Milton H. Rush...Born in 1866 in Goodson, Va., the son of Emmert B. Rush.The first reference to Rush I have found dates
to 1896 when he was a Yardmaster for the Railroad. In 1902, he negotiated for a franchise
to distribute Coca-Cola on a small scale in the Bristol environs, acquiring his shipments from Roddy (Coca-Cola)
Mfg. Co. of Knoxville. There is some evidence he was affiliated with the Bristol Bottling Works, possibly as early as
1890.
1905...M.H. Rush was listed as an Agent for
the Anheuser-Busch Brewing Co. and the Chattanooga Brewing Co. In September of 1906, Rush sells his interests
in Coca-Cola, ( franchise), to a Col. Howard of Rockwood, Tenn. Yet, in 1907, there is a Rush Bottling Works listed
with M.H. Rush as Proprietor and advertisements for same in the Bristol papers. I have yet to establish just where his works
were located, but it's a possibility he was in J.W. Waynick's old works near Diamond Ice Co., whether prior to or after Diamond
Bottling Works was established is unknown.
***difficult to imagine why Rush would
sell his Coca-Cola interests yet still remain in the bottling business.
A 1907 ad states he bottles Colas &
, is the Agent for the Pabst Blue Ribbon Brewing Co. The last listing I could find was in 1923 - Rush Bottling Co.-
Warehouse - 33 Washington St.
M.H. Rush was a prominent business man, no known financial
troubles, a dapper dresser and an all around clean fellow. Have yet to locate a date, but at some time, Rush "left"
Bristol. Not a trace was heard from him ever again. Rush left behind a considerable balance in a local bank, which
remained dormant for years and was discovered by his widow by accident.
* There was an incident in
Feb of 1907 when Rush had an altercation with a local policeman named Lewis. Rush knocked Lewis to the ground in the Union
Depot , in retaliation for Lewis insulting him. Lewis got up, drew his gun and fired a shot at Rush , which missed. Luckily,
it missed the passengers and other people then mingling in the crowded station.
Jeremiah Bunting
- Established Buntings Drug Store by 1869 in the building formerly owned by Fowler & Gibboney. In 1870,
Bunting is manufacturing Patent Medicines: a Tonic & Alterative Bitters, a Nervine, an All-Healing Ointment, and
a Tonic Bitters. In 1873 Bunting becomes partners with C.T. & W.H. Pepper on Front St. By May of 1880, Bunting is
partners with John R. Dickey at #6 James Block. In 1885 Bunting is partners with William Wallace. In 1889, Bunting &
Son is formed. In 1896 the address is 420 Main St. In 1905, 418-420 State St. In 1909, 420-422. It's in 1909 that Lindsay
Bunting sells the drug store to Joseph W. Jones and J.
Ernest Long, who continue to operate as Buntings Drug Store for decades. ( to be continued)
Joseph W. Jones & J.
Ernest Long - In 1907 Jones, who had formerly worked at Dixie Tannery, Strother Drug Co.,Sharp & Dohme of
Baltimore, and at Bunting & Son, established Jones' Pharmacy. This business closed in 1909 when Jones entered into a partnership
with J. Ernest Long of Blountville. Long had previously worked at his father's drug store in Blountville, Strother Drug in
Lynchburg,VA., and at Turner's Drug Store. The two men purchased Buntings Drug Store, with the condition that it retain the
Bunting name.
At one time their pharmacists were: John Chambers formerly of Colbert's Drug Store, Lawrence Keister formerly of
Carson's Drug Store in Radford, VA., and of Kuhlman's Drug Store in Knoxville, and Chas. M. Delaney ,Jr. who was employed
in 1925.
William
Henderson Nickels, Jr., son of William Henderson, Sr. and Rebecca (Evans) Nickels, was born March 27,
1832 in Nickelsville, Scott Co., VA. He died March 15, 1916 in Duffield, Scott Co., VA. William was a merchant before and
after the war, operating the Nickels House Bar, ( former Exchange Hotel), in Bristol with his brother Isaac in 1866. William
enlisted as a Confederate soldier with Co. C of the 64th VA Mounted Infantry on February 19, 1863 in Washington Co., VA. He
was promoted to Commissary Sergent before August 31, 1863.
William married first Elizabeth Duff. He married second
Sarah Lawson. William and Elizabeth had seven children: Samuel Tipton Nickels, William Barlow Nickels, Martha "Mattie" Nickels,
Nancy Elizabeth "Nannie" Nickels Parrish, Margaret Louise Nickels Horsley, Alice Nickels, and Patrick Nickels. William and
Sarah had one child: John Thomas Nickels.
William Washington "Barlow"
Nickels, son of Walter H. and Jane (Kilgore) Nickels, was born January 28, 1838 in Nickelsville, Scott
Co., VA. He died September 12, 1909 in Gate City, Scott Co., VA. He was a merchant by trade, operating the Exchange Hotel
in Bristol in 1862 with A.L. Womack. He served with the 25th VA Infantry during the Civil War.
Barlow married Sarah Elizabeth Richmond on
October 23, 1860 in Scott Co., VA. Barlow and Sarah had four children: Robert Henderson Nickels, Patrick Henry Nickels, George
Emmett Nickels, and Isaac Benton Nickels.
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