The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1878-01-03
"Reminiscences Suggested by ~. Gs."
Custom House Articles.
MoUNDsvILLE, Jan. 2, 1874

"Reminiscences Suggested by -. Gs."
Custom House Articles.
MoUNDsvILLE, Jan. =, 1878.
respondence of the Register.
read, short time ago, couple OF
papers in the MteLtigenceT, over the sig
nature of al. g." which he terms "His-
tory OF -. Wheeling Custom House
In my OPINION -. q omlts the history
OF the branch of business carried on IN
that institution during a part OF Mr..
Horn brock's administration, which would
prove most interesting to a portion OF
the citizens of the State, viz-that OF the
"Permit Bureau" AS 81. g." quotes
carefully from the acts of Congress passed
in reference to the Custom House, L
would like him to furnish the sct or acts
creating the above named "bureau," to.
gether with statistics of tine amount OF
money received from the sale OF "per-
mits" and the profits arising from the
same TO Mr.. Horn brook and the Govern
ment IL hope / will not be charged
with disioyalty for writing the names OF
the benehcisrles in the above order, as L
sm inclined to the belief that 1t Is the
proper one, on the principle that the
greatest should be first Also copy of the
celebrated HPowder Oath, If copy can
be procured.
The writer of this well recollects q
rather stormy little W I'd war INDUCED
IN by Mr.. Horn brook and himself, which
grew out of this same permit system 1t
WAS, l think, in the year 1868. L had
bought some goods in your city, and after
procuring duplicates of my bills, pro-
ceeded to the Custom House to get per-
mits to ship the same home. The attaole
Mr.. H. after looking at my signature to
the prescribed oath, turned to a great big
shoulder hitter-w VINO, by the way, would
hsye better graced the prlze-ring than
desk in bureau" and ordered him to
examine the 'book' and see ii Mr.. IS
name appeared there. After an exam
inatlon, this gentleman rep Jrted that be
did not find the name recorded there.
Mr. H., then directed him to look in that
"other book" when he took down that
"other book" which was embelished
across the back with the appalling words
"DtSloyGLP in large black letters. "AhP'
ne exclaimed, IN the blandest tones
imaginable, 1--WE are more fortunate this
time" Here was pretty Kettle OF fish,
for certain. Mr.. III. here informed me
That l could not have permission 20 ship
the goods. In answer to my question
as to whether or not there WAS any
means by which l would be en-
abled ito have the goods shipped.
He informed me that If l could give
security in the sum of, think 10000,
that the goods would not be used IN
giving aid and comfort TO the enemy
| might take them home. l Informed
MIN that 1 thought l could get that
amonnt of security on bond OF that
tenor. He then inquired who L could
get to 90 on the bond. l mentioned the
firm names of l.. 5. Delaplain " Son,
Geo. X. Wheat, List, Morrison " Co.,
and Pa ton, DonIon Il Oglebsy, and
possibly some others. Imagine my
astonlsnment when lie hatly re.
fused to accept either, or all
OF the firms mentioned rs bonds
men, and gave as reason
that all the parties mentioned were in
terested in selling goods. Was ever such
arrogance paralleled in 'free America
| was now at the end oil my string, ana
informed him that l WAS not acquainted
with any parties in Wheeling mot in
terested in selling goods" whom he
would accept as bondsmen for the amount
mentioned, and iLtimated my DISCUS: for
that peculiar way OF doing business in
language possibly little more forclbIe
than polite, upon whics he, in very
plain terms, Informed me that there was
An establishment jus. across the street,
referring to the federal Bsstile," ian
establishment with which you, Mr.. Ed-
tor, | believe, became slightly acquainted
during the late unpleasantness,") for
apersons" of my peculiar sentiments!
TINS mild intimatiou brought me to my
senses and feet at once, and fearing every
moment that he would "rlng MS little
bell" / abruptly took my departure.
My father, accompanied by the late ,. b.
Purdy, went to Wheeling next day, and
succeeded IN having the goods shipped,
after which / had no trouble
with the bureau for some time,
but one day Mr.. H. noticing
some gun powder, caps. &c,
on my duplicates, asked me II
| had ever taken the powder OATH"
Being answered in the negative, he pre-
sented me with printed form, which
from its extreme length would have re-
CURED at least fifteen minutes to read,
ana as | WAS somewhat IN hurry to
catch the train, | was about 10 subscribe
my name to the instrument when ne
promptly stopped me, and insisted that l
should read 1t. | told HIN that wasn't
necessary, it was all right, l WAS willing
TO 90 it blind, WIS used 10 that sort OF
thing, Sc, &c, bat he refused to allow
me to sign, and ordered his right bower
to strike OFT the ammunition from the
and l didn't get any powder
aui caps NJ that time. +.