dgiven into the ground and the poles were fastened t athem by wire, this was called a combination febce. In l900 barbed wire was invented and three 0& four strands of barb wire was fastened to posts bf staples which made a strong fence. Some people uskd woven wire or later on, electric fences.

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BLACKSMITHING

/ John T. Best owned and operated a bhcksmith shbp on his farm at Belmont Lot l6. This farm was later owned by his son William. At the present tgme it is owned by Ernest inman. Mr. Best first operated his shop in a building near his house,

with a forge in one end, pigs in the other end of the same building.

On account of fire insurance regulations it wasn't permissable to have open fires in a farm building. In l89h or I895 Mr. Best built a new Shop, a few yards east of the present driveway, leading into the before mentioned farm. By not opening to the road it wasn't regarded as a public SEOP, although Mr. Best, being a very obliging man never refused anyone.

, Although the fee at that time was only a few ant5 the same work at the present time would be agfew dollars. Horseshoeing, using new shoes cost Z§ t0 80¢, depending on the size of the shoes,

#Oc for four removes, all other work in accordance.

& Mr. Best marked his daily transactions on a SlBté, which hung in the shOp. At the end of the day It was copied down on a scribbler. Most all

,tfansactions were on a credit system, payable in §be fall.

M; Mr. Best's shop has been moved to the farm of ‘.I- Ernest lnman and is being used by Mr. lnman as é‘weldlng and repair shop.

.,. After Mr. John T. Best retired his son Oliver unit a shop on his property, near the end of the 99'n5‘* Thompson lane. He operated there several gears Wlth the help of his son Harry, until age 'Wnd health forced him to retire.

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