Like all other small towns, Danville had been supplied with the produce called "marketing," by the farmers and others who came at irregular times and huckstered through the various streets and alleys of the town. This mode rendered the supply very uncertain and the prices still more uncertain. Through the newspaper then under my control, I persistently urged the advantages of a regular market, under the regulations of the town authorities. The people began to think about it and finally the council took kup the subject and passed an ordinance for the establishment of a regular market on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays, closing at eleven o'clock a.m. each day
It is called "curb-stone market." The wagons backing up to the pavement and each paying a dime for the privilege on each market day. This is collected by the street commissioner, who makes his returns to the council.
On the 19th of April, 1872, an ordinance was passed, embodying general regulations for the market.
The first section fixes the market days and that Mill street from Spruce to Mahoning should be used for the market. It forbids sales in gross during market hours, except grain and flour.
The second section forbids the hawking or selling of produce on the streets, except fresh fish and oysters, at any other time or place than the time and street designated.
The third section forbids under a penalty, the sale of any tainted or unwholesome article.
The fourth section fixes the tax and orders that the market shall be on the west side of the street from October to may; and on the east side from May to October. The street is not to be blocked and free crossings shall be maintained and room for business men to load and unload goods.
The fifth section defines the penalty for light weights or short measures.
Under these rules and regulations the market has been successfully conducted to the present time. The street commissioner, at the present Mr. Faux, also acts as market inspector.
The Danville Market is well supplied by the farmers and producers of Montour and Northumberland counties. Among the regular attendants is Jesse Conway. His inviting assortment always attracts the crowd and he always sells out at an early hour. Howard James is emphatically the "butter man." He is always on hand with the choice, fresh roll butter of the country. C. S. Soper, he of the Washington hills, has converted a barren ridge into a productive garden teeming with the choicest fruits and vegetables in their season. He attends market just when it suits him; but when he does come, he gets better prices and sells faster than anybody else. Charles Maus, always has a nice lot of fruits and vegetables and finds a ready sale. Mr. Hendricks and Mr. Kirkner are also regular attendants and supply a host of customers. There are many others worthy of mention, who keep the people of Danville supplied with the products of the farm, the garden and the dairy. The market rules are seldom violated, the dime is cheerfully paid and the market a success. The great want now is a market house.
