West Jefferson in Days Gone By - series 39 by Charlie Miller

EARLY BUSINESSES: In 1858 West Jefferson was a lively town, it not only sat on the National Road but had a railroad going right through town, and access to and from many points in the country was now available. The following businesses filled the town, and we will explore the individuals in a later series. 

General Dry Goods, and Hardware: James Parks, Chas. H. Mantle, Thomas J. Stutson, and E. S. Handcock. Drug Stores: O. H. Bliss, who also had a grocery and Dry Goods, and L. H. Stutson. Doctors: J. M. McCullough and G. J. Archer. Saddle Shop: James Arnett and E. S. Stutson. Wagonmaker and Blacksmith: Jacob McNeal. Wagons and Undertaker: Ed. McCulley. Brick Mason: H. J. Clark. Grist Mills: O. H. Bliss, John Mills, and J. F. Fickey. Hotels: The Madison Exchange run by Walter H. Wadsworth and Mantle House run by Blazer Mantle. Justice of the Peace: Jacob McNeal and William Clark. 

NEWS ITEMS: 1860-An Ordnance: Be it ordained by the Council of the Village of Jefferson, County of Madison, State of Ohio, that said Council shall erect a suitable building of convenient size, and to adjoin the north end of the town hall for a large jail and prison. 

1860- Salaries for Jefferson Officials by order of Council—Mayor-$10.00 per year; Recorder- $7.00 per year, Marshal- $10.00 per year (if by the opinion of Council, he is entitled to it.) Council 50 cents for a regular meeting. Each Councilman is to forfeit 50 cents for each meeting missed to be deducted from his yearly salary and should be allowed no more than 6 in any given year. 

In May of 1861, we find the first laying of brick sidewalks, this was along the north and south sides of Main Street. 

The Madison County Democrat, December 19, 1861—We believe the Ohio Legislature at its last session, passed a law imposing a severe penalty upon those convicted of carrying deadly weapons. As a consequence of a violation of the provisions of this act, a deed of blood came near perpetrated in West Jefferson on Saturday evening. During the progress of a lawsuit before a certain Justice in the place mentioned, one of the attorneys, Mac, of this place, made a statement that the opposing counsel, Mr. A. of Alton, deemed untrue and at once pronounced his opponent a liar. Mac’s concatenate grew dark with anger, and drawing a weapon from his breast pocket, (which in the uncertain light of approaching evening, resembled one of Colt’s repeaters,) he pointed it at his antagonist and demanded him to retract his language. Everyone shouted, “Don’t shoot, don’t shoot” Mac followed his foe thundering, “Retract sir, or I’ll blow your brains out!” One courageous individual to save bloodshed, stepped up and struck the weapon down, when to his utter astonishment, it broke in two and fell to the floor, which on examination proved to be a bologna sausage! Court adjourned and the difficulty was settled over “drinks around!