Hancock County, Kentucky Stories
Butcher Shop
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By Louella Grant

Typed as it appeared in the Clarion by Mary Gibbs, for non-profit use

John Lewis Grant was known to most as Mr. Lou. A tall robust, jovial man with a handle bar mustache. He was the son of John Robert and Emily Jane Grant. Born on the family farm 3 miles east of Lewisport, 1861, the present location was the home of Mrs. Lizzie Grant.

In 1883, John Lewis married Ella Bell Greathouse. They began their life together on the land each other had inherited from their parents. The Grant and Greathouse properties joined boundaries. The two tracts were combined into one farm, which was to become their new homestead. John Lewis and Ella Bell gave birth to five children. Shirley, who died at age 16, Homer, died age 24, Virginia died age 16, and Irvin died at 6 weeks and Newton the only child to survive.

In 1906, John Lewis Grant and J.W. Roberts took over as the new owners of the Lewisport butcher shop at 4th and Market Street in the present location of Cases Grocery. People scurried to the store to get their fresh meat. Also came the town dogs and cats as they too got a sniff of a pleasant aroma in the air. By nightfall many a skillet were filled and sizzling.

The Grant and Roberts partnership ended about 1917, because of the death of Mr. Roberts. He was the father of Mr. Dean Roberts. John Lewis Grant then moved the business down the block to 4th and Pell Street. He then took a new partner, Newton Grant his son. The business then became known as J.L. Grant and Son Butcher Shop.

As Newton Grant went into business with his father his job was to buy the meat, butcher it, and block it out. The slaughtering house was located on the family farm. He recalls hauling it the 3 miles into Lewisport with a team of mules and a wagon. This took a considerable amount of time and patience. Then one-day modernization struck. He bought the first model T Ford that J.B. Taylors garage sold. Then the Hayden Hardware Store ordered him an Iron wheel trailer from a factory in Evansville, Indiana. The trailer was loaded on a steamboat and brought to the banks of the river in Lewisport where the new shiny model T. awaited its arrival. It was then by this new means that Newton hauled his fresh meat into town. The roads were dirt and the old iron wheels threw mud in the air behind him as he motored on his way.

Once inside the butcher shop you could see a long narrow table covered with a white cloth. Over head hanging from the ceiling was a pair of large round scales, which John Lewis called Mr. Detroit. Newton recalls paying 5 ½ cents a lb. for beef and 10 cents to 20 cents a lb. For pork. The best round steaks then sold for 25 cents to 30 cents a lb.

There were times when business was poor and profits skimp. At such times John Lewis Grant was occasionally heard to say, (well it looks like we may have to weigh the grease on the butcher knife to make a profit.)

Souse meat was a favorite choice of some of the customers. It was made in large dishpans and let set overnight. The next day it was emptied onto a large wood cutting board and sliced however desired by the customers.

Next door to the butcher shop was the Dick Smith barbershop where a haircut and a shave were 25 cents. A gathering place where some tall tales were spun. Short haircuts were the style and fellows sat around in they’re felt and leather boots. Peering out onto the streets they could see the ladies pass by in their long dresses and funny looking hats and bonnets. Sometimes the undergarment included long cotton slips, puffy bloomers, and laced up corcets. Men sometimes complained because it took the ladies so long to get ready to go any place. Bless their hearts, it’s a wonder they weren’t too tired to go after putting on all that rigging.

In later years John Lewis Grant purchased meat from Armor, Swift and Eckrich packing company, Newton took over his families farm and worked at farming full time. In 1914, he married Julie Elizabeth Haycraft of Grandview, Indiana. They gave birth to five children James, Walter, Louella, and Virginia. Newton’s father was widowed by this time and moved into Virginia.

In 1924, John Lewis purchased the home of Lon Richards for $1200. The present home of Mr. and Mrs. Jack Hancock, John Lewis died in 1926 and the store was sold to Mr. Jim Roberts. It remained opened for about a year then was closed permanently.

Newton remained on the farm through the years. In 1953 Julie Elizabeth died. In 1955 Newton married Maud Jolly of Owensboro. Then in 1963 modernization struck again as Harvey Aluminum came to the area. The couple sold out and moved to a mini farm on Pell Street in Lewisport. In 1968, he began his present II year tenure as a caretaker of Lewisport Cemetery.

It seems worthy to note, that even though John Lewis and Ella Bell Grant had only one surviving child the family grew to five grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. All but three still remain and make their home in Lewisport, Hawesville community.

I’m sure many of you senior citizens remember the annual July picnics. And each of you can recall a different and interesting and delightful story. Here is one mans version.

They were held at the J.W. Henderson picnic grounds. People gathered at the grounds bringing with them 15 to 20 sheep, foods of all kind. Lemonade was made in several large galvanized tubs. Two tin cups were tied to the handle of the tubs and every one drinks from the same cup. The price was a nickel per cup. A hay frame was placed on the grounds and the band played many gay old tunes from their position. Sawdust was spread on the ground in front of the band and couples danced and long dresses swirled to the rhythm of the music. If you had thirst for something a little stronger than lemonade, you could follow a little path. This led you to a little embankment nearby in the woods. Perhaps you could also find a little crap game in progress as well as some liquid refreshments.

In 1910, a severe storm hit the area blowing down all the beautiful trees, on the grounds. After this incident, the picnic was held at Lewis Perkins place for one year. Then moved to the Hugh Johnson Park, location today being highway 657 and 60 intersection Lewisport. But what started out to be a barrel of fun turned into a horrible tragedy as the gasoline popcorn popper blew up. It resulted in several injuries and deaths. This ended the yearly events after that time.

Well folks, we have taken a glimpse back into history and seen some day-to-day problems, which faced the citizens and community. We have seen life’s joys and pleasures; it’s rewards and bittersweet moments. As it all came about in another time and another place.