Today I am reproducing a short historical narrative about Brown's Grove which was written and produced in 1912 by Billy Singleton. It was sent to me by a very kind man In the county, Mr. Taz Rogers. It also got to me the day before the fire at the Ledger, so I'm sure Mr. Rogers doesn't even know (until now) that I actually received it and that It didn't get destroyed In the blaze.

The entire title of this piece Is "Visit Brown's Grove, Kentucky, the Busiest Little Town In Western Kentucky."

"It would be useless for the writer to merely state here that Brown's Grove is one of the best business points in. Western o Kentucky, for. this Is a conceded fact and is . generally known throughout this portion of the state. The town has the following business concerns: .O.H. Wilson, general merchandise; J. Jordan & :Co., general. merchandise; E. W. Howard, miller; Smith & Singleton, millers and blacksmiths; L V. Charlton, geileral merchandise, Brown & Hudspeth, general merchandise.

"These firms carry stocks of goods that would make merchants of the large cities 'st up and take notice,' and the low prices asked draws customers to this point from a radius of many miles trubitáry to this territory. They éome, and when they get here they buy..

"Brown's Grove Is a pretty place, and is inhabited by some of the best people on earth. Mr. L H. Brown established the first business in the town some 24 years ago, and it was named for him. It Is on the dividing line of Graves and Calloway Counties, the larger portion being in Calloway.

"It stands 11 miles west of Murray and 14 miles southeast of Mayfield. It has one church, the Christian, with a large membership. Elder W. E. Morgan is the pastor. Two good schools are near here - Antioch, hr Graves and the Chunn graded schoOl, in Calloway. It is a splendi place to educate your children,purchased around here at from $50 to $75 per acre, and it is as productive as can be found anywhere. The town furnishes a ready market for most everything raised on the farm, the highest prices obtainable always prevailing. "You are invited to come and dwell among us, and any information desired regarding. this section will be cheerfully given by the enterprising firms represented herein. The writer found Brown's Grove just as a traveling man us it was, 'one of the busiest and best little towns in the country.'

"O.H. Wilson, Merchant and Postmaster. The store and business of Mr. 0. H. Wilson is one 'of the largest In Calloway County and will compare favorably with the big department stores of the larger cities. Four buildings are used for the display of this mammoth stock 'as follows: for dry goods, a room 18x50 feet; for clothing and hats (annex), 18x30 feet; for groceries, 16x50 feet; for furniture, 18x60 feet.

"In addition to these, shed rooms have been placed at the rear for heavy goods, fuel, etc. The stock embraces dry goods, shoed, hats, clothing, millinery, groceries, queensware, furniture, hardware, farming implements, Homestead fertilizer, patent medicine, and stoves. He is the. exclusive dealer in the New Royal sewing machine and Star brand shoes.

"He takes measures for tailor made clothing represeátlng the best ëoncerns In the country, and can get your. suit to order within two weeks' time from gettirig your measure. "Mr. Wilson succeeded the firm of Brown, Jordan & Co., some four years ago. He came to this place from Crosslónd, Kentucky, where he was engaged in general merchandising for 17 years. Being actively engaged In merchandising for 21 years is of great value to customers, for this enables him to buy goods at close figures and he can afford to sell them at low prices.

Next week, . we will continue with the rest of this information on the town .of Brown's Grove as It' was in 1912. Please note the reference to Crossland, it evidently was a thriving community at that time, in comparison to its peaceful rural scene today.

Return to the Index of Judy Maupin's Genealogical ancedotes, stories and family notes.