The Old Pike: A History of the National Road, with Incidents, Accidents, and Anecdotes ThereonSearight, Thomas B. (Thomas Brownfield)
History
The Old Pike: A History of the National Road, with Incidents, Accidents, and Anecdotes Thereon
Searight, Thomas B. (Thomas Brownfield)
Cumberland Road; Pennsylvania -- Biography
The next old tavern is about four hundred yards from the last one, and
was also built by Bryant, above mentioned, but not for a tavern. This
house was kept successively by John McCollough, Morris Mauler and Adam
Yeast, and is now kept by [L]Nick McCollough. There were times when it
had a "good run" of patronage. Adam Yeast, one of its old occupants, was
an eccentric character, and ultimately became a lunatic.
[Footnote L: Since deceased.]
Next we come to Charley Rush's old stand. This was a famous stopping
place. Charles Rush settled here in the woods in 1838, built the house,
which he occupied as a tavern until he died in 1846, in the prime of
life. He always kept a big team on the road, under the management of a
hired driver. He was a brother of Boss Rush, and the father of Henry
Clay Rush, a prominent and influential citizen of Uniontown. He was fond
of horse racing, and always kept fast horses. His son Henry Clay was his
favorite rider, who, when a small boy, appeared on the race course
arrayed in the jockey outfit, and exactly filling the regulation weight.
He would cut a sorry figure now, on the back of a race horse. Charles
Rush was kind and charitable in disposition, but when exigencies
required, would not decline a fisticuff. Many an overbearing bully has
felt the damaging effects of his well-aimed blows. He entertained
strangers and travelers at his hospitable board, whether they had the
means of paying their bills or not, but always preferred that
impecunious guests should inform him of their condition before engaging
accommodations. On one occasion an Irishman tarried with him over night,
and in the morning, after breakfast, informed him that he had no money
to pay his bill. "Why didn't you tell me that last night?" sharply
inquired Mr. Rush. "And faith, sir," replied the Irishman, "I'm very
sorry to tell you of it this morning." Rush, pleased with his wit,
absolved him from his bill, gave him a parting drink, and allowed him to
go "Scot free." [M]William L. Smith, esq., ex-county commissioner,
married the widow Rush, and occupies the old stand as a private
residence. Samuel Rush, a farmer, and brother of Charles, lived about
three miles from here, back in the country. He was a contractor on the
road, and an energetic, honest and highly respected citizen. He was the
father of [N]Marker Rush, the proprietor of the well known "Rush House,"
near the Union Depot, in Pittsburg. Marker must have inherited his
fondness for the sports of the day through his uncle Charles, as his
father was not given to worldly indulgences.
[Footnote M: Now dead.]
[Footnote N: Since deceased.]
[Illustration: SEBASTIAN RUSH.]
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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