Conway is located on the C.B. & Q. R.R., eight miles north of Bedford, and ten miles south of Lenox, near the center of Taylor county, and has about three hundred and eighty inhabitants. The town was staked out in June, 1872, by Josiah Litteer, the agent of the town company. The railroad Depot was built in July 1872; the town lots were put upon the market in October; O.B. Hyde erected the first residence in the place; John McCoy and family were the first residents in the town; he lived for some time in the railroad company's boarding car. Mr. Litteer has sold lots to the amount of $11,700; the town company own one-hundred and sixty-three acres of land, for which Mr Litteer paid $1000. The company allow Mr Litteer to exercise his own judgement on all business transactions, and it could scarcely have found a more competent man to attend to their business than Mr Litteer.

GOODSILL BROS & ANDERSON

Lumber dealers, began business here in May, 1872. The members of this firm were Goodsill Bros., at present extensive lumber dealers in Bedford, Hopkins and Conway, and J.E. Anderson, a wealthy farmer, January 1st, 1874, the style of the firm was changed to

GOODSILL BROS., ANDERSON & CO

In February of this year, the present building was completed and filled with a good stock of hardware. This firm now deals largely in lumber, hardware, tinware and wagons. The above mentioned parties and W.B. Eaton, comprise the members of this firm, at present. The sales of this and the old firm of Goodsill Bros & Anderson, amount to $125,000. Their books show a steady yearly increase of sales until 1877. During this year their sales were somewhat lighter, showing that there were not so many buildings erected and farms fenced in this section during that year as the one previous.

MOSER BROS.

Built the first business house in the place, the one now occupied by J.W. Moser. This building was stocked with goods on the 4th day of July, 1872. This firm was succeeded by

J.W. MOSER

in 1876. Mr Moser now has a building well filled with dry-goods, groceries, boots, shoes, queensware, glassware and notions.

In the year 1874, a second lumber yard was started by parties who were succeeded after six months, by McConvill & Jolly, who continued in business about eighteen months, when Mr. J.H. Jolly retired from the firm. McConvill was succeeded in October, by

J. WILSON & CO.,

the present proprieters. Mr Wilson, the active member of the firm, has been a resident of this county for some thirteen years, and made for himself an enviable reputation. He has been handling stock for eighteen months, and dealing in grain about six months.

A.A. DELONG & CO.,

erected a building and stocked it with drugs, in October, 1874, since which time they have built up a large trade. The members of this firm are A.A. DeLong, who has charge of the business, and

Dr. H.H. LIGGETT

a regular graduate. He is an alopathic physician of eight years experience, and has a large practice. He was appointed post master here, in July, 1876, and he still holds that position. Mr A.A. DeLong is his assistant.

P.H. NELSON

opened a boot and shoe shop here, in May, 1875. He has an unimpeachable character. He has had in his employ during the time, Mr John Byrnes, a "tip-top" fellow and a No 1 mechanic. Mr Nelson has been an inhabitant of this county for about twenty years. He worked at his trade from 1858 to 1862, in old Lexington, when he could get gold or notes on the "state bank," for his labor, and he served three years in his country's cause.

EICHAR & DANIELS

began business, together, here about three years ago. During this time they have built thirty dwellings, five barns, two school houses, the Virginia hotel, and five business houses in Conway, using about 325,000 feet of lumber.

R.B. WOOLLEY

built a blacksmith shop, here in April, 1875, and began work at his trade. He has made money and friends, and does a good business.

The firm of Allen & Tate completed the building now occupied by

H.C. FORDYCE

with a good assortment of drugs, books and notions, in October, 1876. His stock was put in the next month, and he taught the school three months prior to this time.

J.W. COPPLE,

opened a harness shop, here in July, 1876. He is a good mechanic, successful business man, an esteemed citizen, and exemplary christian.

Wm W. Bemis,

put a large stock of general merchandise into his new building, shortly after it was completed, which was in June, 1876.This building is 24x60 feet, and well filled.

JAMES W. WOLFORD,

a "tip-top" plasterer, located here and began work at his trade about two years ago, since which time he has spread 16,880 yards of "mortar," in this county.

A.A. IRVIN,

a grain and real estate dealer, began business here, in 1876. He is now prepared to furnish top buggies at reduced rates.

MR J.H. FREEMAN

has worked at the cabinet trade here, about two years. He is also a carpenter, and he is a neat workman, too; has followed his trades some forty-three years.

In June, 1876, a charter was granted for the organization of

RIGHT ANGLE LODGE, No 348,

About this time their present hall was erected. It is 22x60 feet, and is all paid for. This lodge has fifty members, and is in a thriving condition.

W.J. COLEMAN,

built a good business house and stocked the same with general merchandise, about eighteen months ago.

Next June

MRS J. MCCOY,

will have been in the millinery business two years. She has a showy building, well adapted to her business, and she is a very popular lady.

About one year ago

B.F. HOLMES,

left his farm and became agent for a variety of sewing machines. He continued in this business for four months, and in July he and Mr. I. Bruner bought the "restaurant" hotel, and rented the Virginia hotel. After two months they gave up the hotel, and Mr. Holmes became sole proprietor of the "restaurant" hotel. He now devotes his whole time to this and the sewing machine trade. He has a good stock of confectionary, tobaccos, cigars and attachments for all kinds of sewing machines. He having once been a farmer, knows just what the farmer wants, and will furnish the same to him at special rates.

F.E. SLAUGHTER,

opened a furniture store and cabinet shop here, about one year ago, and he is an excellent mechanic. His son,

C.E. SLAUGHTER,

is a practical sign painter, and has worked here about one years.

PROF. C.C. ANDERSON,

began a class, in instrumental music here, about one year ago, which has steadily increased during this time. He began dealing in musical instruments, music books &c., three months ago.

In March, of last year,

J.P. RUMBLE

began dealing in farm machinery. He carried a good trade last year, and has just received a large invoices of goods for the spring trade.

N.P. NELSON & CO

This firm is about one year old, and Col. J.H. Jolly represents the company. He was formerly a lumber dealer, but is giving his attention to law at present. N.P. Nelson, the Jr member of the firm, is a native of this county, and a graduate. He began the land and loan business in November, 1875. He has dealt out Justice, just as it should be, since October, 1874. This finds him absorbed in the real estate, insurance and law business.

The firm of

HYDE & TROWBRIDGE,

carpenters, built six dwelling houses and one school house from April to Novemer, 1877. Mr Hyde has worked at his trade twenty-four years, and Mr Trowbridge four years. They began work together last spring.

C.H. DOW & CO

began buying grain here, June 5th, 1877, and on December 31st, they had bought 63,073 bushels of grain. The members of this firm are C.H. Dow, of Bedford, and Mr A.C. Shoemaker, who has control of the trade here.

J.A. STARKEY

bought out the saloon owned by E. Starkey, in May, 1877, and has conducted the business very profitably to himself and satisfactory to the public since.

About four months ago,

J.P. DANIELS

opened his meat market. In December he bought the "people's grocer," of the late "Tom." Finch. He has a good assortment of groceries, and has had some experience in this business.

C.M. HALL

is proprietor of a blacksmith shop, and partner in a wagon shop. This building is 16x54 feet. He was also proprietor of a meat market, some two years.

B.F. THOMPSON

succeeded the firm of Thompson & Dick, about four months ago. He was initiated in the hardware and grocery trade in Henry county, this state. He keeps a fresh stock of groceries, and a full line of hardware. He also carried on a tin shop.

W.B. WOOLLEY,

a young man, began to share the good people of Conway, about three months ago. He now has a new shop, and is learning very fast.

W.P. NORMAN,

jeweler, has worked at his trade about three months. He gives special attention to repairing.

G.W. HARWOOD,

gunsmith, opened a shop here some two months since. He seems to have a fair business, and is undoubtedly a good smith.

JOHN ALLISON, JR.,

is the telegraph operator and freight agent here; has had charge of the office since November. He understand his "biz," thoroughly, and is energetic, doing very near all the work of the office, himself, and would be a very fine man generally, were he not a "red-hot" republican. He probably inherited his political views, as he is a nephew of our present Senator, Wm B. Allison.

F.W. NELSON

is proprietor of at the Commerical hotel, and has plenty of room for the accommodation of his patrons. He was at one time proprietor of a meat market at this place.

MICHAEL O'GRADY,

recently purchased the Virginia hotel and immediately proceeded to remodel and repair the same. He is supposed to be a man of means. At any rate, he keeps things in "ship" shape, and he has a good run of custom. He knows just how to "tickle" the palates of his patrons. His clerk,

M.C. DIAMOND,

is a very obliging young man, and a shrewd fellow, too, by the way. He is Mr O'Gready's "right bower," and diamonds are "trumps." We don't know anything about cards, but are of the opinion that Mr O'Gready can "play it alone."

DRS COBB & BOYCE,

are both regular graduates. Dr Cobb, of the homoeopathic school and Dr Boyce alpathic and eclectic schools. they formed a partnership recently.

DR A.T. WEST,

an eclectic physician and surgeon, who located here, some two months ago, is daily growing in popularity. He is a very modest man, with a winning manner.

MR JOHN INGOLNSBY,

will open a saloon and billiard parlor, in the basement of the Virginia hotel, this week, which will, it is thought, be properly and legally conducted.

A.B. HARDIN

has assumed control of the Pitman saloon.

THE CHURCH,

The M.E. church is the leading church of the place. This class was transfered from old Lexington, in '74 under the pastorate of Rev S.A. Elliott, and services were held in the depot. They have a parsonage, and two lots secured, upon which they contemplate building a church next summer. The membership is 55. The present pastor, Rev W.M. Welch, preaches here every two weeks; they have an excellent Sabbath School, superintended by Geo. Eichar. All denominations work together in the school, and in this respect it might be very properly called a Union Sabbath school. All religious services are held in the school house.

THE BAPTISTS

have been organized about one year. Rev Smith has had charge of this flock about one month.

THE PRESBYTERIANS

organized themselves into a church, last June. Rev W.T. Bartel, administers to their spiritual wants. They contemplate building a church at no distant day.

THE SCHOOL

The first school in the town, was taught by N.P. Nelson, with an enrollment of 76; this was in 1875. The present two story building was built in '74, and is 30x36 and cost when ready for Mr. Nelson's school $1800.

PROF. F.L. COLMAN

is the principal at present, and has in the high school an enrollment of 32, the average attendance is 23. He is teaching algebra and latin, has taught 25 terms of school in eight years, five of which were in this county.

MR M.C. LITTEER,

a graduate of the "State Agricultural College," has charge of the lower department; he has 76 pupils with an average attendance of 55-- this is the seventh term of school taught by Mr Litteer. Both schools are reported as progressing rapidly. A deep interest is manifested by the pupils. In this connection it might be well to notice the literary society, which is participated in by the leading citizens. They have a debate and a literary entertainment alternately--the members feel they are greatly benefitted thereby.

THE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

In 1873 a tax was voted by the citizens of the Tp. for a library. At that time about $350 was invested in books, since then $150 more has been expended, making in all $500 invested in the public library. In addition to this Senator Allison donated twelve volumes which arrived this week. A librarian is paid a small salary to take charge of the library, whose duty it is to keep a record of the names of all parties getting books, as well as the No. of the book which must be returned in two weeks. The library is free to all residents of the township.