Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1886-05-14
The Mechanics Of stanton.

he mechanics OF stanton.
WHO THEY WE'RE A HALF
CENTURY AGO
A MOST INTERESTING SKETCH BY ONE
WHO KNEW THEM-FAMILIAR OLD
NAMEs-ALL TRADES AND CALLINGs
REPRESENTED.
&C., &C., 30.
We have received from A. M. Cowan,
Esq, of Farmville, former Mayor of that
city and for many years, in other days. an
honored resident of this, the following
sketch Of those who followed the various
trades in Staunton during the ten years
from 1880 to 1910. 1t has been long
time since we have read so interesting a
document about the past of Staunton, if,
join us in thanking the kindly and esti-
mable author for his contribution
Confined to my house by bad weather,
and just rheumatism enough to rem ind
me that cannot stand cold as 1 could
when I used to slide down Gospel Hill
and skate on Stuart's meadow, my memo
ry goes back to that happy time, and
thinking of the many acquaintance I
then had in your goody town, l have con-
cluded that an article in relation to the
mechanics of Staunton at that time-more
of notice than a sketch, would not be
i,,En q
In undertaking to write such an article
propose to specially notice the ''boss"
mechanics, though I may incidentally
have to name some of their employees.
Taking the trades alphabetically. begin
with the
BLACKsMITHs,
and first of these, because the oldest that
l remember, will name Jacob Points.
Mr.. Points was very old man when [
first knew him. He was man OF small
stature, quiet. Industrious citizen. es-
teemed and respected by all who knew
him. His residence and shop were on
Gospel Hill, on the right hand side going
east. Besides Mr.. Points, I recollect
Michael Teabo, James Gregory aud An
thony Wexford, all very worthy and re-
spectacle men, the first named having his
shop on New street near Main. I believe
the first issue of the VINDICAToR was
printed in Teabo's shop. Mr.. Gregory
lived and worked in Newtown. Joe Beat
tie was also blacksmith of that day. He
too lived and worked in Newtown. [ do
not recollect at what time old Mr.. Shank
er and his son Harrison came to Staun-
ton, but if previous to 1910, they too
should be put In the list of blacksmiths.
BRICKLAYERs.
The first that [ remember of these were
John Harrow and sons and Daniel Trayer
and sons. Work On the Lunatic Asylum
brought number of bricklayers to Staun-
ton, who, however, did not, with only one
exception, I think-Mr. Tom Bagby-be-
come permanent residents of the town.
Mr.. B. was very intelligent and sociable
man. He was passionately fond of playing
backgammon. and many closely contest
ed game have 1 seensplayed by him and
the late Col. M. g. Hartman.
*. BUTCHERS.
John Sperry and ohn II. Asst were the
leading butchers at the time of which [
write. Mr.. s. moved to the country in the
latter part Of the period between the years
1905, [ think. Mr.. Asst was lieutenant
in the Stanton Light Infantry, COM
manded by Capt. Kenton Harper, and was
in appearance ''eYery inch soldier" He
was we'll liked, and deservedly so.
CABINET MAKERS.
There were David Gilkeson. Geo. d.
Lancaster, Robt. johnson, VIM. Coleman,
Thomas Bryant. and John Newcomb. AS
well as now remember, Mr.. Gilkeson
was the principal undertaken in the lot,
and l have no recollection of seeing him
use hearse. The dead were borne to the
grave on bier carried by four men. Eli
Parent, the father of an ex-chief of po-
lice of your town, and a most excellent
man, was, [ think, cabinet maker and
worked with Mr.. Lancaster in a large
framed house that stood where the Luther
an church now stands. l suppose that any
one of your present furniture houses sells
more in week than all of the parties |
have mentioned did 10 three months.
CARPENTERS.
Staunton had a number of carpenters 1t
the time of which 1 write. Among those
I now recollect were John Moore. VIM.
Goode, John and VIM. Grove, Adam
Lushbaugh, John Jennings, and, think.
Philip and Peter Eckle. Mr.. Goode was
killed by falling from the storehouse
(which he was engaged in building) that
stands at the northeast corner of New
and Main street. He left family, one
son and several daughters, all of whom
died with consumption soon after reach
ing mature age. The Messrs. Grove and
Mr. Lushbaugh, most excellent and
worthy men, were the chief builders at
shat time, most of the others have men,
toned being oo.old. to engage in active
business operation.
CARRIAGE MAKERS.
Judson Mccoy land George Nicholson
were the carriage makers. Mr.. Mccoy
carried on the business on Gospel Hill,
and, l suppose. made good living. Mr..
Nicholson was ''burned out" in the big
fire of 1898, and being an old man did but
little more at his trade after that time.
CHAIR MAKING.
Jacob and Peter Kurtz were the chair
makers of the town. Peter never married
Jacob raised a large family and lived and
died an honest man.
GUNSMITHS.
There were Fl enry Sheets and William
Southland. Mr.. Sheets moved to Missouri
somewhere about 1910. Mr. Southland
was one of the drummer5 Of the town and
county military, and was also d famous
rife shot.
HATTERS.
William and IAcnh Rift Vim McCnrnl