In the autumn of 1835, having been cheated out of the previous summer’s earnings, by the captain of the steamer in which I had been employed running away with the money, I was, like the rest of the men, left without any means of support during the winter, and therefore had to seek employment in the neighbouring towns.  I went to the town of Monroe, in the state of Michigan, and while going through the principal streets looking for work, I passed the door of the only barber in the town, whose shop appeared to be filled with persons waiting to be shaved.  As there was but one man at work, and as I had, while employed in the steamer, occasionally shaved a gentleman who could not perform that office himself, it occurred to me that I might get employment here as a journeyman barber.  I therefore made immediate application for work, but the barber told me he did not need a hand.  But I was not to be put off so easily, and after making several offers to work cheap, I frankly told him, that if he would not employ me I would get a room near to him, and set up an opposition establishment.  This threat, however, made no impression on the barber; and as I was leaving, one of the men who were waiting to be shaved said, “If you want a room in which to commence business, I have one on the opposite side of the street.”  This man followed me out; we went over, and I looked at the room.  He strongly urged me to set up, at the same time promising to give me his influence.  I took the room, purchased an old table, two chairs, got a pole with a red stripe painted around it, and the next day opened, with a sign over the door, “Fashionable Hair-dresser from New York, Emperor of the West.”  I need not add that my enterprise was very annoying to the “shop over the way”—­especially my sign, which happened to be the most expensive part of the concern.  Of course, I had to tell all who came in that my neighbour on the opposite side did not keep clean towels, that his razors were dull, and, above all, he had never been to New York to see the fashions.  Neither had I. In a few weeks I had the entire business of the town, to the great discomfiture of the other barber.

At this time, money matters in the Western States were in a sad condition.  Any person who could raise a small amount of money was permitted to establish a bank, and allowed to issue notes for four times the sum raised.  This being the case, many persons borrowed money merely long enough to exhibit to the bank inspectors, and the borrowed money was returned, and the bank left without a dollar in its vaults, if, indeed, it had a vault about its premises.  The result was, that banks were started all over the Western States, and the country flooded with worthless paper.  These were known as the “Wild Cat Banks.”  Silver coin being very scarce, and the banks not being allowed to issue notes for a smaller amount than one dollar, several persons put out notes from 6 to 75 cents in value; these were called “Shinplasters.”