Iowa
Old Press
Washington Press
Washington, Washington co. Iowa
February 11, 1891
Neighborhood Notes
The Ainsworth Clipper says the vein of coal on Mrs.
Abbott's farm is three feet thick and the coal of good variety.
Thos. Hawkings and N.B. Rush leased it; a Sigourney man wants to
buy it.
T.J. Allen of Wellman has an interesting collection of
cents--he's a man of cents as well as sense. From 1798 to 1890
our mints coined each year a one-cent piece except in the year
1815. He has a sample of the entire series, year by year, and has
been 26 years gathering them. These coins were nearly all one
size till 1857, Nickel and bronze from '56 to' 67, then copper.
In '59 they changed from the eagle to Indian head image. Three of
them are very rare; the cent of 1799 is worth $25; that of 1798
commands $8, and that of 1804, $6. He also has specimens of
wild-cat and red-dog bank notes from 10 states, dating from 1841
to the establishments of national banks and safe currency.
[transcribed by N.J., Dec. 2012]