Postal politics prove perplexing

    One of the first things a town has to do to prove its existence is establish a post office. It gives your place a name. So, it goes without saying that the office of postmaster was definitely an important one.  
    Certainly, Postmaster was a powerful position economically. In the 19th century a postmaster could move the post office into his own store, giving his business built in customers on a daily basis.
    In all but the most rural places, the Postmaster was an appointed position by no less a person than the President of the United States.
    In Braceville the first post office was created in 1870 with George Augustine as the first postmaster, but in 1885 he was ousted for Joseph Dyer who immediately built a new building and moved the post office there, also selling books, notions, stationary and cigars on the side.
    In Coal City, the first post office was opened in 1875 with W. S. Keay as the headman. He immediately went out and bought a new buggy on receiving the news.
    But in the grand post office swap of 1885 he lost his position for “offensive partisanship” to Mrs. Margaret Kimman. She hired Miss Nellie McKinley as her assistant and moved the post office to a location of her liking, also selling various other goods along with stamps and money orders.
    In Diamond, there was really no official post office, although there was an official town. In 1882, we read in a description of the Village of Diamond, “At the coal company's office all was busy, it being the center of attraction for miners and a volunteer post office besides.”
     But what was wanted was a real post office with all the services that went along with it. On Jan. 12, 1883, we read in the Wilmington Advocate, “In thunder tones Diamond demands a post office.” But by the great post office switch of 1885 there still was none in Diamond.
    As for Braidwood, I am not sure when, where or who had the first post office.  The first mention I can find is in 1875 showing it certainly was well used, “Upwards of 15,000 valentines passed through the Braidwood post office on Monday last.”  It must have been a great place to hang out as we also read, “Our post office is becoming quite a place of meeting for our belles and young bloods, who daily congregate there.”
    The first person I can find mentioned as Postmaster was really Postmistress Wilson. On receipt of the news she immediately went out and purchased a Bardette organ. We also know that she ran a bookstore along with the post office and sold tickets to performances at Music Hall.  
    In 1882 Postmaster Huston took over and immediately purchased the Kellogg building, moving the post office into it, along with a bunch of general merchandise.
    To give you a feel for how much business this meant, I found the following stats for 1882: “During 1882 the receipts of the Braidwood post office were $4,268.84 ($107,700 today); 2,650 domestic and 764 foreign money postal orders were issued, amounting to $43, 924.69 ($1,108,000); 640 postal orders, amounting to $9,726.41 ($245,400), were paid here
In the great switch of 1885 though, Huston was on his way out.
    We read, “William Mooney, of Braidwood, Ill., is interesting himself in attempting to procure for Thomas Hennebry the postmastership of the town aforesaid.  The other candidate for the position is Mrs. Margaret O'Donnell, who, like Mr. Hennebry is well fortified with recommendations.
    “Mr. Mooney says the democrats in Braidwood demand recognition, and it would be bad party policy to bestow the office on the lady, while the active workers request the appointment of Mr. Hennebry.
    “Mr. Mooney will probably lose caste with the lady democrats in Braidwood in case he persists in antagonizing Mrs. O'Donnell.”
    Finally, in February of 1886 the suspense was over, Thomas Hennebry had been appointed postmaster. His first act was to move the post office to the Thom building, and then to placate the ladies, whose candidate was overlooked, he rehired Mrs. Bryden who had assisted Huston.
    We read, “Mrs. Bryden is shortly to resume her late position in the post office. Thoroughly conversant with the routine of post office work and an affable lady in every respect, Miss Bryden's appointment will give general satisfaction.”