Morgan County Democrat. (McConnelsville, Ohio) 1886-1943, 1932-10-27
The "Sycam,ore
A Story of Bristol Township Folk
By C. B. RAY

put them through the notches in the
system. While they went to school
during the school terms, they early
learned to dig, wheel and haul coal.
Gus passed the test given to those
who wanted to teach school, when
the test concerned things that
teachers should know, to teach the
pupils, rather than how many years
they had put in in high school and
normals. He taught school Longer
than most folks, then purchased the
Bristol store where he was the mer-
chant for nine years. Since closing
out the business there he has fol-
lowed the painting and paper hang
ing business, interspersed with bar
bering, gardening, and anything
that he could get to do. Some time
ago he again took the examination
and was granted teachers certlfl-
cate, with high grades. Somehow
he did not stand in with the pow
ers that be, and did not get school.
When we write obituaries we have
to put the muffler on our pencil.
when we think of the faults ana
short comings of the victim, but this
is not an obtuary-this is the story
of man. and we are writing this
with his knowledge or consent. SO
if YOU haven't the foregoing, we
want you to read this: Gus Carnes
is not an angel and is not trying to
make folks believe he is. While
he is a better entertainer than many
who make their living that way;
while he knows more about the
7 Bible, than many who go to church
! every Sunday; while he is as poor
! as the most of us; while he drinks
a little liquor as do (some of us),
he is unlike some of us-he does
not talk dry and partake in secret:
! he smokes in public-what we want
YOU to know is, he is real teacher.
His residence in Meigs is nicely
! painted. But why say more? Folks
today don't want the old fashioned
education.
While we told much of the Bris-
tol Presbyterian church folks, in the
story of the cemetery, we want to
tell you about the church, which
was organized in the summer OF
1885. Rev. James Moore, minister.
| Through the courtesy of the w. G.
Henderson family, we have had ac-
cess to the records of the organiza-
ton. (Mr. Henderson is clerk OF
| the session.. Unlike many church
es. the records have been kept in a
creditable manner Billy succeeded
his father, the late John Hender-
son, as clerk, who had served many
years in that office, and as elder.
The charter list of this church was
made up of folks who had been
members of the same denomination
| in Pennsylvania, as follows: Thorn
as and Hester Alexander, George
and Harry Henderson, John and
Jane Miller, Hugh and Sarah Scott,
| Mary Moore, Allie and Jane Hen
derson, Abigail Coalman. At a
meeting held March 5, 1886, George
Henderson and John Miller were
ordained ruling elders. In Novem-
Der of that year the sacrament was
administered for the first time, by
Rev. VIM. Wallace. The list of in
| stalled pastors following the two
above named, is as follows: Revs.
! John c.. Arthur, Jas. S. Sharon,
Benjamin J. Lowe, Thomas Smith,
| John p. Caldwell, during whose pas
torate the church prospered and in
creased in membership, so that i
felt a new church house was neces-
sary, which was erected in 1858.
While dates are lacking, 1T is sup
posed that a log building was built,
Immediately following the organiza-
ton in 1885. Rev. Caldwell was
succeeded by w. M. Grimes, Rev.
Duncan; then Grimes again; C. w.
Courtright, H. C. Helfrich, w. M.
Grimes, C. B. Taylor, j. A. Bald
ridge, E. w. Fisher, r. M. Steven
son, C. B. Taylor, V. e. Taylor,
Park w Taylor, Quillen L. Young,
w. j. Mills, w. w. Carhart, Rev.
Simpson, r. F. McCracken, c. A.
Beacham, VIM. M. Mckay, Geo. Van
Artsdalen, and the present pastor,
T. Z. Leonard.
(To Be Continued)