Old Wagoners continued—An Exciting Incident of the Political Campaign of 1840—All about a Petticoat—Neri Smith, Isaac Stuck, John Short, William Orr, Ashael Willison—A Wagoner Postmaster—Robert Douglas—A Trip to Tennessee—Abram Brown, William Long, Samuel Weaver—A Quartet of Bell Teams—A Trio of Swearing Men—A Peculiar Savings Bank—William C. McKean and a Long List of other Old Wagoners—Graphic Description of Life on the Road by Jesse J. Peirsol, an Old Wagoner—Origin of the Toby Cigar—The Rubber—The Windup and Last Lay of the Old Wagoners.

The political campaign of 1840, as is well known, was one of the most spirited and exciting contests ever witnessed in the United States. It was a campaign made memorable by log cabins, hard cider, coon skins and glee clubs. William Henry Harrison, the hero of Tippecanoe, and grandfather of the late chief executive, Benjamin Harrison, was the Whig candidate for President, and John Tyler, of Virginia, was his running mate, and the whole country resounded with shouts for “Tippecanoe and Tyler too.” Martin Van Buren was the Democratic candidate for President, and his associate on the ticket was Col. Richard M. Johnston, of Kentucky. Harrison and Tyler were triumphantly elected. One day during this exciting campaign Neri Smith, an old wagoner, drove his big six-horse team through Uniontown, exhibiting from the front of his wagon a petticoat, in allusion to a partisan and groundless charge of cowardice made against General Harrison, the Whig candidate. The coming of the wagon with the petticoat was made known to the Whigs of Uniontown before it reached the place, and a delegation met Smith a short distance east of town and requested him to take down the offensive symbol, but he stubbornly refused. Upon reaching Uniontown an attempt was made by some of the muscular Whigs, led by John Harvey, to “tear down the dirty rag,” but an equal number of muscular Democrats rallied to the support of the old wagoner, and the attempt failed. The affair caused great excitement in Uniontown, leading to violence and almost to the shedding of blood.

Isaac Stuck, now residing in Perryopolis, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, in service on the extensive Fuller estate, near that place, was an old wagoner, and is not forgotten and never will be forgotten by the old pike boys. He drove a fine “bell team,” which was notice to all the world that he was on the road in earnest and to stay. The team belonged to William Stone, the well remembered old farmer of Menallen, and tanner of Uniontown.

John Short, an old wagoner, retired from the road at an early day and took up his abode in Franklin township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania. Before going on the road he learned the trade of a cooper, and upon leaving it resumed work at his trade. He was a good mechanic, and made most of the barrels used at Cook’s and Sharples’ mills, on Redstone creek, for many years. His team on the road was a good one, and he owned it. He met with an accident while working at his trade by cutting his knee with an adze, which crippled him for life. He died in Franklin township about eight years ago, aged nearly eighty. The old citizens of Franklin township all knew and respected him.

William Orr, a well known old wagoner, died of cholera at Keyser’s Ridge in 1853. He left three sons. One of them died a soldier of the Northern army in the late war, leaving a widow surviving him, now residing in Cumberland and drawing a pension. Another son of the old wagoner is a watchman at the rolling mill in Cumberland, and the third is on the police force of that city.

Ashael Willison, another of the old wagoners, is still living in Cumberland, and one of the most prominent citizens of that place. He was postmaster at Cumberland during the first administration of President Cleveland. From the saddle horse of a six-horse team on the old pike to the control of a city postoffice is distinctively an American idea, and a good one. The old wagoner made a capital postmaster. Mr. Willison is now deputy collector of Internal Revenue for the State of Maryland.

Robert Douglas, father of the well known real estate dealer of Uniontown, was an old wagoner. He owned his team and wagon, and hauled between Baltimore and Wheeling at an early day. He resided near West Newton, Westmoreland county, Pennsylvania, and died there in 1861. He was esteemed as an honest man, and was one of the few pike boys who never took a drink of liquor.

In the year 1839 John Snider, Isaac Browning and Black Westley, made a trip with their teams from Baltimore to Jonesboro, Tennessee, a distance of six hundred miles. They were loaded with goods for Jonesboro merchants, and were paid six dollars a hundred for hauling them. On their return they drove with empty wagons to Lynchburg, Virginia, a distance of two hundred miles, where they loaded up with pig lead, and got two dollars a hundred for hauling it to Baltimore.

Abram Brown, the wealthy land owner of the vicinity of Uniontown, was an old wagoner, a “sharpshooter,” and always lucky in avoiding losses while pushing over the mountains. While on the road as a wagoner he formed the acquaintance of the girl who subsequently became his wife. She was Hannah, now deceased, the eldest daughter of Abel Colley, who kept the old tavern a short distance west of Searights. His wife was a good woman, and her seemingly premature death was much lamented by a wide circle of friends.

William Long, an old wagoner, after quitting the road, went to Beaver county, Pennsylvania, and died there; and Samuel Weaver, a well remembered old wagoner, died about seven years ago in New Cumberland, West Virginia.

John Galwix, Black Wesley, Wilse Clement and James Pelter used bells on their teams. Galwix was called a “crack” wagoner, “swell,” as it would be termed at this day.

Stephen Golden, an old wagoner, drove a team for John Gribble, who for many years kept the red tavern two miles east of Brownsville.

John Strong, one of the earliest regular wagoners, is still living in Cumberland, and has been Coroner at that place for many years.

John Kelso, a steady old regular, well remembered and well liked, died at Cumberland about two years ago.

Robert Nelson was run over by his wagon many years ago, and died from injuries inflicted by the accident.

Col. James Gardner was an old wagoner and an old soldier. He was a native of Winchester, Virginia, but spent the greater portion of his life in Uniontown.

John Phillips, of Washington county, Pennsylvania, an old wagoner, was noted for using the heaviest gears on the road. When in need of new ones he ordered them an inch wider than the widest in use. The gear pole boys at the old taverns groaned under the weight of Phillips’ gears.

William C. McKean, nine years a deputy Sheriff of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, was in early life a regular wagoner of the road. He was a native of German township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, and died in the Sheriff’s house, at Uniontown, in 1859. He was noted for his energy and habit of pushing things. The prominent young attorney of Uniontown of the same name is a nephew of the old wagoner.

Peter Skiles, an old wagoner of the vicinity of Uniontown, died in Cumberland of typhoid fever, while at that place with his team and wagon.

Christian Herr, an old wagoner, was a very profane man, going to show that there is nothing in a name. He, Wilse Clement and Michael Teeters were the hardest swearers on the road.

Wyney Hunter, still living, an octogenarian, and rich, was an old wagoner. His residence is on the roadside five miles east of Hagerstown, Maryland.

Charles Allum and James Brownlee drove for Leonard Vail, an old pork-packer of the vicinity of Prosperity, Washington county, Pennsylvania. Lott Lantz, of Willow Tree, Greene county, Pennsylvania, had a pork-packing establishment in the olden time, and sent his produce over the road to Baltimore by the regular broad wheeled wagons in charge of hired drivers.

Isaac Browning, an old wagoner, at one time owned the “Browning farm,” near Uniontown, whence its name is derived. This farm now belongs to Robert Hogsett.

John Wright, an old wagoner, is still living in Salisbury, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, and has passed the ninetieth mile-post of his age.

Capt. James Gilmore was a sharpshooter. He owned a little farm in Menallen township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, which he sold long ago and went West.

Noble McCormick, a regular old wagoner, was, while on the road, the owner of the Semans farm, near Uniontown. He sold his farm to Thomas Semans and went West. He is remembered as an habitual wearer of the broad-rimmed, yellow, long-napped regulation hat.

John Christy, an old wagoner, was eccentric as to his apparel, and careful of his money. He wore a full suit of buckskin, and improvised a savings bank by boring holes in blocks in which he placed his money, and secured it by plugging up the holes.

Charles Guttery, who recently died at an advanced age in Beallsville, Washington county, Pennsylvania, was one of the best known and most esteemed old wagoners of the road. After many years experience as a wagoner, he devoted the remainder of his life to tavern keeping.

John Yardley, as the saying goes, was a natural born wagoner. He loved the occupation, and was faithful in it, for many years. He was born in Maryland, but lived a long time at Searights, where he died. He was the father of William and Gus Yardley, of Uniontown.

David Newcomer, a farmer of German township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, who served a term as County Commissioner, belongs to the long list of wagoners. His father, Jacob Newcomer, and Jacob F. Longanecker went to Loudon, Franklin county, Pennsylvania, in the year 1849, and each bought a new wagon and a new whip at that place. Jacob Newcomer soon thereafter became afflicted with rheumatism, and turned over his team and wagon to his son David, who traversed the road until the close of its busy era. Jacob Newcomer died in 1866, on the farm now owned and occupied by his son David.

John Ferren drove a six-horse team on the road many years for William Searight, and is remembered as a careful and discreet driver and an honest and industrious man. At the close of active business on the road, and while yet under the influence of its ancient grandeur, he married a daughter of “Wagoner Billy Shaw,” and with his newly-wedded wife went to Iowa to work out his destiny, where he has achieved success as a farmer.

James E. Kline, a driver for Jacob A. Hoover, was a soldier in the late war between the States, and died in German township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, after the conflict ended.

Robert Hogsett, the millionaire farmer, stock dealer, manufacturer, and coke operator of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, was a sharpshooter, and hauled many a load of goods from Cumberland to Brownsville at remunerative rates per hundred. His “down loads” consisted for the most part of corn of his own raising, which he sold out through the mountains at good prices.

Hiram Hackney, for many years a prosperous farmer of Menallen township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, now a retired resident of Uniontown, and a director in the First National Bank of that place, was a sharpshooter and a drover.

Samuel Flowers was one of the earliest wagoners on the road, and of the regular order. He was a tall man, of quiet demeanor. His home was on Egg Nog Hill, where he lived until called away by the last summons.

John Means, an old wagoner, was killed by an accident on the road near Wheeling.

John Munce, of Washington, Pennsylvania, who became rich through the oil development in the vicinity of that place, is an old wagoner. He is still living.

John Olwine was an old wagoner, and by his union with the Widow Metzgar became a tavern keeper. He died at Chalk Hill a few years ago.

John Neff, an old wagoner, subsequently became a member of the Maryland Legislature, and played the role of statesmanship as gracefully as he drove a six-horse team on the old pike.

Abner and David Peirt, brothers, were natives of Lancaster county, Pennsylvania—steady-going straightforward, honest “Pennsylvania Dutch,” and wagoners on the road with teams of the genuine Conestoga strain.

John McIlree, called “Broadhead,” was an old wagoner and a native of Adams county, Pennsylvania; and James Bell, William and Robert Hall were natives also of Adams county.

Arthur Wallace, an old wagoner devoted to the road, and esteemed for many good qualities of head and heart, subsequently became a tavern keeper. He was the father-in-law of Peter Frasher, the adamantine Democrat of 1844, and up to the date of his death, in 1893. Charles Wallace, a brother of Arthur, and an old wagoner, was killed by an accident on Laurel Hill many years ago.

William Reynolds, mentioned under the head of old tavern keepers, was likewise an old wagoner. He was on the road with a team as early as 1832. His son, John, present postmaster at Confluence, Somerset county, Pennsylvania, was also a wagoner.

Samuel Trauger, an old wagoner, fell from his lazy board while descending Laurel Hill, and was killed, the hind wheel of his wagon running over him.

John Curtis, who drove for William King, was accounted one of the best drivers on the road. His companions called him a “strong driver,” meaning that he was skillful and careful. He followed the tide of emigration, and became a stage driver west of the Ohio river.

James and Benjamin Paul, sons of Major William Paul, were old wagoners.

Joseph Doak, of Washington county, Pennsylvania, was an old wagoner, subsequently a tavern keeper, and later a superintendent of the road.

Martin Horn, a native of Washington county, Pennsylvania, was known as the “swift wagoner.” He made the trip from Cumberland to Wheeling with his six-horse team and a big load, in five days.

The following old wagoners were residents, when at home, and citizens of Fayette county, Pennsylvania: Harvey Grove, Adam Yeast, Solomon Bird, Louis Langley, James Paul, Joseph Wells, Isaiah Fouch, Ellis Campbell, William Sullivan, George Miller, William Bird, Barney Neiman, Jesse Hardin, John Hardin, James Marshall, Samuel Sidebottom, John Rutledge, Robert Hogsett, Samuel Milligan, Thomas Cook, Benjamin Paul, Jeff Nixon, George Miller, Moses Richer, John Rankin, Peter Fowler, William Ball, James Henshaw, William McShane, Henry Frasher, Peter Frasher, Jacob Wolf, West Jones, Daniel Turney, Eli Marlow, William Turney, William Cooper, Dawson Marlow, Robert Henderson, John Ferren, Robinson Murphy, Parker McDonald, William Betts, Rezin Lynch, Joseph Bixler, Moses Husted, William Pastoris, John McClure, Thomas Cochran, William Peirsol, Robert Lynch, Morgan Campbell, Martin Leighty, John Stentz, Philip D. Stentz, William Bosley, Charles McLaughlin, J. Monroe Bute, John Canon, Levi Springer, George Dearth, John McCurdy, Calvin Springer, Zachariah Ball, Michael Cochran, Caleb Hibbs, Jacob Newcomer, John Rinehart, Benjamin Goodwin, Harvey Sutton, Clark Hutchinson, James Ebbert, Mifflin Jeffries, Jacob Vance, William Ullery, Abram Hall, George Tedrick, Alexander Osborn, James Abel, Harper Walker, Jerry Fouch, Elias Freeman, George Wilhelm, father of Sheriff Wilhelm, of Uniontown, Caleb Langly, Jacob Wagoner, Oliver Tate, Jacob Strickler, George Shaffer, John Newcomer, Jesse J. Peirsol, James Shaffer, Samuel Harris, Caleb Antrim, William Cooper, Andrew Prentice, Ira Strong, William Gray, William Kennedy, Samuel Hatfield, Bernard Dannels, Stewart Henderson, David Dunbar, George Grace, Dicky Richardson, Reuben Woodward, John King, John Williams, George McLaughlin, Darlington Jeffries, John Nelson, John Moore, Bazil Sheets, Isaac Young, Jerry Strawn, Samuel Renshaw, Reuben Parshall, Hiram Hackney, James Martin.

The following were of Washington county, Pennsylvania, and there were many others from that county, as well as from Fayette and the other counties mentioned, whose names, very much to the writer’s regret, are unascertainable: Eberon Hurton, James Bradley, Jerome Heck, James Dennison, James Bard, Thomas Bailes, Charles Thurston, William Kirkman, Otho Hartzell, Seldon King, William King, Zeph Riggle, John Guttery, Samuel Charlton, George Hallam, Lewis Hallam, David Hill, Charles Reddick, John Reddick, Joseph Arnold, Moses Kline, James Brownlee, Elisha Brownlee, Charles Allen, Philip Slipe, John Valentine, Daniel Valentine, John Quinter, Robert Magee, William Robinson, Arthur Robinson, John Cook, William Darlington, Griffith Darlington, Joseph Whisson, David Blakely, Samuel Boyd, Joseph King, Joseph Sopher, Nimrod Sopher, Jack Sopher, Peter Shires, John Smith, James Smith, Thomas Flack, James Blakely, William Darr, Robert Beggs, Josiah Brown, called “Squire” Brown, James Arthur, George Munce, Joseph Lawson, Robert Judson, John A. Smith, Elisha Ely, Charles Bower, William Dennison, John Phillips, Joseph Doak, Moses Little, Samuel Guttery, William Shouse, William Jones, Robert Sprowl, William Hastings, James Thompson, Robert Doak, James Doak, Charles Allen, John Hastings (called Doc).

The following were of Allegheny county, Maryland: Isaac Browning, James Browning, Michael Humbert, George McGruder, Peter Hager, Nathan Tracy, Thomas Plumer, Richard Gray (colored), Ben Carter, James McCartney, Joseph Brooks, John Carlisle, Joseph Turner, William Yeast, John Curtis, Louis Smith, John Smith, Fred Shipley, Alex. Greer, John Keener, David Swaggart, George Lehman, Andrew Lehman, William McClintock, Jacob Albright, Thomas Ashbel, Charles McAleer, Caleb Madden, William Lowry, Augustus Butler, John Sheeres, Edward Finch, James Clary, Daniel Barcus, Ashael Willison, Hanson Willison, Joseph Strong, Thomas Plumer, Josiah Porter, John Kelso, John Magraw, Ira Ryan, John Ryan, Moses McKenzie, Moses Porter, Henry Porter, John Porter, George Huff, Lewis Lachbaus, Neil Connor, John Long, George Long, Upton Long, William Dixon, Hanson Clary, James Porter, Josiah McKenzie.

The following were of Washington county, Maryland: Abram Herr, Fred Herr, David Herr, John Coffman, Samuel Kelly, William Jones, Joseph Watt, John Brentlinger, James Ambrose, James Dowler, William Ford, Robert Fowler, Peter Hawes, Samuel Emert, Michael Welty, John Duvall, Andrew Arnett, John Reinhart, Hiram Sutton, John Thomas, William Thomas, Barney Hitchin, Emanuel McGruder, William Orr, Emanuel Griffith, Michael Miller, John Makel, John Neibert, Samuel Brewer, Henry Stickle, Ezra Young, Joshua Johnson, Samuel Boyd, Joseph Myers, William Keefer, Peter Urtz, Jonas Speelman, Thomas Flack, David Connor, Eli Smith, John Galwix, Henry Urtz, Henry Puffenberger. John Snider, was born in Washington county, Maryland.

The following were of Somerset county, Pennsylvania: Michael Deets, Samuel Wable, Clem Engle, Samuel Thompson, John Livengood, Isaac Light, John Sloan, Joseph Light, Abram Hileman, Joseph Hileman, William Lenhart, Daniel Augustine, Andrew Hebner, James Klink, Andrew Bates, Robert Duncan, Robert Allison, John Dunbar, Alex. Dunbar, Joseph Skelly, James Irvin, John Fleck, William Moonshire, Thomas Collier, Frank Bradfield, Samuel Shoaf, John Bradfield, Eli Marble, Henry Renger, Michael Longstaff, John Mitchell, William McClintock, still living at Salisbury, nearly ninety years old.

The following were from the State of Ohio: James Gregory, William Hoover, David Hoover, Christian Hoover, Gov. Lucas, William Morely, Philip Slife, Samuel Breakbill, John Carroll, William Lefevre, John Lefevre, Alby Hall, Solomon Mercer, Jacob Breakbill, Joseph McNutt, John Scroggins, William Archie, Elias Petticord, Harvey Hamilton, Pryn Taylor, Alex. McGregor, Westley McBride, William George, Michael Neal, Tim Taylor, Joseph Vaughn, William Whittle, Daniel Kildo, Marion Gordon, Martin Kildo, George Clum, Oliver Mahon, William Chaney, Abner Bailey, Matthias Meek, John A. Smith, George Zane, Samuel Paxon, Benjamin McNutt, Knox Keyser, B. F. Dillon, Valentine Mann, Jacob Mann, Benjamin Corts, John Whittle, John Johnson (Old Sandy), William McDonald, John Moss, William Tracy, Joseph Watson, George Schaffer, William Reynolds, not the old tavern keeper.

Ohio county, Virginia, contributed the following names to the list of old wagoners: Wash. and Hiram Bennett, John Frasher, John Moss, John Weyman, Joseph Watson, Michael Detuck, James Johnson, David Church, William Brooks, Robert Boyce, Allen Davis, Thomas McDonald, James Jones, Charles Prettyman, John Christy, John Curtis, William, Adam, and David Barnhart, George Weddel, and William Tracy.

Greene county, Pennsylvania, contributed the following well remembered veterans: Christian and Washington Adams, John Snyder (not the old regular), Philip Snyder, George Miller, Samuel Milligan, Caldwell Holsworth, Joseph Milligan, Joseph Craft, Jack Dunaway, Otho W. Core, Thomas Chambers, Samuel Minor, Jacob Hart.

Frederic county, Maryland, contributed the following: John Crampton, Joseph Crampton, Samuel Brewer, Ross Fink, Grafton Shawn, Henry Smith, Jacob Wagoner, John Fink, John Miller, William Miller, and Henry McGruder.

Jacob and James Tamon were of Baltimore.

James Walker, Daniel Keiser, John Keiser, and Sharp Walker were of Franklin county, Pennsylvania.

The home of the regular wagoner was on the road, and a good home it was, in so far as mere subsistence and stimulus to the senses were concerned, and it is his nativity, that the author has endeavored to note. Regulars and sharpshooters are listed herein indiscriminately, but a majority of the names given as of Fayette county, Pennsylvania, are those of sharpshooters. The residences and homes of the following old wagoners could not be accurately ascertained, but they are familiar names, all well remembered by old inhabitants of the roadside, viz: William Kieger (a lively fellow, and a “regular”), James Dunbar, William Keefer, Rafe Rutlege, Samuel Jackson, Benjamin Hunter, David Greenland, John Strauser, Jacob Cox, Jonathan Whitton, Gus Mitchell, Samuel Dowly, James Patton, Joseph Freeman, James Hall, William Purcell, Samuel Rogers, John Nye, Israel Young, James Davis, Jacob Beem, Isaac Young, Martin Irwin, James Parsons, James Kennedy, Isaac Shaffer, John Lynch, Michael Longstaff, George Nouse, Peter Penner, James Shaffer, John McClure, John Cox, William Cox, Joseph Cheney, Frank Mowdy, Caldwell Shobworth, James Jolly, Andrew Sheverner, Jacob and James Layman, John Crampton, Henry Smith, William Miller, John Miller, Henry McGruder, Elias McGruder, Michael Miller, John Seibert, Henry Stickle, Ezra Young, Jonas Speelman, David Connor, Eli Smith, Jacob Everson, Nathaniel Everson. Joseph Shaw, James Irvin, John Chain, William Wiglington, Doug. Shearl, Marion Ritchie, John Vandyke, John Alphen, Daniel Carlisle, George Burke, Thomas Ogden, Michael Abbott, Charles Genewine, Herman Rolf, Isaac Manning.

The following letters from Jesse J. Peirsol, now a prosperous farmer of Franklin township, Fayette county, Pennsylvania, of vigorous health and unimpaired memory, furnish a graphic description of life on the road in its palmy days:

December 3, 1892.

Mr. T. B. Searight:

Dear Sir: I have stayed over night with William Sheets, on Nigger mountain, when there would be thirty six-horse teams on the wagon yard, one hundred Kentucky mules in an adjacent lot, one thousand hogs in other enclosures, and as many fat cattle from Illinois in adjoining fields. The music made by this large number of hogs, in eating corn on a frosty night, I will never forget. After supper and attention to the teams, the wagoners would gather in the bar room and listen to music on the violin, furnished by one of their fellows, have a “Virginia hoe-down,” sing songs, tell anecdotes, and hear the experience of drivers and drovers from all points on the road, and when it was all over, unroll their beds, lay them down on the floor before the bar room fire, side by side, and sleep, with their feet near the fire, as soundly as under the paternal roof. Coming out from Cumberland in the winter of 1851 or 1852, we stopped one night with Hiram Sutton, at Sand Springs, near Frostburg. The night was hazy, but not cold. We sat on our buckets, turned bottom up, and listened to a hundred horses grinding corn. One of our number got up in the night and complained that snow was falling on his face. This aroused us all, and we got up, went to the door and witnessed the most blinding snow storm I ever saw. Some of the horses broke loose from the tongue, and we had difficulty in finding them. We stayed up till morning, when the snow had risen to the hubs of the front wheels. We hitched eight or ten horses to a wagon, pulled out to Coonrod’s tavern, one mile west, and returned to Sutton’s for another wagon, and in this way all reached Coonrod’s. The next morning we pulled out again, and on little Savage mountain found the snow deeper than ever, and a gang of men engaged in shoveling it from the road. I got stuck and had to be shoveled out. We reached Tom Johnson’s that night, making three miles in two days. The next day John Ullery, one of our number upset at Peter Yeast’s, and a barrel of Venetian Red rolled out from his wagon, which painted the snow red for many miles, east and west. We stayed with Yeast the third night after the storm. In the winter of 1848 a gang of us went down, loaded with tobacco, bacon, lard, cheese, flour, corn, oats and other products. One of our number was an Ohio man, named McBride. His team consisted of seven horses, the seventh being the leader. His load consisted of nine hogsheads of tobacco, five standing upright in the bed of his wagon, and four resting crosswise on top of the five. The hogsheads were each about four feet high and three and a half feet in diameter at the bulge, and weighing from nine to eleven hundred pounds each. This made a “top-heavy load,” and on the hill west of Somerfield, and near Tom Brown’s tavern, the road icy, McBride’s load tumbled over, the tobacco in the ditches, and the horses piled up in all shapes. The work of restoring the wreck was tedious, and before we got through with it we had the aid of thirty or forty wagoners not of our company. Of course the occasion brought to the ground a supply of the pure old whisky of that day, which was used in moderation and produced no bad effects. After we had righted up our unfortunate fellow wagoner, we pushed on and rested over night at Dan Augustine’s, east of Petersburg.

Yours truly,
JESSE J. PEIRSOL.

ANOTHER LETTER FROM THE SAME PERSON ON THE SAME SUBJECT.

February 2, 1893.

In September, 1844 or 5, my father came home from Uniontown late at night, and woke me up to tell me that there had been a big break in the Pennsylvania Canal, and that all western freights were coming out over the National Road in wagons. The stage coaches brought out posters soliciting teams. By sunrise next morning, I was in Brownsville with my team, and loaded up at Cass’s warehouse with tobacco, bacon, and wool, and whipped off for Cumberland. I drove to Hopwood the first day and stayed over night with John Wallace. That night Thomas Snyder, a Virginia wagoner, came into Hopwood with a load of flour from a back country mill. When we got beyond Laurel Hill, Snyder retailed his flour by the barrel to the tavern keepers, and was all sold out when we reached Coonrod’s tavern, on Big Savage. I was a mere boy, and Snyder was especially kind and attentive to me. After we pulled on to Coonrod’s yard Snyder told me to unhitch and feed, but leave the harness on. At midnight we rose, hitched up, Snyder lending me two horses, making me a team of eight, pulled out, and reached Cumberland that night. On leaving Coonrod’s the night was dark, and I shall never forget the sounds of crunching stones under the wheels of my wagon, and the streaks of fire rolling out from the horses’ feet. In Cumberland, we found the commission houses, and the cars on sidings filled with goods, and men cursing loudly because the latter were not unloaded. Large boxes of valuable goods were likewise on the platform of the station, protected by armed guards. After unloading my down load I re-loaded at McKaig & Maguire’s commission house for Brownsville, at one dollar and twenty-five cents a hundred. We reached Brownsville without incident or accident, made a little money, and loaded back again for Cumberland. On my return I found plenty of goods for shipment, and loaded up at Tuttle’s house for Wheeling, at two dollars and twenty-five cents a hundred. In coming back, it looked as if the whole earth was on the road; wagons, stages, horses, cattle, hogs, sheep, and turkeys without number. Teams of every description appeared in view, from the massive outfit of Governor Lucas down to the old bates hitched to a chicken coop. The commission merchants, seeing the multitude of wagons, sought to reduce prices, whereupon the old wagoners called a meeting and made a vigorous kick against the proposed reduction. It was the first strike I ever heard of. Nothing worried a sharpshooter more than lying at expense in Cumberland waiting for a load. Two of the “sharps,” unwilling to endure the delay caused by the strike, drove their four-horse rigs to a warehouse to load at the reduction. This excited the “regulars,” and they massed with horns, tin buckets, oyster-cans and the like, and made a descent upon the “sharps,” pelting and guying them unmercifully. An old wagoner named Butler commanded the striking regulars with a pine sword, and marched them back and forth through the streets. Finally the police quelled the disturbance, and the “sharps” loaded up and drove out sixteen miles, to find their harness cut and their axles sawed off in the morning. In this dilemma an old regular, going down empty for a load, took the contract of the “sharps,” and made them promise to never return on the road, a promise they faithfully kept.

Yours truly,JESSE J. PEIRSOL.

Many old wagoners wore a curious garment called a hunting shirt. It was of woolen stuff, after the style of “blue jeans,” with a large cape trimmed with red. It was called a hunting shirt because first used by hunters in the mountains.

The origin of Pennsylvania tobies is worth recording, and pertinent to the history of the old wagoners. The author is indebted to J. V. Thompson, esq., president of the First National bank of Uniontown, for the following clipping from a Philadelphia paper concerning the “toby:” “It appears that in the old days the drivers of the Conestoga wagons, so common years ago on our National Road, used to buy very cheap cigars. To meet this demand a small cigar manufacturer in Washington, Pennsylvania, whose name is lost to fame, started in to make a cheap ‘roll-up’ for them at four for a cent. They became very popular with the drivers, and were at first called Conestoga cigars; since, by usage, corrupted into ’stogies’ and ‘tobies.’ It is now estimated that Pennsylvania and West Virginia produce about 200,000,000 tobies yearly, probably all for home consumption.”

JAMES SMITH,
OF HENRY.