THE FIRST BUSINESS HOUSE IN TOADSUCK 1871

Mrs. Nannie Ragsdale Sanders sends along a picture of the first business building {Photograph was not with this article}. Standing in front of the store, reading from left to right: Seldon Ragsdale, Mr. Gray, Tom Hudspeth, Joe Doughty, Bob Hudspeth.  The justice court was held on the south side of this building which faces west.  The old building pictured was used for both dry goods and groceries, serving as a general store.  Tom Hudspeth was a salesman.  His father, who was known as Uncle George came to this section of the country, bringing his wife and a large family.  At that time there was plenty of free grass and water, and Mr. Hudspeth had some cattle, horses and sheep.  In order to give employment to his sons, he operated this store as a side line, going to Jefferson for supplies, according to Mrs. Sanders.

He built a wooden house a few hundred yards east of the store.  He hauled lumber from Jefferson saw mills.  It was rough lumber, dressed by planes and saws, and was hauled in covered wagons as everything was transported in those days.  It was difficult to keep the dry goods from becoming soiled, Mrs. Sanders relates.  "one time they bought so much Morenta plaid for the store that it was too hard to sell, but having a large family to dress we finally used it all ourselves in time." she says.  "People lived well those days," she tells.  "There were plenty of wild turkeys in the cross timber, and deer were plentiful."  "We had four dogs," she says.  "On one special occasion that I recall, one of the dogs, Tinker, was killed on a deer hunt.  Mr. Ragsdale shot a big buck, and a stray bullet hit Tinker, a dog which belonged to Nancy Sanders."  "People had plenty of fat cattle and ran killing clubs.  They took their turns in killing and dividing.  And of course, fruit was plentiful, but people started orchards and planted gardens as soon as they could prepare the ground.