History Through Letters

1893 was a very interesting time in the history of Durham. William T. Blackwell, the man known as the father of Durham was struggling. He had sold his shares in the William T. Blackwell Company a decade ago, opened up a bank that failed, and now has fallen on desperate times. You can see this in the letter he wrote to Richard from New York.

This same year, Richard Wright was pursuing his business ventures without a suitable prosthetic. This makes me wonder if he had to use a wheelchair or crutches until his artificial leg was properly fitted. It took him over two years since his injury to receive the leg.

All is not good with the Durham Consolidated Land and Improvement Company. I believe the company is having a difficult time selling the lots around Trinity College as well as the cost of converting horse drawn trolleys to an electric trolley system.

On December 16th, 1893, a letter comes from Carr stating that Brody Duke has lost his interest in the Duke Factory. Carr states, “We are in the soup down here caused by the failure of the B.L. Duke Durham Supply Company.”

Richard has many stokes in the fire. During this time, he has a law suit against the Dukes, pertaining to a patent that was developed by his hired mechanic/engineer, William Hulse. Apparently the secretary of the American Tobacco Company has also submitted a patent for approval for an identical crimping devise. This is one of several suits Richard pursues against the Dukes.

Among all this, Richard has moved to New York so he can continue his case against the Dukes. Because of the move, he sends his brother Thomas a letter, asking for him to send his horse to New York.