Source: The Manchester Republican, February 19, 1874

C.D. JOHNSON is about the most useful man in town these muddy times. He conveys travelers to and from all the trains on each of the railroads, delivers the mail and U.S. express. He furnishes convenient conveyance (to any of our citizens who may want his services) from one part of the city to another or to the country and, attend funerals when notified.

Source: The Manchester Republican, April 23, 1874

C.D. Johnson's smith shop was demolished Tuesday last. It was built of logs and was evidently one of the early settlers.

C. D. Johnson Livery Stable and Bus Line
[taken from The Journal, November 22, 1888; reprinted in NMHS Newsletter, May 1989]

In giving a review of the business of North Manchester it is our endeavor to make it as complete as possible.  Among the many enterprises that go to make up the commercial world, the livery business forms a very important part.  The establishment indicated in the caption of this article is the best and most complete in this part of the state.  In fact there are few metropolitan cities that can lay claim to a finer, better equipped and better managed livery stable than that of C. D. Johnson.

Mr. Johnson has been engaged in business in our city for the past 23 years.  He devoted seven years of that time to the blacksmithing business.  He then started a bus and transfer line and for a number of years did all of the hauling and transfer work that was done in the town.  He transacted all the express business and for the past 16 years has carried the mail to the entire satisfaction of the different administrations.  His present business was begun on a very limited scale 13 years ago and has steadily developed into its magnificent proportions.  He completed the building he now occupies 8 years ago.  An elevator transfers the vehicles not in use from one floor to the other.  The gas for lighting purposes is furnished from a private machine, in fact everything about the place has a city-fied air not often seen in places the size of North Manchester.

Mr. Johnson shows an aptitude for the business that few can lay claim to.  He is watchful, energetic and employs only the most trustworthy.  His stables are models of convenience, there being a place for everything and everything kept in its place.  Mr. Johnson keeps none but first-class turnouts and will have no others.  He believes that it does not cost any more to keep a good horse than a poor one.  He has as pleasant drivers, both single and double, as one could wish to sit behind.  His turnouts are first-class and he is prepared to furnish you with any kind of a rig from a road cart to most elegant carriages.  Mr. Johnson takes great pride in keeping everything in prime order.   When you get a rig at his stable you do it with an assurance that everything is in the best of order and have no danger to fear from any neglect on his part.  He runs a “bus to all trains and makes inducements to traveling men when wanting anything in the line of livery.”

Source: Wabash County Directory for 1894, Display Ad:

C.D. JOHNSON, LIVERY, FEED & SALE STABLE. Good Rigs, Careful Drivers.
BUS LINE. Special Attention to the Commercial Trade.
Service the Best. Prices Reasonable.

Source: North Manchester Journal, January 14, 1897

C.D. Johnson

The livery barn of C.D. Johnson, on East Main street, is in high favor with all who appreciate a handsome "turnout." Mr. Johnson is a liveryman of many years' experience and takes great pride in keeping the equipment of his barn, including horses, harness and vehicles up to a high standard. His courteous treatment of patrons, combined with the fact that he never imposes upon them by turning out shabby appearing rigs, has made him the most popular liveryman in the city.

Mr. Johnson is also proprietor of the North Manchester bus and transfer line, an enterprise with which he has been identified for nearly a quarter of a century.