Evening journal., 1908-06-22
THE PASSING OF THE
WAYSIDE INN
Both Phones
By Alfred {. Collins.

/ Nd9 Soiilliill VI the Dd-lelul lunuenCi
of the saloon in politics. Our fore.
bearers had no such nisgivings, for II
Delaware. as well as elsewhere
throughout the country nom the earl.
lest days of the Republic to four de.
cades ago. many of tie most momen.
tous action in the affairs of nation
State and country had their inception
at informal caucuses held by the opss
fireplace or at the high lar Of the way.
side inn.
1t was in the bar of the historic
Taylor House. in Winchester, Virginia
that the famous iurist. John Marshall
In rebuking the remarks Of an atheist
/ delivered one of the greatest panegyriC
on Christianity and rebukes to athe.
ism that ever fell from the lips o.
man.
The building Of the steam railroad
marked the beginning Of the passing Of
the "Wayside Inn," and the trolley
| finished the work.
The wayside inns of New Castle
county have passed, but what fond
recollections thoughts of them con.
jure UP.
Out the old Lancaster turnpike down
which came caravans of the white
covered Conestaeo wagons. was located
many inns with picturesque signs with
in whose portals Good Cheer" was
dispensed with a bountiful hand by
CHEEKY bonifaces. who always had "ac-
commodations for man and beast"
The first. the jackson Inn." or two
mile tavern. with q portrait of "Ol0
Hickory" looking down from the sign.
was, for nearly a hundred years. a
favorite stopping place. Among the
proprietors was George Whitfield. The
inn closed about forty years ago.
Two miles further up the pike was
Oak Hill Inn. the -Four Milo Tavern.
with its long porch. For over one
hundred years this nm entertained
travellers. It went out Of business in
1876. The house was kept for years
by Moses Journey, who in his time was
one Of the most unique characters in
the State.
Four miles west Of this hotel. on the
''old road" was Mt Pleasant Inn.
Among the proprietors Of this house
were Jimmie" Brannon, "Bnls
Robinson, Alexander Elliott and WIN.
liam Reese. All have gone over the
divide except the latter, who gave up
the hotel business in 1850, and still re-
sides in the building
One-half mile west Of This inn. on the
turnpike, was a sign on which it was
announced that peace end Plenty
reisned within.
The bar was about Ave feet high and
spurious liquors were dispensed from
bottles with blue marbles loosely fast
ened to the top. which caused the con-
tents to give forth a gurgle.
For years this house was kept by
billie" Brackin, and after his death,
by his widow, who was alike large Of
statue and heart. She seldom stayed
in the bar. When a customer arrived
she would walk along the spacious
veranda, carrying three hundred
pounds avoirdupois. a big bunch OF
keys and broad smile. The inn was
torn down thirty years ago. On the
same pike, twelve miles west of WIN.
mington. was the New Garden Inn. ana
another at Avondale. Of which Chan"
Phillips was proprietor. y Both have
long years ceased to DC.
on the Valley road. one mile west OF
Hockessin. was the Mud Run Inn"
that for nearly enc hundred years. until
1S49, was a noted hostolry. Stanton
at one time boasted Of three hotels AMI
a liquor store The brick or Stanton
Hotel. is still open Among the
proprietors of this house were Springer
Mcdaniel who died about 1870; George
Wolliston. John Moore and William
Legg Across the road from this
house was the "Stone jug" and further
down the road Jim Barr. who was
succeeded by Walter Mitchell. kept a
small house
Newport, until 1850. had two hotels.
one of which remains. In the quaint
village of Christiana were three houses
Of public entertainment, only one Of
which remains. At one time Newark
had I'VE hotels. OF which the Deei
Park and Washington House alone re-.
main.
Four miles west Of Stanton. on the
Limestone road, the figure of mer-
maid on a large swinging sign beclSon-
ed the wavfarer 10 its bar and board.
This was the voting place for all Min
Creek hundred. and as closing on cleo
ton days was not dreamed Of,
drinking fighting. as we'll as voting.
were the order Of the day. Bribery
by MONEY! was unheard Of. and the
greatest bribe was n drink.
Thirty-six years ago the beautiful
creature OF the fertile imagination Of
Barnum. the mermaid. was removed
from her exalted perch. and the Mor-
maid Inn became memory.
In the northwest corner Of Min Creek,
at Corner Ketch, fourished an Inn fol
years. that closed in 1869 Among its
proprietors was one, Jess Ball. a
man Of physique, who often showed HIS
prowess by passing from joist TO ioist
OF the ceiling of the barroom suspended
by his thumbs and forefingers.
In the cycle of time the Cross Keys.
Centreville. Line. Owls Nest Blue
Ball. Flemings and other inns have
passed away. Still existing as re-
minders OF the days of cid are Perry's
and the Practical Farmer in Brandy
viva hundred. and Hare's Corner
hotels. formerly inns.
The "Wayside Inn" has passed. ana
with q some OF the truest, purest.
whole hearted men Of the country. who