The goods carried by the peddlers were by necessity small and useful, which used to be called "notions": pins, needles, thread,buttons, ribbons, lace, combs, knives, brushes, razors, jew's harps, cheap jewelry, small books and such stuff. These were also the very things that the remote buyer could not get made locally. Other peddlers traveled by pack-horse, cart or wagon which allowed them to carry any number of bulky items from medical notions, furniture, brass, iron or tinware, pottery, baskets, brooms, clocks and so forth. For me, the most important item he brought to our town was the news from around the area. Even though I was only 19 at the time, we were a perfect match. I will never forget my parents telling me, "Sally, you are to young to be marring such an older man. All he wants is your youth". Even though he was 12 years older than me, he was so good to me. After his death, I found my new love, William Garfield, we got married. We have a son named Gavin and William works at the mill. Today, I am here at Perry's, shopping for the family. While they have just about anything here, I still remember the Peddler coming to town. It was like Christmas because you never know what was on his cart. Trinkets of all kinds, buttons, irons, clocks, Snake Oil, shoes, hats, and sometimes a special toy or fresh fruit. Even now I can hear the wheels rolling across the stones in the road. Edmond loved playing his washboard and kazoo to attract buyers to his cart. Today, I see that Gladys June, the owner of the Country Store here in Whitesburg has so many wonderful things for sale. I buy all my sewing products and they always have fresh fruits and vegetables.
