Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1891-08-06
A VETERAN TOLLKEEPER.
He Has Collected Nearly Two Million Cor
pers in Twenty Years

pers in Twenty Years.
From the Philadelphia Record: In
little house on the line of the Wriohtstown
and Newtown turnpike lives w. Spencer
Gore, whose toll-taking life has spanned
Il years. and who during that time has
gathered $4,000 in coppers. The pike
begins at point in Newtown township,
Hicks county, opposite to what was form
erly known as the township house, and
extends due west through prosperous
country to the Anchor hotel in Wrights-
town township. 1t was constructed in the
latter part. of 1869 and the beginning of
1870. it is FIVE miles in length, and was
thrown open to the public at high noon
on the 81 day of February, 1870. Two
tOllgates are along the line-one about a
quarter Of mile from the starting point
IN Newton township, ard the Other three
miles and half from the point beginning.
at Wrlghtstown. 1t is this latter gate,
designated as mo. l." which is in charge
of Mr.. Gore, the record breaker for long
service.
For two decades Mr.. Gore occupied the
unpretentious two,story frame dollhouse,
and exacted, day and night, toll from
passengers who passed that way; not
day has he lost by sickness. nor been alb
sent from his post of duty in all the long
period. So familiar has he becomt with
the people who are passing constantly to
and fro that be has learned all their pee
uliarities, and funny enough some are.
Mr.. Gore was born near MorrisviIle In
Falls township, Bucks county, June IS,
1888.
His father being a shoemaker, the son
naturally acquired the same trade. At
the early age of IA he was stricken with
a severe attack of muscular rheumatism,
which drew his right hip from its socket
and left him a cripple, unable to use MS
right leg, and requiring the aid of crutch-
es. understanding his infrmities, he
wooed and won Miss Harriet Starddling,
and on July 3, 1858, they were married,
and resided in Falls township until they
removed to Ridgeborough, where Mr..
Gore began.his experience as tollgatherer
on the Ridgeborough land Plneville turn
pike, He remained there until the open-
ing of NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. and Newton turn
pike, when he removed to Wrightstown
and took possession of the dollhouse there.
There he has remained all this time, COM
pleting period of q yeas on the Sd day
of February, 1891.
Duri all of this long period Mr.. Gore
has not slept In d bed, on account of being
frequently called up at night to let travel
ers through the gate, which is closed.
After a certain hour in the evening he
occupies "a couch in the sitting-room of
the dollhouse. and so pronounced has
force of habit become with him that,
while he will fall into a sound sleep while
the room may be occupied with persons
engaged In conversation or other noise,
the first approach of wagon or carriage
will awaken him, and he is up and on the
lookout for toll. He has frequently got
up while asleep, gone out and collected
toll and returned to his couch, and on
several occasions has fallen asleep hang.
ing over the gate, and remained in that
position for several hours.
Since his connection with the toll-gate
MIR. Gore has collected in the aggregate
over SIG 900, every penny of which he has
turned into the Golfers of the company
and so we'll is his reputation for honesty
established that the question of giving
bond has never been suggested to him.
Mr.. Gore is man of more than ordinary
intelligence, is we'll posted in the history
of the surrounding country, which abounds
in historical associations and has the I'M
bounded confidence and respect of his
neighbors.