreme Court.
69
Too Lates, Changes, Etc.
22
0
U. S. District & Circuit Courts.
68
U. S. Government
56
Victoria.
396
West Asheville.
397
Woolsey
Y. M. C. A.
86
2
State Officers 56
79
20
ASHEVILLE CITY DIRECTORY.
Index to Advertisements.
Page
Acme Wine and Liquor House
front paster
Alexander J M.
. front face
Allen W E center lines and
Amiss J Taylor .
405
Arcadia Hotel opp 22
Asheville Advertising Agency . right center lines and corner cards
Asheville Daily Citizen
I
Asheville Daily Gazette
2
Asheville Drayage Co . 408
Asheville Foundry and Machine Shop right top corner cards
Asheville Ice and Coal Co , front cover
Asheville Printing Co
4
Asheville Steam Laundry left bottom margins
Asheville Supply and Foundry Co . left top corner cards
Baltimore Clothing and Shoe House . bottom end
Battery Park Bank . back paster
Beaver & Evans right side lines
Bender George .
5
Blair W A
left side lines
Bonair, The
13
Bonanza Wine and Liquor Co, The
I47
Bon Marche
56
Boyce W A
fly
"B"
Branch Mrs T W
8
Brexton, The .
150
Broughton Dr L J
357
Brown & Atkins
358
Brown Charles L
361
Brown Wiley B
150
Brown W L
362
Buncombe Brick Co fly "A"
Butler T C & Son
362
Calkrell Mrs A V 405
Camp F B Mr and Mrs 13
Carolina Coal Co .
centre lines and 155
Chappell J W
355
Club Wine and Liquor House, The .
backbone and 153
Coffin E .
405
Cole Miss Alta M
12
Cortland S C
I in class
Cosby B H .
back cover
Cowan PL right side lines
Dickson Isaac
358
Doster Henry
362'
Drake Mrs Leah I
IO
Everett House
152
Everhart P E
404
Falk C
. left bottom margins Fain N W
I 2
Berkeley Hotel
2I
ASHEVILLE CITY DIRECTORY.
Page
Farinholt L A
, left bottom margins and top end . back cover
Fitzpatrick T W
I4
Flack W M
358
Foster F S
357
Franklin Printing and Publishing Co
407
Freeman Mrs L E
IO
Freidenburg H & Co
406
French Bakery
404
Fullam Miss Fannie
403 357
Grafton F W
404
Grant H F.
155
Graves Mrs A
403
Gwyn W B
right bottom corner cards
Hall ES .
406
Hall J ME
356
Hamrick & Bro
I in class
Hare J R & Co
357
Haskell H S
360
Henry Miss M E 16
152
Hill W M & Co .
, left center lines and II 5
Hunt EL . I inch business class
Idlewild Floral Co right bot cor cards and 12
Jackson Frank
14
Johnson Mrs L A
IO
Jones A V & Co
14
Jones Wm M
151
Justice W D .
404
Lambert W H .
back paster
Lange J J
right top corner cards
Leatherwood Thos L left side lines
Lee Mrs J A
9
Lee Neil
inch business class
Levy M .
. fly "A"
McFee & Jones .
left side lines
McPherson & Clark
left bot cor cards
May & Miller right side lines
Melton Allen L
406
Michalov Bros .
357
Mitchell F E .
back cover
Model Steam Laundry . begin each letter in alphabetical list Moody CE . . right bot cor cards
Moore M V. . back cover
Morgan J N & Co.
359
O'Connor Mrs Annie
357
O'Donnell Frank right bot margins
Orr E M .
9
Owens W E & Co
361
Ownbey R L & Co
359
Palais Royal .
9
Pearson Henry P
. left top cor cards
Field A M
Fullam J S .
Hildebrand D S
Hotel Berkeley
22
ASHEVILLE CITY DIRECTORY.
Page
Postell W J
357
Pulliam Mrs Katie
Ray Mrs A C .
Ray CF .
right bot cor cards
Ray Mrs H B
left bot cor cards
Raysor C A
front cover and 15
Redwood H & Co
. right bot margins
Reese C A .
360
Roberts W O left bottom corner cards
Rogers H Taylor right center lines and 5
Roundy W N . . left top corner cards
Rumbough J C .
, right bottom corner cards
Rutledge. Patterson, Webb & Co . right side lines
Sanders J M
355
Schartle J W
361
Scott HT right side lines
Sevier J V .
403
Skyland News, The
3
Smathers Dr Wexler . 15
Smith R S left side lines
Smith White G . top margins and 148
Southern Business College
149
Southern Railway Co 6, 7
361
Stevenson A F.
358
Stikeleather C W
408
Terry Mrs S
13
Trifield A
408
VanGilder Mrs T I
15
Wallace J C
left top corner cards
Walton F A
359
Westall J M
15
Westall W H
360
Whitehead & Britt
359
Whitlock Clothing House, The
backbone and 154
Williamson W B & Co .
front cover and 153
Wills Arthur J .
right side lines
Wyeth John & Bro
15I
Zbinden Clement
355
Zimmerman F
360
"Too Lates," Changes, Etc.
Bender John, bds 355 Haywood
Bluthenthal Mrs, r 24 Grove
Bynum J T, r cor East and Seney
Clark Wm H, carrier P O, r 25 Holland Mrs Minnie, r 25 Holland
Evans Mrs W J, boarding, 87 Bailey
Miss Minnie L, r 87 Bailey
Harold C, dentist, bds 87 Bailey
Garrison F W, bds 25 Holland Nail Miss E, r 58 N Main
355
8
Starnes J P & W B
ARTHUR J. WILLS,
ARCHITECT Designs for Public Buildings, Churches, Theaters, &c., a specialty.
32 and 34 Patton Avenue, ASHEVILLE, N. C. TELEGRAPHIC CODE, A, B, C.
VISITORS TO ASHEVILLE WILL FIND
A PLEASANT LOCATION AT
Mrs. T. W. Branche's 14
STARNES AVENUE.
Location healthful and scenic.
House fitted with modern conveniences. TERMS REASONABLE.
RCADIA HOTEL.
MRS. J. L. BUCHANAN, Proprietress.
261 SOUTH MAIN STREET. Convenient for business men. On car line.
TERMS REASONABLE.
.
BILTMORE HOUSE FROM RAMPEDOUCE
Copyright 1896.
C. F. RAY, Asheville. N. C.
-
-
-
-
ASHEVILLE AND VICINITY.
(PROF. J. D. EGGLESTON.)
[" It is a noble region, in which Nature has uplifted her mighty monuments, and with a setting of rare loveliness."]
SCENE ON SOUTHERN RAILWAY.
[For assistance in compiling this sketch the writer is deeply indebted to the very valuable articles in the Woman's Edition of The Citizen, November, 1895, by Misses Fanny L. Patton, Anna C. Aston, and others ; to D. K. Bennett's Chronology of North Carolina; to " Asheville, Where It Is," etc., and to various other articles, pamphlets, and friends.]
Buncombe county, named in honor of Colonel Edward Buncombe, of Revolutionary fame, was set off by act of the General Assembly as a separate county in 1791. The "Old State of Buncombe," as it was known for years, then included the present county of the name, with Haywood (cut off in 1808), Macon (1828), Yancey (in part 1833), Henderson (1838), Cherokee (1839), Madison (1850), Clay, Swain,
24
ASHEVILLE CITY DIRECTORY-HISTORICAL.
Graham, and part of Transylvania. In 1795 the boundary line between Buncombe and Tennessee was made. Robert Henry, who was the teacher of the first school in Buncombe, was one of the surveyors. The present area of the county is about 400 square miles.
Well-founded tradition relates that the location of the county seat of Buncombe was at first a difficult question to decide, the present site being finally chosen on account of the " royal " treatment given the authorities- by a saloon-keeper, whose establishment was located on what is now South Main, near the city limits. The county seat was created in 1794, and was given the name of Morris, which was the next year changed to Morristown, and shortly afterwards to Asheville, in honor of Governor Samuel Ashe, of Revolutionary fame, who in 1795 was elected Governor of the State.
The first county court is said to have been held at the house of William David. son at the Gum Spring, now on the Vanderbilt estate, David Vance being the first. clerk of the court.
Of the early settlers of Asheville and vicinity only brief mention can be made of some. William Mills, [" There are, here and there, stupendous precipices, as, for instance, ' Whiteside ' and ' Cæsar's Head.' "'] born on James River, Vir- SCENE ON SOUTHERN RAILWAY. ginia, emigrated to the Block House on the Catawba, then to Green River in 1766. Mills' Gap, said to be the first wagon road across the Blue ridge, and Mills' river were named for him. He is said to have named Bearwallow, Ball Top, Sugar Loaf, Lookout, and many other adjacent mountains.
Many thrilling adventures are related of him in connection with the Indians, as also of Colonel Daniel Smith, who settled at the mouth of the Swannanoa in 1785. Smith is said to have killed more than one hundred Indians. His son, James McC. Smith, was the first white child
25
ASHEVILLE CITY DIRECTORY-HISTORICAL.
born west of the Blue Ridge in the limits of North Carolina. James Smith married a daughter of Colonel John Patton, settled at Asheville, and merchandised and farmed until his death in 1856. John Patton, father of Montraville Patton, settled in 1790, making his first clearing on the Swannanoa, near " Patton's Mills." He was the first county surveyor of Buncombe, and held the position for many years.
Zebulon Baird, the grandfather of General R. B. and Senator Z. B. Vance, came to the county in 1793, with Beadon Baird, in the first four- wheeled wagon ever seen in the county. He built the first store- house, court-house, and jail on the present site of Asheville, and represented Buncombe county in both branches of the Legislature. The Messrs. Baird engaged in merchandising, and imported the first "jewsharps" to the county, and these became dangerous rivals to the gourd fiddles and corn- stalk bows then in vogue.
James Patton, born in County Derry, Ireland, in 1756, came to Amer- ica in 1783, to Buncombe in 1792, and to Asheville in 1814, where he built the first frame house erected in the place, at the corner of South Main and Eagle streets. The house was afterwards enlarged and became the once famous Eagle Hotel. Mr. Patton was a man of great industry, thrift, and probity, and accumulated a large fortune. In 1791 he en- tered into a partnership with Andrew Erwin, and after twenty years of partnership they are said to have dissolved and made settlement of a large estate in one day !
The first wagon road through the western section was constructed in 1790. It crossed the gap at the present long tunnel of the Southern Railway, came down the valley to where Biltmore is now situated, thence through what are now Valley, Oak, and Charlotte streets, out by Deake's Greenhouse, where it struck across to the Beaver Dam road, thence to Reems creek down the French Broad.
In 1800 a turnpike road was chartered to run from Paint Rock to Green-
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ASHEVILLE CITY DIRECTORY-HISTORICAL.
ville, S. C., by Saluda Gap. This was completed in 1828 and became a great thoroughfare. About 1805 a post route was established on the recently constructed road through Buncombe, and the post-office at Ashe- ville, in 1806 was made the distributing office for Georgia, Tennessee, and the two Carolinas. George Swain, who came to Asheville in the winter of 1795-6 from Georgia, took charge of the office in the autumn of 1806, his commission, however, bearing date January 1, 1807. He was the second postmaster of Asheville, and it is said that during a pe- riod of twenty years he was never absent on the arrival of a mail, and that every letter was distributed with his own hand. He was the father of David L. Swain, who was born on Beaver Dam in 1801, and was prepared for college at Newton Academy. David Swain was the first boy west of the Ridge to enter the State University, where he remained only three weeks, on account of lack of funds. He read law under Chief Justice Taylor, of North Carolina ; represented Buncombe county in 1824-5-6; was Solicitor of Edenton Circuit in 1827 ; returned to the House in 1828-9; was Judge of the Supreme Court in 1831-2; was Governor in 1833-4-5; and was President of the State University for more than twenty-five years. He was also a member of the Board of Public Improvements, and is justly classed as one of the greatest and ablest of North Carolina's sons.
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