Pickaway places

Weaver ran store, good wagon in Thatcher

by Darlene Weaver
For the Herald

Along state Route 56 east, at the intersection of Tarlton Road, lies the hamlet of Thatcher. The large brick home located on the point on the southeast corner of the intersection once had an old general store on the same lot.

Philomen Weaver is the earliest known proprietor of the store, having purchased the property in 1888 from Marcus Beachtell and his wife, Mary Jane. In 1893, Weaver assigned his property in trust for his creditors, and the store was sold at public sale to Samantha Weaver, his wife. In 1898, Mrs. Weaver sold the property to John “edward” Barr.

Barr continued to run the store that also operated huckster wagon on Tuesdays and Thursdays. The traveling wares were distributed throughout a 15 mile radius. Minnie Tipton Barr, John’s wife was post mistress for the tiny village. Mail was placed in the pigeonhole post office and picked up by patrons as they came to the store.

The store building was a two story, frame affair with a pot-bellied stove and the usual loafers. Merchandise consisted of everything from eggs purchased from local farmers to fertilizer and hardwares. Locals walked, rode their horses or brought their wagons to the store. outside a watering trough and pump supplied water for the waiting animals.

The upstairs of the storerooms once contained a dance hall and meeting room. A small building located on the property housed ice for the store’s use. It was cut from a pond near Earnhart Hill and placed in the sawdust lined building for future use.

After the death of John Barr, Minnie operated the store, along with her children. Iona M. Wilma F. and Orwell, until 1920. After that time, the building was rented and eventually fell into a state of decay. it was removed in the early 1940s.

Information for the above article provided by Orwell Barr, Nelson Jones, deed records, probate records and tax maps.