Look Back: Horsing around in the city

Historical newspaper excerpts from the Wood County Historical Society

Editor's note: This column includes reproductions of historical newspaper items that contain language that, while common at the time, is understood to be offensive today, and would not appear in print.

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Accident

Last evening as Thos. Mulvey was driving an empty coal cart down Market Street, an organ grinder with his music and Monkey so frightened the horse attached to the cart that he ran furiously down the street, and became entirely unmanageable. At a point nearly opposite the Leonard House he upset the cart, threw the driver out and ran over him -- one of the wheels striking him in the back. The unfortunate, man who has a large family, is considered severely but not dangerously hurt. The horse was one of several which Mr. Despard has just bought from the country for the purpose of delivering coal to his customers.

The Parkersburg Daily Times

Nov. 15, 1867

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Almost a loss

The other day, one of Pat Ward's colored men drove a horse and buggy into the Ohio river for the purpose of washing the buggy. He went further out than he should and got into deep water; soon as the horse began to flounder, the man jumped from the buggy to save his own life. The heavy buggy dragged the horse under. And he would have drowned except for the prompt and very risky action of a young Irish lad, a boy in the employ of Pat [Ward] who was engaged close by washing another buggy. He jumped into the river, swam to the horse, clutched his bridle and held his head above the water, turned him around and swam to shore with his left arm, his right holding the horse. It was a heroic act and saved Pat a valuable horse.

The Parkersburg State Journal

Nov. 7, 1872

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Tom Huff doesn't want anything said about his pony running away, as the rumor was false. It was the wagon, and the pony was only trying to keep out of harm's way.

The Parkersburg Daily State Journal

Oct. 15, 1883

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Fine horse and buggy for sale

I will leave Parkersburg next week and desiring to dispose of "Mollie B." (a Highland chief Mare) one antique Oak Buggy, two fine se's[?] single Harness and one Hallet Davis & Co., Piano, as I do not desire to ship the above, will sell cheap for cash. Apply at the Singer Office. -- R.R. Yowell

The Parkersburg Sentinel

April 9, 1892

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A.B. Beckwith and Kent Loomis drove over the Little Kanawha bridge [Juliana Street] last evening in a buggy -- the first travelers to cross the Rubicon on the new bridge. The Parkersburg Sentinel

April 12, 1892

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Wanted to own the carette

A young fellow, who has been in trouble several times before, was arrested last night for raising a big racket in one of the carettes Thursday night. He was drunk and undertook to run the carette to suit himself. He put up money for a fine.

The Parkersburg Daily State Journal

July 28, 1892

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Bob Enoch is president of the Wood County Historical Society. Would you like to help preserve our past for future generations? The society offers informative monthly meetings and an interesting, 20-page quarterly newsletter. Dues are just $20/year. Send to: WCHPS, P.O. Box 565, Parkersburg, WV 26102.