Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1902-04-11
OF The Old Times
Bull Pasture, Va.
April /, '92.
FIRST PART.
FIRST PART.


Fleming of Lynchburg, Va. In
pursuing the Dr's letter, it sat me
to thinking AMI retrospecting the
past of more than fifty years ago,
when was but a wild and rafting
boy of ten summers, but now al
most GO years old. flow good and
merciful the Lord has been TO me
all along life's journey, all for
which | thank Him, | do not pro-
pose to give you as nice and inter
esting letter rs my worthy friend
DR.. Fleming has, for all know that
the DR.. is man of rare ability and
Cody wisdom, therefore as | am
only a plain old farmer | must ask
cf your many readers to not view
me with Il critics eye, but pass my
imperfections by With this re-
quest | will endeavor to proceed on
my way. My father in the early
part of the year 1919, bought from
Jacob Hiner the property in which
he lived and died in Monterey. DR..
George N. Kenney was Lying in
the property, when my fdthe~ pur-
chased it from Jacob Hiner and
DR.. Kenpey's term of rent did not
expire until in May 1850. H. No
vember 1910. my father moved
from Rockingham county, Va. to
Highland county across the noun
tain to Hightown and occupied the
old Baker house on the corner,
then owned by George Beverage.
En- this Baker house as it was then
called, he and his family lived I'M
til May 1850, when he moved back
from Hightown to Monterey into
the homestead still standing and
occupied at this time by my two
sisters, Margaret Sibert and Lizzie
Shumate. 1t was on the holy Sab
bath day. Nov. Oath, 1910, when
my father with his family consist
ing Of wife and six children passed
through Monterey on his way to
Hightown with 4 Rockingham, 4
horse teams, loaded with provisions,
household and kitchen furniture.
| remember it 80 we'll that in pass.
ing through town, my father was
walking behind the wagons, and |
was trotting along after his heels,
taking in the new surroundings
and wishing that [ WAS at my
journeys end at Hightown, My
father went to a certain house in
Monterey, which is still standing
and tapped at the door, and very
soon IA gentleman came and opened
the door. Now can you guess who
this man was? | don't believe
you can, so | will tell you. 1t was
w. w. Fleming the father of DR..
Fleming, who was merchant at
that time and occupied the old
corner building upon which now
stands the Bishop store house. The
reason why my father called on Mr..
Fleming this well remem bered day
was to purchase some sugar and
other things needed. This was the
first time 1 ever saw Mr.. Fleming
and [ have never forgotten his
genial looks and his agreeable and
courteous manner. Later on in my
young days up in the ffties / lived
with this good man and clerked in
store for more than three years.
During my stay with him he was
Highlands representative in the
house Of Delegates and just before
his departure from home to Rich
mond where duty called him, he
and myself were in the store at
night alone and he said to me
Jacob (for such he always called
me) | will have to leave you soon
and | want you to see and attend
to my business affairs in the store
as we'll as my stock and all other
domestic affairs belonging to me,
don't let my stock in merchandise
run down but watch and if there s
anything in need in the way of
dry goods, groceries etc. write me
at Richmond and | will send you
anything You may need" He had
at this time two colored people liv-
ing with him, viz: Aunt Polly
and old Uncle Reuben. He said to
me, Watch Reuben and make
him attend to feeding and care of
my stock. See that he provides
plenty of wood for The family and
the store, and whenever you can
get time in the mornings and even
ings to leave the store, | want You
to look after my affairs and don't
forget, watch Reuben-for you
know he is tricky"
H., ,,ox,t ;oc,a