Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-04-19
GOOD OLD STORIES.
Interesting "reminiscences From @Rleh-
mond In By-Cons Days RtYaEpsd.
rArinisg Experiences OF Patrick
cestss, who said ne waited for No
Nan-Horss walked Up Into the
Froat Chamber.

from "Rlchmond In By-Gone Days." a
publication written and issued about the
year 1856 w an old resident OF this
city. The numerous anecdotes were scat
tered throughout the book, and as
copies Of Il are somewhat rare they
have been gotten together. and are now
presented 10 the readers OF the Dispatch
No doubt a great many OF you have
read or heard OF them before, but they
win bear repeating. and make good
s.twice-told tales" These jokes are what
we have on record, but stories and
yarns OF a richer hue were told around
the bright fresides in tho good old tav-
ems Ia the days of yore by the
5cv!al, rollicking landlords. and the way
farers also. The landlords always en-
tertained their hosts with pleasing sto-
rles and interesting anecdotes They
could tell . story in good style. and It
seemed TO occasion them much pleasure
90 be able to afford pleasing pastime to
others.
An article In one Of the Sunday papers
OF this city OF a few weeks ago. taken
from one Of the Richmond weeklies, tells
OF man taking a trip on the back Of
sturgeon, from the falls to point
below the bridges. A man by the name
OF Coutts took a ride OF like nature. only
his was across the river TO the Manches-
Ger side Before Mayo's bridge was
erected Coutts conducted a ferry, land
ing on SANDY Bar" at the foot OF Elsh-
til
sort of behring's and shad 10 James river
was much greater than now. Coutts had
a fishery as well as a ferry, and he
once crossed the river without the aid
OF either boat or bridge IN real Triton
style. a large sturgeon. caught in a seine
and hauled 60 the waters edge. was on
the point OF returning TO II, when Coutts
made a simultaneous leap with hts cap
tive, alighted on his back. and fixed
mis- hands in his giils. OF they went
together. The fish could not stay under
water, nor could he dismount his rider,
who piloted his nose towards the OPP
poslte shore, thus a speedy and SUCCESS
full voyage was made. When Coutts was
on his death-bed he received mes
sage from an old crcny. who was I'll
also, requesting Coutts to wait few
daos, and they would go together. The
re,yy was; when Patrick Coutts is
ready, he waits for no man" 1t became
a proverb.
Near -Odd-Feilows' Hall on Franklin
street. on a high hill Just in the rear.
stood two small brick buildings, with as
much decoration OF cornice- and panel
work as could be well displayed. They
were erected by Henry Banks. as wings
20 q grand centre, which was designed
TO connect them; but some OF Mr.. Bankss
speculations fell TO the ground, and
his palace never rose above IL. They
were additionally called the Auditors
and Treasures offices. Mr.. Banks had
the reputation, well earned of being a
very litigious man, and on one occasion,
meeting a gentleman OF his acquaintance
on horseback, he aceosted him. and re-
marked. casually. THAT horse. Mr.. p.
IL very much like ono that / had" 80,
Mr.. Banks" replied Mr.. p, at the same
tine making a movement TO dismount,
'1f you mean 10 claim the horse do not
bring suit: I will reIinquish him. rather
than go to law
Seawell Osgood was Yankee black
smith. and a most prompt and efficient
fireman, and had earned for himself the
proud title OF Fire King" He was more
useful TO the city than host of loud
1t by f1uency and a use of liquids diff
ferent from theirs. With the activity of
q monkey, he would in an instant be
perched on the peak Of a roof, or wher-
ever the fire was hottest and his efforts
could be most available. But Osgoods
talents were adapted 10 every occasion.
One. for example, At the muster Of a
militia company no musician was present
Csgcod slung the drum over his shoulder
N nd xrfffh frtryn-cffQtr la af "A nd
and the flute In his right, he footed and
rub-a-dubbed at the head OF the COM
pany. which marked and kept time as
correctly as IL they had the Armory
Band before them.
Lynchs coffee-house. two doors below
the 'Globe" (which MIR. Lynch had va
catec) was n place of great public re-
sort in tho early part Of the nineteenth
century for politicians. quidnuncs. stock
5obbers. and in general those who had
s nothing else 20 do. Here all the news
foreign and domestic, rumors false and
true, scandal, and tttle-tattle centred
and from hence II was diffused, with in
creased vigor at each corner round which
Il circulated. At Iynch's during times
OF political excitement, as soon as the
papers were obtained from the post-office,
no would open the most important one
and read the news aloud TO the assem-
bled multitude. During the war with
Great Britain. and when General Scott
was on the Canadian frontier, he read
aloud "the army Is In statu quo" I'm
deed" said one OF his hearers. "how far
Is that from Montreal?" And on another
occasion. he announced Congress Is TO
be called together instanter." Dear
met said q listener. ARE they afraid 10
meet in Washington"
A ludicrous incident occurred on Main
street near '"rhe Bell Tavern" one fine
spring morning A horse took fright In
the street. and rushed into the passage
OF house. at the rear Of which was the
stairway. Terror urged him OH, and up
no went. Till he reached the front room
on the second floor. There he became
composed. walked around the breakfast
table End may have helped himself to a
rcil then TO the open window. where he
put his head out and looked (as idle and
curious folks are apt TO do) 10 see what
WAS passing In the street. No fair face
that ever looked from that window at
tracted such attention as did that OF
the equine. Whether the aspiring steed
took breakfast before he took leave. or
whether he said neigh to the Invitation.
Is not recorded IN the chronicles, but.
after offering his back TO the ladies. he
did not turn It on them. but backed out
In Q courtly fashion.
Where the Valentine House now stands
(corner Ninth and Capitol streets stood
the residence OF Daniel Call a distin-
tall, thin man. loosely jointed, SO that
NJ d. val "a Ia art had ~