| Summary: | George Dockter in his blacksmith shop Midway, during the 1940's MIDWAY TELL Located 12 miles east of Linton, just off the south side of Highway 13, MIDWAY STORE did a thriving business. Although there was not a postoffice, George J. Dockter, proprietor, did a fine trade in his area. The blacksmith shop established there in 1936 drew so many customers that he gradually added a line of groceries, did some garage work, sold gasoline, bought cream and eventually sold beer. The whole operation was run by the Dockter family with help of one of the neighbors, Katherine Miller. Because of Mrs. Dockter's ill health, they sold out and moved to Linton in 1957, moving their house and shop to a spot along Highway 83. After George's health failed, he sold the business to his son, Raymond, who is presently the only blacksmith in the county. MARIE—A postoffice on Sec. 18, 133-74 was established Apr. 28, 1905 with Katie B. McGuire postmaster followed by Benny 0. Christianson in 1907 and James Green in 1910. The only compensation a postmaster received in their rural offices was the cancellations, so they resented their patrons mailing letters in town and using the rural offices only for receiving mail. The mail carrier, Tom Grogan, used a charcoal burner to keep warm while driving his route during winter months. Marie post office was discontinued in Oct. 1913 and mail sent to Hague. (As written by E. G. Pearson) Tell postoffice was established Apr. 23, 1894 in the farm home of the postmaster, Olaf Pearson, on SEV4-23, 135-74. He served until 1903 when Charles H. Pearson was appointed. Tell mail was hauled from Steele via Roop and then to the county seat, Williamsport. Mailcarriers on this route were George Holt, Slatenhus and Frank Ringus. From Braddock to Tell, deliveries were made by Jay Lindsay, Frank Zellmer and Pete Sogstad. When the railroad put on the passenger train, it took on the mail business and Tell postoffice was discontinued on May 31, 1908 and mail carried from Braddock. HOE When a postoffice called "Hoe" was established April 30, 1907, Mrs. Orson (Verna) Ott became the post-mistress in their sod house. Allie Linderman, a neighbor, brought the mail from Hazelton via horse and buggy to Mrs. Ott and she in turn put the mail in pigeon-hole boxes for her neighbors to pick up. She enjoyed her new occupation as this gave her an opportunity to visit and become acquainted with her neighbors. The service was discontinued in Dec. of the same year, and mail sent to Hazelton. ST. MICHAEL'S Out in the St. Michael's community, northeast of Linton, is a parish hall that serves as a gathering place for young and old and pays big dividends in the form of good wholesome entertainment and better understanding among neighbors, according to Father Lauinger, parish priest in the 1950s. The hall was built in 1948, has room for at least 250 persons, and can be used for home talent plays, community dinners, wedding dances and moving pictures. A grocery store, operated by Daniel Kuhn, was a real convenience to the rural patrons. LARVIK—Named for E. M. Larvick, this rural postoffice was established May 27, 1899 with Brynhjolf J. Stolee as postmaster. It was discontinued Oct. 17, 1902 and mail sent to nearby Westffield. MASTEL—An overland station on the south branch of Big Beaver Creek, the office was established July 1, 1912 with Thomas H. Mastel postmaster. It was discontinued in Oct. the following year and mail sent to Hague. OMIO—A rural post office called Waylin changed its name to Omio in Jan. 1892 with Libbie Wescott the first postmaster. A sandstone Methodist church was built at Omio, and it became the social center in the neighborhood. When the post office was discontinued in Dec. 1914, the mail was sent to Linton. ROOP—A rural post office established Aug. 21, 1884 in the home of the postmaster, James N. Roop, on NWV4-26, 135-75, about 7 miles east of Williamsport. It was discontinued in Mar. 1900 and mail sent to Braddock. SELZ—The home of the newly appointed postmaster, Anton Vetter, became the post office for Selz when it was established in Apr. 1896. Franz Wolf held the position during 1901, then Mr. Vetter again received the appointment. Mail service was discontinued in May, 1903 and mail sent to Hague. SOUTH PRAIRIE—An inland post office established by Capt. Martin Flick, Apr. 21, 1892 with Celia J. Flick, postmaster. The name is descriptive of the location. It was discontinued in Apr. 1899 and mail sent to Tirsbol. TIRSBOL—A rural post office established May 3, 1898 with Egidi Keller as postmaster. This place was no doubt named for Tiraspol, the diocese for the Catholic German-Russians in south Russia. The name was changed to Strasburg, Apr. 29, 1903. WAYLIN—Established Feb. 18, 1886 with Abraham L. Reynolds as postmaster. Leah Carmichael held the position in 1888 and Judith Reynolds in 1890. Two years later it was transferred to the Wescott home and the name changed to Omio. 95 Scanned with a Zeutschel Zeta book scanner at 300 dpi. Edited with Multi-Page TIFF Editor.
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