USA > Ohio > Coshocton County > Historical collections of Coshocton County, Ohio : > Part 9
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A planing-mill was attached to the Roscoe saw-mill by James W. Beebe, about 1871, now owned and operated by Adams & Gleason.
Within a few years, planing-mills have been set up at
* By this explosion, John Freeman was killed and John Sherrod se- riously hurt. It occurred in 1866.
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Jacobsport and Warsaw, the latter now operated by Butler & Leavengood, and the former by Wolf & Williams.
There are still several water saw-mills doing considerable in their way, but a very large part of work in this line has been done for some years by portable steam mills. Among those most largely operating with these have been Messrs. Stafford, Talmadge, Seward, and Joseph Elliott.
The first hatter's shop in the county was probably set up in East Union. Morris Burt was the first in this line in Coshocton. M. Ferguson worked in it for more than a quarter of a century in Roscoe. James H. Donohew, a veteran of the line, now represents the interest in the county at Coshocton.
The first brewery in Coshocton was started in the house opposite the office of Dr. J. Harris, on North Second street, about 1852, by L. Mayer.
Lewis Beiber built the brewery on North Fourth street in 1866. The one in lower Roscoe was started some years later by C. Mayer.
The Coshocton brewery is at this time operated by Chas. Boes.
A small soap-factory was built twenty-five years ago near the bridge in Coshocton by J. Mayer. Some six years ago, the establishment was bought by W. H. Robinson, Jr., and C. Skinner, and torn down, to be replaced with the " Coshocton Soap Works," now owned and operated by D. Adams.
B. F. Sells for a time operated a small soap-factory, at the west end of Main street, about 1858.
J. K. Marsh was the first to manufacture cigars on any noticeable scale-running into the millions. He set up in Coshocton in 1870. A Mr. Horton made a few some years before.
The manufacture of flour and whisky made the cooper- ing business at one time quite an important industry. Among the long-engaged in this line were, of the earlier days, Jonathan Fisk and J. Huff, and of later times, John Mulligan, Robert Crawford, N. Schott, and K. Klossen, of Roscoe, and C. Marks, of Warsaw.
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In 1857, E. McDonald and Alex. Manner, from Dresden, set up a carriage manufactory on West Walnut street. After a couple of years, Manner engaged in other business.
In 1869, McDonald erected the extensive shops still oc- cupied by him on South Third street.
The shops on Sixth street, now occupied by Alex. Man- ner, were erected by G. A. Pieffer & Sons, of Dresden, in 1869. In 1873, Manner bought these premises at assignee's sale, and has since operated there.
Darius Wright for many years carried on wagon-making at Cross Roads, on a scale to become largely known through the county. He is now operating in Warsaw.
Geo. Schleich was the first to do much in this line in Coshocton ; subsequently J. Glover undertook the same line of work, and was succeeded by C. W. Frew, who after- ward removed to Illinois.
A. Fritz was also engaged for a time in the same line, and was succeeded by Jeffries & Van Allen.
There has been since 1860 a noticeable carriage and wagon-shop, at West Carlisle, in charge mainly of Mr. Welling. There has also been for three years past a con- siderable amount of work in this line done at New Bed- ford.
John Shields, at West Bedford, has for many years man- ufactured threshing-machines and hay-rakes.
John Irwin for a number of years turned out a large number of plows, but he removed, two years since, to Iowa, and this business is now chiefly carried on by King & Mirise, of Roscoe.
The Coshocton gas-works were built in the winter of 1873-4. The contractor was B. Van Steenberg, of New York, who also at the outset was the heaviest stockholder -selling his interest subsequently to Houston Hay. The company was first organized in 1872, F. E. Barney, L. Demoss, John G. Stewart, H. N. Shaw, and W. E. Hunt, directors. H. N. Shaw was succeeded by H. Hay, who, with the others above named, are the present directors.
The local papers of that day say, " The success of the enterprise is to be attributed to F. E. Barney and Wm. E.
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Hunt." Isaac McNarty has been superintendent from the start.
H. N. Shaw & Sons (in connection with their more ex- tended tanning operations), in 1875, undertook the manu- facture of boots and shoes on a larger scale than had been previously attempted.
The latest manufacturing enterprise is that in charge of J. W. Bebee (United States Yeast Company)-the making of dry yeast. In the winter of 1875-6, he entered upon this work in Lower Roscoe, and is at this writing shipping several hundred pounds a day.
MINING.
Probably the first coal-bank opened in Coshocton county was that of Morris Burt, a mile east of Coshocton, say 1834.
As early as 1836, Matthew Scott mined on his place, in Virginia township, and shipped to Columbus several cargoes of coal.
A few years later, the "Licking and Coshocton Coal Company " commenced quite extensive operations at Coal- port, and continued shipping by canal to Newark until about 1860, when the works were taken by others.
In 1856, Foght Burt, from his mine on his farm, about a mile southeast of Coshocton (now in possession of W. K. Johnson's heirs), made a four-feet ten-inch railroad to con- nect with the S. & I. R. R., making the junction a little south of the freight-depot. At first horses were used to haul the cars; afterward a small locomotive ("Little Giant"), T. H. Burt being the engineer. A considerable amount of money was put in the enterprise, and much ef- fort made by Mr. Burt and his sons, R. W. and T. H., but the project was a costly failure, owing, as is said, to the failure of the S. & I. R. R. Co., " from inability possibly," says R. W. Burt, to meet expectations of assistance in building the coal road, and afterward in furnishing cars.
Not long after the railroad was built Edward Prosser opened a mine about a mile northeast of Coshocton.
The Rock-Run Coal Company commenced operations
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about the same time, and the " Shoemaker bank" was next opened.
The coal business received a great impulse about 1868, through the operations of Colonel J. C. Campbell and Al- bert Christy, who leased large tracts, and organized the " Coshocton Coal Company," enlisting A. H. Spangler very thoroughly. This company bought out Prosser's Beech Hollow bank, and Shoemaker dying, the territory held by him was also embraced in their leases. The Miami Company was formed buying from the Coshocton Company the Shoemaker leases ; also the New York Company taking some territory two miles south of the town of Coshocton.
Several companies were also organized to operate in the old Coalport field. These, with some changes in organiza- tion, continue. The New York Company's mine passed into the control of the Union Company, now under the management of Colonel Wood. The Miami Company was supplanted by the "Penn Twyn."
In 1870, F. E. and J. A. Barney, D. L. Triplett, S. H. Lee, G. W. Ricketts, E. Prosser, and others formed the " Home Coal Company." Prosser, after a year or so, sold his interest in that company, and opened a mine three and one-half miles southwest of Coshocton, near the canal, shipping by that chiefly to Newark. This bank is still under his control. He also, in connection with J. W. Cas- singham and T. Dudley (of Piqua), purchased the Home Company bank. These gentlemen also operate the "Penn Twyn," and are thus the heaviest coal operators in the county at this writing .*
Of the old Coshocton Company, Colonel J. C. Campbell is the president, having the controlling interest in the stock.
Vast amounts of coal of confessedly superior quality have been shipped from these mines, and whatever the re- sult to some of the stockholders and operators, large pecu-
* As much as 126,000 bushels (5,000 tons) have been shipped in one month.
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niary advantages to the county have been derived from them.
The difficulties connected with the matter of transporta- tion are alleged to be the chief drawbacks to a more suc- cessful prosecution of business at any of them.
Besides the merchant mines already mentioned (eight), there are now a number of home supply mines, of which the principal are those of William Hall, J. Lear, William G. Hay, and J. Burt, of Tuscarawas township; and D. Markley and R. Boyd, of Keene township.
Besides the territory embraced in the leases of the com- panies above referred to, the Morgan Run Coal and Mining Company has several (three) thousand acres covered by its leases, but as yet unworked. It is expected that these lands will be penetrated by the Massilon and Coshocton Railroad, whose projectors are largely interested in them.
The undeveloped coal wealth of the county seems at this time properly to demand the use of large figures for its statement.
COAL OIL STILLS AND OIL WELLS.
From 1857 to 1860 a good deal of money was expended in the making of coal oil in Bedford township, where there are very fine beds of cannel coal. Parties from Boston, New York, and Pittsburg, including such men as Ezra Cornell, of New York ; A. E. Kittredge, of Boston; and Robert Forsythe, of Pittsburg, erected stills and opened mines, and made things for a time very lively. But the oil wells in Western Pennsylvania soon set aside the coal oil. Considerable quantities of the coal were afterward shipped to the gas-works at Newark and elsewhere. There was at one time much " oil fever" in Coshocton county.
Messrs. Montgomery and Cowdery came in, and driving about in an elegant conveyance, with silver-mounted har- ness and whip, made many anxious to get "into oil." They took leases, and gave people to understand that oil abounded in the county. A few of the citizens have reason to remember them, and would rather not hear much about oil stocks.
Certain gentlemen of Coshocton and Roscoe, under the
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leadership of F. E. Barney, T. C. Ricketts, and others, formed a "test " company, and sunk a well near the Em- pire mills in Roscoe, to the depth of some seventeen hun- dred feet, at a cost of some $6,000, but did not strike oil in paying quantities. Several holes in the ground were also made on Will's creek, and some gentlemen of Coshoe- ton and elsewhere got into companies "on the ground floor."
During the war and soon after, a great many oil leases were taken on ground in New Castle township, and par- ties, chiefly under the management of Peter Neff, of Cin- cinnati, sunk some wells. No oil of consequence was found, but there was an immense outflow of gas, and this has recently been turned to account in making lamp-black of very superior quality and in considerable amount.
Soon after the settlement of the county, salt was manu- factured on a small scale at Rock Run, three miles south of Coshocton. A few miles further down the river, just over the line of the county (in Muskingum), are, at this writing, quite extensive salt works, with which John H. Klossen, of Coshocton and Roscoe, has for some years been connected. They were operated for years by Retilley & Bagnall, of Roscoe.
Potteries, in the region of New Castle (where excellent materials are found), have been very successfully carried on by the Richs and their successors.
George Bagnall, about 1860, began operations in that line in Lower Roscoe, and afterward sold out to Mr. Rich, who now carries on the business. Bagnall removed to New Comerstown.
The Coshocton Stone Company (Thomas H. Johnson, of Columbus, and John A. Hanlon and L. L. Cantwell, of Cosh- octon) have for a year past been operating in their quarry (on the Ohio canal and the projected route of the Massillon and Coshocton railway) and in their yard in Roscoe, where they have steam stone-saw apparatus. They are at this writing shipping a contribution of stone for the Ohio build- ing at the Philadelphia Centennial Fair.
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CHAPTER XIII.
MERCHANDIZING, BANKING, TAVERN-KEEPING, ETC.
MERCHANDIZING was, of course, for many years on a very limited scale. The " goods " had to be brought from Pitts- burg, Steubenville, or Zanesville, either in wagons or by steamboat. For many years, of even later times, it was a common practice to drive stock on east, and in exchange get supplies of goods. Colonel Williams was a "trader."
The first regular " storekeepers" in Coshocton county seem to have been Hedges and Hammond. James Calder was probably the next merchant.
Among the men who achieved a reputation in this line in the earlier days were James Renfrew, Benjamin Rick- etts, John Smeltzer, and Robert Hay, of Coshocton ; Thos. Johnston, of Plainfield; the Mulvains, of Oxford town- ship; Wm. Brown, of West Carlisle; Chas. E. Marquard, at New Guilford ; John H. Pigman, at Clayville; Samuel Holmes, of West Bedford; Welch, of Roscoe; Samuel Ramsey, of Keene; F. W. Thornhill, of West Carlisle, West Bedford, and New Guilford (East Union) ; G. V. Lawrence and N. Shafer, at New Castle.
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The three principal business places in 1820, and for years after, were Coshocton, Caldersburg, and Plainfield.
Of a somewhat later date than above named merchants, we have Wm. Renfrew, W. K. Johnson & Co., John Burns, Bagnall & Le Retilley, John Frew & Co., T. C. Ricketts, R. M. Lamb, Arnold Medbery, H. Meek, Humrickhouse & Co., Samuel Lamberson, John G. Stewart, Jackson Hay, H. N. Shaw, F. X. Fritchey, D. Bretsford, at Jacobsport ; R. Cochran, at West Carlisle; H. Bcall, at Keene ; Seth MeLain, in Roscoe; R. Boyd, at Keene ; the Denmans and the Shoffners, at Warsaw ; Wilson & Thompson, at West Bedford.
There was, of course, a vast enlargement of this interest
Merchandizing, Banking, Tavern-keeping, etc. 109
after the canals were built, and a very great one along the line of the railway after it was opened .* With this multi- plication of establishments has come a division into depart- ments in the larger places, and the same store is now no longer expected, as in the olden times, to have laces and silks and soap and nails. There are, at this writing, in Coshocton and Roscoe only forty-six stores, with nearly as many more shops and saloons, etc. The keepers of some of these, as of others in the county, will doubtless be able to secure honorable and extended mention in " Chronieles of 1976."
We append the list for the use of a subsequent historian :
LIST OF PRINCIPAL BUSINESS HOUSES IN COSHOCTON COUNTY IN MAY, 1876.
Coshocton-Dry Goods, etc .- Hay & Wilson, J. Pocock & Sons, J. H. Klossen, Mrs. W. W. Walker, A. F. Maltby.
Drugs, etc .- J. Anderson, Dr. S. H. Lee, J. Wilkin, M. W. MeNaughton, J. W. Wright, F. S. Faulkner, L. E. Disney.
Hardware, etc .- Darling & Bonnet Bros., G. W. Ricketts & Co., Forker & McDonald.
China Goods, etc .- B. R. Shaw.
Books and Music-J. Glover.
Periodicals, etc .- F. X. Fritchey.
Boots and Shoes, etc .- H. N. Shaw & Sons, J. G. Magaw, Jos. H. Hay.
Family Groceries-Rue & Son, Humrickhouse & Crow- ley, A. H. Thomson, L. F. Decker, Williams Bros., Charles Eckert, Lorentz & Long, C. Schweiker, C. Zugschwert, J. Bowen, Bachman Bros.
Furniture-J. Waggoner, D. Rose & Son.
* In 1856 the stores in Coshocton were all on Second and Chesnut streets, viz: T. C. Ricketts, dry goods; R. & H. Hay, dry goods; H. Meek, dry goods; A. N. Milner, dry goods ; J. W. Dwyer, dry goods; Dryden & Co., drugs and books; Wm. McKee, drugs and books; S. Harbaugh, hardware; F. X. Fritchey, grocery; Mrs. E. Ilawley, gro- cery ; H. N. Shaw, boots and shoes; Cassingham & Shaw, leather and findings ; G. F. Wilcoxen, boots and shoes; J. Waggoner, furniture; and R. M. Hackinson, drugs.
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Wholesale Liquors, etc .- P. McManus, Maro J. Smith. Grain and Lime, etc .- A. H. Thomson, J. Mulligan.
Restaurants, Bakeries, etc .- B. Stevenson, Mrs. G. A. McDonald, P. Miller & Co.
Marble-Thompson Bros.
Pumps, Gas Fixtures, etc .- J. H. Carman.
Meat Shops-H. Shaw, Burrell & McGill, J. Enoch, Ho- selton & Harrison.
Agricultural Warehouse-J. S. Elliott.
Watches and Jewelry-W. W. Bostwick, J. Bostwick, R. B. Black.
Millinery, etc .- Misses Baker, Mrs. N. R. Tidball, Miss Hay.
Saddlery-S. Suyder, Rezin Baker, E. Baker.
Tailoring-P. Hack & Sons, H. Cantwell, D. C. Beach.
Clothing-J. Wertheimer, J. Strouse.
Roscoe-Dry Goods, etc .- Burns & Hack, Crawford & Re- tilley, Moore & Caton.
Hardware-Harrison & Johnston.
Groceries-L. R. Miller, C. W. Stamford.
Leather-J. & H. Carhart.
Saddlery-A. N. Compton.
Tinware-E. F. Lynde.
Drugs, etc .- John Adams, C. Ferguson.
Canal Lewisville-Burns & Hack.
Keene-Goods-D. G. Whittemore, A. & W. B. Finley. Saddlery-W. Sprague.
Warsaw-Goods-Jas. Foster, Bard & Carr, Clark, Buck- alew Bros., C. Strome.
Drugs-Lawson & Son.
Hardware-G. R. Gamble.
Furniture-Joseph Tiralla.
Saddlery-A. Kaufman.
Hotel-N. Linebaugh.
New Bedford-Renner & Burbacker, A. J. Bowman. Chili-John Lorentz, Sol. Dewitt, J. J. Lenhart. Bakersville-Wm. Forney.
Avondale-J. M. Ferrell.
Willow Brook-W. Wright.
Merchandizing, Banking, Tavern-keeping, etc. III
Bacon Run-S. Osborne.
Clark's-Pocock & Doak.
Spring Mountain-Baker and Lybarger.
Helmick-O. Miller, Beck Bros.
Mohawk Village-J. W. Given, W. Crago.
New Castle-J. S. McVey, W. Butler.
Walhonding-L. F. McVey.
East Union-Dr. Ralston, J. W. Allen.
West Bedford-Thomas Jones.
West Carlisle-Thomas W. Thompson, Lewis V. Cox, Perry White.
Frew's Mills-D. G. Cooper.
West Lafayette-T. Familton, Leggett & Beall.
Orange-J. B. Peck & Co., J. Richmond & Son.
Jacobsport-T. J. Platt & Bro., Jonathan Wiggins, J. Hugh Johnston.
Saddlery-T. P. Latham, D. Duling.
Linton Mills-T. J. McCartney, Johnston Maple.
BANKING.
The merchants of the earlier day received deposits, and settled any eastern claims in any wise arising against their customers. The first parties who undertook the business in regular way of selling eastern exchange, and doing a full deposit, discount, and exchange banking business, were W. K. Johnson & Co., about 1852. They operated at first in the rear room of those now occupied by J. G. Stewart, and then in the office he occupies. After W. K. Johnson's death, the firm was J. K. Johnson & Co. (the company being John Johnson). After the latter's death, David and John H., sons of Joseph, were received into the firm, and the business was thus conducted until their removal to New York City, about the 1st of January, 1872. Since that time, the establishment is designated "Johnson's Bank "- John G. Stewart, proprietor.
T. C. Ricketts started the second banking-house, about 1855. He also organized the "First National Bank" in January, 1872 (commencing business March, 1872)-T. C. Ricketts, president, and Baxter Ricketts, cashier. In the
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winter of 1873-4, it was reorganized, Jackson Hay becom- ing president, Houston Hay vice-president, and H. C. Her- big cashier. Its original capital was $50,000; its present, $90,000.
The Merchants' in 1838, and even later, put out their " serip," and in 1861 the treasurer of Coshocton county gave out many " pieces of pasteboard" as money; but this was the first bank of issue in the county.
About 1856, the south room in the frame building on Second street, next north of B. Shaw's china and glass store, had over it the sign "Bank," and was the head- quarters of one who afterward became quite famous in certain monetary transactions-i. e. James M. Brown.
In August, 1868, the "Coshocton Savings and Building Loan Association " was incorporated. Its directors have been F. E. Barney, James M. Burt, Wm. E. Hunt, Hiram Beall, Thomas Campbell, T. C. Ricketts, E. T. Spangler, J. B. Ingraham, J. G. Stewart, D. L. Triplett, H. Hay, J. C. Pomerene, and J. S. Wilson. J. W. Cassingham was sec- retary through all its history. J. M. Burt, J. G. Stewart, and D. L. Triplett have served as president, and T. C. Ricketts and J. G. Stewart as treasurer. It practically discontinued business in 1875, having at that time, by installments of stock and profits, nearly $100,000 of assets, which were paid out to the stockholders.
TAVERN-KEEPERS.
One of the most prominent features of a country is the public house or tavern, and no proper sketch of a region or people can ignore this feature. For some years Charles Williams was the only man in the county holding himself out in the capacity of landlord, or having business enough to warrant the taking out of a license. In the earlier days travelers expected and received entertainment at almost any house where they pleased to stop. Hospitality was the pride of the whole people, and those agreeing to sup- ply the travelers' wants were not niggardly in doing so. The appliances were sometimes of a rude sort; but the
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fare was good and the welcome hearty, if the latch-string were out at all.
Illustrative of the primitive way they had in those days of entertaining travelers, the cheapness of the viands, and the anxiety of the early settlers to treat strangers well, we reproduce from Mr. Melishe's journal* his account of a scene between himself and a landlady : "When near Coshocton, I stopped for breakfast at a small roadside tavern. I was anxious to be gone as soon as possible, and urged the land- lady to make all the haste she could. She said she would have the breakfast ready in a minute; but the first indica- tion I saw of dispatch was a preparation to twist the necks of two chickens. I told her to stop, and she gave me a look of astonishment. 'Have you any eggs ?' said I. 'Yes, plenty,' replied she, still keeping in a sitting posture, with the chicken in her hand. 'Well,' said I, 'just boil an egg, and let me have it. with a little bread and tea, and that will save you and I a deal of trouble.' She seemed quite em- barrassed, and said she never could set down a breakfast to me like that. I assured her I would take nothing else. ' Shall I fry some ham for you along with the eggs ?' said she. 'No,' said I; 'not a bit.' 'Well, will you take a little stewed pork?' 'No.' 'Shall I make some fritters for you ?' 'No.' 'Preserve me, what will you take, then ?' ' A little bread and tea, and an egg.' 'Well, you're the most extraordinary man that I ever saw; but I can't sit down to a table that way.' So I allowed her to take her own way, assuring her I would take mine as to eating. She detained me about half an hour, and at last placed upon the table a profusion of ham, eggs, fritters, bread and butter, and some excellent tea. All the time I was at breakfast she kept pressing me to eat; but I kept my own counsel, and touched none of the dishes except the bread, the tea, and an egg. She affected great surprise, and when I paid her the ordinary fare, a quarter of a dollar, she said she didn't want to take anything."
A man once told how he had traveled from Wheeling to
* Written in 1816.
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Knox county, passing through Coshocton, on a silver shil- ling. Selecting his house, he would ask for entertainment, and, when about to leave, state that he had only this shil- ling, producing it, and that it was invariably refused.
An invariable attendant of the early tavern was "the bar," with its decanters and glasses arranged on a shelf behind the counter. The great glory of the tavern was " the ball." A gentleman happened at old Charley Will- iams' at the time of the usual " court week " dance, and nearly fifty years after gave a graphic, inimitable account of the affair. Becoming at length tired of the revel, he stole away to his bed, but in a little time two of the party came up to him. When on the landing of the stairs, com- ing down in obedience to their behests, he shrewdly put the candle out, and, slipping past them, got into a nook, where he rested, if not sleeping, until the next morning. The host, as well as the guests, was decidedly festive that night; but the next day he apologized to his stranger guest, and blamed the frolic on " them Zanesville lawyers."
Among the more famous keepers of public houses, besides Williams, were Wilson McGowan, Benjamin Ricketts, B. R. Shaw, Samuel Morrison, J. C. Maginity, in Coshocton ; Theophilus Phillips, and Barcus and Mrs. R. Johnston, of Roscoe; B. Magness, of Linton township ; Moses Mor- gan and P. Wolf, of Oxford township; Robert Farwell, in Keene ; Joseph Butler, in New Castle ; Stryker Morgan, three miles east of Coshocton; Augustine White, of West Carlisle ; F. A. Stafford, in Virginia township ; Moses L. Neal, Coshocton ; Ellis D. Jones, first in Roscoe, then in Cosh- octon ; and Wm. Tidball, who was the first keeper of what is now the City Hotel, and had before taking that won a reputation up in Clark township. W. H. H. Price is now growing gray in the business.
TRANSPORTATION BUSINESS.
Doubtless the citizens of Coshocton county best known in direct connection with the transportation business on the canal were Captain Isaac Evans and Captain Wm. Mor- rison, both with good reputations; the former dead, the
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