GARNER COMMUNITY 1884

Daily Independence 14 Feb 1884

Extraction: Teresa Martin Klaiber (August 2017.  The article includes Long Branch a tributary of Garner Creek.  * indicates comments by the extractor at the end of the article.)

“Garner is a tributary of the East Fork of Little Sandy River, entering into the East Fork near the Davis Meeting house, on the new mud road leading from your city to the mouth of Bolt’s Fork on the Lawrence County line. The mud road, or new graded pike if properly finished would be a splendid summer road, but a very poor winter one; at least that is the testimony of all who travel on it now.

I will tell you what we have along this road. Let us go up the valley and see what is to be found. First we have the Grassland post office, kept in excellent order by our worthy postmaster, V. O. Davis*, who is, besides being postmaster, a number one good farmer and stock feeder.

Next, J. R. Davis*, a man whose heart is as big as a bushel measure, and who owns and raises some fine stock.

Then our genial friend, John C. Hogan*, whose fine farm shows his handiwork and good keeping. On this farm there are about thirty-five stacks of hay, lots of corn, plenty of good applies & c.

Next comes the farm of our assessor, J. C. Lambert*. Here you find signs of abundance …Mr. James Kinner comes next in order. He mends our soles, drives us AWL, and PEGS us to the last.

Next in order is W. H. Banfield*. He is busy building a fine large barn, and making other nice and needed improvements on his farm.

Mr. J. C. Graham you will find always ready to grind all the corn for the surrounding country.

Mr. L. J. Stewart* carries on a first-class wagon and repair shop, where at all times you can get work done with dispatch.

W. L. Clay* our worthy contractor and cabinet maker, does a large business, both in his shop and outside.

I noticed Mr. Lewis Fannin* breaking the sod for a new crop.  Mr. F. takes the lead in early farming.

Next we take in the county poor house*, or “poor people’s paradise,” with H. P. Sexton*, keeper, who will take pleasure in showing you over the house and grounds. Mr. S. is keeping the place this year for $1.40 per week for each individual. There are now about 60 inmates. Mr. S. says they drink on an average 180 cups of coffee a day. Your correspondent has visited the “paradise” during meal time and can say that they might well call it by this name if eating has anything to do with happiness.

Next after this institution comes friend N. A. Klaiber*, another honest mender of the people’s soles.

Then our fine masonic hall* and school house observes noticing, as it is undergoing much repair in the way of new floors, glass, paint, &c.

Our district school has closed. Miss Georgie Kouns*, of Cliffside, taught the last term. She is a good teacher, and conducted the school to the pleasure of the patrons and to her own credit.

Further along will be found W. D. Bolt*, with a sawmill, a yard full of logs and a promise of a good spring run.

Then comes Mr. Joe Marcum*, with a first-class blacksmith shop.

All along the creek, from the head to the mouth, is alive with business men. Plenty of work here now.  Stock cattle are scarce. Hogs are a thing of the past. Sheep plenty to supply what dogs are left on the creek.  NEIGHBOR”

Comments by Extractor.

*V. O. Davis: Voleny Davis 1838-1934, son of William and Elizabeth McCroskey Davis, married Theora McWhorter. 

*J. R. Davis: Probably John Robert Davis 1853-1918, son of Aaron and Miriam Eastham Davis, married Ellen Warman.

*J. C. Hogan: John Calvin Hogan 1835-1924, son of Isham and Linnie Clay Hogan, married Mercy Clifton.

*J. C. Lambert: James Calvin Lambert 1834-1916, son of Benjamin and Sarah Fannin Hogan,  married Le”anna” Hogan.

*W. H. Banfield: William Harrison Banfield 1845-1913, son of John Delbert and Catherine Flaugher Banfield,  married Sophia Goble.

*L. J. Stewart: Landon J. Stewart born 1835, son of Charles W. and Jane Blankenship Stewart, married Eliza Banfield.

*W. L. Clay: Wyatt L. Clay 1845-1910, son of Charles and Caroline Stover Clay, married Marilda Sexton.

*Lewis Fannin son of John and Peggy Ferguson Fannin, married Elizabeth Riffe. 

*County Poor House on Poor House Road now called Long Branch Road.

*H. P. Sexton: Henry Powell Sexton 1835-1912, son of Marcus and Catherine (possibly Sutton) Sexton,  married Julina McCormack.

*Masonic Hall: Greenhill Lodge.

*N. A. Klaiber: Nelson Andrew Klaiber 1861-1904, son of John Andrew and Mary Ann McBrayer Klaiber. Nelson never married.

*Georgie Kouns: Georganna Kouns daughter of John Jacob & Nancy Womack Kouns, died in 1940.

*W. D. Bolt: William David 1841-1919, son of Greenville and Mary Davis Bolt, married Martha Brainard.

*Joe Marcum: Lived in hollow between what today is Klaiber and Blanton property. There is a pretty little rock fall in Marcum Hollow.

For extended information see A Brief History Of Long Branch Road Rush, KY  on this blog site: Eastern Kentucky Genealogy at Blogger. tklaiber