Ashtabula telegraph. (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1874-1880, 1875-02-19
MORGAN.
A Pioneer Incident.

tleman In one OF the business pliCeS VI
that thriving village, a boy came in with
basket of eggs, which be offered TO sell,
and which were readily taken by the
proprietor.
This recalled to my mind an incident
In the early history of the township of
Morgan, which learned from one of the
pioneer women of that tOwn-nOw many
years deceased, and it occurred TO me
that the publication Ofthis bit OF pioneer
history might be a matter of interest to
many of the present residents of that
town, and especially to the boys, who are
supposed TO take lively interest IN what
ever may relate to the egg and chicken
question.
1t is now more than sixty years since
the first pair of domestic fowls were
brought into the township, and perhaps
there are not two persons living in the
township at this time, and possibly not a
single person, who could tell of the time
when, or whence came the hens that
found their way first into this now some
what old township.
In an early day in the history OF the
now pleasant and thriving village of Ash,
tabula. there dwelt therein tradesman
by the name OF Hall Smith, and think,
though 1 am not quite sure, that at the
time TO which refer, he WAS the only
man in trade in the place. At all events
in the towns to the south of Ashtabula,
there were no stores, and the pioneers of
the surrounding country came to trade
with Mr. Smith, for he had acquired a
reputation for fair dealing, that made
them feel that, though he was not re-
strained by sharp and close competition,
they would not be compelled to pay ex-
orbitant prices for the few goods their
more pressing wants might demand
presume some of the older people
about Ashtabula may haYe known Mr..
Smith personally, and perhaps very ma
ny of the younger people may have
learn, d much of his general character as
business man, and of the painful condi
ton into which he was cast for so many
years prior to his decease.
While he was in the full tide of his
business prosperity at Ashtabula, there
went from Morgan to trade with him, two
ladies' one, the elder, Mrs. KnOwlton,
the grandmother of Edward A. Wright,
ESQ.,, now a resident OF Rock Greek, and
the other young lady yet in her teens,
who afterwards was married and became
the mother of A. E. French, Esq, now a
resident of Jefferson. These gentlemen
will pardon me for referring to them in
this connection. and do so only by way
ofexplainlng more clearly than perhaps
could otherwise do, who were he chief
actors in this bit of early history.
Sixty five years ago, turnpike roads
were little known in any part of AshIa-
bula county, and these ladies followed
marked trails in going TO and returning
from Ashtabula. They went on horse
back-each taking across her saddle an
old fashioned portmanteau in which to
pack and bring away the family supplies
they might purchase.
It was near the hour for dinner when
they arrived at the store OF Mr.. Smith
and as they had ridden long way, over
a rough road and must have been some
what fatigued, he proposed that they
should go TO his residence for dinner for
themselves and feed for their horses.
They accepted the hospitality thus gen.
erously rendered. The repast to which
they were invited was one to which both
had been strangers since leaving their
early homes in Connecticut, some years
before. They found upon the table what
may be considered rational dish, eaten
with avidIiy by all classes of people
ham and eggs.
They expressed surprise that such
dish should be set before them so near
their own pioneer homes. and instituted
inquiries as to how the Smiths had come
to obtain such luxuries. Mr. Smith ex-
planned that in trips East to buy goods,
he had obtained and shipped home some
hens, and that he could now part with
one pair for the benefit of other pioneers,
and that if his guests would accept such
a present from him. they would be very
welcome. They thanked him warmly
for his great generosity, and packing
their purchases at the. store in one of
their portmanteaus they placed the hen
in one end of the other portmanteau. and
the cock in the other, leaving the head of
each protruding for free and complete
ventilation. they set out on their return.
As night drew on, they reached their
homes in safety, and TO their joyful sur
prise they found that the precious con-
tents OF one OF their portmanteaus had
been augmented by the addition of an
egg.
This was taken for an omen of good,
and so ii must have been, as is sufficiently
demonstrated by the great numbers of
cackling biddies and strutling chanii-
cleers to be found in every farm yard. in
this prosperous town.
Now that the malhematicians and
book keepers of the town have adjusted
the accounts of that agent for the sale of
liquor with his principal. and have pub
lished the result 10 the world, will not
some one undertake to find what has
been the ratio of increase in the poultry
stock of Morgan in the last sixty years
including in the account of stock all the
eggs that have been sold and consumed
and all the chickens that have been sent
to market, or have fed epicurean sppe-
tites at home. To any gentleman or lady
possessing speculative turn of mind,
this question might open a uch field of
investigation. SENEx.
Morgan, Feb. 10, 1875.
The Disciple Church at Rock Creek is
so nearly finished as TO warrant the con-
sccration of day for its dedication
The house of Henry Burdick, just west
of the village, was burned on Sunday
last. while the family were absent How
it took is not known.
A gay and festive party of some % or
80 couples, rode up from Orwell on Fri