Connecticut western news., 1899-06-08
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE.
The Old Post- Route Between Canaan
 and Hartford.

The Old Post- Route Between Canaan
 and Hartford.
 Editor of Ne,ps:
 Here is a brief history of the old post-route established by Lyman Ron. linson between Canaan and Hartford in 1883 '34
 The business consisted of delivering the weekly papers published in Hart ford and doing errands for the residents along the line of the route; also buying and selling fruits in their season. The industry was started on limited scale. Only one horse was required to do the business at that time. Later it develop ed into business that required larger facilities for transportation and carrying local passengers. How long Lyman Roulinson drove the route I cannot say but think he died in the early thirties and the business passed into othe, hands.
 Following is list of the men who owned and drove the route after MI Roulinson's death. I cannot give it in the order of their occupancy, or the length of time that they drove it. think Calvin Barnes was first, but am not sure. Ichabod Stevens, Seymour Watson, Rockwell Elton, Harvey Law renee, Theron Hadsell, Jay Tobey. John StJohn, Charles Bacon, Dewell & Richards, John Bates. John Dewell, all residents of Canaan except Dewell.
 The schedule for the running the route was: Leave Canaan on Wednes- day 8. m. arriving In Hartford on Thursday a. m. Leave Hartford on Friday p. m., arriving at Canaan on Saturday p. m.. weekly. The time oi twenty-four hours was required for the transaction of the business, viz., the marketing of the produce purchased along the route at the stores and farm ers, such as butter, eggs, poultry, pork, and all the various products of farmers in the season, and the purchasing of articles ordered by merchants and peo- pie which amounted some weeks to seventy different packages. The orders varied from case of boots and shoes to paper of needles, a calico dress pattern-like sample, or yard or two of cloth to match sample. or dress to be dyed by Madam Dumont, French dyer on Bridge St. And thus the or. ders ran, giving the post rider large amount of business in a limited time.
 The newspapers were delivered to subscribers along the route at their homes, and sold to anyone wishing to purchase. The Courant and Times were the leading papers published in Hartford. Besides these, New York papers and magazines, The True Flag, Flag of Our Union, Peterson's, Goday'f Lady Book, and others, were carried to subscribers and also sold along the route.
 In their season the post-rider was ex. pected to carry shad, lemons, oranges, figs, and all other fruits for sale.
 At that time the country merchants did not carry in stock the assortment of goods carried by them at present. The ladies then considered Hartford the leading city in styles and fashions, con. sequently the post rider was kept busy in looking after the ladies' interests. When Dewell & Richards operated this route we took from Hartford, 200 Courants. 200 Times, and New York papers and magazines, enough to make the total number 600.
 The coming of the post rider was signaled by blast from the horn or bugle. The team did not stop unless 8 package was to be delivered, or some purchase to be made. The papers were thrown into the yard and the team pass ed on.
 On Monday the post rider drove to Salisbury and returned by way of Falls Village. delivering papers and packages and taking orders. On Tuesday he drove to Ashley Falls, Mill River. East Sheffield, (uow Clayton) and Canaan Valley. purchasing whatever he could, and taking orders which comprised the business of the week.
 The work of the post rider was not a walk-over, but kept him very busy man. The price for purchasing and delivering parcels, or transacting any business. ranged from 12! to 50 cents. Freight 50 cts per 100 pounds. The post rider purchasing goods received a commission from the seller on all goods purchased. which with the pas sengers made the business fairly re- numerative one.
 One subscriber to the Courant had taken that paper 50 years. He was Deacon Grant of Mill Brook.
 At the completion of the Connecticut We tern R. R. there was no further use for the post route, and I suppose 1t passed out of existence. The proprie- tors and drivers of that route have passed over to the great beyond many of them long since-leaving Rockwell Elton of Vineland. N. J., and myself the only survivors of the post riders of that route of long ago.
 There are a few old residents of Canaan now living who will recall many incidents contained in this brief sketch of the old post route.
 THOMAS RICHARDS,
 174 Summit Ave, Jersey City, N, J. May 29, 1899. /