Keystone
McDowell County
A.L. Calhoun
1895(?)—1913
A.L. Calhoun was a black proprietor of a saloon in Keystone (“McDowell County,” 1895). I mention that he was black because Keystone was infamous at the time for having integrated saloons and brothels, as well as a general atmosphere of lawlessness and lust. For instance, in 1895, Calhoun was indicted on 34 charges of selling to minors and other liquor license violations (“McDowell County,” 1895). He operated this saloon and from 1900 he also operated a general store (Mercantile Agency, Sep. 1900). He shut down during prohibition, on paper, though given it was Keystone I would not be surprised if he operated underground during prohibition.
Northfork
C.W. Elliott & Co.
1904—1913
The dates above reflect the start of the firm (1904) and the start of prohibition (1913); C.W. Elliott & Co. also bottled soda far past the start of prohibition.
A newspaper community note about the C.W. Elliott & Co. board meeting in Northfork revealed the officers of the corporation to be C.W. Elliott, president and general manager; C.S. Angel, vice president; and J.B. Harris, secretary and treasurer (“North Fork,” 1904). While C.W. Elliott passed away in 1913, both C.W. Elliott [&] Co. and Keystone Bottling Co. continued on.
C.W. Elliott, the proprietor of this company and Keystone Bottling Company, was affectionately known as “Charlie Pop,” obviously for his successful soda businesses (“Welch News,” 1905). I think knowing this humanizes him in a way these bottles cannot. I am very grateful his business was successful enough to leave us these wonderful artifacts we now collect (though they are quite difficult ones to find!).
C.W. Elliott & Co., Northfork beer bottle. Aqua blue glass. Likely would have been a crown top.
References
McDowell County court. (1895, January 26). The Wheeling Daily Register, 4.
North Fork. (1904, December 16). Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 5.
Welch news notes. (1905, March 28). Bluefield Daily Telegraph, 2.