Here's another among several report published in The Chariton Herald during November and December of 1894 that record door-to-door visits made by a correspondent identified only as "the Rambler" who most likely was selling subscriptions.
This stretch of his journey begins a mile or two northwest of what now is the town of Williamson and ends in and near the Little White Breast Creek valley north of Chariton. Rambler refers to the area as "coal valley" because there were a number of small mines there --- but as nearly as I can figure out that was not common usage.
The report caught my attention because it begins at the home of an uncle and aunt of mine, William Owen and Gaybrella (Webb) Miller, then moves on to the household of Aunt Gay's parents, Sampson and Martha Webb. The photograph is of Owen and Gay and their daughters, Nellie and Gertrude, taken several years later in Wyoming (they moved to southeast Wyoming, near Cheyenne, during 1908).
Their's was an interesting, but enduring, marriage. Uncle Owen was 40 when they wed during 1890; Aunt Gay was 17.
Earlier "rambles" among Lucas County's "yoemanry," posted here at various times, include yesterday's visit to Jackson Township; a visit to Derby and beyond here; and the Belinda neighborhood in Pleasant Township. The English Township report was published in The Herald of Nov. 22.
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W. O. Miller holds the string on democratic politics in English township. He has made himself a pleasant home near the center where he now resides, and looks wistfully to political reverses that the next four years will bring about. Mr. Miller does not neglect his farm duties to attend to politics although he never shrinks from duty.
Sampson Webb is also looking for one of those shanties the republicans built up Salt Creek four years ago. Mr. W. has been a prominent figure in county politics for the past 20 years and his highly respected for his services. In connection with his farm work, he is wrought with nature's sweetness found in sorghum cane.
Henry Moon has decided to leave his country home east of Pleasant Hill school house and is going among the orange growers in California.
Wm. Jennings has made himself well known in Coal Valley by teaming for several years. At present he is farming on Foster's corner.
Matt Foster is making the best of life on his farm where he has resided for 20 years and more. Slowly and steadily the riches of the soil add to his material wealth which insures him a home in his old age.
Peter Williamson is a living witness to republicanism. He and his lady came to this country from Sweden, as a great many others have done, without very much of this world's goods, and now they have one of the neatest farms in Lucas county, besides they have educated their family above the average young people of the county.
Jake McDowell has been a resident of this county for forty-one years past and is thoroughly acquainted with all its steps of progress. He has made himself famous as a thresher, having been in that business nearly ever since he came here. At present the family has both a steam thresher and a horse power machine. While in that work Mr. McD. had the misfortune of losing an eye. Old age compelled him to cease from that arduous work and settle down on the farm, leaving the threshing business in the hands of his boys.
Tom Avitt has been a resident of the country from the days of his infancy and, judging from his looks, will be with us for a great many years to come. He has just completed the erection of a new home which is a beauty to behold and will protect its inmates from Old Boreas this winter.
J. C. Brown has a farm on the east side of the coal valley of English. He and his better half have lately started out on life's rugged pathway, but he his making himself noticeable by the rapid improvements he is putting on his farm. The old proverb: "Train up a child in the way he should go and when he is old he will not depart from it" proves true in this case.
Ed Porter has 40 acres in Coal Valley, which is characterized by an excellent quality of coal. The "Porter coal" always brings the top of the market.
W. F. Cramer is working in one of Mr. Porter's mines at present, which gives him a good job for the winter. He is a brick-maker by trade, but it is not a good trade in the winter.
J. K. Loan came to this country three years ago and purchased a small farm in Coal Valley where he lives in the summer and runs a rushing coal business during the winter. He is working in second vein coal at present and cannot meet the demands of his trade. Although he has had a great deal of sickness in the family, he has managed to get a little ahead and can boast of as good credit as can be had anywhere.
Lee Maxwell is also engaged in the farming and mining business. He is enjoying a like prosperity and a little more, for while the Rambler was at his place Lee's time was mostly taken up with entertaining a young lady that had very recently come into his family.
James Fuller is well known as a resident of Chariton, but at present is located in the mining district where he is engaged in hauling coal.
Thomas H. Smith has an 80 acre farm in the afore mentioned coal country, which is wonderfully punctured by drifts leading into the valuable article. Tom has labored for 15 years at this business and one would think, no much worse for the wear. He is making arrangements to put a jennet (female donkey) into his mine to haul the coal to the surface. He is probably running the largest force of men in that part of the coal country.
W. M. Maxwell is at present living with Mr. Hodson where he has rooms sufficient for the accommodation of his family. He is making a business of hauling coal, but is talking of going into a "room."
Mr. W. Gathercole brought his family from mother England and is at present a farmer and miner in Coal Valley. His farm yields him a good living for his family and his coal business adds to his possessions. He has a burro working in a drift and doing excellent service. The animal will measure about two and one feet high and will weigh probably three hundred pounds. It is a dandy to look upon.
J.A. Noble occupies the old Renfro farm with his mother and sisters He is making some nice looking improvements on his farm which adds materially to its appearance. J.A. is getting old to be going alone through the world. One would think he had better get a "help meet."
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