Rambling around Derby --- and beyond

It always makes me happy to chance upon one of these Lucas County mini-travelogues while searching for something else in the digitalized files of Chariton newspapers; this one, focused on the county's most southwesterly township, Union. They serve as written "snapshots" of specific times, places and people, all except for a few of the places long gone.

The narrator, who identifies himself only as "Rambler," actually was selling subscriptions to The Chariton Herald during December of 1894 when he started the leg of his journey reported upon here at Goshen Baptist Church, located near the intersection of the Mormon Trail and what now is Highway 14, traveled west to Last Chance, then turned back to Derby on another road. The account was published in The Herald of Dec. 27. You can follow in his tracks on the the map, taken from Lucas County's 1896 land ownership atlas, remembering that not everyone he visited owned land. But you'll have to open the map in a new window and enlarge to read the names.

Reference is made on a couple of occasions to "clubbing." This was the term of the time for selling combination subscriptions --- pay for The Herald and for just a little bit more receive a subscription to a state or national periodical or two.

Here's the Rambler's account, beginning just west of Goshen Church:

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Alex Jones is a heavy farmer and sheep raiser west of the Goshen church. The time has passed for a man to make money by his two hands alone. It is necessary to have a bunch of stock to grow up while the landlord sleeps. These times are a little discouraging for sheep raisers.

Wm. Williams was born in England and came to this country when yet a boy. What knowledge he has of his mother country led him to throw off the  shackles that bound him to his birth place and declare his allegiance to American institutions. This has not been a hazardous step for him for he now has one of the most complete homes we have seen in our travels; he makes a specialty of pedigreed hogs which are beauties.

C.H. Williams, a son of the former, is a "chip off the old block." His farm is kept ahead of the average in the county and his stock is right  up to the standard.

Jack Irwin is an old time democrat who has  lived here forty years amid the changes of prosperity and adversities that came to a modern farmer. He still resides on a portion of the strip of land entered by his father, along the Mormon trace.

J.H. Sanders, though a son-in-law to the above mentioned, did not have to agree with the "old man in politics" as he is on the other side. We made no personal inquiries, but infer from his surroundings that things go well with  him.

Joe Mundle can mark the changes in his habitations by the many familiar milestones along the Mormon trace. Being brought up in a land where nature always smiles, he too caught up the inspiration and developed a  heart overflowing with genial hospitality. He has but started on life's  voyage, but when his guiding star will have reached its zenith we predict for him an abundant harvest of wealth and happiness.

John Bevard, his lady and youngest son are left alone on the old home place where many happy days have passed when the family was all at home. Year by year the several members of the family were induced to forsake the old fireside for the environments of their new homes. The senioric family can sit by their cozy fireside at home and recall a pleasant life fraught with the cares of raising a family and starting them out with plenty.

Wright Newsome is a local political leader in the ranks of republicanism along the Mormon trace. He has erected for himself a large house which is an index of prosperity. He is an extensive reader and always takes advantage of what he is pleased to believe are the best clubbing rates, though he sometimes misses the mark.

Hezekiah Pollard is well known in his part of the county as being the largest farmer and stock raiser in the neighborhood. While a boy in his native state, Indiana, he worked for six dollars per month, and as he grew to manhood his wages were advanced to eight dollars per month. On coming to this county 42 years ago, he set to work to provide a home. The writer heard a neighbor make a casual remark that Mr. Pollard pays more money into his community than all the rest of the farms put together. At present he has about 150 each of cattle, sheep and hogs, with horses to run his farm and to sell. His stock is all either high grade or thoroughbred. He has all his fodder cut up and baled to make it more convenient for feeding.

Wm. McKnight is living alone on the old home place, where the zephyrs breathed into his soul's sweet filial affections. The only objection is that it was too filial and not particular enough to centralize on some fair one to share his career. Mr. McKnight has his farm sowed down in grass and makes a specialty of horses and been culture. What a happy home it would make for some woman who would join hands with this young man.

J.S. McKnight is more fortunate than his brother in that he has won the heart of a fair lady to share with him the fruits of a large farm at Last Chance. Mr. McKnight owns the town site and is imperial governor of improving the chance of clubbing rates on subscriptions and makes no mistake when clubbing with the Herald.

J.C. Meredith came to his present place, north of Last Chance, last fall and is living quietly alone in a house of his own. We have advocated taxing the bachelors for the benefit of the widows and old maids, but it comes too near home to say so any more.

Justin Westfall, formerly a merchant of Derby, is now on the old farm. One would think from the way he gets along that he has been on the farm all his life. While he attends to the rural duties, his lady teaches the home school. How encouraging it looks to see each one turn their hands to work while young that when age as furrowed their faces they will be able to sit down to rest in calm content.

J.W. Sprott is one of the foremost farmers in his neighborhood. His large farm is located west of Derby where, after starting out each member of his family with a well fitted farm, he has a large farm stocked to its capacity with high grade and thoroughbred stock. His farm embraces some of the best land in his neighborhood. He has every convenience of modern invention to make his farm handy. A great deal is being said about spiritualism, and much light is being made of the subject. Mr. S. has given this subject a great deal of his time and money to investigate the merits of the science. While he does not practice its teachings he is a hearty believer, being convinced of its merits by personal experience.

DERBY

'Twas the spring of 1872 when the C.B.&Q. railroad completed its serpentine track from Chariton to Leon, and in the summer of the same year the town of Derby was laid out and began its growth on section 24 of Union township. It is situated on a level plain of rich farming land where the cereals are cultivated in abundance. The cattle and sheep on the large plateau graze in sympathetic silence to the resulting of the leaves in the southern breezes. Unlike the average town of the middle states, Derby is free from the malarial contagions from low marshy roadbeds. It stands conspiciously on the eminence and commands a view for miles in every direction. When the Rambler reached the town, it was towards the setting of the sun. Old Sol was knocking at the gate of his western hermitage while he cast his last rays on the railroad track, which is lined on either side by a row of business houses. On looking over the town, we saw the sign of L. Deusenbury's restaurant where ample accommodations were afforded for the traveling public.

Two Churches grace the town and with their sky-pointing spires direct the public to thoughts of higher things. Right here we might add that the morals of Derby are keeping pace with those of any town in the county. The Epworth League is the literary center of the town and is in a flourishing condition.

The Public School is under the efficient management of Miss Clara Heilman assisted by Miss Mary Johnson. The enrollment is upward of 100. The school building is a two-story frame which is a credit to the town.

The Odd Fellows hold out the eternal brotherhood of man dealing to saint and to sinner their portion in due compensation for their fidelity to the order.

Two doctors wait upon the suffering public with their capsules and decoctions of life reviving powders. Drs. Throckmorton and Moore are both well skilled in therapeutics and have worked up for themselves an excellent practice.

John W. Dunn is one of the oldest businessmen in Derby, coming here with a stock of drugs, paints, oils, etc., while the town was yet in its infancy.

Connor & Pully are the proprietors of a general merchandising store embracing everything in their line. Their room is 24x90 which is packed with what the public needs.

A.G. Johnson, the pioneer boot and shoe maker, has added to his stock a complete line of harness, saddles, whips, etc. This is a good addition to the town and A.G. is doing well.

Westfall & Wyatt have opened up a meat market in the rear of A.G. Johnson's harness shop. They are projecting for the winter. If the trade will justify them in keeping "open shop" they will be found at their post of duty.

Morris Bros. have a three-room store with stocks of dry goods, clothing, etc., which are a credit to the firm as well as to the town and surrounding country.

H.W. Sutton & Co. have a general store of dry goods, clothing, etc., which are a credit to the firm as well as to the town and surrounding country.

Kirk, Canfield Bros. & Co. have a general repair shop in west main street. They can make any ordinary article that is constructed of wood and iron.

G.J. Stewart & Co. are proprietors of the lumber yard, grain elevator, and also are in readiness to buy stock when brought to their market. Their salesman in charge, Mr. W.H. Connor Jr., is a clever, good hearted fellow and has done the firm excellent service in working for them an abundant trade.

Crossing the railroad, we find A.J. Fight at his shop where he has a few wagons, buggies and sleighs of his own make ready for the market.

Grimes & Grimes, "the good old men," not marked with years, but with nine years experience in this county, have a large stock of general merchandise which rumor says is the largest in town. They are both clever gentlemen and deserving of a good trade.

E.M. Blizzard, the hardware man, carries a stock of hardware, stoves, implements, buggies and wagons. He has also a stock of sleighs for the winter trade. The traveling public can find accommodations from Mr. Blizzard for both man and team. They feed the hungry public as well as the hungry beast.

J.T. Irwin, Uncle Sam's genial servant, has the post office newly fitted up and furnishes ample accommodations for the public. He has in connection a line of stationery and confectionary goods. Johnnie is a clever fellow but he and Grover will have to go to Buzzards Bay or some other "sea port town up the creek" in 1896. (Grover Cleveland was president; postmasters at the time held political appointments.)

A.G. Sires, the barber, can be found at his place of business when not with his fine horses. He has some horses which he has good reason to be proud of.

The old creamery has ceased to knock the butter from the cream. There are a great many cows raised in this part of the county but attention has turned to farming instead of milking cows.

John Murray has a little dairy of his own and meets with a ready sale for his goods. He has ten milch cows at present which yield him a good profit. His farm embraces 210 acres of the choicest tract in this section of the country. Being here, as he has, for the last 38 years, he has it in an excellent condition for a profitable income. He has about 100 head of hogs which he has been feeding on corn and wheat shipped from Illinois. Mr. M. cooks the wheat and feeds it warm, thus making the best kind of feed possible. Twas here we found a complete system of water works which supply the entire premises with water. A windmill forces the water into an elevated tank from which it runs through milk boxes into various pipes supplying the house and also outside tanks with water.

D.K.Hastings has a 424 acre farm near "Fork Ridge" where he has resided for the past 21 years. He and his  good wife have lived without  any olive plants  to grace their threshold, as the fruits of their labors they have this large farm in the best of condition. His hogs are choice  Poland-China and cattle are of the  ordinary stock of shorthorns. This is the first winter he has not fed a bunch of cattle.

(Murray and Hastings lived east of Derby, in Warren Township, along the road home to Chariton.)