Hi, Here is one of those Berry articles I mentioned last weekend. It is about Berry in 1915. It doesn't go into the history of the town, but is more like a snapshot of what the town looked like and who was doing business there. My interest in Berry derives from the fact that my great-grandfather, James Gardiner ELMORE, wife (Sarah Margaret CUMMINS), and chidren moved to a farm halfway between Berry and Boyd in 1900 and lived there until 1918. James G. ELMORE's siblings also lived near him, his sister, Margaret ARNOLD lived near Boyd, then moved to Berry ca. 1918. Some of the other names that come to mind with a family connection are: KNOX, PUGUE, LANG, & GARDINER. I've always liked this article for the humorous opening line, plus for the fact that it mentions so many of the people I had heard about while the ELMOREs lived there. I always think of Berry as "one wild and crazy place" from all the stories I have heard told about the people there! The (Cynthiana, Ky.) Log Cabin, Friday, April 30, 1915 ---o0o--- BERRY --------------- It is said that John Throckmorton once asked a drunken man, where he wanted to get off his train and he mumbled "Hell." John put him off here, but for once we know John was wrong. A more picturesque spot could hardly have been selected by our forefathers for a home than the beautiful site occupied by "Berry." Its name was given in honor of one of the foremost families of our county, descendants of whom are still residents in number. Going back some thirty years ago, we find it a village containing about twenty-four houses, a blacksmith shop, a general store, a tin shop, a drug store, a one-room school house and about seventy inhabitants. Today it is a thriving town with about one hundred and twenty buildings and nearing the five-hundred inhabitants mark. The town council is composed of such representative men as Dr. B.G. Gillespie, Dr. Ross, W.H. Forsythe, John C. Brown and last but not least, G.C. Matthews, with J.E. Renaker as Police Judge; and woe to the offender who comes before him. Alvin Lail is our Marshall and a better one could not be found. The Author of "All Sorts and Conditions of Men" must have visited our town for they can be found here, but taken all in all we have an excellent citizenship. As to our business enterprises: There is Thompson & Billiter, the livery men, just at the foot of Main Street. Next, just across the street, a first class general store under the management of Mrs. Maggie Fisher, ably assisted by her two sons. Passing up Main Street we note the office of Dr. H.M. Earle and next door our Tonsorial artist friend, Sam'l Earle, regales his customer with fairy tales while he clips his whiskers, unless it happens to be an Everett True when Sam is meek as a mouse. David Dowd keeps open house just above, where "Square Meals" are served and then genial B.B. Whitaker, assisted by Miss Maud Bedford and G.C. Matthews, serves the public from his general supply store with that smile that won't wear off. On the corner of Main and 2nd we find the up-to-date Drug Store of A.H. Cochran with Mr. Berry as chief clerk. On 1st Street we have another store owned by Hardy Bros. and a Sewing Machine Agency handled by Mr. John M. Wilson. On the other side of Main Street we find the offices of Drs. Gillespie and Ross and one dentist, Dr. Weiler (?). J.W. Landrum handles first class harness etc., just a few doors above, and just below the "Kendall Hotel" which has been newly painted. Passing out 2nd Street we find one of the most complete blacksmith and general repair shops ever, controlled by Phillips & Son. Crossing we see and extensive Lumber Yard which we find is managed by a thorough business gentleman, Mr. Steve Tutt. Being hungry we drop into J.W. Marshall's restaurant and partake of one of his '"Home made Pure Food lunches" and then go into the "Ice Cream Parlor" of John C. Lyter to cool our innards. John also does a nice business in drugs. On the corner stands the Farmers Deposit Bank with Milt Caldwell in charge and after making your deposit you can pass out and into the Barber Shop conducted by Edward Mitts where you can get a first class shave, shine and shampoo. If you need any home-killed beef steak you will find it by going to the butcher shop of Joe L. Godman. Quite a number of people on the Rural Routes don't know what good steaks Joe handles. And then the Blue Grass Company with its corps of clerks and Veach Redd as manager. Here you can buy anything from a pin to a threshing machine. Andrew McNees can always be found at his post and Jim Lyter, stand pat republican [sic], is ever ready to serve his friends. The Misses Belle and Edith Stone come next with their lovely millinery establishment. Ah! it would make your mouth water to see it. Hats, black hats, white hats, green hats, yellow hats, hats plain and hats with feathers in them. No woman could resist. (Came very near buying one myself.) Then Uncle Sam, represented by Hubert Hutton with a well arranged P.O., from which three rural carriers go forth. Another bank, Alvah Stone Cashier, known as the Berry Deposit Bank will take good care of your funds. On 4th Street a four-room school house accommodates our school children. Prof. L.E. Sharon Principal, Chas. Howes, Miss Allie Talbott and Miss Iva K. Dowd assistants. J.W. Huffman handles a full line of groceries near the R.R. crossing and was one of the first to subscribe to the "Log cabin", and next to him Billeter & Boyers carry a full line of bugiges [sic] and farmer[']s supplies and operate a garage. The offices of Drs. McVey & Todd are on Main just below 3rd St., making five doctors in all. R.P. Blair is our Atty., and is ever ready to serve his clients faithfully. Three churches grace our town, Methodist, Baptist and Christian, the pastors of which are Rev. Williams, Rev. R.H. Tolle and Rev. Tinney. Truly Berry is a thing of beauty and should be a joy forever.