Photo: California and Union Block was a row of wooden business blocks until it burned during a typical lake effect blizzard in January 1912. The California Block was built in 1854 at the corner of Main and Railroad (Harwood Drive) Streets and the Union Block, which housed four store fronts, was added by 1861. The Colony Block at the right, with its “twin,” the Cook Block, which is just outside the area of this view, dated from the late 1870’s.

William Cotrell still kept up his shoe shop in the second floor, with Dr. Lewis as dentist on the same floor. The Good Templar’s Hall was on the third floor. It was afterwards called Sargent’s Hall. Dr. S. J. Douglas, P. M. Newton and M. M. Tucker built and owned the Union Block which joined the California Block, with the Masonic Temple on the third floor, north side and Union Hall on the south side. On the second floor were the law offices of Azariah Wart, Charles Watkins – undertaking and furniture, besides several housekeeping or living rooms on the same floor.

S. J. Douglass’ drug store was on the ground floor nearest to Sargent & Pruyn, then P. M. Newton with two stores, one vacant and M. M. Tucker, harness shop, and post office last. Later came the C. W. Colony and A. R. Cook blocks to the south.

In those days there was no readymade clothing and but few boots and shoes; there were what was called journeymen shoemakers and tailors who traveled the country usually boarding in families where they made up the boots, shoes and clothing for the family, then moving on to some other place.

Jerry King was a journeyman tailor and a good one, who came along to Sandy Creek looking for work and stopped in the store of P. M. Newton who carried a line of cloths for men’s wear in clothing. Jerry didn’t have any more and wanted a job, so Mr. Newton had him make up some suits for customers of his. The work proved satisfactory, so more orders came in, but there were lapses in between nearly every job while Jerry patronized the hotel bar across the way. When his money was gone he would resume work, much to the disgust of Mr. Newton who didn’t drink booze and didn’t like to see his money go for it. Still Jerry stayed on, until finally Mr. Newton would give him no more work or pay. Jerry had no place to go so finally Mr. Newton said he would hire him for a year straight at so much, but would give him no money for the entire year, only paying his board at the hotel and giving him his tobacco from the store, or such other things as were necessary. So Jerry took him up and worked the year. Settling up at the end, Mr. Newton asked what he wanted to do. Jerry said, “I’ll take your note for what is due me and work another year on the same terms.” This he did for three years; at the end of that time Mr. Newton established him in his vacant store, furnishing the cloth as before and Jerry was his own boss.

He went on and established a fine clothing trade, gradually working in the readymade business. He built a good home, married and raised a family of four children; Sam, Will, Ella and Emma, leaving a fine business free and clear of debt to his two sons, San and Will King.

The old California and Union Block stood the test of years without serious damage in any way, seemingly to defy the elements while fire raged on all sides of it several times, taking the hotel and stores across the road; Sherman Block south; old Cottrell or Sargent house north; the Horace Scripture barns on the east. But, it finally succumbed on that terrible day of storms which has been mentioned many times in the columns of the News.