19th century Moriah— Competition among ‘tonsorial artists’

Maury Thompson
2 min readOct 7, 2024

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There was a “tonsorial artist” in town.

“Our excellent barber, A. Panton, is giving universal satisfaction and has the reputation of being the best tonsorial artist in town,” the Mineville correspondent reported in the Elizabethtown Post & Gazette pm Feb. 19, 1880. “His shop is neat and pleasant, and his instruments are kept in order.”

He had competition from a new barber.

“A new barbershop opened in West Mineville by parties from Westport. The boys think it is the best shop to get shaved in, financially speaking,” the Mineville correspondent reported on March 18.

Panton renovated his shop to stay ahead of competition.

“Our excellent barber A. Panton has his shop thoroughly repaired and furnished with every modern convenience, and all who try him once will try him again as he is an excellent tonsorial artist,” the Mineville correspondent reported on May 27.

In other 19th century Moriah news collected from historic newspapers of the region:

1880

  • “The amount of business transacted daily at Port Henry Railroad Station is said to be about $2,500 (the equivalent of $77,093 in 2024 dollars),” the Elizabethtown Post & Gazette reported on Feb. 12.
  • “Mr. H. A. Putnam is hauling ore from the Fisher Hill mine to his forge at New Russia,” the Post & Gazette reported on Feb. 12.
  • “H. G. Burleigh has purchased the share of Mr. Bach in the O’Neil ore bed that is to be developed as soon as possible,” the Mineville correspondent reported on March 25.

“Work is still progressing on O. Neil’s shaft, and the indications are quite promising,” the Mineville correspondent reported on May 27.

  • “Prof. Lynn is in town lecturing on electricity and electro magnetics,” the Mineville correspondent reported on March 18. “He also exhibits a variety of panorama views. Taken in all, it is a very pleasant entertainment and well worth the fee.”
  • “The cutting of ice and consequent building of ice houses on Bulwagga Bay is proving a Godsend to our lumber dealers,” the Mineville correspondent reported on March 18.
  • “The ice crop is being rapidly gathered in at Port Henry for our southern cities, giving employment to scores of men and boys at remunerative prices,” the Post & Gazette reported on March 25.

1895

  • “The Ceder Point blast furnace at Port Henry resumed operations yesterday after having been out for more than two years. The furnace will give employment to about 100 men,” The Morning Star of Glens Falls reported on Aug. 13.

Click here to read the most recent previous 19th century Moriah post.

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Maury Thompson

Freelance history writer and documentary film producer from Ticonderoga, NY