Evening journal., 1899-04-17
KNOTS SUCCEEDS THOMAS.
FORMER WILL HEREAFTER CARRY
THE MAILS TO THE STATIONS.

FORMER WILL HEREAFTER CARRY
THE MAILS TO THE STATIONS.
Sub-mail Contractor George w. Thom-
as at midnight Saturday ceased to carry
mails between the post Office and the
railway stations Of this city. and John
T. Knots took the posi- ion occupied by
the defunct George.
Thomas undertook the job some
months ago at the earnest solicitation Of
w. II. Mcguire & Co.. professional mail
contractors, of Danvllle, Va. and for
twelve long monFhs endeavored to do the
best he could under the circumstances
and money paid But the loads were
heavy. and the pay was light, and he
had to succumb to the onerous task and
give up. Thomas might have held on
for a few weeks longer had no. the gov
eminent notified him sometime ago that
by April l. he would have to repair and
put IN shape tho dilapidated specimens
OF mail wagons now in use in this city.
This was more than George could do
and upon his failure to comply with the
orders OF the government. he was nou-
fed to quit.
Thomas was only too willing to comply
with this order. and at once told Post
master Browne that after April 10 he
could strike his name from the payroll
and credit some one else with the $50 &c
2-3 per month that he was receiving. Mr..
Browne was in a quandary as to whom
to secure to take Thomas place. espe-
cially as the government had notified
him to look out for a successor 90
George.
After considerable figuring the services
of John T. Knots, the well-known cab
man Of The p. w. & 3. railroae station.
were secured temporarily at least and
at 1890 Saturday morning sub-Con-
tractor Knotts drove up to the post Of
fee IN a cab and conveyed the mail
pouches to the p, w & B. railroad sta.
tlon
Contractor Knots Is not stran-
ger to the job. as on hume: Gus occa-
slons he has been called ur,n to convey
madl pouches TO the e.sons which the
unfortunate George, through his horses
dropping dead, tarness breaking and
wagons falling 20 pieces, had missed
and for which a penalty of from 81 to s.
was tmpoeed.
Although John T. Knots has but un-
dertaken the job temporarily he expects
and probably will become permanent
contractor. but mot under W. II. Ma
guire & Co. professional mail contrac-
tors, Of Danvihe. Va. for the paltry sum
Of $50 per anum. John proposes to give
Wilmington frst-class mail wagons
horses and an other necessary equip
ments. He viii not use any Of the wag
ons that have been in use IN the past
| but for the present carry the mai
pouches in his own cabs.
! 1t is reported on good authority tina
& W. Il. Mcguire & Co, of Danville, Va.
vii, shortly be relieved Of at least on,
{ contract for carrying mails. and tina
one contract will be for the city of WI
mington. So much has been said re
garding THE condition Of the service THAI
the government has appareE-y wakene'
up to The fact that IT is not treating th'
citizens here fairly and has determines
70 make other arrangements IN the fu
ture AT present the contract calls for
one-horse mail service. which mean
that it is only necessary for orc team L
do all the work required, but hereafte
it is thought that the government ma
at least realize the fact that two horse
are sometimes required TO do the work
The credit for the change belongs in
great measure to Postmaster Browne
who, since his term of office began ma
been untiring in his efforts to secure bet
ter service in this particular branch.