1878 Burlington

Some potent influence, hitherto cramped, confined and held captive by some great political power, must have of a sudden broken its fetters and gone forth to arouse, wake up and bless mankind. We have now no less than six new buildings going up or about being begun in our town with several infected districts to hear from.

First, out esteemed young friend, W. J. Rice, has now pretty well along his snug two-story frame, situated near the intersection of Gallatin and Garrard streets, fronting on the former, which, when completed, will furnish as cosy [sic] a home as one could wish.

Then we pass over to the lot formerly occupied by the old jail, and there we find our County Clerk, L. H. Dills, laying the groundwork for a fine two-story frame, to be constructed as to front on Jefferson and Nicholas streets.  Our keen-eyed and social clerk has certainly selected on of the most beautiful sites in town for this new building.

Next, let us cross the bridge on the new pike and just at its top we come upon the pot of the future home of out townsman, J. H. Hoffman, for here he is erecting a beautiful fame cottage of five rooms.  No prettier view of the town can be had than from the spot selected by Mr. Hoffman for his house.

Let us come back to within the corporation and go down Jefferson street to Temperate, and there, upon the corner lot hitherto vacant, we find Joseph Cowen hard at work preparing the grounds and arranging matters preparatory to building a family residence.  This, too, is a good location, except some persons might prefer a little less proximity to Bucktown.  In a few years, however, Bucktown will be moved and strung out along Washington street, from the courthouse east, if the citizens of the town will quietly permit it.  So rumor says. But let us get back to our knitting.

The new colored Baptist church is next.  This is located in Bucktown proper, fronting a closed alley leading from Jefferson to Nicholas street.

Next comes the elegant mansion house, about completed, beautifully situated on Gallatin street, about a rod from the middle wall of partition between Bucktown and our clever Boone Circuit Clerk, J. W. Duncan.  Columbus Gaines, widower, a man of color, is the owner of this elegant mansion.  No one is so stupid as not to admire the display of fine sense he has shown in selecting a site for his new home.  His neighbors – oh, how clever!  The clerk will join hands with him and tear down that middle wall of partition and have chickens in common, and then the vote of Bucktown is sure next time.  Aspirants fro Circuit Clerk, look to your laurels! The lion and lamb will lie down together, and the bloody chasm be bridged.

Other improvements might be noticed, but want of space forbids.  

from the Boone County Recorder, October 17, 1878