The Slipper Case

As I am beginning my historical memories of the Salt Creek and Pike Run Valleys where I was born, I will start with what is the focal point of any area: the neighborhood store, which was located at the junction of Pike Run and Salt Creek Roads and owned by Henry H. Haynes and his wife, Margaret Carter Haynes. They had a large family and were very active people with colorful personalities, inherited I am sure from the fiery Carter side of the family. 

Henry C. Haynes took over the store in 1871 after his father Henry H.’s death. At this point, he proceeded to get involved in what was known as “The Slipper Case” in the Supreme Court of Ohio. 

The store stocked medicines, whiskey, groceries, shoes, and probably some articles of work clothing. A man from the Pike Run area on his way to court in Chillicothe stopped by the store and bought a new pair of shoes, leaving his old slippers and saying he would pick them up later. Months went by and he failed to do so.

Mr. Haynes one day tried them on for size. They fit, and were comfortable, so he wore them out.

A few weeks later, the owner stopped by to pick them up, and Mr. Haynes had to admit he did not have them because he had worn them out. The owner asked him to pay for the slippers, which Mr. Haynes refused to do, so the man took him to court, and it was finally settled in favor of the man who owned the shoes. By the time a verdict was reached by the Supreme Court of Ohio*, it cost Mr. Haynes more than $1,000. Incidentally, Mr. Haynes was my children’s 3x great-grandfather.

Widow Margaret Carter Haynes was the actual overseer of the business and gave all the instructions for the management of the store and farm as long as she lived. She does not have a marker beside her husband, so I am uncertain as to the year of her death but know she was living in 1880.

* Editor’s note: While I cannot find record of this case, I am still looking and will update this note when I find out more.