In this entry, Mr. Burl writes about the blacksmith shops that were in Owingsville and specifically mentions "Cap" Dawson. In his book The History of Bath County, John Adair Richards, in his section on prominent black Bath Countians, also mentions Cap Dawson. If you go to the maps of Owingsville that are available on the side bar, you can find Mr. Dawson's blacksmith shop on sheet #2. It was indeed where the Byron barn now stands in Owingsville.
From the journals:
Have you ever watched a blacksmith prepare a shoe for
shoeing a horse? All of our Bath County
towns had these shops. A typical
blacksmith had an anvil, a forge and bellow, hammers, cutters, barrel of water,
and nails. The “Smithy’s” shop often was
crude with a dirt floor.
Before the automobile took its toll on the blacksmith shops
in the late twenties, there were three shops in Owingsville. Do you recall the name of “Cap” Dawson, Wes
Harris, and Jim Reed? “Cap” was the
smith for a shop located where Western Auto now operates. Later,
“Cap” operated a shop where the E.L. and A.T. Byron building now stands
on the corner of Henry and Oberlein Streets (not “Oberline” as is currently on
the sign).
Young boys often frequented these shops as spectators
enjoying the works of the blacksmiths.
Often there was excitement when an unruly horse acted up. Blacksmiths would on occasion accept other jobs such as
repairing hinges, repairing metal parts of farm wagons, etc.
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| Not "Cap" Dawson's blacksmith shop, but I would guess it bears a similarity. |
We have decided to work a little faster on the book that we have always meant to eventually publish, which is the book (sort of) that Mr. Burl always wanted to publish. Below is the sketch of the cover he had intended to use, and we will try to incorporate it somehow in the finished project.
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| Mr. Burl loved to talk about the unique names of Bath County places. |
We hope to have the book done by Christmas and it will include all of Mr. Burl's pieces, a few of Miss Jane's letters, and some family recipes and pictures.
While we work on getting the book complete, I won't be posting on here much, but I will definitely let you know when the book is ready.
And on a very, very different note, I'll share some pictures from our local produce auction that happens weekly under the big green hoop at the agricultural center by the interstate. ~Ginger
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| Bobby C. Rogers (who is also the Democratic candidate for judge executive) auctions off the goods. |
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| My dad, Joe Karrick, stops to chat with Sue Collins. |
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| Two little farmers having fun at the auction. |
Goods lined up to sell.
