As early as 1815 Richard Donaldson kept a tavern on Maiden street, opposite the Female Seminary. This old house was surrounded by spacious grounds, and there was a ball alley in the rear of it, which afforded means of exercise and amusement for the town boys of the olden time. James Workman succeeded Donaldson in this old tavern, and he, in 1830, was succeeded by Samuel Surratt, father of James F. Surratt, the popular postmaster of Steubenville, Ohio. Major William Paull kept this house previous to 1840, and for a time thereafter, and at the close of his term it was purchased by the trustees of the Female Seminary, since which time it has formed a portion of the real estate belonging to that institution. Major Paull came to this house from the old stone house on Winding Ridge, and kept it as a wagon stand. It had good facilities for the accommodation of wagoners, by reason of the spacious grounds before mentioned, and these, in connection with the fact that Major Paull was an experienced tavern keeper of the road, attracted a large and profitable patronage. The "Greene House," a popular tavern, was located on the east side of Main street, south of the Mansion House, and on a lot formerly owned by John L. Gow, esq. It was kept in 1842 by William Searight, before mentioned, who was succeeded by S. B. and C. Hayes, whose occupancy was brief, and about 1846 it came under the control of Daniel Brown, one of the most competent landlords of his day and generation. During Brown's incumbency it had the patronage of the Good Intent Stage company. Brown's bar-keeper was Benjamin White, who wore his hair long and had a scar on his face. His employer always addressed him as "Benny," and confided in his integrity to the fullest extent, and in very truth "Benny" was entirely worthy of his employer's confidence. Whither this quaint old bar-keeper drifted, when the eclipse came over the sunshine of the road, is not known, but his name deserves to be perpetuated in history. Most of the facts contained in this chapter rest on authority of Crumrine's history of Washington county, Pennsylvania. [Illustration: THE RANKIN HOUSE.] CHAPTER XXXIX. _Old Taverns and Tavern Keepers continued--Washington to West Alexander--Rankintown--John Rankin--Andrew McDonald--Freaks of an Old Wagon-maker--Robert Smith--John Coulson--Millers--Bedillions-- The S Bridge--Caldwells--Mrs. Brownlee--Another Widow McClelland-- Claysville--John Sargent--An event in the Life of Dan Rice--Basil Brown--Dennisons--The Walker House--Jonathan D. Leet--Coon Island-- John Canode--Rogers and the Doughertys--John Valentine._