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By now the locals were calling it "The Campbell Mill" or "Down at Campbell's Store". John's friend and neighbor, Rev. Bedford, suggested to him that since the store is now open he should establish a Post Office there. Bedford knew the legislative person to whom the formal request should be made. A few weeks later Rev. Bedford returned with an application. While being filled out, one line asked for the "name of the Post Office". Bedford wrote in "Campbellsville". On the 8th of January in the year 1851, Postmaster General, Nathan K. Hall, serving under President Fillmore, appointed John Campbell the first Postmaster of Campbellsville.
The photo above was taken circa 1880's. The Norton family, then owners and operators of the mill and store, are standing on the porch. The names of the family in the wagon are unknown at this time. The building of the general store began in the spring of 1850. Trees from the mill property were cut and taken to Hunsinger's saw mill not far down the road along Lick creek. John Campbell with three of his sons, Caleb, James H. and Hiram completed the building in about a month. Window glass and frames had to be ordered from New Albany to finalize it.
At a Sunday Meeting after services by Rev. Bedford, those in attendance inquired as to what items would be carried at the new store. John advised them that the normal necessities needed for every day needs naturally would be the main stock. He asked them what other items they would like to be available. Needless to say, John was inundated with requests for other items they requested. With that in mind he knew what additional items to bring from New Albany on his next visit there. Soon the store was stocked and neighbors from all around the area came to look and buy.
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This photo was taken in August,1930. As one can see it has been re-sided and the small porch as seen in the 1898 photo has been removed, but the doorway still remains hidden behind the tree. What a change from horse and buggy in the top photo to the automobile shown here.
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This photo was taken in September of 1898 three years before the mill & dam were destroyed by a major flood. I have been told that the small attached section in the rear of the store were living quarters, but it has not been confirmed. Notice to the left of the barn the near verticle grazing pasture. Did the animals have one leg shorter than the other?
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scythe blade
frying pan
a girth
soup plates
turkey red
candlesticks
currycomb
blank books
smoothing iron
set of teaspons
spectales
castor oil
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woolen cravats
bone buttons
camphor
hand saw
flour
pen & ink
1/2 gallon jug
gallon of tar
ropes
scissors
hymn book
sponges
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nails
bars of lead
pencil case
mill saw file
saltpeter
blankets
pepper box
ribbon
gunlock
spools of thread
rye flour
cloth goods
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The list above is only a small portion of the many items that were stocked. As time went by more items were added to meet the demands of his customers. Some of the General Store's earliest customers were; James Conmey, John Wank, Rev. Richard Bedford, John Fleming, Powell Bird,
Daniel & James Kelly, Thomas Norton, Joseph Pardoe, George Hunsinger, Joseph Warren, Thomas Coggins, Rueben Rogers, Henry Haverly, and John Warbrton. There were others but their names have been lost in time.
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A postcard sent from the Campbellville P.O. postmarked, September 8th, 1915. The sender is Martha (Mattie) Bedford and was mailed to her brother David Saben. The message refers to her daughter Alberta who was 15 at the time and two years later in 1918 she died from the flu.
The postage stamp was 1 cent.
Powell Norton was Postmaster.
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This is a registered letter sent from the Campbellsville P.O. circa 1870 to Millview just a
short distance away. The amount of the postage (12 cents) indicates that it was sent
registered mail. An interesting question that I have been asked is "Who sent the letter?"
Also, for that short of a distance "What was in it that it needed to be registered?"
Mr. Bird was a well known and respected resident in the Township & County, if we could
just get on the "party line" telephone somebody would know I bet.
The envelope was provided courtesy of Mr. Ted Bahry. (A serious stamp collector)
Jacob Snyder was the Postmaster.
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1921
Powell Norton was the Postmaster.
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Powell Norton was Postmaster.
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1897
Powell Norton was Postmaster.
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