The Plymouth tribune. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1901-1911, 1902-01-02
ARGOS IN AN EARLY Day
Some OF the Marks, Figures and Changes of Third of Century
Reflections of Pioneer.
DR.. S. W. GOULD in the Argos Reflector.


cars ran as far south as Argos-one
mixed train-backing to Plymouth,
where there was turn table. The
people were happy. We remember
that when the train carrying the iron
and track layers reached Argos the
late Charles Huff gave the crew a fine
treat which they enjoyed hugely. In
a few months more the gap between
Plymouth and Peru was closed, trains
ran through from Laporte to Indian
apOlis, and we felt that we were con-
nected with the moving, business
world. 1t is true we paid from five
to six cents mile to ride, and freight
rates were in proportion, but we were
too happy to kick-at least for time.
At the completion of this road we
had population of perhaps 500 souls.
We will give brief word picture of
Argos at that time as it now exists in
memory. Outside of the various
smiths, which can be found in every
village, the Touring mill and two saw
mills (Which did heavy business in
those days. were the principal indus
tries of the town. An effort was made
to organize joint stock company for
the manufacture of furniture. Stock
was taken, an organization effected
and building erected, but before it
was put in operation the assessments
became so frequent and heavy as to
freeze out the smaller stockholders
and soon one man had it all. 1t has
passed through many phases and is
now the property of ID. E. Vanvactor.
There were then two small general
stores kept by Kershaw and Williams
& Wickizer. The value of the COM
bined stocks was perhaps $4,000. The
Rice brothers Martin H. OF Indian
apolis. and the late Captain Welcome
Rice had been in business here but
had just closed out. There was but
one drug store, owned by DR.. L. B.
and Joel Boggs. Jonathan Pickerl
was in the boot and shoe trade, but
soon after he and his brother Hugh
embarked in the grocery trade. Rich
ard Knight, now of Rochester, had a
small harness shop and about this
time Jacob Beam came here and open
ed harness shop of larger proper
tionS.
We must not forget to say that there
were two saloons and probably better
patronized than saloons are TODAY.
There were several good boot and
shoemakers, as in that day most of
the foot wear was made in the home
shops. We had very ordinary school
house, of one room, and employed one
teacher who was presumed to have a
'Smattering" Of the three RS. There
were four physicians and although
there was more sickness than now, and
the roads were generally bad, they did
the business and found some leisure
time for games and sports.
OF the business men of third of a
century ago but few are left. Jacob
Beam is still at the bench and as act
i've as ever. Leonard Book manufact-
ures finer, more acceptable grade of
flour, though it may not be as nutri-
tious. 1t is not his fault; our women
demand the snow white article. OF
the four physicians but one remains.
as the late James Lowry was won't to
say, ''to live off the misfortunes of the
public. " We had no brick buildings
then. Our business houses, with one
or two exceptions, were unsightly
wooden structures, most of them but
one story in height.