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Volume 43, Issue 7 Sandra J Stacey, Editor July 2020

THE CORNSHELLER Newsletter of the Montgomery County

Historical Society

MCHS

LOCATION

L&N TRAIN STATION

10th & Commerce Streets

Clarksville, TN 37040

931-553-2486

Officers:

President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .James “Jim” Long

Vice President . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sandra J Stacey

Recording Secretary . . . . . . . . . . Carolyn Ferrell

Correspondence Secretary . . . . . Jill Hastings Johnson

Treasurer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jeff Harris

Historical:

County Historian . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Eleanor Williams

County Archivist . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Jill Hastings Johnson

County Genealogist . . . . . . . . . . . Gail Longton

Members at Large:

Pam Gadsey

Kurt Bryant

Brenda Harper

Past President: . . . . . . . . . . . .. . Mary Nell Wooten

July 20 CANCELED. August 17 Bobby Cooley, Ranger, Port Royal SP Africana Town at Dunbar Cave. September 21 Jill Hastings-Johnson The 25

th anniversary of the Montgomery County Ar-

chives. October 19 Melissa Barker, Houston Co. Archivist Houston County Early Days. November 16 TO BE ANNOUNCED December 21 CHRISTMAS DINNER TO BE ANNOUNCED

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That firm continued in the business from 1852 to 1856, when they were succeeded by Macrae &; Coulter who held forth till 1865, when they were succeeded by Coulter &; Hillman; In 1868 they were succeeded by Coulter, Hillman & Co.; then in 1870 by B. F. Coulter; then in 1875 by B. F. Coulter and Bro.; and in 1877 they were succeeded by the present firm, Coulter Bro. & Strat-ton.

A few doors further up, you will find our friend L. Straus, who has concluded to employ that prince of talkers, T. D. Leonard, to auction off his large and mixed stock, preparatory to changing business. The auction room is crowded daily with ladies and gentlemen, and Leonard keeps them in excellent humor and gives good bargains.

Mr. Straus died 8 Sept. 1930. He was ill a year before his death and had withdrawn from business two years before. Mr. Straus made arrangements for his business in advance. He appointed Mr. Roberts President of the company

But if you don't want to buy at auction, you can call in at Bloch & Bro's, just above, and take a look at their extensive stock of Dry Goods, Clothing, etc., where you can certainly find something to please you. Bloch has such large stock on hand he has had to extend his storeroom besides he has one of the prettiest clerks in town to wait on customers.

In 1880 Bloch & Bro's had two houses. A fire caused considera-ble damage to their stock and building. Unfortunately, they had just gotten in a new shipment which included a large amount of carpeting. They did have $20.000 in insurance.

Now step across Franklin street, to B. O’s Kessee’s new Hardware establishment, where you can find large and well selected stock of

Hardware, Queensware, (a hard, cream-colored earthenware, per-fected c1765 by Wedgwood.) Groceries, etc., fresh importation where Bill Ely and George Faxon are ready to wait on you in exquisite style.

On 22 Apr 1871 B. O Kessee was offering for sale some valuable property. If it didn’t sell he was willing to give said property, at fair evaluation, as stock in a cotton factory.

If you don't desire to buy Hardware, turn to the next counter, in same room, and Jack Whitaker, who has returned from Allensville, will take pleasure in showing his new stock of dry goods, with that excellent salesman, J. E. Broaddus, to wait on you. Jack is famous for keeping good goods at low prices.

B. O. Keesee used William “Bill” Ely as his salesman on 22 Dec 1868. He was located then at the old stand of Turnley & Fox on Franklin St.

Next door will be found R. H. Williams, with R. H. Pickering and M. C. Pitman, for clerks, which is sufficient recommendation for any Dry Goods establishment.

On 20 Mar 1875 R. H. Williams was listed as Real Estate and Insurance Agent and was doing business on Strawberry St.

On 27 Sep 1879 R. H. Williams was listed as Real Estate and Claim Agent. He had an office on Franklin St. over W. A. Settle’s Grocery Store.

On 8 May 1880 he was still a Real Estate Agent offering $3,000 loans for two years mostly for farms.

(Continued on page 3)

A LOOK BACK AT BUSINESSES CLARKSVILLE IN

THE MID TO LATE 1800’S

As you read this article you will notice two types of text. The first

(Times New Roman) is the original article. I added additional infor-

mation about the establishments in a different font. I decided I

wanted to do this instead of a family history, because it gives you a

perception of what Clarksville business was like in the 1800’s. If

you have relatives from Clarksville, I thought this might be of inter-

est to you.

Editor

Clarksville Chronicle, (Clarksville, TN) 14 Jul 1865, Fri Page 3

A FEW WORDS ABOUT OUR ADVERTISERS.

As some people live to eat and others eat to live, we will commence by telling our readers that we have a "National Hotel," kept by S. B. Grant, who, we believe, "knows how to keep a hotel,'' as he has had long expe-rience in the business --- and we would advise our friends and the transi-ent public to give him a call.

The "National Hotel," was formerly called the “Franklin House”. It was purchased and the name changed in 1855. E. Spurrier was the proprietor.

On 13 Oct 1865 T. D. Scott became the proprietor. He leased the hotel from C. M. Stewart. The hotel was renovated and refitted to accommodate the public. Mrs. Ellis will supervise the ladies and culinary departments. The house at Tait’s Station will be kept up as heretofore, for the accommodations of the traveling communi-ty.

After partaking of his cheer, you can step in next door and see W. A. Settle, a very nice young gentleman, who has a large and well selected stock of Confectioneries, Soda, Ale, Fancy Notions, etc., which he will sell at low rates, and furnish ice water during your visit.

On 14 Sep 1866 W. A. Settle offers Lake Ice for sale. 18 Jan 1873 W. A. Settle was listed as Bucket Director for the Clarksville Fire Dept.

On 11 June 1904 W. A. Settle, advertised he manufactured the following type brick: Face, Building, Cistern, Arch and Pavement. Looks like he changed his business. He worked on Spring St. over the Clarksville National Bank. Orders solicited Telephone 140 – rings.

After regaling yourself with sweet- meat, if you need anything in the calico department, a few doors, up street, you will find the new firm of Coulter & Hillman, who are opening a splendid assortment of Dry Goods, etc., and as Ben Coulter is an excellent judge of goods, we be-lieve you will find his stock of the right sort and Billy Moore will sell them to you at the right figure.

On 21 Dec 1878, the firm of Coulter Bro. & Stratton was doing an annual business of nearly $125,000 as shown by their books. They occupy one of the largest houses of the kind in the country, and from cellar to garret, it is stocked with an immense supply of the best lines of goods usually found in a first-class house. The present house of Coulter, Bro. & Stratton, is a continuation, by a regular line of succession, of the firm of Hart, Coulter & Co., who founded the establishment in 1852.

https://www.newspapers.com/paper/clarksville-chronicle/4470/

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JULY 2020 VOLUME 43, ISSUE 7

A few doors below, on same side, you will find John Conroy, who keeps constantly on hand a large stock of groceries, etc., and will buy every description of country produce and sends you all articles, purchased of him, free of charge, within the limits of the city.

On 17 Mar 1877, OUR old friend John Conroy, agent, has opened a family grocery next door to the Tobacco Leaf office. He is no novice at the business, but an old hand as also a true gentleman.

On 1 Apr 1878 due to the terrible fire downtown John Conroy lost $600, because he had no insurance.

On 30 May 1885 Mr. John Conroy is quarrying rock just beyond the Red River Bridge. He loads it on the cars of the LA &T Rail-road, and it is brought over and shipped to Memphis.

*In the April 2020 issue of the “Cornsheller” the Conroy family was the featured family. Next place, a few doors above, will bring you to the new hardware estab-lishment of Brown, Driver & Co. This house has just opened, and every-thing is new and of the best brands the stock is complete - so you can find everything you need in this line without any trouble. Give them a

call you will find them to be accommodating, clever businessmen.

On the 14 Jul 1865 Clarksville Chronicle wrote It is really astonish-ing how much a little paint of the right color, will add to the looks of an old building. We were forcibly reminded of this in taking a glance in the front of Joshua Brown’s old stand on Franklin Street, now occupied by Brown & Driver as a hardware Store. The reno-vation reflects credit upon the proprietors and the workman, Mr. Eminisor, who did it. With a handsome front, and a new stock of Hardware in the rear we doubt not this house will become one of the favorite resorts in the city.

On 7 Sep 1866 the business was called Macey, Driver & Brown late of Macey & Hamilton located at No. 32 West Side Public

Square.

In the next place, we invite your attention to the boot and shoe house of our clever friends, Lucas & Bagwell, at Wagener & O'Brien's old stand, on Franklin street. This firm deals exclusively in boots and shoes and are thereby enabled to give belter bargains in this line, then can be found elsewhere.

On 14 Jul 1865 Lucas & Bagwell advertised Jimmy Morrissey would be found attentive and polite to all that visit their house – in fact they look upon him as one of the best salesmen in this city.

If you need anything in the way of drugs and medicines, etc., call on Dr. Castner, at Thomas & Bro's old stand, and you will receive every atten-tion that those clever inmates can bestow.

On 30 Sep 1845 Castner & Co was selling a patented vapor bath. Physicians are invited to examine them.

T. A. Thomas known from here to California superintends this institu-tion.

T. A. Thomas can be found in many ads selling all sorts of medi-cines. On 30 Sep 1845 in one ad he offers pills to reduce Bilious Fever, Ague, Nausea, General Debility and Nervous Weakness. Price one dollar – box contains 20 doses. In another ad the same

day T. A. has an ad that offers throat lozenges for just 25 cents a box with directions. Have a toothache? In another ad he offers toothache drops 50 cents a vial. He also advertises the sale of sugar and tobacco at the drugstore. All of these ads are on the same page and probably cost him dearly to have them printed .

(Continued on page 5)

(MID TO LATE 1800’S CONT. FROM PAGE 2)

In the rear of the same building, Thos. McColloch, the pioneer Clothing Merchant of Clarksville, has an elegant stock of Clothing and Furnish-ing Goods, to suit and fit big and little, rich or poor.

Best Stock in the city. It was established in 1945 and is said to be the oldest house in the city On 19 Oct. 1866 it was listed as T & R. E. McColloch. John O’Brien & G. W. Salesmen.

After getting an outfit here, call up and see that prince of clover gentle-men, Billy Poindexter, who has a large and varied stock of Groceries, and will sell them as low as any house in this market.

If Billy can't supply you, Hodgson & Lindley, just one door above, keep an excellent stock of the same article so between the two you will cer-tainly be able to fill your bill without trying another market. This firm is sole agent, in this city, for Kanawha Salt Co.

On 8 Sept 1865 they advertised 1500 barrels of salt for sale on Franklin St. They also sold wallpaper and paint.

“Due to scarce production of the commodity salt, the U.S. re-quired an abundance of imports from England. The onset of the War of 1812 resulted in a U.S. embargo of British imported salt. This, in turn, created increased demand until the Kanawha Valley led the nation in salt production by the 1840s. Kanawha salt made fortunes for many salt-makers. Kanawha Valley salt was dubbed some of the best in the world at both World’s Fairs in London (1851) and Paris (1867).”

https://www.wvgazettemail.com/life/salt-of-the-earth-mineral-s-wells-run-deep-in-kanawha-valley/article_ce694f2f-ee15-5520-bc50-2d467ea06c52.html

Before leaving town don't fail to call and see Andrew King, Dry Goods merchant, on Franklin street, who has an extensive assortment of Dry Goods, Groceries, Clothing, etc., out of which to make a selection, with Maj. Fowlkes and Bob Faith behind the counter. On 14 Jul 1865 Andrew King’s business was called The People’s Store. It was located at Brockman’s and Porter’s Building, the North side of Franklin Street, Five doors down West of the Court House, Clarksville, TN. On 15 Sep 1865 Andrew King received an express shipment of fall & winter clothing bought previous to the advance in prices. Next in order come our friends Mehlhope & Hodgson, who keep Gro-ceries, Wines, Brandies, Ale, Beer, Confectioneries, and most every-thing needed by the human race which they propose selling at reasona-ble rates.

On 23 Aug. 1865 Mehlhope & Hodgson dissolved their partner-ship by mutual consent. Mr. Joseph Hodgson was retiring. The firm became know as J. F. Mehlhope & Co. and continued busi-ness on the old stand on Franklin St

Now step across the street, and take a look through M. Mattill's rich, rare and magnificent stock. Mr. Wm. Balthrop, one of the best mer-chants in the State, is clerk in this house, and will sell you dry goods, clothing, &c, at a small advance on eastern cost. On 3 Apr 1868 the store was called Mattill & Williams and it was a cash only business. On12 Jan 1866 Mattill & Bro took over Rice & Mooer’s old stand that had recently been occupied by L. Strauss, and located on Franklin St. They will sell Staple & Fancy Dry Goods including Boots, Shoes, Hats, Notions, Etc.

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WINDOW INTO THE PAST Sandra J Stacey

What Would you find if you looked in the “WindoW into the past” in July. Clarksville Weekly Chronicle (Clarksville. TN) 15 Jul 1876 Sat. P. 3 Two young men, Bell & Knowland, came to our city last week and made arrangements to start a tailor shop. They advertised their card, had a sign painted and put up by Mr. Bradbury, at the room they rented next door to C. M. Barker's grocery, and to all appearances intended to go into tailor-ing forthwith. The same day their sign was hung up they decamped, leav-ing their bills unpaid. They are evidently sharp cutters. Clarksville Weekly Chronicle, Clarksville, TN 05 Jul 1879, Sat P 3 Croquet. A match game of Croquet will be played at Dunbar's Cave on Thursday next the 10th instant. Everybody who is fond of a good game is requested to attend and not fail to bring the lunch basket. Clarksville Weekly Chronicle, (Clarksville, TN), 01 Jul 1882, Sat P 3

The steamer Ewald passed down last Tuesday morning with her Calliope in full blast, much to the delight of the small boy, many of whom flocked to the river to listen to its me-lodious toot-too. There is nothing on this earth that can so quickly sooth the savage breast of the average small boy as the Callio-pe. (a keyboard instrument resembling an organ

but with the notes produced by steam whistles, used chiefly on showboats and in traveling fairs.) Daily Tobacco Leaf-Chronicle, (Clarksville, TN), 01 Jul 1892, Fri P.1 POLICE PICKINGS. A Crippled Tramp Raised Cain at the Depot and Car Stable. A tramp struck town yesterday and he was such a pitiful looking fellow, being a cripple, that few people refused him money when he asked for it. He made a canvass of the city and made a rich haul. Then he began fill-ing up with mean whisky. He got about as much as he could chamber and went to the depot, where he proceeded to take charge of that enterprise and run it to suit himself. He was given the bounce by Agent Osborne and then went to the streetcar stables, where he soon had things running to suit himself. Alex Small, the superintendent, appeared on the scene, however, and turned the usurper over to the tender mercies of Officer Robinson, who put him in the calaboose. He was arraigned in the city court this morning, but on promise to leave town Recorder Bailey let him go. He will be shipped this evening. Daily Leaf-Chronicle (Clarksville, TN) 30 Jul 1898, Sat P. 7 Important Notice. Dr. Geo. D. Scott, dentist, graduate of the Royal College of Dental Sur-geons, and now; permanently located in Clarksville, office over First National Bank, with Dr. M. L. Rudolph. Dr. Scott will make you a set of Teeth for $5.00. (Cheaper if wanted.) Will extract Teeth for 25c for adults, for children 10c, fillings 50c. Teeth extracted for the poor free of charge. Sundays—8 to 10 a. m. Daily Leaf-Chronicle, Clarksville, TN 11 Jul 1900, Wed P. 2 Wanted, Men for U. S. Army. For service both in the Philippines and United States; both white and colored men desired. Apply at office of Dr. M. L. Hughes. Franklin street, Clarksville, Tenn. Office open from July 10th to 23d; pay from $13 to $14 per month with board and clothing.

Leaf-Chronicle. Weekly (Clarksville, TN) 16 Jul 1901, Tue P. 4 Oh for some way to get to Dunbar’s Cave without killing a horse or spending a fortune. Such a thing is going to be before another summer passes Leaf-Chronicle Weekly (Clarksville, TN) 26 Jul 1901, Fri P.1 CRAZY Woman Locked Up Last Night for Wandering About the City. Thursday's Daily. Chief of Police Robinson arrested Sarah Gill, colored, last night for lu-nacy and locked her up. She was taken before Squire Smith this morning and committed to Jail for safe keeping. The woman, while not consid-ered dangerous, roams about the city alone. It is feared that she might set fire to some home while going around or do other damage and she was locked up for safe keeping. At times she grows violent driving her par-ents from home by making vicious threats. She is the daughter of Dan

Gill, an old colored man who lives on Taylor's Hill.

The Leaf-Chronicle (Clarksville, TN) 26 Jul 1902, Sat P. 1 NASHVILLE CHIEFS Will Take Up Their Trail to Clarksville Hunting Ground. The council fire of Cherokee Tribe No. 21, Improved Order of Red Men, was kindled at 8 run, setting of the sun, on 24th sleep of Buck Moon; all the stumps were filled and a goodly number of chiefs were present. Sev-eral chiefs signified their intention of taking up the trail to the hunting grounds of Astatula Tribe in Clarksville on the 29th sleep and join in a feast of corn and venison. — American.

Daily Leaf-Chronicle, (Clarksville, TN) 01 Jul 1903, Wed P. 5 GIRLS DONNED OVERALLS AND W0RKED IN WHEAT FIELDS. Salina, Kan., July 1. The scarcity of harvest hands here and the necessity for harvesting the big wheat crops before bad weather Interferes has brought about a strange condition of affairs in this section of Kansas. Men are being paid $2.50 per day, but many today refused to work for less than $3. The farmers would not pay. Fifty of their daughters, com-prehending the situation, volunteered to take the places of the men, and some fields near Salina had as many women working as men. Many of the girls were spending their vacations at home; having attended the State University until a few weeks ago. Short skirts were the rule, there being only a few who preferred the freedom of overalls. Daily Leaf-Chronicle, Clarksville, TN 06 Jul 1903, Mon Page 1 ATTENTION, LADIES AND GENTLEMEN The Clarksville Bathing Club has perfected arrangements for large or small boating parties. It is supplied with a new houseboat, which is sta-tioned at the foot of Commerce street, together with five large skiffs for transporting parties to and from the bars on opposite side of river, where splendid bathing water is to be had. Cumberland River is far superior to Red River for bathing. Our arrangements are complete and first class. For further particulars apply at houseboat CLARKSVILLE BATHING CLUB. Swimming lessons given and skiffs rented.

Nashville Banner, (Nashville, TN) 11 Jul 1933, Tue Page 13 Road Plan Endorsed Clarksville, Tenn. July 11—(Special) —The Clarksville Leaf-Chronicle In an editorial Monday captioned “We Want a Road" indorsed a resolu-tion passed by the City Council Thursday night petitioning Gov Hill McAlister and Commissioner Frank W Webster to proceed immediately in the building of a direct road between Clarksville and Nashville. The editorial sets out the fact that Clarksville people are compelled to go through a part of Kentucky to get to the State Capital and spend their money in Kentucky on such trips for cigarettes and gasoline. No specific route was asked for, the editorial as the resolution adopted by the City Council simply making a blanket indorsement for any direct paved route.

"WindoW into the past” is closed.

https://www.newspapers.com/paper/clarksville-weekly-chronicle/1496/https://www.newspapers.com/paper/the-leaf-chronicle/3763/https://www.newspapers.com/paper/the-leaf-chronicle/3763/https://www.newspapers.com/paper/the-leaf-chronicle/3763/https://www.newspapers.com/paper/the-leaf-chronicle/3763/https://www.newspapers.com/paper/the-leaf-chronicle/3763/https://www.newspapers.com/paper/nashville-banner/21362/

MEMBERSHIP Editor Sandra J. Stacey

sandra.stacey@charter.net 931.648.3814

Train Station Market . The Train Station Market is open and will be held Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays from 7:00 am until 1:00 pm.

Clarksville's longest operating farmers' market is outdoors under the historic butterfly roof of the train shed. All participants will be expected to employ proper dis-tancing and sanitation practices. Convenient parking adjoins the vendor area.

Restrooms and water fountain are available in the Train Sta-tion 9:00-1:00. Market offerings typically include a variety of seasonal pro-duce, plants, baked goods, some prepared foods such as sal-sa or jellies, plus hand-crafted items. Since the downtown market is not available to crafters this season, we want them all to know they are welcome at the Train Station. For vendor information, call Station Manager Tim Pulley at

931-553-2486.

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Greenwood Cemetery Fundraiser. Saturday, July 18 from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m. $20 admission

Greenwood Cemetery is raising funds for a new Veteran’s Memorial to be placed in the cemetery for all Vets. In support of this, Historical Society Re-cording Secretary and Clarksville au-thor Carolyn Stier Ferrell will be lead-ing a Walking Tour of Greenwood Cemetery .

Tickets may be purchased at the cemetery office, or online at Eventbrite.

Cold water will be provided, and Carolyn will give a door prize of one of her books.

(MID TO LATE 1800’S CONT. FROM PAGE 3)

When the river is in navigable condition, and you desire to take a trip by steam, call down at the wharf, at the office of Maj. Byrne, and he will put you through on the fast line, with all that suavity of style of a French dancing master.

On 22 Jun 1866, River News. reported, “yesterday morning we took a stroll down to our wharf—called at the office of our young friend Presley Byrne, and found him indulging in a morning nap, having been up during the night, shipping and receiving freight. We awoke him, and he very generously gave us all the infor-mation he had in his possession. We noticed that the west end of C. H. Smith's old warehouse had fallen in, and we think the larger portion of the gravel roof part of the house, will soon be in the same condition. We notice that the Major has a fine large bird caged in his department, which is kept in a strong, substan-tial cage with a huge iron lock. We were not permitted to see the animal. In our perambulations we stumbled on a large cask of something that the Major says was imported, but it had not been broached, and he therefore promised us that we should be pre-sent when this interesting event should take place. We also observed that there was some improvement going on, on water street, which will add much to its appearance.”

So ends the chapter.

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MESSAGE FROM MCHS PRESIDENT JIM LONG

This is a reminder that we are no longer able to meet at the Civic Hall since it has been converted for full-time Health Department use. I would ask our mem-bers to let me know (via email to jim-longtn@att.net) their ideas on how/where to meet in the future.

I’ve put my Porter’s Bluff talk, on YouTube for folks to watch at their convenience. I plan to do this for the pro-gram I was supposed to give in May.

Thanks,

Jim Long

https://www.messenger.com/t/timothy.w.pulley#mailto:jimlongtn@att.netmailto:jimlongtn@att.net

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Montgomery County Historical Society

P.O. Box 262

Clarksville, TN 37041-0262

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