A Saturday Meeting at Princes Station

“I will buy the dog if he does not ask too much for him.”

Gather ’round, neighbors, and take a look at this charming little piece of our history from the autumn of 1883. It is a short, simple note addressed to a Mr. Laban Gwinn, and it tells a story that many of us can relate to—the search for a good dog. The writer was making arrangements to hop off the train at Princes station at one o’clock on a Saturday. They were hoping to meet a man with a dog for sale, prepared to either pay a fair price or perhaps trade a younger pup for the one they had their eye on.

This letter is written on the letterhead of the Adams Express Company, which was a big name in shipping and travel back in those days. Even though the paper has turned a bit golden with time, the dark ink from the writer’s nib pen is still crisp and easy to read. You can even see where the paper was printed with a date starting in 1840, but our author simply wrote ‘1883’ right over it, showing us how folks made do with what they had on hand.

In the late 19th century, the local train station was the heart of the community. It was not just for travel; it was the place where business was done and where you met up with friends. This note reminds us of a time when making plans took a bit more effort and a lot more trust. You had to send a letter like this and hope your neighbor would pass the message along in time for that Saturday meeting.

Looking at this note today, it is a sweet reminder that while our technology changes, the things that matter to us really do not. Whether it is 1883 or today, there is nothing quite like the excitement of potentially bringing home a new companion. It is these small, everyday moments—a train ride, a handshake, and the hope of a new dog—that stitch the fabric of our shared history together.

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