The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-14

Memorable Old Place in Gui1ford County,
North Carolina.

North Carolina.
W. HI. Beard, of Spiceland in Greenfield Republican
noticed in recent issue of your paper a
short reference to Boards Halter Shop, one of
the hrst, and perhaps the most notable enter
prlses Of the kind ever established within the
borders of the old North State. The name of
this mandatory became famous in the early
history of the West and but few of the older
citizens of eastern Indiana are unfamiliar with
the name; but, as time goes on and various
changes occur, such places become a secondary
consideration, and only when they are incidental
ly mentioned, is their memory revived. Think
ing you might flor your own gratifcation) like
short description of these historic old build
ings, and sketch of their distinguished founder,
cheerfuly give what find by hurried search
III the silent halls of memory.
The dwelling was solid brick structure with
"hipped roof" the lower story separated into
three rooms by strong modern partitions; at the
west end was broad deep fire place. the upper
story divided into two apartments, and
aired by four small windows of four glasses
each. 1t had a south frontage protected by
wide open porch which terminated on the east
side into large. cozy kitchen the latter of
which was composed of wood. with the old-time
chimney, which would easily take in a log five
feet long Some fifty yards directly west was
located the famous shops. They We're also built
of brick, in the best and most durable manner
This structure was perhaps 60x30 feet
separated in the center from east to
west by solid wall of masonry, that
extended to within about sixteen feet of
the east end The north room contained benches
and all the principal apparatus for tho manu-
facture of hats and the south room the watts for
coloring furs, while the south wall was literally
perforated with doors and windows to admit the
air during the process of dying. There were
seven freplaces, all terminating in one chimney
which protruded through the comb near the roof
On the east was nicely plastered room running
the entire width, which was used many years
dry-goods store and above were two long mar
9iY111xy liOl,f i.b
for storage purposes. In either end of these
antiquated buildings, was a cemented circle
bearing the date 1903 The ground embraced
lOS acres, large portion of which was
twelve miles west of Greensboro, the f1ourishing
county seat Of Guilford county, and one and
half miles north of jamestown, little village
near the line of the Central railroad Some
years after the death of the original owner of
the premises, they were purchased by my father
of James Beard, of Rushville Illinois, son of
the deceased, and presented to me as a gift
During the late war they passed into the hands
of one johnson. rebel officer, and he established
thereon an extensive tannery in the interest of
the Confederate government When i visited
the old home III the memorable year of go, the
buildings and surroundings had undergone con-
siderable changes, the walls Of the shop were
crumb.ing into ruins. and the old dwelling with
it's moss covered roof and decaying timbers
looked quaint and old-an impressive monument
of departed years.
David Beard, the former owner of these old
time buildings and brother to a grandfather
of the writer, is remembered as a stoap Shout
dered old man, with kindly face, flowing gray
hair, and steelrimmed spectacles. He was pos
sessed of II mind enriched by the thought and
study and investigation of years; advocate os
all methods of reform, and was noted for his
kindness and hospitality. His home was always
a haven of rest for the weary traveller. and tho
hunted slave, fleeing from the chains of bondage
always found protection under mis- hospitable
roof. For his great sympathy for the
colored race, his strenuous efforts to
alleviate their sufferngs, he has often
been compelled to leave home and
hide away in the gloom of some shadowy forest
for .ong, weary days; and usually on such anx-
ious occasions my father would supply him with
food, supervise his home affairs and help him
bear his great burden of sorrows. He predicted
the oyerthrow of slavery, the continuous devel
ckuIent Of science, and died honored and la
mented for his true moral worth His wife, Re-
becca. sister to Eli Brown, one of the we'll
known pioneers of Richmond, Ind, survived
him only few years, when she, too, took her
place with the lamented dead. One who may
ever chance to visit the old cemetery at Deep
River. N. c., will find the vine-covered graves of
these worthy advocates of human rights marked
by plain monument, bearing the date of birth
and death