Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1897-08-25

1nIrry-one years ngo tho town OF
Dickson, Tenn, was q village Of elev-
IN houses. with a population of thirty
seven whites and fourteen negroes. 1t
was Just such a hamlet as can yet be
found along the rapidly extending
branch lines Of the Louisville and
Nashville Railroad system; rough
board houses, rail fences around small
garden spots. an Sxl2 depot and post
office and the inevitable tavern-a log
structure containing two rooms and
an attic, presided over by Old Squire
Jim Dickson, whose wife furnished ac-
commodatiOns to the few travellers who
by chance came that way esquire
JIM" as he Is yet called was the origi-
nal settler. the leading man OF the set
tlement, and dealt out such justice and
legal opinions as were necessary for
the maintenance OF the peace OF the
village he had founded and which was
named for him.
Three times n week a train would
come out from Nashville, forty miles
east of Dickson, and go down the
crooked tracks of the Nashville. Chat
tanooga and st. Louis Railroad TO
Johnsonville, on the Tennessee River.
The arrival of train (by no means n
certainty on any particular day. was
a signal for Dickson's entire popuia-
tlon to gather at the little depot and
pOstofiice to await the opening of the
mail. The train usually consisted of
three freight cars and the Still familiar
caboose, with its rough wooden seats.
cook stove and hunks for the crew. In
this passengers were hauled. and many
were the jars they received.
1t was seldom that a stranger stop
ped in Dickson, and the advent of one
always created excitement. But one
day a man stepped off the Nashville
train and inquired for tavern. He
appeared to be about 40 years of age,
was neatly dressed and was peculiar
In that he talked only when 1t was un.
avoidable, brought with him no bag
gage and carried n cane nearly two
inches in diameter and apparently very
heavy Squire Jim" answered the
Strangers query and led him to the
avern. where he gave his name as
FRANK King. paid IN advance FOR Il stay
OF three months, and requested that he
be left to his own devices and not ask
az III tin In any of the convivial af-
SI5msr which the Squire's hosiery
Ia decs.ryc,:fy fnnouss
s0os -. wat is now q fhicKIy pop
nlated residence district there is a
spring that furnishes water for half a
dozen factories and their employees At
that time It was surrounded by dense
growth of underbrusS. and was a fn-
vorite spot for hunters, game of all
kinds abounding. To this spring Frank
King would go every morning, rarely
returning for dinner, and frequently
staying there all night. He carried
with him nothing except his cane
which, indeed, was never out of his
reach. Squire Dickson spent mary
hours guessing what might be the bust
ness of his reticent guest. At last. con
vlnced that it was his duty to inyesti-
gate he said one evening:
MIR. King, we want to know what
brings you to Dickson and why you go
so frequently to McFarland's spring"
"Well, SIR" replied King, I'm GO
ing to build the biggest flour mill this
side of New York.
He said no more, but began writing
letters 70 lumber and machinery houses
in the East, the destination of which
Squire Jim" shrewdly guessed at the
postoftice. In few days workmen ap-
peared from Nashville and began the
laying Of a foundation that covered
half an acre. King directed operations,
knew Just what he wanted and how he
wanted 1t done. Car loads of lumber
and machinery began to arrive, and
every man and team for miles around
was engaged to help build the man.
moth mill. Even Squire Jim" left his
tavern to the care of Mrs. Jim and ac-
cepted a situation as boss carpenter
on the new mill. 1t was a big under
taking, and attracted attention from
all the papers of the Stnte. Men be-
gan fiocking to Dickson. and other
smaller Industries were commenced.
Meanwhile King remained non-com-
initial He had no friends. no visitors.
told his business to no one and said
nothing Of his former life. His work
men were paid weekly. and his supply
of money seemed inexhaustible. No
one could tell where 1t came from. and
finally 1t was accepted as a mattar of
course. though one or two detectives
came from the city to tdhe Il look ut
the man whose past was SO well con-
cealed. In December. 1867, the mill
was completed. By this time Dickson
could boast of a population of nearly
800 with brick church and school,
all the result of Kings mill. No sooner
was the final touch of the painters
brush applied to the huge sign that
covered the entire four-story front OF
the bTildlug than King gave up his
room Mt the Dickson inn and moved
into his big creation. 1t WAS not known