Smyrna times., 1881-02-23
For tie Smyrna Times.
For tie Smyrna Times
"reminiscences of Smyrna so Years
Ago.
BY ONE WHO LIVED THERE.
(C0NTINUED.)

Next was the sadler shop of James Woods.
He was the father of the Rev. James Woods
referred to in a previous letter. His son
= Wash was as active as n cat and as bold
IS lion. On one occasion team of four
n"rses to a wagon, came running from the
Landing; the streets of the town were lined
with gigs and wagons, and all who saw
the runaway team anticipated serious acci
dents when it should reach the "four
corners" Wash ran down Commerce street
to meet the team and sprang at one Of the
leaders. clasped his arms AROUND the horses
neck, swung his weight upon the horse
and in a moment brought the team to a
halt. 1t WAS a dangerous expedient. On
another occasion, the town was alarmed by
the cry of mad dog" People were chas.
ing the dog lat a safe distancel. Wash saw
it coming and walked out into the centre
OF the street. When the dog approach, d
ar enough, it made snap at WOols, who
8 Iddenly spranE aside and pierced the dog
through the heart, with the sword of his
cane. The animal fell over Immediately
and Wools picked up stone and with it
drov" his sword through the dog and into
the ground, piniohing there until he died
or WAS killed. That was one of the most
daring feats | ever witnessed.
Next to Mr.. Wools' shop was the store
nf Daniel LOCKWOOD he had been of the
firm Of Blacki>ton & Lockwood. ! think
Mr.. l.. was not successful in business in
smyrna. and went West. met him some
20 years ago, lacking ruhdy and we'll.
10 not know whether he is now living or
not.
Next was Cummins' corner. am not
-ure that rrcolIect Kennard, or Kennard
i Cummins who did business there, but
haye heard the firm spoken Of so frequently
in my childhood, that I seem to have
kRown it. Afterwards, John Cummins,
then the leading merchant of Smyrna kept
store there. Then J. O. & Son George W.
Then Geo. W. alone. Since then the chan.
ges have been numerous.
John Cummins, rs / remember him.
possessed in large degree the elements Of
greatness. Had he been a politician he
would have been a leader Of his party
Had he been a soldier he would have di>.
tinsuisheh himself and risen to high com.
mand. Had he have been a clergyman,
he would not have stopped short Of
Bishopric. He was a merchant and farmer
and aYcalla1 in hoth v0n.tions Evo,, =.
"Old F"gy" days, lie was progressive. H.
introduced coal as fuel into the town and
his open crate coal fires, in his dwelling
and counting room were great curissities.
He introduced the sowing of grass seed for
a hay crop, and his lot of millet on the
Dorothy farm and lot Of red clover on the
brick yard lot, were the first grass seed
sIwn in or near Smyrna. All the hay then
used in the loyn, was cut from the marshes
on Duck Creek. At the time of which /
write there was not IN Smyrna coal stove,
or cook stove or range Not a lucifer
match. with which to light fire or segar;
not gum shoe. and those that were after.
w,rds introduced were shapeIpss, not a
covered button for either gentlemen or
ladies' wear; not even that now indispsnsi-
BILE article for ladies, hair pin. Perhaps
some Of your readers may recall seine
anecdotes of a clerk (who shall bs name.
less, Of Mr.. Cuinmins, who was a famous
salesman and always had whatever might
be called for. On one occasion some gen.
tlsman made bet. that an article couI,l
be inquired for, for which said clerk coull
find 10 substitute. A boy. was sent for
half dozen geese yokcs. The clerk stepped
cut into the back yard and with hatc!.et
and a hoop from a barrel, soon made and
delivered the article. Appointment society
lady well known in the town. on hearing
Of this joke, wagpreda pair of gloves that
she could call for an article that the clerk
could not make or provide substitute O..
She called and inquired if be had any
"fig Ieayes." Yes Miss, was the prompt
reply, and be Immediately placed on the
counter before her anameless Indispensable
article Of chamber service. /, The lady was
so confounded and embarrassed that she
1 paid for it and'left the store in great con.
\ fusion. On another occasion bis gAlantry
and presence Of mind was equally displayed.
He was helping lady customer in her gig.
when the bottomsl,rcke and the lady fell
through, her pantaloenlsss limbs dangling