Clarksburg is a fine little "burg" with some five hundred inhabitants, situated on the classic stream of Hay Run, in the midst of a fine agricultural region consisting of the bottom lands of Hay Run, Paint Creek and Deer Creek. There has been more improvement in the country round about during the last five years, than in any former twenty-five years, so say old settlers. Witness the hundreds of acres that have been cleared of timber and cultivated, the number of miles of drain-tile and sewer pipe that have been laid, the mud roads that have been graveled and the new buildings erected. This is the central point between Deerfield township, Ross county, and Deercreeek township, Pickaway county.

Conundrum 1. Why does not Clarksburg belong to Pickaway county? Will some old settler rise and explain? Although situated in Ross county, it is the center of attraction for a goodly portion of Pickaway's sons and daughters, who make their "marketin" to this exchange.

Conundrum 2. Why does not some enterprising individual or company institute a "ladies exchange," where other articles besides the common run of country produce such as fancy work, knitting, etc., can be taken for exhibition and exchange? Situated on a stream where there are numerous indentations in the banks, and places that with a series of dams might be utilized for fish ponds, where the famous fresh water -- the carp, might be produced in quantities to suit this fish loving people.

In short (conundrum 3) why don't somebody try carp farming? By the way, the gravely bottom stream--Deer Creek, seems to be very scare of fish this season. Why so?

(Conundrum 4.) This "burg" positively contains no railroad, but has an eye for one in the far future.

Conundrum 5 -- When will that one come that has has been talked as being constructed through to Clarksburg from Adelphia vis Kingston? The Postoffice is "manned" by Mrs. E. H. Burns (sister of Capt. Isaac Hawkins, P.M. of Chillicothe), who has been in the office as clerk for two years, and as Postmistress for about sixteen years, which shows her efficiency and the confidence in which she is held by the officers in charge of the P. O. department.

The schools are in charge of Prof. George Peirce and Mr. Jeffreys. The mercantile interests are taken care of by the firms of Templin & Co., and Adam King. The grocery business in represented by Maddux & Co., Dawson Brothers and Anderson & Fulmer. Drugs by Scarborough & Son, for one firm, and Morgan; M.D.; for another. Sanford Groves entertains travelers at the "Seven Mile House." Religious denominations are represented by the Methodist Episcopal and Christian Churches, the former being supplied by Rev. D. Mann, stationed here, the latter, without a settled pastor. Mrs. Day carries on the millenary business; Mrs. McHugh and Miss Wilson, the dressmaking; O.M. Howser, shoe store; J. Brown saddlery and harness marker; Van Dyke, boot maker. Mr. Peacock is selling fruit trees for a Yellow Springs nursery. Mrs. Gouldsberry and Mrs. Peacock weave carpets. Mossberger and Samuel Maddux are the butchers. Other firms and enterprises are extant, "too numerous to mention."

The land owned by Mrs. Ann Smith (now deceased,) and situated in both Ross and Pickaway counties, was sold Saturday December 16th, at Chillicothe. The tracts comprising 200 acres were bought by Mrs. Martha Rankin at $55 per acre.

 

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Circleville Union-Herald, Circleville OH - 28 Dec 1883