Fire swept through Danville, Kentucky on the 22nd day of February in 1860. Almost every church, business, hotel, and livery in the central business district was consumed. One very important first redevelopment of the town in the post-Civil War era was the construction of a theater venue. James Hall was built and financed by Joseph McAlister James, known locally as Joseph McJames.
Inferno Builds James Hall
The Kentucky Tribune, Extra Edition, February 23, 1860
Terrible Conflagration! Danville in Ruins!
“About 3 o’clock yesterday evening, a fire broke out in the large frame residence of Professor Matthews, on Fourth Street, and the wind being from the South-west, the flames were speedily carried over the town. We have no time for particulars. About half the town is in ruins . . .
embracing the greater part of the North side of Main street, and the blocks immediately back in that direction; the buildings burned, number about 70, embracing the residence of Prof. Matthews, the Reform Church, the residence of Dr. G.T Erwin, the Batterton House, Court House, Episcopal Church, Bell & Cowan’s office, W.M. Stout’s Store building, G.F. Cornelius’ two grocery establishments, D.A. Russell’s corner, occupied by Welsh & Co., the Tribune Printing Officer, Hewey’s Furniture Ware rooms. A.S. McGrorty’s Store rooms and the Store rooms of L. Dimmitt, M. Levenson, Wm. Wallston, S.P. Barbee, F.F. Maguire, H. Hamilton, A.W. Barker, J.B. Akin, G.R. Smith, John Hughes, H. Hommel, &c. &c., Grubb’s large Coach Factory. 2nd Presbyterian Church, Shindleberer’s Confectionary, Webb’s Gunsmith shop, and the residence of G.W. Doneghy, Mrs. Cowan, G.P. Newlin, John F. Zimmerman, J.F. Virden, S.F. Maquire, A.W. Barker, O.P Ball, Mrs. Nancy Akin, and many other buildings, including residences, business houses and outbuildings. We cannot in the present state of excitement, give a full correct list of the losers either in building or stock. Many of the building belonged to other persons than those occupying them.
“We will issue another extra as soon as possible. Most of the records of the two Clerk’s offices, we hope are saved.
“Our printing office is a total loss — nothing was saved. We hope, however, to make such an arrangement as will enable us to re-commence the issue of our paper in a few weeks.
“The amount of insurance on the property burned, we cannot, of course, arrive at, as yet. Some of the losers are partly insured, but very many had no insurance whatever. Vast amounts of goods and furniture were burned.“
Fire sweeps through Danville, Kentucky. Almost every Main St. business is consumed.
1860
1864
JAMES HALL RISES
Built on Third St. off Main St., the venue acts as a community center, auditorium, theater, and general meeting place. The production manager of James Hall is Pat Loughlin.
1864
1864-1872
DRAMA COMES TO DANVILLE
Pat Loughlin imports entertainment from the best professional centers of the U.S. and Europe. Talent also is trained locally and exhibited at James Hall.
1864-1872
1868
FINANCIERS MEET
Joseph McJames meets with other businessmen to form the Central Bank of Danville. Primarily interested in building a new hotel after the inferno, the bank finances other needed commercial development, too.
1868
1872-1875
NEW MANAGEMENT
After the Civil War, the fragile economic climate of the reconstruction era threatens the survival of James Hall. William R. Bowman & Jerry L. Spears acquire the venue as it struggles to survive.
1872-1875
1872-1875
BANKRUPTCY
As operational debts mount, Bowman & Spears are forced to sell the venue for $3,300 to banker Clifton Rodes. In turn, Rodes flips the venue back to builder & local financier Joseph McJames.
1872-1875
1875
REVIVED
McJames expands community use of James Hall. The Methodist Church raises $140 with a bazaar & dinner. Spelling Bee mania creates a new attraction for youth and brings roller skating to James Hall. To attract adult audiences, lectures are booked, as are dinners & dances. Traveling theatricals and local repertory theater broaden audiences & revive success.
1875
1875-1885
GOING UPSCALE
Seeing growing success, the Danville Town Hall Co. raises desire for a new opera house. But the company can’t raise the funds. Instead, James Hall undergoes its first major renovation with a new stage, a painted new backdrop, dressing rooms, & folding chairs. Thomas Edison visits to display his new phonograph. Re-branded as the Danville Opera House, the public still calls it Old James Hall. Balls become frequent events. Centre College holds its Commencement Ball. Washington’s Birthday Ball is a big event, as is the Fair Week Ball during the Kentucky State Fair. Speeches on July 4th last the full day.
1875-1885
1885-1888
PRIME ATTRACTIONS
The new Cincinnati Southern Railroad brings speakers from lecture circuits to James Hall. Danville is treated to its first opera, The Mikado. A.G. Field’s Minstrels prove a popular attraction. On April 10, 1888, the Danville Colored School holds commencement exercises at James Hall.
1885-1888
1893-1896
RENOVATION #2 BRINGS A NEW NEIGHBOR
The Danville Opera House gets a balcony & exclusive box seating . In the stores below, a new occupant is installed. The Danville Laundry Company offers upscale clothes cleaning services, improving the dress appearance of fashionable Opera House attendees.
1893-1896
1896
LOOKING OUTWARD
Clothing merchant J.L. Frohman, arrived in Danville from New York, joins Cap Tillier Veatch to create new management. The Danville Opera House is marketed to producers and booking agents in national theatrical directories.
1896
1897-1902
AMBITIOUS BUSINESSMEN
Enterprising John B. Stout acquires the failing drug store of Capt. E. W. Lillard. The Danville Steam Laundry beneath James Hall is incorporated. When Lillard is promoted to Major, Stout sells Lillard his drug store now made profitable beneath James Hall. Earlier, Lillard married Stout’s daughter to cement his relationship with Stout.
1897-1902
1903-1907
ANOTHER IMPROVEMENT
Under Maj. Lillard, James Hall gets a major & an important upgrade that transforms the venue. Electricity replaces the original gas lamps, lighting James Hall and its stage. Lillard is elected Kentucky State Representative.
1903-1907
1908-1912
STOUT’S OPERA HOUSE
The population of Danville grows to 8,000. The Danville Laundry adds new dry cleaning to its services. John B. Stout acquires James Hall, adding afternoon & evening matinees to nightly performances. Coburn’s Minstrels become an annual highlight. J.J. Coleman manages a chain of theaters across the South & is retained as booking agent for Stout’s Opera House. Coleman joins other theater owners to form The National Theater Owners Association. The move increases the costs of theatrical production for local owners.
1908-1912
1913-1921
THE DECLINE OF JAMES HALL
Politics doom Maj. Lillard. He takes his own life. Stout’s Opera House becomes a motion picture theater. When J.B. Stout violates exhibitor rules, Danville is deprived of major film releases. Attempts to restore film distribution results in B-movie attractions of lesser quality.
1913-1921
1922-1928
LAST EFFORTS
A final third renovation creates separate entrances & facilities for white & black audiences. The Danville Opera House succumbs, replaced by J.B. Stout’s Dance Pavillion, where antique auctions are held. Stout goes out of business sometime in the Great Depression.
1922-1928
1929-1968
ENCORE & THE FINAL CHAPTER
The Danville Laundry & Dry Cleaning Service becomes the sole surviving occupant of James Hall. In 1924, the company celebrates 39 years in business. In 1968, Danville Laundry & Dry Cleaning is sold to John Short & James Naylor who operate Ideal Cleaners on south Fourth St. and in nearby Stanford.
1929-1968
1960s
JAMES HALL DISAPPEARS
Urban redevelopment removes James Hall from Danville’s streetscape. The vacant land becomes a parking lot.
1960s
Danville Before the Fire Storm
A Thriving Community
The population of Danville in 1852 was 3,000. The town had a college, four high schools and eleven churches. The following merchants in the town center offered everything needed, and some things imaginable.
Banking – Branch Bank of Kentucky; William Craig, President; Thomas Mitchell Sr., Cashier
For a month after the disaster, news of the Danville conflagration was widely published nationally. This report appeared in the Lehigh Register of Allentown, Pennsylvania.
McJames & Financiers Form a Bank
Money to Rebuild
Town fathers gather to rebuild Danville’s commercial center. The following join Joseph McJames to form a bank – T. W. Jackson, Clifton Rodes, Joshua Fry Bell, C. T. Worthington, A. H. Sneed Esq., Hervey Helm, T. J. Dillehay, Alexander Scott McGrorty Sr., J. H. Davis, W. R. Orear, James Granville Cecil Sr., J. H. Thomas, M. J. Durham, William F. Evans, W. M. Fields, Charles Edwin Bowman, James Kinnaird, George Francis “Frank” Lee, Reuben Gentry, John Allen Burton, G. W. Welsh, J. M. McFerran, John Tewmey.
Source: Acts of the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: Volume 2, Kentucky January 1, 1867
AN ACT to incorporate the Central Financial Association, of Danville. Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the Commonwealth of Kentucky: § 1. That T. W. Jackson, C. Rodes, J. F. Bell, C. T. Worthington, A. H. Sneed, Hervey Helm, T. J. Dillehay, A. S. McGrorty, J. H. Davis, W. R. Orear, J. G. Cecil, J. H. Thomas, M. J. Durham, W. F. Evans, W. M. Fields, C. E. Bowman, James Kinnaird, G. F. Lee, Reuben Gentry, Joseph McJames, John A. Burton, G. W. Welsh, J. M. McFerran, John Tewmey, and those that they may associate with them, and their successors and assigns, shall be, and they are hereby, created a body politic and corporate, by the name of the Central Kentucky Financial As sociation, of Danville; with power in that name to contract and be contracted with, sue and be sued, plead and be impleaded, answer and defend, in all courts and places whatever, as a natural person; and to have and use a common seal, and to change and renew the same at pleasure; also to purchase and hold, in fee or by lease, a lot or lots or parcels of land in the city of Danville, Kentucky, for a large and convenient hotel ; and such other lots or parcels of land in the State of Kentucky as they may re quire for their business, or may deem it expedient to acquire, by purchase or in the collection of debts, so that the real estate so held shall not exceed two hundred thou sand dollars ($200,000) in value at any one time. § 2. It shall be lawful for said corporation to build a hotel in said city, and to furnish the same, and to purchase and acquire all necessary goods and chattels for that purpose; and rent or lease the said hotel before or after the same is furnished, or to keep and carry on the hotel on account of the corporation ; and to erect storehouses and other buildings as may be deemed expedient, not to exceed in the aggregate the limit fixed in the preceding section. § 3. It shall be lawful for said corporation to transact financial business as a natural person, and promote industrial enterprise in Kentucky and elsewhere; to loan money, discount promissory notes, buy and sell exchange, stocks, and other mercantile securities; and the promissory notes made negotiable and payable at the office or principal place of business of said corporation, or of any of the incorporated banks or branches in this State, and inland bills which may be discounted or purchased prior to inaturity by said corporation, shall be, and they are hereby, put upon the footing of foreign bills of exchange, and like remedy may be had thereon, jointly or severally, against the makers, drawers, endorsers, or other parties thereto.Some short text that can be expanded to show more details. Description for this block. Use this space for describing your block. Any text will do. Description for this block. You can use this space for describing your block.
Beginning around 1850, small towns aspired to have an Opera House. Most were built according to a construction template. Stores occupied the ground level. The opera house occupied the upper two stories of a building.
Woodward Opera House, Mt. Vernon, Ohio. Comparable to James Hall, Danville, Kentucky
Stairway to upper floor theater, comparable to James Hall
Second story theater lobby, comparable to James Hall
The theater house without seating could be used for dinners, bazaars, & other general purposes
With seating installed, the venue became a proper theater
Decorative ceiling crest later accommodated the installation of electric lighting
Upper and lower balconies accommodated different size audiences
The stage view from the balcony
The house view with audience present
Political & stump speeches were common in such theaters
A street view showing stores below the theater above
Joseph McJames was a visitor to Columbus, Ohio. He and his family even resided in Westervelt [today’s Westerville], north of Columbus for a period of time. A little further north is the town of Mount Vernon, Ohio. There, the town built the Woodward Opera House in 1850. The theater in Ohio may have inspired Joseph McJames to build James Hall in Kentucky a decade later. The two theaters are nearly identical, built in the same manner, and served the same purposes.
A visit to the renovation of the Woodward Opera House in Mount Vernon, Ohio
How James Hall Was Constructed
Joseph McJames constructed James Hall to give himself a free and clear ownership of the theater, while the rental stores beneath James Hall produced an income stream to retire any debt or mortgage for the building.
Sanborn Fire Insurance Map of 1886 prominently displays James Hall
Physically, the building consisted of three stories. At ground level, individual storefronts serviced a variety of businesses. First occupants included a Post Office, the Central National Bank, a drug store, and a fourth merchant. An entry hall and staircase lead upstairs to the theater, which occupied the upper two stories of the building.
The northwest corner of Main St. & Third St. in Danville, Kentucky shows James Hall on Third St.
The storefronts at ground level were sold in separate ownership interests to individual business owners, similar to financing schemes of today for cooperative, mixed-use, or condominium developments. The sale of ground floor units paid for the entire construction of the building. Joseph McJames owned James Hall, free and clear.
Sale of Commercial Stores Beneath James Hall
Separate Assets
In 1868, Joseph McJames sold the ground level stores beneath James Hall. The following two deeds suggest a separation of assets from payment made to Joseph McJames and his second wife Margaret Wood.
Source: Boyle County Deed Book, Book 10, Page 305:
Know all men by these presents that JOSEPH McJAMES and his wife MARGARET JAMES of the County of Boyle and State of Kentucky, for and in consideration of three certain houses and lots in the City of Covington which THOMAS HUTCHINSON of the same County and State aforesaid this day deeded to me, and a lot of goods all estimated at seventeen thousand dollars, do hereby bargain, sell, and convey to the said THOMAS HUTCHINSON his heirs and assigns forever the following described real estate:
To Wit: the four lower rooms in the new brick building in the town of Danville known as James new building on third street north of Main, one of said rooms is now occupied by the Central National Bank, and one other as Post Office, and one other by Mr. CONNAGHY last year and the other by GREGORY as merchant, extending from WEISSINGER’s line to and including the North wall on the line of the lot owned by said JAMES, and upon which the printing office is situated, this includes the large closet under the stairway that leads to the large hall above with all the cellars and grounds, meandering back the width of the whole building to the high paling on ROBERTSON & MOORE’s with all and singular appurtenances belonging to each of said rooms and the grounds, the said JAMES reserves the stairway leading from the street up to said Hall, and also the back stairway, and the exclusive privilege of going up said stairways to said Hall forever, to have and to hold the same forever, the grantors, his heirs and assigns hereby covenanting with the grantee his heirs and assigns that the title hereby conveyed is clear free and unencumbered, and that the grantors will warrant and forever defend the same against all legal claims whatsoever –
In Testimony whereof we have unto subscribed our names,
Danville 4th March 1868
/ s / J. McJAMES
MARGARET JAMES
Ten days following the execution of the deed above a second deed was executed for the same property. The new deed does not identify MARGARET JAMES as a grantor. Also, the price has been reduced by a value of $8,000, which also excludes the property in Covington and the personal property as payment. The cause and reason for the novation are not determined.
Source: Boyle County Deed Book, Book 10, Page 434:
Know all men by these presents that THOMAS HUTCHINSON and ELIZABETH ANNE HUTCHINSON his wife of the County of Boyle and State of Kentucky of the first and JOSEPH McJAMES of the same county and State aforesaid, Witnesseth that the said party of the first part in consideration of Nine Thousand Dollars in hand paid by the party of the second part, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, do hereby bargain, sell, and convey to the said JOSEPH McJAMES the following described real estate,
To wit, the lower rooms in the new brick building in the town of Danville knowns as James new building on third street North of Main, the first room situated at the north end of said building, and the next one adjoining it now occupied by the said JAMES as a store house and the next room adjoining in which the Post Office is now kept, the first described room include the north wall on the line of the lot owned by the said JAMES on which the printing office is situated, this also includes the large closet under the stairway leading to the large hall above, with all the cellars and grounds meandering back the width of the three room are parallel lines to the high paling on ROBERTSON & MOORE’s line, with all and singular appurtenances belonging to said rooms and the grounds – to have and to hold the … forever, the parties of the first part, their heirs and assigns hereby covenanting with the party of the second part his heirs and assigns, that the title hereby conveyed is clear, free, and unencumbered and that the said parties of the first part will warrant and forever defend the same against all legal claims whatsoever, the said JAMES having lately deeded to the said HUTCHINSON the three foregoing described rooms, and also one other room situated on the South end of said building adjoining WEISINGER SMALL lot and now occupied as a banking house by the “Central National Bank”… this room is reserved and not included in the sale.
In Testimony whereof we have unto subscribed our names this 14th March 1868.
All the details that producers and booking agents needed to know about James Hall were promoted in national theatrical directories. Aware of the requirements to put on their show and earn a profit, producers could see from a distance what Danville had to offer in terms of audience size, promotion, transportation, accommodations, and potential box office receipts. Physical details about staff and the venue informed promoters if James Hall was a good fit for their show.
A. G. Field’s Minstrels
The minstrels’ show of Al G. Field played James Hall. Newspaper reports described a typical performance of the show Al G. Field’s Minstrels produced.
“The entertainment was novel in many of its features and…one of the best minstrels shows yet…the curtain on its first upward roll disclosed a scene upon a Mississippi levee, with the embarkation, upon the steamer ‘R.E. Lee,’ of passengers and deckhands and the introduction of choruses and dancing. The second scene introduced the interior of the steamboat cabin, where was given a delightful concert, interspersed with some new jokes and clog dancing. Then followed a laughable skit on modern magic, in which Field was assisted in a ludicrous manner by Billy Van; a dancing tournament by eight clog dancers; Roman battle-ax swinging by Cradoc, Billy Van in his monologue entertainment, and the Morrisey brothers in their songs and dances…There were other features fully as attractive.”
James Arthur Coburn’s Minstrels
The minstrels show of James Arthur Coburn also performed at James Hall.
Poster for J.A. Coburn's Minstrels featuring the show's producer and star, James Arthur Coburn
About J. A. Coburn from Monarchs of Minstrelsy by Edward Le Roy Rice
A license contract to employ James Arthur Coburn's Minstrels
Postcard & advertisement touting a touring season for James Arthur Coburn's Minstrels
Hank White performs in black face in J.A. Coburn's Minstrels
‘
Public Figures & Lecturers at James Hall
The appearances of public figures and lecturers from the speaker circuits were a popular and inexpensive attraction.
Danville Son – Harry Frankel, aka Singin’ Sam
Harry Frankel was the son of Solomon “Sol” Frankel of The Hub-Frankel Department Store in Danville. Following his employment as a minstrel in Al B. Field’a Minstrels show, Frankel fashioned a vaudevillian career for himself singing Negro music.
Harry Frankel from Danville, Kerntucky performs in black face in A.G. Field's Minstrels show
Refreshment Time with Singin’ Sam
Following his appearance in Field’s minstrels’ show, Frankel became a crooner. When endorsed by Barbasol shaving lotion, Frankel became known as Singin’ Sam, the Barbasol Man. Later, his Refreshment Time radio appearances as Singin’ Sam from 1937 to 1942 were sponsored by Coca-Cola.
Singin’s Sam song tracks: 0:38-There’s Yes, Yes, In Your Eyes; 2:44-Indian Summer; 5:47-Minstrell Song-Somebody’s Done Me Wrong; 9:13-I Love a Little Cotton.
A touring company of the popular Gilbert & Sullivan opera The Mikado plays The Danville Opera House. Click on the poster to hear a sample of The Mikado.
Stout’s Movie Theater at James Hall
On March 10, 1917, Moving Picture magazine announced yet another remodel of the Danville Opera House. John B. Stout had been using the opera house as a movie theater since 1908. In the present remodel, the existing ground level entrance would be retained but would be dedicated to colored use only. White people now entered through Stout’s drug store with the prospect of increasing Stout’s mercantile business at the same time. Separate toilet rooms, restrooms, and lobby were provided. Topping Stout’s improvement list would be “the best type of projection machine the owner can find.” For safety, additional theater exits were installed.
James Hall Gets Washed Out
The Lyons-Nichols Partnership in the Danville Laundry
At James Hall, the origin of the enduring enterprise of the Danville Laundry & Dry Cleaning Co. Inc. rested in the partnership of its two founders, the Lyons family and the Nichols family. The Lyons family were Jewish clothing merchants from Cincinnati. They joined with the third and fourth Kentucky generation of the Nichols family, Danville pioneers originally from Massachusetts. Upon the deaths of brothers Henry & Samuel Lyons, the laundry fell into the hands of John M. Nichols and his sons. Nichols already managed and operated the business on a daily basis with his sons. The Nichols hold on the Danville Laundry proved as enduring as did the Nichols family’s hold on the County Clerk’s office of the Boyle County Courthouse to the rear of James Hall. For decades and through four generations following, a member of the Nichols family has served Boyle County as county clerk.
“Henry Lyons was born in the City of Cincinnati, Ohio, in the year 1849, and was a son of Mr. and Mrs.Isaac Lyons, both of whom passed the closing years of their lives at Danville, Kentucky, where their sons Henry and Samuel had cared for them with earnest filial devotion in the gracious evening of their lives. The remains of the parents and both of the sons rest in the Jewish Cemetery at Cincinnati, Ohio. The sons were closely associated in business for many years and both were numbered among the most honored and influential citizens of Danville, to whose civic and material advancement and prosperity they had contributed in generous measure. In his youth, Henry Lyons profited fully by the somewhat limited educational advantages that were afforded him, and he early gained full fellowship with honest toil and endeavor. In 1866 he came to Danville, Kentucky, and as a youth of seventeen years here formed a partnership with Samuel Straus, his cousin, and opened a clothing store. Within a short time thereafter he assumed full ownership of the business, which he continued individually and with marked success until 1887 when he was succeeded by his brother Samuel, who had long been associated with him in the enterprise. He then went to California for a period of rest and recuperation, as his health had become much impaired, and upon his return to Danville, about four months later, in April 1887, his physical powers were up to good standard and he was ready to enter once more the field of vigorous business. He resumed his alliance with his brother, and they soon enlarged the scope of their business by opening a second store. They conducted these two mercantile establishments with characteristic ability and attending success until 1895 when they sold their clothing store to J. L. Frohman & Company, the members of which firm came to Danville from the City of Chicago, Illinois. The mercantile business had been conducted by the brothers under the firm name of Henry & Samuel Lyons. On the 10th of June, 1895, a partnership was formed by Henry and Samuel Lyons and John M. Nichols, and they established the Danville Steam Laundry, with modern equipment and service. They developed this enterprise into one of the most important and successful of the kind in the state. On the 4th of October, 1902, the large and prosperous business was incorporated under the title of the Danville Steam Laundry, and since June 19, 1909 the present corporate title has obtained — the Danville Laundry and Dry Cleaning Company. Samuel Lyons became president of the company, Henry Lyons, the secretary and treasurer, and John M. Nichols, the general manager. Henry Lyons, as before noted, died on the 9th of December, 1912, and his namesake, Henry Lyons Nichols, succeeded him as secretary and treasurer of the company. The personnel of the executive corps of this corporation thereafter continued unchanged until the sudden death of Samuel Lyons, the honored president, on the 25th of July, 1920, and with the necessary reorganization then entailed the present officers were chosen, as here noted: John M. Nichols, president; W. [Walter] Barrett Nichols, vice-president and assistant secretary; R.[Richard] Bush Nichols, manager; and Henry Lyons Nichols, secretary, and treasurer. Henry Lyons became one of the substantial capitalists and loyal and influential citizens of this section of Kentucky, and both he and his brother Samuel were foremost in the field of worthy charity and philanthropy, as well as in that of civic liberality and progressiveness. Of their varied activities and benefactions, more specific mention will be found in the memoir to Samuel Lyons, which immediately follows this review. The brothers played a large part in the business and social life of Danville and honored the state of their adoption by their generous, kindly and noble lives.”
Source: History of Kentucky, Volume 5. William Elsey Connelley, Ellis Merton Coulter. American Historical Society, 1922, pp.146-147.
Pictured working in the Danville Laundry is one of the three sons of John M. Nichols – Henry Lyons Nichols named for laundry founder Henry Lyons, Richard Bush Lyons called Bush, & Walter Barrett Nichols. The grandfather and great-grandfather of Henry M. Nichols & sons is Jonathan Nichols of Massachusetts. In his own letters, Jonathon is described as being tall, slender, and sandy-haired. Jonathon established a hemp rope walk on the Wilderness Road within walking distance of James Hall. The stately homes that line the south side of Lexington Ave. today are built on the land of Jonathon’s rope walk. His original office-residence, now over 200 years old and called the Hemp House, is the home of Stray Leaves today.
History of Danville Laundry & Dry Cleaning Co. Inc.
Danville’s Advocate-Messenger newspapers recalled the following history of the firm on July 10, 1940.
“The Danville Laundry and Dry Cleaning Company was established in June 1895, in part of the building now occupied by the Company, by John M. Nichols and the late Henry and Sam Lyons.
“At that time there was no Family Wash business in any commercial laundry, nor was there a dry cleaning department.
“The Family Wash Department was added some years later and many years afterward the dry cleaning department was added.
“The firm was originally known as the Danville Steam Laundry and in 1910 changed its charter and became the Danville Laundry and Dry Cleaning Co.
“When the plant was opened seven people were employed; today the number of employees is slightly in excess of one hundred. The labor turnover is very small; some employees have been with the firm for forty years, and ten year’s service is very common.
“At one time this firm did the largest shipping business in the state of Kentucky. That was before the days of trucks. Business has changed, now necessitating the operation of firm-owned truck into the territories served. Outside of Danville there are operated trucks to Lancaster, Stanford, Hustonville, Liberty, Junction City, Perryville, Springfield, Harrodsburg, Burgin, Versailles, Nicholasville, and Lawrenceburg.
“At the death of Mr. Henry Lyons in 1913 his namesake, Henry Lyons Nichols, was made Secretary-Treasurer, and at the death of Mr. Sam Lyons in 1920, the two brothers came into the firm, it now being composed of John M. Nichols, President; W. Barret Nichols, Vice-president, R. Bush Nichols, Manager and Henry Lyons Nichols, Secretary-Treasurer.
“New departments are constantly being added, the latest being two air-conditioned storage vaults and a fur remodeling department.
The firm has tried always to keep abreast of the times and give the people of Danville and vicinity the Laundry and Dry Cleaning service they may expect from an up-to-date plant.“
More than anything, I am rattled to my core whenever entering the data about the suicide of a family member into our genealogy database. The San Diego Union reported in 1988, "The body of a man who jumped off the San Diego-Coronado Bay Bridge last week was found floating in the bay Tuesday. David Stewart Bean, 30, of the 3600 block of Curlew Street had left a note taped to the dashboard of his pickup truck parked in the center of the bridge at 8:15 a.m. Oct. 6, police said. The California Highway Patrol officer who found the car also found Bean's wallet containing identification in the glove compartment." David Bean is a 4th cousin of mine, somewhat distant, but kin regardless. He is not the only death by suicide our family has known. I am sure to reflect on him often, on his pain and on his legacy. www.kpbs.org/news/2018/feb/19/while-suicides-coronado-bridge-add-lighting-projec/... See MoreSee Less
Prevention strategies remain elusive as lighting promises to boost bridge's profile. Last year, 18 people jumped to their deaths, the second-largest death toll ever.
Just learned of the passing of John Broadus James. I met John and his son Anthony Neal "Tony" James in Texas about 20 years ago. He learned of my research trip there and insisted I make time to see him. John rearranged his schedule so he could bring Tony along to hear my stories about his great-grandfather John James "of Alvarado." We spent the evening over dinner exchanging stories. I learned about John's father, the preacher and poet Rev. Maurice Broadus James. Sometime after, Tony went into the military. John was very proud. Unfortunately, Tony was in a helicopter accident and was relieved from service, which must have been a great disappointment for Tony and John. I'm sorry we never got together again, as I am with many of the descendants of John James "of Alvarado." ... See MoreSee Less
NOTICE to reality TV producers...STOP CALLING! WE'RE NOT INTERESTED! Magilla Entertainment called two days ago wanting to enlist our participation in another Jesse James treasure hunting unscripted series for TV. We guessed that Ron Pastore is behind the move. After some discussion, the producer stated our idea of a scripted docu-series for Netflix based on the factual lives of Jesse James' family members might be the better way to go. The producer said our idea would be discussed in yesterday's production meeting, and he would get right back to me. I wasn't holding my breath. So far, no call from the Magilla. ... See MoreSee Less
Here's some colorful video history on George Morgan Chinn, a grandson of Frank James' cohort John Pendleton "Black Jack" Chinn. Whenever I drive from Danville to Midway or Lexington, Ky, I pass the ruins of Chinn's Cave House. Here also are a couple of testimonials about George, also colorful, from the files of the James Preservation Trust. #1- "I remember George very well. He was my late father's cousin and we do have his linage through the Morgan's, dating back to John Morgan in 1778. He was a really smart fellow and funny. His [Ed.: grand] father was Jack Chinn. I have a picture of him with William Jennings Bryan, Dicky Brant, and Frank James (Brother of Jesse) seated in a buggy hitched to the only grey horse that won the Kentucky Derby. Jack was fined five dollars for speeding in a horse-drawn vehicle. He paid ten dollars and told them to keep the change because he was going out of town (Harrodsburg, Ky) the same speed he came in. My dad had a lot of these old family tales." And #2 - "hi I knew him personally. He has a lot of historical books at the Fort Harrod Museum. He also published one about Brooklyn or the Palisades area of Jessamine and Mercer Counties. His wife's nickname was Cotton because of her white hair. They were both feisty. I lived and grew up on five acres that attached to the Chinn land. It was at 5555 Lexington Rd in Mercer county. The Chinn mansion was in a hairpin curve...'Chinn curve.' "We had hunters and trespassers that would go on the property and we would have to call the Chinns to have them removed. "My grandfather grew up and ran with Jack Chinn. Jack had a moonshine still in a cave across the ky river from the mansion. He would take a boat across to the cave. Mr. George Chinn was a historian and you can look for his books on google. Or contact the Fort Harrod in Harrodsburg or the local library. Sorry, that is all I have except I know George had a daughter." George Morgan Chinn also was a director of the Kentucky Historical Society and editor of their publication "The Register." He authored several books, including "Kentucky: Settlement and Statehood, 1750-1800," still in print, "The Encyclopedia of Hand Arms," and the five-volume work "The Machine Gun." ... See MoreSee Less
This 1879 map from the US War Dept. shows the extent of the 10,000 acres rancho of Drury Woodson James. The rancho reached from Paso de Robles to Chalome. The map also identifies the probable route DWJ took through the Palonio Pass and past the Salt Springs during the drought of 1863-64 when he drove 5,000 head of cattle from Paso to Lake Tulare to save and preserve the bulk of his wealth. ... See MoreSee Less
Woodward Opera House, Mt. Vernon, Ohio. Comparable to James Hall, Danville, Kentucky
