Samuel H. Vick briefly partnered with J.C. [J.F.?] Collins to do business as Collins & Vick Livery Company. In early 1907, Ellis Carriage Works of Kinston, North Carolina, sued Collins & Vick when the firm failed to pay for buggies ordered in August and October 1906. In his defense, Vick asserted that he had left the partnership in July 1906, well before the orders were placed. He had notified people in Wilson of the dissolution by word of mouth, but admitted no official notice was published until January 1907. A justice of the peace found in Ellis Carriage’s favor and assessed a two hundred dollar judgment. Vick appealed.
The first order, dated 4 August 1906: “Ellis Carage Works Kinston NC Deare sir som time ago yours agent was Hears and we Romes[?] to Hantle a fue of your Buggys Now you can please shift 2 of your nice Buggys for sanple at once and we will sell as meney as we can for you Yours Respctly Collins and Vick Co” Though not dispositive of his responsibility for the debt, the well-educated Vick clearly did not write this letter, with its shaky penmanship and haphazard spelling. Unfortunately, I can find no trace of J.C. (or J.F.) Collins in Wilson.
Nor the second: “Wilson NC 10/17 1906 Mr Ellis Deare sir please send me 2 Buggy side spring one Red coller and one Black Coller Please send then like the las side spring you shipt me But not Red in tope I will sell a good meney for you please shipe at once Yours truly J.F. Collins and Vick”
Civil Action Papers, Wilson County Government Records 1907-1908, Wilson County, North Carolina Miscellaneous Records, http://www.familysearch.org.
