A Helping Hand at Prince’s Station

“Which we trust you will find correct and that you will give the same your earliest attention and settle same as we are very much in need of the money”

Come pull up a chair and take a look at this little piece of West Virginia history I found tucked away. It is a simple letter from late September in 1885, written on lined paper that has turned a soft, warm yellow over the last hundred and forty years. You can see the heavy fold marks where Mr. Laban Gwinn likely tucked it into his pocket, and there are a few stains that tell us this paper lived a real life in a busy home or shop. The handwriting is that beautiful, flowing script you just do not see anymore, written in a faded brown ink that looks like it was penned only yesterday.

This is not a grand proclamation or a famous treaty; it is something much more personal. It is a business letter from I. C. Prince & Co. over in Quinnimont. They were writing to Mr. Gwinn to send him an itemized bill he had asked for. But there is a real human touch here that you do not find in modern automated invoices. The folks at the shop, J.C. in particular, were not just asking for payment because it was due. They were reaching out as neighbors, explaining that they were very much in need of the money and hoping he could settle up soon.

When we look at this decorative letterhead from Prince’s Station, we are seeing the heartbeat of a growing community. In 1885, these small-town merchants were the lifeblood of their towns, and their survival depended on the trust and cooperation of their neighbors. It reminds us that history is made up of these small, quiet moments of commerce and connection. It is a gentle reminder that even in business, there used to be a sense of shared responsibility and honest communication that we should strive to keep alive today.

Original Transcription