The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1913-02-27
HAS SOUVENIR OF
C.P.HUNTINCTON,
CLOCK PEDDLER
Gen. Ayers, of Virginia, Owns a
Grandfather" That Was
Sold 60 Years Ago
IN LIEU OF CASH TOOK
FOUR HEAD OF CATTLE
A True Yankee, He Was Always
Ready for Trade in Any
thing in Sight

BRISTOL, Va. Feb. 27-Gen. Rufus
A. Ayers, former Encouragement OF
! virginia, has In his home at Biz
Stone Gap, Va, grandfather clock
with an interesting history More
than 90 years ago. before the era OF
railroads in this region, Coils p.
Huntington builder of the first trans
continental line, then a young and en-
lterprising Yankee. engaged in ped
ding clocks through the Southland
and on one OF his trips sold this clock
70 farmer living on the south fork
I OF the Helston river, across the state
line in sullivan county. Tenn.
Ii was the custom at that time 10
sell such articles on credit Of one
year. The peddler would 60 on his
rounds making sales. and on the re-
turn trip a year later would collec,
for previous sales.
When Huntington returned a year
later TO collect for this clock. now
owned by Gen Ayers. the old farmer
did not have the cash 10 pay him; so
Huntington proposed TO take four
head OF fine beef cattle IN settlement.
The farmer readily agreed, but he
could not understand why Huntington
should accept the cattle, since there
was no market for them al the place.
But Huntington hired man 10 ac'
company him and drive the cattle TO
Rogersville Hawkins county, Tenn,
which was then stopping place FOR
the stage lines running north and
south at that time, and there ne soic
them 10 the ipnkeeper.
I'M n hH :.
action" said Huntington, Tor Solo
the cattle for enough 10 pay for the
clock and the hire oil the man 70
drive them.
Gen. Ayers tells another story con
lcerning the builder OF the southern
and Central Pacific railroads, who az
the time OF his death In 1900, was
president OF the 20 corporations own
ling 5000 miles OF railroad and 5000
miles OF steamship line.
I When Huntington was building tee
Chesapeake & Ohio, one 81 the
largest contractors was c. r. Hason
! Although he had no education ana
was unable even 10 write his name.
he undertook large contracts and haa
almost unlimited credit with the Viz
Sinia banks. When the woN was
completed, Huntington stopped at
Mason's home town on the railroad
to settle with him. After consider
able argument. during which hunting
ton looked at his watch, he agreed 10
pay Mason the full amount or his
claim. The money was paid and
receipt taken. Huntington started &c
leave, explaining he must catch MS
train, which left in lo minutes. MasoI
corrected him, saying that he was
mistaken in the schedule OF his OVID
road for there was no train for six
hours.
Goodness, Mason. If had known
that | would not have paid your bill
In ftfii-WN What's ttfere-hcre- that
can trade in during the six hours"
He was informed that the only III
dustry was a Touring mill. Hunting.
ton went there and bought two cars
of -four at discount for cesh. ne
chuckled as he turned and said 70
Mason: Well, I've made expenses
anyhow.
Gen. Ayers says that besides his
keen business acumen another OF
ratts-Maa- lndQmli Die
physical courage. he rec0iis tnaC
when Huntington was about 10 ex-
tend the Chesapeake 6 OHIO railroad
TO the Ohio river at Huntington,
great many years ago. he determined
10 20 down New river over the rapids
In a rowboat His engineers and
others acquainted With the rixar-tFfea
10 deter him, but he was determined
He built boat and enlisted two or
three daring natives and pushed on.
And they got through TO Huntington.
= although they had several hairbreadth
escapes, the boat having been wreck
ed three times.